Today's proceedings went much faster than expected. Xu Jingchang was in a good mood. He did not go back to his residence directly, but went to the General Administration Department. After Hu Yan went to Jiangxi, another bachelor's degree student was transferred from the Hanlin Academy, also named Hu.
His name is Hu Bi. He is in the same class as Yang Pu. He is not very old, but he has a lot of gray hair on his temples.
Xu Jingchang asked curiously: "Hu Shidu, things in the Hanlin Academy are quite busy, so why did he develop a hairy condition so early?"
Hu Hu quickly said: "To return to Duke Ding, this is Xiaguan's problem since he was a child. When I was born, my hair was white for the first month, and then gradually turned black. When I became an official in the court, I was nearly three years old.
Ten, I started getting more gray hairs again, it’s not because of fatigue.”
"Oh!" Xu Jingchang nodded and suddenly smiled: "When my son was just born, his hair was sparse and brown, and his face was sallow and wrinkled. For those who didn't know, he thought he was a little monster that came down from some mountain! But it's been more than a year.
She looks much better now that she's grown out, she's fair and fair, her cheeks are pink, and she feels better."
Hu Xi smiled hurriedly and said: "The noble son of Duke Dingguo must be Zhong Lingyuxiu, very extraordinary."
Xu Jingchang smiled, "Hu Shidu, let's be honest, the Xu family is a general, and it only lasts for a few decades. When it comes to teaching children, I can't even say that I have any experience. Your scholarly family must have some cleverness.
Can you tell me your idea and teach me how to teach my children?"
Hu Bi was a little surprised, because Xu Jingchang was known as the Crown Prince and Grand Master, and he taught all the princes, emperors and grandsons.
You can teach the prince, but you can't teach your own children?
Xu Jingchang saw his doubts and said seriously: "I really don't know how to teach children. After all, our family's situation is different from that of ordinary people. Hu Shidu, can you help me think of a way?
"
Seeing that Xu Jingchang was serious, Hu Xi thought for a moment and said: "Dong Dingguo, I have some thoughts on this matter, but I am not sure about some words. I don't know whether I should say it or not."
Xu Jingchang smiled and said, "Let's go, you have just arrived. According to the rules of the General Affairs Department, a dinner party for newlyweds is indispensable."
Two people sat across from each other at the wine table. Xu Jingchang was not a good drinker, so he only poured himself a glass and let Hu Hui do as he pleased... This one had a great appetite and could eat good wine. In the blink of an eye, he had half a duck and an elbow.
Two more shad went into my stomach.
Having whetted his appetite, Hu Hui was no longer polite.
"Ding Guogong, if the official is right, your main purpose in teaching the prince and grandson is to let them see the world clearly, understand people's hearts, and know who they need to rely on and how to govern?"
Xu Jingchang nodded with a smile, "That's true. They are the future emperors. As long as they grasp the overall situation and are not deceived by the people below, that's it. But what should we do with a family like ours?"
Hu Xi paused for a moment, and then said bravely: "Dong Guo, your family is hereditary and you live with the country, so you are naturally extremely prominent. You are also extremely talented and witty. Now you are the general envoy.
You are in charge of the government and assist the emperor. You are in the right place at the right time and your talents are indispensable. As for the younger generation, they may not be as blessed as you."
When he said this, he found that Xu Jingchang was not angry at all. Instead, he looked at him with a smile, his eyes full of encouragement.
Hu Xi mustered up his courage and said, "Dong Dingguo, your son needs to make more good friends, interact more with all parties, and be kind to others. No matter they are civil servants, military generals, merchants or gentry, they must be harmonious to each other and be able to speak well."
Only then can the Xu family prosper and prosper forever."
Xu Jingchang smiled and nodded, then gave Hu Hui some food, and then said, "What do you mean, my son wants to make more friends?"
"Yes!" Hu Hu said: "With the current power of Duke Ding, he can naturally suppress all officials and look down upon the world. But Duke Shao must be careful to save money and not be careless... Which school will he go to, who will he study as a teacher, and who will he work with?
Friends, even getting married in the future, and doing things must be carefully considered. In fact, it is up to the lower officials to start thinking about it now. In fact, it is a bit late. But fortunately, with Ding Guogong’s wisdom, he will definitely be able to arrange it properly.
Is there any omission?"
Xu Jingchang smiled and said, "You are flattering me by saying this. My own children are the easiest to neglect... Hu Shidu, if you don't mind, just be a teacher for my boy. I'll give you a toast."
As he spoke, Xu Jingchang raised his glass. Hu Hu hesitated for a moment and immediately raised his glass, "Dingguo Gong, I am a lowly official with poor talent and poor reputation. I am lucky enough to be under Dingguo Gong. You can actually hand over your son to me. I am a lowly official."
It’s hard to say anything, I can only do my best and live up to my trust!”
After saying that, he drank the wine in one gulp.
Xu Jingchang was very satisfied and said with a smile: "Mr. Hu, the dog will trouble you in the future."
Xu Jingchang chose Hu Hui as his teacher. This was a very surprising arrangement, because as Hu Hui himself said, he was not famous and had poor talent and learning. Yang Pu, who was in the same subject, had already entered the cabinet, and he was not even selected.
If it weren't for the constant transfer of people from outside recently, he wouldn't be qualified to join the General Affairs Department.
But it was better to come early than to come by chance, so Xu Jingchang handed over his son to him.
