Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 726 The New Generation

Although the static was noticeable, Li Wan could still clearly hear what the person on the other end of the phone was saying, and she felt a jolt of electricity.

Last time, Li Wan was a little embarrassed to try sending a telegram, and gave up after a few attempts. This time, the telephone line was directly connected to his palace, so he could make a special call if needed.

Li Wan was absolutely fascinated by it; what was a beloved concubine compared to the fun of a telephone!

With the addition of a telephone, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications' status rose once again.

This is a new thing, and it's very expensive, but there are so many rich people in the capital.

Moreover, at this stage, it's not enough for you to have money to get a phone installed; you need to have status.

Officials in various departments in Beijing now greet each other with "Have you installed it at home yet?" every day when they arrive at work.

Just asking, there are very few places in the entire capital city with telephones installed. After they were installed in the palace, only the offices of the cabinet ministers and other ministers had them; lower-ranking officials had to wait.

Li Wan felt it was a pity, as the phone was hard to hear from a distance and it was difficult to call, but it was very useful in the Summer Palace.

Li Wan was quite satisfied with this, as these were things that neither his grandfather nor his father had ever used, and he had been fortunate enough to be born with them.

In fact, the telegraph was already being experimented with when Li Yuan was alive. The reason it wasn't widely adopted was entirely because the mass production process for cables was beyond their capabilities.

Even if it's all settled now, laying and adding lines will take time, so apart from the emperor being the first to enjoy it, everyone else will have to wait.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is currently facing a major headache regarding new technologies, specifically how to lay cables on the seabed to connect the islands of Southeast Asia, so that any messages can be relayed in the shortest possible time.

With faster information transmission, many things could be done more quickly. For example, if there was a disaster in a certain place, a telegram could be sent directly, and the imperial court could respond immediately without waiting for a memorial.

Nowadays, telegraph and telephone services are officially operated, and countless children of the powerful and wealthy are scrambling to get in.

However, it's difficult. The requirements for this department are quite simple: you need to understand technology. If your family has a high social standing, you can get priority to learn the skills, but only after you've mastered them can you join this department.

Nowadays, telegraph lines are laid first along railway lines, and then along other lines.

With the advent of the telegraph, the imperial court's control over the country increased significantly. Back then, when the people of Yunyang rebelled, even the urgent message, delivered by the 800-li (approximately 400 km) courier, would take ten days to reach them.

Now, a telegram can arrive at a cabinet minister's desk in ten minutes.

It seems that Jia Lian is no longer involved in politics and basically doesn't manage things, but the cabinet members quickly realized that some departments are really not listening to orders.

Take the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for example. From top to bottom, everyone there is a technical official. You are simply not qualified.

Shen Lei and Fei Yun spoke with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications multiple times, hoping to place a few people inside. Minister Fu Ming, however, was unmoved, clearly stating that anyone could enter the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the process was the same for everyone: an exam! Selection was based on merit. The Ministry was currently short-staffed and expanding its recruitment. He emphasized that it wasn't out of disrespect for the Prime Minister, but rather that the rules of this department were established by him.

Shen Lei and Fei Yun both understood now: even though Jia Lian didn't seem to be in charge, many departments really only listened to him.

Well, it's not that Jia Lian was arrogant; it's just that the system was strictly enforced. If you wanted to make an exception and get a few extra slots, you'd have to go to Jia Lian. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications won't take the blame for that.

Another option that everyone has a chance of getting into is to take the entrance exam for a postal and telecommunications school. After two years of study and passing the exam, you can start working in the postal and telecommunications department. You're not called an official, you're called a public servant.

After becoming a public servant, those who performed well had the opportunity to be promoted to official positions. The purpose of this system was to provide upward mobility for people at the bottom.

With the emergence of more and more schools, the era of only studying the Four Books and Five Classics has passed. Of course, they are still studied, but only as one of the main subjects.

Nowadays, primary schools at all levels have three core subjects: Chinese, mathematics, and political education. They also have three supplementary subjects: foreign language, general knowledge, and physical education. Secondary schools have added physics and chemistry.

After graduating from three years of high school, you can take the entrance exam for a postal and telecommunications school. If you want to go to university, you'll need to continue for two more years of high school. Once you're in university, calculus will be your next challenge.

No way, there can't be anyone who can't even learn calculus, right?
The imperial examination system still exists today, but the so-called provincial examination was actually a civil service examination for those who graduated from high school; those who passed could become government officials. To participate in the metropolitan examination, you first had to graduate from university.

The key point is that the quota for the imperial examination is now very strictly controlled. Even if you pass the imperial examination, you can only start as an eighth-rank official.

Some have concluded that science students have an advantage in the selection process for officials, while liberal arts students, no matter how well they write, are no longer as popular as before.

For officials, especially those who are pragmatic at the grassroots level, science and technology graduates are more favored by the Ministry of Personnel.

