According to the official system of the Ming Dynasty, one exam is taken every three years and the exam is completed in nine years. This roughly means that three years counts as one term, and one can serve a maximum of three terms and nine years in one position.
In fact, there are some who have been in office for more than nine years, but these are extremely rare individual cases. This is the first time Qin Dewei has encountered such a situation as the magistrate of Qixian County who has been in office for more than ten consecutive years.
In the official circles of the Ming Dynasty, this could be regarded as a "living fossil", and Qin Zhongtang couldn't help but be surprised.
"Why didn't you come to see me when you went to the capital to resign?" Qin Dewei asked condescendingly.
This is normal, the status gap is here, and it is abnormal not to be condescending.
It stands to reason that when local officials come to Beijing, they will pay a visit to the "local" elders in Beijing. This is human nature.
Qin Zhongtang may not be able to remember who has visited him, but Qin Zhongtang must remember clearly who has not visited him.
In Qin Dewei's impression, the Qi magistrate had never visited him. This historical issue must be made clear.
Qi Zhixian smiled awkwardly and said, "When I went to Beijing twice for job inspections, it was a coincidence and no luck. I didn't meet Zhongtang in Beijing, and there was nothing I could do about it."
Qin Dewei asked curiously: "How did you manage to serve as the county magistrate in Shangyuan for more than ten years?
Mr. Feng from Jiangning County next door to you back then is now a doctor from the Ministry of Household Affairs who is also in charge of the Ningbo Shipping Department, but you are still the county magistrate."
It may be said that the man surnamed Qi has a backing. He has been staying in place for many years without moving anywhere. It may be said that he has no backing, but he can still occupy the position in the capital and county, and no one has driven him out or demoted him.
Qin Zhongtang seems to be chatting and a bit sarcastic, but in fact he has a purpose, mainly to see whether Magistrate Qi is honest with him or not.
Regarding these questions, Qi Zhixian was indeed a little worried, but he simply answered: "I have some connections with Fei Shoufu in the past, so that's why."
Although this answer is very simple, with Qin Zhongtang's wisdom, he can definitely understand his own embarrassment.
Qin Dewei suddenly realized what was going on.
The Fei Shoufu mentioned by Qizhi County was Fei Hong, a veteran of several dynasties spanning Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde, and Jiajing.
But after Fei Hong retired in the early years of Jiajing, Qi Zhixian had no one to rely on. Even a novice like Feng En could forcefully become Qi Zhixian.
Fei Hong did briefly recover in the 14th year of Jiajing, but he died again not long after, leaving Qizhi County with no hope at all.
Because Yu Yin, the old chief minister, others would not do anything to the magistrate of Qi County and deliberately transfer him from Jing County to another place; but if the magistrate of Jing County were promoted, it would be a good position, and others would not give it to the magistrate of Qi County.
Therefore, this embarrassing situation was formed. There was no place to move and no promotion. As a result, Qi County Magistrate stayed in the position of Jingxian County.
There are many similar things like this in the officialdom, and it is not unusual. Personal progress depends not only on ability, but also on opportunities.
Qin Zhongtang, who was not surprised, did not react much to Qi Zhixian's situation and asked: "Why did you come to visit me today?"
The county magistrate of Qi replied: "I heard that Qin Zhongtang came out to control Zhejiang and Fujian, and I would like to help!"
Qin Dewei responded: "We are indeed short of people in the palace. Not only have we deployed people in the capital, but we have also sent people to invite Luo Hongxian, Tang Shunzhi and others."
The subtext of this meaning is that the people I like are people like Luo Hongxian and Tang Shunzhi. You, surnamed Qi, should weigh it yourself.
Qi Zhixian said again without hesitation: "Xiaguan is indeed committed to doing his best!"
If Qizhi County was a famous person in history, Qin Zhongtang might just accept him.
But in the original time and space, Qizhi County had long been lost in the long river of history. Qin Dewei did not have the golden finger to be "good at understanding people", so he could only test it himself.
So next I casually said to the school: "What should I do when I go to Zhejiang?"
Qi Zhixian replied confidently: "Everyone thinks that the main purpose of Zhongtang's departure from the southeast of the town is to quell the Japanese, but the lower officials think otherwise!"
Xu Laosan, who was bored as he watched the two civil servants socializing and testing each other, heard this and couldn't help but interject:
"Master Qi, what you said is so weird. Why didn't Brother Qin do it to pacify the Japanese? If it wasn't for the Japanese rebellion, why did Brother Qin go to Zhejiang?"
Qi Zhixian glanced at Xu Shi'an, and then continued to Qin Zhongtang: "There are no outsiders here, so I will speak frankly.
Although the Japanese rebellion is a scourge, it can always be dealt with by sending a few strong generals and training some elite soldiers. Why go to the trouble of driving three thousand miles in the middle hall?
