Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1180 Choice
This practice is simply skirting the law, but it is also within the scope of tacit approval by the court. Moreover, Xie Guangwei is not the only one who does this, there must be many others who do the same.

"You are quite clever, kid. You begged me to let you come to Nanjing Imperial College back then. I'm afraid you had this plan in mind a long time ago, right?" Zhu Minlan scolded with a smile.

Xie Guangwei scratched his head in embarrassment: "I still can't hide it from my brother-in-law. I do have this idea. But although I can barely study, I also know myself. With my ability, I can only go back to my hometown and pass the provincial examination in this life. There is no need to think about the imperial examination. I guess I can only be a juren in this life."

Zhu Minlan nodded slightly, expressing his understanding. Xie Guangwei was indeed self-aware. He could get through the college and provincial examinations, but not the imperial examinations. Moreover, although he was barely educated, it was only barely educated. Not to mention the rest of the world, even in Nanjing, there were countless people who were better at studying than him. It was wishful thinking for him to take part in the imperial examinations with his level, and it was impossible for him to pass the imperial examinations.

"If you pass the provincial examination next year, what are your plans?" Zhu Minlan asked directly. After all, Xie Guangwei was his brother-in-law and the Crown Prince's uncle. The Crown Princess also asked him to take good care of him. Besides, the boy's character was not bad. After passing the examination, he would be qualified to be an official. If he could help, he would help, after all, he was a family member.

"Brother-in-law, if I am lucky enough to pass the imperial examination, could you help me arrange a job in the Zongli Yamen?"

"The Zongli Yamen? Where do you want to go?" Zhu Minlan asked intently.

"How about going to Shanghai? Shanghai will open a commercial port and set up a customs office. I have adapted to the climate and life in Jiangnan over the past two years. Shanghai is not far from Nanjing and the climate and customs are similar. It would not be bad if I could find a job in Shanghai." Xie Guangwei replied with a smile.

He took a deep look at Xie Guangwei. This boy is quite smart. I don't know whether he guessed it himself or really thought so. He actually mentioned Shanghai.

After thinking about it, Zhu Minlan asked Xie Guangwei directly why he chose Shanghai if he didn't say such empty words as getting used to the climate. If he just wanted to stay in Jiangnan, wouldn't it be better to find a job in Nanjing? At worst, he could go to Suzhou Prefecture!

Hearing this question, Xie Guangwei could only smile and tell the truth. As expected, Xie Guangwei was not stupid but very smart. From yesterday's clues plus Zhu Minlan's attitude, and the fact that Zhu Minlan suddenly came to Nanjing as the prince but appeared in Nanjing in disguise, he naturally had a purpose.

As the crown prince, Zhu Minlan went south. Was he on official business in Nanjing? If so, Zhu Minlan would never appear in Zuixianlou, let alone like this. And yesterday on the flower boat, Xie Guangwei noticed that Zhu Minlan inadvertently mentioned Shanghai, which reminded him of the Zongli Yamen, which was in charge of the trading ports and customs.

As a royal relative, Xie Guangwei certainly knew that Zhang Xijun was an old man who followed the emperor in his early years. Moreover, after the current emperor ascended the throne, he entrusted Zhang Xijun with important tasks. Although Zhang Xijun did not enter the cabinet, his official position was not low. Not only was he the newly established Prime Minister, equivalent to the six ministers, but he was also the second in command of the Censorate. He was also in charge of the Supervisory Department before. He was definitely a powerful figure in the court.

Zhu Minlan suddenly went south and appeared in Nanjing, and mentioned Shanghai inadvertently. Xie Guangwei keenly realized that Zhu Minlan's real destination this time should be Shanghai. Moreover, Shanghai will be officially opened soon, and the customs will be set up soon. The opening of five trading ports in the Ming Dynasty is a major event decided by the emperor. It is beneficial from a political point of view to let the prince come to Shanghai to inspect it in person. Therefore, Xie Guangwei concluded that Zhu Minlan's job is in Shanghai. Maybe the Zongli Yamen will be presided over by the prince in the future. As the younger brother of the crown princess, what place is more suitable for him than the Zongli Yamen in Shanghai?
After listening to Xie Guangwei's explanation, Zhu Minlan looked at him deeply. He didn't expect that Xie Guangwei was so smart that he could guess his intention just by looking at the situation and make the most appropriate choice decisively.

Thinking about it carefully, this is not a bad thing. Xie Guangwei is fine now. It is difficult for a student to become an official even if he is a student of the Imperial Academy. Moreover, his status is different. If he only manages to be an official of the eighth or ninth rank, he will not be able to do it.

The legitimate son of a marquis, the younger brother of the crown princess, and the uncle of the grandson of the emperor, he wants to be a minor official of the eighth or ninth rank? Zhu Minlan is also a person who cares about face. He would rather not let Xie Guangwei take office than let him. But if Xie Guangwei passed the imperial examination, it would be different. According to the imperial examination rules of the Ming Dynasty, a successful candidate in the imperial examination is qualified to be an official, and the upper limit is much higher than that of a hereditary official. Hai Rui in the past, Chen Xinjia, the current assistant minister of the Ministry of War, and Li Xin, the governor of Liaodong and the governor-general, were all successful candidates. As long as Xie Guangwei does a good job and relies on his background, he will be able to get a third or fourth rank official position in this life.

