No one can control everything, and no one can be absolutely right and never make mistakes.
Those who feel that they are superior and wise, and can manipulate their opponents to applause, may end up with the opposite effect.
Zhao Junchen has always felt that the most difficult thing for a person - especially when he is young and frivolous - is to admit his "ordinaryness".
Everyone has what they are good at and what they are not good at. Everyone has areas where they are stronger than others, and there are always areas where they are weaker than others. There is no "perfect person" in this world. We are all just one of the ordinary beings.
That's all.
…………
For Zhao Junchen himself, perhaps because he suddenly came to this strange era, he has always been cautious by nature and walked on thin ice. He never dared to overestimate his own abilities, let alone underestimate those opponents who had been in the officialdom for many years.
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To this day, although Zhao Junchen has more victories than defeats in the temple fights, it is more because he thinks hard, assesses the situation, and makes the best use of the situation. It is not really because Zhao Junchen is superior to others.
However, no matter how cautious Zhao Junchen is and constantly making secret deductions, he is still only a person and cannot think carefully, and from time to time there will always be unexpected situations that are out of his control.
Big unexpected situations, such as Emperor Deqing changing his attitude and deciding to strengthen the power of the Prince's Party; another example is Zhou Shangjing suddenly taking action to divide the benefits of Sichuan's salt reform; another example is the northwest border crisis that was discovered not long ago -
These unexpected situations always catch Zhao Junchen off guard and disrupt many of Zhao Junchen's plans.
There are countless small unexpected situations. For example, Xiao Wenxuan, who is highly valued by Zhao Junchen, unexpectedly failed in the Spring Examination. Although this unexpected situation has little impact on Zhao Junchen, it is out of control.
The situation still makes Zhao Junchen feel very uncomfortable!
Zhao Junchen doesn't like this kind of unexpected situation, although Zhao Junchen also understands that such unexpected situations will always happen.
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It has to be said that Xu Qingyan's work efficiency is still very fast when given clear instructions.
Not long after Chen Dongxiang said goodbye and left, Xu Qingyan had already figured out the reason why Xiao Wenxuan's reputation had declined.
In the study, Zhao Junchen was sitting at the desk reviewing the records from the Household Department. When Xu Qingyan entered the study, Zhao Junchen put the records aside. He raised his head and asked, "How is it?"
Xu Qingyan nodded and said: "Master, I have sent someone to find out about Xiao Wenxuan's failure."
"Oh? What's going on? With Xiao Wenxuan's talent and knowledge, and the exam questions we revealed in advance, how could he fail to be on the list?" Zhao Junchen frowned slightly.
Xu Qingyan replied: "Back to the young master, the reason why Xiao Wenxuan was not on the list is because the exam questions we revealed were not passed to him at all. And from the beginning to the end, Xiao Wenxuan did not know about this at all.
thing."
"Oh?" Zhao Junchen raised his brows, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and asked: "How could this happen? Didn't I already hint that Liu Zimin would re-accept Xiao Wenxuan? How come the examination questions were not passed to Xiao Wenxuan?
Up?...Did Liu Zimin do something secretly?"
Before the joint examination, Liu Zimin used his status as a "guest of the Zhao family" to recruit those candidates who were willing to take refuge in Zhao Junchen. Therefore, he was quite influential among the candidates who took refuge in Zhao Junchen. And Zhao Junchen was stealing
After the examination questions were released, they were also distributed to those "Zhao Party" candidates through Liu Zimin.
Therefore, now that the examination questions have not been sent to Xiao Wenxuan, according to Zhao Junchen, the problem probably lies with Liu Zimin.
However, Xu Qingyan shook his head and said: "Master, according to the information collected by our people, I'm afraid it's not Liu Zimin's fault. Liu Zimin is now desperately trying to curry favor with the young master, and he has fulfilled all his instructions with all his heart, even if he
I don’t like Xiao Wenxuan, but I will never risk being blamed by the young master by tampering with this matter."
Zhao Junchen nodded and did not interrupt. He just motioned for Xu Qingyan to explain further.
