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

Chapter 79 When we gather, we are a blazing fire; when we scatter, we are countless stars.
Under the bright moonlight.

Ms. Wen looked her son over and over again, her eyes filled with admiration.

“Yun’er, I have written letters to the Qian family in Changshu, the Mao family in Rugao, the Gu family in Wuxi, the Gao family in Wuxi, the Chen family in Yixing, the Fang family in Tongcheng, the Zhang family in Taicang, the Wu family in Taicang, and the Huang family in Yuyao.”

Jiang Qingyun couldn't help but laugh.

This list includes anti-Qing patriots, Qing officials who betrayed the Qing court, leaders of the Donglin Party, and recluses, making it comprehensive.

"why are you laughing?"

"Mom, this list of yours is quite complicated."

"My family has a son, so I should seek a daughter from a hundred families."

Ms. Wen smiled, her eyes filled with affection.

"Mother, does the Wen family still have any descendants?"

"Your uncles live in Changzhou County, Suzhou Prefecture. Their family has fallen on hard times and they are not doing well. Some of them have even gone up the mountain to become monks."

"Why don't we write a letter and ask them to come to the capital?"

"No, not good."

Seeing that her son was puzzled, Ms. Wen explained again.

"The men of the Wen clan are eccentric and arrogant, soft-hearted but stubborn, and not suited for officialdom. Letting them serve as officials would only harm them. It is rare for our ancestor Wen Zhenmeng to be able to become a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion. If it were not the end of the dynasty, he would probably have been at the pinnacle of his career as a minor official."

Jiang Qingyun nodded, understanding that the Wen clan had focused their skill points on landscape and literature.

……

The following day, Jiang Zhongcheng received a notification from the Ministry of War.

He was punished for bringing concubines into the camp and accepting bribes from his subordinates. He was demoted to the position of garrison commander of the Tongzhou Green Standard Army and was to take up his post immediately without delay.

All are happy.

Even Jiang Zhongcheng himself breathed a sigh of relief. Rather than being a conspicuous figure in the capital, it was better to be sent out to a different place.

Lady Wen followed her husband to Tongzhou. As the saying goes, "A woman should follow her husband wherever he goes," which is a woman's duty.

That day~
More than twenty officers from the cavalry battalion came to see Jiang Zhongcheng off, each carrying gifts. They were respectful, friendly, and expressed their comradeship. They accompanied him for 15 miles outside Yongding Gate before stopping.

Those unaware of the situation might have thought Jiang Zhongcheng was going to become the garrison commander of Tongzhou.

Officials were not surprised at all; in fact, they privately remarked that Jiang Qingyun's favor with the emperor was unparalleled.

The imperial court's decision to expel Jiang's father from the capital was, in effect, a form of protection for Jiang Qingyun.

……

3 days later.

The South City Military Command Office was bustling with people.

Dozens of people about to leave Beijing to take up their new posts were wearing brand-new official robes and had smiles on their faces.

They waited there for 2 minutes.

Someone outside the door called out, "Imperial Censor Jiang has arrived!"

The room fell silent instantly, and everyone knelt down on one knee in unison.

"Greetings, elder brother."

"Today we are in the yamen, so brothers, please address each other by your official titles."

"Greetings, Your Excellency, Vice Censor-in-Chief."

"well."

Everyone stood up and looked at Jiang Qingyun sitting above.

"Bring the wine."

A row of large bowls, filled with strong liquor.

……

Jiang Qingyun was the first to pick up the large bowl and raise it above his head.

"I wish all my brothers a smooth journey in the new government office! Cheers! Sirs!"

Everyone raised their large bowls in unison.

"Thank you, sir."

Glug glug, the sound of drinking filled the air.

After everyone had finished drinking, Jiang Qingyun slowly brought the large bowl to his lips, drank it all in one gulp, and then smashed the bowl on the ground under everyone's gaze.

Dang rang~
Everyone followed suit, leaving fragments scattered all over the ground.

"My lords, remember this: the Military Commandery will always be your home. Its doors are always open, and you are welcome to come home often."

"Thank you, sir."

"At drinking parties, you don't use titles, you call him 'Big Brother'."

"Thank you, Brother Xie." ...

