Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 117 Wei Zhongxian's One Word

In the capital city, at the office of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Wei Zhongxian sat behind his desk, flipping through the reports sent from various places.

He is fifty-five years old this year, but he is still vigorous and has sharp eyes. Over the years, he has risen from a lowly eunuch to the position of Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, wielding immense power and influence in the court, and is known as "Nine Thousand Years Old".

The duty room was quiet, with only the rustling sound of papers being turned.

Several eunuchs stood by with their hands at their sides, not daring to utter a sound.

"Factory manager."

A eunuch tiptoed in, bowed, and said:

"Minister of War Cui Chengxiu requests an audience."

"Let him in."

Wei Zhongxian put down the report, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

A moment later, Choi Seong-soo walked in.

Cui Chengxiu was a key figure in Wei Zhongxian's faction, serving as Minister of War and wielding immense power. Yet, before Wei Zhongxian, he was extremely respectful and dared not show the slightest disrespect.

"Factory manager."

Cui Chengxiu bowed respectfully.

"sit."

Wei Zhongxian waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

"What is it?"

Cui Chengxiu sat down, took out a document from his sleeve, and handed it over with both hands.

"Master, this is the plan for building warships in Dengzhou. The war in Liaodong is critical, and the court has decided to build additional warships in Dengzhou as a precaution."

Wei Zhongxian took the document and flipped through it casually.

"The construction of warships is a matter for the Ministry of War; you can decide that yourselves. Why bother asking me?"

"Your Excellency, the Director of the Imperial Workshop is wise," Cui Chengxiu said. "The construction of warships is a major undertaking, requiring a capable person to oversee it. I would like to request that the Director of the Imperial Workshop disclose who would be suitable to send."

Wei Zhongxian put down the document and pondered for a moment.

"Isn't the position of Prefectural Magistrate of Dengzhou vacant?"

"Yes," Cui Chengxiu said. "The previous prefect has passed away, and the court has not yet sent anyone to take over."

"Then let the newly appointed prefect also oversee the construction of warships," Wei Zhongxian said. "It'll kill two birds with one stone."

"Your Excellency is wise," Cui Chengxiu said, bowing. "However... the Ministry of Personnel is still deliberating on the selection of the new prefect."

"What are we discussing?" Wei Zhongxian frowned. "Who are the candidates?"

"Reporting to the Grand Eunuch, there are two candidates," Cui Chengxiu said. "One is Zhou Yanru, a Hanlin Academy Reader, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), and exceptionally talented. The other is Lu Yan, the Prefectural Magistrate of Jinan, a Juren (successful candidate in the provincial imperial examination), and knowledgeable in construction."

"Zhou Yanru?" Wei Zhongxian sneered. "He's a member of the Donglin Party."

"Your Excellency is wise," Cui Chengxiu said. "Zhou Yanru is a disciple of Qian Qianyi and does indeed have some connections with the Donglin Party."

"We cannot use the Donglin Party members," Wei Zhongxian declared decisively. "Dengzhou is the gateway to Liaodong, a strategic location; how can it fall into the hands of the Donglin Party?"

"Then... what about Lu Yan?"

Wei Zhongxian pondered for a moment, and the face of that young man appeared in his mind.

Lu Yan.

He remembered this person.

Last year, this person, through Wang Tigan's connections, sent him an exquisite water-powered device. The device greatly pleased Emperor Tianqi, who rewarded him with a considerable amount of gold and silver.

This year, this man created an even more ingenious water system and presented it to the palace. Emperor Tianqi was even more pleased and immediately said, "This man is useful; let him get things done."

"Lu Yan..."

Wei Zhongxian muttered to himself.

"This person does have some skill."

"The Grand Eunuch is right," Cui Chengxiu said. "Although Lu Yan is only a scholar who passed the imperial examination, he is skilled in construction, and his water features are highly favored by the Emperor. It would be perfectly justifiable to send him to Dengzhou to oversee the construction of warships."

Wei Zhongxian nodded.

"Then let him go."

He picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"It would be suitable to send Lu Yan, who is skilled in construction, to Dengzhou to oversee the construction."

A single word can decide the fate of a nation.

Cui Chengxiu was secretly delighted and bowed, saying:

"Your Excellency is wise! I will immediately go to the Ministry of Personnel to deliver the message."

"Go."

Wei Zhongxian waved his hand, picked up the report again, and continued to read it.

Cui Chengxiu left.

……

September 10th.

