Qing Yao

Chapter 256 Zhao Youlu's powerful backer
A ninth-rank official voluntarily surrendered a thousand taels of silver as a form of punishment, thus becoming a national role model and being promoted five ranks.

Is this kind of good thing really something that fell from the sky?
A normal person would think: "There's no such thing as a free lunch; there must be something fishy going on!"

Many officials in the Liangjiang region already suspected that Zhao An's case of awarding a prisoner a silver coin was orchestrated by Heshen behind the scenes. Therefore, even though they hated Zhao An to the core, they dared not deal with him. Now that Zhao An has spoken out so openly, it is merely a response to this suspicion.

Since General Kuilun from Fuzhou, who was passing by, also said that he was Heshen's lackey, we might as well go with the flow and make the most of Heshen's value.

However, this response was still a lie.

That thousand taels was extorted from the magistrate of Dongtai County, not given to him by someone through Heshen.

But it is not important.

The important point is that Fuchang could not possibly go to Heshen to inquire about the truth of the matter.

The two of them would never bring up this matter if they actually met; that's what you call etiquette.

The tacit understanding in officialdom.

If everything is explained outright, it loses its meaning; everything requires enlightenment.

Once you grasp this, you'll have room for action and association.

Why does the dignified Vice Chancellor of the Empire choose to make a role model a lowly ninth-rank official far from the capital, instead of setting up someone else as an example?
It even made the daily headlines of the Qing Dynasty. Tsk tsk, is this petty official related to you and the Grand Secretary, or to the person behind the Grand Secretary?

Otherwise, why would they need to advertise like this?

Think about it properly, use your ass!

There's another official who gets promoted five ranks and receives a yellow riding jacket!
He was promoted ten ranks in less than a year, and even went to jail for bribery, but was released unscathed. The provincial education commissioner who dealt with him was urgently transferred back to the capital, leaving the position of provincial education commissioner vacant to this day.

Being appointed as a seventh-rank prefectural school professor and then as an education inspector was unprecedented. Adding the title of Imperial Censor of the Grand Canal meant he could even directly mobilize the Green Standard Army to arrest the Grand Canal rebels.
Is it simply because Zhao Youlu was Heshen's lackey?
Could a mere lackey accomplish these things?

If Zhao An hadn't deliberately misled Fu Chang into linking his romantic affair with the old master during his trip to the south, he probably would have believed it himself.

I really believe it.

Father and mother are not as dear as grandfather.

Zhao An's success today is entirely thanks to the old man.

It's just that the old man is too old, otherwise we would definitely draw a bucket of his blood for testing.

"If it weren't for His Excellency's guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Zhao An's gratitude towards Heshen was obvious at a glance, but he didn't mention the old master at all.

The less you mention it, the more Renfu thinks wildly with his ass.

The result of his wild thoughts was: "Hiss! This kid is terrifying!"

My heart was pounding, and I regretted it.

What's there to regret?
Did you lose your mind and actually think of dragging Prince Wufu into embezzling the imperial assets?
No wonder the Fifth Prince has been hesitant to make a statement.

This kind of scumbag behavior is no different from tricking someone's son into stealing his father's money.

Don't be fooled by how well-dressed the people from Fuchang look; they're practically drenched in sweat.

His once kind and chubby face was now stiff as if he had suffered a stroke; he couldn't laugh or cry.

It's no wonder that Master Fu was so easily fooled; Zhao An's story was even more captivating than "The Story King." Even if Master Fu's brother, Sherlock Holmes, were to come along, the result of his deduction would be the same.

Standing before them was the rising star of the empire's south, the illegitimate son of the greatest emperor to date, Emperor Qianlong, whose blood flowed freely from the noble Aisin Gioro clan!

If nothing unexpected happens, this fifth son will surely become another third or fourth son in the near future.

He was incredibly powerful and influential. There was no way around it; the old patriarch was simply biased towards his illegitimate son.

Since they couldn't give them the throne, they could only give them power that was unattainable for others.

The thought that Prince Wufu might become his superior filled Master Fu with regret.

"Sir, what's going on?"

Zhao An's mother asked a question she already knew the answer to.

What could Lord Fu say but sincerely exclaim, "Lord He is truly a benefactor to you, sir!"

note!

The governor was referred to as "Your Excellency" (大人), not "Lord Zhao" (赵大人).

The meaning changes completely with just one less word.

Just as he was worrying about how to resolve the issue of their cooperation in embezzlement, Prince Wufu said, "What you said before, sir, I think is acceptable. However, regarding the new site of the Jiangning Academy, sir, you need to come up with a plan as soon as possible."

Zhao An decided to cooperate with Fuchang in selling Chaotian Palace because he originally planned to relocate Jiangning Prefectural School, otherwise it would be difficult to arrange for students to study there, school district housing, and the supply chain for the canteen's logistics.

The question is, where should the new prefectural school be located?

They're selling the land and buildings, not the entire Jiangning key high school, including its teachers and students, to a private entrepreneur.

Zhao An's change in attitude eased Fu Chang's tense nerves, and he quickly said that he had already made plans for the new school site. He would utilize a vacant space in the city belonging to the Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office, and with a little renovation and modification, it could become the new Jiangning High School.

That place was originally a training ground for the Eight Banners soldiers. It was abandoned during the Yongzheng era. It occupied a huge area, several times larger than the current Chaotian Palace. It could easily accommodate a new Jiangning High School, or even build another Jiangning University.

Zhao An nodded in approval of Master Fu's arrangement, indicating that he would handle the ideological work at Jiangning Academy, but he would also oversee the construction of the new academy site.

After all, he also served as a Jiangsu Provincial Education Inspector, and couldn't just sit back and do nothing.

Fuchang was naturally delighted and expressed that the provincial governor's office would fully cooperate, and that the provincial governor's office would provide whatever Prince Wufu'er needed, even if it meant selling everything they owned.

Zhao An was satisfied, and the two parties dined together.

During meals, they don't discuss business, but only romance and pleasantries.

After a satisfying meal, we said goodbye and left.

Just then, Old Chen, the provincial governor's financial advisor, appeared, stroking his goatee and asking with a smile, "It seems that Zhao Youlu has agreed?"

Fu Chang nodded, but instructed Chen Shiye: "No matter how much the Jiangning Academy sells for, the proceeds should be divided equally. Don't hide it from him."

"this?"

Master Chen was stunned. He had already found two buyers for his benefactor, one willing to pay 360 million taels and the other willing to pay 380 million taels.

If all of this were to be divided equally, we would lose hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

"Just do as I say."

Fu Chang warned, "This boy has a powerful background; he's not someone you or I can fool."

Master Chen was puzzled: "Isn't Zhao Youlu just someone who gained power by currying favor with Heshen? He's just a fourth-rank official. It's understandable that you should be cautious, but there's no need to be so wary of him, is there?"

"You don't understand, and I can't explain it to you."

Fu Chang waved his hand, got up and walked to the window to look at Zhongshan Mountain in the distance. He stood there for a long time, then suddenly said, "But with this boy, we can feel more at ease no matter what we do in Jiangning."

(End of this chapter)