Qing Yao

Chapter 71 Is it possible to level up ten times in a row?
He Zhongtang was highly aware and immediately realized the enormous energy contained in this ninth-rank academic official who voluntarily paid the silver.

An energy that can motivate local officials across the country to pay money enthusiastically.

Because the power of role models is infinite!

Even a small official of the ninth rank can pay one thousand taels. You guys of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ranks should think about it yourself.

You can't be worse than a ninth-rank official, right?

As the "organizer" of the negotiation silver, He Zhongtang, who was eager to obtain financial resources to solve the current huge deficit, almost without hesitation handed the list to the old master and said excitedly: "Master, a minor official of the ninth rank is willing to voluntarily pay a thousand taels of negotiation silver. His sincere heart of serving the country is even greater than that of the governor-general."

"What did you say, ninth rank?"

The old man didn't hear clearly just now because the list Heshen read was too long and made him a little sleepy.

He woke up at this moment, and when he heard about this strange thing, he picked up the cracked magnifying glass with a look of surprise and looked at the list: Wow, it really is a ninth-rank academic official.

The name is also quite appropriate, Zhao Youlu.

He has wealth and I have longevity.

Seeing that it was a person from Yangzhou, a place he had to visit during his six tours to the south of the Yangtze River, he couldn't help but feel even happier.

How can I not be happy?
Not long ago, Yangzhou prefect Eqina just gave him the honorific title of "Ten Perfect Old Man". Now Yangzhou has produced another ninth-rank official who actively responded to the court's policies. No matter how you look at it, Yangzhou is a good place, with beautiful scenery, good people, and even better officials!
Thinking back to Yin Zhuangtu's infuriating memorial, his face darkened again, and he groaned, "A ninth-rank academic official knows to voluntarily pay the silver for his crime, while Yin Zhuangtu, a second-rank minister, is spouting nonsense. Comparing the two, who do you think is loyal and who is treacherous?"

Ji Yun knew without hesitation that he should say that Yin Zhuangtu was treacherous, but he subconsciously looked at Heshen and didn't dare to speak first, because Heshen was obviously protecting Yin Zhuangtu.

"I believe this matter isn't about loyalty or treachery, but rather a matter of how many local officials truly believe in the imperial court. This scholar, Zhao Youlu, is certainly loyal to his master, but Yin Zhuangtu isn't necessarily disloyal either. He simply misheard and misbelieved. Your master shouldn't dwell on this."

Heshen really didn't want Yin Zhuangtu to suffer misfortune because of this petty official. Otherwise, if he really accused Yin Zhuangtu of being a traitor, the old man would probably immediately send someone to take off Yin Zhuangtu's hat.

Although He Zhongtang valued money, he was always clear about the important matters of the court. After so many years of prosperity, it is impossible to say that he had never harmed anyone, but he had never harmed good officials. He even repeatedly protected those rare honest people.

The "Dream of the Red Chamber", which was banned by the old master, was lifted because of He Zhongtang, and many literary cases reported from various places were also quietly suppressed by He Zhongtang.

"Since you said so, I won't bother with him, Yin Zhuangtu."

The old master still listened to He Shen's words very much. He put down the list and thought for a moment, "A mere ninth-rank academic official is willing to pay a thousand taels. Should I express my gratitude to him so that the local authorities know my intentions?"

The question was not directed at Ji Yun, but at Heshen.

Because the old man also realized that role models are hard to come by.

He Shen, who was planning to take advantage of this incident, naturally interjected, "Zhao Youlu's loyalty and filial piety are unparalleled in the world. I believe he should be promoted. This will not only make him feel the emperor's grace, but also enable local officials to reflect on themselves."

The subtext is that this small official must be used to pressure those local officials who refuse to pay.

The old master, who had been in tacit understanding with his subjects for so many years, naturally understood. He nodded slightly and said, "Then what do you think of rewarding him?"

He Shen bowed hurriedly and said, "A reward is a gift from the emperor, and I dare not overstep my bounds."

"Just say it if you're told to."

Looking at the cautious look on the favorite minister's face, the old master couldn't help laughing, and almost said that I did this to support your work, otherwise how could I collect the silver for the crime.

Ji Yun, who was listening nearby, knew what was going on and felt that the junior official named Zhao Youlu was so lucky that he could make a fortune worth 100,000 taels with only 1,000 taels.

Fortune favors fools.

After the old master spoke, He Zhongtang boldly expressed his opinion, suggesting that Zhao Youlu, a good example of negotiating criminal silver, be promoted to the eighth rank.

