Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 53 Carrot and Stick (Unbanning Chapter)

"Mr. Tanhua, I'm really sorry. It's because I have been incapable of disciplining and spoiling the officials under me." The nine-thousand-year-old young master Zhang was dismissed by his subordinates on the first day he took office. As the chief official of the Imperial Academy, Yang Jingchen Naturally, he couldn't escape the blame, so since he came to his senses, Yang Jingchen kept apologizing to Young Master Zhang one after another, for fear that Young Master Zhang would sue Wei Zhongxian with a tricky accusation and bring himself a catastrophe.So Yang Jingchen had no choice but to assure Young Master Zhang sweating profusely: "Don't worry, Mr. Tanhua, the officials have been in charge of the Imperial Academy for three years, and they have some prestige. When tomorrow comes, the officials will definitely promise that they won't let you go!" I will ask for sick leave, otherwise, the subordinate officials will definitely fine their salaries."

"Lord Yang, don't worry, I don't mean to blame you." When Young Master Zhang was a civil servant in his previous life, he dealt with people who didn't know the truth. He also had rich experience in dealing with mass incidents. And take the lead, otherwise it will never be so neat.So Young Master Zhang didn't panic, let alone rush, he just asked Yang Jingchen: "Master Yang, what I just want to know is why these colleagues did this? What is the reason? Master Yang, to tell you the truth, I, Zhang After Haogu entered Beijing, he offended many people, but he definitely never offended his colleagues in the Imperial Academy, so the lower officials are very surprised by this."

"This...." Yang Jingchen hesitated, even more timidly.Young Master Zhang looked at his words, moved a chair for Yang Jingchen, helped Yang Jingchen to sit down, and sat down opposite Yang Jingchen himself, and said with a smile: "Master Yang, it's okay to speak up if you have anything to say. Don't worry, I Zhang Haogu is nine thousand years old Godson, but not from Dongchang, some words come out of your mouth and into my ears, God knows, you know me, and there will never be a third person to know."

After being repeatedly comforted by Young Master Zhang, Yang Jingchen finally revealed the truth, and he said hesitantly: "Tanhuagong, I actually heard about this incident yesterday, and I don't know who was letting the air out in the Imperial Academy, saying it was because of Tanhuagong you. For this reason, the emperor and Jiuqiantui decided to let the new subjects of this department give priority to substitute officials. They did not need to enter the Imperial Academy, but directly arranged to take up official positions in the local government. They completely forgot about the poor Beijing officials who were still waiting for the Imperial Academy, so Wanli 44 Jinshi Hanlin in the 47s, the [-]th year of Wanli, and the [-]nd year of Tianqi were not happy, and they all shouted... shouted..."

"Crying to show me some color? Isn't it?" Young Master Zhang asked with a smile.Yang Jingchen nodded, and said with a sad face: "Yes, these officials all said that they waited bitterly for three or six years, and the longest wait was nine years. There is no credit but there is hard work. Why do they choose those young and fresh Jinshi? Don’t worry, forget about them, the court elders? Later, some people said that it was because of you, you stole the limelight since you were admitted to Tanhua, and made the emperor and Jiuqian feel that the Jinshi of the new subject was better than previous years, so they Let the new Jinshi first, forget about them old people. So these people discussed to show you some color, let you know that ginger is old and spicy." Speaking of this,

"Hey, it's really a shot at the head of the bird." Young Master Zhang smiled, and asked: "Who is the leader?" The court officials took him to Dongchang Prison, right?Young Master Zhang saw his worry, and hurriedly explained: "Master Yang, don't worry, if I want to punish people, the crime of leaving their post without authorization today is enough to enroll them. I just want to know who are the ones taking the lead, so that it is convenient to negotiate with them and eliminate conflicts, otherwise, I can't talk to them one by one, right?"

