Chapter 26 graft

This was originally a good thing, but Yuan Shikai was pregnant with ghosts, but he had no choice but to wait for the leak to come out before trying to find a solution-finally one day, Zhou Jialu, the staff who worked on the copywriting for Wu Changqing, and also taught Yuan Shikai to read, took him away. I found something to ask. "Wei Ting," he asked, "are you the Zhongshu Department's Zhongshu?" "How is it?" Yuan Shikai was noncommittal, and first asked what happened. "look!" It's an official business from Beiyang, saying that the case of Qingjun Baobao, Yuan Shikai, Zhongshu Division Zhongshu, Baosheng Tongzhi, has been approved by decree.However, after checking the archives, there is no Yuan Shikai in Zhongshu Division Zhongshu, so please order him to Shenfu Yunyun.

Yuan Shikai expressed joy on the one hand, and worry on the other. What he was happy about was that he built a tower on the ground and set up a five-rank acquaintance. This position is a military position, so it is also called "Sima", but the official is a civilian official with a bright future. Compared with second- and third-rank The deputy generals and generals are still worth money; the worry is that the Zhongshu Ke Zhongshu in terms of qualifications was originally a fake. If this basic deficiency does not exist, the dream of being promoted to a Tongzhi will come to naught. He was flustered in his heart, but calm on the surface, "Mr. Zhou," he said with a smile, "you should take a guess."

"You don't need to guess. The 'ministry photo' you brought back as a donated official has a good surname, Yuan, but not the first name. Of course it was borrowed." "Yes, yes, Mr. Zhou sees thousands of miles away. This matter," he said with a thousand words, "please Mr. Zhou to complete it." "Needless to say, if you report the truth, even Duke Qing will be punished for negligence." Zhou Jialu continued, "Now there are two ways, one is easy and the other is troublesome, you have to choose." "Then ask Mr. Zhou to advise, what are the two methods?"

"Let's talk about the easy one first. You can change to the name on the Ministry photo." Zhou Jialu said, "This method is not only easy, but also convenient. It is convenient for you, and it is convenient for me. As long as a corner of the official document is needed, Yuan Shikai will change the name of Yuan XX and restore the original name." That's it." Yuan Shikai was unwilling to use this easy and convenient method, because he was already a well-known figure in South Korea. What was particularly relevant was that the court and the Central Committee, from Empress Dowager Cixi and Prince Gong to Zhang Jing, the prime minister's office, knew that there was a Yuan Shikai who had made meritorious service in North Korea. , Once the name is changed, everyone knows the same thing, who knows.

However, the reason for his refusal was not to say, "Mr. Zhou, to tell you the truth," he said, "The original ministerial photo belonged to a cousin of mine. This person has passed away, and his original name has been restored. There are many unexpected entanglements. Please tell me the hard way!" "The most difficult way is that you entrust someone to go to the official department to do activities. Those book offices in the official department have so many tricks that it is unexpected. They must have a way. I'm afraid there's nothing to do without a thousand dollars."

"Yes, yes. I will do as Mr. Zhou wants." "Okay! I'll put down the official business for the time being, and wait for you to go to the official department to see the results and make sense." "Yes. Thank you, thank you." "Wei Ting!" Zhou Jialu laughed, "I have a doggerel for you." After finishing speaking, he picked up a pen, picked up the manuscript paper of the official document on the table, and wrote it with one stroke.Yuan Shikai took it over and read: "I was originally a crooked scholar in Zhongzhou, and I didn't need to guess if I borrowed Zhongshu. I showed my skills and killed seven heads."

When he finished reading, Zhou Jialu laughed out loud, and Yuan Shikai had to laugh a few times to show his freedom. When he returned to his camp, Yuan Shikai naturally thought of a person named Xu Shichang.Just according to Zhou Jialu's statement, it takes a thousand taels of silver to spend, but it takes a lot of thinking about where the money will come from. After much deliberation, I had no choice but to go to Zhang Jian.He is also in charge of the support office, the entry and exit of food and salaries, and has great power. As long as he nods, one thousand taels of silver will be settled.

