The next letter of regulations was quickly submitted to the emperor.
After Zhu Di read the memorial, he couldn't help but be surprised by the level of these Ming elite scholars who fished in troubled waters.
After careful consideration and careful consideration, Zhu Di approved the decision and then ordered someone to issue an edict.
He left the palace quickly after receiving the imperial edict, and then rushed to Taiping Mansion.
Taiping Mansion is still calm. For this Taiping Mansion, it seems to be a new day.
In a new day, from the government office to the county government, every day is like usual, there are too many things to take care of.
With the revitalization of all industries, the functions of the government have also changed.
In the past, in a county, the court only needed to appoint a few officials, and these officials would then appoint some civil and military officials to maintain public order and collect grain, and then they would be done.
But nowadays, everything needs to be taken care of, from investment promotion to large and small disputes and lawsuits, as well as bridge repairs and road repairs, statistics, academic administration, civil affairs, etc.
The structure of society has become very complicated. It is so complicated that if an ordinary civil servant takes sick leave for three months and returns to duty, he will find that he no longer understands some things.
Today, the genius was bright, Zhou Hu got up, and then ate a bowl of gruel with pickles. The two sons were already carrying their school bags, and then they were going to school.
Zhou Hu scolded them: "I've always been lazy and didn't study hard. Next time I come to complain, I will skin you."
The two children drooped their heads, but their pace quickened and they ran away in a blink of an eye.
The woman stood aside, preparing a lunch box for Zhou Hu, and said, "Stop scolding them, they are still young."
"Why is he so small?" Zhou Hu's face was gloomy: "When I was his age, I was still barefoot and tending cattle in the fields. Before dawn, I had to cut pig grass. How could I study? If I hadn't relied on
With some strength, I worked at the dock and went to the literacy center at night to learn some skills in reading and writing. At that time, I worked during the day and practiced calligraphy at night. After two years of this, I got the official job.
Try and see what they look like!"
The woman became speechless.
Zhou Hu is now a first-class official in Qixia. He was born as a tenant farmer. He has the most vivid memories of the hardships in the past, so what he can't stand the most is that his two sons are like this. It is obvious that life has changed a lot.
He looks like he wants to improve but refuses to work hard.
When he thought of this, he became extremely angry. His state of mind was not even understandable by ordinary wealthy people.
Rich families have been rich for generations, but it is not necessarily because of reading and writing that they are what they are today. They have grown up in a honeypot since they were young, so they are always tolerant towards their children. They feel that even if they fail to study, it is only because of the nature of the children.
, it is because of my frankness that it will be better when I grow up.
But Zhou Hu knew that studying was not easy, and that his "success" came from the path of knowledge, so he was particularly harsh on his two sons.
The woman still couldn't help but persuaded: "The two children's grades in school are not bad anymore, they are just naughty occasionally, why do you need to scold them like this?"
Zhou Hu then said: "How can you, a woman, know anything about things? Now it is no different than before. There were fewer people studying in the past. If you can read, you have more opportunities than others. But now, in Taiping Mansion, are there fewer people studying?
According to statistics from the government office, more than 60% of school-age teenagers and children are enrolled in school. Everyone is studying. If you can't work harder than others and learn more skills than others, you will suffer in the future."
After saying that, Zhou Hu stood up and continued: "Fortunately, it's in Taiping Mansion. If it were in another place, I really don't know what they would do. By the way, I came back late at night, and I might be in the same office today.
Select a few civil servants to go on business in Wuhu County. In the end, this job will most likely fall on my head, so you don’t have to leave any food."
The woman couldn't help complaining: "Why is it always you..."
Zhou Hu smiled and said: "There is nothing we can do about it. There are so many things going on now, and the manpower is just this, which is not enough. After this year's summer grain collection, the next step is to prepare a budget. All counties have reported their year-end and
The government needs to check one by one the amount of money and food that will be built and spent in the coming year."
As he spoke, Zhou Hu said with some emotion: "Hey, what does this mean? It was really hard when I was working. But no matter how hard it is, it is not as good as what I did before I came to Qixia.
It is much more comfortable to be a sharecropper. Now everyone in the government is saying that Wuhu County
The king issued a military order to His Majesty, and our Taiping Prefecture’s maritime trade will expand. Outside Taiping Prefecture, many people are angry with His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County, and they always want to see His Highness’s jokes. These days’ newspapers are all in
What are you praising the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang, huh..."
