"Brother, what are you thinking about? Your teeth are about to fall out!"

Jing Zhe patted him on the shoulder and reminded him.

Yu Haixing then turned around and looked at him, "Where were we?"

"Speaking of my desire to become stronger!"

"Yes, speaking of what you want—oops, what do you mean you want to become stronger?"

Yu Haixing spat in dissatisfaction, "Speaking of which, the gap between you two will only widen! Just look at how Senior Sister is now the head of Wuxian Garden. Officials below the fifth rank in the imperial court have to be polite to her. If she were to advance another step, what would become of her?"

"You still want to become stronger? You're just a commoner, powerless and without influence, how can you become stronger? Even if you try to pass the imperial examinations, at best you'll only become a minor official of the seventh rank. And do you know how difficult it is to rise to the first rank? Some people never reach the first rank in their entire lives. How can you compare to my senior sister?"

"Moreover, even among the seventh-rank officials, there are different ranks. If you are assigned to a powerless and insignificant department, apart from receiving a meager salary, being an official is no different from being a commoner!"

"So I advise you to give up on this idea as soon as possible!"

After listening, Jing Zhe nodded again, cupped his hands and said, "Brother Huanxing's words have truly enlightened me. Thank you so much!"

"You understand now? What do you understand this time?"

"Now I understand. If you want an official position, you need a high-ranking one. If the rank isn't high enough, then you need one with real power!"

"..."

Looking at Jing Zhe's serious expression, Yu Haixing wondered if there was something wrong with his brain.

Why can't I grasp the main points when listening to people speak?

And what's more, they want official positions?

Can you really get an official position by asking for it?

Do you think official positions are like food, something you can just kneel down and open your mouth to ask for? Then everyone else could just do nothing and directly ask for an official position!

Yu Haixing looked Jing Zhe over carefully again and felt that he was still too young, living in his own world, and had never even seen a slightly higher-ranking official, which was why he was so naive!

Haha, no wonder you have no feelings about your family background!

If only I could show him my true strength, he would feel ashamed and back down!

Just as Hai Xing was lost in thought, the door of Wuxian Garden was pushed open, and a man dressed in official robes walked in.

The man in official robes entered and stared at Yu Haixing, stunned.

"Second...Second Young Master?"

"General Yu!"

Yu Haixing looked at the newcomer with excitement.

This world is so amazing! He was just thinking about when he could show Jing Zhe his family's strength, but he didn't expect his family to arrive so soon!

"You guys are quick on your feet. I've only been back in Jingzhou for half an hour, and you've already come looking for me. Haha!"

After chuckling twice, Yu Haixing walked over to Jing Zhe and pointed to the burly man in official robes, saying, "Let me introduce you. This General Yu Zecheng is His Majesty's personally appointed Protector General of the Prefecture, a fourth-rank official! You think the Prefect of Jingzhou has a high enough rank? Haha, this General Yu's rank is just as high, isn't it impressive? But General Yu has to listen to my uncle!"

After hearing this, Jing Zhe quickly gave Yu Haixing a thumbs up and said enviously, "You're really amazing!"

Seeing Jing Zhe finally reveal an "envious" look, Yu Haixing felt completely relieved, feeling that his previous advice had not been in vain.

He then said smugly, "Come on, tell me what's so great about it! If you do a good job, I can show you around. You've probably only heard of the prefect of Jingzhou City, right? I can introduce you to him then, but don't get the wrong idea, it's just an introduction."

Jing Zhe waved his hand, "No need for introductions, but I think your names are all very impressive, one is alright..."

Then he looked at the general guarding the prefecture, "One Yu Zecheng..."

When Jing Zhe looked over, Yu Zecheng actually nodded and smiled at him in a simple and honest way, as if he was trying to please him. Jing Zhe instantly felt a strong undercover agent vibe from him.

Yes, he truly lives up to his name, Yu Zecheng!

"You're good with words, but you're too timid!"

Yu Haixing looked somewhat disappointed, but more importantly, he couldn't show off his connections, so how could he pretend otherwise?

"He's just an official, what are you afraid of? Don't think that just because he's high and mighty in the eyes of ordinary people like you, you can't get close to him. Let me tell you, in my eyes, he's just an ordinary guy!"

Yu Haixing tilted his head back, finally finding a sense of superiority, but Jing Zhe didn't speak, only smiled.

At this moment, Yu Zecheng came up and quietly pulled Yu Haixing back a little.

Is he afraid of the authorities?

He had just brought down the previous government, and the current government, having heard that he was going to visit him after taking office, was struggling to find someone to introduce them.

You want to introduce him to the prefect? ​​The prefect would be overjoyed!

Although Yu Zecheng had never met Jing Zhe before, Jing Zhe's name was well-known. As soon as he entered Jingzhou, he facilitated the royal business of strong liquor, dismissed Wu Yong from his post as prefect, and then won first place in the poetry competition, becoming a favorite of Emperor An.

Most importantly, the Duke of Huguo just returned to his residence and told him about Jing Zhe's miraculous deeds today, urging him to come over...

Upon entering, Yu Zecheng thought he was the first to arrive and was initially quite confident. However, seeing how "harmonious" his second young master was with him, Yu Zecheng broke out in a cold sweat.

"Young Master Jing..."

"Huh? General Yu, you know him?"

Yu Haixing was quite surprised when Yu Zecheng, who came to pick him up, suddenly started talking to Jing Zhe.

Jing Zhe also asked curiously, "Does this general know me?"

Yu Zecheng smiled broadly: "Young Master Jing's name is known to everyone in Jingzhou. I am neither deaf nor mute, so of course I know Young Master Jing!"

Yu Haixing: It seems... I've been offended?

Yu Zecheng, oblivious to the ambiguity in his words, continued, "I have come here on the orders of our Duke Huguo to invite Young Master Jing to a banquet at our Duke's residence!"

You're not here to pick me up?

Yu Haixing: I have been offended again…

"Eh, why did Duke Yu suddenly decide to host such a banquet for me—"

As he spoke, he glanced at Yu Haixing and asked, "Just an ordinary citizen?"

Yu Haixing blinked, wanting to hear who Jing Zhe was, how he became so well-known, and how he managed to get an invitation from his uncle.

"I heard that His Majesty plans to bestow an official position upon Young Master Jing at tomorrow's morning court session. Therefore, our Duke would like to invite Young Master Jing to his residence to discuss this matter. As long as Young Master Jing is willing to serve under our Duke, he can simply state what official position he desires. Even if it is only a fourth or third rank, our Duke can strive to secure one for Young Master Jing!"

Since there were no outsiders present except for Jing Zhe and Yu Haixing, Yu Zecheng did not avoid suspicion and directly stated his intentions.

Regardless of the dynasty, talent is highly valued, especially the miraculous performance Jing Zhe has displayed today. Bringing him into their camp has become a major concern for many ministers.

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