Qing Yao

Chapter 245 Good Official Zhao Youlu

The Jiangning Provincial Administration Office was located in Zhan Garden on the banks of the Qinhuai River. This garden is one of the "Four Famous Gardens of Jiangnan". It was originally the Wu Prince's Mansion before Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, became emperor. Later, it was bestowed upon Xu Da as the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion.

The current Provincial Governor of Jiangning is Fuchang, who comes from the Manchu Plain White Banner. This provincial governor is nominally under the control of the Jiangsu Governor, but in reality, he is independently responsible for the affairs of Jiangning and the prefectures and counties north of the Yangtze River.

Last year, the prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Jiangning Provincial Administration Commission paid 760 million taels of tax to the imperial court, but the prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Jiangsu Provincial Administration Commission paid 985 million taels of tax to the Ministry of Revenue, ranking first in the country.

If you add up the taxes of the two provincial administrations, it is twice as much as that of neighboring Zhejiang, and four times that of Guangdong, which ranks ninth.

In fact, the tax revenue of a single prefecture in Jiangsu Province is higher than that of entire provinces in remote areas such as Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou.

It was precisely because Jiangsu was so wealthy that two provincial governors were appointed in the province, artificially creating division and preventing Jiangsu from becoming united.

If a province's tax revenue accounts for one-fifth or even one-quarter of the national tax revenue, any dynasty would have to guard against it with utmost vigilance.

News of the newly appointed Jiang'an Grain Commissioner's vigorous efforts to maintain integrity spread quickly throughout Jiangning City, and the first person to learn of this was Fu Chang, the Jiangning Provincial Governor.

Fu Chang's ancestral surname was Hesheli. In terms of rank, the powerful minister Suo'etu during the Kangxi era was his third grandfather. Like many bannermen who entered officialdom, Fu Chang also entered the officialdom through the translation examination. However, it took him thirty years in officialdom before he became a provincial governor. Considering that his promotion speed was significantly slower than that of his peers, he was not as successful as he was.

Fu Daren had a hobby: he especially liked wearing Hanfu from the Ming Dynasty. He even built a theater in the governor's office and would often invite Kunqu opera troupes to perform. His favorite piece was "The Peach Blossom Fan".

It was not unusual for Manchu officials to wear Hanfu in private, because the current emperor's favorite things were wearing Hanfu, writing Han poems, and listening to Han music.

If there is something good on the top, it will be great on the bottom.

However, the good thing about Master Fu is that he only learned two of the old master's three hobbies, and he never wrote Chinese poetry.

In this way, his official position became as secure as an old dog, successfully avoiding the peak period of literary inquisitions.

It should be noted that during the peak of literary inquisitions, many Manchu governors and viceroys were executed by their fathers for writing poems.

Since writing poetry is so dangerous, then I won't write it.

If even writing is dangerous, Fu Daren might not be able to write at all.

All memorials and documents submitted to the imperial court were reviewed and approved by the advisors and clerks before being submitted.

The main focus is on stability.

When the eager subordinate informed the governor of the grain transport office about the latest developments, the governor was in his office having a tailor take his measurements. Perhaps he had eaten too much rich food during the New Year, which caused the governor's weight to increase again.

It weighs at least 280 pounds.

His extreme obesity made it difficult for the governor to even go to the outhouse, and he had to be helped by two maids every time. Because he was too fat, wiping his bottom was also difficult, so the two maids had to do the cleanup as well.

"Go elsewhere for promotion and wealth; those who are greedy and cunning, do not enter this door? The banner reads 'The people are the most important.' And he even brought an iron coffin to his post?"

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Lord Fu couldn't help but laugh. "That Zhao Youlu got promoted by offering bribes. Kuilun publicly called him Heshen's lackey. Do you believe that such a person swears to be an honest official? I certainly don't."

The subordinates naturally echoed, "It's obvious he's just trying to gain fame and reputation. What decent person would bring a coffin to take office?"

"It's just copying others' ideas, a poor imitation. Back in the reign of Emperor Kangxi, there was a man named Peng Peng who placed a coffin in the main hall of the government office to show his integrity. However, Peng Peng was truly honest and dedicated to his duties. Emperor Kangxi praised him as an honest official on par with Jackie Chan and Zhang Boxin. Later, he even rose to the position of Governor of Guangdong."

Lord Fu gestured for the tailor, who had already taken his waist measurement, to leave. He casually picked up a pawn from the chessboard and laughed, "This Zhao Youlu is just a copycat and a student of the Imperial Academy. Without Heshen's deliberate promotion, he wouldn't even be a fourth-rank grain commissioner, let alone a seventh-rank county magistrate. If this kid can rise to the position of governor like Peng Peng, I'll eat all the pieces in this chessboard."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the gatekeeper came to report that the newly appointed Jiang'an Grain Commissioner, Zhao Youlu, had sent someone to deliver a formal letter and a gift list to the yamen.

"Why would an official from Anhui appoint me?"