The lower official boldly speculates that the real concern of Zhongtang is maritime affairs, and the Japanese rebellion may be secondary."
Qin Dewei was a little surprised. He thought that no one could guess his true thoughts except for a few people close to him.
"Why do you dare to guess like this?" Qin Zhongtang asked calmly.
The county magistrate of Qi replied: "Did Zhongtang forget? He wrote "Xi Fan Shu Lue" ten years ago in Nanjing, and later changed its name to "Xi Yang Shu Lue". From a young age, one can see one's talents, which shows where Zhong Tang's ambition lies!"
Qin Dewei was also a little helpless. As a high-level boss, he would always be analyzed and scrutinized in detail by others. He had to get used to this. Of course, there were also bosses who couldn't afford it, such as Prime Minister Cao who killed Yang Xiu.
Qizhixian added: "Furthermore, I have a bold guess. Zhongtang is inclined to open the sea and is very unhappy with the ban on the sea."
Considering his original attitude towards the resumption of Japanese tribute trade, it was not surprising that he could guess this, so Qin Dewei responded:
"Being able to see these things is not a big deal. What I need is not people who find problems, but people who can solve them."
Qin Zhongtang did not ask about Qi Zhixian's attitude and position. Since he wanted to rely on himself, he must agree with his position.
Qizhi County replied: "Opening the sea and banning the sea have been debated repeatedly in recent decades, but now the policy trend is to strictly ban the sea.
If the Zhongtang wants to seek change, it needs to find a reason that is difficult for the court to refuse and can be justified on the surface, and gradually open up a breakthrough."
After hearing this, Qin Zhongtang finally became interested and encouraged: "Do you have any other ideas? Tell them all!"
In fact, Qin Dewei has been thinking about this issue, but he is not sure about the direction at the moment.
At first, Jiajing was deceived by using the large Japanese silver mine, but the reason "for the sake of silver" was not easy to put on the table, and it was not high-sounding enough to be written in official documents.
The county magistrate of Qi then suggested: "Zhongtang can petition the court to exchange goods for overseas copper materials! I have inquired from many sources and found that the Japanese country actually produces copper materials."
Qin Dewei's eyes lit up, this suggestion is indeed very good!
Copper is an indispensable strategic material that is widely used in all aspects from currency to smelting.
However, compared with the massive demand of the Ming Dynasty, domestic copper mine production is too small, resulting in a continuous shortage of copper materials.
In another historical time and space, this contradiction between supply and demand was not completely resolved even during the Qing Dynasty.
It is very possible to use such a strategic material that is indeed in short supply in the Ming Dynasty and is indispensable as a policy breakthrough.
If you say it's for money, it's very disgraceful; but if you say it's for copper, it sounds much more respectable.
Qin Zhongtang gave Qizhi County a thumbs up and asked, "Why do you think about this?"
Today's mainstream scholars do not deliberately pay attention to overseas trade matters, let alone think about policy issues.
Qizhi County replied respectfully: "Last year I heard that the Zhongtang changed the Siyi Pavilion to the Yiwu Yamen and took charge of it personally, so I expected that the Zhongtang would definitely take some action on maritime affairs.
Then I began to do my best to collect books and information on this subject, and looked for people who had been to the sea to conduct detailed interviews. I hope that after I have achieved success in maritime studies, I can serve Zhongtang."
Qin Dewei turned to the stunned Xu Shi'an and said, "Look, what does it mean to be able to keep up with me? I told you a few words, but you are still not convinced. Now do you know how powerful you are?"
Xu Shi'an shouted: "How many people can there be in the world! Don't let a blind cat meet a dead mouse!"
Qin Dewei then asked Qi Zhixian again: "So where do you want to serve?"
Qi Zhixian immediately replied: "I would like to go to Ningbo to guard the Zhongtang!"
Xu Laosan was really convinced this time. He could even guess what brother Qin wanted to open a mansion in Ningbo. But he still said stubbornly: "A blind cat has encountered a dead mouse. It is not surprising to encounter two."
Qin Dewei pointed at Xu Shian and said to the county magistrate: "Keep talking until he is convinced!"
“Ningbo is backed by mountains and faces the sea. The fields are small and mostly saline-alkali land, but it is richer than neighboring Shaoxing.
Because this place has had the custom of fishing and salt industry since ancient times, there have been a large number of people building boats and making a living from the sea for generations.
In recent years, trade with private merchants at sea has flourished, with huge profits, but like the fishery and salt industry, it is mostly monopolized by powerful families!"
Qin Dewei suddenly asked again: "Where is the breaking point?"
The magistrate of Qi County really had a good idea, and responded without hesitation: "The first is internal, the second is external.
Inside, there are many small and medium-sized merchants who can only traffic goods between Suzhou, Hangzhou and Ningbo, but the highly profitable maritime trade is managed by local wealthy families.
