My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 440 Another Cabinet Vacancies

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Teko, Zhu Juntang was still not entirely at ease despite having been vaccinated against smallpox.

Instead of taking the normal route from the sea to Zhigu and then to Beijing, he went directly from Laizhou to Daming Prefecture and used the Grand Canal to transport goods to Beijing.

Actually, this was the route we used to take to get to Beijing. However, in recent years, people have become accustomed to the convenience and speed of sea freight, and the more they do so, the less they can tolerate the bumpy land route.

The roads in Shandong are already among the best.

Shandong was the first region to levy commercial taxes, and local officials were generally very wealthy. The prosperity of local commerce required better transportation, and the slogan "Build roads first if you want to get rich" began to be shouted.

Local officials would repair the roads, as this was considered a political achievement.

Even when local government offices were short of funds, local gentry would generously contribute. When a region was prosperous, the gentry could also earn more money.

If it's by sea, it only takes three or four days to get from Laizhou to Zhigu, and then one or two days to get to Beijing.

However, it took Zhu Juntang a full ten days to travel by land to Daming Prefecture, even though he was traveling alone without any goods or merchandise.

When Zhu Juntang arrived in Daming Prefecture, he heard that the Grand Canal had frozen over, and he would have to continue his journey to the capital by land along the ancient Grand Canal route.

By the time Zhu Juntang arrived in the capital, it was already December.

So jolted so badly his body felt like it was going to fall apart, Zhu Juntang secretly vowed that he would never travel by land again if he could travel by boat in his lifetime!

However, when Zhu Juntang arrived at the gates of the capital, he was still taken aback by the cold winter in the capital.

Since the Fangshan Railway opened, coal prices have plummeted, and ordinary people have started using coal for heating.

The factories outside the city and the heating systems inside, with so much coal burning every day, made the air in the entire capital feel scorching.

This made Zhu Juntang, who had been living in the seaside city of Sakai Port recently, very uncomfortable.

However, the people of the capital seemed to have gotten used to the smell, and Zhu Juntang, with the help of fellow merchants, found a horse-drawn carriage to rent.

Zhu Juntang now holds an official position.

The Japanese Office of General Affairs is one rank lower than the Korean Office of General Affairs, but it is still a fifth-rank government office.

Chief Supervisor Huang Wenbin was a fifth-rank official, while Deputy Chief Supervisor Zhu Juntang was a sixth-rank official.

Zhu Juntang also didn't understand how he, a mere Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) who was originally going to visit friends in Penghu, suddenly became a sixth-rank official.

One of Zhu Juntang's important tasks upon returning to the capital was to go to the Office of Transmission to retrieve the relevant seals of the Japanese Ministry of Transmission, as well as his and Huang Wenbin's official robes.

In addition, Zhu Juntang also had to report on the situation of the Japanese Ministry of Transmission to Li Yiyuan, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Transmission, and complete his performance report for the past two years.

Zhu Juntang thought for a moment. Since the court had not stipulated a time limit for his report, and he was worried that his current travel-worn appearance might leave a bad impression on the Commissioner of the Court of State Affairs, he decided to rest for a day and go to the Commissioner of the Court of State Affairs the next day.

But at this point, where to stay becomes a problem.

Zhu Juntang was originally a student of the Imperial Academy, but since he has been away for so long, the Imperial Academy should have already removed him from the list.

Moreover, it's not appropriate to return to the Imperial College now.

Fortunately, a fellow businessman pointed Zhu Juntang in the right direction.

"Trading post?"

"Yes, judging from your accent, you must be from Shanxi, sir. There are many merchants from Shanxi, and there are quite a few trading posts in the capital now. Many of them were built by people from Shanxi. They can provide food and lodging as long as you pay."

"Isn't this the guild hall?"

"It's not quite the same as a guild hall, is it? A merchant's house is a place where you can stay as long as you have money, no matter where you're from. And as long as the gentleman can afford the price, there are merchant's houses available at any price."

"I heard that the best trading post is also run by people from Shanxi. It's right next to the Shanxi Guild Hall, and the chefs they hire are all top chefs poached from the government guesthouse!"

Zhu Juntang patted his pockets; Huang Wenbin had given him a large sum of money when he returned to Beijing for his work report.

However, Zhu Juntang was still not prepared to spend too much money on food and lodging. After inquiring about a merchant house that was relatively close to the Office of Transmission and offered hot baths, Zhu Juntang boarded a four-person carriage and headed to the merchant house.

The carriage was very fast, and the day's newspaper was provided on board.

To keep warm, the owner installed a small charcoal stove on the carriage, and the charcoal smoke was piped out of the carriage so that the interior could only feel warm and not smell any unpleasant odors.

Zhu Juntang recalled that when he was in Sakai Port, he could only travel by sedan chair.

In Japan, sedan chairs are carried by two people on a palanquin. You must not eat anything before sitting in one, or you'll end up vomiting everything up.