Lord Fu was puzzled. Although the Jiang'an Grain Circuit Office had been stationed in Jiangning City for over a hundred years, none of the previous Grain Circuit Intendants had ever interacted with the Jiangning officialdom, let alone proactively sent invitations or gifts.

The reason is that the imperial court has relevant regulations that prohibit officials from different provinces from forming private alliances, because if discovered, they could easily be impeached by the censors for forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices.

Unless it's for official business, what official business could a newly appointed Anhui grain commissioner possibly have with the Jiangning provincial governor? You should at least serve for a while before making any decisions.

The subordinate couldn't help but wonder, "Does Zhao Youlu not have anyone to remind him of this crucial point?"

It is recommended that the post and gift list be returned to avoid causing trouble for the Provincial Governor.

The governor pondered for a moment, then asked the gatekeeper to bring him the invitation and gift list.

Curious, he wondered what gift Zhao Youlu, who had tricked him into paying an extra 10,000 taels of silver as punishment, had given him.

Simply out of curiosity.

The items were quickly brought over. The post was nothing special; it was just a business card for officials, introducing themselves.

The gift list is also a standard one, with each gift listed on it, making it easy to see at a glance.

When the governor opened the gift list, his expression changed slightly, because there were no gifts listed, only a silver note of eight thousand taels pasted on it.

This enormous sum of money, far exceeding the rules of officialdom, left Lord Fu somewhat dazed. He casually picked up a pastry and put it in his mouth, nearly breaking his front tooth in the process.

What was that snack? It was none other than the pawn that had crossed the river!
Inside the grain transport office, coachman Zhu Daqian grumbled, "No, I'm just a coachman, why should I write a commitment letter?"

Zheng Dianshi, who was in charge of the matter, impatiently put the letter of commitment on the table: "What are you talking about? Are you Zhu Daqian a member of our grain transport department? Doesn't your family eat and drink for the department? If you dare to say that you are not a member of the department, then you don't need to write this letter of commitment."

"That's true, but I'm not an official. Why should I write a commitment letter? What can I possibly promise?"

Zhu Daqian dared not risk losing his livelihood, but he also felt that he didn't need to write this stuff like the officials. He wondered what kind of embezzlement or legal injustice a cart driver could possibly commit.

"There are many promises, such as promising not to accept requests from relatives and friends to ask people in government offices for favors, promising not to act as a go-between for outsiders and receive benefits in return, promising not to use government vehicles for personal matters in private, and not to bring government property home."

Zheng Dianshi rattled off several rules in one breath, all of which were detailed regulations formulated by the newly appointed Daotai (provincial governor).

And they are all targeted.

Each point struck at Zhu Daqian, the rickshaw driver's weak spot.

Putting everything else aside, Zhu Daqian, can you honestly say that you haven't taken office supplies or leftover drinks from the government office home all these years? Have you never used the government office's vehicles to transport people or move things for your own family?
The relevant detailed rules require not only the staff of the grain transport office to make a commitment, but also all subordinate agencies and managed entities to follow suit.

Everyone should be honest and upright; honesty is everyone's responsibility.

Unless you refuse to work for the government, everyone should prioritize integrity.

"Zheng Tou, is this stuff really useful?"

Zhu Daqian's head was throbbing from all the talking. If he did as he was told, how would his family survive on the meager salary the government paid him?

Don't underestimate his job as a coachman; in fact, he was quite respected among the neighbors. He would tell people that he was a "driver" for the magistrate.

"Whether it's useful or not is up to the higher-ups to decide. Why are you worrying about it? Either write it or pack your things and go home."

Zheng Dianshi was also seething with anger, but as the saying goes, "a higher-ranking official can crush a lower one," and if he didn't deal with it, his superiors would deal with him.

Zhu Daqian muttered, "But I can't write."

Zheng Qushi said irritably, "I'll write it for you, but then you write your own name and put your fingerprint on it. Don't tell me you can't even write your own name!"

Zhu Daqian sighed helplessly and said, "You can write the name, though."

While Zheng Dianshi was helping Zhu Daqian write a letter of commitment, Chef Wang, who was in charge of cooking in the kitchen, was also having a headache because he was also required to write a letter of commitment.

"Zhang Tou, I'm just a cook. What could I possibly be greedy for? What could a cook like me possibly be greedy for? Is this your idea, Zhang Tou, or the idea of ​​that new magistrate?"

Cook Wang had reason to suspect that Clerk Zhang was taking the opportunity to extort money from him, using the name of the newly arrived Circuit Intendant to get some benefits out of him.

These words clearly displeased Zhang Dianshi, who slammed his hand on the table: "You didn't embezzle? Rice, oil, flour, vegetables—you've taken everything home! I didn't even bother to say anything to you, but you're jumping up and down like this! Let me tell you the truth, if you can't do the job, then get out! What, does my grain transport office have to eat raw rice and drink thin soup without you?!"

The intimidation worked; Chef Wang dared not lose his job and hurriedly said, "No, I'll write it, I can't write it."

He's better than the coachman Zhu Daqian; he can really write.