Everyone knelt down on one knee in unison, watching Jiang Qingyun leave, and then happily began to discuss their new destinations: Daxing County, Wanping County, various county governments in the suburbs of Beijing, and a few went to subordinate agencies of the central government.

A wide variety~
Everyone remarked that they had chosen the right boss.

The future is bright and promising.

Among them, the newly appointed Assistant Magistrate of Zhuozhou, Zhao Zesheng, expressed the sentiments of everyone.

"Our Five Cities Military Command is like a blazing fire when we're together, and like countless stars when we're apart. Gentlemen, we must help each other in the future."

Everyone echoed.

……

After these 66 people were promoted, their original positions became vacant.

As a result, another 66 people received the opportunity for internal promotion.

The military headquarters was filled with joy.

But Jiang Qingyun was not satisfied and set his sights on various low-ranking officials around the capital, such as clerks, jailers, gatekeepers, tax collectors, granary officials, post station officials, and clerks.

He sent 1000 taels of silver notes to Ji Zheng, the secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, and 1500 taels of silver notes to Feng Shuan, the minister.

The former politely declined, but accepted the gift.

The latter accepted the money first, and then returned it to the Jiang residence after the matter was settled.

After all this turmoil, more than 150 people left the Five Cities Military Command, and with the addition of Ajige's incident, a total of 200 people were promoted from the Military Command.

They took up various minor official positions such as registrar, patrol inspector, clerk, clerk, granary magistrate, squad leader, and constable in Daxing, Wanping, Zhuozhou, Fangshan, Gu'an, Yongqing, Dong'an, Wuqing, Xianghe, Sanhe, Shunyi, Huairou, Changping, and even Miyun.

A network of Chiang Kai-shek's connections surrounding Beijing was beginning to take shape.

……

The 4th day of the 4th lunar month.
At the vegetable market entrance in the south of the city, soldiers gathered in large numbers, and tens of thousands of onlookers watched as the drums beat at a steady pace.

Jiang Qingyun, clad in heavy armor, sat upright on the high platform.

Execution!

"Is the time here yet?"

"Your Excellency, there is still half an hour to go."

In ancient times, it was customary to kill someone at noon, as it was said that the yang energy was at its peak at that time, which could suppress the yin energy of the deceased.

There were 14 death row inmates on the stage, all of whom were remnants of Dorgon.

Among them, the highest-ranking officials were the Manchu nobles Tan Tai and He Luohui, while the lowest-ranking was Cao Xi, a bondservant of the Bordered White Banner.

Of the remaining 11 people, 7 came from the Two White Banners, 1 from the Bordered Red Banner, and 3 from the civil service system. Among them were the two sons of Grand Secretary Chen Mingxia, who had already hanged himself.

Cut the grass at its roots to avoid future troubles.

Jiang Qingyun was well aware of the perilous path he was about to take, and he showed no mercy to his enemies.

……

"Don't be so smug, what I am today could be your tomorrow."

Tan Tai looked like he was willing to accept defeat, his eyes filled with disdain.

Jiang Qingyun remained noncommittal and continued walking forward.

“You surnamed Jiang, once the young emperor has secured his throne, he’ll target you first.”

He Luohui's voice was a bit loud, but fortunately the drumbeats drowned it out, so no one could hear him.

Another one is Cao Xi.

Jiang Qingyun looked at him as he wept bitterly and sighed softly.

If Cao Xi were beheaded, there would be no Cao Yin, and therefore no Cao Xueqin. This act would be tantamount to cutting "Dream of the Red Chamber," and incidentally, it would also destroy the livelihoods of the numerous Redology research associations that would emerge centuries later.

The tables, chairs, benches, flowers, and clothing of the Jia family have been thoroughly studied by these bored people. Next, they'll probably start studying Lin Daiyu's menstrual cycle.

Click!

……

"Your Excellency, the court's public execution of 14 of Dorgon's remaining followers is truly gratifying and has cleansed the atmosphere of the court."

Suksaha complimented.

"That's still too conservative!"

"Minister, what did you say?"

The drumbeats were so loud that Suksaha doubted his ears, wondering if he had misheard.

"I believe the court is too conservative and has not killed enough. Dorgon has controlled the government for six years, and his cronies are numerous. The court should investigate thoroughly and not be satisfied with the status quo, otherwise there will be endless troubles in the future."

Jiang Qingyun raised her voice.

(End of this chapter)