vrcanaries Chapter 367: Rewards after the Palace Examination
Chapter 367: Rewards after the Palace Examination
"Why don't we talk to the boss of the Lin family and give it a try and see for ourselves!"
He had just finished speaking when Chen Zihao, who was watching from the edge of the field, volunteered, "Uncle Lin, would this plowing method be more labor-saving? Can I try it?"
Because Chen Zihao has protected the Lin family many times, the Lin family members like this honest man very much.
Therefore, Lin Jingce agreed without hesitation, "Okay, you try it, this is indeed very labor-saving. With the curved plow, I estimate that the ox can plow twice as much land in a day as before."
Chen Zihao jumped down from the ridge and tried to pull. Sure enough, he could pull it. He said to the people watching on the ridge, "This curved plow is indeed more labor-saving and much better than the ones we used before."
Then, Lin Jingce harnessed the curved plow to the oxen and drove the oxen to pull the curved plow to plow the land.
Everyone was standing on the ridge of the field watching the oxen pulling the curved plow to plow the land. It was obvious that the oxen pulled the curved plow much faster than the straight plow.
"Uncle Dashan, this curved plow is really useful! Can I make one someday?" After all, this thing was made by their Lin family first, and they still needed their help with the design drawings later, so they had to get their consent in advance.
"Okay, no problem. I'll give you the blueprints when we get back, and you can find a blacksmith to make it yourself. It's just in time to make the curved plow earlier so we can catch up with the spring plowing." Lin Dashan looked like a good old man.
"Hey, thank you Uncle Dashan." Everyone was very happy to get the accurate answer.
The curved plow had just been made, and the next day Lin Jingcheng took Lin Jiang to see County Magistrate He.
Now that Lin Jiang is a seventh-rank official, he has to learn how to deal with officials.
At this time, in the imperial palace, the palace examination had just ended, and the emperor was worrying about granting official positions to the Jinshi and his fellow Jinshi.
"I remember that He Chaoyang, the legitimate son of the Earl of Yongning, has just completed his three-year term this year!" The emperor didn't know whether he was talking to himself or to Xiao Xizi.
Xiao Xizi was naturally good at reading people's expressions, so he quickly replied, "Your Majesty, if I remember correctly, it has indeed been three years."
"I don't know who to send to take over this year's new Jinshi and fellow Jinshi. He Chaoyang was the runner-up that year, and the magistrate of Baocheng County was the number one in the imperial examination the year before last..." As he spoke, the emperor sighed again.
The Emperor then spoke to himself, "Since Princess Jingu will be coming to the capital to attend the Qianqiu Festival this May, shouldn't Lin Jingyou be transferred back this year as well? Although his three-year term hasn't yet expired, I've heard that he's made many achievements in the past two years. He even nearly lost his life suppressing bandits, and for this reason, he's deeply loved by the people."
Xiao Xizi knew that although the emperor seemed to be asking a question at this time, he was actually weighing it in his mind, so he did not say anything.
However, that afternoon, the new top scorer and runner-up came at the same time, requesting to be transferred to other places to serve as officials.
The emperor was very surprised by this. Although it was easier to achieve political achievements when being sent out, if one did not make any achievements, he might just be a minor official for the rest of his life.
"Why do you want to be exiled?" The emperor was surprised and confused, turning the jade ring on his hand.
"Your Majesty, when I was young, the county magistrate exploited the villagers and was corrupt, not caring about the lives of the people. So my mother always told me since I was young that I must study hard, make a name for myself in the future, and do practical things for the people. This has been my wish since I was young, and I hope Your Majesty will agree to it." The top scholar's words were so sincere and heartfelt that people couldn't bear to refuse.
"What about you? Why do you want to be sent away?" The emperor turned and asked the runner-up.
The runner-up said firmly, "Being an official is to seek benefits for the people. There's a saying among my followers: if an official doesn't serve the people, he might as well go home and grow rice!"
The emperor nodded, but did not express his opinion. "I already know what you are thinking. I will make the reward tomorrow."
The two of them bowed and said goodbye at the same time. After they left, they looked at each other. When their eyes met, sparks seemed to fly.
When he went to court the next day, the emperor agreed to send the top scholar to Qinghe County to replace He Chaoyang, and summoned He Chaoyang to Beijing.
"I remember that Lin Jingyou, the magistrate of Baocheng County, has been in office for two years! Although his term has not yet expired, he has made many achievements within these two years. Even in the first month of this year, the people gave him an umbrella. With such achievements, it is not an exaggeration to transfer him back to the capital a year in advance." The emperor began to speak again.
"But Your Majesty, there has never been a precedent for transferring him back to the capital before the end of his three-year term. Isn't this unfair?" The Imperial Censor stepped forward and said.
"But the achievements you have made in the past two years are unprecedented. So what if I set a precedent for him? Let everyone know that I reward people based on merit. As long as you have made enough achievements, I will never forget everything you have done for the people." The emperor's tone revealed that there was no room for doubt.
Lord Bao Huaimin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
At this time, Ouyang Bo, who had not spoken in the court for a long time, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, since the people have given Lord Lin the Umbrella of the People, I believe they hope that Lord Lin will continue to shine as the county magistrate. If we rashly transfer Lord Lin back to the capital, will it cause dissatisfaction among the people? It would be better to wait until Lord Lin's term is over before transferring him back. Then the people will have nothing to complain about."
The emperor had heard about the two of them a long time ago, so he knew at a glance that Ouyang Bo had bad intentions.
He raised an eyebrow and said, "You have a point. Resolving this matter is very simple. If we send in another county magistrate who is as dedicated to the people as he is, or even better than him, the people will definitely not complain."
The emperor then continued, "I heard that you and Lin Jingyou are from the same place, Fuzhou. I believe you share the same heart for serving the country and the people. You will go to Baocheng County and take over the position of county magistrate. I have high expectations of you, so please don't let me down."
Ouyang Bo gritted his teeth and said, "How could this minister deserve to be promoted to a higher rank? I hope Your Majesty will reconsider this."
He was currently a seventh-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy, but Lin Jingyou, as the magistrate of Baocheng County, was a sixth-rank official. Therefore, for Ouyang Bo, going to Baocheng County would mean a promotion of half a rank.
The emperor waved his hand unconcerned, saying, "Since you feel you are unworthy of your position, then you will be transferred to a lateral position. Effective immediately, you will be assigned to Baocheng County as a seventh-rank official."
Ouyang Bo could only grit his teeth and swallow his blood, and said with a bow, "I obey your command. Thank you, Your Majesty."
In the officialdom, everyone is more cunning than the other.
Everyone knew that the Qinghe County Magistrate would return to Beijing to report on his work this year, and that most of his achievements were due to Shen Wanning. That was why the top two candidates were vying for the position of being sent out.