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

Chapter 95 The Politics of Bondservants
dong dong dong~
"Come in."

"Lady No. 25 pays her respects to Physician Jiang."

"Okay, congratulations on passing the physical test. Now let's begin the interview. I will ask you some questions, and you should answer them truthfully."

"Yes."

"After joining the Beijing Women's Song and Dance Troupe, what do you think you should do?"

"I will obey your orders and serve the Emperor wholeheartedly."

"What are your goals after joining the Beijing Women's Song and Dance Troupe?"

"To bring glory to one's ancestors."

What constitutes bringing honor to one's ancestors?

"Thanks to Physician Jiang and the Emperor's favor, my father got a lucrative post, my younger brother got to study for the imperial examinations, and my younger sister got to marry a good man."

……

Number 25's answer was brilliant, and Jiang Qingyun carefully examined it.

What do you consider your strengths?

"Her strengths are that she is sensible, grateful, and has a slim waist."

Jiang Qingyun looked up and noticed that she had indeed tied the strap very tightly, and couldn't help but laugh.

"What are the disadvantages?"

"His weaknesses are that he is timid, comes from a poor family, and has a small scar."

Jiang Qingyun was stunned. A scar was a big deal. Were the nannies who screened them blind?

"where?"

"My lord, look, it's right here."

Jiang Qingyun's eyes widened as he realized that he was severely nearsighted. Even when he got as close as three inches, he could only see what appeared to be a faint, fresh fingernail mark.

He sighed repeatedly:

"Too small to be detected, too small to be detected."

……

"Number 25, what's your name?"

"Above the white clouds."

"You've been accepted."

"Thank you, sir."

"Do you still have any questions?"

"Could I go home and get some changes of clothes, cosmetics, and face powder?"

"No need. Someone will come to deliver the good news. You and the other selected people will enter the camp for closed training. All supplies will be provided by the Thirteen Departments."

"Yes."

Before leaving, Baiyun tidied up her slightly loose white silk undergarment.

This scene, witnessed by Jiang Qingyun, raised his opinion of her even higher; this woman was no ordinary person. He then picked up a pen and wrote after her name: "Proposed Regiment Commander."

……

next day~
Officials from Daxing County and Wanping County went door-to-door delivering bright red wedding invitations with gongs and drums. The commotion was so great that everyone in the city knew about it.

The selected girl's father and brothers were overjoyed and immediately prepared gifts to pay their respects.

Jiang Qingyun spoke to each of them individually, hinting at their future prospects.

This is what it means to take talent shows seriously while vaguely engaging in politics.

The selection of imperial concubines was not based on female beauty.

The selection of imperial concubines was a political act.

Through the talent show, Jiang Qingyun successfully won over some low-ranking officials from the bondservant background and continued to exert influence over them.

These seemingly insignificant government offices, staffed by bondservants, were scattered throughout the imperial city and its surroundings, clinging to the very lifeline of the capital.

One characteristic of the bondservant group is that they need to rely on a large tree.

Just then, Jiang Qingyun was working hard to deepen his roots, absorbing all the nutrients to grow upwards, and the shadow of his canopy had already enveloped the southern city.

……

Western suburbs.

The villa where Liu Zhangtai lived.

"The lady sent us to deliver some winter supplies. Let's unload the truck."

"okay."

Taking advantage of the busyness, the driver found an opportunity to pull the head maid aside. The two of them worked as servants in the Jiang household and were husband and wife.

"The young master instructed you to find an opportunity to set a fire, pretending that the kitchen has caught fire and burn it down, but no one should be hurt."

"What?"

"Don't ask anymore. Young Master won't treat you unfairly."

"it is good."

The next day, during my afternoon nap.

The head maid slipped into the kitchen, evenly poured a can of grease onto it, and then sprinkled some smoldering charcoal. Only after the fire had spread completely did she shout at the top of her lungs.

"Fire! Fire!" Then he rushed into the house, carrying the bewildered Liu Zhangtai on his back as he ran outside.

