Chapter 68 Shocking News [Subscribe]

Li Nuo did not expect that Mr. Zheng, who died tragically at home, was actually a Jinshi in the 18th year of the Zhisheng reign.

Although his ranking is not high, at least he can get a ninth-rank job. How could he end up being a businessman?

This instantly aroused his curiosity.

In Daxia, the status of merchants was not high, and officials, even if they were only of the ninth rank, were still the best of the best. It was hard to imagine that anyone would give up fame and fortune and quit their official position to go into business.

He looked at Song Zhe and said, "Father-in-law, please show me Zheng Tianxing's file..."

Ministry of Personnel, case documents library.

Before the two of them finished their game of chess, Feng Lingshi returned and said helplessly, "Fang Zhanggu, I have to trouble you again to find the files of an official named Zheng Tianxing..."

Fang Zhanggu also muttered in surprise: "What happened today? Why did Lord Song suddenly want so many sealed files..."

Feng Lingshi said, "It's not Lord Song, but his son-in-law who wants to see him. I met him at the last birthday banquet of Old Lady Song. It seems that the son of Lord Li, the Minister of the Dali Temple, is really not stupid anymore..."

Fang Zhanggu didn't ask any more questions. He took out the key again and walked into the warehouse.

At this time, the young chief slowly stood up and said to the warehouse: "Master Fang, I have something to do and need to go out for a while. I will be back in a moment. I will leave this place to you..."

A faint voice came from the empty document library: "Go ahead, I'm here..."

The young Zhang Gu looked back, then turned and left in a hurry.

At this moment, in a duty room of the Ministry of Personnel, Li Nuo was flipping through a new file.

It was Zheng Tianxing’s file.

Like Gu Wenhan, Zheng Tianxing was a Jinshi in the 18th year of the Zhisheng reign, and both were ranked last on the Jinshi list. Even their first jobs were in the same place.

Gu Wenhan was the proofreader of the Neizhi Bureau of the Eastern Palace, and Zheng Tianxing was a clerk of the Neizhi Bureau. Both were civil servants in charge of the prince's studies. It was very likely that they knew each other and were probably friends.

However, after the Crown Prince's death and the dissolution of the Eastern Palace, the lives of the two have taken different paths.

Gu Wenhan chose to stay in the officialdom. He started as a ninth-rank county lieutenant in a remote county and gradually rose to the seventh-rank county magistrate in a prosperous area in the south of the Yangtze River. His experience was quite inspiring.

Unfortunately, he gradually fell into depravity in officialdom and eventually ended up with a tragic ending in which his family was broken up and his loved ones were killed.

Zheng Tianxing was different from him. Perhaps he had no interest in officialdom, or perhaps he felt there was no hope of promotion. After leaving the Eastern Palace, he completely gave up his official position and went into business.

He no longer served as an official, and the Ministry of Personnel's files on him were recorded here.

Because he had handled his case personally, Li Nuo knew clearly what happened after Zheng Tianxing became a businessman.

Anyone who could pass the imperial examination, where thousands of people compete to pass the narrow bridge, and become a Jinshi, even if he was the last one, would still be a rare talent among men.

Zheng Tianxing's business talent was also outstanding. In just a few years, he accumulated huge wealth and became a famous wealthy businessman in Chang'an.

Li Nuo felt that his ability to accumulate capital so quickly in such a short period of time was inseparable from the connections he had when he was an official.

He remembered very clearly that on the day of Zheng Yuanwai's 50th birthday, many court officials came to his home.

These connections may not enable him to achieve anything in official circles, but if he just wants to make money, it would be easy for him.

Zheng Tianxing's choice is undoubtedly wiser than Gu Wenhan's.

The waters in the officialdom are much deeper than those in the business world.

In many high-end business wars, the simplest means are still used.

But high-end party struggles can devour people silently without leaving anything behind.

If you lose in business, you just lose some money.

If one loses in officialdom, it is common for property to be confiscated and the family to be exterminated.

Although Zheng Tianxing's final ending was not too good, and it could even be said that he died miserably, but at least the Zheng family was still there, which was undoubtedly much better than the Gu family which was confiscated and exterminated.

Regarding Zheng Tianxing, Li Nuo just happened to see a familiar name and suddenly wanted to learn more about it. After reading it, he returned the file, said goodbye to his father-in-law, and left the Ministry of Personnel with his wife.

Butler Wu's carriage was waiting outside, and he asked, "Master, Madam, where are you going back to?"

