Everyone in the Shen family has made preparations to celebrate the promotion. Today is a day for a big banquet.
To keep a low profile, there were no lights outside the gate of the mansion, but the inner courtyard was lightly decorated, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the mansion.
Shen Tingyang's appointment process has been officially completed. Even Shen Shuren's latest whereabouts have been determined. The Shen family father and son can rest easy and have more confidence to face the guests who come to congratulate him.
"Shilang Jiang, please come and take a seat. Come to this humble abode and you will be in full glory." Shen Tingyang faced a group of colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue and gave way to them one by one with a cheerful face.
"Brother Ge, Brother Song, please come quickly. I will be leaving Beijing soon. I wish you will continue to achieve great success in Beijing."
Chen Shuren was on the other side, and he also greeted Ge Shizhen, Song Mingke, Yan Hun and other brothers from the same year in a decent manner.
There are dozens of tables in the house. The seven or eight tables in the inner courtyard are occupied by officials and colleagues from all walks of life. There are also more than twenty tables outside for the relatives and staff.
The wine served at the banquet was the finest Lotus White from the capital city and Fenjiu from Shanxi.
The dishes are divided into grades according to the upper, middle and lower seats.
The Shangguan and his colleagues had a banquet with venison barbecue, mountain delicacies, and dry seafood from the Bohai Sea. Finally, they had to make sure that each table had a live-killed sturgeon. Jiang Shilang's table had to be three feet long, and the others The table must also be two feet long.
For the middle banquet for subordinates and staff, you can omit the venison barbecue and sturgeon, but you must have other items.
As for the banquet for the entourage, there is no need for game, just chicken, duck and fish.
Looking at all these preparations, Shen Shuren himself felt quite emotional: As we get closer to the end of the world, the rules will become more complicated, and it is okay to have red tape, otherwise others will think that you are not doing things properly.
In fact, the guests knew that they did not want to stutter, but when colleagues were promoted and entertained, they had to follow this rule and not ruin the dignity of the officialdom.
The banquet had not officially started yet, so the Shen family father and son each greeted their guests. Fruit plates were served at each table first to make it easier for everyone to reminisce and chat.
Shen Shuren was also surrounded by Ge Shizhen, Yan Hun and others, chatting about his latest appointment.
In the same year, we learned that he was about to be promoted to the sixth rank, but we didn't know much about the details. Some were happy for him, while others felt that this reward was not enough to commend the Shen family's contributions.
Ge Shizhen sighed: "If it were anyone else, it would be an unexpected blessing to be promoted to the sixth level. But my dear brother, you will test those who have reached the seventh level before, and after the test, they will basically be promoted to the same level.
Now that we have calculated the contribution to the water transportation arrangement, we should get a higher promotion. I heard that the imperial court also asked you to use money. This damages your reputation and makes things messy."
Yan Hun, who was on the side, was now assigned to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and was responsible for the affairs. His attitude was obviously more serious, and he also advised after hearing this:
"Brother Ge, why should you be unjust? The court will naturally have difficulties. The key point is that Brother Shen Xian is still young. His sudden promotion is too fast to convince the public, which may not be a blessing."
Chen Shuren was in a good mood and said calmly: "Your Majesty's kindness is very great. After all, my appointment was finally decided by the Ministry of Personnel based on the actual situation. I was awarded the rank of Huangzhou Tongzhi.
Huangzhou is located west of Anlu, deep into the Yinghuo Mountains, and closer to the bandit den of the fifth camp of Gezuo. Because of this, the original magistrates of Huangzhou and Tongzhi either died for their country, or were captured and surrendered to the bandits.
Therefore, although I am only a sixth-rank magistrate, my powers are no different from those of a fifth-rank magistrate. The official post above is vacant and no one dares to take it. Everyone is afraid of death and dare not go deep into the den of thieves to become an official."
The local officials at the "prefecture-level city" level in the Ming Dynasty co-existed with prefects and prefects. Prefectures were generally under the direct jurisdiction of governors, but there were no restrictions for those below. The level of prefects was always the fifth grade, and the prefects could have the fourth grade. Positive fifth grade.
Tongzhi is a deputy position, which corresponds to the magistrate/prefecture and is lowered by one rank. Tongzhi in higher-level prefectures is in the fifth rank, while in lower-level prefectures, Tongzhi is in the sixth rank.
Shen Shuren, a fellow scholar in Huangzhou, was a deputy in the lower government and actually took charge of all the work.
After all, he still suffered the disadvantage of his age. One year after time travel, he was only nineteen years old. He would officially take office in two months, and he would be twenty years old at most.
For such a young man, it is unjustifiable for him to be appointed to the prefecture, as he can only talk the talk and do the work well. To be given a deputy position is to obey the authority in times of war, and it does not harm the dignity of the court.
