But who could have imagined that Li Chen would simply make an offhand remark and leave him alone? What was that about?
Yet this very approach earned the deep respect of someone like Zhou Ye, because he sensed a trace of respect-a trace of respect from the emperor. That was an immense honor.
The emperor did not force him to do something he disliked. He merely asked him to do his own job well and expressed the hope of seeing him at the Imperial Court.
That meant the emperor respected his choice but still had expectations of him.
Emotion surged through Zhou Ye as he thought, Could this be what a truly wise ruler is like?
Zhou Ye certainly had ability, and he knew it himself. He simply feared getting embroiled in court struggles, ending up in the Prison, and dragging his whole family down with him.
As a prison guard, he understood this all too well.
Those former followers of the Second Prince in the County Yamen's Prison had once been loyal officials at court, hadn't they? Now they were prisoners, worse off than a prison guard like him.
In any case, Zhou Ye had no intention of seeking promotion at this stage.
In truth, Zhou Ye was overthinking things. Li Chen merely felt that the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty was exactly as Zhou Ye had described: a blessed land that nurtured outstanding people.
Talent was the last thing the Imperial Capital lacked.
There were plenty of capable people, but too few positions.
Take the court, for example. The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Rites had all replaced many officials. Weren't their replacements just as competent, and even more hardworking?
Li Chen was hardly short of manpower. Plenty of people volunteered to be his dogs.
Some