Greeting each other, "Mr. Zhang!" Zhang Jian was taken aback. It turned out that he called Zhou Jialu "Mr. Zhou", and Zhang Jian had always only used the word "teacher", but now he not only changed "Mr.", but also added a surname. why? It was inconvenient to ask questions for a while, so I just answered coldly: "What advice do you have?" Yuan Shikai also realized that he was wrong, but he didn't want to change his words. He only explained his difficulties in a tactful way and asked Zhang Jian to "fulfill". "Chengquan dare not be, but since we are friends, we should help each other. The money in the support office is public money, so I can't lend it to you privately. Now there is only one way. Your public money is two hundred taels a month, and you write five 'bow ties'. , I will send you your five-month public expenses first."

"Okay! How do you spell a bow tie?" Originally, the "seal knot" knot was interpreted as an admission that the matter was over. The words were not very nice, and no one paid attention to it. It was just that Yuan Shikai was sick in his heart. The main idea of ​​the writing is that if you receive two hundred taels of public silver for a certain month, you will count it face-to-face, divide it into two, and there is no shortage. If there is a shortage later, you will never ask for any compensation. As if to prevent him from playing tricks, I was already feeling uncomfortable, so I flipped through "Six Idioms" which he used as the secret of being an official. ", the annotation is: "Where the government has settled the case, or ordered the owner to take back the property, he will order himself to make a "love and obedience" evidence, and draw a monogram on it, which is called "sweet knot".Immediately, he was furious. It turned out that the so-called seal knot was such a low-key expression, but the monogram was changed to a seal seal. He felt that Zhi Ying was deceiving people too much.

Thinking about it again, in this case of protection, Zhang Jian is just a magistrate of the seventh rank who is protected by the county magistrate. At that time, there was a lot of complaints, but there was no seal and no money, so I had to swallow my anger and obey.But even though Zhang Jian heard that he was yelling at him behind his back, "Hewu Zhiyingsuo", and felt that the villain's face was chilling, but he still helped him a lot. "Weiting," he asked, "do you want to use this money in Beijing?" "yes." "So who are you sending it to?"

