Chapter 47: The Start of Work
Wang Xuezheng looked completely puzzled.
What?
There are too many Confucian scholars.
But nowadays, the imperial examinations test Confucianism, specifically the Four Books and Five Classics.
Why doesn't the prestigious prefectural school recruit Confucian scholars, but other types of students instead?
If this gets back to the Emperor, he won't be happy.
Everyone knows that what the emperor values most is the imperial examination system.
Upon hearing this, Su Qing was clearly prepared: "What is the purpose of the imperial examination?"
Although Wang Xuezheng was puzzled, he replied, "Naturally, it is to select talented people to serve the court."
Su Qing did not comment on whether the answer was right or wrong, but only said: "Is it only Confucianism that can produce talented people?"
That's not true.
Although the imperial court primarily adhered to Confucianism, various interpretations of the classics were equally important.
However, since the imperial examinations no longer included it, people stopped studying it.
As the local education commissioner, Wang Xuezheng was not a bookworm.
Su Qing nodded: "Yes, since there are talented people in all the schools of thought, why only choose one?"
"We only want to select talented people for the Emperor; why should we be fixated on any particular school?"
If those great Confucian scholars heard this...
He deserves a good scolding.
Su Qing clearly knew what the education commissioner was thinking, and said with a smile, "I remember all the things those old scholars said."
What's the meaning? !
Are you doing this to get revenge on those Confucian scholars who criticized you?!
There was indeed a great Confucian scholar in Jinling who was the most scathing critic, as everyone knows.
Su Qing replied, "I'm not afraid of having a lot of debt; I don't need this much."
Go ahead and hire people, I'm not afraid of being scolded.
Seeing that Wang Xuezheng was still hesitating, Su Qing said, "It is said that talents should be recruited without being bound by convention. If we really find a genius, wouldn't that be exactly what the Emperor needs? When we recommend him to Jinling, it will be another great story."
To put it bluntly, why was the imperial examination system so important?
For the sake of talent.
Since the goal is to cultivate talent, why bother about what they study?
Black cat or white cat, any cat that catches mice is a good cat.
That makes sense, doesn't it?
Wang Xuezheng pondered for a long time, but Su Qing wasn't in a hurry and told him to take his time to think it over.
The question is whether to maintain the status quo of the prefectural school or to seek another opportunity.
Su Qing believed that he would make the right choice.
Sure enough, Su Qing hadn't finished dealing with her first official task yet.
Wang Xuezheng then said, "This humble official will follow Lord Su's instructions."
"Go write posts now and recruit talents from all over the world."
Write a post?
Su Qing didn't let this vague statement go and immediately asked, "Who is the letter for?"
Wang Xuezheng paused, an awkward expression appearing on his face.
Were they all caught?
Will he say it or not?
Su Qing waited quietly, clearly not in a hurry.
Wang Xuezheng wiped the sweat from his brow and, thinking about Su Qing's character, realized that it probably wouldn't hurt to say it.
Thinking this, Wang Xuezheng honestly confessed: "I want to write a letter to an old friend. He runs a school in the capital and has several outstanding students."
"During the mutiny in the capital, he and his students fled and are now displaced and uncertain of their fate."
"My old friend is a descendant of the Mo family in Longxi. Although he is not afraid of hardship, he is even less afraid of tempering his will."
"But it would be good to have a place to study diligently."
If I didn't have the chance before, then so be it.
Now that the prefect has brought it up himself, he'll definitely have to help.
After hearing his introduction, Su Qing nodded and said, "If you have real talent and skills, then come on over."
Wang Xuezheng originally wanted to do this secretly, but now he can openly let his friend in.
Wang Xuezheng rallied his spirits again: "I have another good friend, a classmate from the provincial examination, who is also a skilled calligrapher and painter."
"No," Su Qing politely declined, "Not at the moment."
"The government office cannot afford to support so many people at the moment."
By asking these two questions, Wang Xuezheng understood what Prefect Su meant.
Only practicality matters, nothing else.
Su Qing didn't hide anything: "Everyone who comes to the prefectural school must pass an exam. The focus is not on classical texts, but on practical application."
This can prevent many people from faking their abilities.
Although this test still exists.
But as soon as the news of Guangyuefu was released, countless people set off for it.
In today's world, there are countless people who are talented but not recognized, or ambitious but lack opportunities.
Finding a reliable boss is harder than climbing to heaven.
Even heroes have families to support.
I've heard that the Guangyuefu Academy accepts all kinds of talent, regardless of whether it's true or not, everyone is welcome to give it a try.