"Level three? That's petty,"

The old man had a different opinion. It was Heshen who was in charge of the negotiation of the criminal silver, and people outside also thought that Heshen was instigating him, the emperor. In fact, he knew a lot about the deficit of this birthday celebration. Otherwise, how could he have allowed Heshen to make this a custom despite the pressure of opposition from the court and the public?

If you don’t do it, then don’t do it. If you do it, make sure it’s effective.

"Apart from officials of the third rank and above who are relatively active, the people below them are either deaf or dumb, which really makes this old master unhappy. I'm not asking for your lives, I just want you to give me a share of the money you embezzled. Is that so difficult?"
But it is difficult to say it directly. It is rare to find someone who understands me so well, so I must set him up as an example.

Thinking of this, the old master, who had always been casual in employing people, spoke up: "How about this, this junior official named Zhao Youlu paid me a thousand taels, didn't he? I will promote him to the fourth rank by one hundred taels each. The specific position he will be assigned will be arranged by the Ministry of Personnel."

From the fourth rank? !

Ji Yun was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out.

During the Qianlong period, there were officials who were promoted to three levels, and some to five or six levels, but I have never heard of anyone being promoted to ten levels.

It would be fine if you said he was a descendant of the upper three banners of Manchuria who was particularly favored by the emperor, like the four brothers of the Fu family, but Zhao Youlu was a Han official.

Seeing Ji Yun's surprised and incredulous expression, the old man couldn't help but laugh: "How many emperors in ancient and modern times, both in China and abroad, have achieved the ten-perfect man, and how many emperors can create the current prosperous era with my civil and military achievements? This year is also my eighty thousandth birthday, and I want to do something that will amaze the world. In the folk saying, our Qianlong Dynasty should also have some extraordinary stories."

Although Heshen was surprised that the old man had asked for a promotion of ten levels, and although he felt that it was inappropriate, the effect was full. He was about to follow the order, but Ji Yun mustered up the courage to raise an objection.

"Your Majesty, this Zhao Youlu is a student of the Imperial Academy."

As the Left Censor-in-Chief who supervised all officials, Ji Yun had to remind the emperor that this extraordinary appointment was not arbitrary, but too arbitrary.

As we all know, the academic record of the provincial school is filled by the students of the Imperial Academy. However, a student of the Imperial Academy was promoted to a local official of the fourth rank. How would the regular officials who were Jinshi graduates think about this, and how would the foreign vassal states think about this?
Although some students became local officials or even governors and important officials, how many were they?

The Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong dynasties are only a few in number.

Moreover, he has climbed up step by step with his real ability, and there is no such thing as rising ten levels in a row.

Heshen also realized this and felt that it was inappropriate to promote Zhao Youlu ten levels. Not only would it make Zhao Youlu a "common enemy" of Qing officials, but if the court and the public discussed the matter too heatedly, the voices opposing the criminal silver would not only not subside but would become louder.

That would defeat the original purpose of “setting an example”.

If the local governors jointly wrote a letter of opposition, even if the old man supported his work, he would have to consider the opinions of the important officials.

"What's wrong with being a student? I have always employed people based on their talents, not on their achievements."

Ji Yun's opposition made the old man a little unhappy. He raised his old face covered with age spots and glanced at Ji Yun.

This made Ji Daxueshi a little scared, but he couldn't take back what he had said, so he had to bite the bullet and said, "Your Majesty, where does a ninth-rank academic official get a thousand taels of silver to pay the fine for his crime?"

"Can't people have money?"

The old master is getting angry. You, a prostitute, are going against me?
Ji Yun was so frightened that he didn't know what to say. He Shen came to his rescue in time: "Master, I feel that promoting Zhao Youlu ten levels in a row is a bit inappropriate. After all, this has never happened before in our dynasty. Moreover, one thousand taels is a bit too much for a ninth-rank academic official."

What if the implication is that it is stolen silver?

If you pay one thousand taels of stolen silver, the emperor will promote you ten levels. Does that mean that officials in the Qing Dynasty can be promoted as long as they pay the stolen silver to the emperor?
Don't be afraid of ten thousand in everything, just be afraid of the eventuality.

The emperor and his ministers know the essence of the criminal silver, but it can never be discussed openly.

Some things should be done in moderation; making them too conspicuous would be unsightly.

"Ok?"

The old man also realized that something was not right, so he asked Heshen what he thought.

"Master, since Zhao Youlu is an academic official, he should be promoted to a teaching position. Why not let him preside over the Yangzhou Prefecture School?"

Heshen gave his own opinion that those who came from the teaching system would be promoted in the teaching system, and instructors were originally marginal people in the officialdom.

The professor of Yangzhou Prefecture School was of the seventh rank, which meant he was promoted five levels in a row.

Compared to leveling up ten times in a row, it is not very noticeable.

(End of this chapter)