bullyxtreme Chapter 116 Operational Transfer
Chapter 116 Operational Transfer
Wang Tiqian's private residence in Beijing.
Wang Tiqian sat in his study, holding Lu Yan's letter in his hand, reading it over and over again.
"The Prefectural Magistrate of Dengzhou... concurrently in charge of warship construction..."
He muttered to himself, his brows slightly furrowed.
This Lu Yan has quite the ambition.
He was transferred from the position of Tongpan (assistant prefect) of Jinan Prefecture to Tongpan of Dengzhou. His rank was only promoted by half a grade, from the seventh rank to the seventh rank. But the significance was completely different.
Jinan Prefecture was inland, while Dengzhou Prefecture was by the sea.
Jinan Prefecture was the hinterland, while Dengzhou Prefecture was the frontier.
The power of a prefectural judge in a frontier region was far greater than that in the inland areas. Especially in strategic locations like Dengzhou, a prefectural judge could almost act independently.
More importantly, he was also assigned the task of "overseeing the construction of warships".
With this assignment, Lu Yan could legitimately access ships, craftsmen, and supplies.
What's this kid up to?
Wang Tiqian pondered for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote a reply.
In the letter, he asked Lu Yan a question:
"Dengzhou is an important border town. What would a civil official like you do there?"
……
Five days later.
Lu Yan received a reply from Wang Tiqian.
After reading the letter, he smiled slightly, picked up his pen, and wrote a reply:
"Your Excellency is wise. Didn't His Majesty say he wanted to build warships? I am skilled in construction, so it is perfectly legitimate for me to go to Dengzhou to oversee the construction of warships. Moreover, Dengzhou is the gateway to Liaodong, and the construction of warships is of great importance. I am willing to share the burden of the court and serve His Majesty."
He paused, then wrote:
"My work on water conservancy projects in Jinan has already earned the Emperor's favor. If you can build excellent warships in Dengzhou, the Emperor will surely be delighted. At that time, your contribution will certainly be significant."
The last sentence is the key.
Wang Tiqian is a smart man; he will definitely understand the meaning of this sentence.
Lu Yan built warships in Dengzhou; the credit belongs to Lu Yan, but the credit for recommending him belongs to Wang Tiqian.
If the emperor is pleased, Wang Tiqian will also get a share of the benefits.
This is a win-win deal.
……
Five more days passed.
Wang Tiqian's second reply arrived.
The letter contained only one sentence:
"This is feasible, but someone will object to it."
Lu Yan frowned.
Is someone arguing?
Who?
He immediately sent Shen Qing to the capital to gather information.
Three days later, Shen Qing brought back the news.
"Master, I've found out."
Shen Qing lowered his voice and said:
"The person vying with you for the position of Vice Prefect of Dengzhou is a man named Qian Qianyi."
"Qian Qianyi?" Lu Yan was taken aback.
He remembered the name.
Qian Qianyi, courtesy name Shouzhi, sobriquet Muzhai, was a native of Changshu, Jiangsu. He passed the imperial examination in the 38th year of the Wanli reign (1599), was a key figure in the Donglin Party, a leader in the literary world, and later married the famous courtesan Liu Rushi.
But at this time, Qian Qianyi should still be an editor in the Hanlin Academy. How could he be competing with him for the position of Vice Prefect of Dengzhou?
"It wasn't Qian Qianyi himself," Shen Qing explained. "It was one of his students, Zhou Yanru."
"Zhou Yanru?"
Lu Yan was stunned again.
He also remembered the name Zhou Yanru.
This man was the top scholar in the imperial examination of the 41st year of the Wanli reign. He was exceptionally talented, but also cunning and adept at currying favor. He later served as the Grand Secretary during the Chongzhen reign, but was executed by the Chongzhen Emperor for corruption and misrule.
"Zhou Yanru is currently a reader in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official," Shen Qing said. "He wants to be transferred to a local post to gain experience and has his eye on the position of Vice Prefect of Dengzhou."
"A sixth-rank Hanlin Academy reader being demoted to a seventh-rank prefectural judge?" Lu Yan frowned. "Isn't that a demotion?"
"My lord, you may not know this," Shen Qing said. "Although the Hanlin Academy is prestigious, it lacks real power. Zhou Yanru wants to be transferred to a local post to accumulate political achievements so he can climb the ranks later. Dengzhou is an important frontier town, and the prefectural magistrate there wields considerable power, which suits his purposes perfectly."