The woman pursed her lips in disapproval and said, "You are a civil servant, but you worry about the affairs of big shots."
Zhou Hu didn't want to talk to the woman at first, but he couldn't hold it back and said angrily: "This is different, not to mention that we are able to be where we are today because of the favor of His Royal Highness. Even speaking in a small way, Wuhu
If the county prince is really going to be punished by those people, what good can we get? But don't forget, our family was a tenant farmer at the beginning. Our ability to study and settle down here is all because of this prince and the New Deal.
"
As he spoke, he snorted coldly and said: "Hmph...I will point to our two children in the future! If you are successful in studying, go to the official school, and if you can enter the Jinyi Guards, it will be the best.
Take all the guys from Yangqiu."
After that, he walked out, ready to go on duty.
The woman followed him to see him out and said, "His Royal Highness has his own abilities, and it is not for us, the common people, to worry about."
Zhou Hu just nodded: "But I'm still worried. Hey, I won't tell you."
After saying that, he set off to the government office.
At the government office, before Zhou Hu entered the check-in room, he heard the bustle of people inside, which was very lively.
Someone shouted: "There is grace, there is grace."
When Zhou Hu heard Enzhi, he was a little confused at first, because there was no such clue in the newspaper before.
When he entered the colleagues' hall where he was, he saw that his colleagues here were all beaming with joy and excitement.
Someone pulled Zhou Hu and said excitedly: "The imperial edict has come. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wuhu County has received the imperial edict and been granted the title of Minister of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Our governor is appointed as the prince's grand master, and his colleagues are appointed as the prince's young master, and the county magistrates
, the posts of lecturer and editor will also be added, and all civil servants will be increased by one level, and their salaries will be upgraded by one level! In addition, Hai Zheng Yamen will be established in prefectures and counties, and officials will be established."
The Ministry of Marine Affairs...this is something unheard of.
However, as a first-class official, Zhou Hu could probably smell a different flavor from the words "Ministry" and "Shang Shu".
As for the title increase, it is actually used to increase the rank of serving officials.
For example, Fu Yin was originally the second rank, but now the prince and grand master are added, and he is the first rank. As for the county magistrates, they were originally the sixth rank, but with the addition of editors and ministers, they become the sixth rank or the fifth rank.
Taste.
Of course, the title of Hanlin official is indeed extraordinary. For ordinary local officials, it is like smoke rising from the ancestral grave.
To be an official is to be a Hanlin official.
Even the civil servants have been given an additional level, which means that their salary and treatment have been greatly improved.
Of course, if all prefectures and counties add new yamen, it means that there will be more vacancies in the future.
For someone like Zhou Hu, he is a first-class official. Now that he has added one level, it means that he is at the level of a secretary. If he can go further, he may even directly serve as the county's edict and chief registrar.
, captain, or enter a certain yamen under the county and serve as chief officer.
Zhou Hu's current treatment as a first-class official is actually based on the salary paid from the eighth-rank official position in the Ming Dynasty. Now he is the eighth-rank official. Next... he may become the eighth-rank official and enter the seventh-rank door.
This surprise came so suddenly that Zhou Hu felt like he was floating.
He couldn't help but said: "Ministry of Marine Affairs, what does this mean? Why did the imperial court do this?"
He didn't ask about his promotion to a higher level. Although this was worthy of congratulations, he would definitely have a drink to celebrate when he got home.
But what he was more concerned about at this time was the situation of the Prince of Wuhu.
He knows the relationship between them and the Prince of Wuhu better than anyone else. The Prince of Wuhu is the skin, and they are the hair. Everything they struggle for is closely related to the Prince of Wuhu.
He understands the saying that if the skin is gone, the hair will be attached.
"I heard... it means presiding over the world's maritime affairs. There used to be six departments in the imperial court, but now there are seven. Now the governor and the magistrates of each county have gone to the palace. On the one hand, they are celebrating, and on the other hand, they are also negotiating with the government.
It’s about setting up the Hai Zheng Yamen under the county.”
