Chapter 562: The infiltration plan behind the big water release
After the eunuch took Li Changan's words back, he carefully bent over and did not dare to straighten up at all, nor did he dare to express his anger.
Uncle Zhongyong was so cruel that he directly refuted the Queen's face.
Now it has been six years since the Empress changed her reign, and she is in sole control of the court, and her power is growing day by day. Has such a situation ever happened?
I thought I would face a storm of angry rebuke, but after a brief silence, I heard a sentence:
"You go down."
The eunuch was stunned for a moment, then left quickly.
After walking a long way, I finally realized it and let out an incredible breath.
"Is this okay?"
He couldn't understand why Uncle Zhongyong acted like this without any refutation, not even a word of criticism. It was simply unreasonable.
Could it be...that night was real?
The eunuch quickly shook his head, trying to get rid of this dangerous thought.
If you accidentally say something out loud, someone could be killed.
The news that Li Changan went to the Yamen of the Supply and Marketing Department and summoned the old department quickly spread among the officials in the capital.
They had been staring at the Supply and Marketing Department for a long time, and now that Li Changan finally took action, they became even more nervous.
How exactly will he choose officials?
Involving thousands of official positions across the country, this is a major event that has not happened in hundreds of years.
"What? He actually drove away all the people sent by the Queen?"
"Is he crazy?"
"This is self-respect! How can the Queen just sit back and watch? Even if you are not angry now, you must have some concerns in your heart."
"Moreover, those three are all the chiefs of the Six Ministries, with rank six, how can they be driven away at will?"
"Does this Li Changan not even understand some basic official etiquette?"
Some officials were shocked when they heard the news.
Everyone thought they had heard wrongly.
After confirming it, I was even more puzzled.
At this time, other officials laughed and said, "That's because you have never been to the Nanfang Zhenfu Division."
"At that time, Uncle Zhongyong didn't give anyone any face. What's the point of being a sixth-grade chief? Killing a fellow magistrate and threatening the magistrate. Hasn't this matter already spread throughout the country?"
"At the beginning, in order to overturn the verdict of Zhang Weimin, the magistrate of Zewu County, he pointed a knife at a third-rank scholar and offered wine to the Imperial Academy, but he was turned away."
"What does the boss mean?"
"As long as Uncle Zhongyong starts to do things and does business in a very formal manner, it will be the same for everyone."
"I'm afraid the same will be true for the Supply and Marketing Department this time. Although it is unlikely that he will kill anyone again, anyone who disobeys his will will definitely not be punished."
"The establishment of the Supply and Marketing Department this time is a major event that is rare in the official circles of the Jin Dynasty. I don't know how to get involved."
…
At this time, Wang Fu Ji,
In the private room on the second floor,
One after another, young talents who are well-known in the capital hurried over. After tidying up their clothes before entering the box, they walked in and saluted with clasped fists respectfully.
"I've met my lord."
There were already several people sitting in the box, all chatting happily about official affairs.
They formed a friendship at Nanxun Town Fusi, but in the past few years they have been traveling here and there, or belong to different yamen, so it is difficult to have such an opportunity to get together.
Li Changan raised his wine glass, and everyone who was talking to each other quickly fell silent and raised their glasses with both hands.
"Li and you haven't seen each other for three years. This is my first glass of wine to celebrate our reunion."
After saying that, he raised his head and drank the wine in the glass.
Everyone also finished drinking.
Li Changan put down his wine glass, "Now it's time to talk about business."
He casually set up a magic circle in the box to isolate everything from the outside world.
"You should already know about the Supply and Marketing Department."
"Now, I am calling everyone here to establish a supply and marketing department."
Feng Buyi was the first to speak, "In the past when we were patrolling the southern town of Fusi, your Excellency took us to provide disaster relief. The past events are vivid in our minds."
"Now that you are summoned, we will do our best."
"Yes, our achievements today are all due to your cultivation back then."
Everyone nodded.
Li Changan motioned for everyone to eat the vegetables, "Eat the vegetables first, and talk while eating."
"I said back then that the Department of Supply and Marketing was the last link in the disaster relief efforts of the three southern provinces, but today, this matter can definitely become more beneficial to the country and the people."
"It is enough to benefit the people of the entire Jin Dynasty."
“Supply and marketing bureaus can be established from the imperial yamen to all counties and counties, and each supply and marketing bureau has at least seven official positions.”
