Dining with two governors one after another is actually a boring thing. During the whole meal, you can hardly hear a few words of truth, but you still have to go through the cutscenes and say the scene words that need to be said.
Because His Majesty the Emperor does not want to touch Sun Futai now.
Therefore, even if Cheng Tingzhi had a lot of evidence that Sun Fu had accepted bribes, he still had to greet Sun Fu with a smile and pretend that nothing had happened.
When the meal was over, Sun Fu raised his wine glass, toasted Shen Yi, and sighed slightly: "When I met Bachelor Shen last year, we talked about the Fuzhou Shipping Company, but it was near the New Year's Eve. Bachelor Shen is anxious to return to Beijing to resume his duties, so he can only put it on hold for now and prepare to work with Master Shen to build the Fuzhou Shipping Department this year."
"I didn't expect that I didn't wait for Academician Shen to come back, but I waited for the imperial court's transfer. It's really unpredictable."
Mr. Shen happily accompanied him with a glass of wine and said with a smile: "Sun Shaobao has been promoted to the Sixth Minister. This is a great joy. As for the Fuzhou Shipping Department, I will slowly prepare it with Cheng Futai."
"I have been in office in Fujian for more than five years."
Sun Fu sighed and said: "The errands here are not easy to do. If you want to complete the errands assigned by the court and complete the annual taxes of the court, you can only rely on dozens or hundreds of governors' Yamen and Sansi Yamen." Officials, it’s definitely not possible.”
He looked at Cheng Tingzhi, smiled and said: "Brother Xian also works in the local area all year round. You should know this truth. If you want to do things smoothly and get things done in the local area, sometimes you have to sit down and talk with these locals. Only when we have smooth talks with them can things go smoothly."
"The talks are not going well..."
He shook his head slightly: "That's too much power."
Sun Fu's words can be said to be based on his experience as a local official.
Because this era belongs to the era of small government.
Not to mention county yamen, there are some prefecture yamen, and the actual "establishment" of officials may only be a dozen or even eight or nine.
For such a small system, if it wanted to manage a large territory, it basically had to cooperate with the local gentry, village sages, and even the village chiefs and clan chiefs.
This is the so-called reason why imperial power does not go to the countryside.
However, this kind of truth is well-known to everyone in this era. Even Shen Yi, a "capital official", understands these truths, but it seems a bit vague when said at the wine table.
And Sun Fu, the former governor, would not talk nonsense.
He said this to point out Cheng Tingzhi.
Remind him that if he wants this governor to live in peace and prosperity, he should try not to touch the local forces in Fujian.
Not moving local forces means not being able to move, or in other words, not being able to significantly affect the original Fujian officials.
Obviously, the outgoing governor had received some rumors from the court.
Maybe, he already knew the news that officials from the Sanfa Department were about to arrive in Fuzhou.
Cheng Tingzhi silently lowered his head and took a sip of wine, then smiled: "Cheng will bear in mind Sun Shangshu's words."
"Don't dare to take it, don't dare to take it."
Sun Fu shook his head slightly and said: "It's just nonsense after drinking. If you listen to me, I will listen, but if you don't, I will stop."
Mr. Shen, who had been eating and drinking without saying much, suddenly raised his glass, toasted Sun Fu, and said with a smile: "Anyway, Sun Shaobao has been worshiping six ministers this time. After so many years in the local government, he finally managed to get ahead." From now on, in Jiankang, no matter whether you are minister or prime minister, you don’t have to worry about these chores anymore."
Shen Yi's words are very simple.
Now that we have escaped from the quagmire of Fujian, we should stop paying attention to local affairs and become a Beijing official honestly, so as not to get into trouble again.
Hearing Shen Yi's words, Sun Shangshu looked a little complicated. He raised his glass, touched it with Shen Yi, and drank it in one gulp: "I have been a local official all my life. Even though I came to Beijing with the favor of the emperor, I still feel the same in my heart. It’s a bit hard to let go.”
"His Majesty has sent Cheng Futai to deal with the Fujian matter."
Mr. Shen smiled and said: "Although Shen is young, he believes in His Majesty's vision. Since Your Majesty has sent Cheng Futai down, Cheng Futai will definitely be able to sort out local affairs and govern Fujian Province well."
With that said, Shen Yi looked at the chief officer of the Fujian Third Division at the same table.
