SWDnovel Chapter 72 0070 [It's not that you're too stupid, it's that Xu Sanlang is too smart]
Chapter 72 0070 [It's not that you're too stupid, it's that Xu Sanlang is too smart]
Chapter 72 0070 [It's not that you're too stupid, it's that Xu Sanlang is too smart]
Xu Lai returned to his dormitory to study, while Yang Shu was still taking the quarterly exams, which the students in the dormitory had to take for two days.
Yang Shu didn't leave the examination hall until late afternoon, only to find his elder brother Yang Xun standing there.
Yang Shu was both surprised and delighted: "Brother, why did it take you so long to return?"
"Don't ask anymore," Yang Xun said with a bitter expression, pulling his younger brother to a secluded spot. "I didn't bring enough money. I'm really unlucky."
Yang Shu asked, "What martial rank did you obtain? What kind of job were you assigned?"
Yang Xun was both amused and exasperated: "The commander of the guarding palace is in charge of the escort ships."
Upon hearing this official title, Yang Shu was speechless for a moment.
After going through all that trouble, I finally got a military rank, but now I have to take charge of escorting the expedition.
The title of "Shouque Junjiang" was originally a military rank, but it was later changed to "Shouque Jinyi Fuwei" by Emperor Huizong of Song.
It's considered mainstream, but it lacks a rank.
Moreover, among martial ranks without grades, it ranks third from the bottom.
However, after Yang Xun received Chen Congyi's recommendation, he went home and told his father and the clan chief about it. Upon hearing that he could become a military officer, the clan chief not only gave him money, but also provided an interest-free loan from the family treasury.
So Yang Xun took the money and went to the capital to report to the Third Rank Academy.
In theory, the emperor would receive him personally, but in reality, that was impossible. He was taken directly to be tested on his martial arts skills, passed the test with ease, and then waited to be granted an official position.
At this stage, bribery should be offered; otherwise, it will take forever.
The more money you give, the higher your official rank and the better the job you get!
Yang Xun said with a worried look, "Prices in the capital are soaring, and bribes are becoming increasingly expensive. I thought I had enough money, but I was only given a position as a guard general, and I'm still assigned to escort the grain transport in Guangzhou."
Yang Shu could only comfort his elder brother: "After all, you've entered the official ranks, so you can be considered an official."
"He doesn't even have a rank, what kind of official is he? It only sounds better than a clerk." Yang Xun was both amused and exasperated.
Yang Shu said, "Let's take it slow."
Yang Xun asked, "How is that Xu Sanlang? Is he able to speak on Yu Xiangong's behalf?"
"This—" Yang Shu hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
He knew, of course, that Xu Lai and Yu Jing had a good relationship, since Yu Jing had helped Xu Lai choose his courtesy name.
But he couldn't bring himself to ask Xu for help in getting an official position, feeling that it would damage their friendship and make their future interactions less genuine.
Yang Xun immediately understood his brother's thoughts: "Just this once. On my way back to Guangdong, I heard that the new emperor has ascended the throne, and all officials have been promoted by one rank. Although I am not one of the officials, it is easy to change my post at this time if someone helps me."
Yang Shu couldn't bear to refuse his elder brother, so he could only say, "Let me think about it some more."
"Alright, I'll head back to the inn first and report to the transport office tomorrow." Yang Xun hurriedly left, afraid that his younger brother would change his mind.
Yang Shu walked back to his dormitory in great distress, not even hearing his classmates greet him.
Yang Shu sat idly in his dormitory until evening. His neighbor and classmates dragged him to dinner. When he saw Xu Lai in the cafeteria, he didn't dare to sit at the same table as him, as if he had done something wrong and was feeling particularly guilty.
"Brother Jie, there are still empty seats at this table," Xu Lai called out.
Yang Shu forced himself to sit down, but hesitated several times before finally deciding not to speak.
After a hasty dinner, Yang Shu remained silent, walking the rest of the way without uttering a single word.
As they approached the dormitory area, Xu Lai asked, "Brother Jie, are you in trouble?"
"No," Yang Shu shook his head and said, "It rained last night, and I may have caught a chill. I'm feeling a bit unwell."