"One of my acquaintances with the general manager." Yuan Shikai replied, "surnamed Xu, probably already a new imperial examination candidate." Zhang Jian understood what he meant. His friend surnamed Xu took the Beiwei Township Examination, and now the list has been released, and he may be on the list, but he is far away in a foreign country and has no news from the capital, so he used the word "probably". "Okay!" Zhang Jian said, "Of course I can't send you cash. I use bank notes, and I'm afraid that it will be lost in the middle of the delivery, and it will be very troublesome. I have a way. I don't know if you are willing or not." "Oh, please tell Mr. Zhang." It's "Mr. Zhang" again!I am used to hearing him call "Teacher" repeatedly, but now hearing this address for the second time, it is really harsh.But Zhang Jian still said patiently: "The salary of our army is issued by the Beiyang Office in Tianjin. Now I will give you a receipt, and you will send it to your friend, and he will go directly to the Beiyang Office to collect it. Wouldn't it be convenient." "Okay, okay! Take care of Mr. Zhang." "What are the two characters of your dear friend's name?" Zhang Jian said again, "It is safer to specify that someone should pick it up on the receipt." Yuan Shikai felt that this was a good point, nodded and said, "His name is Xu Shichang. The fifth generation of Qichang Shichang." "Where are you from?" "This should also be written on the receipt?" "That's not what I mean. I want to state his identity. Of course, he is either a supervisor or a student who goes to Beiwei. The student must specify the student from that county, so I asked him where he is from." "He is a student." Yuan Shikai said, "He was originally from Ningbo, Zhejiang. He is also considered a native of Zhejiang, Zhili, or Henan." "In this way, he is still a student in Tianjin. If he is from Ji County, he will have to take the provincial examination in Henan." Zhang Jian opened the receipt, specifying that it was issued by "Xu Shichang, a former Tianjin student".When this receipt is sent to Xu Shichang, he will already be a new imperial examination candidate. Xu Shichang and his younger brother Xu Shiguang went to the examination room together.After the three exams, during the month of waiting for the results to be released, he was eager for fame and gain and loss, and he was a little bit unwilling to eat and sleep restless. A good friend who often communicated with him persuaded him to ask for a lottery. His friend, Ke Shaomin, styled Fengsheng, was from Jiaozhou, Shandong, and told Xu Shichang, "The Lu Zu Temple in Liulichang, the lottery there is the most effective. If you ask for it, you will get it. Why don't you go and ask for it." Xu Shichang rejoiced, and when he arrived at Luzu Temple in Liulichang, he saw that the incense was more prosperous than the Huoshen Temple to the west of it, and his confidence increased a bit.At that moment, I prayed devoutly and drew a lottery. A poem written on it reads: "Eighty or Nine Mysterious Kung Fu has already had a foundation, so there is nothing wrong with frequent additions. Waiting to see the twelfth-story building through, it will be Dan Chenghe's arrival." " "It seems that the time is not enough." Xu Shichang said, "I'm afraid there is no hope for this subject." "Otherwise." Ke Shaomin said, "In my opinion, this refers to Chun Wei. The second sentence, 'Frequently add heat, don't make any mistakes' means that when you are proud of Qiu Wei, you should work harder and write more 'big papers'. Next year, I will try Chinese style, and I will win the Dingjia in the imperial examination, so isn't it the 'twelve-storeyed building'?" Xu Shichang was very happy to hear this explanation.Looking at the "duanyue" after the poem again: "the front and the back are bright, and the family is prosperous", I feel more and more joyful. On the day when he got on the list, he waited from midnight to dawn, and from dawn to noon. The good news came, but Xu Shichang was particularly embarrassed. It turned out that his younger brother Xu Shiguang had won the 95th place. At present, Xifeng was developed, and after a period of chaos in the guild hall, when it calmed down, I couldn't help crying. "Brother, I think your ink is better than mine." Xu Shiguang comforted him and said, "It must be the chief of the Five Classics, and the report is still early!" It turned out that when the township examination released the rankings, the sealed papers were torn apart and one was written. From the middle of the night before, I had to write until the next night.As usual, the list starts from the sixth place, and the top five titles are called "Five Classics Kui", and they are left to be announced at the end. At that time, it was the next night. Candles, as bright as day, are called "Naobang".It was not dusk at that time, so Xu Shiguang said, "It's too early to report." "Report!" It was bustling outside again, Xu Shichang listened intently, and the report was: "Young Master Xu Shichang of your mansion, the 145th candidate in the Renwu Keshuntian Township Examination of High School." is