I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 228 Du Jibo, a fellow villager
The capital inspection, which threw the city into chaos, began. And indeed, it caused utter chaos.

Minister of Personnel Yang Bo announced in advance that the new dynasty would bring a new atmosphere. This time, the capital inspection was not just a formality; it was to genuinely eliminate a number of corrupt and incompetent officials.

On the first day of the capital inspection, Yang Tianguan did not sit in the Ministry of Personnel, but unexpectedly came to the Northern Garrison Command.

Lin Shisan hurriedly came forward to greet him. Yang Bo was a recognized meritorious and capable official in the court. Lin Shisan admired this pillar of the country from the bottom of his heart.

Upon seeing Yang Bo, he immediately activated his passive skill—bowing deeply and kowtowing three times: "I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Minister Yang."

Yang Bo laughed and said, "You are now the head of the Northern Garrison Command. According to the rules, you should simply bow to me when you see me. There is no need for such a grand ceremony. Please rise."

Lin Shisan said with deep emotion, "Commander Yang fought on the battlefield for many years. He pacified Gansu, guarded Jiliao, and commanded Xuanda, serving as the Minister of War. In terms of military achievements, you are illustrious in history and will shine for all time."

"Furthermore, regarding your achievements in governance, you have long served as the head of the Ministry of Personnel, purifying officialdom, appointing the virtuous and capable, and punishing the corrupt and evil. Your contributions will last for generations."

"You are truly the backbone of the Ming Dynasty! What is three kowtows to you if I could only bow down in reverence!"

Despite spending several years at the elephant training center, Lin Shisan's verbal skills remain as sharp as ever.

Being an official is nothing more than being carried around in a glamorous sedan chair. Even if some future president were flattered, he would still be happy, like De Gaulle.

Moreover, seven or eight parts of what Lin Shisan said came from the bottom of his heart; it was spoken with genuine feeling. Old Yang Bo's face lit up with joy, and he was secretly delighted.

Yang Bo laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, you truly deserve to be called the number one expert in wearing tall hats in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Alright, I have something important to discuss with you today."

Lin Shisan asked with some surprise, "Minister Yang, today is the first day of the capital inspection. Why aren't you in the Ministry of Personnel? Why are you here at the Northern Garrison?"

"Is the important matter you mentioned related to the opening of customs and the opening of the sea?"

Old Yang Bo replied, "No, it's related to the Imperial Examination. I've come to borrow someone from you."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was the emperor's personal guard. It was clearly against regulations for the Minister of Personnel to borrow personnel from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After his boastful speech, Lin Shisan cautiously said, "Minister Yang, if you wish to mobilize your comrades from the Northern Division, you must inform the Emperor."

“If Your Majesty approves and an imperial edict is issued, then there will be no question. I, Lin Shisan, am willing to follow your lead without hesitation. I would rather die than give up my life, throw myself into the river or sea, stand upside down and have diarrhea, or swallow excrement to commit suicide.”

Yang Bo explained, "It's not that complicated. This isn't the place to talk. I've come all this way to Beisi, so you should at least offer me a bowl of tea."

Lin Shisan quickly made a "please" gesture: "We respectfully invite Minister Yang to enter the main hall for his instructions."

Having followed Lin Shisan for so many years, Sun Yue was very perceptive. He led his comrades from the Northern Division in a clasped-hand salute and loudly proclaimed, "We respectfully invite Elder Minister Yang to the main hall to give his instructions."

After entering the main hall of the Northern Division and taking a few sips of tea, Yang Bo began to speak in detail: "As you know, the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate are in charge of the Beijing Inspection. That is to say, they control the official hats of the officials in the capital."

"It was inevitable that some officials in the capital would try to pull strings and use connections, bribing officials in the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate with money and prostitutes in order to pass the imperial examinations in the capital."

"Therefore, I discussed it with the two chief censors of the Censorate and issued an order."

"During the Beijing Inspection, all officials of the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate lived and ate within their offices. They were not allowed to step out of the offices."

"During this period, I request that your Northern Division send five hundred men to guard the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate separately."

"When officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate need to go out to inspect officials, they are accompanied by people from the Northern Bureau."

"With the fierce guards of the Northern Division around, firstly, they can deter those with selfish motives. Secondly, they can conduct strict investigations to prevent officials from exchanging information and making private deals with those they are inspecting during their inspection trips."

