Yang Shi saw Yang Ming staring blankly and tugged at his sleeve. Yang Ming immediately stood up and said excitedly, "Thank you for your trust, madam. Yang Ming will not fail you."
Lu Tong also stood up, saying, "Thank you, madam. Lu Tong will follow Brother Ming and work hard."
Bai Sheng smiled, "Yes, I believe in you. Accumulate more experience in discerning people and work hard!"
"Yes! Madam!" Yang Ming and Lu Tong said in unison, both feeling their chests swell with passion and high spirits.
General Shen and the National Preceptor were both pleased with Bai Sheng's arrangement. There were still many spies from Bei Qi mixed within Qing Huang, and only those closest to her could be trusted.
Bai Sheng instructed Yang Ming, "Yang Ming, Huang Lian Sheng's mother was a top spy sent by Bei Qi. I suspect she has ties to the royal family of Bei Qi, and Dali and the others have already uncovered some evidence of Huang Lian Sheng's crimes.
Next, we will release Huang Lian Sheng. You will send people to keep an eye on her and see who within Qing Huang she is secretly contacting. Once discovered, do not alert them. Wait until they are all exposed, and then capture them all at once!"
"Understood, madam," Yang Ming replied respectfully.
"The third division of the Security Department is the Domestic Security Department, responsible for preventing forest fires, natural disasters, civilian disputes, and maintaining public order, and so on. This department will be led by Brother Ma San, with Lu Tie and Ding Lei assisting."
Ma San stood up excitedly, "Thank you, madam. I will give it my all!"
Ding Lei and Lu Tie were also greatly excited.
"Brother Ma San, just like Yang Ming, prepare your department's personnel, organize your department's various tasks, and if you have any questions, come directly to me," Bai Sheng instructed.
"Yes, madam!"
"The fourth division is the Legislative and Judicial Department, also known as the Ministry of Punishments, responsible for formulating Qing Huang's laws, etiquette, regulations, and adjudicating major cases. This department will be fully managed by my Third Uncle, with Zuo Song as his deputy to assist him."
Third Uncle chuckled, "This task suits me."
"Third Uncle, please guide this junior," Zuo Song said, cupping his hands in a bow to Third Uncle.
"Oh, Xiao Song, you are too polite. We will learn from each other," Third Uncle said humbly.
Zuo Si Ming wrote as fast as flying, recording the four divisions of the Ministry of Homeland Security and their main responsible personnel.
"The four divisions of the Ministry of Homeland Security have been properly arranged. Next is the second very important major department, which can be collectively called the Ministry of Revenue. My Ministry of Revenue is different from your previous Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue will be headed by Bai Li Jing Yu, also known as my cousin Jing Yu."
Prince Yu brushed a lock of ink-black hair from his chest behind his shoulder, exuding confidence and charm. "Don't worry, Dark Face, I will not disappoint."
"Cousin, I'm counting on you!" Bai Sheng narrowed her eyes and smiled at him. "The Ministry of Revenue will have five divisions: First, the Household Registration Department, which will manage regional divisions, household registration, property, and land information across the country, led by Brother Zuo Zhu.
Second, the Ministry of Agriculture, fully managed by my Second Uncle Zuo Mu Chen, with Hu Da Niu as his deputy.
Currently, besides the Security Department, the Ministry of Agriculture is the most important. The Ministry of Agriculture will begin collecting households tomorrow and vigorously promote land reclamation and farming, aiming to sow a crop before the end of late spring.
I will provide the seeds. Every household that diligently reclaims land and farms will be rewarded with two shi of grain and two taels of silver!"
"Excellent. Such generous rewards will surely motivate the common people to farm," Zuo Mu Chen nodded with satisfaction. Farming was something he loved and was good at, and his nephew's wife's arrangement pleased him greatly.
Hu Da Niu also stood up excitedly, "Madam, please rest assured, I will work hard and plant more grain." Back in Hong Shu Village, he had led the villagers in planting crops and trees on barren sandy land, honing his farming skills. He never expected that today would be his time to shine.
Bai Sheng smiled, "Brother Da Niu, work hard, I believe in you."
Everyone understood that currently, food was the hope for Qing Huang to survive. Therefore, they had to find every possible way to grow more food, to ensure the army was well-fed and the people were well-fed, which was the top priority.
"Third, the Ministry of Commerce—" Bai Sheng paused. "There is no suitable candidate at the moment. It would be great if my second brother Wen Zhi Mo could come, but commercial revitalization is not urgent, so this division can be left for now."
Zuo Ye nodded, "Yes, let's leave it for now. It's not yet time to develop commerce. Without a stable situation, commerce cannot develop."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"The fourth division is the Ministry of Fishery, Husbandry, and Hunting, led by my Third Uncle Zuo Li Chuan. The fifth division is the Ministry of Environmental Protection, overseen by Brother Gou Sheng, with Lu Jin and Lu Mu assisting."
"What is the Ministry of Environmental Protection?" everyone asked, confused.
Bai Sheng patiently explained, "The Ministry of Environmental Protection is responsible for protecting the ecological environment and ensuring that humans and nature coexist harmoniously. For example, the proper disposal of waste; planting two trees for every one cut down; avoiding over-hunting wild animals, and so on, are all forms of ecological protection.
Once the ecological environment is damaged, the result is desertification of the land, just like in Ta Sha County."
So that's how it is, everyone nodded in succession.
"The third major department is the Ministry of Works, headed by Feng Ping Yuan, with Zhao Da Zhuang as his deputy to assist Brother Ping Yuan, managing various construction projects and water conservancy. The fourth major department is the Ministry of Education, headed by my Eldest Uncle Zuo Si Ming, responsible for Qing Huang's education, imperial examinations, and enlightenment. The fifth major department is the Ministry of Health, headed by my master, with Aunt Mei Qing assisting."
"Women can also... hold official positions?" Zuo Si Ming asked with some surprise as he recorded.
Bai Sheng looked at him and smiled, "Uncle, I am also a woman, and my master is also a woman. Our businesses in Da Xia were all supported by women. Therefore, women also hold up half the sky.
In Qing Huang, any woman with ability and talent can also enter officialdom. Third Uncle, when you legislate, don't forget to add this point."
"Alright!" Third Uncle agreed cheerfully. He was certainly willing for his Qing Qing to become an official.
Zuo Si Ming's eyes lit up, "This is a historical precedent."
"It is indeed a historical precedent," General Shen praised. "Lord Zuo, I see that your granddaughters are all very intelligent. You must cultivate them well in the future."
Zuo Si Ming chuckled, "I will certainly not disappoint the Great General's expectations."
Zuo Zhi and Zuo Gui exchanged happy glances.
The women present were all incredibly excited. They secretly resolved to study more and improve themselves, so that they could earn their own money in the future and not have to rely on men, nor be confined to the kitchen.
Bai Sheng looked at Granny Wu and said with a flattering smile, "Master, the capable should bear more burdens. You will also serve as the National Preceptor and be in charge of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau."
Granny Wu chided her with a glare, "No problem, who told you your master is so capable?"
Bai Sheng grinned and then looked at her grandmaster, "Grandmaster, once your health has recovered, you will serve as a Censor, responsible for overseeing all officials."
Gu Cang Lan smiled, "I am willing to serve you, Sheng'er."