Chapter 290 The Way of Being an Official
Wang Yongchang flipped through all the records on water management.
After reading through all the records on water management, it became clear that the officials in Suzhou had embezzled silver.
Lian Yongnian stood to one side with the other officials.
Wang Yongchang set aside the water management plan and did not expose the officials' embezzlement of silver. Instead, he said, "You all have worked hard to manage the floods."
The officials all said in unison, "You're too kind, Lord Wang."
Wang Yongchang stroked his beard. "I have a general understanding of the situation. I have been out of court for many years, but thanks to His Majesty's concern, I have been reappointed as the Director-General of the Waterways. In the future, I will need everyone to work together with me to manage the floods."
Upon hearing this, some people's expressions changed.
The only reason someone who has been out of court for many years can still be remembered by His Majesty is because of his old ministers.
The fact that this Lord Wang, who had not served as an official for many years, returned to the court in such an important position proves that he holds great weight in His Majesty's heart.
The reappointment indicates that this Lord Wang was the Director-General of the Waterways before he left the court.
To be qualified for this position, one must have a thorough understanding of flood control.
These words were meant to warn everyone that he was fully aware of all matters concerning floods.
The final polite words were meant to give everyone a way out.
This Lord Wang has probably already figured out what was hidden in the records on flood control.
Wang Yongchang smiled as he saw the expressions on everyone's faces.
"Lord Lian, I need a large amount of materials to build the river. I will send someone to give you the total amount of silver needed after I have calculated it. How about I leave the procurement to you, Lord Lian?"
Upon hearing this, a strange look flashed in Lian Yongnian's eyes. "I will follow Lord Wang's arrangements."
This Lord Wang is indeed well-versed in the ways of officialdom.
His words were meant to give Lian Yongnian and the Suzhou officials a way out.
It's telling everyone.
I know you're greedy for money, but I don't care about your business.
But I need silver, so you have to make up for it.
As for how to make up for it, and how much to make up for it, that's your business.
As long as it doesn't interfere with my flood control efforts, I'll pretend I don't see it.
If you delay my business, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Once Lian Yongnian understood Wang Yongchang's meaning, he had a clear idea of what was going on.
"Lord Wang, would you like to inspect the river? I would like to introduce it to you."
Wang Yongchang waved his hand and said with a smile, "I have lived in Suzhou for thirty years and know the river conditions in Suzhou better than you young people. I ask Lord Lian to purchase materials as soon as possible. Also, I ask Lord Lian to quickly mobilize the government office tomorrow to dredge the river in sections."
Lian Yongnian agreed, "Yes."
After giving instructions, Wang Yongchang began drawing diagrams in the government office.
At night, the officials gathered at Lian Yongnian's residence.
"Lord Lian, do you understand what Lord Wang meant today?"
Lian Yongnian sat in the main seat with a solemn expression. "This Lord Wang has given us both face and substance. If we don't appreciate his kindness, wouldn't that be ungrateful?"
Many people's expressions changed. "Are we supposed to pay back all the money? How can we come up with so much money in such a short time?"
Moreover, they had no intention of spitting out what they had eaten.
Lian Yongnian glanced at him. "Didn't that person give us two options? Either pay more money or use the materials for building the river to pay. As long as it doesn't interfere with his business, he'll pretend he didn't see it."
The officials' expressions remained grim.
Even if they offer materials as compensation, where are they going to find so many materials?
Lian Yongnian looked at the officials in the room and said, "What do you think? We're all in the same boat, and no one can get off halfway."
They embezzled the silver together, so naturally they had to make up for it together.
The real danger is that these people are not united, which could lead to a major disaster.
One of the officials said, "Why don't we ask the other prefectures and counties? Of the sixteen prefectures in Jiangnan, Suzhou is not the only one that received silver."
Another official said, "Who wants to spit out what they've already swallowed? Even if we can make up for the loss, if other prefectures and counties don't, we'll still be finished. Perhaps we should..."
He made a knife-like gesture with his hand.
Lian Yongnian snorted coldly, "What kind of nobody do you think this Lord Wang is? He is the River Conservancy Commissioner directly appointed by His Majesty, a second-rank official. He will be very influential after returning to the capital. He died in Suzhou. Do you think His Majesty will let us off the hook?"
"What should we do?"
Lian Yongnian's face darkened. "Send letters to the other prefectures and counties, asking each person to contribute some silver to complete the materials first. We'll make further plans after they reply."
Wang Yongchang drew pictures in the government office until late at night.
Dredging waterways is not a matter for a single prefecture or county.
All sixteen prefectures must be dredged simultaneously.
He needs to draw out the waterways that need to be dredged in each state and then send them to each state.
Just then, the window was pushed open.
Qin Jinzhi climbed over the wall carrying a food box.
"Old Wang is really hardworking. If he were to take the imperial examination, he would definitely be second in the class."
Old Wang was taken aback. "What brings you here, you little rascal?"
Qin Jinzhi opened the food box, saying, "I was afraid you might run away halfway through, so I came to check on you."
Old Wang chuckled lightly, then twitched his face as he looked at the appetizing side dishes in Qin Jinzhi's food box.
"I'm not hungry."
As soon as he finished speaking, his stomach started growling.
He was a little embarrassed, while Qin Jinzhi laughed.
"Eat it, I didn't make it."
Only then did Wang Yongchang pick up his chopsticks.
God knows how such a pretty girl could make such a repulsive flavor!
Qin Jinzhi picked up the drawings he had made, her face full of satisfaction.
It was truly worth the long search she had spent looking for this old man.
While eating, Wang Yongchang said, "If officials in the prefectures and counties embezzle silver, I'm afraid all the officials in the sixteen prefectures of Jiangnan will be implicated. I have already given them a warning today, but I have no idea how far these officials can go."
Qin Jinzhi looked at the blueprints and said, "The officials of the sixteen prefectures are in cahoots. They are just confident that the emperor is far away and they cover for each other. They are naturally not afraid of an old man like you."
Wang Yongchang ate his rice and said, "You sent that person here to protect my safety, right?"
Qin Jinzhi continued looking at the blueprints, saying, "Just in case. If someone gets really desperate and decides to kill you, you old bones won't be able to escape."
Wang Yongchang rolled his eyes and then said, "This old man only knows how to manage water. If these people are really fed up with money, I am powerless to help them. Even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice. There are no people to call upon. It is difficult for an old man like me to accomplish anything."
Nowadays, there are many unruly people in Jiangnan, and people are filled with anxiety.
We should not easily send troops to Jiangnan.
A riot broke out by accident, and the people were plunged into misery once again.
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't let you become a general without troops."
Wang Yongchang put down his chopsticks. "You asked the capital for help?"
Qin Jinzhi nodded.
Wang Yongchang's expression was somewhat solemn. "Wouldn't sending troops rashly cause panic among the people?"
Qin Jinzhi put down the blueprints and looked at him with a smile, "So naturally, we need to have a legitimate reason for doing this."
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