Chapter 1086: Chapter 922: Lateral Transfer to Yingnan Mansion?
The imperial envoy entered the city quietly, fearing that people might find out and ruin his plans. But Lu Chenâs display is quite grand. Is he going to personally greet me?
Gu Chengyu sneered, Lu Chen surely didnât come for friendship this time. Previously, having outsmarted him, Lu Chen might harbor quite a resentment against me!
Why does the Emperor insist on pairing Lu Chen with me? Doesnât he know that Lu Chen and I are not compatible? This person only likes to steal my credit.
He sighed, "Letâs go welcome Lord Lu!"
Even though Gu Chengyuâs rank is the same as Lu Chenâs, considering Lu Chen has come from afar, not going out to greet him wouldnât be appropriate.
"But is Commander Lord Lu coming to Yingnan Mansion? As a subordinate, I should go welcome him as well!"
Guo Haoshouâs eyes instantly lit up upon hearing about Lu Chenâs arrival.
Lu Chen is the legitimate younger son of Marquis Zhanâs Mansion and is also a maternal nephew of Princess Consort Jing, a cousin to Prince Gong!
He is genuinely of the royal family; Marquis Zhanâs Mansion has significant influence in the Capital. If he could connect with Marquis Zhanâs Mansion, wouldnât a promotion be promising?
Li Taixing offended Gu Chengyu and had so much Silver found in his private residence. With all this Silver, Li Taixing couldnât make a comeback.
Having served as Deputy in Yingnan Mansion for over a decade, when the previous Magistrate was promoted, he had been certain that he would ascend to the position of Magistrate.
Who wouldâve thought Li Taixing would suddenly appear and seize his position, causing him significant frustration along with deep helplessness.
Now that Li Taixing has committed an offense, his opportunity has arrived. He must connect with Marquis Zhanâs Mansion, even though Marquis Zhanâs Mansion is Prince Gongâs maternal family. He wouldnât spare efforts.
He has stayed in the Deputy position for too long; just having his seat moved would make him satisfied.
His expectations are not high, only aspiring for the position of Magistrate in Yingnan Mansion.
Gu Chengyu could immediately see through Guo Haoshouâs thoughts, holding a merely passable impression of him. Though somewhat cunning, he isnât intrinsically bad, just inclined to maneuver.
Nevertheless, as it stands, having no connections in the officialdom, doesnât one have to flatter the superiors or find a capable patron if aiming to climb upwards?
Previously Guo Haoshou had shown goodwill to me, perhaps due to the Emperorâs favor towards me. Now with Lu Chen here, Guo Haoshou would most likely align himself with Lu Chen.
For imperial favor, itâs the most unreliable. Maybe today the Emperor favors you, making your career smooth and promoting quickly.
But once youâve lost the Emperorâs favor, any courtier youâve ever offended could step up to step on you.
At that time, youâd be like a dead crab, thoroughly beaten.
Thus, one must cultivate oneâs own influence, growing powerful enough to be recognized by the Emperor, like Grand Secretary Xia Qing.
No matter the reason the Emperor indulges him, itâs Xia Qingâs skill.
Lu Chen is much more stable than I am; being part of the Capitalâs aristocratic family with vast networks ensures safety, provided they donât commit usurpation or complicity with foreign countries, typically they wonât be easily overturned.
Lu Chen instructed the carriage to move slower as they were nearing the city gate; he lifted the curtain and looked toward the gate.
Due to presenting a post and tooth card, the guarding officials and soldiers were aware a high-ranking court official was being dispatched.
They dispersed the civilians entering and exiting the city, currently rendering the gate desolate compared to the lively scene before.
"Do you see? Thatâs the courtâs dispatched disaster relief Silver Taels. The victims wonât fear starving anymore. With so many boxes, how much silver could that be?"
Observing the grand spectacle at the city gate, a civilian quickly stepped aside, enjoying the scene.
"Hey? Donât be fooled by all these boxes. Itâs actually not much silver. Didnât they say only fifty thousand taels? Feeding the victims with fifty thousand taels is unlikely, let alone reinforcing the river embankment. Mr. Gu recruited many victims to redirect Yingnan Mansionâs river embankment, which required quite a bit of silverâcould fifty thousand taels suffice? Plus, thereâs also Hangtian Prefecture! These are major projects."
One civilian, quite informed about political affairs, spoke eloquently.
"Indeed! Mr. Gu is truly a good official! For the peopleâs sake, he even humbled himself to seek donations from wealthy merchants, controlling grain prices. For our uninterrupted food supply, he tirelessly purchased grains from other states. Compared to those heartless merchants, Mr. Gu is genuinely an upright official devoted to the country and its people."
"Yes! Itâs said Mr. Gu keeps detailed records of every Silver Tael on the accounts, providing exhaustive documentation for each expenditure. Not only does he refrain from embezzling, but he also keeps the subordinate officials in check. Who among the disaster victims wouldnât respect Mr. Gu? If Mr. Gu became Yingnan Mansionâs Magistrate, wouldnât it be excellent?"
"That seems unlikely. Mr. Gu is a Capital Official, once the disaster relief concludes, surely he will return to the Capital."
Several individuals held high regard for Gu Chengyu, their discussions were loud, and constantly others joined in, debating together.
Qingquan rode ahead, listening to the civiliansâ praises for Gu Chengyu, he couldnât help but glance at them with surprise.
Although Mr. Gu had only arrived in Jiangnan recently, he was so loved by the people; he wondered how it was accomplished.
Gu Chengyu sat in his carriage, moved slowly forward, deep in thought. With Lu Chen coming, his actions became very inconvenient.
The granaryâs grain has yet to be replenished and continues to deplete daily.
He wondered if Lu Chen would write a memorial to the Capital, reporting on him to the Emperor.
...
"Crown Prince, I believe the Chamber of Commerce matter is currently inadvisable, I request your reconsideration! Furthermore, though Yingnan Mansion Magistrate Li Taixingâs crimes are irrefutably proven, Yingnan Mansion now lacks a Magistrate in charge, does it conform? The Ministry of Personnel must immediately draft a list for the Crown Princeâs decision!"
Xia Qing, abandoning his usual reserved style until key moments, began discussing affairs promptly upon entering the Crown Princeâs Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince nodded, "Regarding Yingnan Mansion Magistrate Li Taixing involved in tax extortion and bribery, once Junior Minister Gu returns the person to the Capital, decisions will be concluded. Yingnan Mansion mustnât remain without governance, naturally unfit. However, Iâve heard Vice Governor Guo Haoshou has served in Yingnan Mansion for over ten years, understanding its situation adequately. Perhaps he could succeed the position, what do you all think?"
The Crown Prince skipped the Chamber of Commerce matter, first addressing the Yingnan Mansion Magistrate issue.
"Highness! If Vice Governor Guo could adequately fulfill the Yingnan Mansion Magistrate position, the previous Magistrateâs promotion wouldnât have led to Li Taixingâs appointment. I believe Junior Minister Gu might be a suitable choice. He seems to grasp Jiangnanâs circumstances well and has adept management over waterways; wouldnât assigning Junior Minister Gu be fitting, what do you think?"
Xia Qing stroked his beard, nodding after speaking, indicating thoughtful consideration before offering his opinion.