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

Chapter 146 Too Much of a Coincidence, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang Doesn't Believe It

Nothing is trivial in the Forbidden City.

The monk Tianji, with his imperial robes, tall stature, straight back, shiny bald head, and nonchalant demeanor, stood out conspicuously in the Forbidden City, and soon everyone knew him.

It became a hot topic of discussion in Beijing's official circles.

Inner three courtyards.

Several scholars whispered among themselves.

"According to my reliable sources, Master Tianji is a close friend of Jiang Qingyun, the Vice Censor of the Censorate."

"What close friend? He's clearly Vice-Chancellor Chiang's mentor in his political career."

"Where do you start talking about this?"

"He had guidance from a master and magic tricks performed, which is why he was able to rise so quickly in his official career. Otherwise, how could he have been promoted so fast?"

"Is it really that miraculous?"

"Hey, that's because you haven't met a reclusive master yet."

A group of people chatted enthusiastically about gossip in officialdom, from Yuan Tiangang to Zhang Tianshi, from Shao Yuanjie to Xu Shen. No matter how times change, metaphysics will always have a market.

The famous philosopher Lao Tzu once said:

Mysterious beyond mystery, the gateway to all wonders!
The common people are ignored, while the powerful and wealthy flock to them!

The higher you climb, the more fear you feel. Because deep down you know that personal effort accounts for no more than 30% of success, and whether it truly constitutes success is something you can't really say for sure.

But since we can't talk about it, we can only rely on metaphysics!

……

Even Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was alarmed and sent people to secretly verify the origins of the monk Tianji.

Once the central machinery is activated, it becomes incredibly easy to investigate an individual.

10 days later~
Minister of Justice Li Shuotai personally entered the palace and secretly reported to Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang on the past experiences of the monk Tianji.

"In the second year of Chongzhen's reign, he wandered to Mount Wutai and was taken in by an old monk."

"In the sixth year of the Chongzhen reign, he was formally ordained and shaved his head."

"In the 12th year of Chongzhen's reign, he left Mount Wutai and traveled the world."

"In the fourth year of the Shunzhi reign, I stayed in the capital until now. During that time, I briefly stayed at Chongfu Temple. The person who introduced me was Jiang Qingyun."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was clearly stunned.

What is his relationship with Jiang Qingyun?

"Upon investigation, it was found that Vice-Prefect Jiang was influenced by his mother and was a devout Buddhist. He often invited the monk Tianji to his home. Jiang Qingyun granted all his requests, and the monk Tianji used the money he received from Jiang Qingyun to provide porridge and relief for abandoned infants."

"Understood, you step back."

Although she had found out everything, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang still felt uneasy. She felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't pinpoint the problem.

Everything was so normal.

But why is Jiang Qingyun's presence seen everywhere? Is this really reasonable?

……

South of the city, at the Chiang Kai-shek residence.

"Young Master, Young Master Wu Guo has arrived."

"Please come this way."

Before long, Wu Guo, the current Assistant Director of the Eight Banners Salary Office, arrived.

"Greetings, Uncle."

"Sit down. Wasn't your father sent you?"

"My uncle is a diviner."

Wu Guo pulled a letter from his pocket.
Jiang Qingyun glanced through the letter twice, frowned slightly, and then brought it to the candlelight to burn to ashes.

"Uncle, is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, no, everything is fine. Your father is very happy that you got promoted; that's all in the letter."

"That's good."

Wu Guo smiled broadly.

This made Jiang Qingyun once again marvel at his second brother's shrewd judgment. The silly boy was indeed not suitable to inherit his mantle. If the silly boy entered the Imperial Hospital, he would inevitably cause a major incident sooner or later.

……

"Uncle, there's been progress on the smallpox vaccination project you mentioned last time."

"Oh?"

"I went to several cattle farms, looking for what you described, and then tried it many times. You see~"

Wu Guo rolled up his sleeves, revealing a scar.

Jiang Qingyun was so shocked she almost jumped up.

"You're using yourself as a test subject??" "Yes."

"Does your father know?"

