The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 494 Untitled
After finally conveying his intended meaning to everyone, Chen Jingke let out a long sigh.

This group of 'students' were still writing furiously, recording his words.

After waiting for a long time and seeing that most people had put down their pens, he said:

"Each person should write a policy paper and hand it in to Editor-in-Chief Fang of the weekly newspaper. We will select the best ones and publish them then."

The seven scholars didn't care about this. They had already started thinking about how this matter would unfold and what kind of changes it would bring to the officialdom.

The key is how to reduce or even eliminate the shock caused by this incident.

The situation was different for the cabinet ministers; they were all excited.

On the surface, this seems to be a question for everyone to write policy papers, but in reality it is an examination.

Whoever writes the best policy paper and has a deeper understanding of the matter will have the opportunity to get priority in obtaining an official position.

They also understood Chen Jingke's character, and they would be very cautious about any major changes like this.

Conduct pilot projects locally first, and train talents while adjusting the system.

Once the new system has been run-in and enough talent has been trained, we will then implement it nationwide.

The same is most likely true for this official system reform.

Now they want to grab this opportunity.

Those who had previously worked in the cabinet in reform pilot areas such as Canghai Province and Temasek have basically been promoted.

Many of them were transferred to other places and were promoted several levels in a row, which made them jealous.

Now that they have such a good opportunity, they will naturally seize it.

The reason why they are in a hurry to be transferred out is also because the promotion rules have been adjusted.

In the current Ming Dynasty, there is no rule of maintaining prestige in the Hanlin Academy.

No matter how well you do in a cabinet position, you will only be a minor official of the seventh rank for the rest of your life.

Only by gaining experience and making achievements at the grassroots level can you have the opportunity to move up.

Therefore, it is best to first gain experience in the cabinet for two or three years, become familiar with the emperor, and then be sent out as soon as possible.

Every extra year of delay means one less advantage in future competition.

Then it becomes very important where to go for training.

Being exiled to a remote corner, his career path is over.

The best option is to carry out innovation and pilot projects.

These positions are the focus of everyone's attention, and one point of achievement can be used as ten times as expected.

The key is that if Jian can help the emperor complete the trial run of the new policy, it means that Jian is in the emperor's favor and will definitely be promoted.

Yang Shiqi silently put away his notes and followed everyone out of the meeting room.

At this time, a familiar colleague Liu Yong came over and asked, "Brother Yang, how is it, do you have any ideas?"

Yang Shiqi did not hide his thoughts, but said sincerely:

"To be honest with you, Brother Liu, I really want to seize this opportunity, but..."

"Well, forget it. I won't say discouraging words. Just try your best and leave the success to luck."

What he said was half true and half false. The truth was that he wanted to seize this opportunity, but the lie was that he had no confidence.

He is determined to win.

Last year, he was successfully selected as a cabinet minister based on his understanding of the Great Harmony ideology.

It took more than a year and received unanimous praise from all levels.

Even Zhu Xiongying praised him twice.

The only thing that puzzled him was that Chen Jingke's attitude towards him was always lukewarm.

It’s not that he has any opinion on him, but no matter how well he does, Chen Jingke seems to think it’s justified.

This made him very confused. Did Anping Hou trust my ability or did he think it didn't matter?
But he didn't dare to inquire about Chen Jingke's thoughts casually, and could only guess it in his heart.

After gaining a foothold in the cabinet, he has been looking for a suitable opportunity to be transferred out.

Now that the opportunity has finally come, how could he miss it?

Liu Yong smiled and said, "Brother Yang is too modest. With your ability, you will definitely get the opportunity to be sent out this time."

Yang Shiqi just shook his head: "Brother Liu, you are too kind. Everyone in the cabinet is a hero. Who dares to say that they are sure of victory?"

"I also said that Brother Liu would be able to get what he wanted."

Liu Yong laughed and suddenly lowered his voice and said:
"While we are still worried here, some people have already embarked on the road to success."

Yang Shiqi pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Oh? What do you mean, Brother Liu?"

Liu Yong looked around and saw that no one was paying attention, so he said:

"Your relative from Fujian was called away by Marquis Anping after the meeting."

Yang Shiqi's heart was moved. A native of Fujian? Yang Rong?
Yang Rong, Yang Pu, Han Kezhong, Wang Gen and others were all talents recommended by local governments last year and ranked at the top in the assessment.

The key was that he was recommended by Marquis Anping and directly entered the cabinet as a walking official.

This kind of treatment has made many cabinet ministers envious.

However, Yang Rong and others were indeed outstanding in all aspects, and they quickly silenced everyone with their real talents and knowledge.

Yang Shiqi was very versatile and knew very well which people he needed to make close friends with.

He had been very caring towards Yang Rong and others before, and their relationship was quite harmonious.