Moreover, Zhu Minlan was now working part-time in the Zongli Yamen. He knew the Zongli Yamen too well and understood his father's expectations for it. However, because the Zongli Yamen was a newly established department, and the opening of trading ports and customs had offended many people in the court, and although the Zongli Yamen was nominally equivalent to the Six Ministries, it was not actually recognized by other ministries in the court, so the situation was somewhat awkward.

When Zhu Minlan was asked to go to the Zongli Yamen, Zhu Shenzhui revealed the future plan of the Zongli Yamen and his hope that Zhu Minlan would control the Zongli Yamen as the crown prince. So although Zhang Xijun was the Prime Minister of the Zongli Yamen, in fact, this department was already Zhu Minlan's private land, otherwise he would not have paid so much attention to it and personally went south to Shanghai to take a look.

The current Zongli Yamen lacks everything, money and people, especially the latter, there are not many people who are applicable and absolutely trustworthy. This time I went south just for inspection. As the crown prince, Zhu Minlan can't stay in Shanghai for too long. In the future, we must keep our own people there. If Xie Guangwei has good ability and can be used, it would be a good choice to arrange him in Shanghai. Once he can open up the situation in Shanghai, it will also be beneficial to his future career.

Thinking of this, he suddenly thought of the identities of Xie Guangwei's three friends, namely Ma Yuan and others. Zhu Minlan couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that this guy had already planned it out. As long as he agreed and went to Shanghai to serve as an official, he would have Ma Yuan and others to help him. With Ma Yuan and others' status, including the families behind them in Nanjing, Suzhou and Songjiang, they would definitely be able to help Xie Guangwei a lot, and he might even be able to win over all of their families to serve him.

Thinking of this, Zhu Minlan had a new respect for Xie Guangwei. He didn't expect that this guy would have such a mind. But this was also a good thing. If Xie Guangwei was really capable, he could open up the situation in Shanghai, which would also help himself and the Prime Minister's Office. Why wouldn't Zhu Minlan do it?
"I have made note of this matter, but it is too early to talk about it now. It will not be too late to talk about everything after you pass the provincial examination. If you pass the provincial examination, you will naturally be taken care of. If you fail, there is no need to mention it again."

"Hehe, I understand, I understand. Thank you for your care, brother-in-law." Xie Guangwei reacted immediately with a smile on his face. He stood up and bowed solemnly to Zhu Minlan. Looking at his lazy smile, Zhu Minlan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He waved his hand for him to sit back and continued chatting.

Zhu Minlan chatted with Xie Guangwei for an hour, and seeing that it was getting late and they had said everything they needed to say, they let him go back for the time being. At this time, Xie Guangwei specifically asked Zhu Minlan about his plans for the next few days. When he learned that Zhu Minlan planned to take a good walk in Nanjing in the next two days, take a look at the situation in the city, and learn about the local business and economy, how could Xie Guangwei give up this opportunity? He immediately said that he could be a guide. He had studied in Nanjing for the past two years and was very familiar with it, and he knew many places better. It would be much more convenient to have him lead the way.

After a slight hesitation, Zhu Minlan agreed to Xie Guangwei's initiative and asked him to lead the way for a walk. In the next two days, Xie Guangwei took Zhu Minlan to almost all of Jinling City, carefully inspected the business and economic conditions of Jinling, and even carefully looked at the public security and order in the city. Overall, it was not bad. After all, this was Nanjing of the Ming Dynasty, not other places. If this could not be done, the Ming Dynasty would have been in chaos long ago.

Zhu Minlan took a day off and went to the Xiaoling Mausoleum. He went there privately without making it public. After arriving there, he revealed his identity to the eunuchs guarding the mausoleum and arranged to worship Taizu in private.

After returning from Xiaoling Mausoleum, Xie Guangwei came to tell Zhu Minlan that Nie Chi was going to return to Suzhou Prefecture the next day, and Wei Anding would go with Nie Chi and return to Songjiang Prefecture on the way. As for Ma Yuan, he had originally planned to go with him, but he had something to do at home and could not leave. However, Ma Yuan had told his uncle Ma Shiying about the Shanghai County incident, and Ma Shiying gave him a name card to bring to Nie Chi in case he needed it.

Xie Guangwei asked Zhu Minlan if he wanted to go with him. If Zhu Minlan went, he would go with him. He informed Nie Chi in advance that they would meet in Dongcheng tomorrow to go together. Zhu Minlan thought about it. He had almost visited Nanjing in the past few days. He had also worshipped at Xiaoling Mausoleum today. There was nothing to do in Nanjing. It would be better to leave. Going from Nanjing to Shanghai by land just happened to pass through Suzhou Prefecture. Nie Chi would also go to Shanghai next, and Wei Anding would return to Songjiang Prefecture. It would be convenient to go together. In addition, Zhu Minlan felt that he could ask officials about the situation in Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture while walking with them, which would also be convenient for the work to be carried out after arriving in Shanghai.

In addition, there is one more thing, that is, Zhu Minlan really wants to meet Bian Yujing, who is known as a wonderful woman and who has always been on Nie Chi's mind. Although she is just a famous prostitute, such a wonderful woman has never been heard of, which aroused Zhu Minlan's curiosity. This time when he went to Shanghai, he happened to pass by, and because of Nie Chi, why would he give up this opportunity?

(End of this chapter)