I want to ruin the country

After the emperor left, Peng Yunzhang sat quietly for a while.

He was in a good mood today, but the incident at the gunpowder factory poured cold water on him. He realized that there were many mistakes in his work and he had to pay more attention to it in the future.

Then he thought, the emperor asked him to bring Qian Kang to the palace, so how did the emperor know Qian Kang?

"Someone, go get Qian Kang to see me!"

Qian Kang was bored and was puzzled when he heard that Lord Peng had summoned him.

Normally, I am like a transparent person in the ministry, and the highest-ranking official I can meet is the head of the Ministry of Industry!

Did I do something wrong and be called in for a talk by my boss? No, I didn’t do anything!

When he saw Peng Yunzhang, he kowtowed and greeted him.

"Your humble servant greets the Grand Marshal!"

"Master Qian, please sit down and talk!"

Qian Kang sat on the chair, still confused in his mind. He was asked to sit down and talk, but it seemed that he couldn't explain it clearly in a few words. What was going on?

Peng Yunzhang asked,

"Has Lord Qian made any connections recently?"

Qian Kang was completely confused. If he knew how to use connections, how could he have ended up as such a small sixth-rank official?

"I don't know what you are referring to, my Lord. I have no connections and can move around!"

Peng Yunzhang was a little bit unconvinced. The emperor would let you see him for no reason. He wanted to know who you were!

He said frankly,

"I have no ill intentions. The emperor suddenly summoned me to bring you to his presence. I don't know the reason, but I just want to understand it!"

When Qian Kang heard that the emperor wanted to see him, he was also confused and said hurriedly,

"You are bringing me to see the emperor, but I don't know what it is for. Please tell me clearly, sir!"

Peng Yunzhang saw that Qian Kang's intentions did not seem to be false, so he did not ask any more questions.

"I didn't explain it explicitly, and I don't know what it means. You'll understand once you see the Emperor!"

"I humbly obey my orders!"

The next day, the two of them came to the palace to kowtow and pay their respects, each with their own thoughts.

Yining gave the two of them seats.

Qian Kang kept his head down. A small official like him would be punished for his misconduct if he saw the emperor looking around and touching things everywhere.

He heard the emperor say,

"Qian Aiqing, raise your head!"

Qian Kang then raised his head.

Yining asked again,

"Do you know me, Qian Aiqing?"

Qian Kang looked at the emperor and quickly answered,

"There was a fire in the palace that night. I am honored to see Your Majesty!"

Yining laughed loudly.

"Hahaha, it's not just for firefighting, right?"

Qian Kang thought about it and felt that the emperor's voice was very familiar, but he didn't dare to imagine it, so he said,

"The Emperor's appearance seems very familiar to me, but I find it impossible!"

Yining smiled and said,

"What's impossible? I'm the eunuch who drank with you that day!"

"what!"

Qian Kang no longer had any doubts in his heart, and he quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

"I have failed to recognize Your Majesty. Please punish me for my inappropriate behavior in front of you!"

Yining smiled and said,

"Ignorance is not a crime, get up quickly!"

Peng Yunzhang, standing by, was completely bewildered. How could this be? A minor official of the sixth rank actually drank with the emperor, and he, the head of his department, didn't even know about it?!

Yining saw Peng Yunzhang's strange expression and explained,

"Master Peng, don't be confused. I met Lord Qian while strolling around the palace after dinner that night!"

It turned out that Qian Kang was the person who worked overtime at the Military Affairs Office that night.

Yining then recounted what had happened that day in great detail, basically repeating their speeches.

Peng Yunzhang thought to himself that it was fortunate that the emperor saw Qian Kang working overtime, otherwise such a man of integrity would have been wasted!

Yining said seriously,

"Master Peng, you are responsible for failing to supervise such a person who has endured years of hardship in your department!"

Peng Yunzhang knelt down hurriedly, and Qian Kang knelt down as well when he saw this.

"I have indeed been guilty of negligence. Your Majesty, please punish me. I have no complaints!"

Yining did not let them get up and continued,

"I know you've only been at the Ministry of Industry for a few months and may not be very familiar with the situation. I don't blame you very much!

But this phenomenon is not unique to every ministry and every government office, and this makes me very disappointed!"

Peng Yunzhang pleaded guilty again.

"It's my fault!"

"Can a superior officer who doesn't even know the situation of his own subordinates be said to be fulfilling his duties?

If rewards and punishments are unclear and good and bad are not distinguished, how can we ensure that the capable are promoted and the mediocre are demoted!

If you can't do these things, how can you say you are responsible to me!"

Peng Yunzhang broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. Although he considered himself to be relatively upright, he had been in the Ministry of Industry for half a year and none of his subordinates had recognized him yet!

Take Qian Kang for example. He only met him once when he first took office at the Ministry of Industry.

I neither reorganized the personnel nor the work style in the department. Everyone was doing everything according to the routine.

To put it simply, this is inaction, this is lazy governance, and to put it more bluntly, it is blocking the path for talented people, which is a big taboo for officials!

Whether a subordinate can play his role and get what he deserves based on his ability and talent has the greatest impact on the department leader!

Just one word from you and he might soar to the sky!

On the contrary, a single word from you could cause him to fall into the Avici Hell, where he could never escape.

I have committed a great sin!

"Your Majesty, I truly acknowledge my guilt. Please issue an order to dismiss me from my position as a warning to others!"

Yining Road,

"Even if there are mistakes, there is no need to remove them. It is a great help to know one's mistakes and improve them.

But Lord Peng, you must remember your responsibilities. Discovering and recommending talents is the greatest help to me!

To serve as a warning to other officials, I will fine you three months' salary and make it known to the world. Do you accept this?"

"I am convinced!"

Peng Yunzhang knew that the emperor wanted to use him as an example to scare others!

"Everyone get up!"

The two men thanked him, got up from the ground and sat down again.

Qian Kang was in great anxiety. The Shangshu was punished because of him. If he held a grudge against him, how would he end up suffering in the future?

Yining saw what he was thinking and said,

"Qian Kang, you don't have to worry. Lord Peng's punishment has nothing to do with you. You were just the instigator!

If he continues to act as he pleases, next time it won’t be as simple as a salary deduction.”

Peng Yunzhang knew that the emperor was warning him not to seek revenge. Your Majesty, you underestimate me too much.

He said hurriedly,

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I am not so petty!"

Yining knew that Peng Yunzhang understood what he meant and said,

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this anymore, let's talk about business!"

Peng Yunzhang said in his heart, Qian Kang, you are doing great, you have caught up with the emperor's wishes, I am afraid you will be promoted to a high position overnight!

Then I heard Yining say,

"I need someone like you right now!"

Qian Kang quickly knelt down,

"Your Majesty, please make it clear. I dare not fail to do my best!"

Yining Road,

"Prince Gong will be going on a diplomatic mission to the West soon. I want to purchase a batch of tea, porcelain, and silk for him to take to trade. I intend to ask you to do this!"