In particular, many people from the surrounding prefectures and counties of Guangyue Prefecture set off immediately upon hearing of this.
People want the works of the military strategists, legalists, Mohists, and Zhuangzi.
Of course, what attracted them most was that Guangyue Prefecture had better public security and its officials were more honest and upright than those in other places.
Naturally, it attracts people to go there.
Looking at the "talented" people wielding weapons and the charlatans who claimed they could build ladders to climb clouds, Wang Xuezheng couldn't help but sigh.
This is no longer a prefectural school; it's clearly a tenement courtyard.
However, there are also many who are truly talented and skilled.
There were even scholars who had failed in their official careers, and strongmen who had nowhere to turn for help.
The selection process was left to Wang Xuezheng and Fei Xiucai.
As long as you have real skills, you can make a living at the prefectural school.
Of course, how things develop afterward depends on their abilities.
The selection of candidates cannot be done overnight, so Su Qing was not in a hurry.
However, General Yan Zhengzhou suddenly sent a letter.
The letter still expressed gratitude for her contributions to the garrison in Yisong County and for the timely distribution of rations and pay.
Later, he "casually" brought up the matter of talent recruitment, saying that Nanjing was already paying attention to it.
Nothing else was said, but there was a subtle warning in the tone.
Stockpiling grain.
To manufacture weapons.
They also recruit talent.
Anyone who sees this will be astonished.
In other words, the prefect of Guangyue Prefecture was a woman; if it had been a man, the reaction in Jinling would have been even greater.
Only Yan Zhengzhou sensed something was wrong and wrote a letter immediately.
On the contrary, the news from Gu Congsi's side seemed much more absurd.
There are indeed some issues with her in Jinling.
However, most people believe that she recruited talents other than Confucian scholars into the academy simply out of revenge.
What are you seeking revenge for?
As Wang Xuezheng said.
Could it be that Su Qing is still holding a grudge against the great Confucian scholar from Lu who insulted her?!
So they deliberately refused to recruit Confucian students as a form of retaliation?
Upon hearing this, Gu Congsi immediately added fuel to the fire.
Although he didn't know Su Qing's intentions, these words were a good way to cover it up.
He knew even better that Su Qing wouldn't mind him doing this; in fact, she might even praise him.
Sure enough, Su Qing did reply.
That's a good point, and she readily accepted it; she is indeed a petty and narrow-minded person.
They had no other intention than to recruit talent.
It was just to spite those great Confucian scholars.
This statement only fueled more discontent with Su Qing, but the recruitment of talent proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
However, on November 12th, a very different person appeared at the prefectural school.
The man was dressed in tattered clothes, had a pale face, and was at least forty years old.
He came to the prefectural school and actually wanted to enroll, hoping to get a student spot in the official school.
Seeing his refined manners, Fei Kaiyu asked, "May I ask, sir, where are you from, and in which year did you become a scholar?"
The man was even more embarrassed and hesitated to show his resume.
Fei Kaiyu was quick-witted. He led the old man aside and took the resume with both hands.
"He became a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination) in the third year of Heyong, a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination) in the tenth year of Heyong, and a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the metropolitan-level imperial examination) in the sixteenth year of Heyong?!"
The further Fei Kaiyu looked, the more bewildered he became. He quickly bowed and said, "So you are a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)."
Let's look at the official positions listed on the resume.
He was originally the magistrate of a county in Shanyang Prefecture, then promoted to the position of Revenue Officer, and later demoted.
I've been unemployed since five years ago.
Are you crazy?
Such a person also needs to go to Guangyuefu to find a place as a student and enjoy the salary there.
How could that be?
This gentleman is a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).
Passing the imperial examination and becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) was already considered an incredible achievement.
Moreover, those who passed the imperial examinations.
Fei Kaiyu didn't want to ask the reason directly, so he simply arranged separate accommodations and went to report to Lord Su immediately.
Seeing Fei Xiucai running over, Su Qing asked what was going on.
When Su Qing learned that a scholar had come to seek refuge with him, he was also surprised, and then said, "Please invite Lord Du over."
Old Du, the head of the household affairs office, had been in officialdom for a long time and was well-informed.
He then asked Constable Wu to help him find out if the identity of this Cui Gangjie, the scholar who had passed the imperial examination, was genuine.
When Lao Du arrived and heard Cui Gangjie's name, he immediately said, "Sir, there's no need to ask. If it's him, then it's not surprising."
The name Cui Gangjie is familiar to many people in official circles.
Even Mei Niang had heard her husband mention it.
He came from a poor family, passed the imperial examination at the age of thirty-six, and was sent out to serve as a county magistrate. He originally thought his future was bright.
