Normally, they would be on duty at the yamen in the afternoon, so they wouldn't dare to drink alcohol during lunch.
But today is different. After several days of hard work, everyone has finally relaxed and wants to have a good meal and then go back to rest.
With a smile on his face, Jiang Mingtao chatted and laughed with his colleagues as he walked out.
Last year, he was only a fifth-rank official. In previous years, he also served as the chief examiner for the autumn imperial examinations, but he went to other provinces. This year, he was promoted to a fourth-rank official, so he was able to serve as the chief examiner for the autumn imperial examinations in the capital.
By next year's spring imperial examination, it won't be his turn anymore, as the chief examiner for the spring imperial examination must be of the third rank or above.
However, Jiang Mingtao was already very satisfied.
As the chief examiner, he was surrounded by people as he left the Hanlin Academy, feeling extremely proud.
He is currently a fourth-rank Grand Lecturer in the Inner Cabinet. In terms of talent and knowledge, Jiang Mingtao believes that there are few people in the entire Hanlin Academy who can surpass him.
His teacher was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and his in-laws were members of the imperial family.
In a few years, his position might be moved up, and in his lifetime... he might even be able to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister like his teacher.
Jiang Mingtao was getting more and more excited, and he started walking with a sense of smugness. But as soon as he stepped out of the Hanlin Academy gate, he saw someone rushing towards him from the opposite direction. Startled, he shouted, "Assassin!"
He was a government official. In broad daylight, someone was charging at him recklessly. What else could he be but an assassin?
Are they troublemakers?
He hasn't offended anyone recently!
Upon hearing that there was an assassin, everyone panicked and scattered in all directions!
At such times, one's own life is of utmost importance. They were all scholars who were powerless to even kill a chicken, so they naturally had to hide when they encountered an assassin.
Jiang Mingtao's two attendants rushed over to protect him, and the guards at the gate of the Hanlin Academy also drew their swords and rushed over. Jiang Fuyi and Jiang Minghe, who had run over, turned pale and stopped in their tracks.
Jiang Fuyi was just excited to see his son and wanted to hold his son's hand, but he didn't expect that his son would mistake him for an assassin.
"Mingtao, my son, I am your father!" Jiang Fuyi was both angry and anxious. "Mingtao, it's been fourteen years. Don't you even recognize your father? Open your eyes and look at me! I am your father!"
"Big brother, it's me, your second brother, Minghe!" Jiang Minghe was also extremely anxious.
The eldest brother actually mistook them for assassins and even had someone point knives at them; it was terrifying.
Jiang Mingtao was dumbfounded upon hearing this.
He looked closely at Jiang Fuyi and Jiang Minghe. Although the two were dressed very poorly and looked very weathered, clearly from the countryside, they were indeed his father and younger brother.
"What are you doing here?" Jiang Mingtao was both angry and anxious, his head was buzzing, and he subconsciously shouted at them.
This is the entrance to the Hanlin Academy, with so many colleagues watching, yet his father and brother look so poor and shabby—it's utterly shameful.
Didn't he send five hundred taels of silver back before?
They didn't even buy some decent clothes to wear; they looked like refugees.
"Mingtao, don't be angry... We... our whole family came here to seek refuge with you." Jiang Fuyi quickly explained when he saw his son was angry.
He did want to yell at his son, but when he thought about how his son was now an official and no longer the poor boy who studied in Qingya Village, he couldn't scold his eldest son the way he scolded his second son.
Jiang Mingtao was furious after hearing his words.
Didn't he send someone to tell them not to come to the capital?
But to his surprise, his whole family showed up and blocked his way at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy.
He made them lose all face!
However, filial piety is the most important virtue. With so many people watching, Jiang Mingtao dared not show his dislike for them. He hurriedly said, "Father, last time I sent someone to Qingya Village to bring you to the capital, but you said you couldn't bear to leave your homeland and were unwilling to come. So I had someone leave five hundred taels of silver for you. I didn't expect you to come again. I am so happy."
Jiang Fuyi was dumbfounded. When would his son send someone back to pick them up?
Could it be... that they just left Qingya Village and missed each other?
Jiang Mingtao said to his two attendants, "Why don't you quickly invite the old master and the second master back to our residence?"
Jiang Mingtao looked at Jiang Fuyi and the others, forcing a smile, and said, "Father, Minghe, you go back to the manor first. My colleagues and I will have lunch and then go back to keep you company."
As the saying goes, if you're going to put on a show, you should go all the way. As soon as Jiang Mingtao finished speaking, he knelt down and kowtowed three times to Jiang Fuyi: "Father, your son greets you!"
"Good, good, good..." Jiang Fuyi was moved to tears when he saw his son become a high-ranking official and even kowtow to his father. "My son, please get up. I'll go back and wait for you!"
Jiang Mingtao was about to say something when he heard the voices of his colleagues.
"Lord Jiang, your reunion with your son is a joyous occasion. Let's meet again another day."
"Yes, Lord Jiang, it's more important to keep the old master company!"
"It is truly commendable that the old master has traveled a great distance to the capital to search for his relatives. Lord Jiang, please stay with the old master. We will meet again another day..."
"That's good, we'll invite you to a feast another day..."
"Going to Cuiweiju for tea would also be nice..."
Everyone started talking at once, all advising Jiang Mingtao to stay with Jiang Fuyi first.
Filial piety is the most important virtue. How can one abandon their elderly father to drink with their colleagues?
Everyone understands!
Although Jiang Mingtao had a smile on his face, his hands were clenched tightly together, only hidden by his wide sleeves, so no one could see it.
He specially arranged for two tables of fine food and wine at Penglaiju Restaurant, hoping to get together with his colleagues and win their hearts. Unexpectedly, his father and second brother ruined it.
In front of everyone, Jiang Mingtao didn't say much. After exchanging a few pleasantries with his colleagues, he left with Jiang Fuyi and Jiang Minghe.
As soon as he got into the carriage and the curtain was drawn, Jiang Mingtao was about to explode in anger, but then he heard Jiang Fuyi's voice.
“Son, your father has been standing at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy since early this morning. I’ve been standing here for more than two hours without a drop of water. I’m thirsty and hungry. Do you have anything to eat?” Jiang Fuyi asked weakly, unable to hold on any longer.
Jiang Mingtao gave him a disdainful look and ordered someone to get him some food.
After arriving at the inn where they were temporarily staying, Jiang Mingtao had two horse-drawn carriages hired to take everyone to Penglaiju.
He didn't want to ride in the same carriage with these people, even though they were his relatives. Jiang Mingtao still felt disgusted. Firstly, their clothes were too shabby, and secondly... these people had a strange smell that he really wasn't used to.
Upon arriving at Penglaiju, Jiang Mingtao immediately ordered the dishes to be served.
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