Methodical, meticulous, observing things and analyzing problems to find out the key. This was Feng Ziying's preliminary judgment for Wang Wenyan.
No wonder Lin Ruhai admires this person so much, and seeing that he was able to mobilize resources from all parties to investigate this problem to such an extent during this period of time shows that his operational and execution capabilities are also extremely strong.
The Duyuan Salt Envoy Si Yamen is not a Yangzhou government yamen. It does not have grassroots security units like the patrol yamen and the inspection department controlled by the government yamen. It has to rely more on its own personal connections to mobilize such resources.
But Wang Wenyan was still able to achieve such results in just a few days. It must be said that this person is a talent.
"It seems that Wen Yan is a little bit shocked, so I feel relieved." Feng Ziying turned around and said with a smile: "Uncle, can you let Wen Yan follow me for a while? We are very unfamiliar with Nanzhili. And relying solely on local governments, from the perspective of their own interests, may not be able to present what we want to see and want in the most objective and true manner."
"Of course." Lin Ruhai had this intention, and Feng Ziying took the initiative to propose it. Of course he would not refuse, "But Ziying, you should also pay attention. There are many people who know Wenyan here, so it is best not to appear in a public way. , if we 'coincidentally' go together, then it won't be a problem, well, at least everyone can have a tacit understanding."
"Then there will be more uncles." Feng Ziying thanked him, then turned around and said, "Brother Wenyan will be here for you during this time."
Feng Ziying added the word "brother" to show her gratitude and respect. This also moved Wang Wenyan even more, and he quickly stood up, "It is Wenyan's honor to be able to contribute to Mr. Feng."
"Brother Wen Yan, you are older than me, why don't you just call me Ziying."
Feng Ziying's words made Lin Ruhai a little surprised. At this level of Corporal Li Xian, it seemed that his prospective son-in-law was very optimistic about Wang Wenyan and was ready to take over everything directly from him.
Wang Wenyan was also surprised, but then he shook his head resolutely and decisively: "How can this happen? If Mr. Feng doesn't give up, then Wenyan will be called the Young Master, and it would be best if the Young Master calls me Wenyan. What do you think?"
Titles such as young master and uncle are generally used to address the master by servants such as servants and maids at home, while those with matching names are generally used for colleagues and friends. Keng Geer and Da Lang are titles for close friends and elders.
Of course, the name Ziying can also be used to address elders, classmates and friends. It is relatively broad, but it is definitely not suitable for Wang Wenyan.
The title "Gongzi" is somewhat similar to the title for non-official subordinates, that is, personal staff. The main reason is that Feng Ziying is too young and it seems too old-fashioned to refer to him as "proprietor and dongweng", so the title "Gongzi" is more appropriate.
Wang Wenyan was also called Mr. Feng originally. Without the word "Feng", the meaning is completely different. It is almost like calling him from his own perspective.
Since Wang Wenyan has decided to follow this person, he needs to determine his position and use his talents and abilities to win the respect of the other person. A relatively close but not too close position is a suitable starting point.
What's more, treating someone like a brother is a sign of respect.
Feng Ziying glanced at Lin Ruhai, who was stroking his beard and smiling but saying nothing, and readily agreed.
"Dong Weng, Young Master, Wen Yan's suggestion is to start with precautions. The Fujian and Zhejiang maritime merchants have been dealing with Japanese pirates at sea for many years. Many people have also developed the habit of being arrogant, bold, and like to take risks. , Whether in the rivers, lakes, green forests or among the Japanese pirates, they are all desperate people, so we must be cautious, so I am afraid we must make some preparations here..."
*******
"Brother Wen Yan, Mr. Lin values this Mr. Feng so much. Could it be that Mr. Feng has already agreed to marry the young lady?" Cao Yu glanced cautiously at the east wing and asked the man who was carefully reviewing the copy. Wang Wenyan.
"Well, Ziyi, you can see it too?" Wang Wenyan reviewed the plan for the last time, put down his pen, and nodded, "That's about right. Why, there's something unexpected?"
"Well, it's not unexpected. I'm quite happy for Mr. Lin. His face has become much better these days, but the doctor also said that Mr. Lin..." Cao Yu observed Wang Wenyan's face, "Maybe the doctor made a mistake in his judgment. …”
Cao Yu was a short and thin scholar who was several years younger than Wang Wenyan. As a scholar, he was also a later official, but he was an official in the pre-Ming Dynasty. His ancestors had served as patrol censors in the pre-Ming Dynasty, that is, Qiao Yingjia once held the position, but after the establishment of the Zhou dynasty, his family fell into ruin.
His family was poor since he was a child. After passing the scholar examination and failing twice in autumn, he gave up his ambition.
First, he found a family to teach in the county. Later, the owner's family was too stingy, and the income from annual repairs was really difficult to maintain the family's livelihood.
He has an elder, a wife and daughter at home. In addition to a widowed sister-in-law and two nephews, he also has two underage brothers to raise, so he had no choice but to look for a more lucrative position, and finally invested all his money. The salt transfer envoy Si Yamenli worked as an aide for Lin Ruhai.
