Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 300: New Minister Arrives in Beijing

[The cabinet exercises its power and the candidate for the Minister of Revenue is determined]

A newspaper called "Rulin" used this headline on its front page.

Emperor Chenghui, who was used to reading newspapers every morning, felt his temples bulge several times after seeing this headline. Those who didn't know that he was a master of internal martial arts, but those who knew that he was angry.

After giving birth to a child, Yuanchun became much rounder, her former youthfulness faded away, and her charm was revealed between her eyebrows.

Emperor Chenghui, who has a strong desire for control, finds it difficult to empathize with other people. Empress Zhou, with whom he once shared weal and woe, is one of them. This was determined by the fact that the couple used to hug each other every uneasy night in the palace.

Yuanchun is not without ambition, but she is smart and hides her ambition well. After ascending the throne, Emperor Chenghui favored many concubines, but only Yuanchun was favored. The root of this is nothing more than [value]. Emperor Chenghui needed Yuanchun as a signal transmitter to send signals to the four major families headed by the Jia family. Later developments can only be said that Yuanchun seized the opportunity and further consolidated her position with a good attitude. Of course, one of the main reasons is that the value of the Jia family rebounded after a period of decline.

After the New Year's Eve, the group of four kings and eight dukes temporarily posed no pressure on Emperor Chenghui. As a result, another problem arose, and the group of civil officials headed by the cabinet began to "make trouble" again.

On the surface, these people were still praising the cabinet with the template of "Your Majesty is wise and wise", but the newspapers in the private sector were not so polite. Look, they directly cheered for the cabinet's "victory".

After glancing at the headline of the newspaper, Yuanchun knew the crux of the problem, but she refrained from commenting and instead said softly, "Your Majesty, the food is getting cold."

Emperor Chenghui put down the newspaper, ate his meal with big mouthfuls, wiped himself casually with a hot towel after finishing, and it was another day full of fighting spirit.

As usual, Yuanchun never asked questions like "Your Majesty, will you come tonight?" when she saw him off, but waited patiently for the emperor to come at an uncertain time.

Emperor Chenghui was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he looked carefully at the little princess in the wet nurse's arms, gently touched her delicate skin with his fingers, smiled, and left contentedly.

After watching the emperor disappear, Yuanchun looked back at her daughter and sighed silently in her heart, wondering why she only gave birth to a princess. She still needs to work harder.

Even the most favored daughter has to get married! It is unimaginable for a woman to be single her whole life in this era.

There is a group of single women in China called "self-combed women". The most notable feature of this group is that they are economically independent. Material determines consciousness. Without an independent economy, there is no individual independence.

In modern society, women in developed countries are destined to pursue equality and independence, which in turn leads to new social problems, such as population. In this evolutionary process, capital has been making waves, and various boxers have appeared on the stage and made a fortune. This is another topic, so let's stop here.

Ning Ke was actually very surprised when he received the imperial edict. How could I have won the favor of His Majesty?

Ning Ke's experience is quite normal. He is not the type of protagonist who lost his mother or father at a young age. Ning Ke, who came from a middle-class family, passed the imperial examination at the age of 16 and the imperial examination at the age of 17. He was really full of energy. At the most proud moment of his life, the slaps of reality came one after another, and he failed the imperial examinations twice. The most annoying thing is that many people who he looked down upon because of his youth and frivolity passed the imperial examinations.

It can be said that nine years of loss made you, a young man with a budding talent, grow up to be a husband and a father. The passage of time allowed Ning Ke to calm down, and he finally passed the examination on his third try.

A 26-year-old Jinshi was considered relatively young in that era. Because he was a third-class Jinshi, Ning Ke's career started at a low point, just a seventh-rank county magistrate. The process of advancement was not difficult, it was just a very ordinary process, because he had a good master, as long as he had enough qualifications, no one would set up obstacles for his advancement. In fact, Ning Ke did not have much time to curry favor with Kong Zhao, it was nothing more than when he returned to Beijing to report on his work, he would bring some local products to visit him. It took Ning Ke 26 years to go from the seventh rank to the third rank.

Normally, Ning Ke would have to keep changing places as a governor, and serve at least three terms before he had the chance to return to Beijing. Who would have thought that he would receive an imperial edict before he even finished one term?

Amid the focused gazes of his colleagues who said "You still have no backing" and the compliments of "The rich and powerful bark at each other", Ning Ke packed his bags and set out on the journey back to Beijing.

I have been an official for nearly thirty years. It would be nonsense to say that I have no friends. I hurried to the capital and it was already April.

