BSI Chapter 76 0074 [Xu Sanlang is going to the capital to take up an official post]
Chapter 76 0074 [Xu Sanlang is going to the capital to take up an official post]
Chapter 76 0074 [Xu Sanlang is going to the capital to take up an official post]
Chen Yanhong did not immediately buy the books and send them over; he felt he should carefully select them.
Moreover, a large set of scriptures can be a dozen or twenty volumes. If he were to send several copies, he would have to hire people to carry them in boxes.
However, showing off the fan couldn't be delayed.
Chen Yanhong left home early in the morning, walked briskly to school, and waved his fan whenever he met a classmate.
Seeing the other person's surprised expression, Chen Yanhong felt secretly pleased and waited for the other person to come forward and ask.
"Brother Chen, what is the name of this fan?"
"A folding fan."
Where can I buy it?
"A gift from a friend, which I can't buy anywhere else. So please enjoy this poem and painting instead."
"."
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This guy has become a real attention-grabber; in just half a morning, many classmates have come to inquire about him.
Xu Lai simply posted a guide to custom-made folding fans at the entrance of his dormitory, explaining how to choose paper and which bamboo fan shop to find for production.
Gradually, fewer classmates came to inquire, and they all went to order folding fans with their friends.
"Why did you give that guy the fan?" Yang Shu asked as he strolled over for a visit.
Xu Lai recited "Ode to the Eastern Capital" and said, "I don't have enough money to buy books, and I'm too lazy to copy them, so I'll exchange my fan for books."
Yang Shu sighed, "Alas, obtaining books is no easy feat."
Although his family were rural landlords, they didn't dare buy large volumes of classical texts casually. The copy of "The Correct Meaning of the Book of Rites" that he had was copied by his older brother when he was in school; it contained over two million words and took him two whole years to copy!
"Here you go." Xu Lai tossed a folding fan over.
Yang Shuxin exclaimed happily, "I have one too?"
Xu Lai said, "You can write whatever you want on the blank fan."
Yang Shu unfolded the folding fan and examined it again and again, admiring it greatly. He said, "This is very fine—speaking of your fellow townsman Chen Yanhong, he was quite criticized at first. However, in recent months he has become very polite, and his reputation has improved a lot."
"If his reputation didn't improve, why would I give him a fan? I would definitely sell it directly," Xu Lai said with a smile.
As the two were chatting, Guo Shen, also a scholar from Qingyuan, came over with great anticipation.
Xu Lai tossed out another blank folding fan: "Catch."
Guo Shen chuckled, "I knew it. With Sanlang's straightforwardness, I was sure I had one too."
These fans were also graded based on their craftsmanship.
Xu Lai kept the two fans with grime and wrinkles for his own use.
Chen Yanhong's weapon was of above-average quality.
The two best ones are for Yu Jing and Pianpian. The third one is for Yang Shu.
His roommate, Wen Zhonghe, also received a share, and he got it a few days ago, but Xu Lai told him not to publicize it for the time being.
A few more close friends came to the dormitory, and Xu Lai simply handed them all over at once, showing them the last two and saying, "That's all, only these two left, I need to send them to the Military Commission."
The moment the words "Strategic Commandery" were uttered, someone from the Strategic Commandery arrived: "Scholar Xu, Lord Yu has summoned you. Please proceed to the Strategic Commandery immediately."
"Coming soon, thanks for the message." Xu Lai picked up two folding fans and left.
The students watched him walk away, their eyes filled with envy.
"Sanlang is truly a role model for us. During his time studying at the prefectural school, he was often summoned by the military governor."
"Have you forgotten who bestowed upon Xingzhi this courtesy name?"
"Don't be jealous. Xingzhi earned Master Yu's favor through his own true abilities. We must also study hard!"
"Excellent, let us all strive together."
"—
."
As they talked, the group of classmates dispersed, spurred on by Xu Lai to study harder.
Xu Lai was actually a little puzzled, wondering why Yu Jing wanted to see him. Usually, even if he received an invitation, he would be notified in advance to wait until his day off.
Upon arriving at the Military Commission, he was taken directly to a side hall, not the Military Commission's backyard, which he usually frequented.
Besides Yu Jing, there were two other people in the hall.
One of them was Chu Cheng, Yu Jing's advisor, who was the same Mr. Chu who helped Xu Lai deliver the new interpretation of the Analects.