The roads in the capital were square, and the carriages were equipped with shock-absorbing springs. When the carriage started moving, Zhu Juntang felt as if he were sitting in a house. If it weren't for the street scene rushing past the window, he would have thought the carriage wasn't moving at all.

Wow, the capital city is so convenient now.

Zhu Juntang sighed again, saying that they missed the prosperity of the capital city when they were in Japan. If Chief Huang knew what the capital city was like now, wouldn't he miss it even more?

It's a pity that both of them were already officials appointed by the imperial court. Their mentor even wrote a letter to Huang Wenbin explaining the importance of the Japanese Ministry of Communications.

Therefore, for a long time to come, Chief Engineer Huang should not even think about returning home.

Look at the other overseas agencies of communications; they have been deployed for much longer periods, and they are all staying in foreign countries.
Thinking of their colleagues' "dedication," Huang Wenbin and Zhu Juntang felt even more embarrassed to bring up the matter of being transferred back.

After Zhu Juntang boarded the carriage, he saw a slender young man also board the carriage, holding a book for the imperial examinations. Their destination was the Imperial Academy.

Is she a newcomer?

Zhu Juntang was a well-known figure at the Imperial College, and he knew almost all the elderly people there.

Zhu Juntang became curious, just as the driver was also trying to attract customers, saying that he needed to gather four people before he could set off.

Bored, Zhu Juntang asked, "Is your son studying at the Imperial Academy?"

Seeing that Zhu Juntang was also dressed as a scholar, Sun Wenqi dared not lie and quickly said:
"My studies are limited; I am only studying in the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy. You think too highly of me, sir."

Oh, it's a preparatory course. No wonder I didn't recognize you.

When Zhu Juntang left the capital, he had already heard about the preparatory course.

Like the Imperial Academy Preparatory Course, the Imperial Academy Preparatory Course was also a school for young scholars who aspired to enter the Imperial Academy.

With the topic of the Imperial College in mind, Zhu Juntang quickly shifted the conversation to the imperial examination system.

After a conversation, Zhu Juntang also made a judgment on Sun Wenqi's level.

Although Sun Wenqi is intelligent, he started his studies late. After much hard work, he is currently at the level of a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

Actually, that's quite good. Many students at the Imperial Academy were only at the level of Xiucai when they first enrolled.

Having the level of a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination) is considered quite good for the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

Sun Wenqi was considered to have excellent grades in the preparatory course at the Imperial College.

When it comes to studying, talent is still the most important factor.

Sun Wenqi started his education late, but his studies progressed rapidly. Even the teachers from the Imperial Academy often praised him.

Of course, becoming a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination) is just the beginning of the path to success in the imperial examinations.

After the Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination), there is the Juren (another successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination). Back then, many of Zhu Juntang's classmates failed to pass the Juren exam and eventually gave up their studies.

After becoming a Juren (举人), one still needs to become a Jinshi (进士), and even then, one must be ranked second-class to be eligible for the Imperial Academy selection to become a Shujishi (庶吉士). The pinnacle of the imperial examination path is someone like my mentor, Su Ze.

Looking at Sun Wenqi, who had just embarked on the path of the imperial examination, Zhu Juntang still said a few words of encouragement to study in the style of the old Deng.

His words were sincere; Zhu Juntang's path to the imperial examinations was over, and he could only encourage future generations.

Once everyone in the carriage was accounted for, Zhu Juntang stopped talking.

His identity was sensitive, and he couldn't reveal it to Sun Wenqi, so they ran out of things to talk about.

After finishing his report on his duties, Zhu Juntang planned to visit a friend at the Imperial College one last time.
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The next day, after resting at the trading house, Zhu Juntang finally managed to crawl out of his warm bed.

It feels so good!
When I checked in, the staff introduced the hotel's bedding, and even mentioned that the duvet cover was made of the latest long-staple cotton and the duvet filling was made of high-grade cotton.

Only after using it did Zhu Juntang realize what true enjoyment meant!
In comparison, the place I lived in Japan was like a doghouse.

After washing up, Zhu Juntang finally arrived at the Office of Transmission.

Shortly after the visiting card was presented, the official Xu Shuli came over and took Zhu Juntang to the residence of the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, Li Yiyuan.

Zhu Juntang was filled with trepidation, for the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review was a high-ranking official of the same caliber as the Grand Minister of the Nine Courts.

Moreover, revisiting the old place, he vividly remembered the time when he and his father fled the capital, and after his father was murdered, he went to the Office of Transmission to beat the Dengwen Drum.

Time has passed, and he himself has become an official in the Office of Transmission.

Is this just fate playing tricks on us?

Zhu Juntang met with Li Yiyuan, the current Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review.

The next step is the normal procedure.

Li Yiyuan first confirmed Zhu Juntang's identity.

Zhu Juntang previously studied at the Imperial Academy, while Huang Wenbin was originally an official in the Office of Transmission.

