Chapter 190

The first person to visit Commissioner Zhao to offer congratulations on receiving the unique "Booi Nikan" honorary title from the Qianlong Emperor in the fifty-fifth year of his reign was Censor Zheng Bowen, the Inspector of Salt. Zheng was also a "Booi Big" of the Imperial Household Department, though he had climbed the ladder by following the path of He Shen’s head steward, Liu Quan. The Censor understood the rules well and presented a hundred taels as a "gift." This "gift" was a common practice: those waiting in line at the Ministry of Personnel for official appointments would donate money to the ministry staff—ostensibly a "contribution," but in reality, a bribe. The practice quickly spread throughout the official circles in the capital; regardless of whether one was seeking an appointment or a promotion, any celebratory occasion required such a contribution. It was simply a fancy way of giving a gift. While Zhao An was not being promoted, the nature of his new status was similar, so the Censor naturally offered his "contribution." His main purpose in coming was to solidify the bond between them as fellow "Booi Bigs." After all, in the official circles of Yangzhou, he and Commissioner Zhao were the only ones who shared the same background—both were Booi from the Imperial Household Department.