Li Nuo thought for a moment and said, "Let's go home first and move some books to the Song Mansion."

Song Jiaren looked at Li Nuo for a second longer. It seemed like he wanted to stay in the Song Mansion for a long time?

She moved her lips, but finally got on the carriage silently.

Just as the carriage was heading towards Li's Mansion, a young figure had already arrived in front of a government office in Chang'an.

After being informed by the gatekeeper, the young official of the Ministry of Personnel named Zhao He slowly walked into the tall government office and looked around curiously.

Although he was in the Ministry of Personnel, the top of the six ministries, he was just a low-ranking official in charge of the warehouse. He didn't know when he would be able to hold real power...

After passing through a ceremonial gate and walking down several long corridors, he arrived in front of a tall and magnificent government office.

An official led him into the yamen, then left and closed the door.

Zhao He stood in front of a screen and could vaguely see a figure sitting at the table behind the screen.

He took one look and then lowered his head, not daring to look again.

Not long after, a faint voice came from behind the screen: "What's the matter?"

Zhao He raised his head and said quickly, "Your Excellency, half a year ago, you told me that if anyone looked up the files of Qinghe County Magistrate Gu Wenhan, I should report to you immediately..."

There was a rubbing sound of tables and chairs coming from behind the screen. It seemed that the man stood up from his chair and asked, "Has anyone checked Gu Wenhan's file?"

Zhao He said: "The son of Lord Li, the Minister of the Dali Temple, just went to the Ministry of Personnel and retrieved Gu Wenhan's files."

He glanced behind the screen, curious about the status of this gentleman and why he cared so much about a small seventh-rank county magistrate who had died.

Behind the screen, a figure sat down again.

At today's morning court session, because of the assassination of Li Xuanjing's son, Gu Wenhan's case from a year ago was also brought up again.

The assassin was related to the Gu Wenhan case, so it was not surprising that someone requested his file.

If it's just about reviewing the files, there's nothing to worry about.

Gu Wenhan deserved to be put to death, and he borrowed the knife from Li Xuanjing, so no one could find out about him. I'm afraid even Li Xuanjing didn't know that he was being used.

At this time, Zhao He hesitated for a moment and could not help but said, "Sir, I have always kept your instructions in mind. I dare to ask, when will you transfer me from the Ministry of Personnel..."

"What's the hurry?"

The voice behind the screen said indifferently: "Although Zhang Gu is only a small official, it is also a good position to hone your skills. Nowadays, the officialdom of Da Xia is so complicated and full of dangers. If you don't calm down and hone your skills for a few years, how can you survive in the officialdom in the future?

"You are my fellow townsman. I will need you in the future, but I don't want you to die so soon and become a stepping stone for others to get promoted..."

"But……"

"Don't say but. Do you think it's easy for a Jinshi who ranks last to stay in Chang'an? Under normal circumstances, you can at most be a county lieutenant. Although the Ministry of Personnel is small, it is the core of the court. It will be very convenient for you to be promoted and transferred in the future...

"It's rare to have a fellow countryman of mine in the court. As long as you work hard for me, after a few years, when your character has been tempered, I will naturally help you. I guarantee that you will be promoted by at least five levels within ten years. If you were not from the same hometown as me, you would not have this opportunity..."

Zhao He counted on his fingers. He was currently at the ninth rank. If he were to rise five levels, he would be at the sixth rank. Although he was still a little short of his dream of being in the imperial court, he still had a long way to go. As long as he had a backer, it would only be a matter of time before he would rise to prominence...

He seemed to have seen that day. He knelt on the ground with a plop, kowtowed several times, and said excitedly: "Thank you, sir, thank you, sir!"

The figure behind the screen shook his head and said, "Look, you've forgotten what I just said. Remember, being able to remain calm even when facing a disaster is the foundation of being an official. Even if something huge happens, you can't let others see it..."

"Yes, yes, I will remember your teachings..."

Zhao He got up from the ground and nodded repeatedly. Then he remembered something and said, "Oh, sir, in addition to Gu Wenhan's files, that person also retrieved files from several other counties in Xuanzhou, as well as files from an official named Zheng Tianxing..."

"What!"

Behind the screen, there was a sound of shock, followed by the sound of tea cups falling and shattering, the sound of tables and chairs being knocked over, and the sound of people screaming in pain from being scalded by hot tea. The scene was in chaos...

(End of this chapter)