These wealthy families can easily make huge profits by simply changing hands at sea and land, while the rest of the small and medium-sized businessmen who can only make hard money by trafficking in the mainland have been dissatisfied for a long time..."
"Okay, okay, I'm convinced!" Xu Shi'an said hurriedly, feeling dizzy.
Besides, it's getting late now. If we keep going on, when will we be able to give Brother Qin a break? A boatload of courtesans are still waiting!
Qin Dewei ignored Xu Laosan for now, only looked at Qi Zhixian and sighed: "Although you and I have never had a close relationship, I recommend only those who are useful! I just want to think about the reasons for recommending you.
.”
The Qi magistrate took out another letter from his sleeve and said, "This is Fei Hanlin's letter. Please read it in the central hall."
The Fei Hanlin mentioned by Qizhi County is Fei Hong's son Fei Maoxian. He is currently serving in the Hanlin Academy and is very indifferent.
Of course, it doesn't matter if it's just Hanlin. Fei Hanlin was a fellow examiner of the Spring and Autumn Housing Examination in the 14th year of Jiajing, and was Qin Dewei's nominal housing master.
With this kind of relationship, it was natural for Qin Dewei to support Fei Hanlin and support Qizhi County. This was the "reason" Qin Dewei needed.
And isn't Qin Zhongtang emphasizing "respecting teachers and respecting morality"? Otherwise, why are you standing in the courtyard of Mr. Wang's private school?
Fei Hanlin can barely be regarded as a teacher, although he was forced to become a room master after being forcibly "searched" by the examiner, Mr. Zhang, and he even regarded it as a shame deep down in his heart.
But in terms of face, Qin Dewei has nothing to lose by giving Fei Hanlin some respect.
Qin Dewei accepted Fei Hanlin's letter and said casually: "As expected of you, you can think ahead in everything!"
Qi Zhixian quickly added: "I'm just following Zhongtang's thoughts and thinking about what Zhongtang thinks!"
Qin Dewei formally promised: "I know about your situation! In my opinion, with your more than ten years of experience, it is not an exaggeration to give you a promotion."
After hearing this, Qi Zhixian didn't need to ask any more questions. He already had an idea of his future.
There is indeed such a rule in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty. After many years of seniority in one position, one can be promoted beyond the level if there is a "windfall", especially if Qingliu is transferred to a secular position.
There once was the most extreme and special example. Someone once served as a seventh-rank official for nine years, and then was directly promoted to a third-rank official to participate in politics.
The magistrate of Qi County is now the magistrate of Jingxian County, with a rank of sixth rank. He has accumulated more than ten years of experience. If there is support, it is not too much to be promoted to the fourth rank.
In the local official system, the fourth rank is the Deputy Inspector. Qi Zhixian can guess that this will be his next official position.
If the resistance is relatively large, then it may be possible to appoint a Zheng5pin to inspect the affairs first. Anyway, they will have to patrol eastern Zhejiang separately.
That's it, it's good, I finally got out of this damn position of magistrate of Shangyuan County! This position is like a cage that has imprisoned me for so many years!
From now on, between the mountains and the sea, there is a career that needs to be started, a boss who is one of our own, a vast world, and a lot to do!
Qi Zhixian was thinking about the future, and when he was excited, he suddenly heard Qin Zhongtang ask: "Ah, by the way, how do you call Mr. Qi by his honorable name?"
Qizhi County: "..."
According to an ancient legend in Nanjing, a certain number one scholar was born with a lack of physical strength and a lack of physical strength in the five elements.
After sending Qizhi County away, Xu Shian asked: "Will anyone else come?"
Qin Dewei looked at the sun and said, "There is no time to wait today. It will be too late if we wait any longer.
Besides, those like Mr. Qi who can really understand my meaning should have come within this period of time. Others who don’t understand will not come if they wait any longer."
Xu Laosan sighed: "It seems that the only people in the entire Nanjing city who can understand you are Mr. Chen and Mr. Qi."
Qin Dewei scolded: "Go away! Remove the previous one!"
As Xu Shi'an walked out, he said, "You can always go pick up the wind and wash away the dust now, right?"
Qin Dewei still refused and said: "No, I will be in Nanjing for a maximum of three days this time. Time is very tight. I will go to the Duke's Mansion today to discuss all the official matters that need to be discussed."
Xu Shian was extremely helpless, "I have made all the arrangements in your name, and invited a bunch of oirans!
If you don't go, it will all be in vain, and what reputation will I have on the Qinhuai River in the future?"
Qin Dewei said impatiently: "Don't make unauthorized arrangements like this in the future. All they want is a name. It doesn't matter if I don't come with them!"
I will write a dozen poems now, and you can take them and send them to them as appropriate. I think this will be enough!"
Xu Laosan said happily: "This is good, this is good! Then they will all listen to me!"