These are all unspoken rules that formed during the reign of the late Emperor Li Yuan. The reason is simple: you have to be able to work for the court.

Officials who spend all their time composing poems and writing romance are becoming increasingly unpopular in the imperial court.

This is due to the pragmatic style of the imperial court that has been formed over decades; it cannot be achieved overnight.

I used to think that getting into the Hanlin Academy was awesome, but now I think getting into the Chinese Academy of Sciences is awesome, not only because of the higher status, but also because of the better treatment.

If you can get into an independent lab, you're a big shot.

Bi Daoxing, who was considered crazy by others back then, is now seventy years old. He does nothing all year and earns 10,000 yuan a month. And that doesn't even include the patent fees he receives.

If you include the patent fees for smokeless gunpowder he received, it would be even more substantial.

That guy, Jang, a foreigner, passed away a few years ago, but even so, his children still receive no less than 500,000 yuan in patent fees every year.

Jia Lin rode in front, while Chang Suilai followed behind on his bicycle, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. If there was any danger, he would immediately pull out the weapon from his pocket and spray it.

"I told you not to follow me!" Jia Lin didn't feel proud of having a personal attendant with her; on the contrary, she felt a little ashamed.

Lai Xi looked at Jia Lin expressionlessly and said, "Go and tell the Prime Minister!"

Jia Lin immediately deflated like a punctured balloon. It wasn't that he was afraid of Jia Lian, but rather that he didn't want to cause trouble for his grandparents.

Jia Quan, the father, was away at sea most of the year, spending less than two months at home each year. Since Jia Lian entered the cabinet, the Jia family has become increasingly low-key, and by the time the grandchildren were born, they would only take one person with them when they went out.

Jia Lin knew that although Lai Xi was the same age as him, the education he received from childhood was quite different. Despite being only sixteen, Lai Xi wielded a revolver with unparalleled skill and was also formidable in martial arts; three or five people couldn't get close to him. Jia Lin still didn't choose to go to university, but instead chose to attend a military academy. During a rare holiday, Jia Lin wanted to go out and have some fun for a couple of days, and Lai Xi followed him everywhere.

"I'm warning you, when we get to your classmate's house, don't say anything wrong." Jia Lin meant, don't reveal his identity. Otherwise, he really wouldn't have any friends—the Prime Minister's grandson, after all.

"Okay, I won't speak unless absolutely necessary," Lai Xi agreed.

Liu Ming, a classmate and friend, came from a very ordinary family. As Jia Lin's deskmate, the two naturally had a very good relationship. The main reason was that Jia Lin was low-key enough and never flaunted her status at the military academy.

The Liu family lived in the outer city, not far from Chongwen Gate. To have a two-courtyard house in the capital was not particularly bad.

That's usually compared to Jia Lin.

When Liu Ming saw Jia Lin, he stood at the door and waved excitedly. After noticing Lai Xi, Liu Ming greeted her warmly, since he could tell that Jia Lin and Lai Xi had a special relationship.

"Excuse me!" Jia Lin was very polite after getting off the bus. Liu Ming curled his lip in disdain: "Brother Jia's upbringing is too rigid. If it weren't for your and Brother Lai's help during the last training exercise, I wouldn't have been able to walk back." "We're brothers in the same class, it's only right. Besides, you even took a punch for me during the fight with Class Two last time." Jia Lin remained polite as always; this upbringing was something he had cultivated since childhood and couldn't change.

Lai Xi stepped forward and silently handed over the gift. Liu Ming thanked him with a smile and then ushered him inside without waiting for Lai Xi to speak. Mainly because this guy was a real taciturn fellow, rarely opening his mouth.

Upon entering the main hall, Jia Lin saw the inner quarters ahead and immediately stopped, saying, "Since you wish to pay your respects to your aunt, please allow me to straighten my clothes!"

Liu Ming led the two through the hanging flower gate. The old woman at the gate glanced at them and sat back down. The guests the young master brought back were probably there to look after the young lady.

Upon seeing the newcomer, a young girl inside immediately stood up to make way, saying, "Liu Ming, you didn't even give me a heads-up. You'll regret this later."

"Big sister, this is my brother! He's not an outsider!" Liu Ming quickly explained, clearly suppressed by his bloodline.

Jia Lin politely clasped his hands and said, "Jia Lin is very courteous!"

The woman quickly returned a curtsy and turned to leave. Although it was only a brief encounter, Jia Lin was still amazed by her beauty. It was said that the Jia family had no shortage of beautiful girls, but this one had a particularly special air about her.

To be honest, Jia Lin had never seen such a spirited woman.

A woman came out shortly after. After Liu Ming introduced her, Jia Lin formally bowed to the woman: "Greetings, Auntie. My name is Jia Lin, and I am a close friend of Brother Liu."

The woman smiled and looked at Jia Lin with exceptional enthusiasm.