They are Fujian's Chief Envoy, Inspector's Envoy, and Capital Commander's Envoy.
"If I come to Sansi Yamen, I will also support Cheng Futai on his errands."
The three of them glanced at Sun Fu first, then at Cheng Tingzhi, and finally focused on Shen Yi.
Among these three people, the first two are third-grade civil servants, and the last commander is a second-grade military attache. Originally, due to their rank, they would not have to pay attention to Shen Yi, but Mr. Shen still has the status of imperial envoy, and both governors are To give him face, these three people naturally had to ignore him. The chief envoy named Pan smiled at Shen Yi and said, "What Bachelor Shen said is that we, the Third Si Yamen, naturally support Zhongcheng."
The other two also said at the same time: "We naturally support Zhong Cheng!"
All three people said "Zhongcheng", but there were two Zhongcheng present, and they did not mention which one they supported.
In fact, the three provincial government offices in each province are the highest units at the provincial level and are directly responsible to the imperial court. The position of governor was originally sent by the imperial court from the Yushitai as an "imperial envoy" to inspect and supervise local areas. of.
A bit like a disciplinary committee member.
However, later on, the governor system gradually became the norm. In addition, the position of governor could supervise and even control the three divisions. Now, it has the feeling of being superior to the three divisions' yamen.
But all this requires the cooperation of the three divisions and yamen.
If the Sansi Yamen does not cooperate with the governor at all, then the governor is still just a "discipline committee member."
The three yamen in Fujian, especially the chief envoy yamen, are definitely not easy to deal with Cheng Tingzhi.
Therefore, this Fengfeng Banquet has a somewhat competitive flavor.
After eating the meal for more than an hour, everyone went their separate ways. Cheng Tingzhi was already half drunk and was helped by Shen Yi into his carriage.
As for Sun Fu and Sun Shangshu, his ability to drink was obviously much better, and he sent Shen Yi and the two out with a smile.
Before leaving, Shen Yi said goodbye to Sun Fu, and then asked with a smile: "When will Shaobao go to Jiankang to take up his post?"
Sun Fu stroked his beard and said: "We have to wait until the errand is completed. I am nostalgic. I have lived in Fuzhou for five years. If I leave this time, I may not have the chance to come back in the future, so I want to take him with me." I will take my family with me and travel around Fujian."
Because of the inconvenient transportation, appointments in this era were very timely. For example, when Sun Fu was transferred to the Ministry of Industry, as long as he could take office within half a year, it would not be a big problem.
Shen Yi looked around and saw no one around, so he smiled and said, "I suggest Shaobao to leave Fujian immediately after completing the errand."
Sun Fu looked at Shen Yi and asked, "What do you mean, Master Shen?"
"It's just a suggestion."
Mr. Shen said slowly: "Shaobao is an old man in the officialdom. There are some things that should be clearer than younger generations. For example, Shaobao can think about why His Majesty sent Cheng Futai back to Fujian as governor."
"Last year, so many cases of Japanese communication in Fuzhou were reported to the government. The princes in the palace and Zhongshu may not be upset."
"In the eyes of the younger generation, it is a great blessing that Shaobao can escape from Fujian safely."
"If you are grabbed by your legs by those disciples and old officials and cannot get out, wouldn't you be betraying His Majesty's desire to protect you?"
Sun Fu's expression changed suddenly. He looked at Shen Yi and whispered: "Scholar Shen, did you say these words? Or did His Majesty say them?"
"Your Majesty didn't say anything."
Shen Yi smiled: "I didn't say either."
"If Shaobao talks about it outside, Shen will not admit it."
In this era, there are no recordings and no surveillance. As long as no third person hears it, no matter what is said in private, as long as it is denied, it means that it has never been said.
After Shen Yi paused, he continued.
"As for how to make a decision, Shaobao will consider it himself."
After saying that, Shen Yi bowed his hands to Sun Fu, then got into his carriage and left.
Sun Shaobao looked at the direction in which Shen Yi's carriage left, frowned slightly, and was speechless for a long time.
Until someone shouted from behind.
"Futai, I have set up another table in Mingxiang Tower. Please move over."
It was the voice of Pan Ju, the chief envoy of Fujian.
Sun Fu looked back at him, and after a moment of silence, he shook his head slightly.
"No, I am old and a little tired."
He rubbed his temples and spoke slowly.
"I'm going home to rest..."
(End of chapter)