Precisely because of their good relationship, he knew more clearly how much these people were valued by Marquis Anping.

Therefore, he didn't find it strange at all that Chen Jingke called Yang Rong away alone.

He also figured out Brother Liu's purpose.

Just to sow discord.

I was filled with contempt in my heart. How dare you use such a method?
What's more, they are not on the same track as us, and it is even more stupid for you to be jealous of others.

But he did not show this thought on his face.

Instead, he pretended not to understand the other party's intention and said calmly:
"Brother Mianren was originally recommended by Marquis Anping to serve as a minister in the cabinet. It is normal for Marquis Anping to look for him."

Seeing that he didn't take the bait, Liu Yong couldn't help but feel anxious and said:

"My brother Yang, why are you so confused?"

"What does Marquis Anping want him to do at this critical moment?"

Yang Shiqi suddenly realized and said, "So that's how it is. Then I have to congratulate Brother Mianren in advance for getting the opportunity to serve as an official so soon."

Liu Yong: “…”

I’m tired, so I’m leaving now.

Looking at his back, a sneer appeared in Yang Shiqi's eyes.

That's it?

I am indeed not a good person, and I envy the circumstances of Yang Rong and others, but I am not jealous.

There are so many talented people in this world, and everyone has his or her own destiny.

If I am jealous of everyone, then what is the point of living?
Besides, isn’t it obvious how to choose between a bad teammate and a great teammate?

I naturally prefer to work with talented people rather than rolling in the mud with a bunch of idiots.

However, why did Marquis Anping look for Yang Rong at this time?
Forget it. Instead of worrying about this, I should think carefully about how to write this policy paper.
-
Yang Rong was also very nervous, not knowing what Chen Jingke wanted him to do.

Could it be that they want him to go to a pilot project?
He wanted to go, but to be honest, he didn't think he could do it well.

The main reason is that the study time is too short and we do not have a thorough understanding of the new policies and new ideas.

If you force yourself to go, you will most likely destroy this good impression.

So he had secretly made a decision that if Chen Jingke really asked him to take up the pilot position, he would politely refuse.

However, what he didn't expect was that Chen Jingke really wanted him to be sent out, but not to serve in a reform pilot project, but to serve in the frontier army.

Yang Rong looked at his strong and powerful arms and wanted to say loudly, you can't judge a person by his appearance.

You can't let me join the army just because I'm strong and know a little bit of martial arts.

My writing skills are also outstanding.

I want to be a civil servant, I want to govern a region, I want to be a cabinet scholar...

Then, the words came to his lips: "My parents gave me life, and the Marquis of Anping knows me best."

"How do you know that I prefer military strategy?"

Chen Jingke smiled and looked at his big head, then said:
"Choose one from Jiaozhi, Mobei, Liaodong, Western Regions, Tubo, or the East China Sea Fleet?"

Yang Rong fell into deep thought.

There were no large-scale wars in Jiaozhi and Liaodong, and the focus was on suppressing rebellions and educating the people.

It takes decades of hard work to see results.

Although wars continued in Mobei, the Ming Dynasty had already gained an absolute advantage. More work was still done on domestic construction.

These three places test patience and administrative ability more, and military means are only auxiliary.

The key is that the situations in these three areas are very clear, and the country already has mature governance methods.

He became nothing more than a ruthless working machine.

The Tibetans are not currently included in the imperial court's plan, and the main focus is on appeasement.

As long as the chieftains do not rebel, the imperial court will not care about them.

If we really do something ambitious, it will easily ruin the country's overall plan.

It would be hard for him to accomplish anything if he went there.

There were constant wars in the Western Regions, with many ethnic groups and a complicated situation. The three kings of Qin, Jin and Yan were maneuvering there.

Moreover, anyone who is not stupid can see that the main targets of Ming Dynasty's conquest in the future will be Anxi and even the countries in the far west.

Going there is the best way to train yourself.

But there is also a disadvantage of going there, which is that you cannot be the first to come into contact with the new policies.

Over time, it is easy to fall behind the version.

When I return to the Central Plains, I am afraid it will be difficult to adapt for a while.

As for the East China Sea Fleet... Even though I'm from Fujian, I know nothing about naval warfare.

Moreover, does the Ming Dynasty have enemies at sea?

Especially after the new gunboats became popular, they could really dominate the sea.

Except for natural disasters, everyone is my younger brother.

What can I do there? Watch the navy fire cannons and fry fish?

Chen Jingke seemed to guess what he was thinking and added:
"In the next one or two years, the navy will have a big battle to fight."

A big war? Is there anyone who can make the navy start a big war now?

Yang Rong was very confused.

No, Marquis Anping was talking about a big battle, not a tough battle.

What is a big fight? Any fight involving many people is considered a big fight.

What is a tough battle? A tough battle is a tough one.

