Chương 774: Interview

Liu Ce looked at the four twenty-five-year-olds below him and became more and more satisfied.

OK, OK!

They were all full of energy and looked capable.

"Get up, everyone," Liu Ce waved his hand and said with a smile, "Don't stand, sit down."

I noticed you all during my southern tour; you are all exceptional talents.

Now that we're back in Beijing, I can arrange some things for you to do.

The four expressed their gratitude again and sat down properly.

Zhang Juzheng sat upright with clear eyes, neither humble nor arrogant; Wang Meng lowered his eyes slightly, seemingly low-key, but actually exuding a powerful aura; Guo Ziyi sat with composure, radiating authority without anger; Li Dingguo stood ramrod straight, clearly a man of military background.

Liu Ce asked them a few simple questions, testing their views on politics and military affairs.

The four men answered fluently and insightfully, each sentence hitting the nail on the head, even more incisive than those seasoned veterans in the imperial court who had been around for decades.

Zhang Juzheng, in particular, spoke clearly and boldly, with incisive insights, when discussing tax reform and the rectification of officialdom.

Wang Meng is more well-rounded; he understands everything from governing the country and fighting wars to employing people, and he is ruthless and tough.

Guo Ziyi was calm and composed. When he talked about military strategy, border defense, and troop training, he was very experienced and clearly a talented commander.

Li Dingguo was a brilliant tactician, skilled in hard battles and raids, and a fierce general capable of fighting tough battles.

Liu Ce was increasingly satisfied as he listened, and his heart was filled with joy.

This system is reliable!

These four talented individuals are a perfect match for Liu Chen.

The older generation steps down, and the new generation takes over, ensuring the stability of the Han Dynasty.

After chatting for about half an hour, Liu Ce told them to go and rest, and arranged for them to stay at the post station. He would formally introduce them when the Crown Prince arrived the next day.

The four bowed and took their leave, then walked out with steady steps.

Liu Ce leaned back on the soft couch, picked up his teacup, and took a satisfying sip.

Not bad.

With these four people, plus Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, Liu Chen's team was complete.

I can retire with peace of mind now.

He figured it was time to hand over the throne completely.

We've been sitting here for forty years, we're tired of it.

It's time to step down, become a carefree retired emperor, and enjoy life to the fullest.

The next morning, Liu Chen was summoned to the Ganlu Palace by his father.

Recently, the country has been very busy. Liu Chen has been dealing with government affairs every day, so busy that he has dark circles under his eyes.

He entered the side hall and was about to pay his respects when he saw four young men standing inside, two dressed as civil officials and two as military officers, all with extraordinary bearing.

Liu Chen was taken aback, wondering: Who are these four people? I've never seen them before.

"Father, you wanted to see me?" Liu Chen walked to Liu Ce's side and asked in a low voice.

"Okay." Liu Ce nodded, pointed to the four people, and said, "Let me introduce you."

These four are talents I discovered during my southern tours over the past few years; they are all rare and promising individuals.

Zhang Juzheng and Wang Meng were skilled in governing the country; Guo Ziyi and Li Dingguo were capable of leading troops into battle.

"I'm leaving them to you; from now on, they will be your right-hand men."

Liu Chen was taken aback and looked the four people up and down.

To be called a "rare talent" by his father, he must be no ordinary person.

He knew better than anyone how discerning his father was.

Xun Yu, Zhuge Liang, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, as well as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Xu Da, Li Jing and others, were all recruited by his father, and each of them was a top talent.

These four people who caught his father's eye must be extraordinary.

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty," Liu Chen quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"No need to thank me, we're family." Liu Ce waved his hand.

"You guys chat and get to know each other."

I'm listening here, let's see if you can all agree on something."

What followed was a series of "interviews".

Liu Chen first asked Zhang Juzheng several questions about taxation and official governance.

