8 Second Rank Civil Official!

I was expecting to little opportunity to go out of my palace, but for the first week, the envoys were more comfortable having me around all the time to accompany them around Yuan An. Other than sitting in on all their meetings and offering some input when asked occasionally, I also accompanied Lu Qing Yu, Advisor Yi Rong and the other ministers in bringing them to tour the scenery. At the end of the 3 week itinerary, I have to say I got pretty fond of these guys. They reminded me of my previous world, in terms of appearance, language and values.

"Young Miss, you really are amazing. Accompanying the men and having a seat at the table. You're the talk of the whole capital!" Qiu Ci crooned admiringly as she and Qiu Le packed my luggage. We were to go on a short 1 month tour of key areas as well as stops to recreational villages. Lu Qing Yu would join us for the first leg, then go back to his official duties. For most of the trip, it would just be Advisor Yi Rong and Minister Hui, the Minister for Foreign Exchange and Trade at the helm.

I was aware most noble houses wanted their daughters to be seen and not heard. It was nearly unheard of for women to participate in matters of the country. Women managed the domestic matters and the harem, and otherwise, they were only an accessory to their husbands. Their status was largely reliant on that of their fathers and later, their husbands.

It was fortunate that the Ling Clan, being a military clan, had looser restrictions about this. They had no qualms even sending out daughters to war. Why would they raise an eyebrow at girls sitting at the table? "It's nothing much." I said, browsing through the trip documents. Most of the places and activities listed in the documents were foreign to me. Even if I was in the same world, it was likely that the appearance and names of the places I knew of had changed.

After reviewing the itinerary, Qiu Ci and Qiu Le had managed to obtain valuable information about the best places to eat, play and shop on the road. Due to the foreign envoys, we were covering vast terrain for this trip. It was the ultimate pleasure trip paid for by the state... other than the work part.

Our first stop was Lian Nang, a major port city. According to intelligence, there were various food specialties and fine jewels due to mining efforts in the vicinity. Although the mines were not near the coast, there were no neighbouring towns or cities in the area so Lian Nang had first pick.

"These are various specialties and fine jewels presented to the royal convoy from the major of Lian Nang City." an eunuch announced. Boxes were opened in the meeting room. My eyes glazed over as I explained to the foreigners what these specialties were. After the 3 week itinerary, where we were presented with specialties left and right, the gift presentation had become dull to me.

Discouraged, I followed along in the carriage as they toured Lian Nang City and parts around the vicinity, including a salt mine. Wait.... salt mine? "Qiu Ci." I whispered. "Yes, Young Miss?" She asked, confused. "Go and buy some of this salt discreetly. About 2 pots of it." I said. "Huh?" "Shh, just do it!" "Yes,Young Miss. Then what will we do with it?" "Send it back to the palace!" "Yes, Young Miss."

This group of people attracted attention anywhere they went. I constantly had to maintain a smiling and diplomatic front. However, I had my own plans behind the scenes...

It wasn't like I didn't face any opposition. There were some narrow-minded officials on the trip who didn't see why a woman, let alone an unloved concubine should be at the negotiating table. However, it wasn't like they could speak Norse or Angles. The envoys didn't think much of them either. If they offended the envoys, they couldn't afford the consequences.

Thereafter largely undeterred, I would eat fine food, tour the country, and participate during meetings. The long trip soon translated into a mounting pile of paperwork that grew with every stop. Advisor Yi Rong was hinting for me to be given an honorary post in the Ministry of Foreign Exchange and Trade. That way, it would be more convenient and justified for me to help out with the translation, and they could also pay and reward me legally.

I encountered some difficulties with the documents. The ancient looking documents presented on scrolls needed some interpreting. They looked completely different to modern documents, both in terms of format and content. There were also many legal terms and industry jargon that I was not familiar with.

Thankfully, I wasn't expected to know these things and the aides would explain to me. Over time, I started to get the gist of things. Along the way, whenever I saw novel or unique goods, Qiu Ci and Qiu Le would procure them for me and send them back to the Lunar Palace.

Finally, at the end of the 1-month trip, the party reached the palace. I promptly collapsed onto my bed, exhausted, to the horror of Qiu Ci and Qiu Le. "Young Miss, you can't do that!" "Let us change your robes first!" After traveling around for a month, I was more seasoned and travel worn, not to mention probably 1 shade tanner.

2 weeks later, since the envoys were on a tight schedule with the Tsar, begun their return trip. We sent them off. A month later, I was properly conferred the rank of second rank official in the Ministry. My main tasks would be interpreting and assisting in the preparation of foreign documents and communication, as well as making arrangements for foreigners. It took quite some convincing by both Advisor Yi Rong and Minister Hui before I agreed.

"Have you ever heard of a concubine holding a post in the ministry?" I asked skeptically. "There's a demand for your skills, and no one will be able to say anything. It will be a symbol of women empowerment. I'll make sure to shut them up!" said Minister Hui, the dear old man. "We would still require your help from time to time, but without a post we cannot properly recognise your efforts. This role is very ad hoc. Only as needed." Advisor Yi Rong continued.

I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. The life of a concubine was good. I didn't have to do much besides attend some functions, and the harem was largely peaceful, and I still got room and board and a salary. Why would I do more work?

"The salary of a second rank civil official is 40,000 taels a month. A residence will be conferred to you permanently by His Majesty, and there are also other perks such as preferential treatment when it comes to war rations, precious goods, commodities and grain, and in certain government establishments. This is only the baseline. Bonuses are given out every month or as needed depending on contribution and performance." "Let me think about it for 3 days." I had said, then gone home to sleep on it.

"Qiu Le, how much allowance do I get from the Ling Clan every month?" I asked. "Replying Young Miss, you do not get any allowance since you are married. Your only allowance comes from your husband's household, the Imperial Clan. The Ling Clan's monetary allowance ceased with your dowry when you married months ago, and they occasionally send you gifts.". Right. This was ancient times. "Then how much allowance do I get from the Imperial Clan a month? What about my allowance when I was still unmarried? And how much is my dowry?"

"Young Miss receives 18,000 taels a month due to the rank of Noble Concubine, and in the Ling Clan 6,000 taels a month. Young Miss's dowry consists of 200,000 taels worth of items, precious and fine goods, and taels." "So is receiving 40,000 taels a month good?" "Young Miss, that would indeed be very good. In this dynasty, concubines in the palace receive a record low amount of salary. Even the favoured Imperial Concubine during the late Emperor's reign only received 20,000 taels a month. This is because this dynasty is thrifty and only spends as necessary.

I supposed concubines didn't receive much since we already each got a palace, servants, all expenses covered and gifts every now and then. 40,000 taels a month... it was good to have some money saved up for rainy day or traveling expenses. My post as noble concubine was subject to favour and the prosperity of the Imperial Clan. If something happened one day, I might not have sufficient funds to use. It might not be a bad idea to work and get a bit of money...

The next day I went back to Minister Hui. "Minister Hui, I'll do it. But you have to go easy on me while I'm still learning the ropes!" I said. And so, I made history as the first female civil official above the 4th rank in this dynasty. Although this dynasty was more open minded and allowed females to take the Imperial Exam and enlist in the military (if exceptional), most females weren't educated due to the traditional upbringing and way of thinking of the patriarchy.

It was true that this dynasty and those before it had done alright without women in power, but they hadn't seen the world I had, where women had merits too and benefited from education and opportunity for autonomy. If only there was something I could do about it...

Exceptional and driven females did become officials, but due to scheming or discrimination, it was difficult for them to rise in the ranks. Exceptions made to become officials without an exam, with just a recommendation was pretty much non-existent for females. Until now.