Qing Yao

Chapter 175 Teacher Zhao is Giving Out Money Again (Bonus Chapter 5 for Monthly Tickets)

Zhao An considered it worthwhile to exchange 80,000 taels of silver notes, worth approximately 40 million banknotes, for a single eight-word evaluation from the Imperial Vice Chancellor: "Not bad, knows the rules, and can get things done."

Moreover, the emperor instructed his subordinates to take good care of him.

The word "look after" alone is worth at least 80,000 taels of silver.

It should be noted that He Zhongtang's family fortune was equivalent to ten years of the Qing government's revenue, starting at at least 800 million taels.

Some say it's worth 1.2 billion taels, there are various claims, but the total value would be no less than 700 million taels.

He was truly the richest man in history, both ancient and modern, and even the great American king of later generations paled in comparison to him.

The fact that the Qing government was able to fight the White Lotus Rebellion for eight years without going bankrupt suggests that its military spending in the following years came from the "legacy" left by He Zongtang.

It's true what they say: when Heshen fell, Jiaqing feasted.

Therefore, while 80,000 taels of silver is a huge sum of money that would make other officials' hearts pound, it was barely worth a second glance from Renhe Zhongtang.

But Renhe Zhongtang specifically sent a message to Zhao An for this small sum of money. What does this indicate?
This shows that His Excellency the Grand Secretary values ​​you, Zhao Youlu, highly!
Shopkeeper Shi conveyed a similar meaning, believing that Lord Zhao was someone who could stand outside the door and wait to be summoned by the Grand Secretary.

This treatment was reserved for officials of the fourth rank or above.

"With the words of His Excellency, Zhao will surely be able to rise through the ranks of officialdom without anyone daring to offend him. His career will be smooth sailing and his future will be limitless. Who knows, in three to five years, Zhao may become the youngest prefect in our Great Qing Dynasty."

Manager Shi was genuinely happy for Principal Zhao. The higher Principal Zhao climbed, the safer his business would be.

The reason why it wasn't mentioned that Principal Zhao would become the youngest county magistrate is because the youngest county magistrate already existed: Chen Liuwu in the 56th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

This man was exactly 20 years old when he became the county magistrate.

He's even younger than Principal Zhao. Besides, Principal Zhao was just appointed by the imperial court as an education inspector. According to the rules, he will definitely be promoted after his term is over. Saying that he can become the youngest county magistrate is not a compliment.

Zhao An liked to hear nice words, but he felt that Manager Shi still looked down on him a bit. Why was he the youngest prefect instead of the youngest governor?

The old master preferred to employ young people; there were plenty of high-ranking officials of the first or second rank around twenty years old.

On second thought, I realized why Manager Shi said that – it was because he wasn't a Chinese (Manchu).

For a Han Chinese official to become a prefect in charge of a region in his early twenties was a miracle, even in the late Qianlong period when he was senile.

"I have a promising future, and the shopkeeper also has a bright future."

After smilingly inviting Manager Shi to sit down, Zhao An suddenly asked, "Since Your Excellency has instructed your men to look after me, does that mean I can borrow more money from your estate in the future?"

If the credit limit is indeed increased and doesn't require approval from the head office, Zhao An will borrow the entire amount right now.

Why not lend it to someone who's already been lent out?

Anyway, the old man can live for another eight years after the New Year, so paying back the interest for only eight years is not a big problem for Zhao An.

Uh?
Shopkeeper Shi hadn't expected this at all, and out of goodwill, he reminded Principal Zhao not to get his hopes up too high.

The Grand Secretary values ​​you and hopes that you will promote the policy of allowing students to study abroad in Jiangsu, thereby providing a mature template and experience for the next step of nationwide promotion, rather than having you endlessly spend money from the Imperial Household Department.

Another implication is that the Grand Secretary shouldn't think he doesn't know you're using this opportunity to curry favor. The reason he didn't say anything is because if this matter of borrowing a place to study goes well, you, Commissioner Zhao, can also gain some benefits and pay back the debt you owe the Emperor.

