Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 619 True colors revealed
Supervisor of Ceremonies.

Qin Ji was telling Huai En about some recent events in the court and the country, which involved the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Although Huai'en does not directly command the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard at present, with his position and qualifications as the Prime Minister, it is still easy for him to control Tan Ji, who is like a good guy.

Qin Ji also understood that not only was he working for the emperor, but he also had to accept Huai En's supervision at all times, and most of the things he did were beyond his control.

"... Most of the scholars who caused the trouble were detained for less than three days before being released. Only the three leaders were caned, but the beatings were not severe, far from breaking bones. They will probably be fine after a few days of rest."

Qin Ji introduced the situation, "However, it is said that some people still do not repent after being released, and are still gathering together to discuss returning to denounce Zhang Guozhang. Perhaps there will be further actions."

"It seems the punishment is too light!"

Huai En shook his head and said, "If you want to punish, then punish to the end. Who can be deterred by picking up heavy things and then letting them go lightly like this? Your Majesty, isn't it your intention to find a few people and punish them severely to deter others?"

Qin Ji thought that if the punishment was too harsh, others would think that Zhang Guozhang was a good-for-nothing.

By then, everyone will think that I am a lackey of the treacherous officials, and I will no longer be able to be a good person.

It’s better to make a big thing small and then let it go. If something really happens again, we can deal with it then!

Huai En asked, "Any further information about Zhang Guozhang's fundraising for money and grain?"

"Hasn't it been reported to His Majesty?" Tan Ji asked back, and then continued: "This matter has always been done by Kegong, and I was not aware of it."

Huai En asked, "Ke Gong reported that all the money and grain have been found... I heard that His Majesty specifically asked about this when he summoned Uncle Zhang. But finding a place doesn't mean it will be implemented. Don't you have any findings?"

"This... I don't know."

Qin Ji shook his head, looking helpless.

The principle he has always adhered to in life is to push it aside.

I don't ask about things that have nothing to do with me.

Huai En asked angrily: "Now that you are the governor of the East Factory, you should have spies all over the court. If you don't know this little bit of information, how will you report to His Majesty if something really happens?"

At this point, Wynn slowed down his tone and said solemnly, "Of course, I'm not making things difficult for you, but reminding you of the way and method of doing things."

Qin Jixin said, thank you for reminding me.

But why do I feel that things are not that simple?

Tan Chang has now been sent by His Majesty to the northwest to entertain the troops. You are the only one in power in the inner court, and you are bossing me around here...

In this case, why not put yourself in his shoes and think about it. If Qin Chang was still in the court, then he was just a front for the affairs of the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and it was you who was behind the scenes directing what he did?
Then isn’t Qin Chang just like a clay Buddha?
Then if he was demoted, wasn't he just taking the blame for you?

Huai En saw that Qin Ji was evasive, and he couldn't help but shook his head, as if he didn't want to force it. After all, they were both old people in the palace and knew each other well, so he took the initiative to change the subject: "Regarding the selection of new cabinet ministers, the preliminary candidate is Liu Jian, a lecturer in the Eastern Palace.

"If Liu Jian joins the cabinet, there will be three highly respected Confucian officials among the cabinet. This will not only help Your Majesty, but also relieve a lot of pressure on us, the inner ministers."

"This is……"

Qin Ji asked curiously, "Your Majesty personally appointed him? Didn't the court discuss it?"

Huai En smiled and said, "Your Majesty has already announced that he will add a cabinet minister. The ministers in the court have already started to discuss the matter. Of course, the final decision on the cabinet minister selection plan will definitely be based on the opinions of the Hanlin Academy. And the most respected scholar in the Hanlin Academy is naturally... Liu Jian."

Tan Ji asked, "Isn't there still Zhang Guozhang?"

"of course."

Huai En nodded, then said disapprovingly, "But it seems that no one will recommend him at the moment. But you and I should also know that with Zhang Guozhang's temperament, he may not be suitable for joining the cabinet."

"what!?"

Tan Ji was slightly surprised.