this real?Of course it is true, what was written in the lacquer paper, I was afraid I would be dazzled and mistaken, the newspaper came to ask for a reward of "three yuan", but refused to reward twenty taels, saying: "Eldest young master, second young master, Double happiness is coming, at least one hundred taels of silver will be rewarded." This must be true! After much debate and little discussion, "Lian Sanyuan" was finally paid with forty taels of silver.But this is the "first report", and there will be "second report" and "third report", which will cost a few taels of silver.This night the clubhouse was very lively, the courtyard where the Xu brothers Tangdi Lianhui lived was full of congratulators, and it was not until after midnight that they calmed down. Although people were already very sleepy, Xu Shichang was in high spirits , no sleepiness at all. "Second brother, what a spirit!" Xu Shichang jumped up suddenly and yelled loudly, which startled Xu Shiguang a lot. "Brother, what is so good?" "Hey, second brother, you can't use the word 'something', I mean Lu Zu's signature is good spirit. You see," Xu Shichang pointed to the signature, "'Brightness before Yuhou' is unclear, yours Is it in the top rank?" "Uh!" Xu Shiguang also felt a little reasonable, "Really, Lu Zu has made it clear that I want to be honored by my elder brother." "However, second brother, don't be too complacent. Your future achievements will not be as good as mine." As an elder brother, Xu Shiguang naturally had to keep silent when he spoke in such a tone. "Why," Xu Shichang said, "you don't believe it?" "It's not that I don't believe it. It's conceivable that my future achievements will not be as good as that of elder brother, but just now I was talking about Lu Zu's signature. Eldest brother must have learned something about the signature. If I didn't tell the truth, I will be inconvenient." Beaked." "Of course! Of course it is the mystery revealed in the signature. You see, 'Prosperous Family', isn't it me, Xu Shichang, who can honor the ancestors?" Xu Shiguang had nothing to answer, he could only say yes repeatedly. "Only the eldest brother can make our Xu family's family bigger." "Second brother," Xu Shichang said with a solemn expression, "Tomorrow, I will kowtow at Luzu Temple. First, I would like to thank him for his advice, and then I will also ask him for advice on my future behavior." Xu Shiguang listened to his elder brother's words, and went to Lu Zu Temple together the next day to ask for a lottery.This time, each of them asked for one, and asked about where they were going. Xu Shiguang asked for a lottery, which meant that it was better to go home and study, and he would try again next spring. Xu Shichang's one was: "What to do when you go out, it's better than sitting at home. Although there is no ladder to the sky, one step is higher." "Second brother, you go back, I can't go back." Xu Shichang said, "It's very clear on the sign, going out is better than being at home. It's better for me to work hard in Beijing." Xu Shiguang listened to him, and went back to his hometown alone, but Xu Shichang found a place for him to study with his son Zhang Ruiyin. , with a pen and ink, and lives in the backyard of the Zhang family. The backyard is very spacious. Xu Shichang arranged bedrooms, study rooms, and spare rooms. He planned to set up a shrine to worship Lu Zu. When the idea was not yet decided, he had a dream at night. He dreamed of Lu Zu and told him: If you want to offer my incense, you must keep it secret. When I am a little tired from traveling and need a nap, I will come, and I will use your place as a quiet room away from the hustle and bustle, and no one should disturb me." When he usually dreams, he still remembers it when he wakes up, and after a short pause, he forgets it all. Only this dream, when he got up to wash up the next day, he still remembered it clearly.Xu Shichang thought that Lu Zu's dream was very important, but he must follow the instructions of the gods, so he did everything by himself, found the most secret room, and quietly set up a shrine. Open the secret room, burn incense and worship in front of the god, and at the same time put a pair of "Lv Zu's divine lottery" so that when you have any doubts, you can ask Lu Zu for advice. When I received a letter from Yuan Shikai that day, I had to ask for a signature, asking if this matter could be done?Sign the instructions, not only can it be done, but it must be done quickly, if it is too late.Immediately, he asked Zhang Ruiyin if he had any acquaintances in the official department? "What's up?" "It's a friend Yuan Weiting, it's a bit troublesome—" Xu Shichang explained the reason in detail. "The Anthology Department of the Ministry of Officials should be in charge of this matter." Zhang Ruiyin said, "It's better to find a secretary than a secretary for this kind of matter." "That's right, Yuan Weiting's letter informed him that he was also looking for the book office. I asked if there were any acquaintances, that is to say, is there anyone in the official book office who is friendly enough?" "How