Chapter 608: Difficult Bosses to Deal With
The Bureau of Geography under the Ministry of War was in charge of maps, military systems, city defenses, garrisoning, troop reductions, and military campaigns. Whenever warfare broke out, this bureau became the busiest. Throughout history, those who wanted to rise to high positions such as vice minister in the Ministry of War usually had to have served in this bureau first. Fang Bin, who died first, had once served as a director in this bureau, and Zhao Jin, who is currently in office, had also held positions as an officer and deputy director there. Thus, when Zhang Yue was suddenly transferred from the Bureau of Armories to the Bureau of Geography, there was much speculation everywhere. When news of his appointment as a governor elsewhere spread, chaos erupted within the Ministry of War, with everyone discussing what kind of future this young official with an extraordinary background might have.
It should be noted that officials in the capital today are far from being considered noble; instead, the term “poor capital officials” is well-known. Moreover, it is no longer the era of Hongwu when a student from the Imperial Academy could immediately be appointed as a provincial governor. Even holding a degree from the imperial examinations did not guarantee a smooth career path. Securing a good position in the countryside was even harder than finding a good post in the capital. Therefore, if it weren’t for Zhang Yue’s seemingly humble demeanor but actually difficult approachability, many would have tried to get close to him right away.
Zhao Jin, the minister of war, knew that Zhang Yue had never considered being transferred elsewhere. Since taking on the role of minister, he had focused solely on military affairs beyond the Great Wall, so everyone in the Bureau of Geography was always on high alert to respond to his immediate calls. When he first entered officialdom, he had been promoted to deputy director by presenting a map of the country’s mountains, rivers, and fortresses drawn by himself, along with strategies for garrisoning troops. Several of the maps currently in the Bureau of Geography were his work. So when he heard Zhang Yue’s assertion during his audience with the emperor that day, he was naturally very surprised. After returning, he summoned Zhang Yue and questioned him thoroughly, eventually concluding that it was indeed due to his family’s influence.
Despite his appreciation, seeing Fang Bin’s fate and the emperor’s vague remarks that day, along with another appointment announced at today’s court meeting, Zhao Jin, though not disliking Zhang Yue’s determination, felt compelled to give him some advice: “The situation beyond the Great Wall changes rapidly. Your so-called assertions are rather rash. What if they delay military operations? You have made valuable suggestions in the Ministry of War over the years, and your dedication is commendable. But if it happens too often, it may seem like you’re relying on your family’s influence. Minister Li of the Ministry of Works will be taking charge of the Ministry of War in a few days. He is a strict man who is very demanding of those under him. You should be extra careful.”
Minister Li Qing of the Ministry of Works was to take charge of the Ministry of War?
When the news spread throughout the Ministry of War, not to mention Zhang Yue, even the officials at all levels of the four departments and the two vice ministers were shocked. During the previous northern expedition, Li Qing had also been temporarily in charge of the Ministry of War, but that was merely a temporary solution. Now, with an imperial edict officially confirming this arrangement, it was clear that he was likely to become their superior in the future. After all, Li Qing had started his career as a student at the Imperial Academy before serving as a vice censor. Most of his time was spent in the Ministry of Punishments and the Censorate, where he had impeached numerous high-ranking officials; some young officials even trembled at the mere mention of him.
That noon, Zhang Yue and a few colleagues were dining at Ducang Tower near Chongwen Gate. Cui Fanzhi, who was now an officer in the Armory Department, couldn’t help but sigh. Since they were all very close friends, he spoke frankly: “First there was Fang Bapi, and now there’s Li Bapi! Minister Fang would strip even the feathers from passing geese—just targeting the military officials outside. But Minister Li… I heard that every subordinate under him has been thoroughly disciplined by him!”
“Exactly! I heard that as long as a subordinate makes a small mistake, he’ll scold them immediately, and if it happens again, they’ll be impeached.”
Hearing another person complain, Wan Shijie shrugged and said, “There’s no need to be so anxious. Though Minister Li is strict, his dignified demeanor is well-known both at home and abroad. Besides, when trouble comes, we just need to do our jobs properly. Minister Li wouldn’t make things up out of thin air—he’s not that kind of person. I’m not saying anything bad, but after Minister Fang’s arbitrary behavior, even though Minister Zhao is sharp, he’s lenient. It’s time for someone like Minister Li to take control.”
“Enough, enough! Constantly talking about our superiors makes it seem like we have too much free time!”
Although Zhang Yue was now in the Department of Military Affairs, he was still closest to the people from the Armory Department. He smiled and interrupted their discussion. It was still lunchtime, and seeing that everyone had a cup of tea, he thought of Shi Heng’s situation and asked, “I was away for over a year, and since returning, there have been continuous problems. I’m not quite clear about some things. I’d like to ask—what exactly is the process for inheriting military positions in the Military Selection Department? And when were literary exams added on top of the military exams?”