He performed his duties well during his tenure, so he went to work in the prefectural city as soon as his term ended.
Unexpectedly, in the city of Shanyang Prefecture where he was to take up his post, there was a fellow townsman who was also a member of a prominent clan in their hometown.
I thought we were all from the same place and would look out for each other.
Unexpectedly, this person only treated Cui Gangjie as a subordinate, ordering him around like a servant.
That's fine.
Unexpectedly, the scion of that powerful family was corrupt while in office, and his actions were caught red-handed.
In his panic, he shifted all the blame onto Cui Gangjie.
At that time, everyone in Shanyang Prefecture knew that Cui Gangjie had been wronged.
But so what?
The scions of wealthy families tried everything—from asking favors to spending money—but in the end, they all pinned the blame on this unfortunate fellow.
After being dismissed from his post, Cui Gangjie originally planned to return to his hometown to teach.
However, they offended the local powerful clan, and their entire family was bullied, leaving them no choice but to move to other places.
Fortunately, a classmate of mine needed a staff member, so I asked him to come and help.
Unexpectedly, that same year, when the rebel army entered the city, he ran away with Prince Wuyong.
Even if Cui Gangjie didn't follow along, no one else dared to use him, and he couldn't go back to his hometown.
Su Qing was dumbfounded after hearing this.
People can be unlucky, but this kind of bad luck is unacceptable!
No wonder even a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations was worn down and willing to come and collect the allowance for a student.
Indeed, who could remain calm and composed after experiencing all of this?
Having this kind of mindset is already very good.
However, Su Qing still had some doubts about the story and needed Lord Cui to explain it to her.
When Cui Gangjie was invited to the government office, he felt rather uncomfortable.
Su Qing's words left him even more at a loss for words.
"Young master of a prominent family, is it just to make you, sir, take the blame? Is there nothing else?"
Both the scholar Fei and the clerk Zhu were taken aback.
In contrast, Cui Gangjie remained pale, but showed no emotional fluctuation. He did not hide anything and nodded, saying, "The accounts that were discovered were made by me."
The sons of powerful families often asked him to do errands.
One of these jobs involved embezzlement and bribery.
Cui Gangjie deliberately left a loophole so that someone could catch him.
That's why this powerful clan wouldn't let them stay in their hometown and tried every means to drive Cui Gangjie's family away.
They must hate him to the core.
If Cui Gangjie hadn't held an official position and had a good reputation, he probably wouldn't have been able to save his life.
The other people were unwilling to let him take office because they were afraid he would cause trouble again.
Hearing this, Su Qing finally felt that the logic made sense.
"Entering the prefectural school is definitely out of the question. You're already a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and it wouldn't sound good if people talked about it," Su Qing continued. "But there's a magistrate position in Nanjiang County that they want you to fill."
County magistrate?!
Cui Gangjie was shocked, and his already pale face turned even whiter: "Sir, please don't try to fool me."
Su Qing said to Zhu, the clerk, "Find the document from Zhenlong County, the one that Wei, the clerk, handed over."
When Su Qing first arrived, he ordered his subordinates, the Wei Li Si, to investigate all the counties.
In some places, when it was ordered that local bullies and gentry be dealt with, they were dealt with as a matter of course.
Some are disobedient and procrastinate.
Some even colluded with the local authorities.
The magistrate of Zhenlong County was like that.
Su Qing had wanted to replace him for a long time.
However, he was troubled by the lack of capable subordinates and the inability to find an official with a resolute mind and the courage to fight back.
Cui Gangjie's arrival solved her biggest worry.
Su Qing showed him the situation in Zhenlong County directly: "Starting from the autumn harvest, they have been helping local big farmers to conceal the truth."
"During this period, the buying and selling of people and the resale of public grain were unforgivable crimes."
"I want to send you over there to clean up the mess."
"But this matter is also dangerous, think carefully before you answer."
Cui Gangjie, being a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and having served as a county magistrate, quickly finished reading the document and was so angry that his face turned red.
How could this be?
The people are already struggling to make a living, so why must their grain be forcibly requisitioned just to be offered to the prefect?!
The situation in Zhenlong County looks good; this year's grain tax payment is also at a moderate level.
But as mentioned earlier, since the local magistrate helped wealthy households conceal their tax payments, they should rightfully have their grain tax reduced.
Where did Dona's food come from?
Naturally, it was forcibly requisitioned from ordinary people's homes.
"The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, this is outrageous!" Cui Gangjie was so angry that he almost vomited blood. Without thinking, he said, "Even if it costs my life, I will bring them to justice."
