Qing Yao

Chapter 331 Finally Joined the Department

"."

Heshen dared not and had no reason to steal this credit, because stealing it would be too degrading for him, the "second emperor" of the empire.

Fearing that the old master might say something inappropriate or give some reward in a moment of confusion, Heshen quickly explained, "Master, the battle was fought by Zhao Youlu, the acting governor of Anhui, not by your servant Heshen."

"Zhao Youlu?"

The old man thought and thought, and finally remembered who Zhao Youlu was. He raised his trembling right hand and gestured for Heshen to come closer. "Is he the one who donated a thousand taels of silver to me for the purpose of punishing a crime?"

Heshen nodded hurriedly and said, "Master, it's him!"

The old man said "Oh," and carefully examined Heshen's face, which was close to his. He said with some satisfaction, "You are very good. You know how to use people. This Zhao Youlu has not disappointed me. He fought a good battle. Tell me, how should I reward him?"

Hearing this, Heshen was secretly pleased and pressed his advantage, saying, "This servant believes that Zhao Youlu, who has performed such a great service as a bondservant, should be appointed as the Provincial Treasurer of Anhui. He can be promoted further when he achieves more merits."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jie was greatly alarmed and, disregarding everything else, resolutely objected, saying, "This is inappropriate! Although Zhao Youlu has rendered meritorious service, according to regulations, his achievements must be verified before he is rewarded. Moreover, the Provincial Governor is a second-rank official, while Zhao Youlu is still young, inexperienced, and of insufficient background."

"Lord Wang!"

Before Wang Jie could finish speaking, Heshen interrupted him, saying, "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Although the rebellion in Anhui has been quelled, we are currently facing a major disaster and need capable ministers to guard the region. Zhao Youlu is an honest and upright official who is skilled in both literature and martial arts. He is the only suitable candidate to guard Anhui. How can we decide based on his background or seniority?"

After saying that, seeing that Wang Jie still wanted to stop him, he simply added, "The Emperor knew about Zhao Youlu's talent last year, and that's why he promoted Zhao Youlu despite the odds. Wang Jie, you keep questioning Zhao Youlu. Are you saying that the Emperor was wrong to promote Zhao Youlu despite the odds?"

Upon hearing this, the old master seemed to recall something and nodded slightly, saying, "Heshen is right. Zhao Youlu was indeed promoted by me despite the exceptional circumstances. I remember, I remember."

He couldn't remember again, looking anxious and even drooling a little.

This scene was incredibly heartbreaking for both Heshen and Wang Jie.

Not far away, Prince Cheng and Prince Yi saw Heshen and his group arrive and hurriedly handed their bows and crossbows to their guards before rushing over.

"Grandpa is drooling, brother, let me go wipe it for him."

After finding the rabbit, Xiao Mianning picked up his little handkerchief and was about to walk towards his grandfather's dragon throne when his cousin Mian'en, who was older than his father, gently pulled him back, signaling Xiao Mianning not to go.

Xiao Mianning didn't know why her cousin wouldn't let her wipe her grandfather's drool. Mian'en didn't know how to explain it to her ten-year-old brother, so she picked him up and walked aside without getting involved.

No one dared to step forward to wipe the old man's drool, because the old man himself was unaware that he was drooling.

If someone were to step forward and remind the old man at this moment, the consequences would be obvious.

Has the old man really admitted that he's getting old?
Pretending not to notice, Heshen casually mentioned to the old man, "His Majesty has specially granted Zhao Youlu the title of Jinshi."

"Yes, yes, I even bestowed upon him the title of Jinshi (a high-ranking scholar)."

The old man looked at Wang Jie with obvious displeasure. "You said I was senile last time, and I didn't hold it against you. What, do you really think I'm senile? You, Wang Jie, tell me, was my choice of Zhao Youlu right or wrong? If it was wrong, I'll kill him. If it was right, should I take your title of top scholar away?"

