You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 122 Like cooking oil over a raging fire, the embers dispersed.

The first day of the Lunar New Year in the eighth year of the Shunzhi reign.

The main gate of Chiang Kai-shek's residence was wide open, firecrackers were set off, and an incense table was placed.

Chief eunuch Wu Liangfu, holding the imperial edict, swaggered into the mansion, walked to the incense table, and began to read the edict aloud.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"Jiang Qingyun, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, is loyal to the country, quick-witted and capable, and can share my worries. He shall be promoted to Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate to investigate and impeach civil and military officials, distinguish the wronged, and impeach the supervisory authorities. He still needs to be taken seriously."

"A reward of 100 taels of silver from the imperial treasury, 10 bolts of brocade, 1000 mu of fertile land in the suburbs of Beijing, 5 fine horses, and 2 beautiful Korean women will be given as encouragement."

"Appreciate this."

"Thank you Lord for your grace."

Jiang Qingyun remained completely unmoved.

He knew he had passed the test and successfully dispelled the Forbidden City's suspicions about him.

Jiang Zhongcheng, who received the imperial edict at the same time, was so excited that his eyes welled up with tears, and he shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

……

"Imperial Censor Jiang, congratulations!"

"Steward Wu, congratulations! Shall we have a cup of hot tea together?"

"No, no, I have many things to attend to at the palace, so I won't stay any longer. Farewell."

"In this freezing weather, wouldn't it be bad for your health if the head steward didn't have a cup of hot tea before leaving?"

As he spoke~
Without saying a word, Jiang Qingyun grabbed Wu Liangfu's wrist and pulled him away forcefully, regardless of his willingness.

Wu Liangfu felt slightly embarrassed. He had never seen such a minister who didn't treat him like an outsider when he was working in the palace. For a moment, he could only be dragged away.

Inside the house~
Jiang Qingyun gently pushed over a 500-tael silver note.

Wu Liangfu chuckled twice but did not accept the offer immediately.

"Why is this so embarrassing?"

"If my father-in-law doesn't accept it, then he's looking down on me."

Wu Liangfu chuckled and put the silver notes into his sleeve. He knew that it was definitely not just about the silver notes; there was definitely something else going on.

……

really.

Jiang Qingyun spoke up:

"Does Eunuch Wu know that I also hold the position of Director of the Court of Ceremonies?"

"I know, I know, the capable should do more work."

"His Majesty is busy with many affairs of state, but the rules of the Forbidden City are too numerous, and the royal gardens are too far away. Therefore, I built a venue outside the Donghua Gate and selected some young ladies for the imperial concubine selection."

"so what?"

"The Emperor has finished his court session and reviewed all the memorials. It's just a short walk away."

"I don't quite understand, what is this venue you're talking about used for?"

"Enjoying song and dance is relaxing and helps you unwind."

"We understand."

Words, click to the end.

Wu Liangfu left with a cheerful smile, and Jiang Qingyun saw him to the door with a calm expression.

The "Beijing Song and Dance Troupe" is a crucial part of my overall plan.

The usurpation of power by eunuchs was more common in the Tang and Ming dynasties, with eunuchs ranging from one thousand to nine thousand years old.

Throughout the Qing Dynasty, eunuchs were almost entirely excluded from the court, but there was a slight exception during the reign of Emperor Shunzhi, who trusted Wu Liangfu greatly.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was necessary to specifically inform Wu Liangfu as a sign of respect. Eunuchs were creatures with deeply twisted minds.

……

Old Man Jiang Zhongcheng walked over with his hands behind his back. He coughed twice and then started a conversation.

"The sun isn't very high today."

"Hmm, a bit low."

"The Emperor's grace is boundless."

"That's extremely generous."

The father and son were having an awkward conversation, but they had no choice but to continue.

"Father, do you have enough money?"

"It is ok."

"Later, I'll have Wanchun take 2000 taels and send it over."

"Now that you're a third-rank official, your words carry weight."

"Father, you are a general of the second rank."

"The Green Standard Army's general is nothing; he has to bow down to the Eight Banners' captains."

"Dad, your understanding is incorrect."

"Then how should I understand this?"

"Rank and official position are meaningless; the key is how many resources you can mobilize. By the way, how many soldiers are there in your Tongzhou garrison?"

