Castle of Black Iron

As Lu Yanyu was thinking about something; he didn’t notice that Zhang Tie had stopped at the riverside until he walked 2 more steps forward and surpassed Zhang Tie. Therefore, Lu Yanyu’s face blushed at once as he explained, “Ahem…ahem…sorry about that, this humble official was thinking about something…”

Zhang Tie looked at Lu Yanyu with a faint smile which made Lu Yanyu feel that he was naked and Zhang Tie had completely known what he was thinking about. Even the 2 letters of appointment might have been seen clearly by Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie’s eyelight made Lu Yanyu’s heart race.

Of course, he did not call Lu Yanyu only to make an investigation here with him. As Lu Yanyu had ruled Peacewest Farming Administration for many years, he was a qualified local tyrant. Zhang Tie couldn’t be a good Weiji General without the help of this assistant. Given the current situation, one was the main official as powerful as a dragon that swam across the river; the other was an experienced and influential local power. If the two parties coordinated with each other, it would be more beneficial. Zhang Tie really didn’t want to play any hide and seek game with Lu Yanyu as it was not allowed by the holy war. He just wanted to talk with Lu Yanyu sincerely.

Through yesterday’s observation, Zhang Tie also found that Lu Yanyu was shrewd and able; instead of being cunning. Additionally, Lu Yanyu had great prestige among all the officials in the farming authorities of Peacewest Military Region. Therefore, Zhang Tie determined to have a good talk with Lu Yanyu today. By the way, he wanted to draw Lu Yanyu over to his side.

“Mr. Lu, how long have you been serving in the farming authorities?” Zhang Tie asked.

“This humble official served as the clerk of the farming center of Xiaqu County, Yuzhou City, Tieling Prefecture, Military Province at the age of 23. It’s been 64 years now…”

“Were you only serving the farming authorities over the past 64 years?”

“Yes. I’m the only official who promoted all the way from exiled Class III to subordinate Class III in the farming authorities of Peacewest Military Region. I’ve almost experienced all the posts in the farming authorities of Peacewest Military Region!” Lu Yanyu said confidently when he mentioned his experience.

Zhang Tie let out a sigh. ‘Lu Yanyu is almost as old as my grandpa. It really makes him a bit embarrassed to be my assistant. However, this decision was made by the commander-in-chief. It has nothing to do with age.’ “Across Taixia Country, very few people might be able to promote to subordinate Class III all the way from a grassroots official like Mr. Lu. After hearing Mr. Lu’s experience, Zhang Tie shows great reverence to you. If Ms. Lu had no talent, you could never get such opportunities!”

“I’m overpraised. Besides being appreciated from all the superior officials, I’m just a bit diligent and meticulous!” Lu Yanyu said flurriedly after hearing Zhang Tie’s praise, “By comparison, Weiji General’s experience is more admirable…”

Waving his hand, Zhang Tie replied, “I’m just a bit lucky. I can’t match you in many aspects!”

“You’re so modest, it makes this humble official flurried…”

“Nothing to be flurried about. Who dares to say that he’s almighty? Even Meng Shidao dares not say that he has richer experience in farming authorities than you…not to mention me.” Zhang Tie said without any scruple, “In Kangzhou City, any farmer would be more proficient in farming than Meng Shidao. I’m afraid that any roadside pie pedlar would make pies better than Meng Shidao. Dare Meng Shidao to say that he could make embroidery better than an embroidered woman?”

After hearing Zhang Tie talking about Meng Shidao who was said to become the prime minister this year, Lu Yanyu closed his mouth instantly. Zhang Tie could casually comment Meng Shidao based on his social status and the hostile relationship between him and the Gobbling Party without any scruple; however, Lu Yanyu dared not do that. However, after hearing Zhang Tie’s words, Lu Yanyu’s heart pounded as he felt that Zhang Tie might not be as scheming as how he imagined. Zhang Tie today was utterly different than the one he met yesterday. Therefore, Lu Yanyu became puzzled as he wondered whether Zhang Tie was sounding out his intention or was indeed innocent.

“Do you feel that I was sounding out your intention?” Zhang Tie asked Lu Yanyu as he threw a glance at him.

“Ahem…ahem…” Lu Yanyu became a bit embarrassed at once as he said, “This humble official dares not think about that. As the crown prince’s master is in a high position and is going to take over the position of prime minister, each of his action is related to the well-being and safety of Taixia Country, this humble official can’t comment casually!”

“Haha…” Zhang Tie burst out into laughter, “Well, now that you’re inconvenient to talk about Meng Shidao, let’s talk about public affairs. How do you feel about the order of balancing awards and punishments that I released yesterday?”

“It’s a very good order…” Lu Yanyu answered with a bit solemn look, “The word balancing is the essence of this order. If the farming officials were just awarded or punished due to the grains production in their own official fields, if the figure of grains production was too high, the subordinates would definitely blame you about it; therefore, the figure might be changed. As long as Weiji General killed someone or punished someone due to this, you would not escape from being commented as too strict to your subordinates; if you set it too low, it would not work effectively. Besides influencing the supply of the logistics in the theater of operations, the public would criticize you that you don’t understand how to be a Weiji General or you’re too benignant like a woman. It would ruin your reputation. If the figure was neither high nor low, it would be hard to mobilize the officials in the theater of operations. With this order of balancing awards and punishments, you could avoid from being blamed by the public. Even if Weiji General killed someone later on, nobody would criticize that you’re too rigid. Later on, all the farming officials across the theater of operations have to compete with each other at their full efforts on solving the grains production problem facing the theater of operations being affected by this order. From now on, all the officials might be striving for implementing the methods to raise yield without the order of Weiji General. This order of balancing awards and punishments is really marvelous and considerate. This humble official admires it very much.”

Zhang Tie burst out into laughter. Lu Yanyu was indeed an experienced official who had been in the officialdom for 6 decades. Besides being sharp-eyed, his words were also pungent…