"Governor Zuo, I really want to retire with you." Li Hongzhang Director Li finally got into the central government. He said to Zuo Zongtang with an exaggerated expression of unwillingness.
The two of them were the only two surrendered generals of Manchu Qing in the new government. In terms of literature and history, many people who worked in Manchu Qing had thrown themselves into it. For example, Qi Yuchang, the director of the National Library, Vézé's father-in-law, had a lot of such people. As professionals, these people were hired according to the length of the contract, not according to age. The normal retirement age was 55. Among the people hired by the National Library, there were many old scholars in their sixties or even seventies.
This group of people had no influence on politics. Before becoming a civil servant of the Min dynasty, only Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang held high positions in Manchu Qing. According to the latest plan, the provincial level retired at the age of 65. The national level retired at the age of 67. There was still a chance to be promoted at the age of 67, but they could only retire at the age of 68. The bureau level retired at the age of 60, and the division level also went up and down. There was still a chance to be promoted at the age of 57, but goodbye at the age of 58. The section-level was the same as ordinary workers. They had to retire at the age of 55.
Li Hongzhang Director Li was 52 years old this year. If he couldn't be promoted in five years, he could only retire honorably. The unwillingness in Director Li's tone could not be concealed at all.
Zuo Zongtang personally didn't like Li Hongzhang very much. He felt that Li Hongzhang was too utilitarian. He was a talent who would do his best to achieve his goals, but he was not the kind of talent who would not compromise once he had decided on a direction. Moreover, retirement was something that Zuo Zongtang didn't want to talk about. Therefore, Zuo Zongtang used a phrase that was often used in government meetings, "Get to the point!"
"The point is that I was recently transferred to the complicated local business and trade work in Korea. I really want to be promoted two levels after I make some achievements. This time, I'm here to ask for Brother Ji Gao's advice. "Director Li got to the point fluently. Two levels up from the Head Office would lead to the Main Office. The Deputy Office's retirement would be in a mess. If they were promoted, they would be able to continue working for another term. The main hall could make one last attempt to see if there was a chance for it to be promoted to the provincial level.
The Zuo Zongtang of the past would have laughed at Director Li's obsession with being an official. However, in recent days, Zuo Zongtang also understood that it was not so easy for him to let go of power. He no longer mocked Li Hongzhang, but asked, "You must have an idea. Tell me about it."
"His Majesty told me that I am an official and should know more about the feudalism of Korea," Li Hongzhang said in a complicated tone. It was hard to tell if he was happy or unhappy.
In the Manchu Qing dynasty, the number of families with a father and a son who were Jinshi could be counted on one's fingers. Li Hongzhang's teacher, Zeng Guofan, was a third-ranked "Jinshi". Li Hongzhang's father, Li Wenan, was a third-ranked "Jinshi" in the same year as Zeng Guofan. Li Hongzhang surpassed his father and teacher. He was ranked 13th in the second-ranked "Jinshi" and became an official Jinshi. In terms of family background, it was very unusual.
This background was not helpful in the new government. In fact, it could even be harmful. Li Hongzhang was personally met by Vézé and was said to have a "deep understanding of the feudal system". Li Hongzhang had no choice but to come to Vézé's favorite, Zuo Zongtang, for an answer.
"I see!" Zuo Zongtang suddenly understood. Vézé's straightforwardness was shocking. Zuo Zongtang could not help but admire him. After thinking about it carefully, Zuo Zongtang also felt relieved. In the traditional era, the Restoration Party's ability to become an official could be described as "a mess". If this group of peasants were placed in the Manchu Qing era, they would not even be able to hope to become an official. After becoming an official, they would only be cheated to death by others. In the industry, they were much better than the Manchu Qing officials. When dealing with the feudal monarch, none of these people were qualified.
"His Majesty will never let his comrades guess what he is thinking. Since he personally met you, he will definitely give you specific instructions." Zuo Zongtang replied.
"His Majesty has indeed given me clear instructions. However, these tasks cannot be completed within two to three years. If I was given four to five years, let alone Goryeo, I would be able to do even more. But after four to five years, can I still continue? Right now, I have no idea at all. "Li Hongzhang told the truth.
"If you want to be promoted, I have no way to teach you. If you want to let others know of your abilities, His Majesty has already taught you the methods. "Zuo Zongtang replied.
"Oh?" Li Hongzhang replied in surprise.
Zuo Zongtang said with a straight face, "His Majesty thinks that you are more proficient in dealing with feudal monarchs. As you work, summarize these things. As long as you can come up with a set of working methods for dealing with feudal monarchs, you will not have to worry about not being recognized. "
"This kind of thing is good enough as long as you know it. How can you talk about it openly?" Li Hongzhang was frightened.