"You can think about how many official positions this will involve."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was silence in the box.
The seven people who came all opened their eyes in disbelief.
During the Jin Dynasty, there were nineteen prefectures. Each prefecture had three or four counties, and one county governed about thirteen counties.
Calculating this way, there will be more than 5,000 official positions!?
Compared with the thousands of rumored official positions, it is simply a world of difference!
Their trust in Li Changan left them without the slightest doubt.
But it is the lack of doubt that makes it even more shocking.
With so many official positions, if word spread, a large number of people would be frightened to death.
"Sir, what should we do next?" Song Siren asked.
Li Changan ate some peanuts and said, "I know that in the entire Dajin officialdom, everyone who knows about the Supply and Marketing Department is thinking about how to get benefits from it."
"So, the first principle is to follow the rules!"
This statement sounds familiar to everyone.
Do official business and be selfless. This is what your Excellency did when he was on the southern tour to Zhenfusi.
As a result, Li Changan's next sentence almost made everyone present choke.
"More than five thousand official positions are too many, so...there are six departments in the imperial court, four courtyards and one prison, and everyone who sees them has a share."
Zeng Shicai twitched his lips and said, "Sir, this...doesn't seem to be compatible with following the rules?"
Li Changan explained with a smile, "It involves five thousand official positions. This is a big matter and it occupies too much of the national destiny. It will cause a lot of fear."
"If we blindly suppress and exclude people, even if the Supply and Marketing Department is established in the end, it will be difficult to implement, the government orders will not be implemented, and there will be no need for the Supply and Marketing Department to exist."
"Therefore, we must seize the big ones and let go the small ones. We must have many friends and few enemies. We must use the power of our enemies to do our own thing."
"In other words, it is to unite all forces that can be united."
He paused and said, "There is a natural gap between the Fourth Court, the First Supervisor and the imperial court when it comes to the national destiny, but at least in the Supply and Marketing Department, I will not take sides."
"You should be able to understand what I mean."
Xue Shiqing nodded, "My lord, you are trading your official position for your future."
"Not bad." Li Changan gave him a piece of meat and said, "Exchange your official position for your future."
"Once the supply and marketing department develops, it will involve great conflicts of interest. In order to firmly control the power of the supply and marketing department, we must first borrow money."
"These official positions are our money to buy our way."
The seven people present were not stupid, and they all understood the explanation.
"Sir, please tell us what to do." Cao Yandao asked impatiently.
Li Changan raised two fingers,
"I will give each of you twenty official positions. Remember, you must be trustworthy."
"Bring the person to the Supply and Marketing Department's Yamen tomorrow."
"Remember to prepare a list of them. Those with poor character cannot be accepted."
"You...understand what I mean?"
The seven people nodded quickly, with excitement in everyone's eyes.
They are Li Changan's confidants, and the twenty people they select will also become their confidants.
This will undoubtedly form a small faction around itself.
It is different from academies and from the original ministries and yamen.
It is a solid faction that is truly related to the interests of official position and luck.
"After returning home, screen carefully."
Li Changan warned.
"Yes, I will obey your orders." Seven people responded in unison.
…
After the show ended, Li Changan stopped Feng Buyi and said, "Please help me send some invitations."
Feng Buyi took the invitation and his face twitched slightly.
Good boy, the six ministers, as well as the Duchayuan, Dali Temple, and Hanlin Academy, all called out.
What big thing are you going to do, sir?
"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely deliver it."
Li Changan nodded.
After the box was empty, Li Changan took out the Thousand Miles Transmission Talisman.
"Disciple Li Chang'an, pay homage to Duke Zhao Xian."
Not long after, Zhao Hongshan's voice came, "I thought you, a brat, would stop looking for me now that you have a master."
Li Changan laughed quickly and said, "How can this be possible? Mr. Zhao Xian is the disciple's most respected elder. How could I not pay my respects to Mr. Xian?"
"Okay, you can tell Wang Tiangang this kind of thing." Zhao Hongshan showed a smile on his face, "Come on, what do you want?"
Li Changan said seriously, "Xiangong should know that this disciple is presiding over the establishment of the Supply and Marketing Department."
"If there is something good, you must stay close to our academy first."
Zhao Hongshan was happy, "You kid, you're not holding back any bad feelings, are you? I remember when you were doing disaster relief in the south, you killed several people from White Deer Academy."
