Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 137 Promoting Xu Jie (First Update)
"The meeting begins!"

Xu Jie entered the hall, bowed and greeted the guests with perfect manners. Only after Hai Yue rose to return the greeting did he sit down, his tone becoming more intimate: "Mingwei, did you call me?"

His respect stemmed from his admiration for this person's noble character, as well as from the progress he had made in the association during this period.

Xu Jie, who was already in officialdom, was certainly aware of what this opportunity represented. He might want to put his knowledge into practice and follow the right path, but that didn't mean he didn't value his background.

Imagine if he had someone backing him up, he wouldn't have been summoned to the court room by Zhang Cong and scolded for half an hour.

Therefore, Xu Jie now cherishes the opportunities he has gained through his association with Yixin Hui.

Haiyue noticed this attitude, which led to this meeting. He didn't beat around the bush and, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, asked directly, "Zisheng, has your attitude towards Annan changed?"

Xu Jie's face darkened, and he said decisively, "Unchanged! When I met Grand Secretary Zhang before, I argued with him about the memorial advising against the southern expedition to Annam, and in the end, he was at a loss for words!"

Haiyue had read the memorial and found it to be well-organized. However, fighting a war is not about empty talk. No matter how eloquent the analysis before the battle, it cannot compare to the ever-changing situation on the battlefield. The key lies in knowing yourself and your enemy: "Then would you like to make contact with the Annamese in person?"

"Oh?"

Xu Jie's eyes lit up, and he reacted quickly: "The traitor Mo has sent someone on a mission?"

Haiyue nodded: "Yes!"

Xu Jie became excited: "This is a great opportunity to control the border regions! We can force these barbarians to submit and govern them under the Tusi system. Then, without losing a single soldier, we can take back Jiaozhi, seize the moral high ground, further subdivide and gradually dismantle their rule!"

After saying that, he frowned again: "However, Mo Dengyong has rebelled, murdered the emperor and seized the throne. He is by no means an easy person to deal with. Moreover, not to mention Annam, even the chieftains of Guangdong and Guangxi are not restrained. I'm afraid we will be unable to reach them. It is better to wait until the new policies are fully implemented and the country is prosperous and strong before we use military force to conquer them!"

Haiyue concluded: "In any case, we must make as much contact as possible to understand the true situation within Annam, right?"

"of course!"

Xu Jie nodded without hesitation, then smiled bitterly and said, "It's a pity it's not our turn. Such an important matter will definitely be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Even the Court of State Ceremonial can only assist from the sidelines!"

Haiyue asked, "Has Zisheng served as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy for three years now?"

Xu Jie was somewhat puzzled: "Yes!"

He was the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination in the second year of the Jiajing reign. That year, he returned to his hometown to get married. Later, his father died and he was in mourning. In the sixth year of the Jiajing reign, he completed his mourning period and returned to his post as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. By the ninth year of the Jiajing reign, he had completed his three-year term.

Haiyue asked again, "Just now, did you receive the 'Outstanding' evaluation from the Ministry of Personnel's Performance Evaluation Department?"

Xu Jie's expression changed slightly, and his breathing became rapid: "Yes...yes!"

Haiyue asked, "There is currently a vacancy for the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Rites' Department of Foreign Affairs. Would you be willing to take the position?"

Even though Xu Jie had some thoughts just now, he was still stunned when he actually heard those words.

After completing their term as compilers in the Hanlin Academy during the Ming Dynasty, there were basically only a few paths to promotion.

Promotions within the academy proceeded from compiler to compiler, then to reader-lecturer, and finally to academician. Transfers to the central government typically started as principal officers in the Six Ministries, progressing to senior positions such as vice-minister or higher in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices or the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. For those transferred to local posts, the starting point was much higher, often beginning as provincial education commissioner, then rising to provincial administration commissioner, and finally becoming governor before being transferred back to the central government.

This last path seems good, but most of the aspiring scholars do not want to leave the capital. After all, it is easy to leave but difficult to return. In addition, the personnel struggles in the local areas are extremely fierce, and they may end up failing miserably.

The Ming Dynasty was different from the Song Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, one had to have experience in local administration to become a prime minister. However, the Ming Dynasty did not have this requirement. Looking at the recent powerful prime ministers, Zhang Cong, Xia Yan, Yan Song, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng all lacked experience in local administration. Only Xu Jie was forced to be demoted to Fujian and only began to show his talent after returning to the capital.

Of course, there was another path: to enter the prince's residence as a tutor or reader. Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng took that path, especially the latter. He served as a tutor in the Prince Yu's residence for a while, and after that, he became the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and concurrently a scholar of the Hanlin Academy. Then, he entered the cabinet as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently a Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion, and participated in the administration of the court.

But behind that rapid promotion was the fact that his teacher was Grand Secretary Xu Jie, and he had become a former official of the new emperor's former residence. Even though he was not as close as Gao Gong to the Longqing Emperor, he still had merits, which allowed him to enter the Grand Secretariat in a three-level leap.

Xu Jie currently has no advisors or tutors, and the current emperor has no princes, so he can only proceed step by step.

If one were to be transferred from a Hanlin Academy official to one of the Six Ministries and start with a position of real power, and then encounter the crucial opportunity of being sent as an envoy to Annam, it would be an opportunity that countless colleagues would envy.

So at this moment, Xu Jie's voice trembled slightly: "Of course I'm willing. Can Mingwei recommend me?"

"Yes! Recommend it in the name of the Isshin-kai!"

