"What kind of talk is this, Department Head Hirotomo. What do you mean by 'since ancient times it has been this way'?" Ryun's expression turned unfriendly, and he slapped the table. This frightened Hirotomo enough that he quickly stood up and knelt on the floor, trembling.
The current Ryun was not only the Hokage of Konoha Village, but also the most powerful shinobi in history. Most importantly, he was not even in his prime yet, currently just over twenty years old. On top of that, his mind was sharp as a ghost.
With all these buffs stacked together, Uchiha Hirotomo's legs went weak. As a subordinate, was it too much to offer New Year's greetings early to his leader. Even though it was only March.
"This subordinate misspoke. I beg for the Hokage's mercy." Uchiha Hirotomo smiled bitterly. It was truly terrifying. Ryun had just been smiling and happily solving the staffing problem for the Uchiha clan, and the next second he turned hostile. Accompanying the shadow is like accompanying a tiger.
Ryun came back to his senses and sighed. "Department Head Hirotomo, please rise quickly. It's not necessary, truly not necessary. The reason I was angry is because, while what you said is factually true, that it has been this way since ancient times, I feel that today, as officials of Konoha, we should do something about it."
"Instead of sitting here saying 'since ancient times it has been this way'. If you don't do it, and I don't do it, how can we talk about change. If you don't do it, and I don't do it, how can we talk about serving the people."
"Moreover, the solution to the staffing problem I mentioned next is also going to address this very point. It was my fault for acting impulsively and frightening Department Head Hirotomo. I ask for Department Head Hirotomo's forgiveness." Ryun returned to his initial easygoing manner.
Uchiha Hirotomo shakily got to his feet, glanced at Ryun out of the corner of his eye, and lowered his head, speaking quickly, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. This subordinate is foolish and said things he shouldn't have. This subordinate was wrong."
Ryun pulled him over and sat him down in his seat, speaking patiently, "Rest assured, that burst of anger wasn't directed at you, but at what you said. I know Department Head Hirotomo has always been cautious, and following ancestral traditions is not wrong. But, you know me, I am someone who cannot stand seeing people encounter difficulties and think of retreating instead of overcoming them."
"This subordinate acknowledges his mistake." Uchiha Hirotomo smiled bitterly. He was the Uchiha clan head, and also a possessor of the Mangekyō Sharingan. But he dared not disobey. In a fight, he couldn't win. His status within the clan was also inferior. Believe it or not, a single word from Ryun could decide who the clan head was.
Ryun then said seriously, "I have decided that all reserve cadres will be collectively transferred to official posts, assigned to serve in other villages. What do you think?"
Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned. He looked at Ryun, his eyes filled with admiration. Right. How had he not thought of that. Although no one had been able to solve the bandit problem before, once this policy was implemented, it would definitely solve the bandit problem at its root.
"This subordinate believes this is an excellent strategy. However, communication with the common people in the villages is needed, and the housing for the officials will also be an expense." Uchiha Hirotomo looked at Ryun and responded.
"This matter, I will have people go to the countryside to inquire. The construction costs will be borne by the other villages. Land in the countryside isn't so precious. It's just some building materials, not a big deal. As for salaries, they will still be paid by Konoha. And most importantly, we cannot have one person having the final say."
"The cadres sent to the countryside cannot be from just one clan. At that time, the Guard Corps will be renamed the Guard Department. The local offices in the villages will be renamed the Guard Corps. Every village must have the influence of at least three clans there to check and balance each other, preventing officials from corruption and embezzlement."
"And the Discipline Department will conduct inspections at irregular intervals. Once discovered, they will be dismissed and investigated. Sentencing will be based on the crimes committed and the amount embezzled, with no upper limit, up to the death penalty."
Ryun laid out all the issues and told them to Uchiha Hirotomo. Uchiha Hirotomo couldn't help but widen his eyes. "This, all of these... were they all thought up by you alone?"
Ryun, thick-skinned, nodded. "Correct, I thought of them all. What do you think?" In his previous life, Ryun had read and heard a lot, so he had a rough understanding.
Uchiha Hirotomo couldn't help but admire him. "It's simply seamless, flawless."
"Oh, right, I must add one point. Every three years, the teams must be shuffled, and they will be relocated to work elsewhere. Outstanding performers can be selected for the department for training." Ryun had almost forgotten that point.
"Yes. I wonder about this policy, the other clans..." Uchiha Hirotomo approved of this policy, but the key now was whether the other clans would disagree, and whether this had been discussed with them.
Ryun glanced at him and nodded. "A meeting will be held tomorrow, focusing precisely on this matter, and also on the issue of collecting tribute from the villages then."
"Then I don't see any problems. If the villages are willing to pay tribute, then everyone should be fine with it." Uchiha Hirotomo smiled. Paying tribute was contributing to the village and could also solve part of the officials' salary problem. The key was the amount of tribute.
They certainly couldn't impose exorbitant taxes, that would be digging their own graves, right. So these issues all needed to be resolved at tomorrow's meeting. Ryun's visit here now was to give Uchiha Hirotomo a heads-up, to let him know in advance.
"Alright, that's roughly the situation. I came early to give you a heads-up, so you have an idea and aren't too surprised when the time comes." Ryun stood up, preparing to leave.
Uchiha Hirotomo smiled and stood up to see Ryun out. Ryun's move not only solved the staffing problem but also allowed more people to enter the system. This was something everyone desired, as it was an iron rice bowl. As long as one didn't make principled mistakes or engage in laziness and the like, one would have a decent income and corresponding social status.
Ryun gestured that there was no need to see him out. Then he told Uchiha Hirotomo not to speak of it yet, to wait for tomorrow's meeting. If it succeeded, then it would be announced. Although Ryun felt tomorrow's meeting would most likely succeed, it still wasn't good to leak the matter before the meeting.
The key was it would create a bad impression.
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "I strictly follow the Hokage's instructions." He said with a smile.
Ryun nodded, then walked out of the Guard Corps headquarters and headed towards the Hokage Building. After all, such a major matter still needed to be discussed with Nara Luming. For something this big, not letting the Nara assistant know and just doing it directly felt somewhat inappropriate.
In the Hokage's office, Nara Luming was reviewing documents. Ryun knocked on the door.
"Come in." Nara Luming did not look up, continuing to handle administrative affairs. He just spoke faintly, "Wait thirty minutes. After I finish handling affairs, we can talk. It is work time now."
Ryun found a seat and sat down. He did not speak, smiling as he watched Nara Luming holding a pen, sometimes frowning, sometimes relaxing. He felt very happy in his heart.
Having a reliable assistant was truly important. See, he didn't even need to worry, things could be done well and clearly.
At least in the past six months, the number of times Nara Luming proactively contacted Ryun to ask about unsolvable issues did not exceed three. Moreover, he reported his work regularly every month.
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