When one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

After drinking three cups in a row, Zhou Shao waved his hands repeatedly.

"My lords, I have done my utmost, truly my utmost."

Feng Shuan’s eyes shifted slightly, and his confidant, Ji Zheng, Director of the Bureau of Appointments, instantly understood.

"Censor Jiang, I propose a toast to you. It is our honor in the Bureau of Appointments to witness your growth."

With that, he tilted his head back and drained his cup.

Then he turned the cup upside down, showing not a single drop remained.

By this time, Jiang Qingyun was ninety percent certain that the old fellow Feng Shuan had run into trouble, and serious trouble at that.

In officialdom, etiquette is the substance itself.

Such abnormal behavior alone spoke volumes.

……

How shrewd was Jiang Qingyun? With a cup of wine in his stomach, he took the initiative to speak.

" Uncle Feng, I have a group of brothers under my command who made great contributions during the purge of Dorgon's faction. I simply want to arrange better placements for them."

"Easily done, easily done. Do you have a list?"

"I do."

Jiang Qingyun felt around in his sleeve, produced a piece of paper, unfolded it, and handed it over.

Ji Zheng glanced at it and saw that the paper was densely written from top to bottom without a single blank space, which was hardly the style of a scholar.

Feng Shuan was also startled by such an enormous appetite.

He stretched out his finger and counted them one by one.

"One, two, three, four, five... thirty-one, thirty-two... sixty-six. Sixty-six people??"

"That's right."

Jiang Qingyun picked up a piece of honey-glazed lake duck, smiled, and nodded.

This was much like a game of go; the one who moves first gains the advantage.

You have a favor to ask of me, and I have a favor to ask of you. By making the first move, I can seize the initiative.

……

"Director Ji, you manage the Bureau of Appointments. The futures of these brothers shall be arranged by you; make sure they are properly settled."

Feng Shuan directly passed the matter to his subordinate.

Ji Zheng took the list and reviewed it carefully.

"Most of the people nominated by Censor Jiang are to be promoted by one rank, and the majority of their new official posts will be below the sixth rank. Judging from the procedures, it is quite reasonable and compliant."

"However, the various yamen in the capital might not be able to accommodate so many people."

"The county yamen in the suburbs of the capital will do as well—places like Liangxiang, Gu'an, Xianghe, Tongzhou, and Jizhou."

Jiang Qingyun did not blush in the slightest.

If I don't run around and ask, how can I secure official posts for my subordinates? How can I build a faction?

"Brother Qingyun, you actually have people here for Daxing and Wanping counties as well?"

"That's right. Everyone should be treated equally."

Feng Shuan proactively clinked glasses with Jiang Qingyun and said in a relaxed, conversational tone, "Brother, you are a very special person, highly loyal and righteous, which is a rare sight in officialdom today."

"For one's brothers, one would gladly face swords and blades."

"Good, exceptionally well said. I will make the decision: all sixty-six of them will be arranged. However, they must be dispersed."

"No problem. On behalf of my brothers, I propose a toast to you."

"I'll join as well."

Zhou Shao also chimed in with a cheerful smile.

……

The Qing official system prescribed:

For officials of the fourth rank and above, the Ministry of Civil Appointments had no right to make decisions; at most, they could make nominations, and the final decision rested with the Inner Three Courts and the Emperor.

For officials below the fourth rank, the Minister alone could decide.

In the early Qing dynasty, there were naturally many official vacancies. Coupled with the smallpox epidemic, the Plain Blue Banner mutiny, and the impending purge of Dorgon’s remnants, there were even more vacancies for officials in the capital.

Promoting sixty-six people was not particularly difficult; there were still at least two hundred vacancies remaining.

"By the way, what about Minister Man of the Ministry of Civil Appointments?"

"Tantai's full brother? He is at home waiting to die. Brother, you truly chose an excellent time. As for appointments for officials below the fourth rank, with me, a Han Minister, stamping the grand seal, they take effect immediately."

Jiang Qingyun looked thoughtful.

Feng Shuan changed the subject.

"Where is Master Zhou currently serving?"

"Envoy of the Western Workshop at the Currency Bureau, ninth rank."

"Far too low. Master Zhou is a talent nurtured by my Ministry of Civil Appointments and must be promoted. Director Ji, what vacancies below the seventh rank are left in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Jiang Qingyun immediately delivered a follow-up blow.

