Chapter 26

In the study, Zhao Junchen was preparing the memorial to be presented to Emperor Deqing upon his return to the capital.

There were two memorials.

The first memorial was a report to Emperor Deqing on the recent situation in Luan'an Prefecture. In essence, it was a petition for merit. Throughout history, disaster relief has often been the most problematic aspect, leading to countless civil unrest. It was rare to resolve such issues as cleanly and thoroughly as Zhao Junchen did, so submitting a petition for merit was not excessive.

As for the second memorial, it was a petition supporting Emperor Deqing's southern tour—a great opportunity to curry favor with the emperor, which Zhao Junchen naturally would not miss.

Regarding concerns such as the lack of funds in the Ministry of Revenue and the potential financial burden of the southern tour, Zhao Junchen had already devised a strategy after a night of consideration, so he was not worried.

In fact, even without a strategy, Zhao Junchen would still firmly support Emperor Deqing's southern tour!

A saying from the future goes, "Your position determines your thoughts." Now, Emperor Deqing was Zhao Junchen's greatest and only support, so for Zhao Junchen, nothing was more important than pleasing Emperor Deqing—though this thought was somewhat petty, it was indeed Zhao Junchen's most sincere feeling.

Just as Zhao Junchen finished writing the first memorial, Xu Qingyan pushed the door open and reported, "Young Master, Liu Chang'an and Zhang Daoquan have arrived."

Zhao Junchen subconsciously frowned and asked, "Did they come together?"

Xu Qingyan shook his head and said, "Not together, but they happened to arrive one after the other."

Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "First, bring Liu Chang'an to see me, and let Zhang Daoquan wait in the side hall."

Xu Qingyan nodded and went to carry out the order. Soon, he led Liu Chang'an into the study.

...

After entering the study, Liu Chang'an had not yet had time to kneel and pay respects when Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said, "Forget it, how many times have I told you that in private meetings, we can skip these formalities. I find them troublesome, and so does the official."

But Liu Chang'an still knelt and greeted Zhao Junchen, then stood up and smiled, "Your Excellency is broad-minded and does not fuss over small details, but as a subordinate, I cannot break the rules. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Zhao Junchen smiled and shook his head, seemingly helpless but inwardly satisfied with Liu Chang'an's adherence to rules. He pointed to a chair and said, "Sit down and talk."

After Liu Chang'an sat down, he reported, "Your Excellency, the banquet you are hosting tonight has been arranged at the Fuan Restaurant in the western part of the city. Luan'an Prefecture is remote and cannot compare to the prosperity of the capital, but the Fuan Restaurant is the best in the region. Although it is not luxurious, the dishes are complete. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

Zhao Junchen nodded, checking the memorial in his hand and said, "These are minor matters; you can handle them as you see fit. I trust your judgment."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Excellency," Liu Chang'an said, his face brightening. He continued, "However, I did not expect Your Excellency to return to the capital so soon. We should have hosted a farewell banquet for you, but now it seems you will have to bear the expense yourself. I am ashamed, ashamed!"

Zhao Junchen checked the memorial, found no issues, and put it aside. He then smiled and said, "It's just a gathering, and it doesn't matter who hosts it. It's not a big expense. Speaking of which, since I arrived in Luan'an Prefecture, both the local officials and the gentry and merchants have been very supportive of me. It's only right for me to host the banquet."

Hearing this, Liu Chang'an looked moved and sighed, "Your Excellency's magnanimity truly makes me feel humbled..."

Halfway through his words, Zhao Junchen waved him off, "We are familiar, so no need for such formalities. I called you here today because I have something to instruct you."

Liu Chang'an immediately sat up straight, his face serious, and replied, "Please instruct me, Your Excellency."

Zhao Junchen slowly said, "Due to the emperor's urgent summons, I will be returning to the capital tomorrow. From now on, everything in Luan'an Prefecture will be under your charge. The locust disaster is almost over, and the relief efforts are going smoothly. Once I return, you must ensure everything is well-managed and not left unfinished."