I didn't tell him.

"My dear nephew, next time don't use yourself as an experiment, why don't you use someone else as an experiment instead?"

“Uncle, it’s not that I’m trying to show off, but a doctor can’t learn things by experimenting on himself. My grandfather said that a good doctor must have the spirit of Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs.”

Jiang Qingyun sighed softly, walked over, and put her arm around his shoulder.

"The smallpox vaccination is not yet feasible, so don't make a fuss about it. Just you and your father know. Also, you are not allowed to treat any of your colleagues in the Ministry of Revenue. Even if someone faints in front of you, you are not allowed to touch him."

Wu Guo remained silent for a moment, then asked again:

"Where is Li Bayan, the Minister in charge of the treasury?"

"He contacted you again?"

"Correct."

"How is he now?"

"He couldn't walk more than 50 steps; I thought he was beyond saving, but his will to live was incredibly strong."

"Yes, let's try our best to keep him alive for a few more days."

"it is good."

Wu Guo didn't think too much about it.

Jiang Qingyun had many thoughts on this. Li Bayan had been sickly, so much so that the handover of the three treasuries of the Ministry of Revenue, which was originally scheduled to be completed in ten days, had not yet been completed. As a result, the silver from the household tax dared not be put into the treasury, for fear that it would be difficult to explain in the future.

Emperor Shunzhi was dissatisfied, but helpless, because this was the person he had appointed.

The payments from the warehouse are being made normally; military pay, flag pay, and salaries cannot be stopped.

……

After seeing Wu Guo off, Jiang Qingyun walked alone to the well in the courtyard.

Meow!

The calico cat nimbly leaped onto the edge of the well, waving its dangerous yet elegant gait. Like its owner, the cat enjoys walking along cliff edges, where danger lurks at every turn; its skill and daring are both admirable.

He threw a small flower petal into the well.

Sure enough, the petals first descended and then rose, hovering at the wellhead.

Meow~
The normally steady calico cat was so shocked by this spectacle that it fell off the well, thankfully falling outwards.

A person scaring a cat can scare the cat to death!
Just right~
As I passed by in late spring, I tucked a bright red rose into the side of my hair.

"Come here~"

Jiang Qingyun picked the rose and threw it into the well again. The rose fell into the well, the water rippled, and no miracle occurred.

"Master?"

"It's nothing, you can go now."

Late Spring bowed and left with a smile. She never bothered by such trivial matters. Her life pursuit could be summed up in four words: wearing gold and silver.

……

Yang Guangxian, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, parked his carriage half a mile away. Dressed in plain clothes, he sneaked along the wall and entered the Jiang residence through the back gate.

"This humble official pays his respects to Your Excellency."

"Yang Jianzheng, get up. We're all on the same side, there's no need for such a grand gesture."

"Thank you for your kindness. I've been pondering what to do for your twentieth birthday celebration lately."

"What?"

Even Jiang Qingyun, who had lived two lives and was used to seeing demons and monsters, was stunned.

Twentieth birthday, such a niche combination?

“Your Excellency, your twentieth birthday is a major event in your life. It must be celebrated, it must be a grand celebration.”

"Ah~ Everyone else celebrates their 50th or 60th birthdays, and I'm having such a big celebration for my 20th birthday. If word gets out, won't that be a bit much?"

Yang Guangxian became anxious and started gesturing wildly.

"Your Excellency, you are greatly mistaken. People celebrate their birthdays at 50 because they achieve great success at 50. You are different. You have already accomplished what others take 50 to achieve at the age of 20, and you are renowned throughout the world. Some of my old friends in Jiangnan have sent letters, wanting to purchase some birthday supplies for you in Jiangnan."

"Ok?"

"They are nothing more than exotic flowers and plants, rare stones and flowers, expensive clothes, pretty maids, jade Buddhas, and gold Buddhas."

"they are?"

“Some old friends of Donglin, such as Qian Qianyi and Wu Weiye.”

Yang Guangxian's voice grew softer and softer as he noticed that Jiang Qingyun's expression had become strange.

(End of this chapter)