The other one was a military officer.
They seemed to have encountered something good; they couldn't suppress the smiles on their faces.
"Xingzhi is here? Please have a seat," Yu Jing said.
Xu Lai quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, and then bowed to Chu Cheng and the military officer. The other party returned the greetings with smiles and friendly expressions, treating Xu Lai as one of their own.
what's going on?
Yu Jing said to Xu Lai, "When a new emperor ascends the throne, local officials should send envoys to the capital to offer their congratulations. This should have been done long ago, but overseas merchant ships will only arrive in Guangzhou in large numbers in May, and it will take time to select congratulatory gifts from the foreign merchant ships. We also have to wait until the flood season is over, otherwise it will be difficult to navigate the Feilai Gorge."
Xu Lai listened attentively.
Yu Jing finally got to the point: "Go and prepare yourself, take all your things with you, you won't be going back to Guangzhou after you go to Beijing."
Xu Lai didn't quite understand.
It seems like he's being included as part of the congratulatory team, but what does it mean that he won't be returning to Guangzhou?
After Yu Jing finished speaking, he went to his office, leaving Chu Cheng and Xu Lai to explain in detail.
Chu Cheng introduced, "Xingzhi, this is Gao Shizhan, the military commander of Guangzhou, and a trusted and beloved general of Minister Yu."
Xu Lai met Ma Huai Ren last year, who was the Military Commander of Guangdong Circuit, a high-ranking military officer.
The man before them, however, was the Military Commander of Guangzhou, a much lower rank.
"Xu Lai greets Supervisor Gao," Xu Lai said, bowing.
Gao Shizhan quickly returned the greeting, then took Xu Lai's hand and said, "Xingzhi, don't be shy, we're all family."
Why are they our own people?
Because they are about to work together, and everyone will benefit.
Chu Cheng explained in detail: "At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, local officials could send delegations to the capital to offer birthday greetings to the emperor every year. As long as they went to the capital, they would be rewarded, and they would be granted official positions. Because of the excessive bestowal of favors, it is now forbidden to send delegations to offer birthday greetings. However, it is still proper to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension to the throne."
"Can I also get an official position?" Xu Lai thought to himself with secret delight.
Chu Cheng smiled and nodded: "For this delegation to the capital, Gao Dujian's position is Commander-in-Chief, my position is Supervisor of the Tribute Personnel, and your position is Supervisor of Documents. Of the three of us, those with official positions will be promoted, and those without will be granted official titles. The other accompanying personnel will also receive rewards upon arrival in the capital."
Xu Lai asked, "What does it take to manage and write characters?"
Chu Cheng said, "You'll be responsible for drafting the congratulatory letter and compiling the roster, etc. The letter and roster are already written; you can familiarize yourself with them. After arriving in the capital, you'll also be studying at the Imperial Academy, and Minister Yu plans to recommend you for admission."
"What kind of official position might he get?" Xu Lai asked again.
Chu Cheng said, "The position of 'hereditary official' has no real power and its rank is not high. However, your future status will become that of an official. After passing the imperial examination, officials with hereditary official status will be given higher positions and assignments as appropriate. Moreover, they will no longer need to go through the selection process."
After listening, Xu Lai understood Yu Jing's good intentions.
The next imperial examination will be a preliminary one, and the treatment of all successful candidates will be reduced. Therefore, Yu Jing is trying to find a way to make him an "official," so that his treatment can be brought back to normal.
Moreover, the status of "having an official position" always existed, and it was effective no matter which year Xu Lai passed the imperial examination.
After understanding all this, Xu Lai was deeply moved; Yu Xiangong had been too good to him.
Chu Cheng said, "Go back and say goodbye to your classmates. The mission will not depart for some time. We will have to wait until the flood season is over before we can set sail, and the laborers will have to wait until the rice harvest season is over before they can be conscripted."
Xu bid farewell to the two and happily returned to school.
He first went to Yang Shu to explain that he was about to go to the capital.
Yang Shu smiled and said, "Congratulations, Sanlang! You will surely achieve great things in the future!"
"It's a pity we can't take the imperial examination together," Xu Lai said.
Yang Shu laughed and said, "I'm confident I can pass the provincial examination and become a Juren. Then I'll take the imperial examination with Sanlang."