The Grand Secretary is not afraid of your greed, nor is he afraid of you not repaying the money; he is only afraid that you cannot get things done.

As long as the work can be done, everything is negotiable. "It would be best if you, sir, stopped taking money from the estate. If you must take money, it should wait until you are promoted. That way, things will be easier for me."

"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for the shopkeeper, we're friends."

Zhao An chatted idly with Manager Shi, and as they talked, Manager Shi started complaining that the Canal Gang had somehow monopolized the canal and wouldn't let anyone sail, causing many businessmen in Yangzhou to be extremely anxious.

Small businesses are fine; they can just pay more for shipping by land. But big businesses are so bad they make you want to kill someone.

Zhao An knew that paralyzing the canal would not only affect trade between the capital and the south, but also the merchants in Yangzhou, but there was nothing that could be done about it.

We can only try to minimize the impact on the public.

"I heard that the canal transport office owed the canal workers for their transport fees. With the New Year approaching, the workers got impatient and started fighting with the office."

Manager Shi is from Yangzhou's financial circles, and I guess he also wants to get information from Zhao An, this big shot.

Zhao An naturally sided with the Grand Canal Gang, saying that even if he didn't say it, the entire city of Yangzhou should know what was going on by tomorrow.

“I know those people in the Grand Canal Transport Office. They’ve been a bit too harsh on the canal workers and laborers. But even if the Grand Canal Transport Office is wrong, the canal workers have gone too far this time. By openly going against the Grand Canal Transport Office like this, I’m afraid the canal workers will be the ones who suffer in the end.”

Manager Shi's view was clearly the view of most people, after all, the common people cannot fight against the officials.

Little did he know that Principal Zhao, who sat in front of him and was described by the Grand Secretary as "knowing the rules and capable of doing things," was actually the mastermind behind the whole affair.

Zhao An certainly wouldn't tell Manager Shi much about the canal gang's affairs. The two chatted for a while longer, and then Manager Shi tactfully took his leave.

After he left, Zhao An quickly picked up his pen to write a speech, and then summoned Ma Xuezheng, Tong Xundao, and others to hold a working meeting on the academy examination and the reception of the governor.

Other student officers from the school also attended the meeting.

Vice Principal Ma and his colleagues were already used to the principal's frequent absences from work.

Zhao An thought this was a good habit because he had actually handed over the daily work of the prefectural school to Vice Principal Ma. This was not only because he was busy with multiple duties and couldn't manage everything, but also to give Vice Principal Ma room to grow so that he could smoothly take over the prefectural school after the principal was promoted.

Vice Principal Ma and his team had already come up with a plan for the college entrance examination and the reception of the governor and magistrate; Zhao An only needed to go through the motions.

Work meetings are bound to be tedious. After a symbolic speech about highlighting key points and ensuring implementation, and after demanding that the entire academy do its utmost to guarantee the smooth conduct of the provincial examinations, Zhao An cleared his throat, looked at his subordinate academic officials who were all listening attentively to his speech, and said with no small amount of pleasure:

"This year marks the fifty-fifth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign. It is not only a joyous year for His Majesty's eightieth birthday, but also a year of fruitful achievements for our Yangzhou Prefectural School. In this short year, you have all witnessed the changes in the school, and I believe you all share my immense joy."
Of course, this achievement is inseparable from your support as professor and your dedication to the prefectural school. Therefore, I have decided to take some money from the prefectural school's public account to thank you all. [To the person in question]…

"The humble position is here!"

Vice Principal Ma quickly stood up.

"Sit down, sit down. How much money is left in the account?"

Zhao An raised his hand, gesturing for Vice Principal Ma to sit down and talk.

Vice Principal Ma hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, there are still over 60,000 taels in the account."

"Well,"

Zhao An closed his speech draft. "Then let's distribute 20,000 taels of silver according to the previously agreed rules. We've been busy for a year, and it's time for me, as the professor, to show my appreciation to everyone."

(End of this chapter)