Someone lowered his voice: "The Maritime Administration is of great importance. The imperial court has opened its mouth this time. I heard that it will be in charge of the future navy, maritime administration and maritime trade. Now this maritime administration is our top priority. This time
Maritime administration departments under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs
Yamen, the responsibilities are not small. If nothing unexpected happens, the number of officials that need to be transferred may be more than a thousand in the county. Brother Zhou, your qualifications are not small. This time... it is very likely that you will be assigned as a clerk.
The one who was directly transferred to the Hai Zheng Yamen is the seventh grade left official."
Zhou Hu just felt dizzy. There was so much good news, one after another, that he couldn't accept it for a while.
However, when he heard that the other party said that he might be of great use, he acted very cautiously and hurriedly suppressed the excitement in his heart and said: "I don't dare. Whether it is ability or qualifications, Zhou is really far behind."
In the entire government office, everyone was busy with official duties, but at this time, no one had anything to think about.
Until someone came to Tongzhi Hall and whispered: "Fu Yin, Tongzhi, and Zhaomo have returned from the prince's mansion. Oh, their faces are all red. Oh, after returning to the government office, they
The meeting started again, but I don’t know what to discuss.”
Some people secretly speculated: "There must be a discussion about the candidates for the Hai Zheng Yamen. I heard from people in the Civil Service Selection Department and Zhaomo Office that they have begun to select civil servants based on their merit examinations."
After everyone listened, they became more and more concerned about it.
Zhou Hu only had random thoughts in his mind.
He thought that this time the Ministry of Maritime Affairs must have decided on the major policy of maritime trade, and the imperial court was making it a national policy.
The maritime policy is closely related to the New Deal, which means that the New Deal has a more solid foundation.
As for the Maritime Administration Office... there must be a Maritime Administration Department in the government, and there must also be a Maritime Administration Office in the county. As for the candidates, I don't know how to select them.
He was on official business in the Tongzhi Hall, and what he was doing had nothing to do with maritime trade. Although some people said that he had a lot of qualifications or had opportunities, but if you think about it carefully, the civil servant he selected should not be in the Tongzhi Hall.
Thinking of this, he smiled bitterly.
He has been promoted to a higher level and is now treated like a clerk, so what else can he be dissatisfied with?
At that moment, he put away his impetuous heart.
It was getting late, and all the lights were on in all the halls. Maybe the various guilds in the government office asked everyone to give lectures, so no one dared to nod their fingers and leave.
After a few more cups of tea, someone came and said to Zhou Hu: "Sir Zhou, I would like to ask you to go to the public house."
When Zhou Hu heard this, he was immediately horrified.
On weekdays, he had some contact with his colleagues, but there were no cases where he came specifically to see him.
So at this time, Zhou Hu nodded, and then came to Tongzhi's duty room with some anxiety.
After the announcement, when he stepped inside, he saw Liu Tongzhi writing something on a slip of paper. Beside him, the clerk in charge of Tongzhi's affairs was waiting with several slips of paper.
Zhou Hu withdrew his gaze and saluted, "I've met Mr. Liu."
Liu Tongzhi nodded, raised his head, and glanced at Zhou Hu: "You already know the matter, right?"
Zhou Hu tried his best to look calm and said: "I wonder what Mr. Liu said?"
Liu Tong knew: "Now the Hai Zheng Yamen are short of people, and a large number of officials have to be transferred to the Hai Zheng Yamen. Not only the Maritime Department of the imperial court, but also the Maritime Department of the government, and the Maritime Offices of each county. This goes up and down.
Next, the manpower required is unknown
How much, what His Highness the County Prince means is... Maritime affairs are of great importance, so these manpower are drawn from the original officials of various prefectures, counties and bureaus, and then new civil and military officials are recruited to carry out operations on the original yamen.
Replenish."
Zhou Hu was thinking, is he planning to transfer me to the Hai Zheng Yamen this time?
He was quite looking forward to it, but he didn't say much, just waiting for Liu Tongzhi's next words.
Liu Tongzhi smiled and said: "You are an old official. I have already seen the situation about you at the Official Selection Department and the Zhaomo Office. You have been on the job for seven years and have been demerited twice. Well... In total, you
He is the backbone of Tongzhi Hall."
Zhou Hu said modestly: "Students don't dare to take this position."
