BSI Chapter 81 0079 [Zhailang]
Chapter 81 0079 [Zhailang]
Chapter 81 0079 [Zhailang]
(The official positions in the Song Dynasty were too complicated, and I confused the Taichang Doctor before and after the Yuanfeng reforms. Yu Jing's second son was not only a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), but had also become a government official in the capital; he was not an incompetent person who obtained his position through imperial favor. The relevant content above has been revised.)
Every prefecture and military region in the country was sending envoys to present tribute to the new emperor, and the emperor did not have enough time to receive them all individually.
In particular, this emperor was "ill" for a long time.
Therefore, the messengers were made to wait patiently until enough people were gathered before entering the palace together.
There were as many as eighteen local delegations entering the palace this time, but only core members were allowed to have an audience with the new emperor. Xu Lai's group had only three core members, making it the smallest of the three.
These local officials are particularly shameless; they can squeeze in seven or eight core members!
After Sima Guang submitted his memorial, although his suggestions were not adopted, the court began to limit the number of people in each delegation: a maximum of four people could enter the palace.
Gao Shizhan was wearing official robes. He was presenting the new emperor this time, hoping only for a promotion.
Xu Lai and Chu Cheng were both dressed in brown.
Xu Lai was unfamiliar with the roads of Tokyo, so he followed the others and regrouped outside the palace gate.
Gao Shizhan said in a low voice, "Xihua Gate."
"What happened at Xihua Gate?" Xu Lai asked.
Gao Shizhan explained, "The Xihua Gate is of a lower status than the Donghua Gate. I heard that the delegations that entered the palace last month all entered through the Donghua Gate."
Well, they didn't even get to eat the shit while it was still hot; the treatment just keeps getting worse as time goes on.
The crowd lined up to enter through the Xihua Gate, and not far from there was the Jiying Gate. After entering the gate, they stood outside the Jiying Hall to wait.
Representatives from the delegations stepped forward, carrying congratulatory letters and gift lists.
Xu Lai stood outside the Jiying Hall the whole time, listening to the congratulatory messages and gift lists being read out. If the master of ceremonies called for a bow, he would bow along with the master of ceremonies.
From beginning to end, they never saw the emperor.
The various procedures were completed quickly, and tables were brought in one by one for a banquet to be held directly in the Jiying Hall.
The meal was rather unpleasant, as the envoys were all sent by local officials and dared not make a sound in the palace. They could only speak in hushed tones, buzzing like flies.
When the time was up, regardless of whether everyone had finished eating, the master of ceremonies announced the end of the banquet.
The eighteen delegations that had presented tribute returned to Duting Post Station and entered their respective courtyards. Soon, officials came to announce the rewards.
Gao Shizhan's military rank was promoted by half a grade, but all his other official positions remained unchanged. Old Gao's face immediately darkened, and he kept his head down, not wanting to say a word.
Xu Lai was then granted the official title of "Zhailang".
The Zhailang was a minor official of the ninth rank, responsible for carrying offerings and sweeping the floor during sacrifices. Despite being a ninth-rank official, he didn't even have proper official clothes and had to wait many years before he could be promoted to a lower rank.
Only Chu Cheng smiled; he was given a "leniency" because of his lifelong exemption from demotion, which made him seem like one of their own among the civil officials.
Furthermore, given his long-standing association with Yu Jing, it's likely that some high-ranking officials recognized him, thus he was directly granted the title of "Provisional County Lieutenant." Selection of personnel!
Xu Lai couldn't help but sigh to himself: It still comes down to ability; the imperial examinations are a hard requirement. Even a mere candidate who is exempt from the final exams for life can still prove their worth in crucial moments.
In addition to the official title of "Zhailang", Xu Lai also received a reward of ten strings of cash (Shengmo).
A little while later, Lu Zhiyuan came over for a visit, and asked with a smile, "You're a Zhailang too, right? Haha, me too."
"Besides receiving a salary, what other use does this official position have?" Xu Lai asked curiously.
Lu Zhiyuan said, "That sounds nice. Only a young man can become a Zhailang (a minor official in charge of studies); after the age of twenty, one can no longer serve as one."
