Qing Yao

Chapter 95 The Principal is a Good Person

At the prefectural school, Zhao An had basically nothing to do in the morning, because he was in charge of the overall management but not the specific implementation. If there was no official document to sign, he would just read the newspaper and drink tea, and he was too lazy to even go to the classrooms to inspect.

At present, the most important task of the prefectural school is undoubtedly the prefectural examination. However, Professor Jiang and the prefectural government had already finalized the plan for the prefectural examination, so the prefectural school just needs to follow the previously established regulations.

Having accepted five thousand taels from his predecessor, Zhao An did not want to break his promise, nor did he want to cause any trouble. Besides, the new prefect clearly looked down on him, so there was no need for him to go to the prefectural office and beg for a cold shoulder.

The biggest reason he didn't want to go out was that his professorship was problematic, so he would stay home as much as possible; staying at the academy was undoubtedly the safest option.

It should be noted that many corrupt officials like him in history have fallen because of their "high profile".

Even though their identity, education, and resume are all fake, they still insist on attending meetings here and showing their faces there, and even taking photos with people and writing inscriptions for them everywhere. If we don't arrest them, who will?
He had only stayed in the office for half a day and was feeling too bored. Just as he was thinking of leaving get off work early to go home and revisit the old story of the young lady so that he could hurry up and have a baby, his subordinate, Wang Wenhe, arrived.

The reinstated instructor was an official without rank, also known as the head of the clerks, who was mainly responsible for procurement at the prefectural school.

Wang Wenhe has been busy cleaning the school buildings and purchasing teaching materials these past few days, as instructed by Ma Xuezheng. He came here to report on the progress of his work to the principal.

The basic situation can be described as everything is ready, just waiting for the right opportunity.

Upon hearing that the hardware had been finalized, Zhao An was naturally satisfied and praised Instructor Wang a few times.

After receiving the principal's affirmation and encouragement, Instructor Wang hesitated and seemed to want to say something but then stopped.

Seeing this, Zhao An became interested, straightened his back considerably, and said encouragingly, "Old Wang, is there something you want to say to me?"

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Wenhe asked cautiously in a somewhat uncertain tone, "I heard that Your Excellency plans to establish several new administrative positions in the prefectural school?"

"You're quite well-informed. I just spoke with Lord Ma about this this morning, but the details haven't been finalized yet. After all, it's a major event for the prefectural school, and the clerks have to report it to the education administration office, so we can't be hasty."
"What, you have thoughts on this matter? If you do, speak your mind boldly. As long as it benefits the development of the prefectural school, I have only eight words for you: 'Speak without reservation, and say whatever you want.'"

Zhao An was clearly playing coy, or rather, trying to lure Wang Wenhe out of his hole to determine whether Wang Wenhe intended to bribe him.

Seeing that the principal had said this, Wang Wenhe mustered up his courage and said, "If Your Excellency really wants to add more official positions, I wonder if I can recommend a candidate?"

After speaking, he looked at the principal with some nervousness.

The headmaster was also quietly watching him, then nodded slightly: "Is this person a relative's child, or a friend's child?"

"."

Wang Wenhe immediately felt awkward, just like his predecessor Professor Jiang, he was not used to the new professor's straightforward style of doing things, and he stammered, too embarrassed to speak.

"There's no need for that. Whether they are relatives' children, friends' children, or anyone else, as long as they have real skills, they can come to the prefectural school to work. The purpose of this increase in manpower is to recruit elites from all walks of life."
Let me put it this way: I have always appointed people based solely on their financial resources, and I hope you can recommend talented individuals. However, there are only five new official positions available this time. In the spirit of seeking truth from facts, I will personally examine all applicants. Therefore, whether or not someone is ultimately selected to serve in the prefectural school depends on their true abilities.

Fearing that Wang Wenhe might not be able to distinguish the pronunciation of "wealth" from "talent," Zhao An deliberately increased the volume of the word "wealth."

Having finally gained the ability to sell his position, he would be letting down the old man's high regard for him if he didn't take the opportunity to make some money.

The public account, with each clerk paying 300 taels, was already incredibly cheap compared to other government offices, since the education system didn't offer as much profit as other institutions.

In Ganquan County, even a clerk's salary is one hundred taels of silver.

Of course, the principal's private income, in addition to the public accounts, must also be accounted for.

In particular, the school is about to adopt a commercial school model under the leadership of the principal, and the principal will not keep all the money he earns for himself, but will share it with all faculty and staff.

So, you can't let the principal work for nothing, can you?

Even high-ranking officials have to borrow money to get to work, so there's no reason for lower-ranking officials to be exempt.

From another perspective, it's simply that Zhao An is collecting some of the benefits that will be distributed to the faculty and staff in advance.

It's similar in principle to the old man's practice of negotiating fines.

Unfortunately, Wang Wenhe didn't quite catch on, or perhaps he didn't hear clearly that the principal said "wealth" instead of "talent," and actually thought that the principal wanted to recruit people based solely on merit this time. In that case, the person he recommended would definitely not pass the test. He immediately said that he might not have thought things through and hoped that the principal would not be offended.

He then bowed and took his leave.

"That guy,"

The headmaster, not wanting to let a prize slip away, rose kindly and looked at the ashamed Instructor Wang: "I heard from Lord Ma that you have worked at the prefectural school for many years. Even if you haven't made any great contributions, you have certainly put in a lot of hard work. Although I am a new official, I cannot forget the old friendships. So, I will give the person you recommended an exceptional opportunity for employment. Bring him to my house tonight so I can see what kind of person he is."

