In the study, Zhao Junchen was preparing the memorial to be presented to Emperor Deqing after returning to Beijing.
There are two memorials.
The first memorial was Zhao Junchen's report to Emperor Deqing on the current situation of Lu'an Mansion. In fact, in the final analysis, this was just a request for merit.
Since ancient times, throughout the dynasties, disaster relief has often been the most problematic link, and the resulting civil unrest has been countless. It can be said that there are very few solutions that can be solved as cleanly and without leaving any consequences as Zhao Junchen's.
No, it's not too much to ask for credit for this.
As for the second memorial, it was Zhao Junchen's support for Emperor Deqing's southern tour - this was a great opportunity to please Emperor Deqing, and Zhao Junchen would not miss it.
As for the concerns that the Ministry of Revenue had no money and that the southern tour would waste people and money, Zhao Junchen already had a countermeasure after thinking about it for a whole night, so he was not worried.
In fact, even if there is no countermeasure, Zhao Junchen will still firmly support Emperor Deqing's southern tour!
There is a saying in later generations - "The butt determines the head." Now Emperor Deqing is Zhao Junchen's biggest and only support, so for Zhao Junchen, nothing is more important than pleasing Emperor Deqing - this kind of thinking
Although it is quite a villain, it is indeed Zhao Junchen’s most sincere thought.
Just when Zhao Junchen had just finished writing the first memorial, Xu Qingyan pushed in the door and reported to Zhao Junchen: "Master, Liu Changan and Zhang Daoquan are here."
Zhao Junchen frowned subconsciously, raised his head and asked, "Did the two of them come together?"
Xu Qingyan shook his head and said: "They didn't come together. The front and rear feet just happened to bump into each other."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "Bring Liu Changan to see me first, and let Zhang Daoquan wait in the side hall for a while."
Xu Qingyan nodded and accepted the order, and after a while, he led Liu Changan to the study.
………
After Liu Changan entered the study, before he had time to kneel down and salute Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said: "That's all, I have told you how many times, when meeting in private, these official etiquette can be avoided if possible, don't you mind?
Trouble, I am still causing trouble."
But Liu Changan still knelt down to Zhao Junchen to greet him, then stood up and said with a smile: "My lord, you have a broad mind and don't stick to trivial matters, but I and other subordinate officials cannot break the rules. Please forgive me."
Zhao Junchen smiled and shook his head. He seemed helpless, but in his heart he was quite satisfied with Liu Changan's rules and duties. He pointed to the chair next to him and said, "Sit down and talk."
After Liu Chang'an sat down, he reported to Zhao Junchen: "Sir, the restaurant where you will hold the banquet tonight has been arranged by me. It is at Fu'an Restaurant in the west of the city. Lu'an Mansion is located in a remote place and is not as prosperous as the capital.
Well, Fu'an Restaurant is already the best restaurant in Lu'an Prefecture. Although it is not luxurious, the dishes are quite complete. What do you think, sir?"
Zhao Junchen nodded, and while checking the memorial in his hand, he said: "Just look at the arrangements for these small things. You are doing things safely, and I can trust you."
"Thank you for your trust, sir." Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Liu Changan couldn't help but look happy and continued: "However, I didn't expect that your Excellency would be returning to Beijing so soon. I, the Lu'an Mansion, should have hosted a banquet to see you off.
, the result is that you personally spent the money, I am ashamed, I am ashamed!"
Zhao Junchen checked the memorial and found nothing wrong with it, so he closed it and put it aside, then raised his head and said with a smile: "It's just an opportunity to get together. It's the same for anyone who throws a banquet, and how much money can be spent on it."
How can you talk about spending money? Speaking of which, after I came to Lu'an Mansion, everyone in Lu'an Mansion, including local officials and squires and businessmen, took good care of and supported me. It is appropriate for me to host a banquet.
.”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Liu Changan looked touched and sighed: "My Lord's broad-mindedness really makes me sigh with emotion..."
In the middle of the conversation, Zhao Junchen waved his hand and interrupted: "You and I are familiar, so there is no need to say these polite words. I called you here today because I have something to tell you."