……

Liu Zhangtai, who was usually calm and composed, finally lost his composure.

"Fire! Fire! Help!"

The head maid shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Protecting the young mistress is the most important thing."

No one wanted to get close to the fire in the first place; it was too dangerous to fight the fire when it was spreading upwards. Now that someone has taken responsibility, that's for the best.

Soon, the villa was burned to the ground.

The constables from Wanping County also rushed to maintain order.

An old yamen runner asked the onlookers:
Is anyone inside?

"Amitabha, they've all come out."

"That's good, that's good. Losing money is averting disaster, and things will be prosperous. Your future luck will definitely be good."

Everyone nodded in agreement; those who speak auspicious words are bound to have good luck.

Liu Zhangtai was stuffed into a carriage and sent back to the southern city.

The old yamen runner bowed and waved as he watched the carriage leave.

He knew that this area was full of expensive mounts kept by nobles in the capital, and any one of them could make the county magistrate kneel down and slap himself.

……

Evening, at the Chiang Kai-shek residence.

Jiang Qingyun was furious when he saw the group of people who looked like stray dogs.

First, he berated the head maid, deducted half a year's wages from her, and then sent her to Tongzhou Prefecture to serve her parents.

That night, they had a passionate encounter.

Liu Zhangtai's attitude remained indifferent, giving and taking as he pleased. His unique demeanor brought about a unique experience.

The difference between her and Wan Chun is probably that—because he did not contend, Wan Chun could not contend with him.

Putting aside sentimentality, stance, and reason, Master Liu was the epitome of womanhood, the ultimate furnace of furnaces.

Afterwards, she couldn't help but ask:
"Where will I live from now on?"

Jiang Qingyun gently stroked her short hair.

“I know you’re naturally aloof and don’t like to stir things up in the inner quarters. I have a courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang, you can stay there.”

Before Liu Zhangtai could speak, Jiang Qingyun expressed his resentment again.

"The servants who used to serve you were too careless. Replace them all."

"Ah."

Late at night~
Liu Zhangtai tossed and turned, unable to sleep, waking Jiang Qingyun, and was thus reprimanded again. The Buddhist and Taoist paths are ultimately weak; the demonic path is higher and stronger.

"Young Master, are you feeling troubled?"

"How did you know?"

"Those who cultivate themselves often have a clear mind and keen senses. I sensed it just now~"

Jiang Qingyun sighed, which was considered his acknowledgment.

"Let me recite a sutra for you; it will dispel your troubles."

……

Under the moonlight~
The wooden fish, the Sanskrit, and the dignified yet charming face of Liu Zhangtai meditating—Jiang Qingyun treated it as if he were listening to Buddhist music.

If this woman weren't so irresistible to him, he would probably be an adult by now.

"Young Master, are you feeling better?"

"Much better. You don't know how hard it is to be an official, how tiring it is. Being an official is not as carefree as being a monk. Others form cliques and gangs, but it's so hard for me, a lone and upright official."

Jiang Qingyun stared at the black robe that had slipped off her shoulder.

"Don't move, I'll be right back."

Liu Zhangtai was very obedient and didn't move at all.

Not long after~
Jiang Qingyun returned, holding a paper cutter in his hand, lit a candle, and brought over a mirror.

He grinned mischievously.
"With nothing else to do and the night stretching on, why not let me shave the nun's head?"

……

Shh! Don't move!

Press down on his head with his left hand, and swipe, swipe, swipe with his right.

Where the blade struck, black hair fell.

Looking at his bald head in the mirror, Liu Zhangtai's black robe suddenly slipped off.

"Zhang Tai, you still made a move."

"I did not move."

No, you've fallen for him.

Jiang Qingyun casually flicked her wrist, and with a thud, the gleaming paper cutter was nailed to the wardrobe door. Her free hand then scooped up the black robe that had slipped down and straightened it.

(End of this chapter)