Qing Yao

Chapter 99 Good Officials Are Hard to Find
Zhao An must have made his cousin his office manager for his own convenience.

I'm not sure why it's convenient for me to say.

Ma Xuezheng should have understood, and immediately realized that the relationship between Wang Wanquan and the professor must be extraordinary. Therefore, when Wang Wanquan came to report for duty the next day, Vice Principal Ma changed his somewhat aloof attitude from the day before and was extremely enthusiastic towards Wang Wanquan.

Not only did he personally escort Wang Wanquan to the principal's office to "report for duty," but he also made a special trip to the "logistics" department to deliver Wang Wanquan's work clothes.

The work uniform was the same as what ordinary clerks wore. Zhao An had also worn it when he was a temporary ambassador in the Certification Department. The only difference was that the clerk's uniform had the character "学" (study) embroidered on the front.

The characters embroidered separately also include "brave" and "strong" for the patrol and inspection offices and "soldier" for the Green Standard Army.

Zhao An recalled that the uniforms of the Eight Banners soldiers did not seem to have individual embroidered characters.

When the cousins ​​met, they naturally understood each other implicitly. Wang Wanquan kept his father's instructions in mind and dared not show his kinship with his cousin in front of outsiders. Therefore, he was particularly respectful to Zhao An, calling him "Master" repeatedly, which made Zhao An feel a little awkward. However, due to unavoidable reasons, he could only pretend to be respectful.

In fact, Zhao An, the professor at the prefectural school, also had another formal title: "Old Master".

However, Professor Zhao An was too eccentric. First, his academic qualifications were not up to standard, and second, he was too old to be considered a true master. So, no one dared to call him "Grandmaster".

This includes Ma Xuezheng and Tong Xundao, who are already getting into their stride.

The teaching room next to the professor was of the same nature as the prefectural governor's mansion or the county magistrate's residence; in later terms, it was the school office.

The school office currently has two clerks and four temporary workers. Their daily work includes organizing the school's documents and archives, copying various documents and distributing them, and handling some matters for professors that do not require their personal involvement.

It serves as a conduit for communication between higher and lower levels; you could call it a secretariat.

They were doing just fine when suddenly a clerk named Wang was parachuted in from above to manage them. This clerk Wang didn't look like a scholar at all; he probably didn't even know what the Four Books and Five Classics were. The four temporary workers were fine, but the two veteran clerks were clearly a bit resentful.

As a result, Wang Wanquan not only didn't know what to do at the end of the day, but also didn't put himself in the position of "leader" at all. He just sat there like a wooden figure, which was in stark contrast to his six busy subordinates.

Zhao An saw it all; could he really just leave his cousin in the school office like that?
I secretly observed them several times while taking advantage of the opportunity to go to the outhouse. When I got off work, I called my cousin in and told him to assign those two clerks any tasks he wanted to do the next day, even if it was just sweeping the floor, wiping the tables, or taking out the trash.

“He’s a scholar, how could he do such a thing?”

Wang Wanquan was really naive; he didn't even realize that his cousin was building his authority.

“Cousin, you are no longer an ordinary citizen, but a clerk in the prefectural school, a high-ranking official in the eyes of the people. Those few people are your subordinates, and they have to listen to whatever you say. Don’t look down on yourself anymore. Also, I don’t have anyone useful around me right now. You have to adapt as soon as possible so that you can help me.”

Zhao An patiently guided his cousin, hoping he would realize the importance of this matter. If he couldn't even handle a few "human-machine" people in the school office, how could he be Principal Zhao's chief steward?

Have you heard of Liu Quan?

Yes, that's the kind of butler he was; even governors and viceroys would offer him a cigarette.

Wang Wanquan was honest, but he wasn't stupid. He just didn't think too deeply about some things. Now, after Zhao An's explanation, he naturally understood that his appointment as an official at the prefectural school wasn't simply to avoid trouble from his brothers-in-law, but to do his cousin a great favor.

If he continues to be as dull and unresponsive as before, wouldn't he be letting down his cousin's good intentions in trying to help him?

Having figured this out, Wang Wanquan nodded hurriedly, indicating that he would do as his cousin instructed. Then he hesitated for a moment: "What if they don't listen to me?" Zhao An chuckled: "If they don't listen, just dismiss them and replace them with obedient people. Our prefectural school is not short of people. If I, your cousin, go around the streets and shout, the line of people who want to work under me will stretch all the way to the Grand Canal."

"Reformed?"

Wang Wanquan was taken aback. "What right do I have to dismiss people?"

"You have."

Zhao An patted Wang Wanquan on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Anyway, cousin, just do it boldly and without worry tomorrow. Even if the sky falls, your brother will be there for you."

"Oh, okay, okay."

After Wang Wanquan, who had gained some insight, returned home, Zhao An was not in a hurry to leave work because he had to work overtime until late at night.

The main task of working overtime is collecting money.

Besides the suppliers who wanted to befriend the new principal, there were also many aspiring individuals who wanted to work at the academy. Last night, several groups of people came to visit the principal with large bags and small packages. Two or three of these groups even bumped into each other, which not only created an awkward atmosphere, but also made the neighbors point fingers at Principal Zhao.

Therefore, Zhao An decided not to discuss work at home. It was better to discuss work matters at the office, as discussing work at home for too long would definitely lead to misunderstandings.

Ma Xuezheng was also keeping the principal company while he worked overtime, as he had recommended many of the people. He also reported to the principal on the progress of the "dormitory project".

Following the principal's instructions, Ma Xuezheng contacted Zhaixing in Ganquan County that afternoon. After briefly explaining his purpose, the person in charge of Zhaixing immediately offered to treat Principal Zhao to dinner and made it clear that no matter how much money was invested in this project, Zhaixing would not hesitate.

Because this is a major event concerning education in Yangzhou, and a major event concerning whether Yangzhou students can step onto a bigger stage!
As a native of Yangzhou, Zhaixing was willing to advance funds to complete this project even if it meant losing money.

"I trust you to handle things. I'll find some time to have a meal with them later."

For the sake of work, Zhao An had no choice but to agree to the social engagement. After all, without the financial support of Zhaixing, the dormitory arrangements for the temporary students couldn't be finalized so quickly.

Furthermore, cultivating good relationships with entrepreneurs is something that officials should do.

It's to promote local economic development.

Just as we were finalizing the details with Vice Principal Ma, someone knocked on the door.

I don't know how many groups of people I received or how many conversations I had, but by the time I saw off the last group, it was already dark outside.

Ma Xuezheng, who was working diligently alongside the principal, was so sleepy he was yawning constantly, but he was very satisfied because all the candidates he recommended had passed the principal's interviews.

"Old Ma, I'm so grateful for your company for so long. You've worked so hard."

Zhao An was a little embarrassed. He picked up the Spring and Autumn Annals, which seemed to have become much heavier in his hand, took out a hundred-tael silver note and stuffed it into Ma Xuezheng's hand. He patted the other's right hand and said with full praise, "It is a blessing for me, a professor, to have such a good academic official as you in the prefectural school. It is also a blessing for the students of Yangzhou and for our Great Qing Dynasty."

(End of this chapter)