However, the Imperial Censors still played a significant role, discovering numerous issues during their inspections in the countryside.

For example, problems such as County Magistrates privately selling land, insufficient plots allocated to settled refugees, misdirected relief grains, and unimplemented imperial edicts for labor recruitment were rampant.

The diligent Imperial Censors corrected these on the spot on behalf of Zhao Hanzhang, while the less capable ones reported the issues as they were.

Currently, through them, Zhao Hanzhang could gain a comprehensive understanding of the local situation. They were her eyes and ears.

Because many Imperial Censors needed to be sent across the nine states, Zhao Hanzhang, lacking personnel, was lenient towards them. She didn’t mind even if they submitted accusations against Xun Fan or her herself.

First, she would make use of them, and if their remarks were genuinely unpleasant, she would work them hard.

Ming Yu, being upright and intolerant of flaws, disagreed with Ji Yuan’s views and expressed his desire to discipline the outspoken officials upon meeting Zhao Hanzhang.

Unfazed, Zhao Hanzhang unfolded the yellow cloth containing the imperial edict and said, "It’s not a big issue, let them argue among themselves and find evidence. Once they have clarified, rewards or punishments will naturally follow."

"What if they can’t clarify?" Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "Ah, have I forgotten to appoint a Minister of the Ministry of Supervision? No wonder the officials being impeached have such varied positions and there’s no one to manage it."

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu: ...

The two exchanged a glance, "We thought the Lady deliberately avoided appointing this official, especially since Minister Fu isn’t here."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Even if Minister Fu were present, this position cannot be given to him. His skills don’t lie in this area."

She grew a headache mulling over the available personnel but couldn’t think of anyone suitable for this position. She sighed, "There’s still too few talents."

The position of Minister of the Ministry of Supervision might confuse many readers, but everybody understands the role of Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

It handles matters related to penal affairs, responsibilities above the Ministry of Justice, overseeing major cases, heinous crimes, and the cases involving officials and the Imperial Family.

Instances of official corruption and bribery usually fell under the purview of the Ministry of Justice, oh wait, it’s now under the Ministry of Supervision, as the Ministry of Justice doesn’t exist yet.

As Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t think of a suitable candidate, she straightforwardly said, "Gentlemen, please recommend some talents, hmm, pass this edict, allowing local officials to report suitable candidates, and I’ll select from them later to fill the Imperial Censorate and Ministry of Supervision positions. This is an important matter; it won’t do to find no one to investigate when officials err."

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu exchanged a glance and bowed in agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang stamped the imperial edict swiftly and handed it to Ji Yuan, smiling, "Send it out quickly. Nowadays, everyone is watching King Langya, and since this decree was written by the Emperor himself, King Langya, as a loyal minister, should comply, right?"

Ji Yuan answered with a smile, "Xun Fan says His Majesty has another handwritten letter he wants to send out with the decree. In this case, it’s not fitting to have only the subordinate officials deliver the decree. What do you think about selecting an eunuch from the palace to accompany it?"

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment and replied, "Ask the Emperor about this. If he wants someone from his side to accompany it, that’s also fine."

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were startled, quickly interjecting, "Wouldn’t the Great General be providing them an opportunity to connect?"

They only wanted King Langya to trust that the decree genuinely reflected the Emperor’s intent, not for them to seize an opportunity to collude.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, declared with righteousness, "I trust His Majesty and Xun Fan."

Ming Yu and Ji Yuan frowned but listened as she continued, "Moreover, colluding, isn’t necessarily a bad thing."

For her, it was actually beneficial.

If the Emperor sincerely reconciled, it would naturally benefit everyone. If he wasn’t sincere, he needed to act, and she could respond accordingly.

Is there a better bait than King Langya?

Ming Yu and Ji Yuan immediately understood, exchanging a glance and silently agreeing. The Great General was indeed crafty, something they couldn’t match.

Although the Little Emperor was still young, she was already digging a big pit for him, the kind one could fall into and be buried alive if not careful.

By the afternoon, the Little Emperor wrote a heartfelt letter, which after being sent back three times, finally passed Xun Fan’s review and was delivered to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan arranged for personnel to deliver it to King Langya.

He happily informed the Emperor that, considering the Great General’s long period without contact with relatives, this time, special permission was granted to send an eunuch so King Langya may know about Your Majesty’s life in Luoyang, assuring him.

After discussing with Xun Fan, the Little Emperor cautiously selected Eunuch Dong’s adopted son, Lai Qing, to accompany the delivery.

Since the imperial edict’s delivery to Jianye would take time, receiving feedback in Luoyang would take even longer. In the interim, Zhao Hanzhang received the feedback from officials and various places regarding talent recommendations.

Knowing Zhao Hanzhang sought officials for the Ministry of Supervision, most recommendations were of current officials in the political scene. For instance, Ji Yuan felt Xie Shi was suitable, considering him capable enough to multitask as Minister of the Ministry of Supervision while advising Zhao Erlang.

Ming Yu, however, believed Nanyang County’s Wang Nai and Yu State’s Geng Rong were suitable.

Beigong Chun scanned his subordinates and last-minute recommended Huang Shi to Zhao Hanzhang. It was just a filler recommendation; he believed Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t consider Huang Shi.

Huang Shi shared this sentiment but was still displeased at being included as filler by the General.

Zu Ti was far more earnest. After carefully evaluating Jizhou’s talents, he recommended three individuals to Zhao Hanzhang: First, his deputy Zuo Min, whom he considered brave and fearless, an ideal candidate for the Ministry of Supervision;

Second, the doctor from the Jizhou Governor’s Mansion, Song Mingyao, a meticulous reader with vast knowledge, potentially needed by Zhao Hanzhang. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Third was a professor of mathematics from Jizhou’s academy, Lu Leiyang, proficient not only in mathematics but also law, well-versed in legal codes from the pre-Qin states to the laws of Great Jin, whom Zu Ti believed should be a candidate for the Ministry of Justice, even if not for the Ministry of Supervision.

Contrasting Zu Ti’s careful and prudent manner, Shi Le was much more forthright. Upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s need for personnel, he immediately gathered his subordinates and noted down their names, sending Zhao Hanzhang a letter.

Opening Shi Le’s letter, Zhao Hanzhang found a stack of paper; perhaps due to poor penmanship, the ink seeped through the pages, some characters merging together, but still recognizable.

She stared in silence at the full list of names spanning three large sheets. Was Shi Le intending to send all his men to Luoyang?

Rubbing her forehead, Zhao Hanzhang then opened letters received from Zhao Ju, Liu Kun, and others.

To Zhao Hanzhang’s surprise, recommended Wang Nai also proposed a candidate.

His brother, the still unplaced Wang Gui.

Coincidentally, his brother fled to Jiangnan during the chaos years ago, not seeking King Langya, but eventually ended up in Nanyang County.

Because Wang Nai governed Nanyang County, he sought refuge there.

Wang Nai believed his brother’s vast knowledge suited him for the Ministry of Supervision.

Zhao Hanzhang carefully reviewed the recommended lists and selected some individuals to come to Luoyang.

Even if they didn’t end up in the Ministry of Supervision, they could be placed elsewhere; currently, she had plenty of space to fill with personnel!