He was wondering, how do you know that Father-in-law Zhang is not suitable for joining the cabinet?
If he was really not suitable, then why did all the trouble happen before, with so many people attacking him and causing trouble in his workshop?
Your Majesty stood up for Zhang Guozhang's matter, set the tone for punishment, and even did not hesitate to offend scholars all over the world and severely punish those scholars. What was your purpose?
Just to make Zhang Luan give up and withdraw from the competition for the position of cabinet minister?

It doesn't make sense!
Huai En frowned and asked, "Hou Fang, are you surprised? Why do I feel that this is how things should be? Since the beginning of his official career, Zhang Guozhang has always been a lazy person who works for three days and rests for two days. His behavior is really not commendable.

"Take it as he is the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue. How many times did he appear in the Ministry of Revenue? First he used illness as an excuse, then he used a broken leg as an excuse, and later... even if he was not sick or had no disaster, he was rarely seen attending court.

"With such a character, how can one be an official?"

Qin Ji nodded and said, "Zhang Guozhang doesn't care much about being an official, but he still has some ability. If he enters the cabinet, he may be able to stabilize people's hearts like a magic needle that stabilizes the sea."

Huai En's expression became extremely ugly, and he asked, "What is Dinghai Shenzhen? Where did you learn this new word? Even His Majesty has clearly stated that the selection of cabinet ministers this time is to share the pressure of the current cabinet ministers and make the court handle state affairs more efficiently.

"If you let a person who works for three days and rests for two days join the cabinet, how much help can he provide? Do you think the cabinet needs to add another person to complete the work of one person?"

Qin Ji's eyes lit up and he thought, your words remind me, perhaps this is what His Majesty meant.

The greatest significance of Zhang Luan's entry into the cabinet is not how much practical work he can do, but that he can effectively check and balance the Prime Minister Liu Ji after entering the cabinet...

After all, the current Second Assistant Xu Pu seemed to be the representative of the Hanlin Academy, but when it came to the power struggle with Liu Ji, Xu Pu was shirking his responsibilities in various ways. His background as an orthodox Confucian official also meant that he was more easily constrained in the struggle.

It was different when Zhang Luan entered the cabinet.

Perhaps there will really be a new atmosphere in the court.

Huai En stared at Tan Ji and asked, "Even if someone really recommends Zhang Guozhang, it should be discussed at the court meeting, right? If His Majesty really asks one day who is the most discussed person in the Hanlin Academy and the court regarding the candidate for the cabinet, how will you answer?"

"This one……"

Qin Ji thought for a moment and replied, "Since many people in the library recommend Liu Xueshi, if His Majesty asks me one day, I'll tell you the truth." "Yes, that's the reason why I told you this. I want you to be better prepared to face His Majesty's summons and not speak nonsense just to please him."

Huai En laughed, seeming to think that Qin Ji was quite sensible.

Tan Ji could only nod repeatedly.

Speak the truth to people and lies to ghosts. Who doesn't know how to pretend to be confused?
Huai En stood up and said, "As the year draws to a close, the affairs of the various government offices should come to a temporary end at this time, and the matters that should be reported have almost all been concluded.

“There shouldn’t be any major disturbances before the New Year.”

"The Yellow River works..."

Qin Ji immediately reminded him.

Regardless of whether the court officials paid attention to it years ago, in the eyes of our Majesty, the Yellow River project was considered a top-notch event.

And didn't you, Huai En, also receive a mission from the emperor to push this matter forward quickly to ensure that the Yellow River diversion project can be launched quickly?
Huai En glanced at Qin Ji, shook his head and sighed: "This is easy to say, but if you really want to implement it, it involves all aspects of the situation, which is extremely complicated. The diversion must be completed within a year... This plan is too outrageous. Your Majesty knows very little about the details here, and your thinking is easily influenced by others. It is really not advisable."

"oops!"

Qin Ji said in astonishment: "Eunuch Huai, these are not things we should consider. We have to complete the diversion of the Yellow River within one year, no matter whether it is feasible or not, we have to proceed according to His Majesty's orders. We can't... always go and shirk responsibility with His Majesty, right?"