After he finished writing, Zhang Dianshi nodded: "Be clean these next two months. After all, that person has just taken office and is waiting to make an example of someone to establish his authority. Don't walk into that trap yourself, or I won't be able to protect you."

"Don't worry, I know it."

After saying that, Chef Wang took out a three-ounce silver ingot from his waist pouch and stuffed it into Zhang Dianshi's hand. Zhang Dianshi glanced at it and put it in his pocket. Then his gaze fell on Song Ma, who was in charge of washing vegetables.

Startled, Song Ma exclaimed, "Does someone who washes and prepares vegetables have to write this ridiculous commitment letter?"

"The magistrate said that everyone who works for our government, no matter who they are, has to write this down!"

Zhang Dianshi got up and went to Song Ma, who was looking flustered. "A few days ago, you brought home a piece of pork that weighed several pounds. Did you really think no one knew?"

"Oh dear, how could you accuse someone so wrongly?"

Song Ma immediately started acting like a shrew, ready to cry out that she was innocent and throw a tantrum to prove that her actions were absolutely innocent.

He was stunned by Zhang Dianshi's words: "That's what your lover said."

Who is Song Ma's lover?

Old Li, who is in charge of purchasing in the cafeteria, surely knows how much stuff he buys and how much he uses.
If it weren't for Song Ma making Old Li happy all the time, would Old Li have let you steal things into his home?

Where is Old Li now?

He was taken by the entourage of the newly arrived governor to review the accounts. They said it was to review the canteen's procurement accounts for the past six months, to see which purchases were necessary and which were unnecessary, so as to control the use of funds.

Many people from other departments were also taken in for auditing, which shows that the newly arrived governor is truly determined to eradicate extravagance and waste and curb the culture of excessive eating and drinking.

Not a single staff member in the entire grain transport office, including the gatekeepers and drivers, applauded this.

In any case, the government offices have been through a lot these past few days, with letters of commitment and self-reflection being issued. It's truly a case of officials having no peace and clerks having no tranquility.

No one knows how long the magistrate's flame of integrity and dedication to public service will burn.

However, there was one thing that all the staff admired: the Daotai (official in charge) kept his word and did not accept any bribes from his subordinates upon taking office.

And the food and drink were indeed as he himself said, consisting of four dishes and a soup.

The three words "cleanliness, prudence, and integrity" were truly embodied in the magistrate in every aspect of his life.

He was always the first to get up early and the last to go to sleep every day. He also handled all the affairs left by his predecessor, which significantly improved the atmosphere of the government office.

That day, residents living on Jixian Street near the Grain Transport Office were stunned by what they saw when they opened their doors early in the morning.

The once dirty and chaotic street, covered with withered branches and fallen leaves, has become spotless, and the yamen runners have cleaned up the clutter that a resident had piled up in front of his door.

Surprised, the residents couldn't help but ask the familiar constables what they were doing.

One of the constables, busy transporting garbage, wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a smile, "Today is the Grain Transport Commissioner's Day. Our Commissioner is leading us to do good deeds for the people."

"The grain transport is for the people?"

The residents were puzzled, wondering what this thing was.

"Yes, from now on, every 3rd, 6th, and 9th day will be a day for serving the people. As long as our Daotai is in the yamen, he will personally come out to do some practical things for everyone."

Our elders said that officials must have the people in their hearts, and no matter how small the matter, it's important to the people. So even if what we do is insignificant, as long as the people are happy, we should continue doing it forever!

The one who spoke was Baili Yunlong, disguised as a yamen runner. He had been waiting for the residents to ask so that he could loudly recite what Shaojun had taught him.

Baili Yunlong's words sparked a flurry of discussion among the surrounding residents, who were all amazed that there was such a good official in the world, that the Grain Transport Office was established specifically for the people, and that the once high and mighty officials had actually taken the initiative to pick up a broom and sweep the streets for the people.

Amidst the chatter, everyone's eyes were fixed on the newly arrived Daotai, eager to know what such a fine official was like.

The elderly people who have lived on Jixian Street for decades are all exclaiming that the sun must have risen in the west today. Hey, they've never seen an official leading a group of people to sweep the streets in their entire lives!
Guided by the yamen runners, the residents quickly spotted Lord Zhao, who was working diligently in the distance.

Zhao An ignored the stares directed at him from afar and focused on his work. At this moment, Liu Xiaolou came to persuade him, "Sir, this work is so dirty, you should change your clothes."

"Change your clothes, you idiot!"

Zhao An struggled to hoist the load of garbage onto his shoulder, glaring at Liu Xiaolou. "You've changed clothes, who's going to know I'm an adult?"

After saying that, he straightened his back, picked up the load, and strode towards the garbage "recycling point".

Under the rising sun, the official's hat with its lapis lazuli top shimmered with brilliant gold.

The dusty yellow vest seemed out of place with its surroundings, yet it exuded an indescribable sense of warmth.

"What a good official!"

This is the evaluation of an octogenarian passerby on Jixian Street. Whether it's objective or not, it's certainly very true.

(End of this chapter)