Xu Qingyan continued to explain: "Young master, when you handed over the examination questions to Liu Zimin, Liu Zimin was very cautious. In order to avoid arousing suspicion, he did not hand over the examination questions to all the candidates who came to us in a big way.
But it was only handed over to a few candidates who were very close to him, and then through those close candidates, the examination questions were further distributed to all the candidates who came to us. But I didn't expect..."
At this point, Zhao Junchen already understood and nodded lightly: "But I didn't expect that Xiao Wenxuan's temperament was not popular with others, so not only did no one hand over the examination questions to him, they even secretly joined forces to conceal it.
, so that he doesn’t even know about this?”
Xu Qingyan also nodded, indicating that this was the case.
Zhao Junchen frowned again and asked: "Those candidates, just in case, I have always sent people to keep an eye on them, but this situation was not noticed from the beginning to the end?"
Xu Qingyan smiled bitterly and said: "As for the young master, we did send people to keep an eye on it, but there are too few people we can trust. I have been busy with the young master these days, and Fang Ru is focused on everything.
In terms of the operation of the intelligence network, there is no one to manage and preside over this aspect, and no one informs those who are following what they should pay attention to. Therefore, those who are following are just on guard against candidates betraying the young master and revealing information.
, completely neglecting other aspects, which is why Xiao Wenxuan was neglected."
Hearing Xu Qingyan's explanation, Zhao Junchen sighed softly and understood that there was really no one to blame for this matter. It could only be blamed on the fact that there were too few talents available under Zhao Junchen, and Zhao Junchen himself had too many things to plan, so he was not responsible for it.
A lot has been overlooked in this regard.
"I understand, please step back first." Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said.
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When Zhao Junchen was the only one left in the study, Zhao Junchen began to think deeply.
"After all, a person's energy is limited, and there are also misunderstandings in thinking. He cannot cover everything, and he will always focus on one thing and miss the other... Perhaps, in addition to friends and allies in the officialdom, now we should also build a team of staff loyal to ourselves in the government.
In addition to helping you make suggestions and check for mistakes on weekdays, you can also let them take charge of some less important things and plans to relieve yourself of some pressure..."
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen sighed softly.
In fact, Zhao Junchen had long planned to establish a staff team, but in Zhao Junchen's eyes, there were not many talents suitable to become his own staff.
…………
Although the so-called "talents" are not everywhere in the street, if you look carefully, you will always find some.
However, it would be fine if Zhao Junchen just wanted to compete for power in the court, but Zhao Junchen's plan was obviously more than that - he also wanted to frame Prince Zhu Heyu, and also try to get rid of Emperor Deqing's control.
He also plans to secretly control some military and military forces, and may even have more treacherous plots in the future - once these things are known to others, Zhao Junchen will immediately be in big trouble.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen's requirements for his staff not only require intelligence, but also loyalty. But in many cases, the so-called "loyalty" and "smartness" are often two completely opposite qualities.
Although Zhao Junchen was cautious and would not reveal all his plans to his staff, but only part of the information was enough for a smart person to guess many things.
This is also the reason why Zhao Junchen has not recruited staff for a long time despite his growing influence.
What's more, Zhao Junchen is very ambitious in this regard. Unlike other officials who just recruit one or two close staff to help with ideas, he plans to build a "staff team", similar to later national think tanks, and based on the staff
Their respective expertise allows them to perform their own duties and preside over certain plans to fundamentally prevent accidents like Xiao Wenxuan from happening again.
But as a result, the talent gap becomes even larger.
…………
"Talents are hard to find... This is different from those cronies and allies in the officialdom. They also need to be found and cultivated by themselves... Now that I have great ambitions, I have also deviated far from the way of a minister, so the selection of this staff requires more than just talent and learning.
Wisdom requires loyalty, otherwise it will not be enough to work together for big things. However, as a result, there will be fewer suitable candidates...
