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

Chapter 70: One person attains enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven
After drinking three cups in a row, Zhou Shao waved his hands repeatedly.

"My lords, I have done my best, I have done my best."

Feng Shuan's eyes flickered, and his confidant, Ji Zheng, the secretary of the Imperial Academy, immediately understood.

"Imperial Censor Jiang, I raise a toast to you. It is our honor to have witnessed your growth in the Imperial Academy."

After saying that, he tilted his head back.

Then, when the glass was turned upside down, not a single drop remained.

Jiang Qingyun was now 9% certain that Feng Shuan was in trouble, and big trouble at that.

In officialdom, etiquette is the essence.

This unusual behavior already speaks volumes.

……

Jiang Qingyun was shrewd enough to speak first after downing a cup of wine.

“Uncle Feng, I have a group of brothers under my command who have made great contributions in this purge of Dorgon and the others. I would like to arrange a better place for them.”

"Sure, sure. Do you have a list?"

"Have."

Jiang Qingyun took a piece of paper out of his sleeve, unfolded it, and handed it over.

Ji Zheng glanced at it and saw that the paper was densely covered with writing from beginning to end, without even leaving any blank space, which was very un-literary.

Feng Shuan was also taken aback by such a huge appetite.

He held up his fingers and counted them one by one.

"One, two, three, four, five... thirty-one, thirty-two... sixty-six. Sixty-six??"

"Correct."

Jiang Qingyun picked up a piece of honey-glazed lake duck meat, smiled and nodded.

This is similar to a game of chess, where the first move has the advantage.

If you need something from me, and I need something from you, then I can gain the advantage by making the first move.

……

"Master Ji, you are in charge of the Selection Department. The future of these brothers is your responsibility. You must make sure they are taken good care of."

Feng Shuan simply passed the buck to his subordinate.

Ji Zheng took it and carefully looked through it.

"Most of the people nominated by Imperial Censor Jiang were promoted by one rank, and their post-promotion positions were mostly below the sixth grade. From a procedural standpoint, it was reasonable and compliant."

"However, I'm afraid the various government departments in the capital can't accommodate so many people."

“County governments in the suburbs of Beijing are also acceptable, such as Liangxiang, Gu’an, Xianghe, Tongzhou, and Jizhou.”

Jiang Qingyun wasn't embarrassed at all.

If I don't run away, how can I get official positions for my subordinates? How can I form a faction?

"Brother Qingyun, you actually have people from the Daxing and Wanping county governments here?"

"Yes. Treat everyone equally."

Feng Shuan took the initiative to clink glasses with Jiang Qingyun and said in a relaxed, conversational tone, "Brother, you are a very special person. You are very loyal and righteous, which is rare in officialdom these days."

"For brothers, we'd go to great lengths for each other."

"Good, that's very well said. I'll make the decision; all 66 people will be arranged. However, they will have to be dispersed."

"No problem. I'll raise a toast to you on behalf of the brothers."

"Me too."

Zhou Shao followed with a smile.

……

The system of honest officials:
For officials of the fourth rank and above, the Ministry of Personnel had no authority to make decisions; at most, they could nominate names, but the final decision had to be made jointly by the Inner Court and the Emperor.

For officials of the fourth rank and below, the Minister alone can make decisions.

There were already many vacancies in the early Qing Dynasty. After the outbreak of smallpox, the Plain Blue Banner mutiny, and the impending purge of Dorgon's remnants, the number of vacancies in the capital became even greater.

Promoting 66 people is not difficult; there are at least 200 vacancies remaining.

"By the way, what about Minister Man of the Ministry of Personnel?"

"Tan Tai's elder brother? He's just waiting to die at home. Brother, you really picked a good time. For appointments of officials below the fourth rank, my seal as the Minister of the Han Dynasty is all it takes to make them effective immediately."

Jiang Qingyun seemed to be deep in thought.

Feng Shuan then changed the subject.

"Where does Master Zhou work now?"

"Ambassador of the West Factory of the Baoquan Bureau, a ninth-rank official."

"That's too low. Master Zhou is a talented individual from our Ministry of Personnel, and he must be promoted. As for Physician Ji, what other vacancies are there below the seventh rank in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Jiang Qingyun immediately added insult to injury.