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs not only delivered imperial calligraphy and paintings, but also left a eunuch to relay a message. Haiyue said directly, "I am now seeking Zisheng's opinion. What do you think?"

Xu Jie quickly stood up and bowed again.

From this point on, this person even became his mentor in his official career, just like Xu Jie and Zhao Zhenji in history. The key assistance in his career was sometimes no less important than the kindness of teaching.

Haiyue, however, wouldn't put on airs like a teacher. She remained a close friend, speaking from the heart: "I hope Zisheng will prove us wrong, and show those who criticize us behind our backs as opportunists what we're really capable of!" "Mingwei, rest assured, I will definitely not let you down!"

Xu Jie nodded emphatically, feeling the comfort of having a powerful backer. He clenched his fist and resolved to perform well and not let this opportunity slip by!

Watching the scholar, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, leave in high spirits, Haiyue smiled slightly.

Having weathered the recent turmoil, Yixin Society has come into the public eye, and the first person to step out will inevitably face pressure from all sides.

Among the current members, Xu Jie is undoubtedly the most outstanding.

First of all, he was a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, a first-class scholar;
Having served in the Hanlin Academy for many years, he had acquired considerable qualifications.

In addition, his outstanding abilities, though perhaps not as smooth and patient as those in history, his daring and adventurous spirit in his youth, are absolutely first-rate talents.

Taking all factors into consideration, Xu Jie is the most suitable candidate to serve as the first figurehead of the Yixin Society and participate in subsequent court affairs.

After arranging Xu Jie's career, Haiyue thought of Zhao Shichun, who was also a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

Both of them criticized the ills of the time and were exiled, experiencing ups and downs in their official careers, but there were differences between them.

Xu Jie suffered from a common problem among young people: he was highly talented and dared to challenge anyone, always thinking he was the only wise man in the world. Zhao Shichun, on the other hand, had some character flaws. Despite starting at a higher level than Xu Jie, he was idle for twenty out of the thirty years he served in office, which was a waste of his talent.

Such a person should not be promoted rashly, otherwise it will not only be a misstep but also harm the other party.

Fortunately, Zhao Shichun's term as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy was not yet over. In addition, he had previously gained experience in the Ministry of War, which almost resulted in him being demoted to a commoner. Now that he has returned to the Hanlin Academy, he can hone his skills for a while longer. It will not be too late to make arrangements when the time is right.

'Besides these two, there's Yan Shifan.'

'This one's got a quick mind; she's already getting impatient!'

As if on cue, a head popped out and, seeing that Haiyue was the only one in the hall, excitedly walked over: "He agreed?"

Haiyue nodded: "Zisheng is willing to fight for our Yixin Society!"

"The way you say that makes it sound like he's the one who suffered a loss!"

Yan Shifan grinned, his tone inevitably tinged with sourness: "If it weren't for the Yixin Society, wouldn't Xu Zisheng have been banished from the capital by now? We bid him a tearful farewell outside the city, composing poems with tears in our eyes. The scene was quite something... Now he's suddenly turned his life around and even got a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Rites. Tsk, when I gave him the Journey to the West, he looked at me with disdain!"

Haiyue looked at him: "Donglou, the principle of the association is to unite as one and not to gossip about others behind their backs."

"Just kidding!"

Yan Shifan was indeed a little jealous. He felt that he was the second most important person in the Yixin Society, so why did Xu Jie get all the benefits first? He rubbed his hands together and said without any politeness, "Mingwei, why don't you make some arrangements for me too!"

Haiyue said, "We are students of the Imperial Academy, and passing the imperial examination with flying colors is the best arrangement."

"Isn't that taking too long?"

Yan Shifan was getting impatient: "The provincial examination will be held this autumn, and the palace examination will be held next year. Only then will the list of successful candidates be released. If you rank in the top two, you will be admitted to the Hanlin Academy..."

Haiyue laughed: "It seems that passing the imperial examination is already Donglou's for the taking. He's already planned it all out?"

Yan Shifan, quite proud, patted his chest and said, "Why belittle yourselves? With the talents of you and me, it's only natural that we'd be on the list."

Haiyue secretly shook his head. He combined the learning methods of later generations with good teachers and helpful friends, and the learning environment was far better than Qiongshan. He dared not say that he was absolutely certain of passing the imperial examination, let alone being among the top two in the Hanlin Academy.

Even someone as talented as Lin Daqin, after entering the Imperial Academy, never missed a single class, and his diligence surpassed all others.

Yan Shifan was indeed extremely intelligent, but precisely too intelligent. At first, he was worried that he would fail the exam and waste his time, but now, as he studied, he felt that he was almost certain of success...

Haiyue couldn't say for sure that the other person would fail the exam, but this attitude was indeed quite risky. After thinking about it, she decided to arrange a backup plan for him: "So, what are Donglou's plans?"

Yan Shifan didn't mince words: "Xu Zisheng went to the Ministry of Rites, how about I go to the Ministry of Justice?"

Students of the Imperial Academy can indeed take up positions in the Six Ministries, but forget about becoming a sixth-rank official; that's just a menial job serving tea and water. Haiyue originally thought this person wanted to go to the Ministry of Rites, since his father, Yan Song, was a vice minister, but she didn't expect it to be the Ministry of Justice: "Can you endure the hardships there?"

"To be honest, Mingwei, I have my own reasons for going to the Ministry of Justice!"

Yan Shifan looked around and whispered, "I've noticed something strange, which might be related to a secret society. I only trust you about this, and I'll only tell you this!"

(End of this chapter)