Chapter 50 A Real Man Should Be Like This
After hearing what the middle-aged man said, the scholars were extremely angry and felt very upset.
How could a mere blacksmith, even if he was skilled in this art and had a special skill, be entrusted with such an important task by King Qingji of Wu?
But, that's the truth.
As the first person to try something new, Gan Jiang rose from an ordinary swordsmith to a top swordsmith overnight. He was given a golden seal and became the Grand Master of Engineering, second only to the Nine Ministers. How could people not be envious?
Not only that, after rewarding Gan Jiang, Qingji also specially allowed him to "boast about his position."
That is, he would wear an official robe with a seal and a ribbon, get on a horse-drawn carriage, and march around the capital of Wu for a day, with hundreds of armored soldiers leading the way!
Let everyone see the style of a capable general.
This is similar to the top scholar in later generations. After being canonized, he would often have to perform activities to show off his official position in the capital!
This not only shows how much Qingji values Gan Jiang, but also demonstrates that Qingji keeps his word.
The State of Wu seeks talented people and only selects those with talent. Anyone with a skill can serve as an official in the court!
Gan Jiang is a living example!
"A real man should be like this!"
At this moment, seeing the general standing on the golden platform with high spirits, Fan Li, who was watching in the crowd, could not help but sigh.
Why did he join Wu?
Isn't it because the Chu government was dark and only nobles could serve as officials, thus burying their talents?
Now, King Qingji of Wu really did not care about family background but only talent.
Isn’t this exactly the wise and powerful ruler that Fan Li longed for?
On the platform for recruiting talents, one-fifth of the original 250 taels of gold had been reduced, leaving only 4,000 taels of gold!
This proves that there are still four other people who can have the honor of being a Gan Jiang, ascending the Golden Terrace, being appointed an official by the King of Wu, and being entrusted with important tasks.
All the scholars present, including Fan Li, were aware of this.
They all hope that they will be the next capable person, the next person to step onto the golden stage!
…
King Wu’s Palace, Main Hall!
Qingji was discussing state affairs with his ministers.
Just as Qingji had expected, his bestowing of gold and titles on Gan Jiang, a man of humble origin, indeed aroused criticism from a group of ministers, led by the senior official Shen Xi.
"Your Majesty, please take back your order and do not allow Gan Jiang to serve as an official in the court!"
"That's right! Your Majesty, Gan Jiang is just a swordsmith, born as a lowly blacksmith. How can he serve in the same court as you two or three men? We are ashamed to be associated with such menial servants!"
"Your Majesty's search for talents is beneficial to the country, and we should not stop it. However, Gan Jiang's background is too low. If this gets out, it may be detrimental to Your Majesty's reputation and damage the country!"
"Please think twice, Your Majesty!"
All the ministers and officials knelt down before the throne, begging Qingji to reconsider and not to "make mistakes".
How could Qingji not know what they were thinking?
There were two main reasons why the ministers strongly opposed it.
Firstly, the State of Wu had reformed its official system and implemented the system of three dukes and nine ministers in the court. Although the Grand Master of Works was not within the scope of the three dukes and nine ministers, he was second only to the nine ministers and had considerable power.
Once Qingji fully implemented the system of three dukes and nine ministers and selected the candidates, what would happen to those who were not elected?
After all, the pie of official positions in the Wu State is only so big. If there is one less person to share it, the benefits they can gain will be greater and the power and authority will be greater!
Secondly, Gan Jiang’s origin was too humble; he was just an unknown little person.
How can we connect with the virtuous?
Just because he is good at sword-making?
To please King Qingji of Wu by presenting the sword?
All the officials believed that allowing such a capable general to serve as an official in the court would greatly lower the overall image of the Wu State and damage the national dignity!
This was difficult for the ministers and officials to accept.
But Qingji doesn't care about that.
He slowly stood up, glanced at his ministers, raised his eyelids slightly, and said with a look of contempt, "How can my decree be changed from one day to the next?"
These words were like a bolt from the blue, deafening and shocking to the ministers kneeling under the stage.
"Gan Jiang has talent, and I will certainly use him. If he has the talent to govern the country and comes to Wu, offering a plan to enrich the country and strengthen the army, why don't I give him a high position, treat him with courtesy, and divide the land with him ?"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers and officials were speechless.
Because they have realized that Qingji is serious!
The firm look reflected in Qingji's eyes showed that if any minister dared to speak out at this time, Qingji would have to revoke his order or he would be punished.
As he has been alone for a long time, Qingji has gradually developed the temperament unique to a king!
Awe-inspiring without even getting angry!
What you say is what you mean!
In other words, it is the derogatory term "stubborn and self-righteous"!
This is how Qingji demonstrated his determination to his ministers.
So, this time he chose to stand against the ministers and officials, instead of letting Ji Zha and Sun Wu take the lead!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Taizai Ji Zha bowed first.
The ministers had no choice but to suppress their dissatisfaction and agree with Qingji's decision!
"Dazai, are all preparations for the coronation ceremony ready?"
Qingji turned his attention to Ji Zha again.
"Reporting to the king, all matters concerning the ceremony have been prepared. The king's coronation ceremony can be held as scheduled!"
"good."
This is an issue that Qingji must be concerned about.
Because it was only a few days before his coronation ceremony, the ministers and officials of Jin, Qi, Wei, Lu, Song and other countries had already traveled thousands of miles to Wudu as envoys.
If the coronation ceremony for this celebration cannot be held as scheduled, wouldn't it be a laughing stock?
Afterwards, Ji Zha listed the steps, expenses, etiquette, required buildings, etc. of the ceremony of becoming king on a bamboo slip and asked the eunuch to convey his wishes.
After reading this bamboo slip, Qingji couldn't help but raise his eyebrows!
"Dazai, are the rules of this coronation ceremony too simple?"
Simple and easy, this is still the face that Qingji gave to Ji Zha!
Otherwise, how could this be more than simple?
But it's simple!
Shabby!
Stingy!
Not in line with the monarchy!
Even Qingji himself was ashamed.
However, facing Qingji's questioning, Ji Zha was not at all flustered, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, this simplicity naturally has its advantages. Since Your Majesty came to power, every time you have fought wars, made diplomatic relations, or given out rewards, why don't you need money?"
"The king's crowning ceremony is in accordance with etiquette, does not violate ancestral law, and has ancient customs!"
"In this way, the people of the world will know that our king is a benevolent, simple, and magnanimous monarch!"
Hearing this, Qingji could only say rather depressedly: "The Prime Minister has a good heart."
Qingji knew that Ji Zha was taking advantage of the opportunity of preparing for the coronation ceremony to vent his inner dissatisfaction and make suggestions to Qingji in a roundabout way.
This is because the Wu Kingdom’s expenses during this period were really too high!
He fought wars, bribed the rulers and ministers of Chu and Yue, rewarded meritorious soldiers, built the Golden Terrace and the Talent Recruiting Hall, placed 250 taels of gold on the Talent Recruiting Terrace, and properly placed talented people who came to Wu and treated them with courtesy, etc.
Which of these doesn’t cost money?
And it costs a huge amount of money!
The financial resources of Wu State were far from enough to bear the burden.
The huge fortune accumulated by successive kings of the Wu State was almost consumed by Qingji!
It's true that a penny can make a hero fall!
If Ji Zha had not known that every penny spent by Qingji was useful and beneficial to the country, he would probably have given him a lot of earnest advice.
Even so, Ji Zha also wanted to take this opportunity to let Qingji know that there is not much money left in the national treasury, so please help the king!