Liu Tongzhi smiled again and said: "I am reluctant to transfer you to the Maritime Administration. In the past few years, you have not been responsible for maritime trade matters. You don't know anything about it. If you go there, you will be a talentless person."
After hearing this, Zhou Hu, who was originally full of expectations, suddenly felt his heart drop.
In this case, he should be retained. Only by going to Hai Zheng Yamen would he have a chance of promotion.
Although he had been prepared for it, when he actually learned the result, he was still a little disappointed.
So he tried his best to pretend not to care, and smiled reluctantly and said: "The student is really used to doing errands in the Tongzhi Hall, and he really doesn't understand the maritime affairs. I will obey Liu Gong's arrangements in everything.
Continue to serve in the Tongzhi Hall."
Liu Tongzhi laughed, he put the pen on the pen holder, and said: "I would like to keep you in Tongzhi Hall, but... I won't teach you to go to Hai Zheng Yamen, but that doesn't mean... I won't send you to other places.
Call."
"This time, as the chief registrar of Tu County, he is most likely to enter the Maritime Affairs Department of the government as a co-president of the Department. Do you know this person, right?"
When Zhou Hu heard this, he cautiously pointed to the beam of the room and said, "Could it be that the chief clerk Liu Gong mentioned is His Highness..."
Liu Gong smiled and said: "It's good that you know. You don't need to make it too clear. He has been transferred to the Maritime Affairs Department, and the chief register of Dangtu County has become vacant. You also know that there are too many vacancies now, and so many people have to be transferred.
people go
In charge of the maritime administration, both the government and the county are currently short of people. For the Tongzhi Office, not only do they need to select seven people to go to the maritime administration, but they also need to select four officials to go to the counties to fill the vacancies of left officials, not to mention those who are responsible for the maritime affairs.
Waiting for an official, a second-class official."
After a pause, he continued: "I have checked your situation and found that you are a stable person. I plan to recommend you to Dangtu County to serve as the chief registrar. What do you think? I can say yes, but Dangtu County may not
It's more lively than Qixia. If you go there, your children may have to stay in Qixia, and I'm afraid it won't be easy to take care of your wife and children."
When Zhou Hu heard this, he felt his head buzzing.
Be the chief registrar of Tu County!
You should know that the chief clerk of a county, at least in Taiping Mansion, is from the seventh rank.
The most important thing is that this is the largest official in a county, besides the magistrate and the county magistrate.
It is not an exaggeration to say that he is half a prince.
An hour ago, Zhou Hu was actually just a first-class official. In the blink of an eye, he suddenly transformed and became the chief clerk.
You must know that outside of the Ming Dynasty and the Taiping Mansion, even if you want to be the chief registrar, you must at best have the reputation of being a civil servant.
But who is Zhou Hu?
He grew up barefoot, herding cattle and hunting hog grass. Later, he also worked on the dock and served as a humble clerk.
It can be said that at any time in the history of the dynasties, it is impossible for a person like him to aspire to be the chief registrar, let alone hold the position, it is absolutely impossible to even meet the chief registrar.
Seeing Zhou Hu stunned on the spot, Liu Tongzhi just looked at him with a smile and did not rush him to reply.
In fact...how could Liu Tongzhi not know Zhou Hu's mood? Wasn't his Tongzhi something he could never have dreamed of before?
After a while, Zhou Hu was still stunned, as if he didn't know when he would come back to his senses.
Liu Tongzhi then said: "Why, you stopped talking?"
These words seemed to bring Zhou Hu back to reality.
"Student...student..." Zhou Hu came to his senses and was about to say something, but suddenly choked up, his eyes were red, tears were filling his eyes, and he suddenly burst into tears.
Liu Tongzhi didn't show any sign of disgust, he just said softly: "Okay, okay, please pay attention to official etiquette."
Zhou Hu also felt that he was too rude and hurriedly said: "Yes, yes."
Zhou Hu took a deep breath, finally calmed down, and then said, "I really don't know how to be grateful."
Liu Tongzhi smiled and said: "If you want to thank me, let me thank His Highness the County Prince. Who else can I thank for such a person like me to be here today?"
Zhou Hu's body trembled, and he said with a sincere expression: "Yes. I must do my best to serve you, so that I can live up to His Highness the County Prince."