Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 536 Efficiency
Li House.

Li Zisheng was standing in front of a full-length mirror, fiddling with his new official uniform. He seemed to like it more and more, with an expression of intoxication and satisfaction on his face.

So much so that Pang Qing, who came to report something to him, was too embarrassed to interrupt when he saw the smug Li Zisheng in the mirror.

"Bingkun, why are you here but there is no noise at all? Are you really trying to scare me?" Li Zisheng came back to his senses and gave Pang Qing a blank look.

Pang Qing then stepped forward and bowed, saying, "The matters arranged by the Taoist Master have been properly handled."

"Sent it away?"

Li Zisheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "That's pretty quick... I told him clearly that we'll pick him up the day after tomorrow afternoon and that he can't stay any longer. He knows that, right?"

"Yes."

Pang Qing said, "Zhang Guozhang seems very anxious, so he rushed to the yard without stopping."

"Haha."

Li Zisheng laughed and said, "I was wondering about Lai Zhan. He usually pretends to be a good person, but in fact, people's hearts are hidden in their stomachs. As long as you are true to yourself, why do you have to pretend to be noble? Now, isn't his true color exposed?"

"What are you..."

Pang Qing thought, this is not a nice thing to say.

It makes sense to criticize Zhang Luan, but the question is, do you think your ally is a fake benevolent person? Can you still be so happy?

Li Zisheng said, "Last time I gave him a month, he didn't take it seriously. This time I told him he only had three days, he must be very anxious. Some things, it's not that a longer time will bring inner joy, but a short meeting, like the moment when the fireworks explode, can make people more excited."

Pang Qing said: "Master Dao, you sound like you understand a lot. Is this something you have personally experienced?"

"I'm talking about the ways of the world. Look, isn't that the case now?" While Li Zisheng was speaking, he could not help but turn his head again and continue to adjust his official uniform in front of the mirror.

Pang Qing said helplessly: "Master Dao, you are reluctant to give up your official position and are afraid that you will not be able to replace this official uniform after losing it, so you look carefully in the mirror? Aren't you tired of looking at this official uniform?"

Li Zisheng said: "You know nothing!"

A phrase from the national quintessence could not make Pang Qing shut up.

"Originally, I thought that I couldn't keep this official uniform, and it would be difficult to stay in it in the future. But since I met Lai Zhan again and heard him talk about sending me to control the river, I suddenly felt that I had to be this official!" Li Zisheng's face was full of smiles.

Pang Qing said, "The river management issue has only been mentioned, but it has not been brought up for discussion at the court meeting yet. Isn't it a little too early for you to be happy?"

"It's not early!"

Li Zisheng said, "The previous emperor had been preparing for many years, and the manpower and material resources were prepared in advance. Originally, it was said that we would wait for a few years of good weather and good harvests, and the local treasury would be more full before starting construction, but it is difficult to meet the demand in a short period of time. In fact, in my opinion, there is no need for the local government to spend too much money, I can do it alone!"

"What? You... took care of all the river work by yourself?"

Pang Qing seemed very surprised.

You are such a boaster!
Li Zisheng said unhappily, "I have so much money, can't I save it for my old age? Can my family assets be compared with the treasury of the Ming Dynasty?"

"But just now you said..."

"River engineering relies on the ability to coordinate, just like a monk begging for alms. You need connections, channels, and means to transfer other people's money to the court."

Li Zisheng spoke eloquently.

Pang Qing asked doubtfully, "Are those people willing to pay the money?"

Li Zisheng sneered and said, "How is this possible? Even if we build the river next to their fields, they don't want to pay a penny. This requires some tricks... Do you really think that I have been an official for so many years in vain? Whoever makes my life difficult, I will make his life difficult!"

Pang Qing nodded and said, "That's all coercion and inducement! It seems that only you are suitable for this job. That Zhang Guozhang is too kind."

"Laizhan has done me such a great deed, which has enabled me to maintain my career as an official and even go down in history. I will naturally not let Laizhan feel that he has made a loss, and I will definitely go all out!"

Li Zisheng said, "No, we still have to give him something..."

"You want to disturb his happiness?"

Pang Qing frowned slightly.

Li Zisheng rolled his eyes at Pang Qing and said, "I'm afraid Zhang Laizhan has been so happy these past two days that he can't even find his way around. How can he have time to care about me? Being an official is not something that can be done overnight. If I want to repay him, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future... I'll have someone clean up the backyard of the mansion and I'll host a banquet for Laizhan there!"

……

……

Forbidden City.

Qianqing Palace.

Huai En was presenting a detailed construction plan for the Yellow River diversion to the Dragon Case, which was equivalent to handing it over to the emperor for review. After Zhu Youtang received it, he asked in surprise: "So soon? I just said it before..."

