After hearing what the middle-aged man said, all the soldiers were extremely angry and their hearts were filled with panic.

How could a mere blacksmith be entrusted with such an important task by King Wu Qingji, even if he was good at it?

But, that's the fact.

As the first person to eat crabs, Qian went from an ordinary swordsmith to the sky in one step, was sealed with gold, and became a great workmanship second only to Jiuqing. How can people not envy him?

Not only that, after conferring rewards on the generals, Qing Ji specifically allowed him to "praise his officials".

That is, they put on official robes with seals and ribbons, boarded a carriage, and surrounded by hundreds of armored and sharp-armed soldiers cleared the way for a one-day parade around the capital of Wu!

Let everyone see the style of a go-getter.

This is similar to the number one scholar in later generations. After being canonized, he often has to carry out praise activities in the capital!

This not only shows that Qingji attaches great importance to generals, but also shows that Qingji does what he says.

When the state of Wu seeks talents, it is only based on talents. Anyone with skills can enter the court and become an official!

Go-getters are a living example!

"This is what a man should do!"

At this moment, seeing the high-spirited general standing on the golden stage, Fan Li, who was watching in the crowd, couldn't help but sigh like this.

Why did he join Wu?

Isn't it because the temples of Chu State are dark and non-nobles cannot serve as officials, thus burying their own talents?

Now, Wu Wangqingji really does not care about his background, but only his talents.

Isn't this the wise and heroic hero that Fan Li longs for?

On the recruitment stage, the original two hundred and fifty taels of gold were reduced by one-fifth, leaving only four thousand taels of gold!

This proves that there are still four people who can have the honor of being a general, ascending to the golden platform, being appointed an official by the King of Wu, and entrusted with important tasks.

Including Fan Li, all the scholars present knew this.

They all hope that they will be the next go-getters and the next people to ascend to the golden stage!

…

Wu Palace, the main hall!

Qing Ji was discussing state affairs with his ministers.

Just as Qing Ji had expected, he bestowed gold and titles on low-born generals, which really aroused criticism from the ministers and officials led by the above-mentioned doctor Shen Xi.

"Your Majesty, please take back your orders and never allow generals to serve as officials in the court!"

"Exactly! Your Majesty, the general is no more than a mere swordsmith and a humble blacksmith. How can he be an official in the same court as his second and third sons? I am ashamed to associate with such lowly servants!"

"The king's pursuit of talents is beneficial to the country, and ministers should not stop it. However, the background of the generals is too low. If this spreads out, it may not be good for the king's reputation and damage the country!"

"Please, Your Majesty, think twice!"

All the ministers and officials knelt down before the throne, begging Qing Ji to consider it again and not to "make a mistake".

How could Qingji not know their inner thoughts?

There are two main reasons why the ministers strongly opposed it.

For one thing, the State of Wu has reformed its official system and implemented the Three Gongs and Nine Ministers system in the court. Although the Great Work Order is not within the scope of the Sangong and Nine Ministers, it is second only to the Nine Ministers and has considerable authority.

Once Qingji fully implements the Three Gongs and Nine Ministers system, and there are candidates, what will happen to the unsuccessful ones?

After all, the official cake of Wu State is only so big. If one less person shares it, the benefits they can gain will be greater and their authority will be greater!

Secondly, the general's background is too humble, he is just an unknown little person.

How to connect with talents?

Just because he is good at making swords?

Offering a sword to please King Wu Qingji?

All the ministers believed that allowing such a capable general to serve as an official in the court would greatly lower the overall image of the Wu State and harm the state!

This was unacceptable to all the ministers and officials.

However, Qingji doesn't care about this.

He stood up slowly, glanced at the ministers, raised his eyes slightly, and waved his sleeves loudly with an aura of looking down on the world: "How can I change my edict in the morning and at night?"

This sentence was like a thunderbolt from the sky, deafening, and made all the ministers and officials kneeling under the throne stunned.

"If the generals have talents, I will put them to good use. If there are talented people who can govern the country and come to Wu and offer strategies to enrich the country and strengthen the army, why don't I respect the officials, treat them with courtesy, and share the territory with them?"

Upon hearing this, all the officials were speechless.

Because they have realized that Qingji is serious!

The resolute look reflected in Qingji's eyes showed that if any minister dared to speak at such a time, Qingji should take it back and at least he would be punished.

Over time, he has been said to be lonely, Taoist and few, and he has developed a unique temperament of a king!

Don’t be angry and be proud!

Tell the truth!

In other words, it contains a derogatory meaning of "willful"!

This is how Qing Ji showed his determination to the officials.

Therefore, this time he chose to stand on the opposite side of the ministers, instead of letting Jizha and Sun Wu take the lead!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Dazai Jizha was the first to bow and salute.

The ministers had no choice but to suppress their inner dissatisfaction and agree with Qingji's decision!

"Dazai, are all the preparations for the crown ceremony complete?"

Qingji set his sights on Jizha again.

"Reporting to the king, all the ceremony matters have been prepared. The king's crown ceremony can be held as scheduled!"

"good."

This is an issue that Qingji must be concerned about.

Because it was only a few days away from his king-proclaiming ceremony, ministers from Jin, Qi, Wei, Lu, Song and other countries, as envoys, had already traveled thousands of miles to Wudu.

If this crowning ceremony to commemorate Ji's death cannot be held as scheduled, wouldn't it be ridiculous?

Later, Ji Zha listed the steps, expenses, etiquette, required buildings, etc. on the king ceremony one by one on a bamboo slip, and asked the eunuch to convey the celebration.

Qing Ji saw this bamboo slip and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows!

"Dazai, are the regulations for this crown ceremony too simple?"

Simple, this is the face Qingji left for Jizha!

Otherwise, this is more than simple?

But crude!

Shameful!

Stingy!

Not compatible with the monarchy!

Qingji himself was ashamed.

However, in the face of Qing Ji's questioning, Ji Zha did not panic at all and said slowly: "Your Majesty, this simplicity naturally has its advantages. Since your Majesty came to power, every time you fight wars, have diplomatic relations, and receive rewards, why don't you need money?"

"The king's crown ceremony is in line with etiquette, does not violate the patriarchal laws, and has ancient traditions!"

"In this way, everyone in the world should know that my king is a benevolent, simple and generous king!"

Hearing this, Qingji could only say in a rather depressed tone: "Dazai has his heart."

Qingji knew that Jizha was taking the opportunity of preparing for the crown ceremony to vent his inner dissatisfaction and make some oblique remarks to Qingji.

Because Wu State’s expenses during this period were too great!

He fought wars, bribed the kings and ministers of Chu and Yue, rewarded meritorious soldiers, built a golden platform and recruiting hall, placed 250 镒 gold on the recruiting platform, properly placed the talented people in Wu, treated them with courtesy, etc.

Which of these items does not cost money?

And it costs a lot of money!

With the financial resources of Wu State, it was too much to bear.

The rich wealth accumulated by the kings of the Wu Kingdom was almost exhausted by Qing Ji!

It’s really hard for a penny to defeat a heroic man!

If Jizha hadn't known that every penny spent on Qingji was useful and beneficial to the country, he would probably have received some heartfelt advice.
Chapter completed!