Xu Lai pulled him aside to a secluded spot: "Although we've only known each other for half a year, we're practically brothers. Speak your mind."
Yang Shu clenched and unclenched his fists, finally stammering, "Last year, we tried to curry favor with the eunuch and gave him some silver. The eunuch actually helped us and asked Judge Chen to recommend my brother for a military officer position."
"I know about this," Xu Lai nodded.
Yang Shu continued, "Chen Caopan, citing my brother's merit in protecting the imperial envoy, recommended him for a military officer position. Lower-ranking military officers had to report to the Three Offices in the capital and pass a martial arts examination before being appointed. After the examination, bribes were still required, and my brother's bribes weren't enough—"
Yang Shu wasn't one to mince words; since things were already out in the open, there was no point in hiding anything. He spoke faster and faster, explaining everything in detail.
Xu Lai asked, "Which government office dispatched him to? The commander-in-chief or the transport commissioner?"
"The Transport Office. It's responsible for escorting the grain transport vessels," Yang Shu said.
Xu Lai offered his analysis: "Your elder brother was recommended by Judge Chen, which is why he was assigned to the grain transport office. Even if he wanted an official position, why would he go to the military headquarters to find Minister Yu? He should go to Judge Chen."
Yang Shu said, "But Judge Chen was willing to recommend him back then because of the eunuch's reputation. If Judge Chen had been willing to promote him, my brother would at least be a third-rank official. It was precisely because Judge Chen didn't take it seriously and didn't clearly recommend him for an official position that he was dismissed casually in the capital."
Xu Lai asked, "Have you heard about the reform of the salt administration in Guangdong?"
"I've heard about it."
Yang Shu said, "In the past, the salt shipments in Guangdong were all temporarily assembled and lacked unified organization, making them easy to steal and adulterate."
Moreover, without official oversight, people didn't know who to turn to when problems arose. The transport commissioner not only corrected these malpractices but also conducted year-end assessments, rewarding those who performed meritorious service and punishing those who committed wrongdoing.
Xu Lai laughed and said, "Before, doing a good job or a bad job made no difference, but now there are rewards and punishments. Your brother happens to be in charge of escorting the grain transport, isn't that the best opportunity for him to make a name for himself?"
"They say there are rewards and punishments, but if you really make a contribution, it might be taken away by someone else. Besides, my brother might not necessarily be assigned to escort the official salt," Yang Shu said.
Xu Lai cautioned, "Reforming the salt administration is the Guangdong Provincial Water Transport Commissioner's biggest undertaking this year, and also the greatest achievement for Commissioner Cai and Judge Chen. They will undoubtedly be personally overseeing this matter, and will personally reward and punish offenders at the end of the year. They know perfectly well who has done a good job and who has done a bad one!"
Yang Shu wasn't stupid, and immediately became happy: "If that's really the case, my brother is actually quite lucky. The next problem is how to get the job of escorting government salt."
Xu Lai said, "Any reform will inevitably encounter resistance. The Grand Canal Administration has plugged the loopholes in the salt transport system, preventing theft and adulteration from now on, which has cut off the source of income for many people. The military officers in charge of the Grand Canal transport are avoiding this job like the plague. Since your brother took the initiative to take it, no one will compete with him for it."
"Once you take on a task and want to make a name for yourself, you'll offend a lot of people." Yang Shu instantly understood the pros and cons.
If you do this kind of work well, you will definitely gain the appreciation of Cai Kang and Chen Congyi.
However, to do a good job, you'll offend many people, including officials, clerks, merchants, soldiers, and salt producers.
The pros and cons are both there; it's up to Yang Shu's brother to choose.
Xu Lai continued, "If your brother is willing to take on this task, then don't be afraid of offending anyone. Cai, the tax commissioner, and Chen, the tax magistrate, are only responsible for formulating the general strategy; they don't concern themselves with the details. But your brother can learn from the experience gained while overseeing the shipment."
They identified and filled in any gaps, then wrote a report and submitted it to the transport commissioner.