"The ambassador of the Fourth Factory of Baoquan Bureau is also a remnant of Dorgon. I am preparing to arrest him, but I haven't had time to send troops yet."

“That’s perfect, let Master Zhou fill in the gap.”

Zhou Shao quickly raised his glass to express his gratitude.

……

Finally, it was Feng Shuan's turn to make a move. He put down his chopsticks and let out a long sigh.

"Brother Jiang, do I look like an accomplice of Dorgon?"

Jiang Qingyun shook his head.

“Prince Li has listened to the slander of some villain and wants to replace me. As you know, Prince Li is a minister of the Council of State and also in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. His words carry weight before the Emperor.”

Whom does Prince Li want to replace?

"It's hard to say. Minister of Works Jiang Hede and Vice Minister of Personnel Liu Zhengzong are both frequent visitors to Prince Li's residence."

……

Jiang Qingyun pondered for a moment.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Minister Feng, you are definitely the best candidate for Minister of Personnel. I will try my best to find a suitable opportunity to speak on your behalf to the Emperor."

"Thank you very much."

"However, this cannot be done too deliberately, otherwise the effect will be the opposite. We need to find an opportunity that comes naturally."

"Understood. My only concern is that Prince Li might strike first."

"Minister Feng, there is something I can reveal to you in advance."

"please say."

"The Emperor is actually dissatisfied with the Council of Princes and Ministers, but due to the current situation, he can only maintain it and gradually reduce its power, making it a mere formality without any real power."

"Your Majesty is wiser than anyone else."

Feng Shuan was finally relieved.

No one can make a decision on the position of Minister of Personnel on their own; even the emperor has to consult with his senior officials.

In officialdom, it's always been a matter of doing one's best and leaving the rest to fate; having as many helpers as possible is always a good thing.

Jiang Qingyun is currently enjoying great favor with the emperor, so it is essential to cultivate a good relationship with him.

Feng Shuan, a former eunuch of the Ming Dynasty who was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) during the Wanli era, was quite knowledgeable about officialdom.

……

The meal lasted a full two hours, and both host and guests enjoyed themselves. Afterwards, Feng Shuan and Ji Zheng each left through the back door in a small sedan chair, avoiding attention.

Jiang Qingyun and Zhou Shao leaned against the window drinking tea, and sent someone to invite Wu Yong to join them.

Until evening~
Wu Yongcai arrived, and as soon as he entered, the lights were already on, and everything was dimly lit.

"Big brother, third brother, we've kept you waiting."

"Second brother, come in quickly."

This was the first time the three brothers had met since the mutiny in Zhenglan Banner, and they were quite happy to see each other.

Jiang Qingyun spoke first: "Are you alright?"

"It's alright. I was on duty at the Imperial Hospital on February 26th. If there hadn't been cannons in the Forbidden City, the outcome would have been hard to predict. By the way, yesterday, because of Dorgon's matter, the Empress Dowager was so anxious that she fell ill."

"is it serious?"

“I personally examined your pulse. To be honest, it has some impact, but it's not that serious. However, Third Brother, you have truly offended the Empress Dowager. You'd better be careful in the future.”

Jiang Qingyun nodded, without regret.

Zhou Shao suddenly blurted out, "Fortunately, the Emperor has already assumed personal rule."

……

The stairs thumped, and the maids came up.

Serving vegetables!

A table of exquisite dishes and two jugs of low-alcohol plum wine.

Watching the female shopkeeper's graceful figure disappear into the distance, Wu Yong suddenly stared at Jiang Qingyun.

"Is this woman your mistress?"

"No, we are innocent."

"Come here, let me take your pulse."

Jiang Qingyun obediently extended his wrist, and Wu Yong took his pulse, instinctively closing his eyes.

"You've slept?"

"No."

"sleepy?"

"Do not want to."

"Yes, Third Brother was honest today, not a single lie."

Zhou Shao was utterly shocked.

"You can really cut it out?"

“Of course.” Wu Yong turned his head and asked, “Third brother, do you believe me?”

Jiang Qingyun nodded solemnly.

"I believe."

(End of this chapter)