Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 274: Talent Recruitment in the Southwest
Ever since Emperor Hongzhi announced that he would transfer talents to the southwest, it showed that the policy of converting natives into officials was imperative.

But two days have passed since the news spread, and still no one has expressed their willingness to go to the southwest to serve as an official.

Not only that, the entire Ming officialdom was in a state of panic for a while, and the newly-appointed scholars tried to use their connections to visit high-level officials, praying for protection so that they would not be transferred to the dangerous southwest.

The low-level officials huddled together for warmth, and were unwilling to spend their old age in the southwest.

Ministry of War.

Ma Wensheng was on duty processing official documents. When he heard that Wang Shouren was looking for him, he asked a clerk to call Wang Shouren in.

"Boan, come and sit down."

Ma Wensheng still felt a little guilty towards Wang Shouren. Everyone with a discerning eye knew that Wang Shouren was the main contributor to the victory of the last attack on the southwest.

As a result, up to now, the one who is powerful is Zhang's uncle, and the one who gets promoted and becomes rich is also Zhang's in-laws, while Wang Shouren, who really does practical work, has not received any reward.

Ma Wensheng glanced at Wang Shouren, put down his official duties, and said to Wang Shouren: "Don't worry, Bo'an, you are from my military department, and I am familiar with your achievements."

"I'll leave it to you. I'll definitely get you some merit. Don't worry."

This is a talented person. Ma Wensheng has long had a heart for talent. This boy has a bright future. If he can be under his command, he can rely on Wang Shouren for his retirement in the future.

Wang Shouren shook his head slightly and said, "Sir, I am not here for this matter."

Oh?
Ma Wensheng was a little confused and asked, "What are you doing?"

Wang Shouren said: "I request to be assigned to the southwest."

puff!
Ma Wensheng spat out a mouthful of tea, thinking he had heard wrongly. You were actually hitting the pole upwards when others were avoiding it? Are you crazy?
He frowned slightly and asked Wang Shouren, "But you feel some resentment in your heart, and feel that the court's rewards and punishments are unfair?"

Ma Wensheng understood that the young man was impatient and was rebelling in this way, but since it concerned his own future, he could not be angry no matter what!

Wang Shouren shook his head and said, "I have no complaints in my heart. I just heard that the court is reforming the southwest. The southwest needs someone to govern it. I have some experience in the southwest and I want to give it a try. Please help me, sir."

Ma Wensheng looked at the young man who had just entered the officialdom with some astonishment, pondered for a moment, and asked: "Have you talked to your father about this?"

Wang Shouren said, "My father agrees."

Ma Wensheng sighed deeply, somewhat unable to understand Wang Shouren's thoughts. Although he didn't understand, he respected him.

"I will report this to the Emperor, but... have you really thought it through? Don't act on impulse."

Wang Shouren said firmly: "I have thought it through!"

……

Sophora japonica alley.

Zhu Houzhao came to find Chen Ce alone today. Chen Ce was a little curious and asked Zhu Houzhao, "Where is Liu Jin?"

Zhu Houzhao said: "He is sick."

Chen Ce said, "I seemed to see Gu Dayong kneeling over at the brothel last night. There were many people watching. What happened?"

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "It's nothing. This evil slave made me angry. I taught him a lesson. Otherwise, he will not know his own limitations."

Chen Ce didn't pay much attention to it, and immediately asked Zhu Houzhao: "Has the court decided on the selection of officials for the southwest?"

Zhu Houzhao sighed, gulped down the tea, shrugged helplessly, and said, "No."

"Those civil servants keep saying they are loyal to the emperor and the country, but when they are really needed, they hide faster than rabbits, fearing that they will be transferred to the southwest." "With this attitude, they will not be able to accomplish anything even if they are transferred to the southwest."

Chen Ce said that the officials who are sent to the southwest must be willing to go there on their own initiative. The situation in the southwest is complicated, and the officials sent there are really meant to solve the problem. If a group of officials who are just trying to take advantage of the situation are sent there, the problems of the natives in the southwest will not only fail to be solved, but will provoke greater conflicts between them and the Han people.

Emperor Hongzhi was also very worried, as he had not yet found any talented people to go to the southwest.

Chen Ce had anticipated this outcome, so he had already prepared a countermeasure. He said to Zhu Houzhao, "Wang Shouren can go."

Zhu Houzhao said: "He can't do it alone."

Chen Ce said: "Wang Wubi, a Jinshi from the Ministry of Justice, and Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan, Juren."

Zhu Houzhao tilted his head and looked at Chen Ce, saying, "Are they all willing to go?"

Chen Ce: “Yeah.”

Zhu Houzhao groaned and asked worriedly, "Can they cure the southwest?"

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "I don't know, but at least it won't cause trouble for Wang Shouren."

When Zhu Houzhao returned to the Qianqing Palace, he informed Emperor Hongzhi of the selection of Chen Ce.

Wang Shouren and Wang Wubi were both Jinshi, so there was nothing wrong with them going to the southwest. However, it was somewhat against etiquette for Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan, two Juren, to serve as officials in the southwest.

But on second thought, even if this arrangement is made, I am afraid no one in the court will object, so Emperor Hongzhi nodded in agreement and said to Huai'en: "Go and summon Wang Shouren, Wang Wubi, and the successful candidates Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan to the palace to meet the emperor."

"According to the order!"

……

In the Ministry of Justice, several scholars who were observing the government were in a state of panic, fearing that they would be the ones to be selected to go to the southwest.

"Brother Wang, aren't you worried about going to the southwest?"

Wang Wubi shook his head slightly and said calmly: "Don't worry, because I will go."

Several scholars who were observing the government were speechless, thinking that although no one wanted to go to the southwest, it wasn't so cheap that anyone could go there if they wanted to, right?
Moreover, with their qualifications, even if they go to the southwest, they can only start as county magistrates at most, without any real power. Whoever goes there will be in trouble.

Just as everyone was thinking about different things, several eunuchs in the palace slowly walked over and said in a shrill voice: "The official Wang Wubi has received the imperial decree and is to enter the palace to see the emperor immediately."

Wang Wubi was a little surprised. He didn't expect Chen Ce's method to be so clever. The appointment came down in just one day, and the emperor summoned him personally!
Several of his colleagues were also stunned. What he predicted really came true, and he was summoned by the emperor himself?

……

He Jingming, Tang Yin, Zhu Zhishan, Wen Zhengming, and Xu Zhenqing were on an outing. Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan were discussing the situation in the southwest.

Wen Zhengming thought about it, but couldn't help but pour a basin of cold water on Tang Yin, saying: "Brother Tianci is actually right. It is a bit unrealistic for us to go to the southwest to serve as officials as juren. I don't deny Mr. Chen's ability, but you should not take this matter too seriously."

Xu Zhenqing nodded in agreement and said, "Unless the court can't find anyone to go to the southwest, it won't be our turn to go to the southwest as an official as a juren."

He Jingming echoed, "Although Lord Li said some angry words, he is an official in the court after all, and he is more familiar with some official rules than Master Chen. He said it with such confidence that it is not easy for a juren to become an official. Besides, how can Master Chen influence the appointment of the Ministry of Personnel?"

"Brother Tang, Brother Zhu, don't have too high expectations. The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Even if we take a step back, the southwest is not a good place."

At this moment, a group of people wearing bright red python robes came from a distance. The eunuch in the lead shouted in a sharp voice: "Junior Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan, come to the palace to see the emperor immediately!"

As soon as the words fell, He Jingming and the other two gasped and looked at each other.

(End of this chapter)