Chapter 798: Chapter 681: Promotion to Third Rank (3)
Fortunately, Song Lifu was not an impulsive person.
He knew very well how difficult the upcoming actions were, and he even told Lin Xiaosu that if the road ahead was too difficult, one could desist. Even if the journey to Jiangnan ended here, it was already a significant achievement.
Having clarified this bottom line, the following became much easier.
If it works, go ahead; if not, withdraw.
No pressure at all.
Lin Xiaosu gently waved his hand: "Lord Zhang, how about having a cup of tea?"
"Please, Mr. Su!"
The two sat down by the tea table, and Lin Xiaosu lightly flicked his fingers, forming a water curtain.
Zhang Yiran raised his teacup: "Three days ago, Mr. Su’s words were filled with deeper meanings that I dared not believe at the time. Today, with the imperial edict delivered, I truly must thank you for your mentorship. Today, tea serves as wine, and I toast you a cup."
Lin Xiaosu raised his teacup: "Lord Zhang has been appointed as Hu Zhou Governor, acting as the Governor, yet I’m unsure how you intend to execute these powers?"
Once this topic was opened, the two of them talked extensively.
Zhang Yiran was a former Champion Scholar, and he had been navigating the officialdom for many years. In theory, when it came to governance at the local level, he had an absolute say.
However, once Lin Xiaosu spoke, he felt an overwhelming sense of pressure!
Indeed, it was overwhelming!
The issues he encountered in governance, which he pondered over for a decade in Shangqiu without resolution, were casually answered by Lin Xiaosu’s few words.
Seven consecutive issues...
The former Champion Scholar rose to his feet: "Mr. Su, I am genuinely eager to immediately pen a recommendation, strongly advocating for Your Majesty to appoint you as the Prime Minister of the Great Wilderness! A man of your astronomical and terrestrial talent in governance, if not fruitful within the Great Wilderness, would indeed be the greatest misfortune for our hundreds of billions of citizens."
This statement, coming from the mouth of the former Champion Scholar and acting Governor, represented the highest acknowledgment of Lin Xiaosu’s governing prowess.
Lin Xiaosu smiled: "Such words, let us not speak. If you agree with my views, then go forth and fully implement them in Huzhou. It can also be the greatest support to my journey in Jiangnan."
Zhang Yiran pondered: "I am stationed in the corner of Huzhou, could I also assist you with the grand endeavor in Jiangnan?"
"Lord Zhang needs to understand, when the people of Huzhou live and work in peace and contentment, this temptation can naturally be communicated to the rest of the Jiangnan provinces. A spontaneously formed popular aspiration for a better life can become the strongest public opinion, prompting other states, and thus forming a grand momentum towards Jiangnan," Lin Xiaosu said.
"Heaven and earth sweep together, and I am among them!" Zhang Yiran slowly raised his head: "My lord, I will go and do it now!"
The official matters were temporarily concluded.
Zhang Tao finally had a chance to express his emotions: "This Lord Zhang truly is fortunate. Originally, as a Magistrate, he was sidelined and mingled in Shangqiu as a gentleman farmer. Meeting you, my lord, was indeed a rapid rise to power."
"Indeed, that’s why when this Lord Prefect came to see our lord, he paid his respects as an inferior officer. Isn’t that implying gratitude for the recognition?" said the vice-captain.
These two captains were gradually becoming familiar with Lin Xiaosu, knowing their lord wasn’t pretentious and was easygoing, which is why they dared to speak directly.
Lin Xiaosu smiled: "Do you really think Lord Zhang was riding on my coattails? Perhaps he was implicated by me instead?"
"You must be joking, my lord!" Zhang Tao laughed.
Lin Xiaosu shook his head: "This is no joke! Without being burdened by me, he could have directly become a Governor."
Everyone was stunned.
Including Zhang Tao, including Fu Fu, and also Kuang Lang, who was quietly excited beside Fu Fu—saying she shared a similar mindset because the two shared something in common. Fu Fu regarded Lin Xiaosu as her beloved, and Kuang Lang did the same, seeing him as her beloved, at the very least as ’someone dear.’
How could one not be happy when one’s lover swiftly rises through the official ranks?
Zhang Tao widened his eyes: "My lord, why do you say this?"
Lin Xiaosu gave a light smile: "Think about it, must the promotion of his rank also include my promotion?"
Zhang Tao said: "Of course!"
Zhang Yiran was recommended by Lin Xiaosu.
In terms of achievements, Lin Xiaosu was in control of the entire region, while Zhang Yiran was merely assigned a task by him.
Regarding achievements, Zhang Yiran couldn’t be compared to Lin Xiaosu.
For promotions within the Dynasty, there are certain regulations, and rewards and punishments must be clearly distinguished.
When Zhang Yiran is promoted, Lin Xiaosu must also be promoted in tandem, otherwise, it would lack fairness and give others something to criticize.
"Yes, to uphold fairness and transparency on the official path, for however many ranks Lord Zhang advances, I too must advance by the same number. Originally, His Majesty intended to promote him directly to Governor, but, burdened by me, he couldn’t be promoted that high, so he was appointed as Standard Third-Grade Huzhou Governor, acting with the authority of a Governor."
Zhang Tao scratched his head, seemingly understanding: "My lord, he could have been promoted to Second Rank, so why couldn’t you also be promoted directly to Second Rank?"
"You..." Lin Xiaosu lightly shook his head: "I belong to the supervision system, and the Director of Supervision is Second Rank! If I were promoted to Second Rank, do you think I could still tour for inspections?"
Zhang Tao’s eyes brightened: "In the Great Wilderness’s official system, the highest position for inspecting officials is the third-rank Vice Minister, the position you currently hold. If you were promoted to Second Rank, you could no longer conduct inspections around the realm."
"Indeed, being promoted to Second Rank would leave me with only two paths: being delegated to a state as Governor, or serving as a cabinet minister in Beijing, but I wouldn’t be able to travel with the brothers on all four sides," Lin Xiaosu said. "Now you can express your opinion, whether you hope for my promotion or not."
Zhang Tao pondered for a long while: "My lord, may I speak frankly?"
"Speak!"