"Oh, Mr. Tanhua is really kind." Yang Jingchen, who was relieved to see the tenderness in Young Master Zhang's words, said: "The leaders are mainly a few old Jinshi from Bingchen Division, including He Yucheng, Li Yingsheng, and Men Dong. Kai (real name) and Zhang Yang, they have been waiting in the Imperial Academy for nine years, they have the most grievances and the highest prestige, so they all respond to it."

"After nine years of waiting without finding a real job, it's miserable enough to still have to earn qualifications in the capital where the money is paid. No wonder there is so much resentment." Young Master Zhang said with a wry smile.Yang Jingchen nodded, smiled even more bitterly, and said in a low voice: "What Mr. Tanhua said is very true. The monthly salary of these people is only four or two eight renminbi. It is very difficult to support a large family with this little money. What's even more exasperating is that not only do they not have their share in the ice and charcoal worship in the local area, but the household department often uses pepper and cotton to cover their salaries, making their life even more difficult. That's why they are so eager to be released Going out to be an official, although the salary is still not high, but at least there is still money to collect."

"No way, if they really can't live on, I can help them a little bit, but this salary is set by the imperial court, and I can't change it." Young Master Zhang spread his hands, with a black heart that a full man doesn't know a hungry man is hungry. expression.Yang Jingchen glanced at Young Master Zhang, and said timidly: "Tanhuagong, actually, I have a way, maybe I can help Tanhuagong resolve this urgent need."

"Master Yang, please advise." Eldest Young Master Zhang put on an expression of humbly asking for advice.Yang Jingchen said cautiously: "Gong Tanhua, I know you are Jiu Qiansui's adoptive son, why don't you ask Jiu Qiansui to give He Yucheng and Li Yingsheng a few of their real needs, so that other people feel that you have something to do with Tan Huagong?" Go ahead, so I will wholeheartedly..."

"No, this method will never work!" Young Master Zhang shook his head resolutely, "Don't say I won't go through this back door, even if I go through the back door and set a precedent, what should I do if others follow suit? Where do you go to get so many things for them to arrange?"

"Then what does Mr. Tan Hua plan to do?" Yang Jingchen asked with a mournful face, ""Three Dynasties Essentials" was compiled by Nine Thousand Years' name. If the progress is delayed, Nine Thousand Years will blame it. You and I can't afford it."

"Don't worry, let me think of a way." Young Master Zhang rolled his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Master Yang, I would like to ask you for three favors. The first favor is that you help me get rid of the rumors that were first spread in the Imperial Academy. The second thing is to find out. The second thing is, tomorrow morning, all 58 Hanlin must report to the Hanlin Academy, and no one is missing! The third thing is to give me the addresses of several leading officials.”

"The second and third tasks are easy to handle. I have been in charge of the Imperial Academy for three years, and I have always gotten along very well with my colleagues. They will not deny this bit of face." Yang Jingchen agreed without hesitation, and said embarrassingly: " As for finding the first person to spread the rumour, it's a bit difficult."

"It doesn't matter, just try your best." Young Master Zhang waved his hand and added: "It doesn't matter even if you can't find the first person to spread the rumor, as long as it is one of the first to spread the rumor."

Taking the list provided by Yang Jingchen out of the gate of the Imperial Academy, Zhang Shitou and Xiaopuzi were already guarding the gate. Seeing Young Master Zhang, Zhang Shitou asked nervously: "Master, I heard that your first One day when you became an official, you ran into trouble, and all the officials under you refused to accept you, is that true?" Young Master Zhang was stunned for a moment, and then asked, "How do you know?"

"It's not just me who knows? People all over the street have spread the news. Small shops heard the news on the street and went home and told me. That's why I came here." Zhang Shitou replied with a sad face.Eldest Young Master Zhang was taken aback again, then quickly came to his senses, and said with a sinister smile: "Okay, it seems that someone wants to see my jokes, Young Master! Let's see who has the last laugh!"