Walking on the busy streets of the capital, Ning Ke felt that the capital had not changed much, but it had also changed a lot. There was no change because the buildings were still the same buildings, the people were still the same people, and the tax inspector at Chongwenmen did not give this civil servant any favors, and the taxes were not reduced by a penny. What changed was that the soldiers of the Wucheng Bingmasi on the interface, wearing red armbands, waving black and white wooden sticks in their hands to direct traffic. Carriages must keep to the right, and pedestrians are not allowed to walk in the center of the street. The Wucheng Bingmasi even forced him to sell two five-cent wicker bags, which he hung behind the buttocks of the animals to catch the feces.

In view of the other party's patient attitude, Ning Ke did not get angry and told the butler to do it.

Seeing that it was getting late, Ning Ke took his family to settle down at the Henan Guild Hall, and took his attendant to visit a friend before dark.

He found the home of Xie Jin, a fellow student who was a doctor in the Ministry of Rites. When he saw Xie Jin across the street, he was also very curious: "Brother, why don't you write a letter first so that I can pick you up."

Ning Ke also looked aggrieved and said, "How could I have thought that this would happen? There was no one to greet me. The officials in the Ministry of Revenue are so honest. Don't they give face to their superiors? Look, those who know me have been promoted, and those who don't think I was dismissed."

Xie Jin understood immediately and nodded, "Yes, that's the truth, but it's not surprising. My dear brother, it's hard to describe the Minister of Finance. I'll explain it in detail and you'll understand."

The officials in Beijing were naturally well-informed. The so-called victory of the cabinet in the newspapers was a lie to outsiders. Of course, what Xie Jin knew was not comprehensive. The cabinet would not say anything outside the list.

"In short, after a lot of arguing, His Majesty gave in, but not much. If a budget system is added in the future, it will be difficult for you to be the Minister. You know, before this, Lord Zhang was a minister that His Majesty trusted without a doubt, and a benchmark of loyalty."

After having dinner at the same year's home, Ning Ke, who had drunk some wine, declined the invitation to stay and said goodbye and left.

After sorting out the information we have obtained, we can roughly know that His Majesty likes lonely ministers like Zhang Tingen, and he does not hide it at all.

This is all reasonable. Any emperor who wants to make a difference will not dislike loyal ministers. I probably can't be a lonely minister. This position of Minister of Finance is not easy.

There is also the issue of the budget system. Ning Ke has no idea what it is. Fortunately, there is plenty of time. The rules can be finalized before the end of the year and will be implemented next year.

"This street is really clean!" The long-servant sighed, which made Ning Ke seem to realize something and nodded subconsciously; "Yes, it's much cleaner than before."

Ning Ke suddenly remembered and felt a little annoyed that he had not asked about the news about the Wucheng Bingmasi before. Forget it, this government office is not very prominent and is a subordinate department of the Inspectorate. The next morning, Ning Ke hired a sedan chair and rushed to the palace. After waiting outside the palace for almost half an hour, when he thought he would have to wait for a while, the eunuch came out to take him.

Ning Ke had experience in observing politics in the Ministry of Revenue and had worked as a finance and grain commissioner in the province. He had frequent contact with the Ministry of Revenue, understood some of its work processes, and was familiar with accounting work.

The disadvantage is that I don’t have enough connections in the capital, but I can make up for it slowly in the future.

When meeting the king, Ning Ke was very cautious. After paying homage, when he heard the words "stand up", he did not lower his head, but looked straight ahead and observed the surroundings with his peripheral vision.

Before Ning Ke could start playing, a young man wearing a fourth-rank official uniform in front of the emperor said, "Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I will go back first."

This made Ning Ke curious. Every official knew that it was good to stay with the superior for a while longer. The tone of this person's words made him want to leave as soon as possible.

Jia Lian is really tired. It's a budget system. If I'm not satisfied with the first draft, forget it. I can revise it. I've already revised it eight times. It seems that I need to revise it again. This kind of party A should be thrown into the fire and burned to death to relieve his hatred!

I've been wasting the whole month of March on these trivial matters every day. It's a waste of time.

Emperor Chenghui picked up a report and handed it to Jia Lian: "Because the budget system has not been implemented, I have approved 50,000 yuan for the Research and Development Department. Later, the transparent glass will not be counted as a tribute, and it will be purchased at the price. Don't say that I have treated you unfairly."

Jia Lian kowtowed sincerely and said, "Your Majesty, you are wise and wise. Free is the most valuable thing. I will learn from your advice!"

Emperor Chenghui was puzzled and asked, "Wait, when did I say that?"

"Didn't you say that? I remembered it wrongly. Your Majesty, Lord Ning is waiting." Jia Lian quickly changed the subject. Emperor Chenghui did not pursue the matter. He turned to Ning Ke and said, "My dear, I have been waiting for a long time."

When he turned around, Jia Lian was nowhere to be seen. Ning Ke was stunned. Emperor Chenghui smiled and explained: "Look at this transparent glass. With this, the room will be bright."

