Qing Yao

I want Chapter 150's file.

Shopkeeper Shi's brother-in-law is named Eighty-Six.

Nara 86.

He looks a bit like Isoroku Yamamoto.

God knows how they came up with this name.

Eighty-six is ​​a Manchu of the Bordered White Banner. His ancestors were transferred to Jiangning for garrison during the Shunzhi era, and he is the seventh generation to have served there.

In the fortieth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, he was selected as a commander to attack Xiaojinchuan. After returning, he was promoted to Zuo Ling (a military rank).

The Manchu Eight Banners Zuo Ling was a fourth-rank official, one rank higher than the Imperial Household Department's Bao Yi Zuo Ling, and was equivalent to a senior colonel in the Eight Banners system.

However, Ba Liu was a bit too straightforward and not good at managing relationships with his superiors, which resulted in him not being able to advance any further even after being promoted to Zuo Ling for more than ten years. He also didn't have much income and his family's financial situation was not good.

As the brother-in-law, Manager Shi thought that running a canteen was not only a quick way to make money, but also a legitimate business without any illegal activities. So he wanted to get his honest brother-in-law involved, so that they could improve their family's financial situation and also have money to build relationships.

It can also effectively deter competitors.

This is a win-win-win situation.

Upon hearing that it was a military officer, Zhao An readily agreed, eager for Manager Shi to introduce him to more officers. He had no ill intentions; he simply admired these heroes who defended the Qing Dynasty and hoped to significantly increase their income through his own efforts.

Immediately, he instructed Manager Shi to write a letter to his brother-in-law, Eighty-Six, who was a colonel in the Imperial Army. If there were no problems with Eighty-Six, he would go to Jiangning after the New Year to arrange for him to study at the prefectural school. Eighty-Six would then submit a report for approval.

Once Jiangning is secured, the other areas will be much easier to manage.

He didn't care about the 80,000 taels that he hadn't even handled; when giving gifts to Grand Secretary He, one had to be generous.

Either don't send anything, or if you do send something, make sure it leaves a deep impression on He Zhongtang!
However, Manager Shi had a hunch and kindly reminded Committee Member Zhao that with his status and position, where would he get 80,000 taels of silver to give as a gift?

"Borrowed."

Zhao An gave Manager Shi a bright smile, "He Zhongtang should know that I borrowed 100,000 taels from the estate. Manager, you don't need to worry about that. Just make sure to deliver the 80,000 taels to the proper place for me."

After saying this, he got up and took his leave.

Shopkeeper Shi was left there lost in thought.

Did he borrow money from a moneylender at exorbitant interest rates just to give gifts to He Zhongtang?

What kind of operation is this?
What will the Grand Secretary think?
It feels like this money just went out, circled around, and then went back in.
No, the money originally belonged to the Emperor, but now it belongs to He Zhongtang.

Um.
Watching Lord Zhao's departing figure, Manager Shi's expression gradually changed.

This is a rare talent!
After saying goodbye to Manager Shi, Zhao An rushed to the restaurant without stopping.

Upon arrival, he was not recognized by the staff because he was not wearing official robes. After he introduced himself, the staff quickly invited the manager downstairs.

"Lord Zhao?!"

Manager Huang had obviously heard that the professor from the prefectural school had been "dealt with" by the old master when he went to the provincial capital for a meeting, but he probably didn't know that Professor Zhao had not only been released from prison but had also become the imperial commissioner to supervise education in Jiangsu.

Hence his surprised expression.

"Shopkeeper Huang, how have you been?"

Zhao An smiled and asked the other party to book a private room upstairs, as the principal was entertaining distinguished guests today.

As he went upstairs, he instructed the still bewildered shopkeeper: "Also, please send someone to the prefectural school to tell Magistrate Ma that I have returned."

"Yes, yes, sir!"

Manager Huang dared not delay and quickly arranged for his staff to go to the prefectural school to inform them.

The academy was not far from the hotel, and Ma Xuezheng arrived with Tong Xundao in less than half an hour. The two were quite excited to see the principal, who was noticeably thinner.

"After learning of your accident, I was so worried that I couldn't sleep for nights on end. Fortunately, you are blessed with good fortune, and good deeds are rewarded. I was overjoyed to hear that you have returned."

Ma Xuezheng's joy was genuine, for his eyes were filled with tears.

This is probably what it means to cry tears of joy.

Tong, the instructor, was also choked up repeatedly, his words choked by tears of happiness.