The confirmation process was very quick. After his identity was confirmed, Li Yiyuan said with a smile:

"The official robes and seals have been prepared by the Ministry of Justice. Vice Director Zhu will sign for them and take them back to Japan later."

"As ordered!"

"His Majesty and the Grand Secretaries are very satisfied with the intelligence that Chief Secretary Huang and Deputy Chief Secretary Zhu provided regarding Japan. The Office of Transmission has also kept a detailed record of your contributions, and the court will not treat you unfairly."

"Thank you very much, Your Excellency. Your humble servant and Chief Clerk Huang will certainly do our utmost for the Ming Dynasty!"

Li Yiyuan's smile widened even more.

The reason why the Office of Transmission could become the first among the Nine Ministers' offices was not only because it rectified the post roads throughout the country and controlled the channels for transmitting official documents, but also because of its overseas offices of transmission.

With the arrival of the Age of Exploration, the Ming Dynasty, this "giant beast," finally began its stumbling journey towards the ocean.

But when the "giant beast" of the Ming Dynasty entered the ocean, it was astonished to discover how vast and wonderful the ocean was!

The huge profits from overseas operations are all substantial incremental profits.

Seeing these profits, the top officials of the Ming Dynasty began to join this frenzy one after another.

Unlike the original domestic land reserves, the land reserves were meant to be seized from ordinary people, and the land annexation was to oppose the imperial court's policy of suppressing land annexation.

However, there are not so many restrictions on overseas additions, and the Ming Code is not even applicable overseas.

These overseas offices of the Ming Dynasty brought back a large amount of intelligence to the Ming Dynasty every year and had a huge influence in the local areas.

Some of this information, if leaked even slightly, could make someone incredibly wealthy.

This is especially true of the Japanese Ministry of Communications.

Korea was impoverished and, being the first vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, was extremely subservient to it.

Although Southeast Asia is rich, it is also covered with rainforests and inhabited by natives who use poison arrows.

Japan is different.

This is a country with a large population, a mature economic system, and huge reserves of silver and gold!
In an even more fascinating place, various factions in Japan are engaged in a bloody and brutal struggle for the so-called "world's ruler" status.

The Wagyu Company monopolized trade with Sakai Port, but more fleets sailed to Wa, docking at other ports in Wa to exchange silver from other daimyo.

Although they did not have the privileges of a chartered trade, these profits were enough to support the fleet's travels.

The achievements of the Japanese Tongzhengshu (通政署) are the achievements of the Tongzhengsi (通政司), so Li Yiyuan naturally greeted this agency, which was helping him boost his political achievements, with a smile.

There's another reason why Li Yiyuan is so attentive.

Grand Secretary Yin is about to retire.

With the assistance of the five departments of the Secretariat, Yin Shidan has completed this last bit of work.

Just yesterday, Yin Shidan submitted his resignation again, but this time he stayed at home and no longer went to the cabinet office.

According to procedure, after Yin Shidan submits two more resignation letters, the emperor will personally approve his resignation and allow him to return to his hometown.

Given the current heavy workload of the cabinet, it is imperative to add more cabinet ministers!
It's time to appoint new cabinet ministers again!

Li Yiyuan, as one of the Nine Ministers, was also one of the candidates for Grand Secretary.

Who wouldn't want to join the cabinet, especially now that the cabinet's power has been greatly enhanced and it is above the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers?

If Li Yiyuan is to enter the cabinet, he naturally needs to have political achievements.

The Overseas Communications Agency is the best example of its achievements.

Li Yiyuan looked at Zhu Juntang.

As the head of the department, Li Yiyuan had reviewed Zhu Juntang's file.

The imperial clansmen who sought justice for their father were granted admission to the Imperial Academy by the emperor, and later passed the provincial examination, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). They were once disciples of Su Ze.

Zhu Juntang's resume is practically perfect; the only problem is that his academic qualifications are a bit lacking.

Li Yiyuan said with a smile:

"You were once a disciple of Prosecutor Su, weren't you? Did you pay your respects to your mentor after coming to Beijing?"

Zhu Juntang was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "I am on official business from the Japanese Ministry of Communications and have not yet visited my teacher's residence before I have completed my duties."

He knows the rules.

Li Yiyuan said:
"The affairs of the Japanese Ministry of Communications are of utmost importance, and you should return to Sakai Port as soon as possible. However, I can still make an exception for you and allow you to stay in the capital for a few days."

Zhu Juntang immediately understood Li Yiyuan's meaning and said happily:
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency!"

After seeing Zhu Juntang off, Li Yiyuan began to think again. If he were to add cabinet ministers this time, his biggest competitor would be Yang Sizhong, the Minister of Personnel.

The thought of this Minister of Personnel, who was known for his "ability to judge people," made Li Yiyuan feel disgusted!

It was Yang Sizhong who dragged him back to the Ministry of Justice to suffer punishment!

What kind of discernment is this! It's nothing but retaliation!
Li Yiyuan squinted his eyes, determined to enter the cabinet before Yang Sizhong this time!
(End of this chapter)