You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 49 Sworn Brotherhood!

West City, Fan Residence.

In the study room.

Fan Wencheng sighed and threw the impeachment memorial he had just finished writing into the brazier.

"Father, your son was wrong."

“I don’t blame you. The day Jiang Qingyun forced you to express your opinion on the suppression of the Plain Blue Banner in front of Ao Bai outside the Meridian Gate shows that he was already guarding against my impeachment! Just thinking about it makes me feel cold down my spine.”

"Father, what if I had clearly expressed my opposition back then?"

"Jiang Qingyun and Ao Bai will join forces to beat you, breaking your bones and tendons, and then they will still suppress the Plain Blue Banner. Not only will you suffer a brutal beating for nothing, but your career will also be over. Do you know why?"

"position?"

"Yes. Stance trumps everything. By opposing the suppression of the Plain Blue Banner, you've placed yourself on the opposite side of the Emperor. Jiang Qingyun is malicious!"

……

The father and son looked at each other in silence.

Fan Wencheng focused his gaze on an inkstone on the table.

Talking to himself:
"I originally intended to submit a memorial impeaching Jiang Qingyun for suppressing the Plain Blue Banner, which I believe undermines the foundation of the Qing Dynasty and must be severely punished. I think the Empress Dowager would support him, as would other ministers. If things are handled properly and allowed to ferment gradually, it will form public opinion in the court. If some other misdeeds are also discovered, even the Emperor will find it difficult to protect him."

“But now, once this memorial reaches the Emperor, he, Chiang Kai-shek, will use you as a shield to make my father and I fight each other. This man will surely become Li Linfu in the future.”

"Father is overthinking it. He is just a minor censor and a Han Chinese. He is a far cry from being a prime minister."

"As long as he retains the emperor's favor, he will be safe."

"So, the key still lies with the Emperor?"

“Mo’er, remember this: the politics of the court may seem to be intricate and complex, but in reality there is only one thread: imperial power. What you can accomplish is only what the imperial power wants you to accomplish. And vice versa.”

"My son understands."

"Of course, we don't need to worry too much. The Empress Dowager has the Mongol Eight Banners behind her; she is the pillar of our Great Qing. At crucial moments, the Empress Dowager will step in."

……

Outside Zhengyangmen, at Dashilan.

Businesses are booming and the flow of people is constant.

The two officials from the Court of State Ceremonial chatted as they walked.

"I've only been away for a month, but everything feels different."

"The road has been repaired, the storefronts have been renovated, and the ground has been swept."

"Have you noticed that all the shops are about the same distance from the street, and the ground is raised a few inches by bricks?"

Upon arriving at the restaurant, the two pulled the innkeeper aside and asked him a question, and immediately understood.

"My lords, please allow me to explain. This section of the gate is called the 'retreat boundary.' The South City Military Command requires that the retreat boundary must not be shorter than 1 zhang or longer than 3 zhang, and it must also be 5 cun higher than the road."

Who will pay the wages?

"All the businesses in Dashilan paid for the construction. The bricks were designated, and the craftsmen were also designated. It is said that the shopkeeper was a relative of the concubine of Imperial Censor Jiang."

"I see, Imperial Censor Jiang is quite adept at making money."

The two of them were laughing in a suggestive way.

The restaurant owner thought for a moment and then added, "To be honest, the prices are quite reasonable. And with the renovation of the entrance, business has definitely improved."

……

Across the street, there's a newly opened private kitchen restaurant!

The restaurant is a standalone establishment with no sign at the entrance. It boasts a quiet and elegant environment, exquisite dishes, and only serves one table per day. Guests must make a reservation in advance; otherwise, they will not be accepted.

"Opening a restaurant in a private residence is a first for me, quite novel."

"This is called a private restaurant. It's convenient for discussing business and ensures privacy. There are several in the south of the city."

Jiang Qingyun offered wine to Wu Yong and Zhou Shao.

Zhou Shao: "I estimate that it won't be long before private restaurants become the new favorite for official banquets. Brother Jiang, Brother Wu, cheers."

outside the window.