Xu Lai: "————"
So you can only receive a salary.
Moreover, the salary is extremely low; with that little money, one cannot even afford to rent a house in Beijing.
The actual work still needs to be done. Every year, a group of sacrificial attendants take turns on duty, and they are available whenever needed during the sacrificial rites.
Lu Zhiyuan handed Xu Lai a piece of paper: "This is my home address in Beijing. Come visit anytime you have time."
"Definitely," Xu Lai said.
"I'm leaving." Lu Zhiyuan departed gracefully, taking his page and servant with him as they moved away from Duting Post Station.
Xu Lai left the next day, and even went out of the city to see Gao Shizhan off.
Chu Cheng will not leave the capital for the time being. He needs to participate in the Ministry of Personnel's selection process to obtain a real official position. He will probably go somewhere to serve as a county magistrate.
Walking down the street, Xu Lai looked around curiously.
The buildings in Tokyo were generally taller than those in Guangzhou, with three- or four-story buildings being commonplace. There were also more pedestrians, and the shops along the streets were incredibly bustling, truly deserving of its title as the "world's number one city" at the time.
"Are you seeing things?" Chu Cheng laughed.
Xu Lai nodded: "I was deeply shocked."
It's more grand than Bianliang in TV dramas; Songcheng in Hengdian is too shabby.
Chu Cheng cautioned, "Don't let the prosperity of Bianliang blind you. Many brilliant scholars become lazy after entering the Imperial Academy. They become obsessed with the local customs and entertainment, attending banquets and outings every few days, and no longer have the mind to improve their studies."
"Mr. Chu's advice is correct," Xu said.
They chatted as they escorted Gao Shizhan out of the city to meet up with the Guangzhou garrison troops stationed outside the city. Those garrison soldiers also received their rewards.
"Sigh, let's part ways here. There's no need to see me off any further." Gao Shizhan was in low spirits.
Like Xu Lai, he traveled a long way to Beijing, but didn't get any benefits.
Xu Laixian bid farewell to Gao Shizhan and then to the soldiers of the Guangzhou Garrison, standing on the riverbank watching them board the boat and sail away.
Only when the official boat was reduced to a single dark silhouette did Chu Cheng say, "Let's go back too."
Each carrying their own luggage, the two headed towards the first wing of the Left Army in the southern part of the city.
There are many government offices and shops there, close to government offices and cultural areas. Moreover, the housing prices are not particularly expensive, making it a top choice for middle and lower-ranking officials and wealthy citizens looking to buy or rent a home.
The house that Yu Jing bought twenty years ago is right there.
They arrived at the Yu residence, handed over their calling cards through a side door, and were quickly ushered inside.
Yu Jing's second son, Yu Zhongxun, along with his wife, Lady Su, personally received them.
The two men quickly stepped forward to pay their respects, and Chu Cheng also handed over two family letters.
Yu Zhongxun was not yet forty years old and appeared easygoing and composed. After exchanging pleasantries, he instructed his servant to lead the guests to the west wing to choose a room.
After the guests left, Yu Zhongxun opened the letter his father had written to him.
"What is the background of this Xu Lai?" asked his wife, Madam Su.
After reading the letter, Yu Zhongxun said, "The old master has taken in a disciple and intends to betroth Liu Niang to him."
"Judging from his clothes and appearance, he doesn't seem like the son of an official." Madam Su was a little unhappy.
Yu Jingming had so many high-ranking officials as friends, yet he disliked forming marriage alliances with them. Whether it was marrying a daughter-in-law or taking a son-in-law, the other party's background was never particularly high.
Su herself was like that; her father was just an ordinary official who had only survived the selection process ten years ago.
She hoped that the Yu family would form more marriage alliances with high-ranking officials so that her husband's future career would be smoother. As a result, Fifth Sister was betrothed to the son of an ordinary official, and Sixth Sister's fiancé might even be the son of a commoner.
Yu Zhongxun said, "Don't worry about the marriage; the adults will make the arrangements."