Su Qing's eyes were filled with admiration; this was exactly the kind of official she wanted.
"Don't risk your life yet," Su Qing said. "Your family and children can stay at the government office for now; that will ensure their safety."
"I'll send you a few more clerks and runners, make all the necessary preparations, and arrest the person directly."
Upon hearing the instructions, Cui Gangjie seemed to come alive again.
On the other side, Mei Niang brought her family and children to her residence, and the whole family finally had a full meal.
Cui Gangjie was greatly encouraged and moved all the documents of Zhenlong County into his room to study them carefully.
Luo, the registrar's trusted clerk, and Wu, the head constable, a reliable bailiff, also came to his side to take orders.
Once he is ready, he can go and take up his post.
After settling Cui Gangjie's family in, Fei Kaiyu almost jumped for joy.
He finally understood!
No wonder the adults only glanced at the situation in each county.
It turns out I had it in mind all along.
Now everything is stable, and even the weapons workshops are about to start operations.
Only then did they truly begin to cut downwards.
Is this also the purpose of the prefectural academy recruiting talent?
Yes, if there were no weapons workshops, if the prefect's position were not so secure.
If you try to clean up the mess of lower-level officials, you won't get anything done.
How exactly does Lord Su's brain work?
This is not about thinking ten steps ahead for every one step you take.
It's clearly a case of thinking a hundred steps ahead for every one step!
It's easy to imagine that as more and more talented people come, which official in the surrounding counties won't be on high alert?
Those who are disobedient or dishonest will all be replaced.
Even the elusive Minister Wei of the Ministry of Personnel made a rare appearance and had a long chat with Cui Gangjie.
On November 25th, Lord Cui, accompanied by dozens of clerks and servants, rode to Zhenlong County.
Whether he can get justice for the local people depends on him.
If he can do that, the position of county magistrate will be his.
I couldn't do it, so I had to come back.
He's a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), so maybe he can teach.
Cui Gangjie was unaware that the prefect had already planned out his escape route.
But in his view, he would not die without succeeding this time.
Having been frustrated and unsuccessful for many years, he must have done something to gain Lord Su's trust.
Moreover, he knew very well that even if he died in this matter, his wife, children, and elderly parents would be taken care of.
That's true. On the second day after Cui Gangjie left, his two children went to the private school with Su Cheng.
That teacher was also a renowned educator, and he was very skilled at teaching children.
When Cui Gangjie appeared in Zhenlong County, the current county magistrate was still unaware of what was going on.
They assumed it was another inspection team sent by the prefect.
But what happened next drew attention from Zhenlong County and even the entire Guangle Prefecture.
In less than half a month, hundreds of victims, dozens of wrongful convictions, and six deaths were all thoroughly investigated.
The local gentry and wealthy families, as well as the current county magistrate, were naturally dissatisfied and secretly sent men to assassinate him.
However, Cui Gangjie was well-prepared and could mobilize nearby garrison troops.
By the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, these local bullies who had wreaked havoc were finally brought to justice.
Cui Gangjie was stabbed twice, but fortunately his life is not in danger.
Cui Gangjie stayed directly at the Zhenlong County government office, and the appointment of Prefect Su followed shortly thereafter.
She also informed everyone that she had submitted a memorial to the Ministry of Personnel in Jinling, and that Lord Cui would be the magistrate of this place.
This smooth maneuver left many people stunned.
If they still don't understand what's happening, then they've lived in vain!
Su Qing's methods are all incredibly powerful.
With Zhenlong County as a precedent, who would dare to slack off?
Cui Gangjie's appointment gave more frustrated officials confidence.
If someone is dedicated to serving the people but lacks connections, now those connections have appeared.
There is still hope for working under Su Qing.
The Guangyuefu Academy recruited a wide range of talented individuals, which was originally met with mixed reviews.
After the Cui Gangjie incident, public opinion completely reversed.
If it weren't already winter, there would probably be even more people coming to seek refuge.
Even so, Su Qing met with more than a dozen people in succession, all of whom had been introduced to her by the prefectural school's education commissioner and the scholar Fei.
Even Wang Xuezheng's old friends and their children had arrived at Guangyuefu.
That is to say, the prefectural school was vacated; otherwise, there wouldn't be enough room for everyone.
Cui Gangjie personally brought his family to the Zhenlong County government office, and before leaving, he repeatedly thanked Lord Su Qing.
It is no exaggeration to say that he has given us a second chance at life.
After all, the prefect had already prepared the evidence and even the manpower.
Anyone could have accomplished this.
Of course, those people were probably not as brave as him, nor as fearless as he was.