After staying at the Liu family's house for a while, Jia Lin said goodbye and left. The three of them agreed to go out for a spring outing that day.

Surprisingly, there was another person with them when they went out. She was clearly a woman, but dressed as a man. She looked more handsome than the other three.

The four of them rode their bicycles, looking very excited as they headed out of the city.

Nowadays, there are still young people riding horses in the city, but far fewer than before.

The main reason was that the military command arrested people and forbade them from riding horses within the city. Those with some money stopped riding horses and switched to bicycles.

Liu Ming, with a bitter face, helplessly winked at Jia Lin, indicating that he really didn't know she wanted to come along.

Jia Lin smiled and shook his head. He didn't care. There was a Third Grandma You in the south of the city. He heard that she liked to dress as a man when she was young.

The world today is much more open-minded than it was twenty years ago. The main reason is that women can find a job and have an income, so no one will say anything if they show their faces in public.

Of course, ladies from respectable families still didn't go out casually.

"Don't underestimate her. She always gets first place at Beijing Women's University. Last year, she got a perfect score on the same math, physics, and chemistry exam as Beijing University."

Jia Lin knew this classmate very well and laughed, "I think you just can't beat her."

"How could you slander someone's innocence...?" Liu Ming exclaimed anxiously.

Nowadays, you have to go far away from the city to enjoy the spring scenery; the surrounding area is full of buildings, and the city has expanded considerably.

Unfortunately, before they could leave this area, several young men appeared ahead, pointing at Liu Ming and his group and saying, "Well, they've delivered themselves to our doorstep."

"Damn it, it's those scoundrels from Class Two. They couldn't beat them in school, so now they're trying to get revenge because they outnumber them!" Liu Ming exclaimed in surprise.

Jia Lin looked refined, but he was actually fearless. He abandoned his car, rushed forward, and pointed at the seven or eight people rushing towards him, saying, "Fighting in school is called friendly sparring, but fighting outside of school is brawling. You'd better think it over, or you might end up in the Bingmasi prison's dark room."

"Stop talking nonsense and watch the fight!" There were eight of them on the other side. In their youthful and impetuous days, they didn't waste time on empty talk.

Fortunately, the fight was all done with fists and feet, and no one brandished weapons, which meant these people were still relatively law-abiding. Lai Xi, who didn't say much, pulled his hand out of his pocket, took a quick step forward, and unleashed a powerful punch!

Lai Xi wasn't very tall, but he was very stocky with thick legs.

With just one punch, Lai Xi knocked one down. Jia Lin and Liu Ming joined the fray, grabbing a target and throwing punches.

Both sides had learned military combat techniques, so the fight would come down to who was stronger and had faster reflexes.

Liu Jie remained motionless, standing behind and watching the three-against-eight fight, but her body was tense, ready to step forward at any moment.

Because Lai Xi was holding the line, half of the enemy was quickly wiped out. Just as they were about to expand their gains, someone suddenly blew a whistle.

"Hurry up, the military police are here."

Both sides immediately stopped fighting and scattered like birds and beasts.

The outing had to be cancelled, and the group found a teahouse to stay in, where they flattered each other and rubbed each other with medicinal wine.

To be honest, Jia Lin took a few hits in that fight earlier and didn't gain the upper hand. She just felt a little disappointed that she hadn't achieved a complete victory against Liu Jie.

"Don't move!" Liu Jie said softly, raising her hand to rub the medicated wine on Jia Lin's neck. It needed to be rubbed vigorously until it was warm so that it wouldn't turn blue from bruising.

Jia Lin's face instantly turned crimson.

Liu Ming glanced at them, then pulled Lai Xi away, telling them to stay away from the two of them.

Otherwise, the sour smell would be unbearable. Really, this is the kind of person I like.

Liu Ming and Lai Xi were chatting downstairs: "There are still six months until graduation. Have you thought about job placement?"

Lai Xi remained silent, only shaking his head.

Liu Ming said, "I want to go to Anxi. If I stay in the capital, even if I join the Army Guards Division, I'll start as a second lieutenant and become a full lieutenant after three years. That's the end of my life. I don't want to end up like my father, who's almost retired and still hasn't become a general."

Lai Xi then said two words: "Yes!"

In the evening, Jia Lian returned home and saw that Lai Xi had come to see him, so he let him in.

Lai Xi reported this in the study. Jia Lian listened calmly and then smiled, saying, "This is good news. Don't tell Madam."

"I understand!" Lai Xi said, then took his leave, without uttering a single unnecessary word.

During the spring officer selection, Liu Zhenshan, a senior colonel in the 2nd Division of the Central Army (formerly the Xishan Division), received good news: he would not have to retire and would be promoted to major general and chief of staff.

It turned out that the lieutenant general division commander had retired, and four regimental commanders fought tooth and nail for the position. Unexpectedly, the most inconspicuous Liu Zhenshan won the only promotion opportunity.

(End of this chapter)