Chapter 3 A willingness to learn is worth encouraging
On the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month, Meixiang Tower was not far away from the Nanjing Imperial College.
Well, that place should be considered within the scope of the Confucius Temple Scenic Area in later generations.
Shen Shuren was very bold. He entertained guests directly across from the Imperial College and invited his former nominal mentor to discuss national affairs.
Seeing that his invitation was solemn, Wu Meicun did not refuse and went to the appointment.
Li Zhenli, the old madam of Meixiang House, roughly guessed the guests Shen Dagong wanted to invite in advance, and she had been waiting downstairs to greet her personally. As soon as she saw Wumei Village, she smiled and received them personally:
"Hey, Mr. Wu Shan, I haven't visited you for a long time. My elegant style in Meixianglou is almost gone."
Although Li Zhenli is a generation older than Li Xiangjun and Bian Yujing, in ancient times, marriage and childbirth were early, and it was normal for mother and daughter to be only fifteen years apart, let alone an adoptive mother and an adopted daughter.
So she is only in her thirties, younger than Wumeicun. When Wumeicun first became a Jinshi more than ten years ago, she took care of a lot of her business.
Wu Meicun was a little overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. She raised her face and quickly gave way to the room where Shen Shuren was hosting the banquet.
Chen Shuren was in the private room upstairs. He didn't see the beginning, but he also saw the end through the crack in the door. He couldn't help but shake his head secretly:
Although Li Zhenli is enthusiastic about her old customers, her behavior will make a moral gentleman unable to let go. I already know you so well, how can I have the nerve to get too familiar with your daughter?
It can be seen that she does not know Wu Meicun well enough, at least she does not realize that there are some differences in moral conduct between Wu Meicun and other literary giants.
Human nature is complex, but at least he is a person with a bottom line, otherwise he would not be the only one of the "three great Jiangzuo people" in history who would not want to be in power.
Wu Meicun entered the room and saw Chen Shuren standing up to greet him. Li Xiangjun and Bian Yujing were beside him. Li Xiangjun did not know him, but when he saw Bian Yujing, his expression changed slightly. He was a little embarrassed, but he quickly controlled it.
This little girl had asked him for historical advice once or twice, discussing the past and the present, and was quite knowledgeable, unlike ordinary women. Later, Bian Yujing also hinted that he hoped that a knowledgeable person could save her from the sea of suffering.
But Wumei Village can't get enough money for one thing, and it's embarrassing because he's too familiar with the older generation here. And the wives and concubines in his family are also complicated.
From the beginning to the end, he just wanted to show off his historical insights to the little girl.
Wu Meicun coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment, and asked Shen Shuren straight to the point with a straight face: "Although you and I are called masters and disciples, in fact, I have never really taught you for a few days, so there is no need to be so polite. What's the point of this? It is official business of the imperial court, just say so."
Chen Shuren still remained neither humble nor arrogant, and said solemnly: "Once a teacher, he will always be a father. Although the student only stayed in the Imperial Academy for two months, the commander's instructions will never be forgotten throughout his life.
This time, there is actually a commercial tax reform in the imperial court. My father and Zhang Shilang of the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs are both pushing hard. To promote this, we still need the support of the Zheng family in Fujian.
The student wants to ask the mountain chief to give Zheng Sen and Zheng Chenggong, who is still the supervisor of the supervisor, a few words of praise and praise. There is a step under the Ministry of Personnel and Yangge Lao, so that Zheng Chenggong can be awarded an official."
Shen Shuren is very straightforward and still so simple and clear.
As an aside, historically Zheng Sen had not changed his name at this time, but now he was manipulated by Chen Shuren and entered the Imperial Academy three years in advance. Naturally, he also changed his official academic name three years in advance. At the beginning of last year, only a few people were admitted to the Imperial Academy. When he was a month old, he officially called him Zheng Chenggong.
