The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 41 Empty Seal
The visitor was none other than Qian Yongqin, a renowned scholar from the Qian family of Jiangsu.

He is currently the prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, and he has come to Li Shanchang's residence for a 'lateral transfer'!
Leaving aside their wealth, the geographical location of Songjiang Prefecture and Yangzhou Prefecture alone determined their future career paths.

Songjiang Prefecture is located near the sea, and every year it has to guard against various disasters. If there is nothing to do while in office, it is considered a blessing from heaven.

But Yangzhou Prefecture was different.

This place was once a prosperous land, and although Yang Xian is a cruel official, he has already begun to restore the people's strength.

Furthermore, Yangzhou Prefecture is very close to Yingtian Prefecture, making it arguably the best springboard for the entire Ming Dynasty!

It's a good position where you can sleep soundly in the government office every day, and get good reviews when you go on an inspection tour at the end of the year.

Li Shanchang remained calm and composed, merely sipping his tea as if he hadn't heard Qian Yongqin's request.

The vacancy in Yangzhou Prefecture is not something that cannot be filled, but how to fill it is a skill.

Calling you 'Ming Gong' does not mean that I belong to you.

How is your father?

Li Shanchang slightly raised his eyelids, as if he were merely asking whether Qian Yongqin's father was alright.

But this question did indeed wake Qian Yongqin up.

“Lord Li, my father is well and often thinks of you.”

“When my father was serving in Suzhou, he often said to his uncles and elders that it was because of prime ministers like Lord Li that our Ming Dynasty was able to prosper.”

"These words truly reflect the heartfelt sentiments of the gentry of Jiangsu!"

The Qian family was already the most prominent aristocratic family in Suzhou, and now that Li Shanchang was asking about his father, wasn't the meaning obvious?

The question is, do the gentry of Jiangsu still acknowledge him?

They're just waiting for a show of loyalty!
To put it bluntly, it's just an exchange of benefits!

Since you Jiangnan gentry support me, then I'll give Qian Yongqin the position of Prefect of Yangzhou!

"So good."

Li Shanchang nodded slowly, showing satisfaction with Qian Yongqin.

This kid knows the rules, so he's someone we can use.

"In that case, Qian Yongqin, you should quickly handle the affairs of your Songjiang Prefecture properly, and come to Yingtian Prefecture to hand over your official position after some time."

“You are an official of Songjiang Prefecture. Your unauthorized departure from Songjiang Prefecture is a crime and must not be discovered.”

Li Shanchang spoke calmly.

However, since Yang Xian, the prefect of Yangzhou, is already dead, the next official to be appointed will be decided by Li Shanchang's Secretariat.

If a low-ranking official were to advance directly to Yangzhou Prefecture, it would be more troublesome, as he would need to report to Zhu Xiong Ying in the imperial court.

However, lateral transfers at the same level are considered "emergency rescues," so the procedures are naturally simpler.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Li!"

"After I enter Yangzhou Prefecture, I will bring my family's businesses there as well, so that Yangzhou's economy may prosper and I will live up to your trust!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Yongqin was overjoyed and immediately spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Li Shanchang glanced at Qian Yongqin indifferently, naturally understanding what the young man meant.

With convenient transportation, the Qian family brought their businesses to Yangzhou. With him as the prefect of Yangzhou as their support, the Qian family's wealth would rise to a new level, and they might even completely bring together all the gentry in Jiangsu.

but
This aligns with Li Shanchang's thinking.

"As for the matter of Songjiang Prefecture, Lord Li, please rest assured."

Qian Yongqin smiled and said, "When I left, I first stamped my seal on the blank official document. If there is anything else, my relatives can write it for me."

"In officialdom, this is called the 'empty seal method,' and it's considered quite common."

Upon hearing this, Li Shanchang was slightly taken aback, then his brows furrowed. He was naturally aware of the need for an empty seal of office in officialdom.

But if His Majesty encounters this matter during his tour, will he be angered?
However, in just a moment, Li Shanchang's brows relaxed.

He was naturally aware of His Majesty's tour route, which did not pass through Songjiang Prefecture, so Qian Yongqin was naturally unharmed.

"Prudence is the priority in all matters. You should return to Songjiang Prefecture first. When your appointment letter arrives, you should head to Yangzhou Prefecture to assume your post."

"Remember, under no circumstances should anyone notice!"

Li Shanchang spoke in a deep voice.

Qian Yongqin dared not disobey and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Don't worry, Lord Li, I will leave first thing tomorrow morning!"

As night deepened,
On the city wall of Beiping, the newly recruited soldiers guarding the city nodded intermittently. The old soldier next to him smiled helplessly and kicked him, saying, "Although we are guarding the south gate, if the garrison commander sees you guarding the city at night, you will definitely be severely reprimanded."

"You might be transferred to guard the North Gate tomorrow. That'll be tough."

The south gate of Beiping faces the Central Plains, while the north gate faces Shuntian Prefecture and Jizhou.

These two places will be the first to be hit if war breaks out!
Guarding the North Gate, whether it's dangerous or not, if someone is found to be dozing off, the punishment is at least thirty strokes of the cane; if it delays military intelligence, the entire clan will be wiped out!

"what?"

"Old Zhang, don't tell the head of the household!"

Upon hearing this, the new recruit was startled and slapped his face several times before he came to his senses.

Seeing the young man's actions, the veteran just smiled and said nothing more.

Young man, you've finally had a few years of peace and tranquility, haven't you ever suffered?

Back then, when you were on guard duty, there was no such thing as taking shifts; even getting food was a problem.

"Hey! Old Zhang, look, isn't someone coming?"

Just then, the new recruit paused slightly and looked into the distance.

Old Zhang frowned, instantly becoming alert!

because
That's the sound of horses' hooves!
As the horses' hooves drew closer, Old Zhang grew increasingly nervous. He handed the horn to a new recruit and said in a deep voice, "If I question you in a moment and you don't get it right, just sound the horn!"

The recruit's hands were covered in sweat as he nodded.

During the Ming Dynasty, nighttime travel was prohibited. Old Zhang, a city guard who had been on duty for many years, had only seen such a thing once before, when General Xu Da sent someone to deliver military intelligence.

When they arrived at the city walls, Old Zhang realized it was a ten-man cavalry unit, and became even more nervous, loudly asking:

"who!"

The ten-man horse team, with no complicated movements when reining in their horses, were clearly skilled riders.

Furthermore, the arrangement of the ten-man cavalry clearly indicated that they had undergone organized training.

"The Western Depot!"

Those below the city walls responded loudly.

Old Zhang was dumbfounded. What was the West Depot?

but,

Before he could ask, he saw the leader of the group below the city walls pull out a gold token from his robes: "By order of the Crown Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty, enter Beiping to search for someone!"

When this gold medal was taken out, the new recruit next to him was so shocked that he fell to the ground!
Grandson of the Ming Dynasty Emperor?
Goodness!

Isn't that an extremely important person? Why send people to Beiping to look for him?
"Please wait a moment, sir, we'll lower the basket now!"

The veteran first addressed the new recruits, then said, "Lower the basket. I'll go down. After verifying the gold medal, if the basket is pulled, you pull us up."

"If I die, sound the horn!"

The Ming army's caution is evident!
(End of this chapter)