Zhao An was pleased and told his two good subordinates that he would be hosting a banquet for Wu Desong, the head of the Salt Administration Office, and asked them to accompany him.

Then I asked about the situation of the prefectural school.

The academy was unaffected by Zhao An's imprisonment and is back on track. Winter break will begin after the provincial examinations. "Great!"

Zhao An nodded. "Whether our Yangzhou Prefectural School can surpass Jiangnan in this provincial examination depends entirely on the results."

Upon hearing this, Ma Xuezheng hurriedly whispered, "Sir, you said that this year's imperial examination essay topic is about Yi Yin assisting Tang, Fu Yue assisting Emperor Gaozong, and Lü Wang meeting King Wen, discussing the art of employing people?"

"Yes, that's it. Did you organize a student surprise raid?"

As the principal, Zhao An still cares about the students.

"assault?"

The two good subordinates didn't understand what was meant.

Zhao An explained that it refers to whether or not there are organized personnel to give students focused lectures on policy essay topics, and then to help them apply the knowledge to other situations.

Ma Xuezheng hurriedly replied, "After receiving your letter, I immediately organized the teachers to study this topic overnight, and we have explained everything that needed to be explained to the students."

"We can't just focus on this one topic. Tomorrow, give the students some other questions about personnel management to study and review. That way, Yangzhou will be able to predict the exam questions correctly, instead of just guessing."

Zhao An coughed lightly, as if to say, "You two should understand."

"understand!"

The two good subordinates nodded knowingly.

A servant came to report that a gentleman surnamed Wu had arrived.

Zhao An hurriedly instructed the waiter to invite the people upstairs and introduced himself, the executive vice principal, and the director of studies to Manager Wu.

He subtly implied that both of them were his confidants and that he could speak freely with them.

After some polite greetings, the guests and hosts took their seats.

The waiter brought out the exquisite small plates of cold dishes that had been prepared in advance.

"The hot dishes will be served later."

Zhao An stopped the waiter who was about to serve the dishes, glanced at Instructor Tong, and the latter quickly got up and poured a bowl of tea for Manager Wu.

"I would like to ask Lord Wu for help with the salt permit matter. I will reward you handsomely once it is done."

With a smile on his face, Zhao An pushed a silver note of one thousand taels in front of Manager Wu.

"This"

After hesitating for a moment, Wu did not accept the silver note, but said, "I will certainly help Lord Zhao with his matter, but I also have something I would like to ask Lord Zhao for a favor."

"Of course, of course. Officials should help each other. Today I help Lord Wu, and tomorrow Lord Wu will help me. It's best to be harmonious and lively."

After speaking, Zhao An looked at his two subordinates and asked, "Don't you two agree?"

Ma Xuezheng hurriedly laughed and said, "That's exactly right. If you don't help anyone, wouldn't it be too tasteless to be an official?"

"Officialdom is like human relationships; these relationships can only last if there is give and take. Without give and take, how can there be any relationships?"

With a smile, Instructor Tong filled the glasses of Principal and Manager Wu to the brim.

Seeing this, Wu, the steward, spoke frankly.

However, he had a 21-year-old nephew who had been studying in Huai'an and had successfully passed the imperial examination to become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). However, in the first half of the year, he was reported for going to a brothel with a classmate. As a result, the prefectural school professor petitioned the provincial master to strip his nephew of his Xiucai degree.

This reform has rendered him useless, and now he stays at home sleeping in bed every day. His parents are extremely worried, and his uncle must be feeling terrible about it too. So he's thinking about whether he can ask Committee Member Zhao for help to restore his nephew's academic achievements.

"That's it,"

Zhao An nodded, then casually instructed Ma Xuezheng, "Tomorrow, write an official document in my name and send it to the provincial education commissioner's office. Tell them to mention Lord Wu, what's your nephew's name again?"

Manager Wu quickly replied, "His name is Wu Guodong."

"Wu Guodong, what a good name, it means a pillar of the nation."

Zhao An casually pointed at Ma Xuezheng and instructed him to have the provincial education office send Wu Guodong's enrollment form over by express courier.

"The child is still young and has not committed any serious offense. It was indeed inappropriate for the former master to punish him so severely. Lord Wu, rest assured, I will personally retrieve and destroy your nephew's academic records and issue a document to the Huai'an Prefectural School to restore your nephew's eligibility to study."

After saying that, Zhao An raised his glass: "Cheers!"

(End of this chapter)