Chapter 1066 – The Personnel Arrangements of the Li Palace (2/2)

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Seven days out from the Grand Examination, Tang Thirty-Six entered the Li Palace.

The Li Palace did not forbid priests from entering or exiting, but it was still just as cold and deserted as it had been for the past three years.

Perhaps it was because of the Grass Moon Hall, the Moss Institute, and the rest of the six halls, half of them were empty.

Candidates for the archbishop seats left empty by Mao Qiuyu, Daoist Baishi, and Mu Jiushi had still not been decided.

Hu Thirty-Two, who had replaced Mu Jiushi, simply had no energy to use on matters of the Hall of Announcements, all of it focused on handling the affairs of the Li Palace as a whole. Linghai Zhiwang was leading his black-clothed enforcers from the Hall of Heavenly Judgment in keeping an eye on the Imperial Court's activities. After Chen Changsheng returned to the capital, Daoist Siyuan quickly took his leave of the Hall of Subjugation, embarking on a most vital mission to preach to the various provinces and counties. Moreover, just ten days ago, An Hua had brought several hundred of the most fervent priests in joining this mission.

Tang Thirty-Six asked, ”Who will take on the position of Archbishop of the Divine Edict?”

Chen Changsheng said, ”Once three years have passed, she will return to preside over the Hall of Literary Glory.”

By 'she', he meant Archbishop An Lin.

Tang Thirty-Six was somewhat shocked, but after thinking about it, he felt that it was the best choice.

In the end, Archbishop An Lin had not severely violated the laws of the church. She had just shown a lack of trust in Chen Changsheng.

Three years of bitter cultivation away from the capital was probably enough to repent for her errors. As someone who had come from the Thirteen Divisions of Radiant Green, she was truly more suitable for managing the Hall of Literary Glory.

Of course, he knew that Chen Changsheng had made such arrangements in part for An Hua's sake.

”Then what of the Archbishop of the Divine Edict?”

”Mm, I plan to give it to Luoluo… I'll think about how to deal with it after she ascends to the throne.”

Tang Thirty-Six praised, ”Wonderful!”

At the time, Mu Jiushi had used her status as Princess of the Great Western Continent to become Archbishop of the Hall of Announcements, as the Human race required the Great Western Continent's friendship. The Human race needed the Demi-human race as their ally even more, so who could say anything if Luoluo, the Princess of the Demi-human race and eighty thousand li away, also took the seat of Archbishop of the Divine Edict?

Tang Thirty-Six asked, ”What about Principal Mao's side?”

Chen Changsheng said, ”He recommended Zhuang Zhihuan, but I did not consent.”

Tang Thirty-Six was struck dumb.

Mao Qiuyu had left not because of any mistake, but because he had broken into the Divine. If one were to use the Imperial Court as a model, he had been promoted.

Before he left, it was only natural that he give a recommendation as to who his successor in the Hall of Illustrious Persons should be, and it would normally not be rejected.

That Chen Changsheng had done this was an extreme disrespect to Mao Qiuyu and the Heavenly Dao Academy. As for Zhuang Zhihuan's feelings on the matter, those were easily imagined.

Tang Thirty-Six understood why Chen Changsheng did not consent to Zhuang Zhihuan. There was nothing emotional about it. It was just that the matter was very difficult to deal with. The status of the Hall of Illustrious Persons was very special. Compared to Zhuang Zhihuan, it would be very difficult to convince the masses if Chen Changsheng chose the archbishops of the Temple Seminary, the Li Palace Academy, or the Thirteen Divisions of Radiant Green. As for Tang Thirty-Six or Su Moyu of the Orthodox Academy, they were simply out of the question. Chen Changsheng could not leave an impression of nepotism on the faithful and besides, Tang Thirty-Six and Su Moyu were both truly lacking in experience.

Then just who would take the seat of Archbishop of the Hall of Illustrious Persons?

Chen Changsheng gave an unexpected name.

Guan Bai.