Fang Ru is scheming and decisive. She is also devoted to me. However, she is just a concubine in the palace. Her status is not suitable for public appearances, and she is lacking in knowledge after all. Now that she is responsible for intelligence and infiltration, it is already the limit...
Not to mention Xu Qingyan, he is only suitable for running errands...
Wei Huai is a suitable candidate, capable and strategic. I helped him get rid of the situation where he could only pretend to be crazy and act stupid in front of others. I treated him with kindness and kindness. He also needed my power to take revenge, so he was loyal to me.
However, he still has to help me deal with things in the West Factory. He is also disabled, so he probably won’t be able to spare the energy to do other things..."
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen shook his head slightly.
However, although it is difficult, Zhao Junchen does not intend to give up.
Nowadays, more and more plans are planned and managed by Zhao Junchen alone. More and more pressures are borne by Zhao Junchen alone. More and more unexpected situations can only be handled by Zhao Junchen himself.
Coping - In this way, it is easy to make mistakes. Zhao Junchen himself feels increasingly unable to do what he does and always needs to find someone to help.
Just like that, after thinking about it, Zhao Junchen suddenly thought of Xiao Wenxuan, who failed in the examination.
Zhao Junchen still remembers his impression after meeting Xiao Wenxuan - he can see through the world and people's feelings, but he cannot see through the people around him. He is smart and sharp and has no shortage of talents, but he does not know how to protect himself. He has some radical ideas that are not suitable for the modern world, but
Even if it is not a system, I don’t know how to realize it. Although it pays attention to practicality and interests, it is aloof and easy to offend others. To put it simply, if this person enters the officialdom, his future will be bleak, but if he can get some experience, he will be a suitable candidate.
Talented staff members.
In fact, after meeting Xiao Wenxuan, Zhao Junchen thought that this person was not suitable for development in the officialdom and had the idea of accepting him as a staff member. However, things became more and more complicated and he forgot about it.
Moreover, looking at what Xiao Wenxuan has been doing, the so-called "loyalty to the emperor and patriotism" may not have a deep impact on him, and he has a long history with Zhao Junchen. Zhao Junchen is confident that as long as he uses the right methods, he is not afraid that Xiao Wenxuan will not
He will serve himself faithfully.
"Perhaps, Xiao Wenxuan's failure this time will mean that I will lose a trusted friend in the court in the future, but it is not necessarily a bad thing for me. After all, for me now, friends in the court are easy to find, but I can trust in the government.
But it’s hard to find his staff... Well, after the apricot list is announced, I’m afraid I’ll have to see Xiao Wenxuan again.”
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen's expression softened slightly. Although he was only the first candidate. But everything is difficult at the beginning. As long as you take the first step, the next road may be much smoother.
…………
While Zhao Junchen was thinking deeply, there was a sudden knock on the door in the study.
At the same time, Chu Jiayi's voice sounded outside the door.
"Sir, my servant has made sweet-scented osmanthus cake. Do you want to bring some? You didn't eat much for lunch, and I'm afraid you're hungry now."
After hearing Chu Jiayi's inquiry, Zhao Junchen noticed that it was already evening before he knew it, and outside the study window, the sky was glowing red with sunset.
"Bring it in."
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Chu Jiayi had already opened the door and walked in. Holding a plate of pastries in her hand, she came to the desk and placed the pastries next to Zhao Junchen.
Regarding Chu Jiayi, the spy arranged by the prince, Zhao Junchen did not hide ordinary things from her, and always passed some half-truth and half-false information to the prince Zhu Heyu through Chu Jiayi.
Therefore, after Chu Jiayi appeared, Zhao Junchen first ate two pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus and date cake. Then, regardless of Chu Jiayi waiting on the side, he just continued to think about the formation of the staff team.
However, after all, Zhao Junchen had a shallow foundation and lacked any background. Apart from Xiao Wenxuan, he could no longer think of any other candidates.
Chu Jiayi on the side saw Zhao Junchen frowning slightly and shaking his head slightly at other times, as if something was troubling him. After hesitating for a moment, he finally asked: "Master, what is troubling you?"
