003 The Ministry of Personnel Goes Through the Procedures

Page 1/3

Hong Chengchou broke the silence with a cough.
“Jiang Qingyun, the memorial you submitted has been reviewed by His Majesty, who has instructed this official and Magistrate Fan to take the lead in curbing the smallpox outbreak. Tell me, have you passed the imperial examination yet?”
“I am rather dull and lack a scholarly family background, so I have not yet succeeded.”
Fan and Hong exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.
The conversation was merely a formality, a way to size him up.
Fan Wencheng spoke up:
“In that case, you shall take the position of Acting Deputy Commander of the Southern City Military and Police Division.”
“Thank you, esteemed sirs. May I ask what duties I should prioritize upon taking office?” Jiang Qingyun quickly composed himself, his eyes betraying the joy of official appointment.
Hong Chengchou remained silent.
Fan Wencheng continued:
“Your responsibilities include apprehending thieves, managing fire and water safety, and patrolling the night. Beyond these, you must also pacify the citizens of the Southern City and contain the spread of smallpox.”
“Report promptly to the Ministry of Personnel. Whether you can shed the ‘acting’ title depends entirely on your performance.”
With that, Fan Wencheng was the first to leave the table.
Hong Chengchou lingered a moment longer, gave Jiang Qingyun a subtle nod and a barely audible affirmative before departing.

Outside the Ministry of Rites, Jiang Qingyun took a deep breath—the gears of fate clicked into motion at this moment.
The officialdom has always been a one-way street: forward only, no retreat.
But is there any other path where one can advance and retreat at will?
Before his transmigration, he was a small-town exam candidate, personally talented but constrained by many factors.
After the college entrance examination, his father said:
“The 21st century belongs to biology. Pursue biology; there is great potential.”
Four years later—
He sighed, having fought fiercely in a crowded race with no restrictions, barely making it through, enduring hardships no one else knew.
Then his father advised:
“Start from the grassroots! Prime ministers rise from local counties and prefectures! This shows how essential grassroots experience is—there is vast potential.”
At that moment, Jiang Qingyun could only smile wryly.
Ten busy and fulfilling years passed, and he forcefully rose to the rank of junior official. Finally, he could tuck his shirt neatly into his trousers and walk with hands behind his back naturally.
Yet, the distant glow of a magistrate’s position was still far beyond reach.
Another ten years passed; as expected, he remained stagnant, going in circles.
If not for transmigration, he would never have overcome the “junior official’s curse” in his lifetime.

Seriously speaking, this new starting point was not low.
Following the Qing dynasty’s adaptation of Ming regulations, the Military and Police Division of the Five Cities was divided into five branches: East, West, South, North, and Central. Each branch’s Commander held a rank equivalent to grade six official, and the Deputy Commander was grade seven.
In terms of duties, this division was equivalent to the combined security and urban management bureaus from before his transmigration.
Though the rank was modest, the responsibilities were concrete and tangible.
Aside from high-ranking nobles and official granaries, every inch of land and every person in Southern City was within Jiang Qingyun’s sphere of influence, should the need arise.
The only regret was that he held a deputy position.
Anyone familiar with officialdom knows the gulf between principal and deputy is akin to that between man and dog.

“Young master!”
From afar, a cautious servant waved his arm excitedly. Obviously, this was sent by his father out of concern.
“Phew, finally cured of the junior official’s curse.”

Page 2/3

“What did you say, young master?”
“Nothing much, just obtained a substantive grade seven position as Deputy Commander of the Southern City Military and Police Division.”
“Congratulations, young master! Congratulations!”
The servant was about to kneel on the street but was stopped by a single question.
“What did my father send you here for?”
“To deliver silver!”

Xiaoqi Cavalry’s Jiang Zhongcheng truly understands the Qing dynasty!
Arriving at the spacious and clean Ministry of Personnel, Jiang Qingyun stepped down from the carriage and strode up the stairs.
A middle-aged gatekeeper immediately moved aside to block his way.
“Oh?”
“I am here to receive my official appointment as grade seven Deputy Commander of the Five Cities Military and Police Division,” Jiang Qingyun said calmly, offering one tael of silver.
“Oh, young man, you have a bright future ahead.”
The gatekeeper smiled and quickly stepped aside to let him pass.
“Can you tell me how to find the Literary Selection Division?”
“Oh, enter and go straight, then turn left after the second gate. It’s the third room inside, the one with fresh red paint on the door. Just step right in.”
The gatekeeper’s three “Oh”s varied in tone and length, perfectly capturing a range of emotions: irritation, mild reproach, and familiarity.