“This has always been the case; it’s just sometimes lenient and sometimes strict.” Cui Fanzhi’s expression turned strange when he heard Zhang Yue ask this. “The former Minister Fang accepted bribes, and since the emperor showed compassion for those officers who served the country, as long as they were of the right age and had passable martial skills, they were usually approved. But now, many descendants of military officers who inherit command positions can’t even write properly or fully recognize characters, let alone understand military strategy. So Minister Zhao issued a decree saying that in addition to military tests, literary tests are also necessary! Didn’t you also propose a military strategy to the emperor during the northern expedition, suggesting strict scrutiny for inheriting military positions?”
Could this also involve him?
Zhang Yue was drinking tea when he heard this and almost choked on it. After coughing for a while, he frowned thoughtfully. He knew that his proposal targeted those from military families who relied on their fathers’ achievements but lacked actual martial skills, without mentioning what kind of knowledge or competence should be required in military strategy—a deficiency on his part. During the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang had ordered all noble descendants who needed to inherit titles to attend the Imperial Academy, but now that practice no longer existed. Moreover, making those who would eventually command troops study classics and history, he felt the original Emperor Hongwu must have had other motives, especially since the Imperial Academy wasn’t suitable for military descendants.
After finishing the meal, everyone paid the bill and left Du Kang Building together. Since there was still some time before the afternoon meetings, some planned to head back early for a nap, while others decided to stroll around. Zhang Yue, on the other hand, accompanied Wan Shijie to Hongchang Hutong next door to pick out some furnishings. Although Wan Shijie had successfully arranged his marriage a few days earlier, he had only hired an old servant to handle household chores after becoming an official, leaving him almost alone. Thus, Zhang Yue’s help was essential for various marriage-related matters. They had just found a suitable quadrangle courtyard in an alley east of the Du family’s residence, so Zhang Yue asked Gao Quan to help purchase furniture.
“Yuanjie, you let me stay in that house temporarily without charging rent out of friendship. Now, for such an important matter as marriage, if you lend me money, I’ll definitely repay it promptly, but I can’t shamelessly treat it as something owed. The money and goods you took from me were worth at most a hundred taels of silver, and even if it were usury, it wouldn’t reach a thousand taels. Don’t try to deceive me with words. Even if you sell me that house at the lowest price, it’s worth at least three hundred taels, not to mention the furniture and decorations…”
“When did you become so talkative? If I hadn’t anticipated such a joyous occasion for you, why would I go out of my way to invest your silver for profit? You’re not like Xiao Xia—his family is wealthy, and he has both an official position and financial support at home. After all, you’re on your own. My business is managed with my father’s help, along with Master Liu, who’s full of ideas. Over the years, all our businesses have thrived, and naturally, money generates more money. Compared to those nobles who used to engage in salt trade, this money comes from legitimate sources.”
When Zhang Yue mentioned “salt trade,” he suddenly remembered how Li Qing, who now also held the position of Minister of War, had overthrown many nobles by using the accusation that their family members were competing with the common people in the salt trade. In fact, it wasn’t just the salt trade—whether it was Duke Zhang Fucheng, Duke Zhu Yong, or other nobles, it would be strange if their family members didn’t have businesses of their own. Corruption between officials and merchants was a persistent problem, let alone when it involved the nobility’s own family members in business.
So, he paused briefly before scowling and saying, “If you’re my friend, stop talking so much. You don’t understand business, nor do I. There are those who know how to handle it. Once you get married, even if you get promoted and your salary increases significantly, you can’t rely solely on that to make a living.”
“Okay, okay! I’ll remember your kindness!”
Wan Shijie muttered for a while before giving up on the matter. He had first proposed a plan to phase out old weapons to Minister of War Zhao Jin, and although it might be considered, relying on a salary to do anything was just delusional. One couldn’t be stifled by a little money in life, let alone suffer for the sake of a little pride at the expense of Xiao Wu. Still, he needed to choose carefully who would manage the farms this time. He might not be good at business, but he knew quite a bit about farming from his earlier years.
He selected two elegantly designed vases, a simply crafted screen, and some small items like brocade boxes from the shops in Hongchang Hutong, specifying the delivery addresses. Seeing that it was getting late and fearing they might miss afternoon tasks, Zhang Yue and Wan Shijie hurried back. As they passed in front of theZhanshi Fu, Wan Shijie suddenly let out a soft sigh.
“Lao Wan, what are you up to now?”
“Yuanjie, since you were previously in the Minister of Works’ office, there are likely many things you don’t know. As for the military strategies you proposed, other points may be acceptable, but the one regarding hereditary military positions was strongly supported by both Scholar Jin and Scholar Yang, and was highly praised in the court debates. The reason is simple: if military positions are inherited from generation to generation, that group would become extremely large. Your intentions are good, but although this matter doesn’t involve noble families, it still risks offending many people. Even if that’s not your intention, you still need to be cautious lest others use it as a target. You should know that your family isn’t just composed of the Duke of Yingguo and the Marquis of Yangwu. Your two uncles don’t hold titles, but thanks to their ancestors’ influence, their military positions might be inherited. The same goes for your brothers who don’t inherit titles. How many noble families have only one son? I have to remind you—those elders in the court are all extremely calculating. Take our new superior, for example; he’s also a tricky old man to deal with.”