Ge Shizhen, Yanhun and others discussed this appointment and said with concern:
"If there is no official position, Tongzhi can still manage government affairs. But in a place where thieves are in trouble, the most important thing is to control military power. Can Tongzhi manage the local regiments, train local braves, and control the local soldiers? He also has no right to recruit troops according to the situation of thieves. Right? Huangzhou is a mess."
Chen Shuren said confidently: "So the Ministry of Civil Affairs also gave me a job as deputy envoy of regiment training, so that I can control Xiangyong. Anyway, I have real power, but my rank cannot be higher than that of Tongzhi, so I added It’s a subtitle, but actually there’s no official position on it.”
The regiment training system of the Ming Dynasty was inherited from the Song Dynasty. During wars in various places, there were also local warriors and militiamen, but they were not permanent. Under normal circumstances, there were no regiment training envoys, and at most they were replaced by temporary military positions such as "regiment training commander", which were replaced by provincial-level inspectors. Make supervision.
However, Shen Shuren was a purely civil servant and could not train as a regiment commander. After conducting an audit, the Ministry of Civil Affairs decided to be flexible and use those unpopular official names in the corner.
When several Nian brothers heard this title, they couldn't help but laugh: "Huangzhou also set up deputy envoys for training. This is because of Su Zizhan's name. What do the officials think?"
"My dear brother Geng Jie, I offend your majesty by admonishing him. Mr. Dongpo is more worthy of this title than Mr. Dongpo, who angered Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty. Forget that, instead of saying these depressing words, come, let's drink a toast to my dear brother Shen, and wish him good luck in his pursuit of success." It’s an ancient thing.”
Chen Shuren drank a full cup with everyone, chatting and laughing: "Brothers, don't worry about me. I'm going to Huangzhou. I heard that Huanggang County, which is governed by the government, has not been recovered yet, and is still in the hands of thieves. Only the east of the government is close to Anlu. Qizhou, Qishui, Huangmei, Luotian and other counties are still in the hands of the army.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has already told me that as long as I conquer Lin Chengcheng and Liu Xiyao is successful, destroy one of his divisions and recover Huanggang County, I will be granted the title of Magistrate of Huangzhou. If I can recover the entire territory of Huangzhou, and kill all Lin Liu and other thieves To annihilate, it is not impossible to consider delegating troops to prepare for military affairs and to assist in the defense of various prefectures in northern Han Dynasty.
When you get to the local level, you will be promoted based on merit, and the capable will be promoted and the mediocre will be demoted. Since ancient times, military merit cannot be faked. It also eliminates the need for intrigues and entanglements with political opponents in the court."
Huangzhou, where Shen Shuren is going, belongs to Huguang Province and is also the state capital on the border between Huguang and Nanzhili. Because Huguang Province is too large to assist in defense during wartime, it will be split between the province and the prefecture. Some "military preparations".
For example, the three prefectures of Xiangyang, De'an (now Suizhou), and Huangzhou north of the Han River were under the control of a military officer.
Jingzhou and other places in the south of Han Dynasty and north of the Yangtze River were once again assigned to a military preparation road.
Another military preparation road will be drawn in the south part of the Yangtze River.
The plan drawn by the officials for Shen Shuren was very clear. They told him in advance to get some blood, and asked him to work hard and make meritorious deeds when he got there.
Ge Shizhen and others saw that he spoke so calmly and secretly admired him:
How many civil servants fear thieves as much as tigers, and would not dare to be an official in a place where they heard there were rogue thieves. Brother Shen Xian actually regarded rogue thieves as nothing, and regarded the Fifth Battalion of Ge Zuo as a tool for making achievements. What kind of courage is this!
Everyone reflected and compared, and they all felt that they were completely inferior.
When they toasted to Shen Shuren, their attitude became more and more admiring, and they increasingly regarded Shen Shuren as the spiritual leader of their generation.
…
On the other side, at the main table where Shen Tingyang, Jiang Dejing and others were drinking, Shen Tingyang also maintained his friendship with Shangguan and his colleagues very well.
There is more than one minister in the Ministry of Household Affairs, and each minister is theoretically of the same rank. But in fact, just like in later generations, there is always a "executive deputy" among a group of deputy ministers. Jiang Dejing is now the executive deputy in charge of the work of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Shen Tingyang was far behind him when he was a foreign minister. Now that he has been promoted to a doctor, he is still the doctor of the department that His Majesty appreciates the most among all departments. He is not far away from Jiang Dejing.
Therefore, while Shen Tingyang had to stand in line, he also had to maintain Shangguan's emotions and make the other party realize that he had no intention of eventually taking Jiang Dejing's position.
After drinking for three rounds, Shen Tingyang took an opportunity to tell Jiang Dejing about Hou Xun, who was imprisoned a few years ago.