Liu Changan immediately sat upright, with a serious look on his face, and replied: "Please give me your instructions."
Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Because of His Majesty's urgent recruitment, I will return to Beijing tomorrow. From now on, everything in Lu'an Mansion will be dominated by you. Now that the locust plague is about to be extinguished, relief
Everything goes well. After I return, you have to pay close attention to everything and don't let things end in a hurry."
Liu Changan said solemnly: "I will definitely obey your teachings."
Zhao Junchen nodded and asked: "I have been preparing to return to Beijing today, but I was unable to exterminate the locusts with the people. Is everything going well?"
Liu Changan suddenly smiled and said flatteringly: "I am just about to report to you, Your Majesty. The news that Your Excellency is going back to Beijing has spread throughout Lu'an Mansion in less than a day. The people don't believe it at first. I'll see you today."
I didn’t really believe it until I became an adult. As a result, now, most of the people have given up on killing the locusts and have gone home."
Zhao Junchen frowned and asked: "What's going on? Is it because the official is away that the people have given up on killing the locusts? Your local government doesn't care? Aren't you afraid of the recurrence of the locust plague?"
Seeing that Zhao Junchen was a little unhappy, Liu Changan quickly explained: "Your Excellency, you have misunderstood. According to the information obtained by the official, the reason why the people left one after another was to make the Ten Thousand People Umbrella for you, Your Excellency."
After a pause, Liu Changan's expression was full of admiration and emotion, and he continued: "My lord, everything you have done for Lu'an Mansion these days has been seen by the people. They are reluctant to leave, lord, but they also know that they cannot stay.
I live with you, so I can only make some Ten Thousand People Umbrellas for you to express my gratitude. Although the Ten Thousand People Umbrellas are called Ten Thousand People, each of them can have three to five hundred names, which is the limit. However, the people of Lu'an Prefecture all want to give them to you.
I left my name on the Wanmin Umbrella. I estimate that when your Excellency leaves tomorrow, I am afraid that the number of Wanmin Umbrellas received will be no less than a hundred! Such a quantity can be said to be unprecedented and unprecedented. It will definitely be passed down as a famous brand in the future.
This is a story that will last forever, I would like to congratulate you in advance!"
After hearing Liu Changan's words, Zhao Junchen was slightly startled. He opened his mouth to say something, but gave up. What followed was an expressionless silence for a long time.
The Wanmin Umbrella was originally an umbrella given by the people in ancient times to praise the virtues of local officials. The umbrella was decorated with many small silk strips, and the names of the donors were written on the silk strips.
In the late Qing Dynasty, the flavor of the Wanmin Umbrella changed. Before local officials left office, they would force local gentry and people to present them with the Wanmin Umbrella. The more Wanmin Umbrellas a local official received, the more face he gained.
But in the Ming Dynasty, the meaning of the Ten Thousand People's Umbrella was still very simple. If a local official could receive the Ten Thousand People's Umbrella when he left office, it meant that the local official was definitely a good official. Zhao Junchen was not a local official at first, but only served as an imperial envoy.
When the emperor inspected the place, he actually received the Ten Thousand People Umbrella, and according to Liu Changan, the number was no less than a hundred, which would definitely shock the government and the public.
Although this approach was done by the people independently, the benefits to Zhao Junchen's reputation cannot be mentioned.
But at this moment, Zhao Junchen's first subconscious reaction was not happiness, but guilt.
No one knows the essence of what Zhao Junchen has done in Lu'an Mansion these days than Zhao Junchen himself.
To put it nicely, Zhao Junchen is putting on a show to improve his reputation; to put it more unpleasantly, it is that Zhao Junchen is fooling the people for his own benefit!!
The common people are ignorant and weak, and are always easily deceived and fooled by superiors; the common people are also simple and kind-hearted, but they often understand the principles of repaying kindness better than those superiors who have read the books of sages.
………
"After all, I have done a lot of practical things for the people these days. It is much better than those corrupt officials in the late Qing Dynasty who forcibly asked for the Wanmin Umbrella from the people..."
Thinking like this, or comforting himself, Zhao Junchen's complicated mood finally calmed down a little.
