Chapter 37 Promotion
Being the prefect of Guangyue Prefecture was already a difficult job, but now he's even busier and more overwhelmed.
He was planning to make a quick buck before he left.
Now, not only have I failed to gain anything, but I've also gotten myself into a lot of trouble.
Su Qing roughly understood his thoughts.
After all, this person had only been in Guangyuefu for a year, and left in such a disgraceful manner, which inevitably drew criticism.
Moreover, his successor will most likely be a woman, who might be ridiculed in some way.
This led to the entire government paying taxes ahead of schedule and issuing decrees specifically targeting her.
If Su Qing had been properly consulted, she wouldn't have retaliated in this way.
But since they'd hit her face, how could she tolerate it?
In short, Su Qing, this "troublemaker," has appeared.
The other counties, naturally, were not in a hurry to pay taxes either.
Since it's already been said to be the autumn tax, then it will be paid in the autumn.
Everyone's struggling these days. It's good enough if we don't postpone paying taxes; who has time to give money in advance?
Especially the counties near Nanjiang County, which already had a good relationship with Su Qing due to the trade in medicinal herbs.
Now they're just following suit, completely ignoring what's above them.
In Nanjiang County, people are also talking about this with great interest.
Let's wait and see how the prefect responds.
Everyone knew that he was in a hurry to leave Guangyuefu.
The only person who could replace him has been offended by him.
As for Su Qing herself, she's definitely not in a hurry.
They have so many things to do in Nanjiang County, who has the time to manage these things?
By July 17th, the prefect could no longer sit still, and he sent another trusted confidant with a message.
The last time the letter was sent, it was to ask Su Qinghua to use her tax money to buy an official position.
This time, we ask her to be lenient and stop pressuring the army for food and supplies.
Everyone knows the situation at Guangyuefu; he only stayed there for a year, there was really no other way.
They also said the situation in the central government was complicated, and since everyone would be colleagues from now on, there was no need for such formalities.
The prefect claimed to be seeking peace, but Su Qing and those around him sensed something else entirely.
Registrar Luo asked, "Colleague? Is the Prefect referring to..."
Gong Dianli nodded vigorously: "Yes, he's talking about..."
Fei Xiucai said directly, "The next prefect of Guangyue Prefecture will indeed be our Lord Su!"
Zhu, the clerk, and Wu, the household manager, were already happy.
If Magistrate Su were merely a magistrate, then the arrogant prefect would not have used such a title.
Even now.
If the so-called tax money is used to buy official positions, why not find someone else?
Why specifically seek out Lord Su?
Naturally, this is because the Jinling court has already sided with their Lord Su.
This letter now gives them even more certainty.
The future prefect of Guangyue Prefecture will most likely be Su Qing.
The prefect's letter now uses this message to seek peace.
Hearing rumors is one thing.
The actual determination that Magistrate Su would become Prefect Su was another matter entirely.
When their Chief Su became Magistrate Su last year, countless pedantic scholars were so angered they collapsed.
Many county magistrates secretly resented this.
The reason is self-evident.
There is no reason in the world for a woman to serve as a county magistrate.
In terms of merit and fame, there is no precedent for someone who became a county magistrate from humble beginnings.
Even in terms of family background, the entire Su family only produced her father, a minor scholar and a minor county magistrate.
In short, it's not suitable anywhere.
The only suitable candidate is probably her ability?
Now it's all right.
A year later, she not only had to become a female county magistrate, but also a female prefect.
The great Confucian scholar, who had rushed from Shandong to Nanjing, was so angry that he started cursing in the street.
And he wasn't the only one who was so angry.
“At that time, it will definitely cause a huge uproar,” Registrar Luo couldn’t help but say.
Gong, the clerk, said, "In this world, ability is what matters."
Scholar Fei, Household Manager Wu, and Clerk Zhu could only feel admiration.
Because the three of them believed that no matter what others said, Lord Su would absolutely not care.