The Ministry of Personnel’s Literary Selection Division was a highly sought-after department.
The Director was absent, the Deputy Director was also away, and only one Shaoxing legal advisor was present.
Jiang Qingyun bowed:
“I am Jiang Qingyun, reporting as commanded.”
The advisor put down his brush and scrutinized Jiang from head to toe, then leisurely opened the letter. Upon seeing the enclosed 100 taels of silver notes, his mood instantly brightened.
“Not bad, not bad. A warrior with literary talent, northerner with southern demeanor, upright features, dignified appearance, full of integrity—yes, a promising official in the making.”
“You flatter me, sir. May I ask your honorable name?”
“No need for such formalities. My surname is Zhou, given name Shao.”
“Greetings, Advisor Zhou.”
“Please sit, Commander Jiang. Tea will be served shortly. I will handle the paperwork and return soon.”

Jiang waited in the adjacent room for nearly half an hour before Advisor Zhou returned.
“The official seal, identification, and all materials needed for your appointment are here.”
“Thank you, Advisor Zhou.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Advisor, I have an unusual request. Could a senior official escort me to the Southern City Military and Police Division to demonstrate the Ministry’s support for my work?”
“Absolutely impossible!”
“Then may I borrow the Ministry’s sedan chair to travel there? I’m willing to pay; it won’t be for free.” Jiang smiled, producing 30 taels of silver—the maximum he could offer.

Advisor Zhou pondered momentarily, then suddenly smiled:
“You’re a clever lad; it’s a pity you aren’t an advisor yourself. You’ve grasped the ways of officialdom well. What a brilliant idea to have a senior escort a new official to his post—ingenious!”
“Let’s have lunch together; I’ll carry you in the sedan chair to your appointment.”
“Thank you, Advisor, for your kindness.”

From Zhengyang Gate to the Meridian Gate, government offices were densely packed: Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War, Court of Judicial Review, Ministry of Rites for Foreign Affairs, Imperial Observatory, Censorate, Ministry of Rites for Ceremonies, Office of Imperial Clan Affairs, Imperial Guard, Imperial Medical Bureau, and the Hanlin Academy.

Page 3/3

The crowds were large and eyes were many.
Zhou Shao was cautious and suggested they dine somewhere more secluded.
When leaving the Ministry of Personnel, the two did not walk side by side but one behind the other—an act to avoid suspicion.

Upon exiting, Jiang Qingyun saw the same gatekeeper and, after a moment’s thought, slipped him another tael of silver.
He would be coming to the Ministry of Personnel often from now on.
It was wise to maintain good relations.
The gatekeeper was surprised but accepted the silver with a short, sharp “Oh.”
Jiang understood perfectly.
Translated into common speech, it meant: “You’re here already; no need to be so polite. Now that we’re familiar, no need, no need, all right, all right.”
A true master of language—subtle yet profound.

Two li east lay an alley called “Beggar’s Camp,” aptly named as beggars often gathered there.
Zhou Shao looked at the timid beggars crouching at the alley’s entrance and pulled a string of copper coins from his sleeve, dropping them into a worn bowl.
Clink-clink—clear and pleasant.
“Thank you, sir, may your noble house endure forever.”
The beggars repeatedly offered blessings.
The Fourth Nine Cities were indeed different; even the beggars’ pleasantries had a refined tone. In Baoding, they would at most shout, “May the master prosper greatly.”

“Advisor Zhou is kind-hearted.”
“Not really,” Zhou sighed. “Years ago, when I was at my lowest, I begged for food just like this. If not for kind strangers, I might have…” He trailed off.
Jiang Qingyun immediately understood.
For someone of Zhou Shao’s caliber to have been reduced to begging, it must have been during the Qing army’s entry into the Central Plains.

“Try this; their roast chicken is authentic.”
A small, dark storefront specialized in roast chicken—tender, fragrant, melting in the mouth, even the bones could be chewed.
“Brother Jiang, how is it?”
“Delicious!”
“That’s what you call true cuisine among the people!”

After their meal, the two stepped out of the eatery and, after a few steps, came upon a dilapidated courtyard.
A crooked brush-painted sign read “Infant Care Hall.” Strange noises—half human, half not—emanated from inside.
Jiang Qingyun’s curiosity was piqued; he approached and pushed the broken door open.
“Brother Jiang, don’t go in!”
Zhou Shao’s voice trembled with fear, but it was too late.

[Greetings, esteemed readers! Welcome aboard. To cultivate your good reading habits, new chapters will be posted twice daily at the customary international times of 6:18 and 11:11. Occasionally, editorial demands may adjust this schedule. Upon official release, there will be at least three chapters daily, reliably at 6:18. Should any unexpected events occur, it means we have encountered the formidable Shen He. Regular passengers know that under Xiaoxiaosheng’s guidance, one word: steady.]