Chapter 3340 Running Errands

Zhou Silang was still arranging the things he had brought back in the front yard. After he had arranged his luggage, he ran over to Mr. Zhuang and said, "Sir, it's still early. I'll go find Lord Yang and ask about the situation."

"Go ahead."

Zhou Silang ran to Yang's house, but didn't find anyone there. He then went to the Ministry of Revenue in the imperial city and finally found the person.

Yang Heshu handed Zhou Silang the admission letter and note, and said, "You've returned just in time. They just started school yesterday. They should take a short break today and start school tomorrow. Being late for too long will not only make a bad impression on the teachers, but also tarnish your image in front of your classmates."

Zhou Silang agreed, "He actually went in."

Yang Heshu smiled. A painting of the sage Laozi that could be passed down from generation to generation could be obtained not only by giving it to Confucius but also through the emperor's back door.

But in his opinion, going through the prince's back door is the easiest.

There was no need for the "Portrait of the Sage Laozi". Considering the kindness Mr. Zhuang had shown the prince over the years, the Eastern Palace would definitely be willing to do him a favor as long as he asked. Zhuang Jiran also met the requirements and was within the admission range of the Imperial College.

Now that the Eastern Palace has spoken, the Imperial College will definitely not refuse.

However, Mr. Zhuang simply did not want the Eastern Palace to interfere. As for his students, he was wholeheartedly devoted.

This matter was no secret in the capital. On the 25th, the Imperial College announced the list of children of officials who were admitted this year.

Zhuang Jiran was enrolled in the Imperial College. Among a group of young men aged 19 and 20, he was considered quite old.

And behind each person's name is written their place of residence and who they are benefiting from...

Zhuang Xun is now the Prince's tutor. As soon as his name appeared, everyone couldn't help but pay attention to him.

This attention revealed the problem.

"At this age... wasn't it said that there were many students admitted this year, and the children of officials who were under the age limit were rejected?"

"This is Master Zhuang's first time recommending someone for admission, and he's his own grandson. Perhaps the Imperial College will give him a good recommendation."

"Prime Minister Tang recommended a nephew this year, and his age was also under the age limit, but the Imperial College rejected him rudely as usual. If they treated the Prime Minister like this, what about Master Zhuang?"

"Did the East Palace come forward?"

After everyone inquired carefully, they found out that Donggong did not show up, but Yang Heshu did, and Yang Heshu was asked by Bai Shan to do so.

I wonder why you all know so much about this?

That was of course because Kong Jijiu got the "Portrait of the Sage Laozi" and was so excited that he invited all his friends to come and appreciate it together.

"This painting..."

Everyone's expression went blank for a moment when they saw this painting.

This is a very famous painting, so famous that before it appeared, countless people in the world were looking for it, and after it appeared, countless people were staring at it.

There are even collectors who secretly spread the word that the painting is now in the hands of Bai Shan, the fourth branch of the Bai family in Longzhou.

So when they suddenly found it in Kong Jijiu's hands, everyone was shocked.

When Kong Jijiu's close friends saw the painting, their first thought was, "You copied it? It's quite similar!"

Kong Jijiu was furious, "This is the real thing, it's real!"

"Isn't the real thing in Bai Shan's hands? I heard that Bai Jieshizhong went back to his hometown to worship his ancestors and took a full fifty-day leave."

Kong Jijiu said seriously, "This painting is mine now."

"How did you get it?"

Kong Jijiu said: "My students gave it to me. It is only natural for students to show their filial respect to their teachers."

When everyone heard this, they remembered that Bai Shan was also a student of Kong Jijiu. After all, whether in the Imperial College or the Chongwenguan, the chief officer was Kong Jijiu.

"That's not right. Bai Shan is not in the capital. If he had sent you off before leaving the capital, would you have waited until now to invite us to enjoy it together?"

"This is a gift from Changbo."

"Yang Changbo, Yang Heshu?"