To put it bluntly, it's about officials implementing reforms, but struggling to control the details. Yang Xun, as a frontline implementer, compiled his work experience into reports to help officials at the reform level identify and address any shortcomings.
It's equivalent to helping the grain transport department improve its system, and the rewards will be very generous.
"Um----
"It might not be able to reach the two superiors. In the end, give it to me to polish it first, and then I will hand it over to Cai Caosi or Chen Caopan."
"If this matter is accomplished, the two officials will surely recommend talented individuals to the imperial court. If it is Cai Cao Si who makes the recommendation, your elder brother will be promoted directly to a ninth-rank military officer without a doubt."
A ninth-rank military officer, utterly worthless.
But for the vast majority of low-level martial artists, it is a chasm they can never cross in their lifetime.
There's one thing Xu Lai doesn't know yet.
Cai Kang and the newly enthroned Zhao Shu were both teacher and friend, and Zhao Shu happened to distrust everyone. If Cai Kang were to mention to Zhao Shu one day that the emperor needed a trusted confidant—
Of course, the chances of this happening are very small, unless Yang Xun is particularly appreciated by Cai Kang.
After listening for a moment, Yang Shu bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Xingzhi! I will go and discuss it with my elder brother right away."
He felt embarrassed to ask for help from an official, but when he came to Xu Lai, it turned into a legitimate opportunity for meritorious service and promotion.
This was exactly what Yang Shu wanted.
It was already dark, and the school gates were tightly shut.
Yang Shu found a secluded spot, climbed over the wall to leave the school, and ran to an inn in the city to find her brother.
"You've already made progress so quickly?" Yang Xun asked in surprise.
Yang Shuxiang relayed Xu Lai's words in detail.
This greatly surprised Yang Xun, and seeing the hope of promotion again, he suddenly felt a strong desire to make a name for himself: "A grown man shouldn't be afraid of offending people! Reforming the salt administration benefits the country and the people, and we should do our best!"
After saying that, Yang Xun asked in a low voice, "Can Xu Sanlang really help deliver the document?"
He feared that all his hard work would go to waste, and that he would offend people and not be noticed by his superiors.
"Definitely," Yang Shu said in a low voice. "Xu Sanlang has been accepted as a disciple by Master Yu, who has also given him a courtesy name."
Yang Xun was utterly astonished: "I left for the capital before the New Year was even over, and it's only been less than five months. How could a mere country boy become Master Yu's disciple?"
Yang Shu laughed and said, "Xu Sanlang has done a lot. He led several of us classmates to Pujian Mountain to survey water conservancy and solve the drinking water problem for the entire city. Our water management strategy has been adopted by the government and construction will begin this winter."
"Truly capable!" Yang Xun exclaimed in admiration.
Yang Shu said, "All of us scholars who participated in this event have had our deeds recorded by the state school. If I pass the imperial examination again next year, even if Minister Yu is transferred, I will surely be able to go to the capital for further examination. Firstly, I have rendered meritorious service to the people and have good character. Secondly, I am a veteran scholar who has passed the imperial examination consecutively."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xun was overjoyed: "Our Yang family of Jihua Township has finally turned our luck around!"
My brother is a military officer. As long as he works diligently and is not afraid of offending people, he can get the recommendation of the two chief officials of the transport department.
My younger brother is a scholar; as long as he passes the provincial examination, he will be promoted to the provincial examination.
With both literary and martial arts skills working together, what else could this be but a stroke of good fortune?
Yang Shu didn't go back to school either, and at night she shared a bed with her brother: "Xu Sanlang is truly exceptionally intelligent. I thought I was asking him to help me get an official position, but he figured it out as soon as he heard it. The news of the reform of the Guangdong salt administration has already spread throughout the school, and my classmates were still discussing it the other day."
"But what everyone is concerned about is whether this matter will be used in the exam for policy essays."
"I was the same way, only thinking about how I could write a better essay if the salt tax reform was tested. I never thought about connecting it with my brother's job."
"Brother, am I so foolish that I am unsuitable for an official position?"
In the darkness, Yang Xun laughed and said, "It's not that you're stupid, it's that Xu Sanlang is too smart. There are probably very few people in the world smarter than him."