Qing Yao

Chapter 58 A Filial Person
Zhao An came to see Old Wu not to make fun of him, nor to learn any classics, but because he sincerely wanted to help him get a job as an official in Beijing.

Because he wants to be an angel investor.

Something the restaurant owner had said earlier caught his attention.

It is definitely impossible for this old man Wu to get a real position in the Ministry of Personnel, but he can teach at the Imperial College.

This arrangement was actually a special "care" from the Qing court to candidate officials who were Jinshi graduates.

There was no other way. There were too many officials to fill the positions, especially since there were large and small donations to be sold every year. The queue of officials waiting to take office stretched from the gate of the Ministry of Personnel to Yongding Gate.

Official candidates who were Jinshi graduates could not be treated the same as those who were awarded through other channels. In order to solve this problem, the Qing court stipulated that if Jinshi graduates were willing to engage in the education industry, they would not need a waiting period and could be assigned to teaching positions at any time as long as they applied to the Ministry of Personnel.

He has a rank and a salary, but no real power.

The main unit for external assignments was the Imperial College.

Few were sent to the provincial school. After all, as a Jinshi, it was impossible for him to be treated the same as a Juren.

Unless I specifically request otherwise.

What is the Imperial College?
The highest institution of learning in the empire.

Teaching here is equivalent to being a university professor.

If you just choose a teaching position, your career development will be limited. No matter how good a teacher is, he cannot compare with a real official.

Therefore, most of those who chose to teach at the Imperial College were old scholars who could not wait any longer. Those under the age of 40 would never take this path.

The main responsible officials of the Imperial College have a high probability of being transferred to the Hanlin Academy as a bachelor of attendance. If they perform well, they are expected to become a cabinet bachelor, and further to become an official of the Six Ministries or even a minister of military affairs.

It was impossible for Zhao An himself to work in the Imperial College because his cultural level was too limited. Even if he was very talented, his background in the Imperial College would limit him.

But he can't go, but Old Wu can go!

As long as you pay 200 taels of "registration fee" to the Ministry of Personnel on behalf of the other party, you can immediately go to work at the Imperial College.

Of course, Zhao An didn't help Old Wu for nothing, he had his own plans.

Qianlong was already eighty years old. If I remember correctly, the old man said that he could not be emperor longer than his grandfather Kangxi. This year is the fifty-fifth year of Qianlong's reign, which means that the old man can still be emperor for another five years, and then he will have to give up the throne to Jiaqing to become the emperor emeritus.

Five years later, the Qing Dynasty will have two suns!

There is no two suns in the sky. This is not just a saying.

Whether to flatter the old sun or cling to the new sun, I think any smart person knows what to do.

Now, Zhao An must persuade Old Wu to return to Beijing and become a university professor first.

Because this is the first step of the plan.

It is also an insurance for his future career.

"If you want to be an official, I can lend you money. But don't worry, I won't ask you for any interest!"

Zhao An sat there and looked at Old Wu opposite him very seriously.

The fact that Old Wu let him in and sit down showed that the old man was not as dead as the restaurant owner said, but actually still wanted to be an official.

"I don't know you at all, why are you so kind to help me?"

Although Old Wu was unlucky, he still had a basic sense of vigilance towards strangers and didn't believe that good things would come easily.

"Because I believe adults will be helpful to students in the future."

Zhao An spoke very frankly. In his opinion, the exchange of interests is the most important prerequisite for cooperation between people.

"Can this old man help you?"

Old Wu was a little puzzled when he heard this and laughed at himself: "Even if you are willing to lend me money, I can't fill the gap. How can I help you?"

Zhao An chuckled softly and said, "It doesn't matter if there's no real vacancy. Can't you go to the Imperial Academy to teach?"

Upon hearing this, Old Wu got angry: "What is there to teach? How can I, a dignified and successful scholar, teach others?"

I really want to save face and suffer.

Zhao An could only do some ideological work and whispered, "Your Excellency, do you know that the current emperor is already eighty years old?"

Old Wu thought without hesitation: "This is a major event for our dynasty, and a great joyous occasion celebrated by the whole world. How could I not know about it!"