"Shilang Jiang, have you heard about the recent rumors in the court that the leader of Zuo Liangyu in Wuchang was too self-respecting and afraid to move forward? This is related to the former minister Hou Xun who is still in prison?"
Jiang Dejing still wanted to "make progress". The old Shang Shu Cheng Guoxiang was ineffective and had just been dismissed by the emperor. Of course he wanted to replace him directly. Of course he was a little unhappy after hearing the topic about Hou Xun.
How can we let the old leader from the "previous term" come back? Besides, Hou Xun has no real ability. He just has a higher status within Donglin and has a better reputation.
He calmly took a sip of wine and lowered his voice:
"I have never heard of it. By the way, Brother Shen Xian, you have been in the Ministry of Husbandry for seven or eight years. Before Hou Shangshu was imprisoned, you were already in the Ministry of Husbandry. At that time, you were just a subordinate. Could it be that you were in the Ministry of Husbandry at that time? Is it quite appreciated by Hou Shangshu?"
Shen Tingyang: "Where, when Quanzi was in Nanjing before, he was imprisoned and donated an official position, and he had some friendships with Hou Shangshu's son Hou Fangyu, Zhu Dadian's nephew Zhu Guangshi, and Gong Dingzi, a famous scholar from Jiangzuo.
I heard that Hou Shangshu had secretly asked people to make friends with Zhu Dadian. If he could be rescued and reinstated by Zuo Liangyu and Zhu Dadian, he would naturally reciprocate the favor and let the Ministry of Revenue obstruct the advancement of water transportation by sea.
The lower official did not hide it from the Minister. It is my lifelong wish to change water transportation to sea. It would be a blessing to the world if the Ministry of Revenue is taken over by those old men who have left office for many years and cannot understand the situation. If the Minister can be so determined, Only by taking over the initiative and taking over the role of a model with a clear mirror can we benefit the country and the people."
"Hey, what are you talking about? What virtues and abilities I have, I cannot be a minister." Jiang Dejing was overjoyed when he heard this, but he was very humble.
Although Shen Tingyang's official position is not high, he is rich. Even if other officials in the Ministry of Revenue have been greedy for more than ten years, they will not have as much money as someone like Shen Tingyang who does not need to be greedy.
As long as Shen Tingyang is willing to help him clear his joints, why worry about not making progress?
However, Jiang Dejing still had some doubts. He didn't quite understand how high Shen Tingyang's ultimate officialdom expectations would be, so after being modest, he made some indirect remarks:
"Brother Shen Xian has saved so much money for His Majesty this time. In the future, the five-year period of water transportation will be changed to sea. If he has outstanding political achievements, he may be able to look at the minister."
Shen Tingyang also knew what the other party was worried about, so he also told the news that his son had learned through the Ministry of Personnel: "I am ashamed to say that His Majesty's edict for the promotion of subordinates was drafted by Quanzi, and it was Quanzi who took it to the cabinet and officials. Handled by the department.
He helped inquire about it, and His Majesty also knew that after the reform of water transportation was successful, the credit could not be spent by just one doctor. Now I give it to the doctor first, because I am afraid that I will not be able to resettle the people in the future, so I have to wait and see.
If this year is completed and resettlement of the Cao people does not cause any trouble, His Majesty will consider promoting me to the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs as a minister and be in charge of the Jiangnan Department. I am not a scholar, but just a donated official. I have to go to the Taige in the capital. I will spend my whole life. It's impossible.
Most people think that Nanjing Liubu is just a place for retirement, but it is just right for a wealthy man like Xiaguan who has no ambitions. After all, his rank is noble enough. Xiaguan just wants to do things for the court to the best of his ability and change to a noble position. As for real power, that’s not what I want.”
After saying these words, Jiang Dejing completely made Shen Tingyang his confidant.
In the Ming Dynasty, there were six bureaus in each of the south and Beijing. The six bureaus in Nanjing were not low in terms of rank and treatment, but their actual power was much smaller, so they were regarded as a refuge for those who failed in political struggle.
Shen Tingyang was born a wealthy businessman, and what he wanted was political status, reputation and high enough treatment, rather than actual power. This had no conflict with Jiang Dejing.
If Shen Tingyang insists on staying in Beijing, it is really impossible for him to be promoted to minister of minister a year or two after he was promoted to doctor. However, when he becomes minister of minister in Nanjing, the pressure of competition is much less, and his colleagues are also happy to see his success, and they are eager to take it. The shipping company manager with real power in Beijing was vacated.
Jiang Dejing immediately began to make a wish: "What's so difficult about this? After things are accomplished here, naturally everyone in the household department will do their best to help my good brother go to Nanjing to be a minister."
The "after the matter is completed" he said, of course, refers to after he himself became the minister.
Shen Tingyang reached a deal with his superior, but he still had some doubts in his heart: Why did his son have to use him to "go to Nanjing Sixth Department" as a means to achieve rapid promotion?