96 Transfer (1/2)
After agreeing on the strategy, what they needed to discuss next was the officer of the subsidiary territory.
”This third subsidiary territory will be named Friendship. It is right next to the Friendship river, and it also shows our kindness. For all these nomadic tribes that we don't have the ability to force submission, it's best that we discuss with them kindly. As compared to Beihai Town and Qiushui Town, the future of Friendship Town has more challenges. Hence a good officer is of utmost importance. This officer must be good in politics and care about the military troops there. He must also have good adapting abilities as it is across the river from the main town, and outside which are many strong powers, the main camp can't always be there to reply and help out. Who would all of you recommend?” Ouyang Shuo asked.
This was the first time that Ouyang Shuo had asked for the directors' opinions when choosing the officer of an subsidiary territory. In the case of Beihai Town and Qiushui Town, he’d made the decision on his own. This was the first time that Ouyang Shuo didn't have a good man in mind.
Out of the 4 directors, Ge Hongliang was the most relaxed. He had just joined Shanhai Town and belonged to the military so he obviously wouldn't have anyone good to recommend. As for the other 3 directors, they hesitated. If this recommendation went well, everyone would be happy, but if the recommendation was wrong, then the one who’d recommended him would have to be responsible.
The Finance Department was considered a more specialized Department, and from all the secretaries and managers, it was hard to find a person who could control the big picture. Hence, Yingyu shook her head and said that there was no one she could recommend.
The Material Reserves Department was similar and the various secretaries and managers came from nothing. It was already the limit to rule a division, how could they become an official of an subsidiary territory? The only one that stood out was the Salt Pan secretary Shen Zui, but his experience was lacking, and Tian Wenjing shook his head.
The one with the highest possibility was the Administration Department. They had many divisions and the various secretaries had higher stats. Fan Zhongyan hesitated. He had two choices in his heart, the Assistant Director Qin Shijian and the secretary of Household Registration Zhou Haichen. The 2 young men were exceptional, and could control the big picture. However, they each had their strengths and weaknesses, making it hard to decide.
”I recommend Qin Shijian and Zhou Haichen. Whom to pick I leave to sire.” At last, Fan Zhongyan decided to leave the decision to Ouyang Shuo.
Ouyang Shuo nodded his head. These two men were the ones he’d expected to be recommended. Only now, he would have to be the one making the decision. Out of the two, it wasn't that Fan Zhongyan didn't have a preference, but this type of personnel arrangement was too sensitive and he didn't want to be too deeply involved.
Yingyu snickered at the side as she saw Ouyang Shuo having a hard time making the decision.
Ouyang Shuo stared at her and said, ”Let's choose Zhou Haichen. The deputy secretary of the Household Registration Division will become the new secretary and take over from Zhou Haichen. Qin Shijian's position will also be moved, being a deputy director for so long, it's time for him to train by being a secretary. He will be the new Meritorious Services secretary.”
In the end, Ouyang Shuo decided to use a taking over style and chose Zhou Haichen. His departure would be quickly covered by Du Quan. If Qin Shijian was picked, it would result in the Household Registration Division having too many people and the Meritorious Service Division having too little.
As for Ouyang Shuo's decision, all 4 directors had their thoughts. Through this, they saw through his direction and inclination of using people.
After discussing the new officer for the subsidiary territory, Ouyang Shuo ended the meeting.
As for the problems with the construction, he was prepared to gather all the secretaries and managers in the afternoon and discuss it there.
……
_2 PM in the afternoon, Lord's Manor meeting room_
Ouyang Shuo gathered all the departments and divisions that were related to the new subsidiary territory.
With the issue about the construction of Friendship Village, Ouyang Shuo shared his views. ”We must first consider the future route of Friendship Village. The village walls would run for 2 kilometres in a square shape, 9 metres high and 5 metres wide. In the building of the wall, our main camp must participate. The Construction Division has to send a few men, and we must rush to finish in a week in case anything happens.”
Zhao Dewang nodded to signal that he was fine with it. The size of the project was only half of the main town’s. The most difficult part would be to transport the materials over the river.
”The villagers that are sent to Friendship Village must be chosen properly. The normal civilians will be herders as the horse stables of the military will be built there in the future. As for skilled talents, it's best if we choose intermediate and above talents like blacksmiths, traders, etc.” Ouyang Shuo said.
The new Household Registration secretary nodded and asked carefully, ”Sire, how many people will we send over?”
”Let's say 1000, which is the max population for a grade 3 village. Out of this group, 200 must be their village protection squad, which you will coordinate with the military.” Ouyang Shuo ordered.
”Understood!”
Ouyang Shuo looked over to Du Xiaolan and said, ”The Resource Division needs to make preparations to trade with the nomadic tribes, building a trading area in the village. Food, salt, and metallic types of strategic goods must be sold in proper channels and must be controlled.”
”Understood!”
”The Transportation Division is in charge of transporting goods over the Friendship river, especially materials. This must be carefully planned and executed.” Ouyang Shuo said to Zheng Shanpao.