Qing Yao

Chapter 335 Goodness, the grave is about to explode!

In the back courtyard of the Ganquan County government office, the servants were extremely busy.

The imperial decree has arrived, and Lao Ding will soon set off for Haimen to assume the post of a fifth-rank "department head." The new county magistrate will arrive the day after tomorrow, so Lao Ding must quickly have his belongings packed so that he can head to Haimen to take up his post once the handover is complete.

Having served as the magistrate of Ganquan for more than two years, Lao Ding still had a deep affection for the place. So much so that he didn't fire a final shot before leaving office. He simply accepted the "farewell gifts" from his subordinates as usual. There were also "receipts for arrival" waiting for Lao Ding to collect from Haimen. These two routines alone would amount to at least several thousand taels of silver.

Several servants from his hometown were busy packing in the courtyard. When Old Ding took office in Ganquan, he brought more than forty people with him. Now, he was leaving with the same great commotion. The large and small packages required several horse-drawn carts, and with passengers, more than a dozen carts would need to be hired.

Of course, the expenses were covered by the Ganquan County government.

After all, Lao Ding was promoted, not dismissed, and he did not leave the province.

"You can't put them like that! These famille rose vases are something I went through a lot of trouble to acquire. If you put them like this, what if they get bumped or knocked over?"

Seeing that the two servants had carelessly placed his treasures on the ground, Old Ding was immediately displeased. He trotted forward, carefully picked up the pair of pink bottles, and placed them into a large box lined with cotton quilts.

"They're just a pair of broken bottles, what's the point? Don't the government offices in Haimen have a few decent decorations?"

The speaker was Madam Wang, wife of Old Ding, who was currently packing her valuables with her second daughter-in-law, Qin.

Ever since her eldest son's family went to Jiangning with her granddaughter's husband, Wang Shi intended to entrust the household affairs to her second daughter-in-law, Qin Shi. Qin Shi was also clever and quick-witted, and could learn anything very easily, which pleased Wang Shi.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the second daughter-in-law will be in charge of the Ding family from now on.

The second son, Ding Ping, was a bit of a disappointment. He had somehow picked up the habit of smoking opium and would sneak off to the opium den whenever he had free time. Forget about studying; he was always listless and lethargic, like a sleepy person, and he had also lost a lot of weight. Old Ding was so angry that he beat his wayward son with a stick several times, but no matter how much he scolded or beat him, he couldn't get rid of his son's bad habit of smoking opium.

Ding Ping isn't at the county office right now; he's probably off smoking opium again.

If your son doesn't study hard, you can only hope that your wife is virtuous.

“Madam, you know how hard I worked to get these pink bottles. If they get damaged, I’ll be the one who feels bad, not you.”

Old Ding smiled and walked straight to the corridor, watching several servants securely tie up a pile of heavy books.

These books are all from Lao Ding's collection accumulated over the years, including several ancient scrolls from the Song Dynasty. No matter where he went to serve as an official, Lao Ding would take these books with him.

Aside from being a place to look at things and for decoration, the county magistrate's study couldn't be completely empty.

"In my opinion, don't bring all these bottles and jars. They're just a burden. Just buy them when you get there. Look at you, with all these big and small vehicles. When the people see you, they'll think you, the county magistrate, have embezzled a lot of money these past two years."

While laughing, Wang quickly stuffed dozens of pieces of pure gold jewelry and a stack of silver notes into a hidden compartment of a small camphor wood chest. Then she locked it with a click, but instead of keeping the key with her, she casually handed it to her second daughter-in-law, Qin.

"mother?"

Qin was taken aback when her mother-in-law gave her the key to the household's money. She was unsure whether she should reach out and take it.

"Xianglian, take this. Your mother said yesterday that once we get to Haimen, we'll hand over the reins of this family to you."

Old Ding turned around and nodded to his daughter-in-law. After looking around in the yard for a while, he went into the study with his hands behind his back.

On the desk was an iron box containing his private letters with various parties over the years, as well as an account book containing information that was not convenient for outsiders to know.

The box was locked, but the key was with Old Ding.

Looking at the empty study, Old Ding couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He gently patted the iron box, stroked his beard, and began to calculate. During his two years in office in Ganquan County, he had managed to save up 20,000 to 30,000 taels of silver after bribing his superiors and subordinates. Although Haimen Hall, where he was transferred this time, was not as wealthy as Ganquan County, it was a large place with many people, and the potential for wealth would certainly not be less than that of Ganquan County.

Thinking of this, a smile crept onto Old Ding's lips.

He didn't consider himself the kind of fool who would extort money from everyone, but he never hesitated to take what he was entitled to. The officialdom of the Qing Dynasty was all about mutual favors and back-scratching; if the water was too clear, there would be no fish.

Even if he doesn't take it, his superiors will assume he has, and his subordinates will think the same way.