Wu Weiye was not a pedantic person originally, but today when he saw Shen Shuren being so polite and accompanied by a little girl he knew, he couldn't let go. He couldn't help but hesitate to say a few words and find a way out:
"Zheng Chenggong is already a supervisor, and he is treated as a supervisor with the best treatment. Everything is the same as that of a candidate. He could have donated his official position, so why bother to come to me? With the financial resources of the Zheng family in Fujian, Zheng Chenggong can become an official by just spending money. Already."
Chen Shuren said with a smile: "It seems that the mountain chief is not very interested in this Zheng family member and does not understand their family's thoughts. Although Zheng Zhilong is a hero, like Liu Guoneng and others, he is quite concerned about his origin as a reckless thief. Pity.
This is why they always want to let their son follow the right path and have a glorious ancestor. They can easily buy an official position. Now that Zheng Chenggong is still young and not in a hurry, he has not given up the opportunity to become an official due to his merits and deeds. He always wants to wait. .”
The Zheng family did not buy an official position, of course not because they were short of money, but because they wanted a good reputation. The more they lacked something, the more they emphasized it and wanted to make up for it.
This is not Chen Shuren's imagining by slapping his head on his head, but he was familiar with history books in his previous life, which can be easily deduced. Historically, Zheng Zhilong did not cultivate his son's ability to lead troops and take over, but he really wanted Zheng Chenggong to take the civil service route in a down-to-earth manner. of.
The Ming Dynasty's culture of advocating literature and restraining martial arts had such a profound influence.
Anyone who has become the commander-in-chief of coastal defense in a province still hopes that his son will change his career.
Only then did Wu Meicun understand the attitude of the Zheng family, and she felt quite emotional in her heart, and sighed sincerely:
"I didn't expect that such a hero would make his children sincerely want to learn from him. Well, if I'm not afraid of making fun of him, I think that just based on the honor, disgrace, right and wrong in their hearts, they are worthy of encouragement."
In a few words, Wu Meicun found a theoretical basis for giving Zheng Chenggong high marks in the subsequent internal examinations of the Imperial College.
At least they have a sense of right and wrong! They know that studying is good!
Some people may say: Others also know that learning is good, and others also hope that books will have their own golden house and beautiful face.
However, people who already have a golden house and a beautiful face still admire learning. Aren’t their motivations for learning more pure than those who seek a golden house with a beautiful face?
The sage said that there is no distinction between education and distinction. As the director of the Imperial Academy, of course he must encourage the desire to learn!
After figuring out the subtext hidden in these words, it was Shen Shuren's turn to be filled with admiration.
The mountain leader is still smart! But these words are definitely sincere. Wumeicun truly appreciates people who love to learn, and is not a hypocritical follower of others.
After unifying their attitude, Wu Meicun also expressed implicitly:
"However, the imperial court has its own rules for appointing officials. The most I can do is prove Zheng Chenggong's desire to learn. He was appointed as a supervisor, and he could only be promoted by comparison. The maximum he can become an official is the eighth grade. If you want to operate, you have to find an official yourself. I can only recommend Xu Shiqi to you, Minister Xu."
After Wu Meicun finished speaking, he couldn't help but glance at Bian Yujing next to him. He seemed a little worried that his tall image would collapse in the eyes of the little girl.
But neither Bian Yujing nor Li Xiangjun felt that this was embarrassing at all, nor did they show any shame. Their eyes always looked so clear, and they seemed to be sincerely happy that Shen Futai had found his mentor to complete the matter.
"What's going on...don't today's oirans look down on people who sell their jobs and get titles?" Wu Meicun was made to doubt life a little because of this.
Fortunately, Bian Yujing on the side saw that things were going smoothly, so he came over to help pour tea, and congratulated with a smile: "Wu Shan has always served the country and the people, and he does not care about small details. He is really open-minded."
Wu Meicun was startled, and had some thoughts of taking the exam, and asked: "Oh? Do you also understand the benefits of Chen Lijin's method taught by Shuren?"
"That's natural. It was really amazing to listen to the cross-examination and argument between Mr. Shen and Zhang Shilang that day. Although the Nu family is not talented, they also feel that if a great talent like Mr. Shen can be used by the court as soon as possible to express his opinions, the Ming Dynasty will be sure. It would be better. Chief Wu is also participating in the grand event today, so there are some trivial details, which are of no importance."