Hearing Chu Jiayi's straightforward "test", Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh. He thought to himself that this girl was really not the material to be a spy, but he did not hide it and said: "Nowadays, as there are more and more court affairs to be responsible for,
, the property in the mansion is getting bigger and bigger, I do everything myself, but gradually I am unable to do what I want, so I want to recruit some staff to help in the mansion, but I can't find any suitable candidates, so I am a little troubled."
Hearing Zhao Junchen's troubles, Chu Jiayi was startled and asked subconsciously: "Master, if you want to recruit some masters, why don't you go to the Shaoxing subordinate official gang? I heard that in the officialdom now, people from Jiuqing
, down to the Xiancao Bureau, the scribes are basically Yue people, that is, the Shaoxing Master. I think there must be something extraordinary about the Shaoxing Master being so valued by our officials."
"Master Shaoxing?" Zhao Junchen couldn't help being stunned after hearing Chu Jiayi's words.
Didn’t Shaoxing masters only arise in the Qing Dynasty? Isn’t it so famous now?
Seeing Zhao Junchen's confused expression, Chu Jiayi secretly blamed herself for not giving advice to Zhao Junchen, but in order to avoid Zhao Junchen's suspicion, she continued to explain: "Yes, I heard that Shaoxing people who failed in the imperial examination became yamen clerks.
Nowadays, it is common practice, and being a scribe is even regarded as a business. The method of "flying across the sea" is often used to accumulate the qualifications for official selection. So that most of the world's government officials are from Shaoxing, and after the Shaoxing master became a staff, not only
They are proficient in this work, smart and sophisticated, and have good ethics. They have always been loyal to the officials they serve. It is rare to hear that they will come forward as employers. If the young master wants to recruit some staff, these Shaoxing masters can give it a try."
While talking, Chu Jiayi walked to the bookshelf nearby and pulled out two books, namely "Guangzhi Yi" and "Warning Words". After opening them, she handed them to Zhao Junchen. They both contained content introducing the Shaoxing Master.
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Zhao Junchen bought a lot of various books in the book market a few days ago, but due to being busy on weekdays, he didn't read many. Chu Jiayi, on the other hand, because Zhao Junchen didn't control her very much, she stayed by Zhao Junchen's side on weekdays.
, if I have nothing to do, I will read some, and now I am far more familiar with the books in Zhao Junchen's study than Zhao Junchen.
After reading the introductions about Shaoxing masters in two books, Zhao Junchen realized that although Shaoxing masters only flourished in the Qing Dynasty, they had already begun to take shape during the Ming Dynasty. This aspect had been completely ignored before.
, but it was Zhao Junchen who was ignorant and ignorant.
"We can give it a try. There may be some useful talents among them. It seems that I will have to pay more attention to this aspect when I follow His Majesty on his southern tour in the future." Zhao Junchen murmured softly to himself.
But Chu Jiayi said: "If I want to find some Shaoxing masters to test their abilities, why wait until His Majesty's southern tour? As far as Bizi knows, there are Shaoxing masters in my house, but they are not taken seriously by me.
, just working in the accounting room, seems to be called... Su Xiqing."
"Su Xiqing?"
Zhao Junchen was familiar with this name. He once followed Zhao Junchen to Lu'an Mansion for disaster relief, and he was in charge of the Zhao Mansion's account books. He did not hide the movement of money in the mansion from him. Obviously, this person could be regarded as Zhao Junchen's confidant.
However, Zhao Junchen didn't know until now that this Su Xiqing was not just an ordinary accountant, but a master from Shaoxing!
"Yes, Master Shaoxing's reputation is so great. I really want to try their abilities to see if they are as useful as the rumors. And this Su Xiqing in our house, although he was born in Master Shaoxing, is only
He holds the post of accountant in the government, and I don’t know whether it’s because he is incompetent or because I am overqualified, so he needs to be tested..."
With that said, Zhao Junchen raised his head and ordered to Chu Jiayi: "Jiayi, pass on my message and ask that Su Xiqing to come to the study to see me."