On the other side, Liu Changan continued to describe to Zhao Junchen the grand occasion of the people making the Ten Thousand People Umbrella for Zhao Junchen, with a somewhat "honorable" look: "Sir, you don't know that in order to make the Ten Thousand People Umbrella for the Lord, the people
Most of them donated their best fabrics. It is said that those families who are making Wanmin umbrellas now have their yards filled with all kinds of fabrics, and there is no place to stay. Because many people are illiterate, in order to be able to
I left my name on the silk strip on the Wanmin Umbrella and looked for someone to write for me everywhere. Those literate families are now prosperous..."
Halfway through his words, Zhao Junchen suddenly interrupted Liu Changan's words and asked slowly: "Master Liu, in your opinion, what is an 'official'?"
Liu Changan was slightly stunned, not understanding why Zhao Junchen suddenly asked this question, but he still replied: "In my humble opinion, the so-called official means acting on behalf of the emperor to protect the people, assisting the emperor, serving the court, and ensuring the safety of the people.
"
Zhao Junchen smiled, nodded, and said: "If you look at it this way, you can't be wrong. Then I will ask you again, how many categories are officials divided into?"
Liu Changan was stunned again, not knowing what Zhao Junchen was thinking. After hesitating for a moment, he replied: "This... I am short-sighted. I have never thought about this problem, sir. Please give me some advice."
Zhao Junchen said softly: "Throughout the ages, in the eyes of the people, officials have been divided into three categories, namely, honest officials, corrupt officials and incompetent officials. The ancients once said that upright officials prosper the country, corrupt officials harm the country, and incompetent officials harm the country. But in my opinion, they are
Big fallacy. In my eyes, there are only two categories of officials, namely capable officials and mediocre officials. If an upright official only has virtue but no ability, he is just a mediocre official. How can he prosper the country? Since ancient times, those so-called upright officials have harmed the country and made mistakes.
Are there too many examples of the country? Even if a corrupt official has shortcomings in character, as long as he has the ability to benefit the people, he is considered a competent official. How can he bring harm to the country? Among the famous and virtuous officials in the past dynasties, which one is a truly upright official? "
Zhao Junchen sighed softly and continued: "My official salary has never been much, but for official business and face-saving, what is the lack of money? With that little official salary, how can it be enough? Therefore, for corrupt officials,
, I don’t hate officials, because most of the time, if an official is not corrupt, he will not survive. However, corrupt officials have both the word "greed" and the word "official". Besides being greedy for money, they must also do good deeds.
It is the duty of an official to do his best for the court and the people. In that case, the world will be peaceful and the people will live in peace. Even if their character is defective, who will take it to heart? On the other hand, I hate those who are neither capable nor capable.
Officials who lack moral character are not even considered corrupt officials, because they have not even fulfilled their most basic duties as officials, and they have no other ability except to harm the country and the people."
Hearing that Zhao Junchen was so blatantly supporting official embezzlement, Liu Changan was dumbfounded and a little excited. He subconsciously clapped his hands and exclaimed: "Your Majesty is very knowledgeable, and I admire you!"
Zhao Junchen snorted softly and said: "In my opinion, there are two categories of officials, but there are four grades. The superior grade means both capable and virtuous. Such officials are difficult to find in a hundred years, and it is impossible to say that they are saints.
It's too much. I ask myself that I can't do it. If you are middle or upper class, you have the ability but lack of virtue. Although it is only the second class, it is something you can meet but cannot ask for. I have been able to say that for hundreds of years in the Ming Dynasty.
The upper-middle-class officials are only Zhang Juzheng, Sanyang and a few others. The lower-class officials are those who are virtuous and incompetent. Although some such officials appear every few years, they can manage a county well.
The land is already at its limit, and most of the time it is pretty good without causing trouble; as for the lowest level, it is the officials who are both incompetent and immoral, but throughout the dynasties, there have been countless such officials like crucian carp crossing the river."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen looked at Liu Changan with a smile and asked: "Speaking of which, I would like to ask you, in your eyes, what is my rank? And what rank are you?"
