Zhou Chu spent several days recovering from his injuries, and his nearly disfigured face finally began returning to normal.
He was a few years older than Wen Yang.
Guanqiu Jian valued this young man greatly. Over the days that followed, he often discussed scholarly matters with him and asked his opinions on affairs throughout the realm.
After their conversations, Guanqiu Jian valued this talented man even more.
For Zhou Chu was a thoroughly upright young man.
When he spoke of local affairs, he took the same attitude toward both the Wu people and the Wei people, showing neither favoritism nor slander.
He was something of a stickler.
But that temperament would certainly allow him to excel as an Inspector, or even as Minister of Works.
He had none of the faults so common among scions of the great clans, nor was he willing to spout empty platitudes.
The first matter he brought up upon meeting Guanqiu Jian was the corruption in that region.
He truthfully described how the Wu people in Ping Province suffered layer upon layer of exploitation at those people's hands.
In truth, when it came to official administration, no matter how many times Cao Mao shook things up, those who committed offenses would continue to exist. Such things simply could not be eradicated entirely, especially in remote regions like this, which had always been the richest soil for corrupt officials and vicious functionaries.
In an almost scolding tone, Zhou Chu described the present imperial court's negligence in dealing with these great clans.
Although Guanqiu Jian was not responsible for the actual administration of local regions, he listened with keen interest.
From these Wu people's perspective, quite a few problems did indeed remain.
Guanqiu Jian directly exercised his authority as Grand Marshal to appoint Zhou Chu a Commandant