Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Before Baochai could figure out how to use this momentous news to promote the Commerce Department, Jia Lian said:

"There's one more thing. In any case, the officials in the court don't like to work in the Department of Commerce."

Perhaps we could try a different approach: under the guise of the Commerce Department, select some well-regarded merchants from across the land and assign them to positions within the Commerce Department.

In this way, firstly, it can dispel the concerns of more merchants, and secondly, it can alleviate the court's shortage of personnel.

For example, the Zhou family, salt merchants in Jiangnan, actively cooperated with the imperial court since it decided to open up the sea.

According to reports from officials at Quanzhou Port, the Zhou family had long ago joined forces with a group of merchants from Jiangnan to establish their own shipyard.

"Now, the Zhou family alone has over a hundred merchant ships at sea, contributing a considerable amount of tax revenue to the Customs Service."

Jia Lian wasn't just making things up.

There are so many officials in the country that relying solely on the imperial examination system is far from sufficient.

Those who entered officialdom through the imperial examinations were on the right path, with a bright future ahead.

Most officials are "specially recruited".

Even some wealthy landlords in the countryside could buy a nominal title from the imperial court.

Therefore, Jia Lian's decision to appoint a highly respected merchant to a position in the Commerce Department was not considered unorthodox.

Anyway, they'll only be stuck in the Commerce Department, and it'll be basically impossible for them to enter the imperial court in the future.

Jia Lian spoke very seriously, but Baochai laughed and asked, "Are you referring to the Zhou family, the ones who gave you the girl in the green dress, husband?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian looked at Baochai in his arms with surprise, gave her a heavy slap on her plump buttocks, and laughed and scolded, "Yes, what's wrong?"

I never expected this girl to be so sour?

Baochai didn't react much to being hit, only smiling and replying, "It's nothing... It's just that Master Zhou was originally the head of the Lianghuai Salt Association, a nominal official-merchant in the Ministry of Revenue."

"It's alright. If he's willing to work in the Commerce Department, we can just give him a higher honorary title."

"The so-called 'spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones,' well, it means giving someone an honorary deputy director title, the kind where they do the work but don't get paid?"

Baochai smiled upon hearing this.

What's the rank of the head of the salt trade association?

Although in addition to being the head of the salt trade association, Zhou Yanru also donated many official titles and merits to his person.

However, the dynasty also stipulated that the highest official rank that could be obtained through donation was only the honorary fifth rank.

Speaking of donating official titles and academic honors, this was actually a workaround for merchants to participate in the imperial examinations.

From the reign of Emperor Taizong (the retired emperor) onwards, it was already an unspoken rule tacitly accepted by the court.

Therefore, Jia Lian's establishment of the Commerce Bureau, which allowed the sons of merchants who paid taxes according to regulations to participate in the imperial examinations, did not encounter much opposition.

It's just a change of wording from "donation silver" to "tax silver".

The difference is that it has become legal and compliant, and legitimate.

Furthermore, those who used to try to change their children's social status by donating official titles and academic degrees were all truly powerful and wealthy merchants.

After all, there are only a limited number of spots available.

Now, any merchant's son who meets the standards, is registered with the Ministry of Commerce, and pays taxes in accordance with regulations can participate in the imperial examinations.

Getting back to the main point, the Deputy Director of the Commerce Department is a third-rank official, and even if it's just a nominal title, it's still a unique position.

If Zhou Yanru wasn't stupid, he would have happily accepted it.

Moreover, in order to maintain their rank, they would work diligently to serve the Commercial Department.

As for salary...

What do they lack?

Upon careful consideration, the two things Jia Lian casually mentioned could indeed effectively resolve the problems encountered by the Commerce Department.

While Baochai was full of confidence in the development of the Commerce Department, she couldn't help but admire Jia Lian.

This is my man, the ruler of this world.

What seems difficult to him is something he can solve with a flick of his wrist.

How fortunate I am to have become his woman, to be able to do things for him...

Staring at Jia Lian's sharply defined face, Baochai felt an urge to kiss him.

Little did Jia Lian know that Baochai had suddenly developed malicious intentions towards him. Having had his fill of groping, he noticed that Baochai was just staring at him without saying a word, and then he remembered something.

