Chapter 269: Proclaiming to Cut Off Covetousness

Great Zhou Palace, Qianyang Palace.

On Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's imperial desk, there seemed to be an endless pile of memorials. Among the monarchs of the Great Zhou, in terms of diligence, few could surpass him.

Perhaps because he was too worried and anxious, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was only forty years old, but his temples were already white, and there was always a hint of fatigue between his brows and the corners of his eyes.

At this moment, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Cai Xiang, Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding, Minister of War Gu Yankui, and others, having received the Emperor's oral decree, entered Qianyang Palace together to discuss matters.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at the three ministers and said to Guo Lin: "Guo Lin, grant seats to the three ministers."

Cai Xiang and the others hurriedly thanked him. After the three of them were seated, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao did not speak, but focused on reading a memorial, and Qianyang Palace was silent.

The memorial in Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's hand was one that Jia Cong had just submitted to the palace today.

Originally, he was only a Grade 6 official and did not have the qualification to submit memorials to the Emperor; matters had to be submitted through the heads of the departments.

But because he had rendered meritorious service in Jin Ling, he was specially granted the right of direct submission by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, which allowed him to submit memorials directly to the Emperor.

Guo Lin, standing to the side, took Jia Cong's memorial and passed it to Gu Yankui.

Not to mention the content of the memorial, the "appearance" alone was already a perfect score...

He had been away from the Divine Capital for such a long time, and although the Vice Superintendent Liu Shizhen was proficient in firearms manufacturing, he lacked political savvy in officialdom, so it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't be taken advantage of.

At this time, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had already read the memorial once, and his attention returned to a section of it:

"Since the Five Garrisons Musket Battalion displayed its might in the Liaodong Garrison, it has attracted worldwide attention. Roads are filled with rumors, and while there is no shortage of those who praise it, there is also no lack of those with unpredictable motives."

He was about to follow the patrol to the Nine Garrisons, which would take at least three months and at most half a year.

The Retired Emperor was a person who loved calligraphy and had a profound attainment in it; otherwise, he would not have regarded Jia Cong's handwritten Heart Sutra as a treasure.

Ever since the day Jia Qiang attempted to seek a position in the firearms workshop, and it was discovered that Jia She was involved behind the scenes, Jia Cong had felt the hidden risks.

By then, the firearms workshop would be crowded with people of mixed backgrounds. If any unexpected event occurred, it would not only be difficult to clean up, but he, as the Superintendent, would also find it hard to escape implication.

"Your subject prays to Your Majesty: all those who enter the Firearms Supervision must be proficient in the method of 'investigating things'; all those who enter the firearms workshop must be able to participate in the art of firearms."

"Minister Gu, you may take a look and see if there is anything left unsaid."

Therefore, the day after the Jia Qiang incident, he took precautions and submitted a special memorial to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, elaborating on the selection of personnel for the Firearms Supervision and the firearms workshop.

"The technique of firearms manufacturing must be kept strictly secret to avoid the worry of aiding the enemy. Those not approved by imperial decree shall not enter the firearms workshop; violators shall be punished with heavy crimes..."

Therefore, every time he read Jia Cong's memorials, it was always a pleasing experience.

"To act in this way is to risk being filled with mediocrity in the firearms industry; to let this become a trend is to risk decadence and leakage in vital military and state affairs."

"Those who do not belong to these two categories are all just going through the motions, unable to bear the responsibility, and easily giving rise to unpredictable disasters."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had been influenced by his father since childhood and also had a preference for the art of calligraphy.

This handwritten memorial alone, clear, elegant, and full of charm, had already entered the realm of a Master Artisan; it was indeed too outstanding.

"Officials and nobles collude to shift power and secretly promote old subordinates; this trend is endless."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said: "Jia Cong submitted a memorial to me, saying that the method of selecting personnel for the Firearms Supervision and the firearms workshop is quite reasonable."

Although Jia Cong's Firearms Division was under the Ministry of Works, its affairs had absolutely no intersection with the official business of the Ministry of Works.

It was, however, closely related to the recent military operations of the Ministry of War, and Jia Cong was currently observing the war at the Ministry of War and also held the position of Advisor to the Regional Commander of the Nine Provinces.

The Minister of War and Regional Commander of the Nine Provinces, Gu Yankui, was Jia Cong's true superior.

This was the reason why Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had Gu Yankui read Jia Cong's memorial and asked for his opinion.