He is even older than Wang Wenyan, but he is mainly engaged in copywriting planning and writing. Compared with Wang Wenyan's rich experience, he is much inferior, so he is also very self-aware and has always followed Wang Wenyan's lead. The relationship is also very close.
Wang Wenyan shook his head, "I'm afraid Mr. Lin's illness is difficult to cure. Mr. Lin also told me frankly..."
A touch of sadness and regret also flashed across Cao Yu's face.
To be honest, Lin Ruhai was not bad at leading their staff. When he came to work as Lin Ruhai's staff, he worked as a teacher for a nearby family in the county. His annual income was only thirty or forty taels of silver, which was enough for an ordinary family. But he has a big family, so this is stretched thin.
After arriving at the Salt Envoy Si Yamen, Lin Ruhai's salary that year was as high as 120 taels of silver. At the end of the year, there was an additional reward of 40 taels of silver. In addition to the ordinary rewards, the annual income was It can reach nearly two hundred taels, which is more than four times more than when you were a teacher?
This year his salary has increased to 160 taels, which means his annual income has exceeded 240 taels, so he cherishes this position very much.
But Dong Weng's serious illness also broke his illusion of continuing to work here.
As an emperor and a minister, not to mention that he was Lin Ruhai's personal staff. If Lin Ruhai died of illness or even became an official due to illness, he would have no choice but to find another way to make a living.
But how easy is it to find a lucrative livelihood like now?
Moreover, unlike Wang Wenyan, who has extensive diplomatic travel and connections, even if he loses his job, it will not be difficult to find another employer.
Seeing the look on Cao Yu's face, Wang Wenyan knew what the other person was worried about, and this was what he wanted to have a good talk with.
In addition to the officials and servants of the Lin family, Lin Ruhai's group of personal staffs are the only ones in the Yamen of the Salt Transport Department. Important positions such as the salt inspection censor usually have several staffs, and Lin Ruhai has six or seven. Staff.
This kind of staff is different from Jia Zhengna and other Qingke who live at home. They all have their own division of labor and focus.
For example, Wang Wenyan is responsible for taking charge of the general affairs, liaising with the outside world, arranging arrangements internally, taking over from the top, and managing the bottom. He is basically a big housekeeper. However, this housekeeper is not the ordinary official family who manages the internal affairs of the government, but manages the official affairs. .
Cao Yu, for example, is mainly responsible for copywriting matters and assists Wang Wenyan in some planning.
There are also two people who are responsible for external relations.
A counterpart, that is, the above-mentioned Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Punishment, as well as Yangzhou Fuyamen, Fenxundao, Fenshoudao, Jiangdu County Government, as well as Nanjing Sixth Ministries, Hubu Chaoguan, and Water Transport Branch of the Ministry of Industry, etc. This is mainly There are official contacts.
There is also a group of people, that is, salt merchants, money shops, banks, theater restaurants, Jianghu sects, etc., who are mainly responsible for liaison arrangements for some daily affairs.
In addition, there are people who are responsible for collecting and sorting out relevant social conditions and public opinion. Because his status as the Salt Patrol Censor is too special, he actually has to bear the task of helping the Supreme Emperor to inquire about the situation in Jiangnan in a certain sense. That's why Wang Wenyan was able to do so in such a short time. Quickly summarize the information and give a direction.
The salaries and rewards of these staff members alone cost more than 3,000 taels a year, not counting his expenses.
Lin Ruhai's salary of eight hundred yuan would be impossible to cover. Even ordinary county and government offices could not afford it, but the salt transfer envoy in the capital was no problem.
"Xueqin, I won't hide it from you. I'm afraid Mr. Lin's body won't be able to hold on for long. The Salt Patrol Censor and the Imperial Court will definitely send someone else. By then, I'm afraid all of us will have to leave..."
"Xueqin" is Cao Yu's name. Hearing what Wang Wenyan said, Cao Yu's face became even more gloomy, "It seems it's time for us to find our own way out? Brother Wenyan, where are you going? Can you bring one of your younger brothers with you?" Even if you work harder and get a smaller salary, that's fine, as long as it's stable. You know I just took a concubine and gave birth to two more sons..."
Cao Yu was also helpless. He originally only had one daughter, and he took a concubine last year. Not long after taking the concubine, his wife and concubine both became pregnant and gave birth to two sons. This also made the family very happy, but the expenses increased greatly. It was a real You can't live without a career with a stable income.
It is impossible to continue to stay in the Yamen of the Salt Patrol Bureau. No new salt patrol officer will use the personal team of the original salt patrol officer. Even the officials are afraid that the new salt patrol officer will It is impossible to accept a change of staff, let alone such a personal staff, so it is wise to leave as soon as possible and find another career.
"Haha, what if Xueqin is allowed to leave Yangzhou?" Wang Wenyan, who was thinking about something, suddenly asked.
"Leaving Yangzhou?" Cao Yu was surprised. He looked at Wang Wenyan carefully and saw that he didn't seem to be joking, "Where are you going?"