"By the way, I heard from my aunt that Xue Ke was interested in working for you in the Commerce Department, but you turned him down?"

Baochai replied, "Ke'er is still too young to work in the Commerce Department."

Let him stay at home and help my brother with chores.

You know, my brother is the most unreliable guy; he needs someone like Ke'er to help him out.

"Oh, so it's because Tadpole is still young, not because he's your younger brother. Are you afraid people will say you're showing favoritism?"

Baochai remained silent.

In fact, she was just trying to avoid suspicion and didn't want people to gossip.

Not only did she act like a hen crowing at dawn, but she also sought personal gain for her family.

Seeing Baochai's appearance, Jia Lian admired her even more.

So he said, "I know Tadpole's character. It's a bit unfair to only let him stay at home to take care of the family business."

Anyway, the Commerce Department is short-staffed right now, so let's give him a title of head and let him work in the Commerce Department.

With him helping you, I feel more at ease.

Jia Lian truly admired his brother-in-law, Xue Ke.

In all serious consideration, this is one of the few respectable younger generations among the four major families.

Let's not exaggerate his abilities, but his character is truly impeccable.

Moreover, he is Baoqin's own brother, so Jia Lian has no reason not to use him.

If it were Xue Pan...

Haha, it's impossible to give him any real power or position.

Once she realized Jia Lian wasn't joking, Baochai immediately got up from him and knelt down gracefully, saying, "On behalf of the Xue family and Ke'er, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Although it wasn't a position in charge of the Six Ministries, it was still a substantive position of the sixth rank.

It's even higher than the official titles the Xue family held in the Ministry of Revenue back then!

Moreover, Xue Ke is still so young. He's already gained Jia Lian's favor; if he works diligently in the future, he'll have opportunities for promotion!

In other words, the Xue family, which had been declining for decades, finally had the opportunity to re-enter the imperial court.

Thinking of this, Baochai felt a mix of emotions.

Unexpectedly, the Xue family's chance to rise again ultimately fell to their own younger cousin.

After expressing her gratitude, Baochai tried to get up, but Jia Lian wouldn't let her and even patted her head.

Baochai and Jia Lian were an old married couple, so upon seeing this, she immediately suspected Jia Lian's motives and couldn't help but tilt her head back and say coquettishly, "No, we're almost at the Marquis of Linzi's residence..."

How could Jia Lian not know that they were about to arrive at the Marquis of Linzi's residence? This time, Baochai had truly wronged him.

However, he didn't explain, only saying, "I know, I just wanted to see the hairpin from this angle; it's beautiful."

Baochai was skeptical, but seeing that Jia Lian did not make any unusual moves, she finally decided to believe him.

After thinking for a moment, she slowly rested her head on Jia Lian's lap.

Noticing she wasn't feeling quite comfortable, she moved her head forward a little more, getting a closer look at the strong masculine scent emanating from her husband.

Seeing this, Jia Lian put one hand on Baochai's fragrant shoulder and ran the other hand through her hair, feeling the intimacy.

Then close your eyes and wait quietly for the carriage to stop.

……

"Your humble servant, the Earl of Linzi, along with his entire family, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty and Consort Xue!"

Upon receiving news of Jia Lian's arrival, the entire Linzi Earl's residence gathered at the gate to greet him.

Jia Lian lifted the curtain and saw the old man kneeling at the head of the table. He didn't even bother to help Baochai out, and quickly jumped down to help the old man up, scolding him, "Grandpa, what are you doing here today? You're making me feel terrible."

Zhang Changling glanced at Jia Lian, then said solemnly, "Although I am Your Majesty's maternal grandfather, I am also Your Majesty's subject."

As subjects, welcoming their ruler is a proper national ceremony; there is no question of it being disrespectful.

Jia Lian said, "Even so, Grandfather is getting on in years. If something were to go wrong, wouldn't it be my fault?"

As Jia Lian spoke, he also told his uncle and aunt to get up.

Zhang Changling listened to Jia Lian referring to himself as "grandson" repeatedly, his face impassive, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

He still protested, "Kneeling once is enough to cause a mistake? Your Majesty is underestimating this old man too much."

The old man fought through mountains of corpses and seas of blood back then, and he didn't even flinch when a knife was stuck in his body. Back then...