Liu Changan was shocked when he heard Zhao Junchen's question. After he could no longer sit down, he wanted to get up and kneel down to apologize.
However, as soon as he raised his butt, Zhao Junchen glared at him and said, "Just sit like this and answer my question! Answer truthfully!"
Liu Changan had no choice but to maintain his posture, half touching the chair. He felt more uncomfortable than kneeling. His mind was racing, thinking about how he should answer Zhao Junchen's question.
What rank of official is Zhao Junchen? If it was just to flatter him, then Liu Changan would naturally say that Zhao Junchen was a superior person with both virtue and ability. However, Zhao Junchen had already bluntly stated that he could no longer be such a "sage".
Liu Changan spoke truthfully.
What rank is Liu Changan himself? Liu Changan naturally hopes that he is upper-middle-class, but according to Zhao Junchen, in the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years, the only people who could be called middle-upper-class were Zhang Juzheng, Sanyang and others.
There are only a few of them, all of whom are former cabinet officials with centuries-old reputations. How can he, Liu Changan, dare to compare with them?
After hesitating for a long time, Liu Changan finally replied: "My lord, in the eyes of my subordinates, you are a middle-to-upper-class official. Although you will not refuse the filial piety of the people below you, you can still do practical things and good things for the court and the people. Now Lu
The gratitude that everyone in An Mansion can express to you, sir, is proof that in the future your reputation and status, sir, will certainly not be lower than that of our ancestors such as Taiyue and Sanyang in the previous dynasty."
Zhao Junchen nodded and continued to ask: "What about you?"
After Liu Changan gritted his teeth, he finally said: "The lower official's abilities are limited and his conduct is average. Naturally, he is a lower class official."
After saying this, Liu Changan quickly added: "However, the lower official wants to learn from the adults, become a middle-class official, serve the court, and benefit the people."
Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said: "You are self-aware. These days, I have heard many people's complaints against you. I can privately increase taxes by 70% in one go, forcing people to boil with resentment. An official like you,
It does deserve to be rated as superior or inferior."
Hearing this, Liu Changan still didn't know why Zhao Junchen was beating himself up? He hurriedly knelt down in front of Zhao Junchen and said with a crying voice: "My lord, I have been wronged."
"Oh?" Zhao Junchen sneered: "So many people have wronged you, didn't they? Didn't you increase the taxes?"
Liu Changan quickly explained: "Your Excellency, after listening to the old man's complaint against Xiaguan a few months ago, Xianguan was really puzzled. He also investigated it in private, but found that there was another reason. Last year, Xiaguan did increase his job.
The tax was overcharged, but not because of selfish desires, but because of the desire to strengthen the dam of Taihang Lake. Moreover, the lower official only levied a 20% tax increase, but he did not expect that when it came to the counties, it turned into a 50% tax increase!
When the news spread to the people, it turned into a 70% tax increase! My lord, this official is really unjust."
After hearing Liu Changan's explanation, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be stunned.
Deception from top to bottom, layer by layer, is a common practice in officialdom. Liu Changan's explanation is quite possible to be true.
However, Zhao Junchen suddenly mentioned these things today, firstly out of emotion, and secondly to give Liu Changan a beating.
After these days of observation, Zhao Junchen discovered that although Liu Changan was a corrupt official, he still had some ability to do things. He was prudent, thoughtful and experienced, which was close to what Zhao Junchen considered to be middle-class and superior abilities.
The most important thing is that Liu Changan has no big ambitions and is quite obedient. Zhao Junchen, who is eager to recruit party members, naturally intends to recruit Liu Changan for his own use.
And if you want to conquer someone, the best way is to use both kindness and power.
Therefore, although he felt that he had wrongly blamed Liu Changan, Zhao Junchen still snorted coldly and asked: "So, I have wronged you?"
Liu Changan shook his head quickly and said: "Of course your Excellency did not misunderstand the official. It was the official who knew people poorly and thought poorly. He was not only deceived by the officials below, but also caused the people to suffer. This is a sign of the official's incompetence."