Since that's the case, why not take it?

"Sir, should we also take these old official documents and files to Haimen?"

The butler, carrying a stack of yellowed files, passed by the study and, seeing the master inside, hurriedly called out to ask for instructions.

Old Ding glanced at the stack of files and documents in the steward's hand, then casually lifted it up and ordered, "Send them to the ceremonial office. If they find them useful, keep them; if not, burn them."

"Yes, sir."

No sooner had the steward left than a familiar voice came from the courtyard outside: "Lord Ding, Lord Ding!"

It sounded like Professor Ma from the prefectural school, who had been promoted by his granddaughter's husband. This person was very close to his granddaughter's husband and even managed several properties for him. Therefore, Old Ding regarded him as a member of the "small loan gang," but only an outer member. This person did not know the secrets.

A servant said, "Master Ma, my master is in his study."

"it is good!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Professor Ma, dressed in a faded quail-patterned robe, stepped into Old Ding's study.

"Lord Ding!"

Professor Ma, his face flushed with barely suppressed excitement, practically ran to Old Ding and exclaimed, "Did you see today's official gazette, Lord Ding?!"

"Official Gazette?"

Old Ding was a little confused by Professor Ma's excited appearance. What was wrong with the official gazette?
He's been busy packing these past few days and hasn't even been to the front office, so he hasn't had time to read any official gazettes.

"Lord Ding, look!"

Seeing that Old Ding was unaware, Professor Ma quickly unfolded the official gazette in his hand, his excited finger pointing directly at a line of text, his voice trembling with excitement: "Lord Zhao! Lord Zhao Youlu! He has been officially appointed by the court as the Provincial Treasurer of Anhui, acting as the Governor! The imperial edict has been issued, and the whole country knows!"

"what?!"

Old Ding felt a "buzz" in his ears, as if someone had hit him on the top of his head with a heavy hammer. He shuddered and snatched the newspaper from Professor Ma's hand. His eyes were fixed on the line of black text, and his heart was pounding as if it was going to jump out of his throat.

"...The position of Provincial Treasurer of Anhui is vacant; Zhao Youlu is hereby appointed to the actual post and to act as Governor..."

Every word in the official gazette seemed to be cast in gold, causing Old Ding's pupils to dilate repeatedly. A surge of wild joy welled up within him. His granddaughter's husband had become a second-rank provincial governor!

This is like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, no, it's like ascending directly to the heavens!

An overwhelming sense of ecstasy instantly engulfed Lao Ding, like molten lava.

"Good, good, good!"

After three consecutive "good"s, Old Ding, who should have burst into laughter, suddenly froze. Then his mouth opened slightly, and he kept making "hoarse" sounds in his throat. His hands holding the official gazette trembled violently, and his body began to convulse.

broken!

Professor Ma was startled by Lao Ding's appearance. Fortunately, he had seen many students go crazy after learning that they had passed the imperial examination and knew that this was a case of "ecstasy". Without saying a word, he stepped forward and quickly helped Lao Ding sit down, while pinching his philtrum.

"Sir, what's wrong with you!"

When Wang, who had brought her daughter-in-law, saw this scene, she screamed in fright. Her daughter-in-law, Qin, was also stunned and stood there, not knowing what to do. Just then, Old Ding finally recovered under Professor Ma's "rescue".

Upon seeing his wife, Old Ding burst into tears of joy: "Madam, our grandson-in-law has become a provincial governor! He's become a provincial governor!"

Madam Wang was taken aback: "Really? My lord, you can't be joking like that!"

"Madam, it's true, absolutely true! The official gazette has been published throughout the land. Lord Zhao is favored by the Emperor and enjoys great favor!"

Professor Ma was stunned as he picked up the fallen official gazette and handed it to Madam Wang: Grandson-in-law? When did Lord Zhao become Magistrate Ding's grandson-in-law?
I remember that Lord Zhao's wife's surname was Luo.

No, it seems that Lord Zhao has a concubine. Could it be that Magistrate Ding married his granddaughter to Lord Zhao as a concubine?

Goodness, if that's really the case, Lord Ding has a really good eye for people. He sacrificed his granddaughter to catch the wolf in the trap!

Damn it, how come I didn't think of that?

Professor Ma felt a sense of loss, as if he had missed out on something.

He immediately perked up. "Lord Zhao is so young and he's already a second-rank official. What will he be like in a few years?"

I am a trusted confidant of Lord Zhao and the successor of Lord Zhao's academy. In the future, how could Lord Zhao not help me?

The more I think about it, the more beautiful it becomes; the more beautiful it becomes, the more I want it.
"He's truly my good grandson-in-law, my good grandson-in-law!"

Inside the study, Old Ding's laughter was incredibly loud, and by the end, it seemed he wouldn't feel satisfied without patting the iron box containing his secrets.