After all, Master Zhang handed the list to Zhang Shitou and Xiaopuzi, and ordered: "Xiaopuzi, you are a local snake in the capital, go to work with your brother Shitou immediately, and report their situation according to the list and address of the officials above. The investigation is clear, sort it out and hand it over to me." Zhang Shitou and the small shop took orders to go, while Young Master Zhang rode on a tall horse and swaggered home for dinner.

…………

The night passed quickly, and in the early morning of the next day, Young Master Zhang got up early and came to the Hanlin Academy, sat down in his seat in the editing and inspection hall, sipped the fragrant tea brought by the guards, and waited for his subordinates to come forward with full authority. to report.After a while, the officials of the Imperial Academy entered the hall to report one after another, but they all sat in their seats in a daze without saying a word, and no one was willing to come up to say hello to Young Master Zhang. The 58 poor Beijing officials under the young master finally arrived. Yang Jingchen, the chief official of the Hanlin Academy, came in last, first put a note on Young Master Zhang's desk, and then sat on top of Young Master Zhang, waiting for Young Master Zhang to speak.

"My lords." Young Master Zhang finally put down his teacup and said something.But those 58 officials seemed not to hear, they all looked at the room beam with their heads up, as if a dead pig is not afraid of boiling water.Young Master Zhang was not angry, but said in an official tone: "Yesterday, my lords complained about illness, stop writing, it's nothing, who doesn't have a headache, and you just happened to be sick together, it's completely understandable." , I, Zhang Haogu, will not blame him."

"Hmph, that's all." The 58 officials of the Imperial Academy sneered in their hearts, and it was expected that Young Master Zhang would not dare to clean up all of them.Unexpectedly, Young Master Zhang said in a drawn out voice again: "I am an official who does not blame me, but I don't know that it is the talkative one who actually brought this matter to Jiu Qiansui!"

"Huh." There was finally a little commotion in the editorial office, and the faces of many officials of the Imperial Academy changed color.Young Master Zhang said proudly: "You also know that the "Three Dynasties Essential Code" compiled now was compiled by the old man who is nine thousand years old, and he is very concerned about this book. So after hearing the news, nine The old man Qiantui called me to his home and asked me about the situation face-to-face—the old man also said that if it was found out who took the lead in writing, the old man would dismiss that official and deprive him of his military status! The crime is serious Yes, I have to hand it over to the Zhenfu Division for interrogation and torture, to be with Yang Lian, and to be with Wang Wenyan!"

"Huh—!" The commotion was even bigger this time, and almost every official of the Imperial Academy turned pale, even Yang Jingchen, the official of the Hanlin Academy, who was recognized as a good old man-he also thought that Young Master Zhang was telling the truth, as for taking the lead The old Jinshi of Bingchen Division were even more ashamed.And Young Master Zhang glanced at the reactions of these people very satisfied, took another sip of tea, and then said lightly: "Guess, how did I answer Nine Thousand Years Old?"

The 58 officials of the Hanlin Academy still didn't speak, but everyone pricked up their ears.Young Master Zhang glanced at the note sent by Yang Jingchen, and said lightly, "Long Wenguang."

"I didn't!" Long Wenguang, a Jinshi of the Renxu Division, jumped up and shouted with a pale face, "I didn't take the lead! The leaders were He Yucheng and Men Dongkai, some old Hanlin from the Bingchen Division!" He Yucheng and Men Dongkai and the others all changed their faces and glared at Long Wenguang, while Long Wenguang shouted: "Master Zhang, you have learned a lot. I really didn't take the lead. The leaders were He Yucheng, Li Yingsheng, Men Dongkai and Zhang Yang. The four of them, all colleagues present can testify to me!"

