While Lin Wen was drinking tea, in the center of Shenjing was the Emperor's Tower, which was 646 meters tall.
Beside the main conference room that looked like the Giant King's Court, Zhao Anping sat respectfully on a soft chair in the small conference room. In front of him was a thin and shriveled man who was casually flipping through the paper documents in his hands.
"County Head Zhao, in that case, you've actually done very well. Did the dams collapse because the previous county head cut corners?"
The thin man's voice was very calm, but Zhao Anping didn't dare to be careless. He lowered his head and said respectfully, "Yes, Elder Cheng. I invested 2.6 million to fortify the dam. The county doesn't have that much money, and most of it was provided by me and my subordinates. Even so, other than the dam of Changpai Village, the other dry Levee weren't defended."
Elder Chang casually flipped through the paper in his hand and chuckled. "Alright, that's it then. This matter isn't your fault. There was a problem with the order of the Yun State and they actually wanted to close the floodgates to protect the dam. They couldn't hold on for a few hours and then opened the floodgates to release the water, causing the second eruption of the flood peak. I really can't believe it! This bunch of pigs really deserve to be killed!"
Zhao Anping trembled slightly and did not dare to reply.
"Of course. The former county governor is guilty, too. But he's dead. So be it."
Zhao Anping lowered his head. "Yes, sir."
The elder glanced at him. "Changshan is one of the poorest regions in the Empire. In principle, such personnel arrangement cannot be permitted. However, seeing how sincere you are, I will make an exception this time."
"Thank you, Elder Cheng. Zhao Anping will definitely follow your lead."
"No need, no need." Elder Chang smiled and said, "You're just a county head. If you were transferred over, you'd still be a county head. What's the use of following my lead? Can you enter the Supreme Council of Elders to vote? Can you speak in front of the emperor?"
Zhao Anping lowered his head deeply: "Sorry, I was rude."
The elder withdrew his smile and said, "There's one more thing. You've been transferred. According to tradition, you'll be recommending the next county governor. I'll say this first. Changshan County is an extremely poor county. It's the area that's the most underdeveloped. Even if you want to promote someone, no one will want to go. It's even more impossible for you to transfer someone of the same rank."
Zhao Anping, who had been subservient all this time, finally had some strength. He raised his head and said, "I recommend Changle Town's Mayor Lin Wen."
Elder Cheng thought for a moment. "Are you talking about the Hero of the Empire? The one who defended the dam alone?"
"Yes!"
Elder Chang frowned. "This is not a promotion. He's skipping levels. Do you know how many levels he will jump from the mayor to the county head?"
"Only three levels."
"Only three levels?" The elder looked at Zhao Anping with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Do you think you're playing a game? Do you think the Empire's official system is a joke?"
The dissatisfaction of the high-ups meant a physical blow. This was the source of their power.
In the Empire, the Supreme Council of Elders was the highest authority that governed everything. The emperor himself had to obtain actual power through his position as the First Elder.
As for the First Elder and the four Chief Elders, they were not in charge of any specific matters. Other than military affairs and important personnel arrangements, they rarely appeared.
Therefore, most of the time, the actual rulers of the Empire were the eight elders.
Elder Cheng was one of the eight supreme rulers.
Compared to the elders of the Empire, a county governor could be said to be on a completely different level. Just like the light of a firefly compared to the might of the sun and moon, the disparity between them was almost boundless. However, Zhao Anping wasn't afraid in the slightest. He calmly said, "He skipped four levels to become the mayor of a town. He has been working for three years now and is deeply loved by the townspeople."
"Oh? There's such a thing?" The elder's expression softened. "Let me see his resume."
"Here." Zhao Anping handed over the file that was already prepared.
Growth flipped through the pages. "Oh, that's interesting. Both parents are heroes of the Empire. It's a family of heroes. All heroes." He rubbed his chin and said, "He's skipped ranks before. He has political achievements, family bonus points, reputation, and publicity. And he's from the local officials of Changshan County. With so many favorable factors added together, it seems possible."
"And the government's support," Zhao Anping said calmly.
Elder Cheng thought for a moment and laughed angrily. "Good kid, you're digging a trap for me here. Do you know what you're doing? You made him jump seven levels in three years. This has never happened in the Empire in a hundred years. You've broken the record!"
"Thank you for your compliment."
The elder smiled and said, "I'm starting to like you. It seems like the kid you strongly recommended has some special abilities that ordinary people don't have. Perhaps he can bring some changes to the Changshan County that has been rotten in the Empire for 40 years. Since his resume is quite good, let's leave it at that."
"Thank you, Elder!"
A few minutes later, Elder Cheng stood up and said, "Go ahead then. I've already sent the transfer order to the governor-general's office of Dongqin State and the governor-general's office of Yun State."
"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Cheng!"
…
…
After drinking tea for more than three hours, Lin Wen was finally notified to enter.
The meeting room of the governor-general's office was a clean and plain room. There were no other decorations except for a crystal dragon lamp. Under the lamp was a very large oval table.
Both sides of the long table were filled with people. The person at the head of the table was obviously the highest-ranking officer in the Dongqin State.