Just like how she secured her position as county magistrate.
She can definitely shut those people up.
However, after watching for a while, Fei Xiucai couldn't help but say, "Sir, it's one thing if you're not nervous, but why aren't you surprised at all?"
Su Qing thought to herself, "After all, I heard about this at the end of May."
Now, to be surprised would seem somewhat fake.
That general is always reliable in his work.
This result is not surprising.
We're just waiting for things to be finalized in Jinling.
The 18th day of the seventh month in the third year of Yongsheng.
Gu Congsi held the imperial edict and watched as Eunuch Zhang stamped it with his seal, feeling a slight sense of relief.
Regardless of the position of the prefect of Guangyue Prefecture.
Gu Congsi knew that this was what Qingqing wanted.
"Rest assured, Lord Gu, this matter is settled. It will be delivered to Lord Su within ten days," Eunuch Zhang said with a smile. "You two are interesting; you are both court officials."
Gu Congsi didn't say much, only that "She deserves it."
No one knew better than Gu Congsi that Su Qing was worthy.
From Nanjiang County to the capital, and from the capital to Nanjing, in just six months, he experienced so much and met so many more people.
Therefore, Gu Congsi became even more certain that Su Qing's abilities far surpassed those of many people in the court.
Perhaps the farther away you are, the clearer you can see what kind of people are around you.
The farther he was from his fiancée, the more he missed her.
But he can't go back yet.
Fortunately, he also had friends in Guang Le Prefecture, so he could ask Hua Jingming for help.
The great Confucian scholar from Lu, upon seeing the imperial edict being sent out, cried out that people's hearts had become corrupted and began to rant about moral principles and ethics.
Some people echoed this sentiment, but no one paid any attention.
The current prefect of Guangyue Prefecture was overjoyed to learn in advance that the imperial edict had been issued. He immediately instructed his family, "Hurry up and pack your bags. Once the new prefect arrives, we can leave."
In no time, many government officials rushed to the prefect's gate to plead their case.
"Please, Prefect, take us with you."
"Yes, I heard you've been transferred to another place as a prefect. Take us with you!"
“Following you is definitely much better than following a mere woman; we have no reason to work under her.”
As for why he didn't want to work under a woman...
I still don't want to work at Guangyuefu.
None of these matters.
The important thing is that the current prefect has finally been able to turn the tide.
It's wonderful that so many people are willing to follow him.
Magistrate Su Qing's thinking was simple.
Do you think governing a prefecture is similar to governing a county?
That's a huge difference!
To govern a county, one only needs to manage one's own small plot of land.
At most, only two hundred thousand people.
A prefecture has at least a million people.
The desires and needs, the special location of Guangyuefu, and the relationships between various forces.
This is enough to overwhelm any capable minister.
Moreover, someone like Su Qing, who had only served as the magistrate of Nanjiang County.
One must rise through the ranks step by step.
It's not that simple.
“Alright, the prefecture I’m going to is Huizhou, a place with beautiful mountains and rivers and outstanding people, and it needs manpower.”
Regardless of how the celebration took place in the prefectural city, Hua Jingming wrote about it in a letter, instructing Su Qing to make the necessary preparations.
The young servant of the Hua family scratched his head and said, "Young master, you've already sent three letters this month, haven't you?"
Is this appropriate?
Hua Jingming was enjoying the cool air in the courtyard when he sensed the servant's implied meaning. He waved his hand and said, "Why is it inappropriate? What's wrong with building a good relationship with the future prefect?"
We don't need you for that.
You've never cared about these things; you always let the eldest young master and the second young lady handle them.
The letter was delivered to Su Qing as scheduled.
This plunged the entire Nanjiang County government into unease.
Has this day really come?!
Is Magistrate Su really leaving?!
The officials of Nanjiang County and the people from all over the area gradually stopped watching the spectacle.
Rather, it was a realization.
Their magistrate, Su, will be leaving soon.
Although they were still in Guangyuefu, they were still separated from them.