Zhao An went further: "Then, sir, do you know that the emperor will abdicate in five years?" "Everyone in the world knows this."

Old Wu nodded. The emperor had said in his early years that Emperor Kangxi had reigned for 61 years, and he, the grandson of the emperor, did not dare to compare with the emperor. Therefore, in the 60th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, that is, when the emperor was 85 years old, he would pass the throne to the prince and retire.

Twelve years ago, a public decree was issued on this matter, so everyone in the world knew that the emperor would only be the emperor for a maximum of sixty years.

But what does this have to do with him?
There was some confusion in his eyes.

Zhao An coughed lightly and said gently, "Sir, if the Emperor were to step down and become the Supreme Emperor, then the Qing Dynasty would have a new ruler. May I ask who should be appointed as the new ruler?"

Old Wu thought without hesitation: "He is an important minister employed by the emperor."

"If the ministers appointed by the former emperor do not suit the new ruler's wishes, who should the new ruler appoint and from where should he appoint them?"

Zhao An threw the question to Old Wu to think about it himself. Sometimes what others instill in you may not be as strong as your own understanding.

"this?"

Old Wu seemed to be thinking about something. If the new emperor was not satisfied with the ministers used by the previous emperor after he ascended the throne, he could only choose new people to serve.

In order to avoid the suspicion that the newly appointed people are forming a "clique" with the emperor's important ministers, they must be selected from the cleanest places.

Which two places were the cleanest in the Qing Dynasty?

Hanlin Academy, Imperial College!

Thinking of this, his heart couldn't help but move, and his eyebrows raised uncontrollably.

Zhao An observed his expression and whispered, "Sir, you are going to the Imperial College now. Isn't this a good opportunity for you to make a name for yourself?"

Even though Old Man Wu is fifty-three years old this year, if he could really teach diligently in the Imperial College for a few years, there would be a high probability that he would be "selected" by Jiaqing when he really came to power.

My impression is that Jiaqing paid more attention to the elderly, or rather, he appreciated older officials more.

In particular, Old Wu's tragic experience of mourning for thirty years is likely to give him a "big score".

This is a very filial person!

Since Jiaqing was given the temple name Renzong, he certainly had a lot of sympathy.

As the saying goes, it is easier to become an official if you have connections in the court. Even if Old Wu only becomes a fourth or fifth rank official in Beijing, it will only benefit Zhao An, the "investor", and not harm him.

If you can become an official in the department, you will make a lot of money.

In fact, as long as Old Man Wu is obedient, Zhao An has a way to make him a minister.

It’s a very simple method, just aim the artillery fire at the central hall.

Either they bombarded Hezhongtang before Qianlong's death, or they bombarded Hezhongtang right after Qianlong's death.

The former is a bit risky, but at most you will be dismissed and have to go home and wait one or two years to make a comeback. The latter is a sure win.

You have to know that when Jiaqing dealt with Heshen, he was more anxious than a monkey. He took action before my body was even cold.

It's quite risky to move.

Knowing that Jiaqing wanted to kill Heshen, firing at the critical moment would definitely bring huge rewards.

Of course, there is no need to remind Old Wu now where the secret to his wealth lies.

It is still unknown what Zhao An will become in five years.

Although Old Wu had been in mourning at home for thirty years, he was a Jinshi after all. Bad luck did not mean he had no thoughts or wisdom.

With a little thought, you will naturally understand the benefits of "lying dormant" in the Imperial College for five years.

He couldn't help but look at the young man in front of him with admiration, who came to him to help him become an official. However, the young man opposite him suddenly changed the subject: "But there is one thing you must listen to me about."

"what's up?"

Old Wu was quite curious.

"After you go to the Imperial College, you must find a way to contact Prince Jia, no matter if there is an opportunity. If there is a chance to teach the young prince at Prince Jia's mansion, please strive for it no matter what. It would be even better if you can get the opportunity to work at Prince Jia's mansion."

After saying that, Zhao An took out the two hundred taels of silver notes he had with him and pushed them in front of Old Wu.

(End of this chapter)