Seeing him nod, several people were surprised and grabbed him to ask, "Was it Yang Heshu who asked you to do something, or was it Bai Shan? What is it that makes you willing to give away the 'Illustration of the Sage Laozi'?"

Kong Jijiu ignored them and asked, "Do you still appreciate the painting? If not, I will put it away."

"Reward, reward, reward. Before, we had no friendship with Bai Zhishan, so it was not easy for us to come to him to ask for an audience. Now that we have fallen into your hands, I will see you through to the end no matter what."

Then the list was announced, and everyone understood it after a little thought.

It is well known that Yang Heshu and Bai Shanzhou Man have a good relationship. It seems that this painting was still given by Bai Shan so that Zhuang Xun's grandson can go to school.

Everyone sighed in admiration, but the ones who were most envious were Zhuang Xun and Kong Jijiu.

A teacher can be so valued by his disciples; a teacher himself also benefits from it, how envious.

For such a small matter, Zhuang Xun could just go through the back door of the East Palace. Why would he need a painting of the Sage Laozi to pave the way?

In the final analysis, Zhuang Xun was reluctant to embarrass the prince, and Bai Shan was reluctant to embarrass Zhuang Xun.

With disciples like this, what more could a teacher ask for?

Everyone was envious of him, so before Zhuang Jiran even entered school, his name had already spread throughout the Imperial College.

Everyone wanted to see what Master Zhuang's grandson looked like.

Yang Heshu looked up at the sky and said to Zhou Silang, "I will go to see Mr. Zhuang after I get off the yamen." There were some things he had to remind Mr. Zhuang face to face.

The wind in the capital is blowing so strong and fiercely. Who knows who is behind it and why?

Zhou Silang agreed and took the things back to see Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the acceptance letter and the note. "Did Lord Yang tell me why Kong Jijiu agreed?"

"No," Zhou Silang said, "but Lord Yang will come over after he leaves the yamen."

Mr. Zhuang nodded.

Zhou Silang stood up and said, "Sir, I'll go ask the kitchen to prepare dinner. You've been tired all the way here, so take a shower and have a good sleep. I'll call you later in the afternoon when we're almost done with the court."

Mr. Zhuang nodded and said, "You should take a rest too. You've been in charge of this whole journey."

Zhou Silang said nonchalantly, "I'm young, it's okay."

Yang Heshu went to see Mr. Zhuang, mainly to remind him of the public opinion within the Imperial College. "I'm afraid the rumors within the Imperial College will spread like wildfire for a while, which will definitely be detrimental to the new students, Second Master Zhuang..."

Mr. Zhuang smiled and said, "Others may be distressed, but I'm afraid it won't be of much use to my grandson. Lord Yang, don't worry."

Yang Heshu stopped there and talked about Bai Shan, asking with a smile, "He asked for a fifty-day vacation, and thirty days have passed. Where is he now?"

Mr. Zhuang calculated the days and said, "They should still be on their way to Shangzhou, but it will be there soon."

Yang Heshu wrote, "Not long ago, he submitted a petition to dredge the river and develop the grain transport system, which caused a stir in the Ministry of Works and the imperial court. He seems quite content, hiding away from the capital, as if he has nothing to do with it."

Mr. Zhuang smiled and asked, "This is a good thing, what's the trouble?"

"This is a lucrative job. Everyone agrees to dredge the river and develop water transport, but there's been a debate over who should be responsible."

Mr. Zhuang was slightly startled and asked, "What does Lord Yang mean?"

"If Bai Shan submits a petition in the capital, he can not only recommend candidates for this matter, but perhaps he can also take charge of this matter himself."

Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment and then shook his head. "Since he chose this moment to submit the petition, it's clear he had no intention of doing anything about it. There are countless capable officials in the court, so it won't be difficult to find the person responsible."

It is not difficult, but it is not easy to get this job.

Good night

(End of this chapter)