In any case, Prefect Su changed his life and even his fate in a short period of time.
He will always remember this kindness.
Su Qing smiled and said, "In that case, just treat the people well."
"The development of Zhenlong County is now in your hands."
When Cui Gangjie first became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), he was able to govern the local area well.
Needless to say, after so many years of trials and tribulations.
With him around, Su Qing could feel a little more at ease.
After seeing Lord Cui off, Su Qing still had someone to see.
Before the Chinese New Year, we will place reliable people in the counties below.
Especially in Jiangbei County, Jiangwu County, Shangkou County, and Yisong County.
We really can't let them slack off.
As the front line directly facing Gaoqing Prefecture, we must defend it well.
Su Qing and Zhu Shuli got up before dawn and worked non-stop until night.
I didn't even realize it was snowing outside. By the time I finished processing all the official documents, it was already the 25th of the twelfth lunar month.
Even so, the officials in the yamen could not rest.
Because at the weapons workshop, all the materials were ready, and the blueprints were also complete.
We are just waiting for Su Qing to check.
Once everything is confirmed to be correct, the weapons workshop can temporarily take a break and resume work after the New Year.
When Su Qing arrived, he saw that the workshop was quiet and that the workers and servants inside were all working diligently and meticulously. He asked, "Who is in charge of this? They've done a good job."
Manager Liu, who was in charge of these servants, immediately came up.
Only then did I realize that he was also drawn here by the academy. He insisted on saying that he was good at managing people and that he had worked as a steward in such-and-such household before.
However, the family in the capital didn't take them with them when they fled, so they had nowhere to go.
Wang Xuezheng wanted to get rid of him, but then Wei, the former head of the clerk's office, said that the weapons workshop was short of someone to manage it.
After verifying the steward's identity and learning that he came from a respectable family, they let him give it a try.
Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite well done.
Su Qing nodded and praised him again, just as Jiang, the head of the engineering department, came over to greet him.
Despite it being the dead of winter, the enormous boiler in the weapons workshop left him drenched in sweat.
Jiang, the steward brought from Nanjiang County, was naturally not polite to Su Qing and said directly, "My lord, come quickly, we've been waiting for you."
Ignoring the sweat on his brow, Manager Jiang exclaimed excitedly, "With craftsmen like Dou and his team, things are so much easier. They are extremely familiar with the weapons manufacturing process."
"Construction can begin immediately after the New Year."
Lord Su is urging us urgently.
The craftsmen grumbled and cursed, but they actually got to work.
The main reason is that since Dou and his colleagues have been in this area for a long time, they must know how Su Qing took care of the wounded soldiers and handled logistics in Nanjiang County.
People with military backgrounds find it hard to harbor ill will towards Su Qing.
Furthermore, despite the urging from Prefect Su, she prepared all the necessary materials extremely quickly.
Their efficiency in handling matters is truly exceptional.
Upon seeing Su Qing arrive, Craftsman Dou first bowed, then excitedly said, "All the materials are ready; we can start the furnace now."
"They process leather over there, and smelt pig iron over here."
"Within a month, we can make armor for three hundred horses and armor for two hundred men."
Weapons should be placed behind the armor.
This month, the focus has been solely on the armor.
Su Qing carefully inspected the entire weapons workshop, and after confirming that everything was in order, he said, "Thank you all for your hard work."
"We can have a good New Year now."
With Lord Su's words, everyone's efforts over the past few days were finally recognized, and they couldn't help but cheer.
yes.
With the weapons workshop, the troops stationed in Guangyue Prefecture and Yisong County will be able to have a good New Year.
Regardless of what the situation is like next year.
They, the Guangyuefu, made thorough preparations.
After distributing holiday gifts to everyone in the weapons workshop, Su Qing returned to his residence to rest.
Su Qing looked around and couldn't help but think of her grandmother again.
So this is what it feels like to be born in a turbulent era.
She always felt that she hadn't done enough, hadn't done enough, and hadn't prepared adequately.
After all, who knows what kind of battle report might come in, saying that some place has been lost.
"Pah, pah, pah, you can't say things like that." Su Qing sighed.
Hopefully, all her preparations will go unused.
Su Qing herself laughed.
Let's give up on this fantasy.
Only with thorough preparation can we cope with next year's challenges.
The sixteenth day of the first month of the fourth year of Yongsheng.
The weapons workshop in Guangyuefu, which had just celebrated the New Year, was finally able to manufacture its first batch of armor.
Su Qing arrived with a group of officials, watching as the armor gradually took shape.
Her heart finally settled down.
Their weapons workshop has finally lived up to its name.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