"Your subject..." Wang Jie hesitated, then lowered his stubborn head, daring not to speak further.

It's obvious that the emperor has really gotten old; he's so old that some of the things he says and does are almost like a child's.

If Wang Jie doesn't dare to say it, how could anyone else dare to?

The old man waved his hand wearily: "As Heshen suggested, Zhao Youlu shall be appointed as the Provincial Treasurer of Anhui, while still serving as the Acting Governor."

To everyone's surprise, no sooner had the old master finished speaking than someone jumped out to object again. It was none other than Ji Yun, the Grand Scholar who had always "endured humiliation and carried heavy burdens" by the old master's side!

"Your Majesty, Zhao Youlu entered officialdom by purchasing a degree and was only transferred to the Imperial Household Department's bondservant status last year. According to the ancestral system of our Great Qing, the promotion of officials outside the capital should be gradual. Now, he has been suddenly promoted to the second-rank provincial governor, which is inconsistent with the ancestral system."

As soon as Ji Yun finished speaking, Dai Quheng, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet who was accompanying the emperor, stepped forward to echo him: "What Lord Ji said is absolutely right. I have checked Zhao Youlu's resume. Before he was appointed as the Grain Transport Commissioner, he had never governed a region. Anhui is an important area for grain transport. The Provincial Governor is in charge of the province's finances and civil administration. I am afraid that such an important position should be entrusted to someone with shallow experience."

"absurd!"

A sharp shout interrupted Dai Quheng's words.

Everyone turned around and saw Prince Yongxing approaching with a face full of disdain. "Lord Dai, you are mistaken! There are many Manchu youths who command thousands of troops before they even reach adulthood. For example, General Fukang'an was appointed First-Class Imperial Guard at the age of sixteen and became General of Jilin at the age of twenty. Former General Dingxi Mingliang joined the expedition against Jinchuan as a commander at the age of eighteen. Compared to them, how is Zhao Youlu young and how is he inexperienced?"

Seeing that Prince Cheng spoke up for Zhao Youlu, Heshen couldn't help but nod at him, even though he had just ordered someone to trip up the prince's brother-in-law.

But that was just to deflate Fukang'an's arrogance, not to transfer the treasure to someone else.

Ji Yun and Vice Minister Dai were speechless for a moment after being choked by Yongxing's words.

Indeed, the speed at which Manchu nobles rose through the ranks far surpassed that of Han officials.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Youlu is ultimately a Han Chinese bondservant; how can he be compared to Manchu nobles?"

Grand Secretary Ji was unwilling to accept this, not because he was truly reckless and dared to oppose Heshen, but purely out of "jealousy".

Why was Zhao Youlu, that kid, given the rank of second grader at just over twenty years old?
He was fifty-nine years old when he joined the ministry!
He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Heshen was staring at him suspiciously, but he was in a bind and could only protest to the end.

"Lord Ji's words are even more absurd!"

Yongxing glanced at the somewhat embarrassed Grand Secretary Ji and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. He has long issued an edict that people should be selected based on their talent, regardless of whether they are Manchu or Han. Zhao Youlu is both a scholar and a warrior, and he has made an unparalleled contribution this time. He is exactly the kind of pillar of our Great Qing that we urgently need. Let alone serving as the provincial governor, what would it matter if he were appointed as the provincial governor? If you, Lord Ji, can also make such a contribution for the Great Qing, Your Majesty will still give you an important position."

“But Zhao Youlu was just a school clerk last year, Your Majesty, Your Majesty.”

Ji Yun was getting anxious; he, who already had a stutter, was now experiencing a "writing block."

"enough,"

The old man first looked at Ji Yun, who was in charge of the Kaven, and then at Yongxing, who was smug. A hint of impatience flashed in his dim eyes, but when his gaze fell on Heshen, who was no longer young, his heart softened. He lazily waved his hand and said, "Let's do as I say. Let the Grand Council draft the decree."

(End of this chapter)