So a big battle is not necessarily a hard battle.

So who are the most populous people around the Ming Dynasty?

A worm (in the shape of a map) appeared in Yang Rong's mind, and he blurted out:
"Is the Ming Dynasty going to take action against Japan?"

Chen Jingke said admiringly: "It seems that I made the right choice to let you join the army. How about it, do you want to go?"

Yang Rong's brain was working rapidly. The difficulty in defeating Japan lies in landing.

Now the Ming navy is invincible in the world, and the most difficult point has been solved.

Moreover, after more than ten years of Ming Dynasty's strategy, Japan, including the Ainu people, were exhausted.

When the Ming army arrives, it will basically not encounter much resistance.

It can be said that this is the merit of picking up something for free, or the merit of destroying a country.

Maybe I can even earn a title.

However, after some thought, he resolutely chose to refuse:
"If possible, I would like to go to the Western Regions."

Chen Jingke asked: "Oh, why?"

Yang Rong did not explain too much, but just said: "Anxi is the biggest stage in the future."

This is equivalent to giving up the opportunity to be knighted.

Chen Jingke said with satisfaction: "Okay, if you have ambition, then go to the Western Regions."

"The King of Jin is in need of manpower. You can serve under him as a military officer first."

A military advisor is a staff officer. It was abolished before, but was restored after the military reform, and the scope of authority was determined. The rank is seventh.

Yang Rong is now at the eighth rank, so this visit is considered a promotion in rank.

But I guess no one would think that this was a promotion.

From working in the cabinet to serving as a powerless soldier in the Western Regions, it seemed like a demotion no matter how you looked at it.

Yang Rong was not surprised.

Joining the army does not give you real power, but the power can be unlimited.

The key is how you do it.

Moreover, this position allows access to all military secrets, and is the most challenging place.

Chen Jingke asked him to go to the Western Regions precisely for the purpose of training.

Joining the military is the most suitable position.

At this time, Yang Rong asked: "Should I go there as a subordinate of the Prince of Jin's Mansion, or as an official appointed by the court?"

This is very important and concerns a matter of principle.

Chen Jingke didn't think his question was unnecessary, and replied:

"You are an official appointed by the court."

Yang Rong gladly accepted the order.

When he returned to his residence, he found Yang Pu, Han Kezhong and others were there.

This group of people went to the academy together to meet Chen Jingke, and then entered the cabinet together, so the relationship was naturally established.

It's a small circle.

As soon as they saw him, everyone came up to greet him with a smile.

Han Kezhong said: "I knew right away that Brother Yang must be having good news."

Others echoed.

Yang Rong smiled and said, "There is indeed a happy event, but I'm afraid it's different from what you think."

Yang Pu asked, "Oh, could it be that Marquis Anping has other plans for Brother Yang?"

Yang Rong led everyone back to the living room and sat down before saying:

"The Marquis of Anping asked me to go to the Western Regions to serve as a military advisor to the King of Jin."

"Ah? This..." Everyone was surprised. Isn't this exile?

Could it be that he offended Marquis Anping?
Only Wang Gen said seriously: "Congratulations, Brother Yang, you got what you wished for."

Yang Rong laughed and said, "Haha, thank you, brother Wang."

Seeing that the others were still puzzled, he explained:
"The West will be the focus of the court in the future, so I am taking advantage of this opportunity by going there."

Everyone suddenly understood.

Everyone knows how complicated the situation in the Western Regions is, and the court also needs someone who is familiar with the local situation to assist in military affairs.

If Yang Rong can stand out, he will definitely be reused when he returns to the court in the future.

The key point is that it was Chen Jingke who sent him.

To put it more bluntly, Chen Jingke intended to train him to be an expert on Western Region issues.

As long as he does a good job, he will definitely be able to return to the court in the future.

So this is indeed a very good opportunity for him.

"I see. Congratulations, Brother Yang..."

But not everyone understands this.

When the news that Yang Rong was going to the Western Regions to serve as a military officer spread, countless people laughed at him behind his back.

Many people who had a good relationship with him before also became cold in their attitudes.

On the day of his departure, the only people who came to see him off, besides his good friends like Yang Pu, were Yang Shiqi and a few others.

The rest of the cabinet walked around without even a word of concern.

This made Yang Rong realize the fickleness of human nature.
-
Shortly after Yang Rong set off, an article was published in the Ming Weekly.

Treat your mind and deal with things.

The content was what Chen Jingke had previously told the cabinet officials.

It was followed by many cabinet policy papers, all of which contained opinions on the matter.

As soon as this newspaper came out, it naturally caused quite a stir.

Those who are slow to react are still wondering what new ideas Chen Jingke has come up with?
Those who reacted quickly have already realized that this is a clarion call for change.

(End of this chapter)