"The full amount is 3000."

"What's the actual figure?" "2200."

……

"Father, do you know Zhang Cunren, the Governor-General of Zhili?"

“More than ten years ago, I knew him, but he didn’t know me. Now, I’m his subordinate, and I can go up to him and report.”

"Tell me?"

"When I was a military household in Shanhaiguan, this Governor Zhang was already the deputy general of Ningyuan. He was known in the army for his fearlessness and once took eight arrows in a battle. Later, he followed Zu Dashou to join us."

How's your relationship?

"You don't even look at how many levels I'm below them, what could we possibly have to do with each other? Wait, why are you asking this?"

“During the palace banquet, I noticed that the way he looked at me was strange.”

"You're going to mess with him?"

"No, I was just asking. But if he doesn't listen, I might really have to deal with him."

Jiang Qingyun spoke of it casually.

Jiang Zhongcheng felt a chill run down his spine and was too shocked to speak. Good heavens, you're incredibly arrogant! That's the powerful Governor-General of Zhili!

What kind of Censorate is this? It's clearly a torture chamber.

……

As if hearing his father's thoughts, Jiang Qingyun turned his head and smiled. He didn't dare to say too much to his father, afraid that he wouldn't be able to accept it.

In this respect, my mother was much more open-minded.

"Master, young master, Madam requests your return."

Late autumn, adorned with gold and silver, has arrived, its voice soft and gentle.

"what's up?"

"It's time to eat."

The lunch on the first day of the Lunar New Year was extremely lavish, a rare family gathering with everyone present. It took quite a while just for family members to exchange pleasantries.

Promotion and wealth were bestowed upon them, and angels seemed to have descended upon them. Everyone sitting around the dinner table wore smiles.

Aside from Hong Tao, she couldn't find any joy. Both her family's circumstances and her own experiences made her pessimistic about the future.

Jiang Qingyun only glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, and didn't look at her again for the rest of the time.

A tragic fate~
Ms. Wen noticed this, and after a couple of rounds of drinks, she quietly instructed the old maid to help the heavily pregnant Hong Tao away.

……

Lunch took a full two hours, seamlessly transitioning into dinner that same day. This was standard practice in wealthy families in ancient times.

Outside, firecrackers were going off, and there was laughter and cheerful chatter.

Jiang Qingyun was half-drunk and ordered Green Pearl to bring him a bowl of hangover soup.

Suddenly, he felt like going out for some fresh air.

"Mother, I'm going to the orphanage."

"Let Jiangnan accompany you."

"No need. It's dark and the roads are slippery. I'll take a few guards with me."

In the front yard, Zhou Cang and Jiang Bei were also half-drunk. Upon hearing that their young master was going out, they dropped their wine cups, grabbed their knives, and followed without saying a word.

There were no passersby in the alley, but a group of five or six people crunched through the snow on the road.

……

The orphanage stood there deserted and desolate.

After knocking on the door, Shen Yue, the person in charge, was very surprised.

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency, the Imperial Censor."

"No need for that. What did you have for dinner today?"

"Noodles with soybean paste, pickled radish, and two steamed buns for each person. The children were very satisfied with their meal."

Under the cool moonlight, Jiang Qingyun gazed at the poem "Spring River Flower Moon Night" that he had personally written on the wall, feeling as if he were in another world.

The poem, the environment, and the state of mind finally aligned at this moment.

That's what it feels like!

Jiang Qingyun closed his eyes and stood still. He truly felt time, stars, the universe, truth, and eternity.

……

After a while, he opened his eyes:

"Jiangbei, go on horseback and get a few baskets of firecrackers, and also get some snacks and candies."

"Yes."

"Why are you sleeping at such a young age? Get everyone up! It's Chinese New Year, you should stay up half the night."

Soon~
The silence was broken by laughter, firecrackers, screams, and frantic running, which made a ruckus and kept the night lively for half the night.

……

After the children returned to their heated communal beds, Jiang Qingyun patted the roster in his hand:
"Master Shen."

"grown ups?"

"Make preparations. The Nancheng Orphanage is too large and needs to be dispersed. The younger ones will stay and the older ones will move. I have selected three sites in the suburbs of Beijing. We will move on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month so that the children can say goodbye to each other. It won't be so easy for them to meet again in the future."

(End of this chapter)