Lin Shisan thought for a moment and said, "Supervising all officials is the duty of the Northern Garrison Command. This is not you asking me to borrow people, but rather me sending people out in accordance with my duties."

Yang Bo nodded: "That's why I said there's no need to alarm the Emperor about this matter."

Lin Shisan shouted to Sun Yue, "Did you hear Minister Yang's instructions? Immediately select five hundred capable and shrewd comrades to await Minister Yang's orders."

Yang Bo laughed and said, "It's your territory, so you should give the orders. I can't overstep my bounds."

Before long, five hundred comrades gathered at the drill ground. Lin Shisan explained the mission to them.

Yang Bo said, "Thirteen, thank you very much." Lin Shisan said respectfully, "It is my duty and my blessing to serve Minister Yang and contribute to the grand plan of the capital inspection."

"If the Ming Dynasty ever goes to war, and you, sir, are to lead the army and achieve great merit, I, Thirteen, am willing to lead your horse and serve you."

Lin Shisan showered Lao Yangbo with compliments, making him feel very comfortable.

Yang Bo laughed and said, "Alright, alright, stop flattering me. The two vice ministers from the Ministry of Personnel are waiting for me to return."

The current Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is Liu Jin, and the Right Vice Minister is Zhang Siwei.

Zhang Siwei is not only Yang Bo's fellow townsman from Puzhou, but also Yang Bo's relative.

This is how the kinship chain works.

Yang Bo's children's in-laws are Wang Chonggu. Zhang Siwei is Wang Chonggu's nephew. In fact, Zhang Siwei should call Yang Bo his uncle-in-law.

Therefore, Zhang Siwei belonged to the faction of frontier officials, or rather, the backbone of the Jin faction.

Zhang Siwei is not a selfless person like Yang Bo.

On this day, Sun Yue and his men were on duty at the entrance of the Ministry of Personnel.

The officials sent to inspect the capital were the directors, assistant directors, and clerks of various departments within the Ministry of Personnel. These three senior officials were not to leave their offices during their inspections in the capital.

A middle-aged man dressed as a servant arrived at the entrance of the hall, carrying a food box in his hand and a small bundle on his back.

Sun Yue asked, "Who is it?"

The servant replied, "I am a servant of Master Zhang Siwei, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. My mistress has prepared some seasonal dishes for Master Zhang and some changes of clothes, and sent me to deliver them to the yamen."

Sun Yue racked his brains for a moment: "My master reveres Minister Yang. Vice Minister Zhang is Minister Yang's nephew by marriage; they're practically family. I have to give him face."

After saying that, Sun Yue waved his hand and said, "Hurry up and go in, don't let the food get cold."

The servant arrived at Zhang Siwei's duty room.

Zhang Siwei raised an eyebrow when he saw the carved patterns on the food box.

This patterned food box was quite unique, containing a hidden compartment. Zhang Siwei opened the compartment, only to find it empty.

Zhang Siwei was a little puzzled: "What kind of letter are you sending? You brought this food box but there's not a single piece of paper."

The servant lowered his voice: "Our officials from Shanxi have sent the master a lot of lavish gifts."

“The Ministry of Personnel is guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the lady said she dared not risk bringing the gift list in. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard were to search it, things would be beyond repair.”

"The late Madam had me spend three days memorizing the entire gift list and the names of the gift givers, and I am here to tell you, sir."

Zhang Siwei walked to the door of the duty room, looked around to make sure no one was there, and then closed the door.

Zhang Siwei said, "Those fellow villagers are just being nosy. What kind of gift are they sending at this critical juncture? So many people are watching me."

"With so many people sending gifts to our house, the Imperial Guard's report will be delivered to the Emperor the very next day."

"They're all from Shanxi, fellow countrymen from impoverished backgrounds. How could I not secretly side with them?"

Since ancient times, when factions gather, they must protect each other. Although the leader of the Jin faction was a virtuous minister, it did not mean that all those under him were virtuous.

Therefore, even the Jin faction could not escape this custom.

The servant said, "Master, please allow me to report. The villagers have quietly sent those gifts back to our hometown in Puzhou. The main gate and side gate of our mansion have been locked for many days."

"The lady also had a salted fish hung at the door, imitating the story of the governor who hung a fish."

(End of this chapter)