Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 860 Surrender
After comforting Ma Shiying, Zhang Xijun also used Mencius's "Heaven will give great responsibilities to this person" to enlighten Ma Shiying. Ma Shiying nodded and said gratefully: "I understand your kindness. This may be the disaster I deserve. Fortunately, the previous things are over. Although I haven't been reinstated, I am still the co-governor of Fengyang. Now that the holy emperor is in power, the internal troubles of our Ming Dynasty have been resolved, the people's livelihood has been restored, the court has been reformed, and the country has shown signs of revival. I am lucky to be an official under such an wise ruler. What else can I ask for?"

"Master Ma, what you said is very good! If all the officials in the world think like you, our Ming Dynasty will surely make rapid progress and its revival is in sight!" Zhang Xijun said with a smile. Ma Shiying said he dared not, saying that this was just his feeling. No matter what others think, he felt so anyway.

After talking for a while, Zhang Xijun had a good impression of Ma Shiying, and found that perhaps because of his previous experience, Ma Shiying did not have the arrogance of ordinary civil servants, but was more down-to-earth. Although there were some flattering and sycophantic words in his words, who in office did not understand these? It was normal for Ma Shiying to have lost his edges after so many ups and downs over the years.

Especially when he learned that Ma Shiying had wasted many years in Nanjing, Zhang Xijun suddenly thought that he would go to Nanjing next, so he might as well ask Ma Shiying about the situation in Nanjing. Perhaps he could learn some unknown news about Nanjing from Ma Shiying.

Immediately, Zhang Xijun began to ask Ma Shiying indirectly. Ma Shiying was stunned at first, but he soon realized that Zhang Xijun's questions had some profound meaning. It was obvious that he was asking him about the inside story of Nanjing officialdom.

"What does this lord want to do? Why are you asking these questions? What is your intention?" Ma Shiying was no fool, and after being reinstated over the years, he had long lost the naivety and sharpness he had when he first became an official. Instead, he had gained the sophistication and steadiness of a veteran official.

Although he knew that Zhang Xijun went south this time not only to Fengyang for sacrifice on behalf of the emperor, but also to inspect the two provinces of Nanzhili and Zhejiang, Nanjing was definitely a place he would visit.

But a governor is a governor, and generally speaking, the most he can do is to understand some of the actual local conditions. However, Zhang Xijun's words and deeds revealed that he wanted to know the situation in Nanjing officialdom, including some local gentry. Although it was understandable for Zhang Xijun to want to know these things given his status, Ma Shiying keenly felt that this matter was definitely not that simple.

Although Ma Shiying's current official position is low, he has been a senior official after all, even if for a short time.

Moreover, among Ma Shiying's fellow Jinshi candidates, there were not only figures like Yuan Chonghuan, but also provincial governors like Sun Chuanting. Even if the others did not hold such high positions, they still had several old friends in the capital. In addition, although he was in Fengyang, he often paid attention to some things in the capital, including Nanjing. As for the officials in the southern provinces who pretended to obey the capital after Zhu Shenzhui took control of the center, and even now that Zhu Shenzhui has become the emperor, many officials in the south still don't care much about the capital's policies, Ma Shiying felt that the capital would sooner or later take action against the south.

Ma Shiying was not an ordinary person. His ability was not weak but very strong, and his political sensitivity was much stronger than that of ordinary people. He often saw things that ordinary officials overlooked more thoroughly and clearly, otherwise he would not have risen to high positions in his early years. If he had not been involved in a public treasury case before, he might have been an official in a department based on his resume, and how could he be a mere Tongzhi of Fengyang Prefecture now?

It was Ma Shiying who privately suggested to Li Jiqian that he replace the prefect Li Jiqian and assist Zhang Xijun in taking charge of the Fengyang sacrifices. Li Jiqian was already old and lacked energy, so he was naturally happy to hand the matter over to his deputy Ma Shiying. Anyway, if he did a good job, he would naturally gain credit as the prefect, and if he did not do a good job, it would be Ma Shiying's fault. Why wouldn't Li Jiqian do it?

On the other hand, Ma Shiying took the initiative to take this matter and made preparations early, which led to his initiative to ask for an audience with Zhang Xijun today. Ma Shiying planned to use this matter to establish a relationship with Zhang Xijun. The key to promotion in the officialdom is background. Ma Shiying did not have any background. Even if he had a few close friends, they could only help him get promoted to this point. As for how to go in the officialdom in the future, it depends on himself.

Zhang Xijun was different. He was not an ordinary person. Ma Shiying, who had met Zhang Xijun during the reign of Emperor Tianqi, had a deep impression of him. Moreover, Zhang Xijun stood firm during the reigns of Emperor Tianqi and Emperor Chongzhen, and was able to get along with everyone.

By the present Yongming Dynasty, Zhang Xijun has transformed himself into the current emperor's confidant. Not only does he hold a high position of power, he is also a strong candidate for the next prime minister. If one can follow Zhang Xijun's path, then his future official career can be said to be smooth and his prospects are limitless!

Ma Shiying certainly knew a lot about Nanjing, including many things in the entire Jiangnan region. After all, he had stayed in Nanjing for many years and was now the co-magistrate of Fengyang. Fengyang Prefecture was also considered to be in the Jiangnan region and was located in Nanzhili. Ma Shiying knew everything that outsiders did not know.