When Madam Wang read what was written in the official gazette, her wrinkles instantly blossomed into a wide smile.

When her husband first proposed marrying their granddaughter to Zhao An, she was initially reluctant. However, her husband said that Zhao An was a bright and capable young man who had become a seventh-rank official, and that he was sure to have a promising future. Only then did she relent and agree. However, she felt sorry for Wanqing, since Zhao An had a widow named Luo by his side. Although marrying into the family would make her a wife, it would look more like being a concubine.

Unexpectedly, Zhao An was not just promising, but extremely promising. He became a second-rank official at a young age. What will he be like in the future!
Wanqing is so lucky!

Madam Qin was also delighted; how could she, as her aunt, not be happy that her nephew-in-law had been promoted to the position of provincial governor?

Overjoyed, Old Ding paced around the study like a child, even more excited than Professor Ma. Compared to his grandson-in-law's position as a provincial governor, his position as a fifth-rank assistant prefect of Haimen was nothing!
The provincial governor was already a high-ranking official in a province, and now he was also acting as governor, which meant that the grandson-in-law was in charge of the entire province of Anhui. According to the three-stage theory of preparations before a rebellion, as long as the grandson-in-law managed things well in Anhui and cultivated a strong anti-debt collection team, then once the White Lotus Rebellion broke out three years later, the "small loan party" could use the White Lotus rebellion to expand its sphere of influence. At that time, with a strong army, what could they do if the debtors didn't pay their debts? They could even kill the creditors!

Wasn't the Aisin Gioro family's empire also seized from the Han people? Now it's only natural for the Han people to take it back.

Things are changing.

Thinking about it this way, my grandson-in-law's promotion wasn't just a promotion to a high-ranking official; he was clearly one step closer to the throne!
I wonder if Wanqing has given birth yet, and whether the child is a boy or a girl. If it's a boy, this old man will have to teach him well, because this child will definitely be the crown prince in the future.

Ai?
Granddaughter becomes empress, great-grandson becomes crown prince, tsk tsk, Old Ding's mouth is grinning like smoke rising from a grave!

Blow it up! Blow it up!

He rubbed his hands excitedly, then rushed out of the study into the courtyard and shouted to the servants, "Why bother cleaning up this junk? We don't want it anymore, we don't want it all!"

"Huh? You don't want it anymore?"

The servants who were packing up were stunned by the master's words and didn't know what to do.

"Don't listen to the master, just do what you're supposed to do."

Madam Wang quickly came out and pulled her husband inside, saying, "We can't just not take anything. We can't possibly buy everything again when we get to Haimen."

"Hey, didn't you just say you were going to buy them all again? Why are you being reluctant now?"

Old Ding walked towards Professor Ma with a smile, and patted Professor Ma's shoulder affectionately: "Master Ma, once I have settled down in Haimen, please come and visit me more often when you have nothing to do."

Professor Ma was flattered by this gesture and nodded repeatedly: "I was just worried about not finding a reason to visit you, sir. Don't worry, I will definitely visit you later."

"I will be setting off the day after tomorrow. After I leave, I will entrust the affairs of Yangzhou to Lord Ma..."

While Old Ding was overjoyed, he had many concerns, mainly regarding his grandson-in-law's businesses in Yangzhou, such as the Xianfeng Xinglong Company. He could take care of them when he was the magistrate of Ganquan County, but now that he was going to take up a post in Haimen, it was inconvenient for him to directly interfere in Yangzhou's affairs. Besides Professor Ma, there was no one else he could ask for help from the authorities.

Professor Ma readily agreed, but what a joke! These were all Lord Zhao's properties. Without anyone asking, he would use all his connections to help Lord Zhao get these properties up and running.

After exchanging pleasantries, Professor Ma took his leave to return to the academy, promising to come back the day after tomorrow to see Old Ding off.

After everyone left, Old Ding's smile remained unchanged. His wife and daughter-in-law were also happily talking about sending some things to Wanqing. Just then, Old Ding suddenly remembered something, stepped forward and grabbed his wife's arm, saying, "Come with me to Hengli Money Exchange!"

What are you going to the money exchange for?

Madam Wang was puzzled. The family was not short of money, so why would they go to the money exchange? Even if they wanted to sell something, they should have gone to the pawnshop.

Old Ding explained, “There’s a famine in Anhui right now, and the court has appointed my grandson-in-law as the governor of Anhui. I figure he must be short of money. Sigh, there’s nothing I can do to help him, so I might as well lend him some silver. Hmm, as a fifth-rank official, I can lend him at least a hundred thousand taels.”

After saying this, he gave his wife and daughter-in-law a meaningful look, "Remember, no matter how hard or poor our Ding family is, even if we have to tighten our belts to make ends meet, we can't let our good grandson-in-law suffer!"

(End of this chapter)