Liu Chang'an solemnly replied, "I will strictly follow Your Excellency's instructions."

Zhao Junchen nodded and asked, "I have been busy preparing for my return today and could not join the people in fighting the locusts. Is everything going smoothly?"

Liu Chang'an suddenly smiled and said flatteringly, "I was just about to report, Your Excellency. The news of your return to the capital spread throughout Luan'an Prefecture in less than a day. The people initially did not believe it, but when they did not see you today, they finally believed it. As a result, most of the people have given up fighting the locusts and returned home."

Zhao Junchen frowned and asked, "What's going on? Just because I'm not here, the people give up fighting the locusts? Why don't the local officials manage it? Don't they fear a recurrence of the locust disaster?"

Seeing Zhao Junchen's displeasure, Liu Chang'an quickly explained, "Your Excellency, you misunderstood. According to my investigation, the people left because they were making a 'wanmin umbrella' for you."

After a pause, Liu Chang'an's face was full of admiration and emotion as he continued, "Your Excellency, everything you have done for Luan'an Prefecture in these past days has been seen by the people. They are reluctant to see you leave but know they cannot keep you, so they are making 'wanmin umbrellas' to show their gratitude. Each umbrella can hold only three to five hundred names, but the people of Luan'an Prefecture all want to leave their names on the umbrellas for you. I estimate that by the time you leave tomorrow, you will receive no less than a hundred umbrellas! Such a number is unprecedented and will surely be a legendary story for generations to come. I congratulate you in advance, Your Excellency!"

Hearing Liu Chang'an's words, Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned, opened his mouth to say something, but then gave up and remained expressionless for a long time.

A 'wanmin umbrella' is an umbrella given by the people to praise a local official's good governance. The umbrella is adorned with many silk ribbons, each inscribed with the names of the donors.

By the late Qing Dynasty, the 'wanmin umbrella' had become a form of coercion, where local officials would force the gentry and people to give them such umbrellas before leaving office. The more umbrellas an official received, the more prestigious it was.

However, during the Ming Dynasty, the meaning of the 'wanmin umbrella' was still pure. If a local official received a 'wanmin umbrella' upon leaving office, it meant they were a good official. Zhao Junchen was not a local official but a special envoy representing the emperor, yet he could receive a 'wanmin umbrella,' and according to Liu Chang'an, no less than a hundred, which would shock the entire court.

This act, though initiated by the people, would undoubtedly improve Zhao Junchen's reputation.

However, at this moment, Zhao Junchen's first instinct was not joy but guilt.

Zhao Junchen was very clear about the nature of his actions in Luan'an Prefecture.

To put it nicely, Zhao Junchen was improving his reputation through show and propaganda; to put it harshly, he was deceiving the people for his own benefit!

The people were naive and easily deceived by those in power; they were also simple and kind, often more grateful than the educated elite.

...

"I have done a lot of practical things for the people these past days, much better than those corrupt officials in the late Qing who forced the people to give them 'wanmin umbrellas'..."

Thinking this, perhaps as a form of self-comfort, Zhao Junchen's complex emotions finally calmed down a bit.

On the other side, Liu Chang'an continued to describe the grand scene of the people making 'wanmin umbrellas' for Zhao Junchen, with a sense of shared glory: "Your Excellency, to make the 'wanmin umbrellas' for you, the people donated their best fabrics. It is said that the courtyards of those making the umbrellas are now filled with various fabrics, leaving no room to stand. Because many people are illiterate, they sought help to write their names on the silk ribbons, and the literate households are now bustling with visitors..."

Halfway through his words, Zhao Junchen suddenly interrupted Liu Chang'an and asked slowly, "Liu, what do you think an 'official' is?"

Liu Chang'an was slightly stunned, not understanding why Zhao Junchen would suddenly ask this question, but he still answered, "In my humble opinion, an official is one who represents the emperor in governing the people, assisting the emperor, serving the court, and ensuring the well-being of the people."

Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, saying, "Your view is not wrong. Now, let me ask you, how many types of officials are there?"

Liu Chang'an was stunned again, not understanding what Zhao Junchen was thinking. After a moment's hesitation, he answered, "This... I am short-sighted, and I have never thought about this question. Please enlighten me, Your Excellency."

Zhao Junchen softly said, "Throughout history, in the eyes of the people, officials are divided into three categories: clean officials, corrupt officials, and incompetent officials. The ancients said that clean officials strengthen the country, corrupt officials harm the country, and incompetent officials mislead the country. However, in my view, this is a great misconception. In my eyes, officials are divided into two categories: capable officials and incompetent officials. A clean official who lacks ability is merely an incompetent official and cannot strengthen the country. Throughout history, there have been many examples of so-called clean officials who have harmed or misled the country. A corrupt official, even if lacking in character, can still benefit the people if they have the ability, and thus can be considered a capable official. How can they harm the country? Throughout the dynasties, how many of the famous prime ministers and virtuous ministers were truly clean officials?"

Zhao Junchen sighed lightly and continued, "In our dynasty, the official salary has always been low, but the expenses of official interactions and maintaining appearances all require money. With such a low salary, how can it be enough? Therefore, I do not dislike corrupt officials, because most of the time, if an official is not corrupt, they cannot survive. However, a corrupt official, while being corrupt, must also fulfill their duties as an official, working hard for the court and the people. In such a case, the country will be peaceful, and the people will be well-off. Even if their character is flawed, who would care? On the contrary, I despise officials who lack both ability and character. They are not even corrupt officials because they fail to fulfill their basic duties as officials and can only harm the country and the people."

Hearing Zhao Junchen openly support officials being corrupt, Liu Chang'an was stunned and a bit nervous, subconsciously clapping and praising, "Your Excellency's insight is profound, I am in awe!"

Zhao Junchen hummed lightly and continued, "In my view, officials are divided into two categories but have four levels. The highest level is those who have both ability and character. Such officials are rare, and calling them sages is not an exaggeration. I cannot achieve this. The second level is those who have ability but lack character. Although they are only the second level, they are rare and hard to find. In our Ming Dynasty, only a few officials like Zhang Juzheng and the Three Yangs can be considered second-level officials. The third level is those who have character but lack ability. Such officials appear every few years, but they can only manage a county at best. Most of the time, not causing trouble is already good. The lowest level is those who lack both ability and character. Throughout history, such officials have been numerous."

At this point, Zhao Junchen smiled at Liu Chang'an and asked, "Now, let me ask you, in your eyes, which level am I? And which level are you?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Liu Chang'an was startled and could no longer sit still, wanting to kneel and beg for forgiveness.

However, just as he lifted his buttocks, Zhao Junchen glared at him and said, "Sit there and answer my question! Answer truthfully!"

Liu Chang'an had no choice but to remain in his position, half-sitting on the chair, feeling more uncomfortable than kneeling. His mind raced, thinking about how to answer Zhao Junchen's question.

Which level is Zhao Junchen? If it were just to flatter, Liu Chang'an would naturally say Zhao Junchen is the highest level, with both character and ability. However, Zhao Junchen had already said he could not be a "sage" and asked Liu Chang'an to speak the truth.

Which level is Liu Chang'an himself? Liu Chang'an naturally hoped to be a second-level official, but according to Zhao Junchen, only a few officials like Zhang Juzheng and the Three Yangs in the Ming Dynasty could be considered second-level officials, all of whom were famous cabinet members. How could Liu Chang'an dare to compare himself to them?

After much hesitation, Liu Chang'an finally answered, "In my view, Your Excellency is a second-level official. Although you do not refuse the people's offerings, you can still do practical and good things for the court and the people. The people of Luan'an Prefecture are very grateful to you, which is clear evidence. In the future, Your Excellency's reputation and status will surely not be lower than those of the great ministers of the past, such as Zhang Juzheng and the Three Yangs."