Bian Yujing said it without hesitation, and at the same time he also gave Wumei Village a step forward.
Wu Meicun was stunned for a long time, then patted Shen Shuren on the shoulder: "Although I have only learned twice about Miss Bian's sense of history, I dare say that she is the best among women in the world.
The fact that she can admire your analysis so much shows that you are already far better than the master in the way of historical analysis. Keep working hard and plan for the country well, and the waves behind you in the Yangtze River will push the waves ahead."
…
In the next two days, Wu Meicun actually kept his promise and took into account the teacher-student relationship with Shen Shuren and helped him everywhere.
Of course, where the money should be paid, it must be Shen Shuren.
Wumeicun is the kind of academically upright official in the true sense. Qingshui Yamen like the Imperial College do not have the power to make money.
This is a typical example of "spending Shenshu people's money to do Shenshu people's things."
As for the internal evaluation of the students in the Imperial College, it didn't cost any money. Wu Meicun could just relax. So Zheng Chenggong was quickly evaluated as "academic excellence."
There’s not much to say about the details. After all, it’s not a glorious thing.
Shen Shuren caught up with Xu Shiqi, the minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites, who was specifically responsible for arranging official positions. The path became wider and wider, and he gradually discovered some new worlds.
Because he discovered that Xu Shilin had a job that needed to be arranged all year round, which was to "arrange substitute officials for the areas around South Zhili that were invaded by bandits to replace the vacancies left by the murdered officials."
In fact, Shen Shuren had experienced this a year and a half ago. However, at that time, the banditry around South Zhili was not serious. The Fifth Battalion of Ge Zuo had just fled to Anqing and Luzhou, so the selection of this personnel work was , which is less formal.
At that time, Gong Dingzi, Zhu Dadian and many other people all had something to say about this matter. Especially Zhu Dadian, as the governor of water transportation at that time, actually also assumed the duties of the governor of Fengyang, and was responsible for the local officials of Anqing, Luzhou and other prefectures. He had considerable say in the appointment, and Shi Kefa was considered controlled by him at that time.
But last year, Zhu Dadian had already fought with the Shen family over the change of water transportation to sea. He was rejected by Chongzhen and completely lost power.
The power vacuum in personnel appointments left by Zhu Dadian fell into the hands of the Nanjing Ministry of Civil Affairs, which directly had the final say in local personnel appointments in Luzhou, Anqing.
In this way, Chen Shuren also found a new channel to cultivate the power of his subordinates in the officialdom - as long as he is willing to spend money and ensure that the talents he wants to recruit are indeed capable, he will not miss important events and give He invites guilt.
Last year when he was just a Tongzhi, he said it was still too early to cultivate power. In theory, even the Tongzhi of the government did not have absolute management rights over the county.
But this year he is already the official prefect, and he will soon have troops to prepare for the task. In this case, there is a lot of room for maneuver by arranging private individuals and building base areas. At least arrange a bunch of subordinates at the magistrate and county level, and even at the garrison level. The number of military attachés is more than enough.
After opening his mind, Shen Shuren had a flash of inspiration, combined with his understanding of those loyal and loyal men who were more capable of fighting in the Southern Ming Dynasty in the "History of the Ming Dynasty", and quickly secretly selected a list.
He also gave Xu Shiqi some money and checked the current official files of these people. If he felt that they were suitable for promotion, Shen Shuren would pay for them and gradually recruit those grassroots generals and righteous men who had not yet appeared.
First, arrange for a vacant position in Anqing Prefecture or Luzhou Prefecture. After returning to Huguang, we can then rely on the relationship between Mr. Yang Ge and Governor Fang to find a way to transfer to Huangzhou or Suizhou.
Huangzhou, Suizhou, Anqing, and Luzhou are already bordering each other. The former are the two most eastern prefectures in Huguang, and the latter are the two most westerly prefectures in South Zhili. They are separated by the ridge of the Dabie Mountains. The operability is pretty good.