"Sit down, sit down, what are you in a hurry for? I just read your name casually, and I didn't say that you took the lead." Young Master Zhang smiled and waved his hands, and said slowly: "To tell the truth, my lords, I was nine thousand years old yesterday. When I asked who was the one who took the lead to stop writing, I had the courage to tell a lie, saying that there was no one to stop writing, let alone who took the lead, please don’t worry about Nine Thousand Years, the compilation progress of "Three Dynasties Yaodian" will not be delayed."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, thank you, Mr. Zhang." The 58 officials of the Imperial Academy, except for Long Wenguang, all breathed a sigh of relief, and raised their hands together to express their gratitude to Young Master Zhang.Young Master Zhang bowed his hands triumphantly, and said, "Later, Jiuqian asked me about the current situation of the Imperial Academy, and I told Jiuqian that you have worked hard and are tired. Report the truth to the emperor, and ask the emperor to give you more favors and gifts."

"Is that really the case?" 58 officials of the Imperial Academy murmured together, dubious about what Master Zhang said.Young Master Zhang said again: "After I reported this to Jiu Qiansui, Jiu Qiansui didn't quite believe it, so he asked me to tell you how hard and tired you are, so I just found a few examples and reported it to Jiu Qiansui. Jiuqiansui said that Mr. He Yucheng, the old Hanlin of Bingchen Division, has been waiting in the capital for nine years. He is 53 this year. There are sixteen members in his family. It’s no different from the beggars on the street, and I haven’t seen meat smelling once in two years—this can be attested by Mr. He’s neighbors.”

"Thank you Master Zhang, that's the truth." He Yucheng replied wiping away tears.Young Master Zhang said again: "There is also Mr. Opening the Door. Although the family is small, his wife has been bedridden for many years, and her monthly salary is not enough for the medicine. He still owes the raw medicine shop six taels of silver for the medicine. money."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for your understanding. The old wife of the lower official has been lying in bed for five years." Men Dongkai replied with sobs.Young Master Zhang nodded, sighed and said: "After I gave these two examples, Jiu Qiansui believed my words and asked me to bring 200 taels of silver and give it to Mr. He and Mr. Sect to help you overcome difficulties." As he spoke, Young Master Zhang took two silver bills from his bosom, left his seat and handed them to He Yucheng and Men Dongkai respectively, and said softly: "This is Jiu Qiansui's kindness, don't thank me, thank Jiu Qiansui if you want to thank me. "

"Thank you nine thousand years old." He Yucheng and Men Dongkai left their seats together, kowtowed towards the direction of the palace and wept.Young Master Zhang took out a few more banknotes from his bosom and said loudly: "Later, I told Jiuqiantui that the Imperial Academy is Qingshui Yamen, and besides Mr. He and Mr. Men, there are many officials whose families are very Difficulties, some of which are even unresolved. Nine thousand years old scolded me and said, "Little monkey boy, why didn't you report to our family earlier", and gave me another 1000 taels of silver, and asked me to reward you to help you improve Life. Nine thousand years old also said that when the "Three Dynasties Essential Code" is finished, I will report to him the meritorious ministers, and he will reward him as appropriate."

As he said that, Young Master Zhang conveniently put the banknote into the hand of an official of the Hanlin Academy next to him, and said with a smile: "My lord, you can divide it up after looking at it. You don't need to thank me, thank you Jiuqian." The chicken pecked at the rice, and more than fifty officials saluted the palace together, crying and praising the merits of the nine thousand years old, and the little dissatisfaction with Young Master Zhang also flew out of Jiuxiaoyun, and the rest of his thoughts were only How to please Young Master Zhang, how to make Young Master Zhang report himself to Jiu Qiansui as a meritorious minister.

"By the way, my lords, I still have something to ask you." Young Master Zhang seemed to suddenly remember, and asked with a smile: "I heard that someone spread the word in the Imperial Academy, saying that it was because of my relationship that they harmed you." You have not been rewarded as candidates for many years. This is a big joke in the world! I, Zhang Haogu, am the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, or the Chief Assistant of the Cabinet? What qualifications and rights do you have to decide your future? So I am curious Now, who spread this rumor? My lords, can you tell me who it is?"

"Master Zhang, it's Long Wenguang!" 57 officials shouted at Long Wenguang, pointing at the ashen-faced Long Wenguang.

(End of this chapter)