Clearly, what the old man meant was that it was uncertain whether you were even in your mother's womb back then.

Seeing his two sons frantically trying to signal him, he reluctantly gave up.

Jia Lian did not argue with him, but turned around and helped Baochai down from the carriage.

Baochai also knew that when Jia Lian was still unknown, his maternal uncle's family, the Zhang family, had provided him with a great deal of help.

In Jia Lian's mind, the Zhang family held a very high position.

Therefore, without any hesitation, after getting off the carriage, Yingying bowed to the elders and said, "Greetings to the Earl of Linzi, greetings to all the elders."

"Your Highness, Consort Xue, you are too polite." The Zhang family members quickly stepped aside to return the courtesy.

"Sister Bao..."

Cousin Zhang Yan stepped forward and timidly tugged at Baochai's sleeve.

Although they had met before, Baochai is now an imperial concubine, and her mother has told her not to act as recklessly as before.

Baochai looked at the well-behaved and adorable Zhang Yan, reached out and patted her head, and said with a smile, "Sister Yan'er, it's been a long time."

"Hehe, Sister Bao, I miss you so much..."

Upon seeing Baochai, who was still the same as before, Zhang Yan immediately smiled and hugged Baochai's arm.

"Yan'er, you mustn't be so reckless..."

Clearly, this was a reminder from Zhang Yan's second aunt, who is also her mother.

Seeing Zhang Yan pouting and looking unconvinced, Jia Lian and the other elders of the Zhang family all laughed.

Second Uncle Zhang Song stepped forward, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Upon hearing of Your Majesty and the Empress's arrival, we have prepared lunch. Please come in and dine with Your Majesty and the Empress."

Jia Lian nodded and took Baochai's hand.

Seeing Zhang Yan staring intently at him, Jia Lian smiled and extended his other hand to her.

Zhang Yan's face flushed slightly. She glanced at her mother and the others, and seeing that they didn't seem to object, she let go of Baochai, ran a few steps, and handed her hand to Jia Lian.

Watching Zhang Yan walk forward with her head down, never daring to look at anyone, Baochai seemed to be deep in thought.

It seems that the rumor was indeed not unfounded...

After a simple meal, Baochai was invited away by Zhang Yan, her aunt, cousin, and others.

Jia Lian then accompanied the old man and the others to the inner room.

As soon as he sat down inside, the old man abandoned his humble demeanor and joked, "I know you've married a few angelic wives, but there's no need to bring them out to show off all the time, is there?"

Jia Lian smiled and invited his eldest and second uncles to sit down.

They dared not, and refused sternly.

Jia Lian didn't insist, sat down with the old man, and replied, "Whether this wife is good or not, you, old man, still have to do your research."

"Only when you say it's good can it truly be considered good."

Seeing that Jia Lian still respected him as before, Zhang Changling stroked his beard with satisfaction.

However, he immediately sat up, leaned forward, and lowered his voice: "You inherited the throne from the late Emperor and Empress Dowager. If you really think about it, the Ming family is your true maternal uncle's family."

"Aren't you afraid that the person in the palace will be displeased by your grand entrance today?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian glanced at his second uncle and the others with surprise.

He thought to himself, no wonder the Zhang family has rarely contacted him since he became the crown prince.

Even Zhang Su rarely comes to see him anymore.

It was originally thought that the Zhang family members were all quite principled and unwilling to do the kind of flattering, sycophantic, and sycophantic stuff.

That's why he came here today.

Needless to say, the Zhang family had taken good care of him in the past, but what was most precious was that ever since the old man accepted him as his grandson.

From his uncle to his aunt, every member of the Zhang family loved him dearly.

So he figured that since the Zhang family wasn't willing to curry favor with him, he could just befriend them instead.

After all, some family ties can be lost if neglected.

It's nothing to set aside some so-called dignity for the people you care about.

Now it seems I was wrong.

The reason the Zhang family distanced themselves from them was mostly for their own benefit.

Grandpa is overthinking it.

I am not exaggerating; the current Empress Dowager is a reasonable and compassionate person.

She truly cares for her grandson.

Before I came, I visited the Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager knew I was coming to see you and gave me some instructions.