"Oh, okay, okay."

Wang Xundao was extremely grateful for the principal's leniency. After he left, Zhao An curled his lip, thinking to himself that he had to find a trustworthy person to be his secretary. He would let the secretary handle all money-related matters in the future, so that he, the principal, would not have to personally intervene every time.

Firstly, it has a bad influence; secondly, it's also hard on one's conscience; and thirdly, it's exhausting to encounter people who can't think straight.

Who to look for?
He suddenly thought of his junior apprentice in the tax office, Liu Xiaolou. This boy was not only a student but also very clever, making him a good candidate to collect money for the adults.

Just as they were figuring out how to transfer Liu Xiaolou from the Ganquan County Tax Office to the Prefectural School, their old superior, County Chief Ding, and County Instructor Lao Song arrived.

"The salt trade will have to wait for someone to return, so you two don't need to rush." ​​Zhao An thought his two old leaders had come to urge him to do business, but he was told that three of the students from Ganquan County who took the prefectural exam this year recognized Zhao Youlu and knew that Zhao Youlu was dead.

"What is the problem?"

Zhao An did not consider these three students who knew Zhao Youlu to be a threat to him. After all, there are many people in the world with the same name. Couldn't he, as a professor at the prefectural school, also be named Zhao Youlu?

"Confused!"

Seeing that Zhao An didn't take the matter to heart, Magistrate Ding was so angry that he pointed at Zhao An's nose and said, "You bastard, don't think that just because you've been in the official gazette and made a big splash, no one will dare to touch you. Let me tell you, anyone who wants to investigate you can find out in no time!"

"Yes, Lord Zhao, if this matter is not handled properly, your identity could be exposed at any time."

Unlike Magistrate Ding, Instructor Song was not furious. He calmly pointed out an extremely serious fact.

It's true that you, Zhao An, have made a big splash, but the problem is that this big splash has offended the entire officialdom. With the emperor backing you up, no one dares to touch you, but there are plenty of curious people in this world.

If any curious person wanted to investigate Professor Zhao's background, they wouldn't have to go through much trouble. They could just trace it back to your status as a student of the Imperial Academy and find their way to the Ganquan County School.

If you keep investigating, do you think the impersonation of Zhao Youlu won't be discovered?

In particular, this year's prefectural examination had three students who recognized Zhao Youlu participating in the exam. It's worth noting that the deputy examiner shared the same name as the deceased Zhao Youlu. Who knows if they would treat this as a joke and tell their families about it?

Once you start talking and I start talking, the truth will eventually come out!

"If this matter is really found out, even if a fine can save your life, do you think you can still be an official?"

County Magistrate Ding was both angry and anxious. He was already easily frightened, and the official report sent by the prefectural government early in the morning almost made him wet himself.

If this were to come to light, his official career with Instructor Song would be over.

In the end, it wasn't a big deal. The problem was that he had just borrowed five thousand taels of high-interest money from a money shop. Without the official title of county magistrate, how would he repay the loan?

If he can't repay the money, will the lender let him off the hook?

"Then what do you suggest we do? We can't just kill all three students, can we?"

Zhao An looked annoyed and was very frustrated.

"Bullshit! If killing people could solve the problem, this county would have done it already!"

County Magistrate Ding was so angry at Zhao An's words that he almost vomited blood.

"What can we do then? This wasn't my fault. You two were the ones who forced me to impersonate Zhao Youlu!"

Zhao An also felt wronged. Was it all his fault that things had come to this point, and that the two of you were blameless?

"My lords, this is not a matter of who is right and who is wrong. Let's find a way to resolve this matter."

Helpless, Instructor Song had no choice but to break up the fight to prevent the two seventh-rank officials from arguing and disturbing the people at the prefectural school.

County Magistrate Ding sat there fuming and didn't say a word. If he had a solution, he wouldn't have come to Zhao An.

Despite his anger, Zhao An's mind was racing. He thought of something and asked Instructor Song, "How are these three students doing academically? Is it possible to use their poor academic performance as a reason to bar them from participating in the prefectural examination? Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

the answer is negative.

Those three students had excellent grades; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to participate in the prefectural examination.

Three students who were expected to pass the prefectural and provincial examinations and obtain the title of student were suddenly disqualified from the exams. Even if Instructor Song had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

"If that doesn't work, then set up a honey trap for all three of them!"

In desperation, Zhao An devised a scheme to ruin the candidates' chances of passing the imperial examinations. Among those present were the county magistrate, the county instructor, and the prefectural professor. It would be easy for the three of them to work together to destroy the chances of passing the imperial examinations of three students with blemishes.

However, neither Magistrate Ding nor Instructor Song were willing to do such a despicable thing.

This is not just a matter of being unethical, it's a serious lack of morality.

As the head of the county school, Instructor Song cherished his students. He said that the three students had always performed well and were promising students. Their families also had high hopes for them. He felt that if they were to be unjustly deprived of their studies because of their affairs, he would have a hard time keeping his conscience at ease.

Seeing this, Zhao An realized he had gone too far. A thought suddenly came to him, and he quickly said, "Since you two don't want to do anything immoral, then I, as a professor at the prefectural school, will grant them a great opportunity. How could the county and prefecture not value such outstanding students? How about I recommend them to the Imperial Academy in the name of Yangzhou Prefectural School to become tribute students?"

It was truly a stroke of luck that a tribute student could be directly appointed to an official position without going through the imperial examination.

In modern terms, Zhao An essentially sent a high school student directly to a school even more prestigious than Tsinghua or Peking University.

(End of this chapter)