"The Envoy of the Four Workshops at the Currency Bureau is also one of Dorgon's remnants. I am currently preparing to arrest him and just haven't dispatched troops yet."

"That fits perfectly. Master Zhou can fill that post."

Zhou Shao hurriedly raised his cup to express his gratitude.

……

Finally, it was Feng Shuan's turn to make a move.

He put down his chopsticks and let out a long sigh.

"Brother Jiang, do I look like an accomplice of Dorgon?"

Jiang Qingyun shook his head.

"Prince Li listened to some petty person's slander and wants to replace me. As you know, Prince Li is a Prince Regent and Minister of Deliberation, and he also oversees the Ministry of Civil Appointments. His words carry weight before the throne."

"Whom does Prince Li want to replace you with?"

"Hard to say. Minister of Works Jiang Hede and Junior Vice Minister of Civil Appointments Liu Zongzong are both frequent guests at Prince Li's estate."

……

Jiang Qingyun pondered and thought deeply.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"Minister Feng, you are undoubtedly the best candidate for Minister of Civil Appointments. I will try to find a suitable opportunity to put in a good word for you before the Emperor."

"Many thanks, many thanks."

"However, this matter cannot be done too deliberately, or it will produce the opposite effect. We must wait for an opportunity that arises naturally like water reaching a channel."

"Understood. This old man is simply worried that Prince Li might strike first."

"Minister Feng, I can disclose one thing to you in advance."

"Please speak."

"His Majesty is actually dissatisfied with the Conference of Princes and Ministers Regent, but constrained by the current situation, he can only maintain it for now while gradually stripping away its power, rendering it a title without substance."

"No wisdom surpasses that of His Majesty."

Feng Shuan finally set his mind at ease.

The position of Minister of Civil Appointments was not one that anyone could decide single-handedly; even the Emperor had to consult with high ministers.

In officialdom, after all, one does all they can and leaves the rest to fate; having one more helper along the way is always beneficial.

Jiang Qingyun currently enjoyed the favor of the Emperor and had to be befriended.

Feng Shuan, a former member of the Ming eunuch faction who had attained his *jinshi* degree during the Wanli era, still understood officialdom quite well.

……

This meal lasted for a full two hours, and both host and guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Afterward, Feng Shuan and Ji Zheng each took a small sedan chair and left through the back door to avoid prying eyes.

Jiang Qingyun and Zhou Shao leaned against the window to drink tea and sent someone to invite Wu Yong to join them.

It was not until dusk—

That Wu Yong finally arrived. As he stepped through the door, the lamplight was just beginning to flicker, casting a hazy glow everywhere.

"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, you've kept me waiting."

"Second Brother, come in quickly."

Since the Plain Blue Banner mutiny, this was the first time the three brothers had reunited, and they were quite happy.

Jiang Qingyun spoke first: "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. On the twenty-sixth day of the second month, I was on duty at the Imperial Hospital. If the Forbidden City hadn't had cannons, the outcome would have been hard to predict. By the way, yesterday, because of the Dorgon affair, the Empress Dowager was overcome with vexation and fell ill."

"Is it serious?"

"I went to take her pulse myself. To be honest, it has an effect, but it's not as serious as all that. However, Third Brother, you have truly and thoroughly offended the Empress Dowager. From now on, you must be careful."

Jiang Qingyun nodded, harboring no regrets.

Zhou Shao suddenly chimed in: "Fortunately, His Majesty has already assumed personal rule."

……

On the stairs came the sound of *thump, thump, thump* as the maidservants went upstairs.

Serving the dishes!

A table of exquisite delicacies and two pots of low-alcohol plum wine.

Looking at the graceful back of the female innkeeper as she left, Wu Yong suddenly fixed his gaze on Jiang Qingyun.

"Is this woman your concubine in an outer residence?"

"No, we are innocent."

"Come, Big Brother will take your pulse."

Jiang Qingyun honestly extended his wrist, and Wu Yong placed his fingers on the pulse, habitually closing his eyes.

"Slept together?"

"No."

"Want to?"

"No."

"Hmm, Third Brother is honest today; not a single false word."

Zhou Shao was utterly shocked at the side.

"You can really diagnose that?"

"Of course." Wu Yong turned his head and asked, "Third Brother, do you believe it?"

Jiang Qingyun nodded solemnly.

"I believe it."