Grandfather, you were a highly respected senior official during the reign of Emperor Taizong, and also my closest elder relative.

I must not act like an emperor; I must be even more respectful in order to show the dignity of the imperial family.

Therefore, Grandpa need not worry about this.

Upon hearing this, the old man nodded and said, "If that's the case, then the Empress Dowager truly has a magnanimous spirit."

The late emperor certainly had excellent judgment.

Other members of the Zhang family also lamented that the Empress Dowager had the magnanimity to rule the world, but it was a pity that such a person could not leave behind any children.

They immediately realized what was happening.

If the Empress Dowager's eldest son really survives, then there's nothing left for my nephew to do.

"So, you've come today because you want...?"

The old man is straightforward; he says whatever he thinks.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "My grandson has come today not only to see the old man, but also to attend to a few important matters."

"Since my grandson ascended the throne, whether he has been bold and decisive or reckless, he has done quite a few things."

With so many tasks to be done, it's inevitable that manpower will be needed in many places.

I thought that since my two uncles, one in the military and the other in the court, were already in high positions, there was no need to make any rash moves for the time being.

On the contrary, my cousins ​​need more experience.

Therefore, I would like to ask my two uncles to have some compassion and lend me a few of my cousins.

Grandpa Zhang laughed as soon as he heard that.

He needs manpower for what? He wants to borrow some.

He's just not forgetting his maternal relatives now that he's successful; he's probably preparing for a promotion.

It's rare that even after becoming emperor, this kid still speaks as pleasingly as ever.

"Your Majesty is overthinking it; they are just a few good-for-nothing brats."

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, please summon them. Whatever they do, it's their fate."

The old man said nonchalantly.

Zhang Leng and Zhang Song quickly gestured to their three sons, "Why aren't you kneeling down to express your gratitude?!"

So Zhang Han, the eldest son of the eldest maternal uncle, Zhang Su, the eldest son of the second maternal uncle, and Zhang Tao, the second son of the second maternal uncle, knelt down in front of Jia Lian.

"Your humble servants kowtow to express our gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness."

"No need for such formalities."

Jia Lian raised his hand in a gesture of support, looked at Zhang Han to his right, and asked with a smile, "May I ask what position you held in the army, elder cousin?"

Before Zhang Han could answer, his uncle Zhang Leng hurriedly said, "What position can a mere boy like him hold? He's only barely a captain thanks to me."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian shook his head: "My eldest uncle is too harsh on my eldest cousin."

Zhang Leng, a general of the second rank, had his own son by his side for so many years, yet he was only a minor captain. This was indeed too harsh.

That makes sense, it's better to be stricter with your own son.

If you really want to promote someone, it's better to put them under a trusted old colleague; that way, people won't gossip.

Jia Lian didn't notice the resentful look Zhang Han gave him after Zhang Leng finished speaking.

Isn't he a white-registered person...?

It seems the old man lied to him; he probably never actually submitted a memorial.

"That's right, I have established a new army, which is divided into land and sea battle battalions."

My eldest cousin has served in the army alongside my eldest uncle for many years and has extensive experience leading troops. Therefore, if my eldest uncle is willing, I would like to have him join the new army and temporarily assume the command of the Second Marine Corps.”

As Jia Lian spoke, he added, "Although the new army is newly established, I have extremely high expectations for it."

My uncle may not know that the imperial court plans to wage war against Japan.

The new army may become the main force at that time.

If my uncle finds this inappropriate, I can reconsider.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Leng immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

Zhang Han also quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude.

What's there to consider? It's an appointment personally made by the big boss; anyone who thinks about it would be a fool.

They weren't very familiar with the specifics of the new army's military structure, but they were certainly clear about the command positions.

Their rank was usually sixth grade, and they could command three to five hundred men, which was considered a mid-to-low-level military officer.

That's not important. What's important is that Jia Lian specifically transferred Zhang Han to his newly established army, which clearly indicates that he intends to give him an important position.

Although his rank as a commander was not high, this only further demonstrated Jia Lian's high regard for Zhang Han.

In the military, merit and seniority are highly valued. To suddenly promote Zhang Han to a high position without any apparent reason would be a mere formality. (End of Chapter)