Xu Lai said in a low voice, "I originally planned to help your brother send documents to the grain transport office at the end of the year. But now that he wants to leave early, we have to find another way."
"I almost forgot about this, but Sanlang still remembers it." Yang Shu was deeply moved.
Xu Lai asked, "Is your elder brother in Guangzhou right now?"
Yang Shu shook his head: "They've gone to escort the salt shipment; I don't know when they'll be back."
"This is not a good idea. I want to take him to see Judge Chen right now," Xu Lai said, frowning in thought.
Yang Shu said, "Since Cai and Chen are personally overseeing this matter, my brother's credit should not be taken away by anyone."
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Xu Lai shook his head: "The important thing is the written record. Your brother needs to compile his experience in transporting salt into a detailed written record to help the grain transport commissioner reform the salt transport system and identify any shortcomings. Only in this way can he gain recognition; otherwise, it will be difficult for him to be promoted based on his merits. If I am not here, it will be difficult to submit this written record."
The Importance of PowerPoint!
"It's alright, we'll find another opportunity later." Yang Shu didn't want to trouble Xu Lai any further.
Xu Lai said, "In doing anything, you can't just wait around; you have to plan ahead and do your best. If you become an official in the future, you should do the same."
"Sanlang's words of advice are correct," Yang Shu kept in mind.
He was several years older than Xu Lai, but he didn't think there was anything wrong with being reprimanded by Xu Lai; it seemed like it was already a matter of course.
Xu Lai said, "Write a poem praising Judge Chen for the folding fan I gave you. Tomorrow, I will take you to see Judge Chen, and from now on you can deliver documents yourself."
"Okay!" Yang Shu nodded.
The next day.
Xu Lai, accompanied by Yang Shu, went to the Transport Commissioner's Office to request an audience.
Yu Jing's disciple's influence was quite effective; he didn't have to bribe the doorman and was able to get received smoothly.
They waited for a moment in the small hall before being taken by clerks to see Chen Congyi.
When the two met, Chen Congyi remembered Yang Shu: "Are you the student from that prefecture who fought off the salt bandits on the strait ship last year?"
"It is indeed I who am younger," Yang Shu said.
Chen Congyi didn't take the recommendation of a low-ranking military officer seriously at all, but at this moment he finally remembered Yang Xun: "What position does your elder brother hold now?"
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Yang Shu replied, "My elder brother was appointed as a military officer in charge of guarding the palace, dispatched by the Guangdong Provincial Grain Transport Commissioner, and is currently in charge of escorting the salt shipments."
"Escorting the salt shipment is a very important task, so you must do it well," Chen Congyi said.
Following Xu Lai's script, Yang Shu raised his voice and said, "Whether officials or commoners, everyone needs salt, and the salt transport is a matter of great national importance. Unfortunately, in the past, there were many thieves and adulterators, which ruined the imperial salt laws. Now, fortunately, we have two officials in charge of the grain transport who are loyal to the emperor, love the people like their own children, and are doing their best to reform the Guangdong salt transport system. My elder brother was recommended by Judge Chen and is deeply indebted to him. He has vowed to ensure the salt transport is handled properly!"
Chen Congyi liked to hear this. Although he and Cai Kang were carrying out reforms, many of their subordinates were only superficially compliant. Chen Congyi would be very pleased if military officers worked diligently and strictly adhered to the reform guidelines.
Chen Congyi encouraged him, saying, "As long as your brother works diligently, the transport commissioner will not fail to notice."
Yang Shu added, "My elder brother also studied at the prefectural school before. He plans to write down his experience in escorting salt shipments at the end of the year, which may help the grain transport department to identify and fill any gaps in its work."
Upon hearing this, Chen Congyi turned to look at Xu Lai.
Xu Lai lowered his head and remained silent.
A military officer who had studied at the state school, and who was recommended by himself, was willing to implement the reform plan and even summarize the experience to identify and fill gaps.
Chen Congyi is exactly the kind of person he needs right now!
Chen Congyi asked, "Is your elder brother in Guangzhou right now?"
Yang Shu replied, "My elder brother is currently escorting salt shipments."
"Once he returns to Guangzhou, bring him to see me immediately," Chen Congyi said.
Yang Shu was overjoyed: "I will certainly not fail in my important mission as the grain transport commissioner!"