Chaos in the Southern Kingdoms, a Hidden Hand at Work! (Please Subscribe and Vote with Monthly Tickets)

Li Chen had grown up here. Although he had rarely gone out in the past, he had been strolling around more often lately and could still get a clear picture of some of the conditions.

As the number of cultivators continued to grow, the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty's might would likely rise to another level.

At the next day's morning court, Li Chen had many matters to address.

First came the Ministry of Personnel. Li Chen ordered its newly appointed minister to assess all the officials.

He also described some of the things he had seen during his incognito visits.

Anyone lacking the necessary ability had no business continuing to hold an important position.

Li Chen's demands were simple: "Investigate those who should be investigated, deal with those who should be dealt with, and dismiss those who should be dismissed."

He also instructed the Minister of Personnel to improve the assessment system. Officials were not to be left alone once they took office; they had to undergo an assessment every year.

As soon as Li Chen finished, Chancellor Zhao Wenyuan offered a tactful addition. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel already has many duties. This humble subject suggests assigning the assessments to other departments as well. Having them take turns conducting assessments would also ensure fairness and impartiality."

Zhao Wenyuan's meaning was clear. The Minister of Personnel already wielded immense authority. If he also gained control over the assessment of every official, his ministry might come to tower over all the others.

To pass their assessments, officials would inevitably seek favors from the Ministry of Personnel, potentially giving rise to such unhealthy practices as bribery and faction-building.

Thus, Zhao Wenyuan proposed distributing the authority to conduct assessments among other departments. This would both ease the Ministry of Personnel's burden and prevent