Huai En explained, "Your Majesty may not know that the previous emperor had prepared for this matter for many years and had arranged for people to go to the local area for investigation. With the help of Zhang Guozhang this time, things will go more smoothly... Look, Zhang Guozhang didn't spend much time to come up with a river control plan, and then we can put it on the court for discussion."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, my dear companion."

Zhu Youtang was slightly relieved and said excitedly: "At that time, I thought this was just my ambition, but I didn't expect it to become a reality so soon.

"But am I being too hasty?"

Huai En did not argue with Zhu Youtang about turning his dream into reality. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you see, in this detailed plan of Zhang Guozhang, it is proposed to appoint Li Zisheng as a regular official, concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Works, to go to Huanghuai and other places to prepare for the diversion of the Yellow River."

Zhu Youtang hesitated: "Does Li Zisheng have to go?"

"Your Majesty, do you think it's inappropriate?"

Wynn asked cautiously.

Because Huai En knew clearly that the reason why Zhang Luan recommended Li Zisheng to manage the river was largely because he listened to his advice.

But Huai En did not report this matter to the emperor.

As a powerful official who was once prominent, Huai'en seemed to obey the emperor in everything, but he also had his own opinions on many things. This was probably the reason why he was disliked by Zhu Jianshen and eventually exiled to Fengyang Prefecture - you are just a lackey, you bite whoever you are told to bite, how come you have your own opinions?

Just like this, you still want to win the favor of your master?
Zhu Youtang said: "There's nothing wrong with it, but it's not good either... I always feel that Li Zisheng is criticized by people, and if he goes to the local level, he may not be able to do things well."

Huai En immediately understood the emperor's concerns.

"Yes, Your Majesty, outsiders say that Li Zisheng is corrupt and likes to form cliques for personal gain. Many people in the court are his followers. He has been working in the Tongzhengshisi for many years, controlling the channels of speech and controlling the appointment and removal of officials in the court for a long time, but he has not recommended any talented people to the court."

Huai En continued speaking in accordance with the emperor's meaning.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youtang looked up at Huai En and asked doubtfully, "Huai Daban, do you also think that Li Zisheng is inappropriate?"

Huai En thought about it, and shook his head decisively, "Your Majesty, I think it is more appropriate to let Li Zisheng manage the river."

"Oh? I wonder what it says?"

Zhu Youtang asked Huai'en for advice with a serious look on his face.

"Your Majesty, in fact, Li Zisheng took care of the Eastern Palace many times when you were the crown prince. He has a good personal relationship with Zhang Guozhang, and he has made great contributions to your enthronement. He can be considered one of our own." Huai En said.

Zhu Youtang nodded slightly: "I am not an ungrateful person. I know he has done me a favor, but I cannot undermine the government because of a personal favor. I just want to know whether it is really appropriate for him to prepare for the river project."

Huai En said: "It is definitely not appropriate to let Li Zisheng complete it alone, but if Zhang Guozhang is there to help behind the scenes, then everything will be different."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded again and said with a smile, "That's right, with my father-in-law here, the situation is indeed different. In fact, the whole thing was presided over by my father-in-law, and Li Zisheng was just running errands for him, is that what you mean?"

"Yes."

Huai En answered affirmatively, "The person who has the overall situation in mind is only Zhang Guozhang. He will dispatch all the personnel, and Li Zisheng is just a pawn."

Zhu Youtang's eyes became brighter and brighter, and he said happily: "If that's the case, then I will follow my father-in-law's advice and let Li Zisheng go to tame the river. I will ask the ministers for their opinions later... So, you take this document to the cabinet first and listen to the elders' opinions."

"Yes."

Huai En bowed and accepted the order.

"By the way, Huai Daiban, I mentioned earlier that the cabinet would add a new minister. Have the court officials already discussed it?" Zhu Youtang asked expectantly, "I don't know how far things have progressed now. Has a candidate been chosen and will he be proposed at the court meeting?"

"Not yet."

Huai En shook his head. "At present, the two cabinet ministers seem to be able to take care of the affairs of the court. In addition, the lecturers of the East Palace can also perform their duties... If Your Majesty really needs someone to share the affairs of the court, then why not select another person from the original lecturers of the East Palace."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded with relief. "But I can't think of who to choose from among so many gentlemen... Or you can listen to the opinions of the Hanlin Academy, or the opinions of the civil and military officials in the court. When you go to the cabinet, ask Liu Gelao and Xu Gelao and see what they think."

"Yes."

Huai En answered while thinking in his heart.

Ask Liu Ji and Xu Pu?

I’m afraid it’s not appropriate!

Neither of them seemed to support Zhang Luan joining the cabinet, but what His Majesty wanted most right now was his father-in-law to join the cabinet, which was a difficult matter.

(End of this chapter)