Republic of China: My great warlord, many children, many blessings.

Shen Hao asked疑惑地问道, "Director Cao, please give your instructions."

Cao Yuanzheng glanced at Shen Hao and said enviously, "Do you know that the President promoted Lu Zhengxiang to the position of General Secretary? It has already been approved by a majority vote in the Senate."

He was officially appointed as the State Councilor by President Yuan Shikai.

Today, ministers from various countries stationed in Beijing have sent congratulatory letters.

Shen Hao nodded and said, "I know."

Isn't that obvious? It's all over the newspapers and official documents; how could Shen Hao not know?

Everyone's talking about Lu Zhengxiang now.

Seeing Shen Hao's puzzled expression, Cao Yuanzheng smiled and explained, "Lu Zhengxiang is now the president, and his first task is to form a cabinet, you understand?"

Shen Hao nodded and said, "I know that."

"General Lu's previous position was Minister of Foreign Affairs, so he has a special appreciation for young diplomatic talents who can speak foreign languages."

"At the last banquet hosted by Lu Jianzhang, your fluent English and composed demeanor were highly appreciated by Mr. Lu."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hao frowned. What the heck?

This feels like I'm being asked to work in the diplomatic service.

Cao Yuanzheng asked again, "Do you know how much the salary is for someone working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

Shen Hao shook his head; he really didn't know that.

Cao Yuanzheng said with envy, "Working in diplomacy pays a high salary."

The minister receives 1800 silver dollars per month, the first secretary of the embassy receives 750 silver dollars, and the second secretary of the embassy receives 600 silver dollars.

使馆三等秘书450元；总领事：750元，领事600元,副领事450元，随习领事360元。”

Shen Hao hadn't expected the salary to be so high.

Although I knew that the Beiyang government adopted a high-salary system to prevent corruption during the Beiyang period, I did not expect it to be this high.

The "high salaries to encourage integrity" policy is nothing more than using generous official salaries as bait to lure officials at all levels to serve the government in order to consolidate its rule.

Therefore, official salaries were generous and varied.

However, because the system of paying salaries according to rank meant that official salaries were not a reward for their positions but a symbol of their status, it easily led to corrupt practices among officials and often had a negative impact on administrative efficiency.

At the same time, the salaries of high-ranking officials are too high, while the salaries of lower-ranking officials are too low.

Take a third-class secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an example. He earned 450 silver dollars a month, while Shen Hao, as the head of a branch bureau, only earned 50 silver dollars a month. That's a nine-fold difference.

The higher your status, the more money you have.

However, Cao Yuanzheng's sudden mention of salary made Shen Hao wary.

Shen Hao seemed to realize what was going on and asked in confusion, "Director Cao means I should go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

Cao Yuanzheng laughed and said, "I like smart people. Chief of Staff Lu hopes to transfer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

There's a huge shortage of people there right now, so they're offering you a third-class secretary position for 450 silver dollars a month, which is a very good deal.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs now has four departments: Diplomatic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Trade, and General Affairs.

You want to go to that company?

Shen Hao shook his head and refused, saying, "Director Cao, I have no interest in diplomacy, and I don't want to go to any of those departments. Please help me refuse."

Who wants to be a diplomat these days? It's such a loser.

Weak countries have no diplomacy; going there will only lead to being bullied.

Besides, with Shen Hao's volatile temper, who knows what kind of trouble he might cause.

Although working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brings high social status, it's a life of mediocrity; let whoever wants to go, go.

Shen Hao's goal was still to go out and become a warlord.

Lu Zhengxiang was able to rise to power because Yuan Shikai wanted to prevent the Tongmenghui from forming a party cabinet.

After all, Lu Zhengxiang was outwardly apolitical and often touted "detachment," but in reality, he could only obey Yuan Shikai's orders.

Another point is that although Lu Zhengxiang became the general manager, he was impeached and removed from office on his first appearance at the extraordinary Senate meeting, making him a short-lived figure.

Only a fool would work for someone like that; it's practically suicide.

Cao Yuanzheng was stunned for a moment, somewhat incredulous.

"You rascal, this is a dream job! Not only will you earn 450 silver dollars a month, but you'll also get a promotion from General Lu. How could your promotion be slow?" Cao Yuanzheng was getting anxious.

He genuinely felt this position was good, much more promising than being a policeman.

Police officers do the hardest and dirtiest jobs, and they not only get paid little, but they are also easy targets.

In this respect, Cao Yuanzheng was genuinely thinking of Shen Hao's best interests.

Of course, if Shen Hao and President Lu get along well, his chances of becoming mayor will increase.

Who doesn’t want to make progress?

I just didn't expect Shen Hao to refuse so quickly.

Cao Yuanzheng tried to persuade him further, but Shen Hao firmly said, "Director Cao, please don't try to persuade me. Even if I resign, I will not go to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

I had absolutely no say in front of foreigners. I felt humiliated there, and I was so angry every day.

Cao Yuanzheng:

After all that, it turns out this kid is still a radical youth.

He's young, after all. Diplomacy is so great—safe, lucrative, and you can even travel abroad on public funds. This kid really doesn't understand.

If he could become a director, Cao Yuanzheng would be eager to do so immediately.

Seeing that Shen Hao was truly unwilling, Cao Yuanzheng said regretfully, "You're really young."

With that, he waved for Shen Hao to leave.

39. I'm familiar with this business.

When Shen Hao came out, he found that the other branch chiefs were still downstairs and hadn't left.

"Director Shen, how's it going? Are you going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

Congratulations, Director Shen!

"Haha, Director Shen is a cultured man, unlike us roughnecks."

Everyone flattered Shen Hao, one after another.

Clearly, everyone had sharp eyes and ears and knew about the news in advance.

In their view, anyone who isn't stupid will definitely get a job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

High pay, low workload, close to home; even a government-funded trip abroad with a few gifts brought back can make a fortune.

This job is incredibly appealing.

Not only that, but he also got promoted very quickly within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who knows, he might become mayor someday.

Unfortunately, they guessed wrong.

Shen Hao shook his head and said, "I refused. I don't like this job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Upon hearing this, the scene immediately fell silent.

Everyone stared at Shen Hao in astonishment, as if he were an idiot.

This is the first time I've ever seen someone give up such a great position.

The key is that promotions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are incredibly fast; officials can jump a rank every two or three years. Many of the cabinet's top officials rose through the ranks from diplomacy.

In those days, as long as you dealt with foreigners and did things for them, you were considered superior, and even high-ranking officials in the country wouldn't dare to offend you.

They are very popular and have prestige wherever they go.

Immediately, they all felt a sense of schadenfreude.

This kid really doesn't know his place.

There will be a time when you regret it.

Originally, I planned to give Shen Hao a heads-up beforehand because he had a bright future, but I didn't expect this kid to be so tactless, and all my efforts were wasted.

No future.

"Oh dear, Director Shen is a young and promising man. I have to go now."

"Yes, yes, I'm leaving too."

Shen Hao curled his lip in disdain at the crowd's ridicule.

I even had a slightly childish urge to say something like:

How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan?

He then abandoned the idea.