Zhao Junchen nodded and continued, "What about you?"

Liu Chang'an bit his lip and finally said, "I have limited ability and average character, so I am a third-level official."

After saying this, Liu Chang'an quickly added, "However, I want to learn from Your Excellency and become a second-level official, serving the court and benefiting the people."

Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said, "You have self-awareness. In these past days, I have heard many complaints from the people about you. To privately increase taxes by seventy percent and cause widespread discontent, you deserve to be called a third-level official."

Hearing this, Liu Chang'an finally understood why Zhao Junchen was reprimanding him. He hurriedly knelt before Zhao Junchen, his voice trembling, and said, "Your Excellency, I am being wronged."

"Oh?" Zhao Junchen sneered, "So many people, are they all wronging you? Was it not you who increased the taxes?"

Liu Chang'an quickly explained, "Your Excellency, I investigated after hearing the old man's complaint. I found that there was another reason. Last year, I did increase taxes, but not for personal gain. I wanted to reinforce the dam of the Taihang Lake. I only increased the tax by twenty percent, but by the time it reached the counties, it had become a fifty percent increase! And by the time it reached the people, it had become a seventy percent increase! Your Excellency, I am truly wronged."

Hearing Liu Chang'an's explanation, Zhao Junchen was stunned.

Deception and exaggeration at each level were common in the bureaucracy, and Liu Chang'an's explanation could be true.

However, Zhao Junchen's sudden mention of this today was partly out of feeling and partly to reprimand Liu Chang'an.

After observing Liu Chang'an for some time, Zhao Junchen found that although he was a corrupt official, he had some ability, was steady and thoughtful, and had rich experience, making him somewhat like a second-level official in Zhao Junchen's eyes.

Most importantly, Liu Chang'an had no great ambitions and was very obedient. Zhao Junchen, who was eager to gather followers, was willing to recruit Liu Chang'an.

The best way to win someone over is through a combination of kindness and authority.

Although he felt he had wronged Liu Chang'an, Zhao Junchen still coldly hummed and asked, "So, I wronged you?"

Liu Chang'an quickly shook his head and said, "Your Excellency did not misunderstand me. It was my lack of judgment and consideration that led to being deceived by the lower officials and causing the people to suffer. This is a sign of my incompetence."

Hearing this, Zhao Junchen's expression finally softened, and he said gently, "It's good that you understand this. In these past days, the successful locust eradication and relief efforts in Luan'an Prefecture are partly due to your efforts. In my view, you have some ability. If you are willing, you may become a second-level official in the future, but you must know your limits."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's tone soften, Liu Chang'an was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency."

After the reprimand, it was time for a reward.

"Stand up. I was just mentioning it casually and did not mean to blame you." After Liu Chang'an stood up, Zhao Junchen handed him the memorial he had just written and said, "This is the petition for merit I wrote. Take a look."

Liu Chang'an respectfully took it and opened it. His heart, which had just been filled with fear, was now filled with surprise and excitement!

It turned out that in this petition, Zhao Junchen not only reported the recent situation in Luan'an Prefecture to Emperor Deqing but also highly praised Liu Chang'an and recommended him to be transferred to the capital and promoted to a higher position to encourage officials across the country.

In the Ming Dynasty, the promotion from seventh to sixth rank and from fourth to third rank were significant hurdles. If one could not overcome these hurdles, they would have to retire.

If Zhao Junchen could help Liu Chang'an overcome this hurdle, it would be like a second life for Liu Chang'an.

"Your Excellency, I, I thank you!"

After reading the memorial, Liu Chang'an knelt before Zhao Junchen again, his voice trembling.

Liu Chang'an had enough qualifications but lacked a powerful patron. He had been a prefect for three terms, stuck in a position where he could be promoted but never was.

This was