Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 85

85: Promoted to Director of the Ministry of Personnel

Fighting for her family’s survival, Tian Qingyi’s thirst for power peaked. Following partial advice from Jiufang Xin, she maintained secret annual payments to Chancellor Wang as agreed—focusing on this primary target rather than broader bribery.

Small gifts to minor officials seemed pointless—Jiufang Xin’s prior offerings sufficed; she neither expected their help nor could afford such pretenses. Crucially, adopting some methods didn’t mean endorsing Jiufang Xin’s corrupt philosophy.

Summer 1017 (Tianxi 1st Year), post-mourning, Tian Qingyi was promoted to Court of Imperial Entertainments Assistant and Puzhou Vice Prefect.

Audience protocol required imperial leave-taking. Expecting Emperor Zhenzong, she instead met Empress Liu—regal and sharp-eyed, bearing no traces of her singing-girl origins. After standard exhortations and monetary gifts, Tian Qingyi pledged diligent governance.

“How does he seem?” Empress Liu asked, watching Tian Qingyi depart.

Eunuch Lei Yungong deliberated before answering: “Young but steady. As a magistrate, he benefited commoners and solved murders.”

“A talent worth monitoring. Gathering able ministers relieves the emperor’s burdens.” Empress Liu nodded approvingly.

Lei Yungong’s neutral expression concealed satisfaction at fulfilling Chancellor Wang’s request.

Unaware, Tian Qingyi exited the palace. Home awaited a farewell feast—Fan Zhuzhu overjoyedly piled her plate while Li Yan offered congratulations and gifts. Nearby, four-year-old Yuchen and two-year-old Wanyue raced through their meals.

After Yun Jingchu solidified household control, Yuchen’s domain expanded beyond Yuzhu Residence. With only two children present, playmates became inevitable.

Post-dinner garden strolls featured the toddling Wanyue chasing Yuchen—their chatter and movements ceaseless until caterpillar sightings provoked shrieks. Servants promptly removed the insects; relieved mothers summoned their daughters.

Sunset illuminated Fan Zhuzhu’s crow’s feet and evident contentment—a life she cherished. Yet Tian Qingyi frowned at Yun Jingchu’s perceived overindulgence.

She’d proposed tutors for Yuchen and Wanyue (four being kindergarten age), but Yun Jingchu deemed it premature. They agreed on modest educational goals—literacy, historical awareness, and principled thinking—without demanding scholarly excellence.

The clan school’s distance made daily commutes impractical; private tutoring seemed ideal—until Li Yan joined Yun Jingchu’s objections, delaying plans.

Li Yan tolerated Yuchen but clearly favored Wanyue. Though disapproving of the “illegitimate son” arrangement, she remained silent since Yun Jingchu acquiesced.

Tian Qingyi’s impending departure depressed Yun Jingchu—their two-year intimacy making separation unbearable. Noticing this, Fan Zhuzhu volunteered to host Yuchen overnight, overriding the protesting child whisked away.

Alone in Yuzhu Residence, Yun Jingchu’s indulgence led to passionate activities until dawn—leaving Tian Qingyi barely two hours’ sleep before departure.

Plans being settled, farewells needed a few words. To preserve Yun Jingchu’s rest, Tian Qingyi tiptoed out, cautioning Yuanqi against disturbances.

Winter 1017 saw Yun’s Flower Shop launch after three years’ research—its vibrant blooms instantly dominating Kaifeng’s market, recouping costs within months.

Spring 1018, Yun Jingchu headed south with a new trade caravan after settling Kaifeng affairs. Yuchen’s tearful pleas nearly swayed her until sleep permitted stealthy departure. The child’s subsequent meltdown—ignoring explanations about temporary absence—wrenched her heart.

Distance amplified Yun Jingchu’s longing—letters northward for Tian Qingyi; gifts homeward for Yuchen. Tian Qingyi reciprocated intensely but faced mailing difficulties during Yun Jingchu’s travels.

As a southerner, Tian Qingyi struggled with northern life—unfamiliar despite modern tourism. Beyond cultural adjustments, vice-prefect duties proved more complex than magistracy—requiring months’ adaptation despite Zhang Sancheng’s assistance. Only Zhou Ba stayed behind, assigned to protect Yun Jingchu.

Through relentless effort, autumn 1024 (Tiansheng 2nd Year) brought promotion to Director of the Ministry of Personnel and Academy of Scholarly Worthies members—having served as prefect and transport commissioner.

Each post received diligent service—helping civilians when possible, leniency where warranted, but ruthless justice for heinous crimes. Bribery she limited to customary gifts—rejecting anything resembling corruption. Chancellor Wang’s payments followed Jiufang Xin’s escalating scale until plateauing—funded largely by Yun Jingchu’s support.

This single ethical compromise—justified as survival necessity rather than ambition—haunted her. Further corruption for personal gain would be unforgivable.

Higher office revealed Song bureaucracy’s frustrations—multiple overlapping roles creating obstructionism. Despite Chancellor Wang’s patronage and Empress Liu’s covert favor, seven years only reached rank 6a—far from chief ministership with six months remaining. Barring Empress Liu’s extraordinary intervention, mission failure seemed inevitable.

As Tian Qingyi entered central government, Yun Jingchu retired from traveling commerce—redeploying staff to shops or estates with severance for departures.

Guangzhou—visited during her first southern trip—never hosted a Yun shop. Instead, Hangzhou and Kaifeng expanded with seasonal flower techniques entrusted to Baoqin (spending half-years in Hangzhou).

Initial commercial setbacks—including one costly failure—ultimately yielded profits rivaling sedentary trade. As predicted, Yun Jingchu became flower guild leader—and likely spice guild leader soon—surpassing all Yun ancestors.

Dissolving the caravan reflected reassessed priorities—money’s infinity versus finite time with family. Reuniting with Tian Qingyi and watching Yuchen grow outweighed mercantile joys.

Contrasting Yun Jingchu’s success, Yuan’s widow lost fortunes through mismanagement and her children’s reckless ambitions—bankrupting their shares within a decade amid mutual blame.

Eldest brother Yun Yongzhi preserved and grew his inheritance; third brother Yun Suzhi excelled further—acquiring Yuan’s liquidated assets. Their support—reciprocating Yun Jingchu’s earlier assistance with competitive terms—fueled her expansion through sibling synergy.