But for a moment, Ma Shiying didn't know what Zhang Xijun wanted to do, and he was a little hesitant, not knowing whether he should say something or not. After all, they had only met once before, let alone any friendship. If he guessed the situation wrong and acted rashly, it would not only be useless, but might even get him into trouble.

Every failure is a lesson learned, and Ma Shiying didn't want to make the same mistake again. Ma Shiying hesitated for a moment, and seeing his expression, Zhang Xijun didn't ask any more questions, but said a few words, ended the meeting, and let him go back first.

After saying goodbye and leaving, Ma Shiying went outside. The cold wind blew outside, and he shivered suddenly. His whole mind became clear. Ma Shiying came to his senses and slapped himself, secretly cursing himself for worrying about gains and losses. Such a good opportunity was in front of him, why did he hesitate all of a sudden? What was the purpose of Zhang Xijun asking him these questions? It didn't have much to do with him. Even if he was honest and told everything, what would happen?
Zhang Xijun is the emperor's man, an imperial envoy and governor sent by the emperor. By joining Zhang Xijun, one can not only get a strong support, but also directly join the current emperor. How can one miss such a good opportunity?

Moreover, he was only the Tongzhi of Fengyang. Such a small official was nothing in the entire Ming Dynasty. Zhang Xijun's hair was thicker than his thigh. He could protect him with just one word. Even if he lost his position as Tongzhi, what would it matter? If he could get along with Zhang Xijun, would he be afraid of not having an official position in the future? If he couldn't be an official in Fengyang, couldn't he go to other places to be an official? Maybe he would have a chance to return to Beijing and be an official in Beijing.

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Ma Shiying regretted it and really wanted to go back to find Zhang Xijun. But it was impossible to go back now. It was impossible for him to see Zhang Xijun again after just leaving him. Ma Shiying had no choice but to go back first. After returning home, Ma Shiying locked himself in the room for half a day and did not come out until the next morning, when he left the study with red eyes.

Two days later, Ma Shiying took Zhang Xijun to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to take a look at the situation there and make preparations in advance for the subsequent sacrifices.

On the day of going to Xiaoling Mausoleum, Ma Shiying submitted the sacrificial plan that he had revised and further improved to Zhang Xijun again. Zhang Xijun approved and agreed to follow this plan. Ma Shiying was fully responsible for everything that followed and there must be no negligence. "Don't worry, sir. I will do it properly." Ma Shiying said, patting his chest.

"Well, do this matter well. When you are done, I will naturally recommend you for credit." Zhang Xijun casually threw a "pie in the sky" to him. As an official, everyone would say such things. Besides, after the sacrifice, he would indeed write a memorial to Zhu Shenzhui to explain the completion of the task in Fengyang. It would be a convenient thing to add a mention of Ma Shiying at that time.

Ma Shiying thanked him repeatedly and said once again that he would do his best to do it. Zhang Xijun was very satisfied with his attitude. When he was about to leave Xiaoling Mausoleum, Ma Shiying came over and whispered to Zhang Xijun: "Sir, I have something to report to you."

"What's the matter?"

"This..." Ma Shiying hesitated and looked around.

Zhang Xijun squinted his eyes and looked at him, then gave an instruction to the people around him and walked to the other side with Ma Shiying.

After he was some distance away from the guards and the eunuchs guarding the mausoleum, Ma Shiying took something out of his arms and handed it over with both hands.

"Master Ma, what do you mean?" Zhang Xijun did not answer the call, but asked indifferently.

"Your Excellency asked me about Jiangnan before. It's not that I didn't want to tell you the situation, but many things are hard to explain simply by talking. After I went back, I thought about it carefully. Your Excellency was ordered by the emperor to come to Jiangnan for state affairs. As an official appointed by the court, I naturally have to assist you in your work. How can I hide anything from your Excellency? I will tell you everything I know."

"I have spent two days writing something carefully. I may not be able to help you too much, but I will be satisfied as long as I can help you a little. Sir, please take a closer look. If you need me, I am willing to serve the court. Please give me more advice."

Ma Shiying's words surprised Zhang Xijun a little. Looking at his sincere face and the thick book in his hand, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Ma Shiying!"

"The humble position is here!"

"What did you think of those words just now?"

"I dare not deceive you, sir. This is exactly what I think in my heart. It is true and there is no falsehood!"

Zhang Xijun nodded, said nothing more, and directly took the booklet that Ma Shiying presented to him.

Taking the booklet, Zhang Xijun flipped through it carefully. After reading just two lines, his eyes suddenly lit up and even his breathing became slightly rapid.

Zhang Xijun never expected that he originally thought that Ma Shiying's booklet only contained some descriptions of the situation in Jiangnan, but he did not expect that Ma Shiying's booklet actually contained the intricate relationship network of most officials in Jiangnan, including local gentry.

To be precise, the contents of Ma Shiying's booklet summarized the situations of more than 70 percent of the officials of higher ranks in Jiangnan, including local aristocratic families and gentry merchants. It included who held what position, who was behind whom, who was related to whom, who was classmates with whom, who had a good relationship with whom, who had conflicts with whom, etc. The contents were clearly stated, and the level of detail was even better than that of the archives of the Ministry of Personnel. It was truly surprising and gratifying.

(End of this chapter)