In fact, this is the great thing about Xu Jingchang. As a son of the Xu family, he can pick whoever he wants to worship at will. Old monk Yao Guangxiao, grandpa Liushuang Guan, grandpa Xu Huizu... He is extremely intelligent and versatile in both civil and military affairs. No one will refuse.
But it seems that the problem lies here as well. Rich families always lack something.
The Fourth Generation and the Three Dukes were so illustrious that they were actually good at everything. It was just that at the last moment, they did not dare to make a desperate move, which led to the defeat of Guandu.
Xu Jingchang's expectations for his son are still quite high.
After he made the arrangements, he turned around and came to the General Affairs Department early... He went to the main hall first, and he didn't let go of the government affairs of each department.
"The Ministry of Industry is very fast, but the accumulated debt is so small?"
Hu Xi quickly bowed and said: "In response to Duke Ding, the palace has been built now, and there is no major construction work in the capital. Several water control projects are almost completed. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the construction of the Great Wall, and the Ministry of War is in charge of the construction of the Great Wall.
There really is no more business on the ministry’s side.”
Xu Jingchang nodded. He took over the specific list, looked at it briefly, and said: "It includes the water control of Wusong River, the dock of Songjiang Prefecture, and the embankment of Hangzhou. These three places were only given a medium evaluation...
You ask people from the General Affairs Department to check it out and report it to me as soon as possible."
Hu Xi hesitated a little, not understanding what he meant, but Xu Jingchang ordered him and he had to obey.
Therefore, Hu Hu immediately arranged for special personnel to go to three places to conduct thorough investigations.
Then Hu Xi was shocked.
According to the secret report, all three areas were unqualified, especially the Wusong River water control, which was a false story and did not follow the imperial court's requirements at all. The plan reported to the Ministry of Industry was really just a plan. At least half of the funds for this thing were
wasted.
Hu Bi couldn't figure it out either. He later asked Xu Jingchang privately what the reason was!
"Hu Shidu, you have to be clear about one thing. The officials below are very happy with their achievements. But in the huge Ming Dynasty, there is not so much credit to give them. Therefore, many officials will build some projects, such as restoring Ouyang Xiu's Drunkard Pavilion.
Ah, rebuilding the Beigu Tower, even building an ancestral hall and an archway, I dared to report it and said it was a great enlightenment, and the people praised it. I built a river embankment. Why is it only given a medium rating for such a big thing? Because if it is excellent
During the evaluation, many officials will come to join in the fun, and there will be a lot of articles in the newspapers. In a few months, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival. If something really happens, they will not be able to escape if they contact the reports from a few months ago.
.”
Hu Xi was shocked and said, "Dong Guo Gong, if something like this happens, they will be implicated!"
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "It's not that easy! After all, the rivers, the Ministry of Industry, and the localities can still argue, and if there is no flood this year, they can just avoid it. In another two years, they may be transferred elsewhere.
Just leave this thunder to the next person and be happy."
Hu Bi was simply stunned. Oh my god, what kind of magical figure is this? With just these clues, you can tell so many clues. Duke Ding Guo is simply amazing.
"Ding Guogong, if this is the case, how should we deal with it? Should we order a strict investigation to the end?"
Xu Jingchang shook his head, "I talked to Luo Shangshu before I sent someone to investigate."
Hu Hui was very surprised and said, "Dong Guo, if Luo Shangshu is involved, if you tell him in advance, won't you let him escape?"
Xu Jingchang laughed and said: "I wish he was involved in it!"
Hu Xi was puzzled.
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. Just think about it slowly. When you figure it out, just remember to mention my boy when you come back."
Young Master Xu is only one year old. This kind of thing will take at least ten years before it can be used. Is this truth enough for Hu Xi to understand in more than ten years?
Going back to the day when Xu Jingchang discovered the problem, he met with several ministers in the afternoon and finally left Luo Qian behind.
"Luo Shangshu, your Ministry of Industry is making rapid progress. Judging from the situation this year, the Ministry of Industry is expected to take the lead. Your Majesty also intends to reform official positions. Luo Shangshu's opportunity is right in front of you."
Luo Qian was slightly surprised and said hurriedly: "Dong Guo, I don't know how your Majesty wants to reform the official system. I hope Duke Ding can give you some advice."
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Of course, I want to encourage all the ministries to share the country's worries and solve His Majesty's problems. It is easy for the Ministry of Industry to make achievements, and it is also easy to be careless and take the blame for it, don't you think?"
Luo Qian, who had been beaming with joy just now, suddenly turned dark, "Mr. Dingguo, I have always been strictly investigating the following, but there are many projects outside Beijing, and I may not know that clearly."
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "I know, that's why I talked to Luo Shangshu. Do you think the Ministry of Works also wants to inspect it? If the following projects are qualified, the Ministry of Works will give a guarantee and reward them based on their merits. I am fine here.
Keep it on the Ministry of Works’ head. Otherwise, it will be taken away by the local government, don’t you think?”
Luo Qian hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly said: "I understand, I will arrange people now... No, I will go down in person to inspect various projects. If anyone dares to mess up the official business, I will definitely punish them severely."
Xu Jingchang nodded, "I believe Luo Shangshu will not let us down."
Xu Jingchang spoke softly and never said harsh words from beginning to end. However, after Luo Qian returned and thought for a moment, his back became soaked. The more he thought about these words, the more frightening he became.
He didn't even dare to delay the next day, and left Beijing directly to explore the place...