Lu Yan pondered for a moment.
Zhou Yanru was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and even the Zhuangyuan (the top scholar in the imperial examinations), so his background was much stronger than his.
He might not win if they competed head-on.
But he also had his own advantage—his connections with the Wei faction.
Zhou Yanru was a member of the Donglin Party and was at odds with Wei Zhongxian. If Wei Zhongxian gave the order, Zhou Yanru was doomed.
The question is, how do we get Wei Zhongxian to speak?
……
Lu Yan thought about it all night, and the next morning he did two things.
The first thing to do was to write to Wang Tiqian and ask him to increase his efforts.
In the letter, he analyzed Zhou Yanru's background in detail, pointing out that Zhou was a member of the Donglin Party and not aligned with Wei Zhongxian.
"Your Excellency is wise. Zhou Yanru is a remnant of the Donglin Party. If we send him to Dengzhou, he will likely cause trouble. Dengzhou is the gateway to Liaodong, and its strategic location is extremely important. How can we allow it to fall into the hands of the Donglin Party?"
The second thing was to write a letter to Liu Cheng, asking him to speak well of Wei Zhongxian.
In the letter, he did not mention Zhou Yanru, but only emphasized his own loyalty and ability.
"This junior is willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, even unto death. The construction of the warships in Dengzhou is crucial to the overall situation in Liaodong, and this junior wishes to personally oversee its construction to repay Your Majesty's kindness in recognizing and supporting me."
After sending out the two letters, Lu Yan did a third thing—he sent people to secretly collect dirt on Zhou Yanru.
"Shen Qing, go and investigate Zhou Yanru."
He said to Shen Qing.
"Has this person done anything wrong during his years at the Hanlin Academy? Embezzlement, bribery, favoritism, lifestyle... anything goes."
Shen Qing accepted the order and left.
……
August 25th.
Shen Qing brought back the message.
"Boss, we've found it."
He lowered his voice and said:
"When Zhou Yanru was a reader in the Hanlin Academy, he accepted a bribe of five thousand taels of silver from a salt merchant."
"Five thousand taels?" Lu Yan's eyes lit up. "Do you have any proof?"
"Yes." Shen Qing pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve. "This is the salt merchant's account book, which details the gifts given to Zhou Yanru."
Lu Yan took the ledger and looked it over carefully.
The account book clearly states: In March of the second year of the Tianqi reign, five thousand taels of silver, twenty bolts of silk, and a pair of jade pendants were sent to Attendant Reader Zhou.
"Okay." Lu Yan put the account book away. "Keep this for now."
"How does the employer plan to use it?"
"No rush," Lu Yan said. "Let's see how things go with Eunuch Wang first. If he can successfully secure the position of Prefect of Dengzhou, we won't need this. If not..."
He gave a cold laugh.
"Then let Zhou Yanru taste what it's like to be reported."
……
September 1st.
Wang Tiqian's reply has arrived.
The letter stated that Wei Zhongxian had agreed to transfer Lu Yan to the position of Tongpan of Dengzhou, concurrently in charge of warship construction.
However, there is still some resistance from the Ministry of Personnel, and further efforts are needed.
"Zhou Yanru's teacher, Qian Qianyi, has some connections in the Ministry of Personnel," Wang Tiqian wrote in his letter. "Do you have any ideas?"
After reading the letter, Lu Yan smiled coldly.
Method?
Of course there are.
He took out the ledger and handed it to Shen Qing.
"Send this to the Censorate."
"The Censorate?" Shen Qing was taken aback.
"That's right," Lu Yan said. "Cui Chengxiu, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, is a member of the Wei faction. Give this to him; he'll know what to do."
Shen Qing suddenly understood and bowed to accept the order.
"The employer is brilliant!"
……
three days later.
The Censorate impeached Zhou Yanru, a reader in the Hanlin Academy, for accepting bribes, and the evidence was conclusive.
Zhou Yanru was suspended from his post pending investigation, and his transfer to Dengzhou naturally fell through.
Five more days passed.
The official document from the Ministry of Personnel has arrived.
Lu Yan was transferred to Dengzhou Prefecture as a prefectural judge, a seventh-rank official, and concurrently in charge of warship construction.
Taking office today.
Lu Yan held the documents, stood by the window, looked at the autumn scenery outside, and a smile appeared on his lips.
"Dengzhou..."
He muttered to himself.
"I am coming."