Ning Ke looked at the glass on the imperial desk and said in amazement, "It is truly amazing how such transparent colored glass can be made. I have never heard of it before."

Emperor Chenghui nodded and said, "Jia Lian is a genius, but he is unwilling to be a good official. His mind is all on tricks and cunning tricks."

Ning Ke thought of Jia Lian, who ran faster than a rabbit, and felt that the evaluation of "not being a good official" was very pertinent. He also felt that the tone of the emperor's speech to him was very casual, and he seemed to appreciate him very much. Could it be because of the previous memorial? If so, the emperor was a capable and wise ruler.

"Your humble servant has come to deliver your order!" Feeling encouraged, Ning Ke reminded his majesty to get down to business quickly.

"Yes, I understand. My dear minister has been serving as an official for a long time and is not aware of the financial situation of the court. When I first ascended the throne, the court's finances were on the verge of collapse. Thanks to the advice of Zhang Xiang and his apprentice, the court's financial predicament was greatly alleviated. Yes, Jia Lian is Zhang Xiang's apprentice."

Ning Ke was secretly surprised when he heard this. Apprentice and student are not the same concept. Although they seem similar, they are actually quite different.

The conversation between the emperor and his ministers began. Ning Ke was alert and responded carefully, for fear of making any mistakes.

At first, it was mainly Emperor Chenghui who was talking, and Ning Ke listened carefully. Occasionally, when Emperor Chenghui asked a question, he would carefully answer. Fortunately, the process went smoothly. In the end, Emperor Chenghui used the memorial as a topic to affirm Ning Ke's competence as the governor of Shanxi, because among so many governors of Shanxi, he was the only one who raised the issue of money houses.

"Mr. Ning, the root of all the problems in the court is the supremacy of profit. In Jia Lian's words, they are all economic problems. Land annexation has caused people to leave their hometowns, and a considerable number of landless people have moved to cities to make a living. If cities cannot solve the employment problem of the population, urban security problems will definitely arise. Rural people will also have problems of one kind or another if they cannot survive, and they will become bandits or even rebel. As the Minister of Revenue, you must not only manage the country's finances, but also find new economic growth points and increase employment opportunities..."

The more he listened, the more confused Ning Ke became. Even when he said goodbye and left for the cabinet, Ning Ke's head was still buzzing. He knew the meaning of every word the emperor said, but he couldn't understand the words that were connected together, and he couldn't catch the problem of the emperor's new words. Looking at the documents in his hands and a copy of the draft budget system, Ning Ke felt particularly heavy.

This promotion is actually worse than being a governor at a lower level!

Ning Ke shook his head, forgetting everything that confused him, and regaining his familiar rhythm. He went to Liang Daoyuan to handle the formalities first. After completing the process, Ning Ke asked, "Prime Minister Liang, who was Jia Lian who was in front of His Majesty just now?"

Liang Daoyuan's expression instantly twisted and became hideous. Ning Ke saw it clearly and was slightly startled.

"Lord Ning will know it later. Please allow me to keep it a secret for now."

Ning Ke thanked Liang Daoyuan and came out, thinking: Keep it a secret, I'd be surprised if I believed your lies. It would be strange if there was no festival, and besides, if there was a festival, there would be nothing you could do to others, right?

After walking a few steps, Ning Ke suddenly slapped his forehead and remembered that the top scholar from a noble family was a hot topic at the time. It was all because of those stingy old men in Shanxi who made me so angry that I forgot about it.

When he saw Kong Zhao, Ning Ke greeted him as a disciple. Kong Zhao put down what he was doing and motioned him to sit down and talk. After everyone around him left, Kong Zhao spoke earnestly.

"His Majesty kept you to talk for half an hour, which is very rare. It shows that your attainments in money and grain and your integrity as an official have attracted his majesty's attention. I am old and cannot take on too many responsibilities. In the future, we will rely on young people to take on important responsibilities. The position of Shangshu is not easy to come by. In the future, you must be careful in everything. The capital is not like the countryside." Kong Zhao's words were both implicit and straightforward, but Ning Ke understood them all.

The protection of our master will only last for a few more years. From now on, I have to rely on myself to make further progress.

It’s hard to say how much effort the teacher put in to help me stand out this time, but he definitely didn’t set any obstacles.

Let's put it this way, at the level of the third rank, it is extremely difficult to make further progress. It is gratifying to have someone pushing hard, but it is even more gratifying to have no one to trip you up, especially the trip up of the Prime Minister.

To put it bluntly, even if the emperor fell in love with Ning Ke, Kong Zhao's identity and age would prevent him from entering the capital. Emperor Chenghui would never resist and would definitely give in, or at least replace him with someone else.

(End of this chapter)