Huai En asked angrily, "How easy is it to change the course of the Yellow River? The local government can't even allocate manpower, the court can't even solve the food problem of the soldiers in the northwest, and the ministers have been in arrears of salary for a long time... May I ask, what can the court use to repair the river? Your Majesty relies on weaving cloth in the palace, and selling some cloth to complete the most difficult river course transformation in China for thousands of years?
"Even if it can be completed, the deadline is one year. Isn't this just a joke? We are rational people and cannot be blinded by delusions."

Qin Ji looked quite helpless, and said with a bitter face: "We don't have to do this, let Zhang Guozhang and Li Shangshu worry about it, isn't it better? Whether the repair is successful within a year is none of our business, why do you have to go against His Majesty?"

"Hmph, your brain has reached a dead end. I can't bring it out for the time being."

Huai En taught him a lesson with a stern face.

At this point, he finally showed his complete rejection and disgust towards Zhang Luan.

It also shows his resistance to Zhang Luan's policies.

Huai En also knew that it was inappropriate to express his attitude in this way. After all, he had hidden it very well before, even hiding it from the emperor. But he was obviously aware that Qin Ji was not the first person to realize that he was the leader of the anti-Zhang Luan forces. Qin Chang was just the scapegoat who was openly taking the blame.

Qin Ji was startled and bowed his head to apologize: "I am a little stubborn in doing things, and I can't get round it for a while, so I need your advice, Grandpa Huai.

“The Yellow River works are huge and it is not easy to complete them. But if we don’t do it, we can only wait for a major natural disaster to happen and let the Yellow River change its course. At that time, the manpower and material resources required will be much greater than now.

"I only hope that I won't see this happen in my lifetime... Perhaps, I should be buried earlier to avoid witnessing the suffering of all living beings."

Huai En became even angrier when he heard this.

Although you, Qin Ji, are old, you are still much younger than me.

You are clearly cursing me to die early!

Aren't you saying that only my death can stop posing an obstacle to Zhang Luan's river repair?
What is your intention?
Qin Ji bowed respectfully again and said, "I still have many tasks entrusted by His Majesty that I have not completed. I have to put the matter of the Imperial Household Department aside for the time being. I'm sorry."

"Go ahead."

Huai En seemed very patient. He glared at Qin Ji coldly and waved his hand, saying, "Do the job you are supposed to do well, so that you will not let down the emperor's grace.

"Even if you are buried like me in the future, you can still feel that you were born in a prosperous era and die without regrets."

……

……

Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Luan meets with Shen Lu.

Shen Lu brought some news to Zhang Luan, mainly about the mobilization of money and grain... Among the people left by Li Zisheng to help Zhang Luan, Shen Lu was one.

After listening to Shen Lu's report, Zhang Luan asked curiously, "Ruxue, do you usually have close contact with Minister Li? He seems to think highly of you. He has gone to the northwest, but he still tells you so many things?"

Shen Lu looked embarrassed and explained, "It was only because Minister Li knew that you and I were relatives that he told me the whole story... I was completely helped by Lai Zhan!"

"not necessarily."

Zhang Luan shook his head and sighed, "Why do I always feel that Minister Li never tells me when he has something to say, and has to find someone to pass on the message in a roundabout way? Is this to avoid getting too close to me and affecting my reputation? Or does he always keep things to himself?"

Shen Lu advised: "Laizhan, don't think like that. Minister Li must have other intentions in doing this."

"Hey."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "You are good at speaking for him... Then tell me, now that he is no longer in the Yintai Division, why are you still obeying him? Could it be that he has some leverage over you?"

Shen Lu said with emotion: "I am helping you, how can I not give my all?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand: "I can't even help myself, why do I need your help?"

"..."

Shen Lu was speechless after hearing this, thinking, are you giving up on yourself?
I could hear Zhang Luan expressing his feelings: "When the court is short of something, it doesn't ask the Ministry of Revenue, but directly asks me; Minister Li helps me raise some, Yanling helps me make up for the shortfall, and I just wait to report the matter and wait to receive the credit.

"I really feel unworthy of this position. I am embarrassed to continue serving as such an official."

(End of this chapter)