Raindrops pattered on the pond, creating ripples that added a touch of romance.

Zhou Shao and Wu Yong were originally strangers with no connection, but it was normal for them to sit at the same table for a meal because they had a mutual friend, Jiang Qingyun.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhou, on your appointment as Ambassador of the Western Depot of the Ministry of Revenue's Bureau of Precious Coins. Cheers!"

The three of them raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

"Just a minor ninth-rank official, not worth mentioning." Zhou Shao waved his hand repeatedly.

"Although the ambassador of the West Depot is only a ninth-rank official, he is the best among those of the ninth rank. Master Zhou's skills are truly extraordinary."

Wu Yong glanced meaningfully at Jiang Qingyun, who was engrossed in eating.

Jiang Qingyun pretended not to hear.

The position of ambassador of the Western Depot of the Baoquan Bureau was highly sought after. Even though Zhou Shao had good connections in the Ministry of Personnel, he still spent around 1500 taels of silver to bribe his way into this ninth-rank official position.

Of the 1000 taels, 1,000 came from Jiang Qingyun's sponsorship. To be more precise, it was silver borrowed by Jiang Qingyun from the Qiao Family Bank.

Zhou Shaoqian replied modestly, "Not at all."

……

After several rounds of drinks, six dishes were served.

Wu Yong walked to the window, gazing at the rain outside, and casually plucked a string from the guzheng. *Zheng*
The melody of the zither was long and resonant, carrying far and wide.

A little while later~
Two young maids appeared at the top of the stairs, their steps gradually lightening with measured steps. Their voices were clear and melodious, like pearls rolling on a silver plate.

"Master, what are your orders?"

Wu Yong paused for a moment, then waved his hand.

"Nothing, go down."

"Yes."

……

"Don't worry, Governor Wu, the South City is my territory, no one dares to eavesdrop."

Jiang Qingyun simply exposed the guy's thoughts.

Wu Yong blushed and returned to the table.

"Having stayed in the palace for so long, I'm always worried that there are eyes and ears behind the walls. Please don't take offense, Brother Jiang."

"Better safe than sorry, you get it."

"Brother Wu, let me toast you. Without your help in handling the aftermath of the Zhenglan Banner incident, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to escape so easily."

"It's a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

The two of them understood each other without saying a word.

Of the wounded reported from Zhenglan Banner, 11 died from their injuries two days later, and the death toll soared to 53 five days later.
……

"Brother Jiang, what do you think will happen to Minister Hong?"

"Death is certain."

Zhou Shao and Wu Yong both looked up in surprise, though not entirely unexpected. Their surprise stemmed more from the question: why would Jiang Qingyun choose this moment to expose this matter?
Could it be that...
Jiang Qingyun sat up straight, his voice low.

"My two elder brothers, life is difficult, and officialdom is even more so. Since we are of one mind, why don't we become sworn brothers? We will advance and retreat together, live and die together, and support each other in the court."

"how?"

Zhou Shao nodded!

Wu Yong nodded!

……

Respect for elders and the hierarchy of respect for elders is a fine tradition.

The sworn brothers had to be ranked by age, with Zhou Shao as the eldest brother, Wu Yong as the second brother, and Jiang Qingyun as the third brother.

Jiang Qingyun picked up a bowl of sea cucumbers without even looking at it and poured it directly out the window.

I don't eat sea cucumbers~
Leave the empty bowl behind~
My elder brother is the top imperial physician, so I feel very safe having him perform the surgery to cut my finger.

Tick ​​tock~
The bright red blood of three men mingled with the clear liquor.

hiss~
What a murky bowl of brotherly wine!
Thunder rumbled outside the window.

"Heaven above, Earth below. Zhou Shao, Wu Yong, and Jiang Qingyun, we three share the same ideals and have become sworn brothers. From now on, we will share blessings, hardships, and tragedies. If we break this oath, may we be executed, our clans exterminated, and our infamy last for ten thousand years."

"Big brother."

"Third brother."

"Second brother."

The three men embraced each other warmly, tears welling in their eyes.

(End of this chapter)