Zuo Zongtang's tone carried a hint of mockery. "If these things can be done, why can't you talk about it? We are fighting against feudalism. We must always know what feudalism is, how it manifests itself, and what kind of internal logic it has. If you can help your comrades understand these things, it will definitely be a great contribution. Not to mention a department or bureau level official, even a provincial level official will be a piece of cake. "
Li Hongzhang fell silent. With his intelligence, of course, he knew that Zuo Zongtang was not joking.
Zuo Zongtang continued, "You have to do this quickly. Although those young comrades do not understand the concept of feudalism, they are very good at learning. In a few years, they will be able to come up with their own ideas. "
After saying this, Zuo Zongtang saw him out. After waiting for Li Hongzhang to leave, Zuo Zongtang sighed slightly. He had thought that retirement would cause a huge uproar, but he did not expect it to pass so easily. Not only did many officials not feel that retirement was bad, but they also looked forward to it. Now that the work of the government was getting more and more arduous, these old heroes would be able to get a pension once they retired. Even if they did not work, they could still get money. This was a good thing to be free and unfettered.
Zuo Zongtang was quite speechless at these people who did not want to make progress. It seemed that Vézé's judgment was correct. The retirement system could indeed play a role of great waves washing away sand. Of course, there were people like Li Hongzhang who were unwilling to let go of their official positions. Their way of dealing with this was to work hard and build a career. Those who did not want to waste their time on work, might as well let them have their way. This was indeed the best of both worlds.
Most of the comrades did not object to the retirement system, and those who were relatively capable did not comment on it either. For example, the group of young diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Li Xin, did not talk about this issue at all. They only carried on with their work in full swing.
"The Republic of Prawn requests to reconfirm a series of previous agreements with China, including commercial investment, rearing military horses and providing supplies in accordance with the contract to repay the debt owed to China." As soon as the third meeting of January 76 ended, this topic was placed on the main point of discussion.
"I think they might as well directly ask the Chinese Army to withdraw from Hokkaido." The director of the Asian department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a rather dissatisfied tone. Now there were only two types of countries around China. The first type was the vassal countries, and the second type was the big powers. The business of the Asian department had become quite busy. After abandoning the tributary system, China now only adopted the method of annexation and military alliance.
Li Xin took a sip of water. "Japan is different. We do not think that Japan is a vassal country of China, and Japan does not think that it belongs to China. We can only adopt a diplomatic stance towards Japan. "
In the past three months, the negotiations between the Meiji government of Japan and the Republic of Prawn had some results. The new civilian forces in the war were very much in favor of the democratic system, which was the only system that could guarantee that the people of low birth could have a say in politics. The old upper class had tried to promote the plan to accept the members of the Tokugawa family to govern the Republic of Prawn. The people were hostile to the Meiji government, but it did not mean that they welcomed the Tokugawa family. The Meiji government made it difficult for them to continue their lives. During the reign of the Tokugawa shogunate, the lives of the lower class people were not much better than during the Meiji government.
Under the joint efforts and propaganda of the dispatched army of China, this plan was rejected in the Diet. The Republic of Prawn established its own republican system with difficulty but firm. It did not accept the imperial politics of the Meiji government.
However, the relationship of blood could not be cut off by the change of the political system. The Republic of Prawn agreed to change its name to the Hokkaido Autonomous Region. The Hokkaido Autonomous Region would remain in Japan as an inseparable part of Japan. The Meiji government almost humbly signed a series of agreements to ensure peace with the Hokkaido Autonomous Region. This gesture made the citizens of the Republic of Prawn who still had relatives in the three southern islands unable to refuse. If they wanted to sign a contract with the Meiji government, it was necessary to temporarily alienate China. In the words of the Hokkaido Autonomous Region, they hoped that the Chinese army could withdraw from Hokkaido.
"What if Japan is used by other countries as a base to deal with China?" The deputy director of the European department asked a question. Europe was the only region that had the ability to do so. In the Americas, the United States had a little chance. However, instead of worrying about the tens of thousands of regular soldiers in the United States, it was better to worry about the more powerful private army of the American Chamber of Commerce.
The director of the Asian department replied, "There must be countries that value Japan's geographical location and want to use Japan to do something. Japan is not a fool. Other countries want to use Japan, but Japan also wants to use those countries! Let's play it by ear. "
This was the only way to deal with the matter. China had no time to waste its precious experience on Japan. Either they simply sent troops to Japan and completely conquer this country, or they had to let Japan start to move at their own pace for a period of time. Moreover, the Sixth Fleet had already sent ships to patrol the coastal waters of Japan. This was already a very severe warning.
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