Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 726 - 562: A Notable Figure

"I didn’t expect the people of Fengqing Prefecture to lead such hard lives."

Zhu Pang sighed with deep emotion after hearing Li Yong speak again about the lives of Fengqing Prefecture’s people.

"It is also because of my incompetence. I stayed in Fengqing Prefecture for six whole years but couldn’t lead the people there to a better life."

Speaking of this, Li Yong couldn’t help but feel regretful.

Whether for political achievements or for the people, if he could have increased the cotton yield or discovered some new crops to improve the lives of the people, his six years as a county magistrate would not have been in vain.

"It’s due to geographical reasons, how can this be blamed on Mr. Li? I’ve heard that farmers rely on the heavens for their meals. Mr. Li being considerate of the people already makes you a rare good official."

Zhu Pang, when wanting to flatter someone, could make people feel elated with just a few words.

Gu Chengyu thought for a moment; to improve lives with cotton, one must work on cultivation and cannot ignore seed selection. Also, saving seeds is a technical task.

However, he cannot tell Li Yong about this now. He is unsure if Li Yong can be trusted or if he would spread it widely.

Li Yong’s rank is low, if there is no one for him in the court, even if he wants to covet his merit, it is impossible.

Don’t call Gu Chengyu selfish, afraid of others taking his credit.

This is the norm in officialdom; after all, promotion relies on personal skills and recommendations from predecessors.

Gu Chengyu has no interest in letting others step over him to rise higher.

"Mr. Zhu’s praise is an exaggeration, saying this makes me feel ashamed. Leaving Fengqing Prefecture without making achievements."

Li Yong sighed helplessly as he spoke of this again, although life in Fengqing Prefecture is hard, the government office has no grease, and is constrained by those people.

But if there is a way for the people to lead good lives, then the political achievements are secured.

Political achievements are easy if a way is found; promotion naturally follows, but he has no way!

He is self-aware and knows he lacks such ability.

"County Magistrate Li’s departure from Fengqing Prefecture was a court mandate; how could County Magistrate Li resist it?"

Gu Chengyu chimed in at this moment. He could see that County Magistrate Li indeed harbored deep feelings about this matter.

However, whether it is because the people were not led to better lives, or the opportunity for political achievements was missed, it is unknown.

"I have no ability, and can only hope that the court appoints a new county magistrate with depth and insight, who can save those people from distress."

Li Yong’s meaning is clear; he has no ability and should not occupy a position without contributing.

Gu Chengyu looked at Li Yong with a meaningful gaze; such an excuse is too dignified, he is indeed a character.

Zhu Pang, having been nurtured since childhood, coupled with careful family guidance, could naturally hear the implicit meanings.

To think even a small county magistrate from Jingyuan Prefecture shouldn’t be underestimated, comparable to the slippery high officials in the Capital.

The few continued to discuss the subject of cotton, then moved past it, and began chatting about personal matters.

"I wonder, what is Mr. Zhu’s esteemed father’s position?"

Earlier, Zhu Pang had introduced himself, saying only that he was a classmate of Gu Chengyu, his family residing in the Capital, and then bowed to County Magistrate Li with whom he exchanged greetings.

Li Yong could tell at a glance this was the demeanor of a noble young master. Every action spoke of someone from a big family, whose elders must be officials, exuding confidence.

Thinking this, he became quite curious about Gu Chengyu. Mr. Gu was obviously a farmer’s son, yet why were his manners no different from this young master, even more natural and fluid?

Gu Chengyu was filled with nobility; he completely did not look like a farmer’s child — nobility and elegance already ingrained deeply in his bones.

"My father is the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War!"

Zhu Pang felt there was nothing to hide. His family’s distinguished background, compared to someone like Li Yong, even if he was not an official, was beyond Li Yong’s reach.

Li Yong was quite taken aback, feeling some secret joy in his heart. He had guessed earlier that someone in Zhu Pang’s family must be an official, but he hadn’t expected Zhu Pang’s background to be this substantial.

After all, that is a Standard Third Rank official — how could he not be excited?

"So it’s Mr. Zhu! What an honor! What an honor!"

He might not have connections in the court, but he knew the overall court situation.

The Minister of War, Dai Yuanji, is already elderly and would retire in a few years. Even if the Emperor couldn’t bear to let him go, age ultimately matters.

There are only two candidates to succeed as Minister of War, and Zhu Kui is one of them, with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War being the other.

But from past reputations and achievements, Zhu Kui’s probability of succession seems higher. More importantly, Zhu Kui’s age is just right.

Could it be that Gu Chengyu, given his friendship with Zhu Pang, has pledged allegiance to the Zhu Mansion? Li Yong racked his brain to recall which Prince the Zhu Mansion was closer to.

If one makes the right choice, and then seizes the chance to board this big ship, gaining the merit of following a dragon, wouldn’t high rank and handsome rewards come easily?

Gu Chengyu and Zhu Pang were unaware of Li Yong’s inner drama; at this moment, Zhu Pang did feel cornered and at a loss for words.

His father is the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, but he himself is not a court official, nor has he contributed to the court — what’s so honorable?

Such blatant flattery is too apparent!

Seeing Zhu Pang lost for words, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but chuckle secretly. Zhu Pang, who is eloquent, actually found himself speechless.

"Mr. Li is too kind!" Zhu Pang said, plastering a smile on his face, addressing County Magistrate Li.

Unfortunately, Li Yong was not well-informed about Capital news, and even less about Zhu Mansion’s movements.

When he was previously in Fengqing Prefecture, there was no way of gathering even a word.

Li Yong sighed quietly, realizing the difficulty of lacking connections in court. Besides knowing the names and families of some Capital officials, he knew nothing more.

While engaging with the two young men in front of him, Li Yong planned to go back and discuss with close confidants first.

The three chatted enjoyably, and after a while, Ming Mo came in to say the banquet was ready.

"Please, Mr. Li and Brother Zhu, move to the side hall; I have prepared a banquet."

After Li Yong left, feeling content and in high spirits from the meal, Zhu Pang laughed out loud.

Gu Chengyu poured a cup of tea for Zhu Pang, "Why such laughter?"

"This County Magistrate Li is indeed an interesting person, bold and ambitions," Zhu Pang said with a smile, shaking his head while speaking to Gu Chengyu.

"If he were incapable, he wouldn’t have managed to leave the position of county magistrate in Fengqing Prefecture unscathed."

Gu Chengyu thought there was indeed some ability in this person, but only some.

Don’t be fooled by the hard lives of Fengqing Prefecture’s people; many merchants and aristocratic families are there. Because it’s near the border, the coming and going merchants should stimulate Fengqing Prefecture’s economy reasonably well.

Unfortunately, the local forces in Fengqing Prefecture are fragmented; could Li Yong suppress those local tyrants? To be able to transfer steadily is not easy.

In such a place, as long as Silver can be used, or officials with court connections have moved around, who else would venture there?