Ministry of Personnel.

Zhou Yingqiu, the Minister of Personnel, sat behind his desk with two resumes in front of him.

One was from Zhou Yanru, and the other was from Lu Yan.

Zhou Yanru was the top scholar in the imperial examination in the 41st year of the Wanli reign (1592), and served as a reader in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of sixth grade.

Lu Yan was a Juren (successful candidate in the provincial examination) in the first year of the Tianqi reign (1621), and served as the Tongpan (assistant prefect) of Jinan Prefecture, a position of the seventh rank.

Judging from his resume, Zhou Yanru is clearly superior.

But Zhou Yingqiu knew that this matter couldn't be judged solely on resume.

"My lord, Minister Cui has arrived."

A clerk entered and bowed to report.

"please."

Zhou Yingqiu stood up and went out to greet him.

Choi Seong-soo strode in, a smile on his face.

"Lord Zhou, the Grand Eunuch has something to say."

Zhou Yingqiu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and said:

"Please give your instructions, Lord Cui."

"The Grand Eunuch has already decided on the candidate for Prefect of Dengzhou," Cui Chengxiu said. "Let Lu Yan go."

"Lu Yan?" Zhou Yingqiu was taken aback. "But... what about Zhou Yanru..."

"Zhou Yanru is a member of the Donglin Party," Cui Chengxiu interrupted him. "The Grand Eunuch said that members of the Donglin Party cannot be employed."

Zhou Yingqiu's heart sank, but he dared not say anything more.

"This humble official understands."

He bowed and said.

"I will draft a document immediately, appointing Lu Yan as the Vice Prefect of Dengzhou Prefecture, concurrently in charge of warship construction."

"Okay." Choi Seong-soo nodded. "Get it done as soon as possible."

"yes."

……

September 15th.

Lu Ji Carriage and Horse Shop, Jinan Prefecture.

Lu Yan was handling official business in his study when he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"Boss! Boss!"

Hu Jingshui's voice came from outside, filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"What is it?"

Lu Yan put down his pen and walked out of the study.

Hu Jingshui quickly stepped forward, waving a document in her hand.

"Master, the documents from the Ministry of Personnel have arrived!"

Lu Yan took the document and read it carefully.

It is written very clearly in the document:

"Lu Yan is hereby appointed as the Vice Prefect of Dengzhou Prefecture, a seventh-rank official, concurrently in charge of warship construction. He shall assume his post immediately."

After reading it, a smile appeared on his lips.

It became.

From the seventh rank to the seventh rank, the rank only increased by half a level.

But the meaning is completely different.

Dengzhou was an important border town, and the power of the prefectural judge was much greater than that in the inland areas.

More importantly, the assignment to "oversee warship construction" gave him a legitimate reason to come into contact with ships, craftsmen, and supplies.

Congratulations, boss! Congratulations, boss!

Hu Jingshui's face was beaming with joy.

"The Prefectural Magistrate of Dengzhou! A seventh-rank official! He also oversees warship construction! This is a powerful official position!"

Lu Yan nodded and put the document away.

"Jingshui, prepare yourself; I'm going to the capital to express my gratitude."

"yes!"

……

September 20th.

Wang Tiqian's private residence in Beijing.

Lu Yan brought gifts and paid a visit.

Wang Tiqian received him in his study.

"Lord Lu, congratulations!"

Wang Tiqian said with a smile.

"The Prefectural Magistrate of Dengzhou, who also oversees warship construction, is quite a good job."

"Thank you for your kindness, Father-in-law," Lu Yan said, bowing. "Without your great help, how could I be where I am today?"

"Not at all, not at all," Wang Tiqian waved his hand. "This is the Grand Eunuch's order; I'm just running errands."

He paused, then lowered his voice and said:

"The Grand Eunuch has a good impression of you. The Emperor really likes your water-related techniques; he plays with them in the Imperial Garden every day. The Grand Eunuch says you're a useful person."

"I am humbled," Lu Yan said. "I will certainly do my utmost to live up to the expectations of the Grand Eunuch and my father-in-law."

"Good, good." Wang Tiqian nodded. "Go to Dengzhou and do a good job. Once the warships are built, the Emperor will be happy, and the Eunuch will be happy too. At that time, what will you have to worry about for your future?"

"I understand."

Lu Yan bowed and took his leave.

As he walked out of Wang Tiqian's house, he looked up at the sky and took a deep breath.

Dengzhou.

he came.