Li Changan smiled dryly and said, "Young Master, you are serious in your words. Those scum are not worthy of being members of my White Deer Academy."
"I, Li Changan, am by no means a person who appreciates kindness without repaying it."
His chest beat loudly, "The Supply and Marketing Department has been established, and there are many official vacancies, so I would like to ask Xian Gong to borrow some people."
It is said that it is a loan, but in fact it is a gift of an official position.
How could Zhao Hongshan not understand?
He smiled and asked, "Okay, how much are you going to borrow?"
Li Changan paused and replied, "Two hundred."
On the opposite side of the transmission note, there was a violent coughing sound, "How...how much?"
"Two hundred!" Li Changan affirmed.
Zhao Hongshan asked in disbelief,
"Are you sure? This is not one or two, nor ten or twenty, but a total of two hundred official positions. When will the Great Jin Dynasty have so many vacant official positions?"
"Chang'an, official positions are not created casually. If they are useless, not only will they not bring about luck, but they will backfire on the destiny of the country."
"It is undesirable to have redundant officials and redundant personnel."
Li Changan said seriously, "Xiangong, don't worry, these disciples have already made plans and will not delay important events."
Zhao Hongshan is still a little dizzy. Two hundred official positions, for the officialdom of the Jin Dynasty, is no more than a big stone thrown into a calm lake.
The splash of water can scare people to death!
He pondered for a moment, "How much are you prepared to pay for the other three hospitals and one prison?"
"A family has one hundred and fifty official positions." Li Changan gave a number. "It can't be too different, otherwise this matter will be difficult to handle."
Zhao Hongshan nodded, "I understand."
Li Changan smiled and said, "Then for each family's one hundred and fifty official positions, Mr. Lao Xian will go and bargain."
"So, the academy has accepted your great kindness." Zhao Hongshan said, "The academy also benefited greatly from the southern disaster relief last time. This time you gave me an official position."
"Tell me, what do you want? I'll try my best to get it for you."
Li Changan rubbed his hands,
"It would be great if I could have a second gold-threaded garment. I was sent out by some idiot this time. The golden-threaded garment on my body has been destroyed. I have nothing to protect me. I feel uneasy."
Zhao Hongshan's voice also had a hint of ferocity,
"Don't worry, we have been investigating this matter. As long as we find any clues, we will find out all three generations of him."
"As for the gold-threaded garment, I went to Songyue Academy to ask for one. For the one hundred and fifty official positions, they couldn't refuse."
Li Changan raised his eyebrows with satisfaction and quickly added, "Also, this disciple has encountered a bottleneck in cultivating his mind recently. I wonder if Xian Gong can give me some scriptures from saints?"
"I heard that the scriptures of saints are good for cultivating the mind."
"In addition, it is difficult for disciples to explore the Nine Thoughts magical power of the fifth-grade gentleman realm by themselves. Are there any relevant scriptures and classics in the academy?"
"There are still innate things. Can you help me find one for my disciples? My Linglong Martial Arts master has reached the fifth level and needs it..."
Zhao Hongshan quickly stopped Li Changan and continued, "That's about it, don't say any more."
"Just reading the saint's scriptures will cost people's lives. Aren't you satisfied?"
"This thing is the core secret treasure of an academy, and the scriptures of saints in our academy are the treasures among treasures."
"As for the scriptures related to the superior man's magical powers, I can find some more for you."
"Saints' scriptures... I am willing to show them to you from the bottom of my heart. It may make you improve, but I can't make the decision on this matter."
"Besides, the innate thing you mentioned... I'll go to Wansong Academy and ask if it's available. If it's not available, there's nothing we can do."
Li Changan was already satisfied when he heard that there were so many benefits. It would always be good to order more.
"Thank you, Mr. Xian!"
Zhao Hongshan smiled helplessly, "You brat..."
"If you think about the academy, the academy will never treat you badly. Go ahead and do it boldly. The academy will support you in everything."
Li Changan immediately said, "Xiangong, don't worry, my disciple will definitely live up to the academy's expectations."
When it was over, Li Changan added, "By the way, if these official positions are given out, Mr. Xian will have to explain it to them."
"After all, the Supply and Marketing Department has to serve the country and the people. The official position is given out, but it can only be a deputy position."
