The main subordinates of the State Overseer had many responsibilities. The most important one was not to engage in politics and assist the State Overseer in managing the state affairs. Their authority and status were extremely high.
In terms of territory and authority, they might even surpass the Prime Minister of the country of kings a thousand years ago! “There’s no need for that. As for how well you do, it’s still up to you.” Cui Heng waved his hand and asked with a smile, “By the way, where did Hui Shi send the letter to?”
“My Lord, early this morning, Sir Chen sent someone back to report the progress. They said that they had finished sending it to 11 Counties,” Liu Litao said respectfully. “Luo’an County and Changfeng Prefecture have to receive it.”
“In that case, he should be going to Luo’an County next.” Cui Heng thought for a moment and smiled. “I remember that this Luo’an Governor is called Ren Yuankui. It’s said that he has already obtained the support of two of the Seven Distinguished Families?”
There were two necessary conditions to succeed the position of State Overseer.
One was to obtain the support of two of the Seven Distinguished Families, or one of the Daoyi Palace and the Baolin Zen Temple. The other was to obtain the support of another current State Overseer.
This meant that Ren Yuankui was only short of obtaining the support of a State Overseer before he could follow the normal procedures to succeed as Fengzhou’s State Overseer.
“Yes, my Lord.” Liu Litao nodded. “This Ren Yuankui is the best at exploiting others. He has a very good relationship with the various large families, sects, and merchants. It’s said that he has already started discussing with several State Overseers, hoping to obtain support from them.”
“If one wants to obtain the support of the other State Overseers, I’m afraid there are conditions.” Cui Heng smiled.
“I heard that they want to use the taxes of all the people in Fengzhou as a bargaining chip.” Liu Litao was quite well-informed. “It’s just that the distribution ratio hasn’t been settled yet. It hasn’t been decided yet.”
“Tsk tsk, using the taxes of a state as a bargaining chip.” Cui Heng turned to look in the direction of Luo’an County and sneered. “This is really a business without capital!”
….
Luo’an County was once the richest place in Fengzhou. It had even been the capital of Fengzhou during the previous dynasty.
Although it was no longer as glorious as before, it was still a place whose military strength was second only to the Changfeng Prefecture.
When the previous State Overseer, Cao Quan, was still alive, the county magistrate of Luo’an County, Yuan Kui, had some self-respect and directly ignored the order from the State Overseer to attack the rebels.
This directly caused the Yan rebels to be unstoppable for a long time, allowing them to quickly occupy several large counties.
A few months ago, Cao Quan was assassinated and the Yan rebels were defeated and destroyed. Ren Yuankui had an idea and started to desperately contact the various large factions. After paying a considerable price, he finally obtained the support of the Ye and Jiang families of Jiangnan.
Next, as long as he obtained the support of a current State Overseer, he could become the State Overseer of Fengzhou as he wished.
In order to realize this dream of his, Ren Yuankui had the opportunity to hold a banquet at home every day. He could either entertain the envoys of the various large factions or receive people sent by other State Overseers.
Of course, the most grand banquet was definitely the banquets for the other State Overseers.
Like today.
The You State Overseer, Wei Xiong, came to discuss the selection of the Feng Prefecture State Overseer with Ren Yuankui.
This was the third time they had discussed this.
According to tradition, as long as the outcome of this negotiation was more or less satisfactory to both parties, the matter could basically be settled.
Therefore, Ren Yuankui took it very seriously.
At the banquet, three cows and sheep were prepared. There were 12 types of honey, 16 types of fruits, 9 species of precious wild birds, as well as monkeys, snakes, rabbits, and other kinds of native wild game. There was also an endless flow of fine wine.
The entire banquet hall was filled with the fragrance of wine and meat.
Even if more than a hundred people were invited to this banquet, it would be more than enough. They might not be able to finish everything
However, in reality, there were only two people attending the banquet: the Governor of Luo’an County, Yuan Kui, and the You State’s Bie Weixiong.
Of course, there were also musicians formed by 72 people playing music at the side. 24 young girls dressed in thin veils danced on the banquet floor.
However, they were not qualified to taste the delicacies at the banquet.
Wei Xiong was already in his sixties, but his physique was still strong. He was a burly man nearly nine feet tall with a beard.
He didn’t look like a civil official. He looked more like a general.
He narrowed his eyes as he admired the graceful figures of a few young female dancers. He casually pointed at two of them and said with a smile, “Governor Ren, these two are not bad. Send them to my room to play tonight.”
“Haha, as long as you like them, even if you want all of them, it’s fine!” Ren Yuankui laughed and said, “These are all young chicks that we’ve carefully selected. All of them are 28 years old and have never touched rain or dew.”
“No, no. I’m old, so I can’t show off anymore.” Wei Xiong’s gaze swept across the young girls’ half-covered bodies. He shook his head and said, “If I were ten years younger, I would definitely fight to my heart’s content tonight, haha!”
“Don’t say that. You’re still at the age where you’re full of vigor.” Ren Yuankui poured a glass of wine for Wei Xiong and flattered, “You’re definitely as impressive as before.”
“Haha, I like listening to you. Alright, I’ll add two more girls.” Wei Xiong laughed and ordered two more young female dancers. Suddenly, he changed the topic. “However, having fun is one thing. Don’t think about relying on these to make me help you bargain with Overseer Shen.”
Overseer Shen was the You State Overseer, Shen Yu.