can people like us have friendship with subordinate officials?" Zhang Ruiyin said, "I'll ask the old cow in the door." Xu Shichang knew that he had made a slip of the tongue, and blushed and said, "Yes, yes, I was wrong. Please ask Lao Niu for a question." I asked Lao Niu for a question, and he said, "We know a man surnamed He very well in the Department of Literature and Selection of the Ministry of Officials. But I don't know if he is in Beijing." "What? Where would the Ministry of Officials be if it wasn't in Beijing?" "Old He was originally from Puzhou, Shanxi. I heard that he was going to ask for leave to go back to his hometown to visit the grave a while ago. I don't know if he has left." "Go quickly." Zhang Ruiyin said, "See if He Shuban is here? If he is, just tell him that there is such a thing——" Xu Shichang told Lao Niu the whole story of this matter, and asked Lao Niu to discuss it.This was a matter of kickbacks, and Lao Niu flattered him very much, so he went to He Shuban to discuss it. Come back at night, "It's dangerous!" Lao Niu said, "It's only one step away, the luggage is all on the bus, and we will leave early tomorrow morning." "Oh, you talked to him?" "Why can't they do anything?" Lao Niu laughed, "I'm afraid that we won't be able to agree on the 'plate'." "What's the 'handicap' he opened?" Zhang Ruiyin asked. "He Shuban said that once this matter comes in and out, it has a great relationship. If Mr. Yuan's Zhongshu hasn't left his natal family, not only will he be promoted to a colleague without talking about it, but he will also be investigated for why his qualifications do not match, then he is not from the Ministry of Officials. It's over." "It's not about the Ministry of Officials," Xu Shichang asked, "Which one is it about?" "Department of punishment." "Good guy!" Xu Shichang was taken aback, "There is still a punishment!" "That's what people say, and we can't listen to him all. However, Master Yuan just has this shortcoming and must ask him, so we have to listen to him." "How much?" "two thousand." Just halfway, Xu Shichang looked distressed, and handed Yuan Shikai's letter to Zhang Ruiyin to read. After reading the letter, Zhang Ruiyin asked: "Old Niu, did he tell you? What is the solution?" "Eldest young master, do you think, will he tell me? I stared and asked for a long time, but he only said to me: 'It's not difficult to do, but I told you, you can't do it. '" "Okay, let's talk to him about the plate, and give him an eight at most." Zhang Ruiyin said again, "Master Xu's friend is not an outsider." At this time, it is to imply that Lao Niu should not wear hats indiscriminately, "Yes! Since the young master told me, I will try my best to do it." Lao Niu said again, "I have to talk to He Shuban overnight, otherwise, he will die at dawn. Let's go." It was settled overnight, and the transaction was made at 1,200 taels of silver, half of which was handed over first, and half of it was handed over after the deal was completed.Xu Shichang went to Tianjin the next day, went to the Beiyang Public Office to take out the 1,000 taels of silver, and kept it in the Fukang Bank. He first printed a note of 600 taels and handed it to Zhang Ruiyin. Zhang Ruiyin was also very considerate in handling affairs, so he called Lao Niu and said, "You'd better make an appointment with He Shuban, and let everyone explain it face to face. I'm afraid that if something goes wrong, Master Xu will also have an explanation to Master Yuan." .” "yes." Lao Niu went to make an appointment with He Shuban to meet at a restaurant.The status of the subordinate staff in the ministry is very low. Although they dress more exquisitely than dudes, they call Zhang Ruiyin "Elder Young Master" when they meet Zhang Ruiyin and "Master Xu" to Xu Shichang. After handing over the bank note, He Shuban received it in his hand, put it on the table, and then asked someone to say, "Talk back to Eldest Young Master and Master Xu. As for the matter, it's easy to do, but you have to go through thirteen gates. If you can’t pass the customs, you won’t be successful. I will keep the bank notes for the time being, and I won’t exchange them until the matter is settled.” "Yes, you bother." Zhang Ruiyin asked: "How should Master Xu reply to Master Yuan?" "Master Xu, please tell Master Yuan that the name donated to Zhongshu is true. It was changed to 'Shikai' only for the purpose of joining the army after the general. If you know it, you will be promoted." To put it bluntly, this trick is not uncommon, but if it is not for the opening of the joint in the official department, changing the name may ruin the entire future, because if you want to make things difficult, you can torture it for a year or so for any reason, and even reach a pass After passing, there is another hurdle. If you have spent enough money, you cannot receive an official "diploma" commonly known as "Ministry Photo". That's a big loss.Therefore, when the exams are published and the officials are selected, if the name is wrong, they are often aggrieved and wronged. It is rare to have a fake "name change" as smooth as Yuan Shikai's.