"If you want to hold a full-time position, you must pass the assessment. From now on, the supply and marketing department will take an exam every year. Those who pass will be promoted, and those who fail will be demoted."
Zhao Hongshan shook his head helplessly, "I regret giving you so many things now."
"It's said that there are so many official positions, but in fact it's only one year?"
Li Changan said sternly, "Young Master Xian's words are wrong. If he can't even pass the college entrance examination, is such a person worthy of continuing to stay there?"
"These official positions have always belonged to the academy, but we can't decide who they are. The capable ones will be promoted and the mediocre ones will be demoted. Only in this way can we gather luck for the academy."
Zhao Hongshan nodded, "That's good. I thought you wanted to take back the official positions. As long as the number of official positions is fixed, there will be no problem."
After cutting off the Qianli Transmission Symbol, Li Changan breathed a long sigh of relief, ordered another hot pot, and waited quietly.
Not long after, Gu Weidao opened the door of the box.
Li Changan stood up and thought.
Gu Weidao sat down and asked, "How are things going?"
"It's almost done over at the academy." Li Changan said truthfully, "Tonight it's all about the imperial ministries."
"How many official positions are you releasing?" Gu Weidao was the first to use his chopsticks.
Li Changan stepped forward to pour wine for his master, "There are a total of 650 official positions in the four courtyards and one prison, and one hundred official positions in each department of the imperial court."
"Pfft..." The wine in Gu Weidao's mouth spurted out, "This... so much!?"
Li Changan quickly continued pouring wine,
"Not many. There are more than 5,000 official positions in total. Less than 1,500 official positions have been released, and less than one-third of them have been scattered across various places."
"Isn't that much?" Gu Weidao's eyes widened.
"One-third of the officials are from related households. The supply and marketing department has not been established yet, but it has become corrupt. If it is like this, can things still be done well?"
Li Changan comforted him, "Master, don't worry, this disciple has already made a plan."
"Starting from next year, the Supply and Marketing Department will conduct a major exam every year. Those who are capable will be promoted and those who are mediocre will be demoted."
Gu Weidao then breathed a sigh of relief, "That's pretty much it."
But Li Changan's next words made him take a breath again,
"But I don't plan to take back these official positions. Instead, I will fix the number there."
Gu Weidao was a little confused, "Fixing the number of official positions doesn't increase the authority of each department? And over time, it will become another worm."
Li Changan poured wine for his master, "Disciple, I have three considerations."
"First, because within the Supply and Marketing Department, all departments have personnel, and you have me among you, and you among me, you will not be targeted by various departments, and it will be easier to do things."
"Even if they just occupy official positions and do nothing, there won't be much problem. They are just deputy positions. The main positions must be people who have passed the assessment. They have the ability to do good things."
Gu Weidao nodded noncommittally.
"Secondly, the number of official positions for disciples is fixed, but not who they are. In other words, if those people fail the exam, they can still pass it."
"If you want to stay in the Supply and Marketing Department, you must at least meet the selection criteria and not be a fool."
Gu Weidao nodded again, but still had different opinions on Li Changan's idea.
Li Changan continued,
"Thirdly, if most of these related households fail to pass the exam in a certain year, and the ministries cannot find qualified related households to fill these official positions, what does Master think they will do?"
Gu Weidao was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts quickly changed, "Official position is the most delicious bait for these people."
"If you can't take it off, it will be there for nothing. It will be even more uncomfortable than killing someone."
"They will try to expand the scope of their relationships as much as possible and find people who meet the assessment standards to occupy these official positions."
A smile appeared on Li Changan's face, "This is our chance."
"They want to hold all the official positions in their hands. It is impossible to hold them all based on their own network of connections, and the disciples will not give them this opportunity."
"Once the network of relationships is expanded, it means that the faction they previously adhered to will no longer be stable."
"At that time, the number of vacant official positions meant how many loopholes there were."
"As long as we can arrange for 30% to enter, the entire court will slowly open its doors to us."
Gu Weidao put down his wine glass, looked at his proud disciple, and said with emotion, "You are so thoughtful, Master is ashamed of yourself."
If Master could have been like you back then, how could he have ended up like that?"
Li Changan said solemnly, "Master, don't worry, during the battle in the north, my disciple will definitely get to the bottom of it."
"The Supply and Marketing Department is just the beginning..."