Hearing what Liu Chang'an said, Zhao Junchen's expression finally softened a little, and he said softly: "It's good if you can understand this. In recent days, Lu'an Prefecture has been able to successfully exterminate locusts and provide relief smoothly, and it is also inseparable from your contribution.
It seems to me that you still have some ability. As long as you are willing, you may not be able to become a middle-class official in the future, but you must also know what is appropriate."
Hearing that Zhao Junchen's tone softened, Liu Changan was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand. Thank you for your guidance."
After beating it with a stick, it is natural to give another sweet date.
"Get up, I just mentioned it casually, and I don't mean to blame you." After Liu Changan got up, Zhao Junchen handed the memorial he had just written to Liu Changan, and said: "This is a request for credit written by me.
Zhezi, let’s see how it goes.”
After Liu Changan took it respectfully, he opened it and his heart, which had been frightened just now, was suddenly filled with surprise and excitement!
It turned out that Zhao Junchen's report, in addition to reporting the current situation of Lu'an Mansion to Emperor Deqing, also greatly praised Liu Chang'an and suggested to Emperor Deqing that he be transferred to the capital and promoted to
Reward to encourage officials all over the world.
In the Ming Dynasty, rising from the seventh grade to the sixth grade was one hurdle, and the fourth grade to the third grade was another hurdle. If you couldn't overcome this hurdle, you would have to wait to retire and return home.
If Zhao Junchen can help Liu Changan overcome this hurdle, then for Liu Changan, it will be no different from En Tong's reinvention.
"I'm the official, I'm the official, thank you!"
After reading this memorial, Liu Changan knelt in front of Zhao Junchen again and said in a trembling voice.
Liu Changan himself has sufficient qualifications, but he has no backing, so he has been in the position of prefect of various places for three terms, and has always been in the awkward position of being able to be promoted but not being able to be promoted.
And this is one of the reasons why Zhao Junchen values Liu Changan. Promoting Liu Changan, considering Zhao Junchen's status in front of Emperor Deqing and Liu Changan's own qualifications, is not difficult and the investment is not large, but the rewards are much. Not only can Liu Changan be accepted as his
For his own use, he can also gain access to the network of contacts that Liu Changan has operated in various states and governments over the years.
Originally, Zhao Junchen had intended to let Liu Changan serve as the salt transport envoy to help Zhao Junchen control the extremely important link of salt transport. However, there were too many people staring at this position, and even Zhao Junchen would not be able to grab it easily. The most important thing is
Yes, although Liu Changan is not lacking in ability, he lacks courage and initiative. Even if Zhao Junchen can promote him to the position of salt transport envoy, Liu Changan may not be able to control the situation.
In this case, it would be better to let Liu Changan be a third-rank imperial official. At least Zhao Junchen would have a lot of yes-men in the court, and he could help Zhao Junchen come up with ideas if something happens.
Seeing Liu Changan's grateful look, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said: "I estimate that after you finish the affairs of Lu'an Mansion, the Holy Spirit's decree to transfer you to the capital will come. By then, your official position will be
If you are promoted to a higher rank, you will be at least a third-rank official in the imperial court, so you no longer need to claim to be a junior official in front of me."
Liu Changan had a look of sincerity and fear on his face, and said: "My lord is joking, no matter what position a subordinate holds, he must always take your lord's lead."
By saying this, Liu Changan made it clear that he wanted to join Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "No need to be so polite, get up. You also know that I don't like these false courtesy. However, when you come to Beijing as an official in the future, you must remember what I said to you today.
, I don’t hate corrupt officials, but I hate incompetent corrupt officials.”
"I understand that I will never let you down in the future."
After Liu Changan stood up, his attitude towards Zhao Junchen became more respectful.
Seeing Liu Changan like this, Zhao Junchen shook his head and said, "That's all, let's stop talking today. That Zhang Daoquan has been waiting for a long time. I also have something to tell him. You go and do things first."
Liu Changan was slightly stunned, not understanding why Zhao Junchen valued Zhang Daoquan, a sage, but he still bowed and said: "Then I will take my leave."
After Liu Changan left, Zhao Junchen shouted toward the door: "Qingyan, let Zhang Daoquan come to see me."