Seeing that Qing Chen said nothing.
Tie Ce added, "There is also Li Wenbi. He has been transferred to your Northwestern Circuit Governor-General's Office as Assistant Chief Historian of the Principal Fourth Rank, to assist you in handling the Northwestern Circuit's governmental affairs."
Qing Chen snorted inwardly.
Weren't these three appointments an obvious attempt to hollow out his authority as governor-general? And he was only the acting Circuit-Surveying Governor to begin with.
Still, when he heard Li Wenbi's name, Qing Chen's gaze softened slightly.
The events in Qiongzhou remained fresh before his eyes: outside Blackstone County Seat, Li Wenbi had risked his life to summon Haoran Qi and hold back Southern Yue's Wu Hun.
The man could count as an old acquaintance. People like him were the easiest to make use of.
A gentleman could be deceived through his principles; a loyal minister could be deceived through his country.
Tie Ce clearly noticed the change in Qing Chen's expression. "These three each have their own position. Pei Xuance controls the troops, Li Qingyuan conducts inspections, and Li Wenbi assists with governance.
"The Immortal Dynasty's intentions are clear: it wants you to focus on the Western Regions Protectorate. The Northwestern Circuit-Surveying Seal is primarily for protecting yourself and increasing your combat strength."
At this point, his tone became particularly solemn.
"If they really sent no one and let you enter the northwest alone with the Northwestern Circuit-Surveying Seal, the Inner Cabinet would be uneasy, and the Imperial House might not be at ease either. With these three accompanying you, they can actually take plenty of miscellaneous business off your hands. Since someone will be there to clean up the mess anyway, you can go all out."
Qing Chen did not argue. He had thought of this as well.
Sharing power was,