Gu Yankui bowed to take the memorial, read it carefully, and said: "Your Majesty, I believe Jia Cong's memorial is reasonable."

"Whether it is the Firearms Supervision or the firearms workshop, they are both industries of research and manufacturing."

"Moreover, firearms are matters of strict secrecy and vital military importance. The Firearms Supervision does not need the extra official power-balancing and perfunctory ways, which is very different from other government offices."

"Jia Cong says that only those with talent in 'investigating things' and manufacturing should be admitted. This is a method to prevent people from being idle and wasting manpower; it is a great method and can even be extended to other government offices."

He added: "I have also heard that since the Five Garrisons Musket Battalion displayed its might in Liaodong, officials have often invited Jia Cong to banquets and made requests, recommending relatives and old acquaintances to enter the Firearms Supervision and the workshop."

"However, Jia Cong has turned them all down, which is why he submitted this memorial to specifically mention the matter."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face sank slightly upon hearing this. He was a pragmatic person who hated emptiness and most disliked officials promoting their own people.

Originally, when the Firearms Division was first established, almost no one paid attention to it. Now that it had just made a name for itself, people were thinking of coming to "pick the peaches," and all sorts of ideas were coming out...

Those officials in the court colluded, abused power for profit, and practiced nepotism; they really didn't let go of any gap.

"Minister Cai, have the Cabinet Secretariat draft a proclamation according to this memorial and send it to all departments and government offices for circulation, telling them to do their own jobs well and do less of the business of 'selling offices' and drilling for profit!"

Cai Xiang hurriedly replied: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Gu Yankui was firm and loyal, and Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding also had the temperament of a military general. Only Cai Xiang was a leader among the civil officials, and his mind was always meticulous and sharp.

He saw that Jia Cong's memorial was sincere, thorough in reasoning, and well-structured, but the meaning behind it was not simple.

Although it spoke of the method of selecting personnel for the Firearms Supervision and the firearms workshop.

It was actually using the Emperor's hand to completely cut off the attempts of court officials to get their hands on the Firearms Division!

Only those with talent in "investigating things" and manufacturing were used. Now, who in the court was more familiar with these than Jia Cong? This standard for selecting people was entirely up to Jia Cong himself.

In addition, submitting this memorial also had the meaning of saying the ugly words first, and the desire to clear himself of involvement.

If the Emperor or officials in the court did not follow this method and arbitrarily placed personnel in the Firearms Supervision and the workshop, then any trouble that arose would have nothing to do with him, Jia Cong.

This youth was only the same age as his third son, yet he already had such profound and sophisticated tricks in officialdom; it was truly inconceivable. The younger generation is to be feared!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked again: "Minister Gu, how is the progress of the firearms workshop's manufacturing?"

Gu Yankui replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Superintendent Jia reports the progress to me every day. The five hundred modified Lumichong muskets have all been completed."

"Most of the three thousand porcelain thunder-bombs have also been completed, and it will only take five days to finish the remainder. Yesterday, the two Frankish cannons were transported to the firearms workshop."

"The remaining eight Frankish cannons are being transported by sea to Dengzhou. I am following Your Majesty's decree to set off on the 20th of this month to patrol the borders, and all preparations have been implemented."

"I have heard that although the firearms soldiers rendered meritorious service in Liaodong, they also suffered quite a few casualties. Minister Shi, select and transfer another five hundred men from the Five Garrisons Firearms Battalion to Liaodong for rotation and replenishment..."

Ever since the Cabinet issued the proclamation on the selection of personnel for the Firearms Supervision, it was almost like putting a protective umbrella over the Firearms Supervision and the firearms workshop.

The attempts of those in the court who had covetous and placement intentions were completely blocked.

Officials of all departments could naturally see the meaning behind it. Once this proclamation was issued, the Firearms Supervision and the workshop would be firmly controlled in the hands of that youth.

And Jia Cong, seeing the content of that proclamation, knew that a large part of it came from his own memorial, and he knew that his goal had been achieved, which also saved him many future troubles.

He also specifically explained it to Liu Shizhen, telling him to handle all matters carefully while he was in Liaodong.

And according to the itinerary, he would head north a few days earlier than the Regional Commander of the Nine Provinces, Gu Yankui, to first go to Dengzhou to receive the Frankish cannons transported by sea.

Then he would go from Dengzhou by sea directly to Lushun, and then by land to the Liaodong Garrison to meet up with Gu Yankui.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 270 =====