Who knows who the next magistrate will be?
Who knows what will happen to them without Magistrate Su?
But blocking Magistrate Su from getting promoted would seem too selfish.
Countless people can only keep their feelings bottled up inside, suffering terribly, yet unable to speak them out.
Su Qing could see what everyone was thinking, but staying in Nanjiang County was no longer an option.
No matter how much she does, she cannot change the situation in Nanjiang County.
Yes, the situation here cannot be changed.
Issues such as rising food prices and deteriorating public security.
These are things that cannot be changed through their local efforts.
There's no need to discuss grain prices anymore.
In an effort to revive their economies, several surrounding counties have been planting more medicinal herbs this year, which will inevitably reduce grain production.
As a result, the issue of grain prices naturally arises.
Before the general left, he was worried about the food shortage in Jiangbei County, Jiangwu County, Shangkou County, and Yisong County.
Prices are rising everywhere else, and Nanjiang County is not immune to the impact.
The second matter is also of great concern to Officer Gong and his colleagues.
Because of the poor conditions in the surrounding counties, thieves naturally emerged.
These thieves, without prior arrangement, all looked in the same direction.
That's Nanjiang County.
Just like the prefect who coveted the tax revenue here.
The thieves in the surrounding area inevitably had their eyes on Nanjiang County, a small town in southern China.
If one household in a building is unhygienic and attracts cockroaches and rats, it's hard for the neighbors to avoid being affected.
What if, in this building, only your home is clean, while all the other homes are infested with cockroaches and rats?
Your family's situation must be exceptionally bad.
The best way is to stand higher and farther away.
Clean up this entire area.
This will alleviate local security and price problems.
This seems to be the solution.
Therefore, simply staying in Nanjiang County will not solve the problems in Nanjiang County.
Although Su Qing felt nostalgic for this place, she also knew what she should do.
I'm not in a hurry to leave here.
Instead, they are eager to make this place safer and more stable.
To put it more seriously.
The situation is still under control.
If something even more unacceptable happens.
At that time, she will definitely not be able to hold onto Nanjiang County.
Should she just watch as everyone's efforts are destroyed?
Su Qing could not accept it, and could not even imagine it.
July 26th, the third year of Yongsheng.
The imperial edict from Nanjing has finally arrived.
He was transferred from the former prefect of Guangyue Prefecture to Huizhou as a fourth-rank prefect.
Su Qing, the seventh-rank magistrate of Nanjiang County, was promoted to the fourth-rank prefect of Guangyue Prefecture.
One decreased and one increased.
Who wouldn't be astonished upon hearing this?
Especially the latter.
Between the seventh and fourth ranks.
The difference is enormous.
Is this even possible?!
Even if the imperial court has no one to rely on, this is still an exaggeration.
Given Su Qing's abilities, this position seems to be rightfully hers.
In the words of the Empress Dowager.
If she can be a female county magistrate, why can't she be a female prefect?
The imperial court's situation is special, so we'll handle it on a case-by-case basis.
Whether the so-called pedantic scholars like it or not.
Regardless of the opposition from the court officials.
Regardless of the situation at Guangyuefu.
Su Qing is going to become the prefect of Guangyue Prefecture.
Gu Congsi in Jinling, Ye Shanming in Yangzhou, and General Yan Zhengzhou preparing for war on the outskirts of Beijing.
Then there's Lian Feiyang, the garrison commander of Guangyue Prefecture, and Hua Jingming from the prefectural city.
Everyone was ready; the first female prefect of Shunchang Kingdom was about to take office.
Su Qing put down the county clerk's documents.
She is ready.
The first day of the eighth lunar month.
Having made all the necessary arrangements, Su Qing left Nanjiang County with her family and men.
From June of the first year of Yongsheng to now, more than two years have passed so quickly.
One last look at Nanjiang County.
Su Qing said, "Let's go."
Guangyue Prefecture City.
She arrived quickly.
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