Zhang Juzheng spoke eloquently and logically, with sharp and insightful views, especially on land annexation and official performance evaluation, which were so incisive that Liu Chen's eyes lit up.

Zhang Juzheng's ideas of land surveying, tax reform, and official performance evaluation hit the nail on the head.

"Great!" Liu Chen couldn't help but slap his thigh.

"Mr. Zhang's words have hit the nail on the head!"

Zhang Juzheng smiled slightly, his expression calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Next up is Wang Meng.

Liu Chen asked about local governance and the suppression of powerful clans.

Wang Meng's response was even harsher and his methods even tougher. He advocated using severe punishments in chaotic times, showing no mercy to local tyrants and corrupt officials. Those who deserved to be killed should be killed, and those whose homes should be confiscated should have their homes confiscated. He used thunderous methods to rectify officialdom.

Moreover, he not only understands governance, but also military affairs. He speaks eloquently about border defense and military strategy, making him a natural-born general and prime minister.

Liu Chen was increasingly astonished as he listened. This was no ordinary talent; this was a genius!

Where did Dad find so many ruthless people?

Then came Guo Ziyi and Li Dingguo.

Liu Chen asked about border defense, troop training, and troop deployment.

Guo Ziyi was calm and steady. When talking about training troops, marching, and deploying troops, he was methodical and experienced. He was clearly a talented commander who could lead a large army independently.

Li Dingguo was more adept at surprise attacks, hard battles, and rapid raids. He was a fierce and daring general who could fight tough battles.

The two complement each other perfectly, one steady and the other aggressive.

Liu Chen was deeply moved.

The older generation of generals in the army are all getting old. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are almost seventy, and Xu Da and Li Jing are over sixty. Although they can still fight, they are old after all.

What we need is a younger generation of leaders to take the lead.

Great, two of them have arrived at once, and both are top-notch talents!

They chatted for almost an hour, and Liu Chen became more and more energetic, no longer sleepy at all.

He finally understood; his father had given him four trump cards!

Civilians and military men, reformers and warlords—they're all here!

With these four people, plus Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Fa Zheng, and Lu Su, this court team is no less impressive than his father's founding team!

Liu Ce watched his son's "I've struck gold" expression and chuckled to himself.

Kid, you've never seen anything like this before.

Your dad has plenty of good stuff.

He cleared his throat and began to speak:

"Alright, that's enough of the conversation."

You should assign Zhang Juzheng and Wang Meng to the State Affairs Department, starting them as vice ministers of the eight ministries to familiarize them with government affairs, and then gradually promote them.

Guo Ziyi and Li Dingguo, you should arrange for them to join the army, first giving them positions as division commanders or brigade commanders, so they can gain experience, accumulate some military merits, and then be promoted in the future.

They're all promising talents; make good use of them and don't let them go to waste.

"Your Majesty, I understand!" Liu Chen nodded quickly, his face beaming with excitement.

"Father, rest assured, I will certainly make good use of them!"

He was feeling incredibly frustrated, wishing he could drag those four people to the yamen to work right now.

With these four formidable individuals helping us, handling state affairs will be much easier from now on!

After chatting for a few more minutes, Liu Chen led the four of them away excitedly.

Watching his son's light-footed figure disappear into the distance, Liu Ce smiled and shook his head.

Young people are full of energy.

Alright, the talent is in place, and the team is set up.

Now, it's time to get down to business...

Abdication.

He's had enough of being emperor.

It's time to retire and enjoy a peaceful life.

..................

It was the middle of the first month of the 40th year of the Shenwu reign.

The city of Luoyang was still immersed in the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, with lanterns and decorations everywhere and the sound of firecrackers rising and falling.

A sudden imperial edict completely stunned the Ministry of Rites.

The imperial edict was simple: His Majesty wishes to abdicate and pass the throne to the Crown Prince. The Ministry of Rites was instructed to expedite preparations, handling all procedures at the highest level, the sooner the better.