Madam Su hesitated, too lazy to argue with her husband, and went back to the backyard alone with a cold face.
The Yu family's house is not large; if there are many guests, it can even feel a bit crowded.
Xu Lai put away his belongings and, led by a servant, went with Chu Cheng to the reception room.
Yu Zhongxun was personally brewing tea and asked the two to sit down and wait a moment. He then asked Chu Cheng, "How is your health, sir?"
"My husband is in good health," Chu Cheng said. "He had a minor illness last winter, but he recovered quickly and hasn't been sick at all this year."
Yu Zhongxun then asked, "How many bowls of rice can you eat?"
Chu Cheng said, "I can eat a bowl."
Yu Zhongxun sighed, "I can only eat one bowl. It seems I'm not as good as before."
He then said to Xu, "My third brother, Shuying, and my eldest son, Sigong, are both studying at the Imperial Academy. If Xingzhi wants to enter the Imperial Academy, they can take you there to register tomorrow."
"Thank you for the arrangement, brother," Xu Lai said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Yu Zhongxun said, "You two are welcome to stay at my home for as long as you like. Please don't feel uncomfortable. But please forgive my poor hospitality, as I will be leaving the capital with my wife and children in a few days."
"Congratulations on Shi Min's promotion!" Chu Cheng immediately understood.
Yu Zhongxun smiled and said, "It's just the position of Vice Prefect of Yanzhou."
The three of them drank tea and chatted, sometimes talking about things in Guangzhou, sometimes about the current situation in Beijing.
Yu Zhongxun said to Chu Cheng, "I have some acquaintances in the Ministry of Personnel. I'll take you to meet them tomorrow, and they'll definitely get you a post as a county magistrate as soon as possible. However, the location might not be very good."
"I understand, I'm already quite satisfied with being able to be assigned tasks quickly." Chu Cheng's demands were not high.
This year is the year of the imperial examinations, and a large number of newly appointed scholars are waiting to be assigned to official posts. The emperor died a few months ago, which delayed many things, and this is the time when a large number of newly appointed scholars are being sent to other posts.
The competition is extremely fierce!
After discussing Chu Cheng's matter, Yu Zhongxun warned Xu Lai: "Once you enter the Imperial Academy, do not speak carelessly, especially about matters of state."
"Understood, I've read the official gazette," Xu Lai replied.
Yu Zhongxun laughed and said, "It seems you really understand."
It would be strange not to understand. Led by Sima Guang, the remonstrating officials submitted a series of memorials on national mourning, imperial rewards, and finances, and even directly impeached or criticized senior officials in charge of the Yin-Yang and Qingli calendars.
Even Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo, who were in mourning at home, were relentlessly criticized by Sima Guang for receiving generous rewards from the new emperor.
Left with no other choice, Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo could only symbolically refuse the generous reward, but the reward was still given to them.
To demonstrate his stance, Sima Guang donated all the treasures bestowed upon him by the court to the Censorate as official funds. He also transferred the money granted by the court to his maternal uncle.
There are too many such cases. Anyone who studies the official gazette carefully can see that the situation in the court is tense.
Xu Lai couldn't help but look at Yu Zhongxun. Their eyes met, and Yu Zhongxun smiled at him.
It seems that Yu Zhongxun requested to be transferred to a post outside the capital; he did not want to get involved in the power struggles of the court.
After chatting and drinking tea for half an hour, Xu Lai and Chu Cheng got up to say goodbye and returned to their respective rooms to rest.
Xu Lai's room was only a little over ten square meters, which was not spacious in ancient times. However, the room was fully furnished and quite elegant, and he particularly liked it.
This will be his residence for the next two years.
Xu Lai was actually very tired during this period. He lay on the bed fully clothed and fell into a deep sleep in the blink of an eye.
After an unknown amount of time, a maid called out from outside the door: "Young Master Xu—Young Master Xu, please move to the dining room."
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"Coming!"
Xu Lai rolled over, got up, rubbed his face, and went out.
The dining room was filled with people; Yu Zhongxun's younger brother, son, and daughter had all returned from school. His daughter attended a private school, studying alongside other daughters of officials.
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