Chapter 46: Song Heng, a famous official
The scholar took the order and thought that Xie Lingxi was just a playboy who was greedy for women, so this would be easy to deal with.
“Also, send someone to look for the nine rare medicines. Although it is impossible for Jiang Rong to collect all nine rare medicines, I want to destroy one so that I can feel more at ease.” A hint of coldness flashed in Princess Anyang’s eyes.
"Yes!" The scholar took the order and left.
After the scholar left, Princess Anyang was the only one left in the room. She curled her lips into a cold smile:
"Mother Ling, your daughter can live for another six months. Are you happy? I want her to live in torment and pain for the rest of her life, just like me."
…
After settling the affairs of the Ceremonial Guard Department, Jiang Rong returned to Jinyu Garden.
"Princess Consort, Qiu Niang comes to see you." Feicui reported.
"Please ask her to come in."
Since Jiang Rong gave her a sum of money, Qiu Niang followed the instructions of the Crown Prince's wife to set up a bookstore. It took nearly a month to finally prepare everything and come back to report:
"Princess, everything in the study has been prepared."
This study was chosen in a slightly remote bluestone street as per Jiang Rong's request.
The location is very spacious, with a bookstore in the front, elegantly decorated and with a complete range of books. The backyard is a printing workshop.
Everything is ready, ready to open!
"Go ask around to see if there are any scholars who are good at writing. Hire two of them. I'll tell them in person what they will do for you." Jiang Rong said:
"Monthly fee, twice the price of a normal document."
Although Qiu Niang didn't quite understand what Jiang Rong was going to do, she obeyed his orders respectfully.
It is very common for wealthy families to hire some literati to handle clerical matters. But I don’t know what their bookshops do with these people?
After Qiu Niang left.
Feicui immediately bowed and said, "If the Crown Prince's wife wants documents that are good at writing, there are some in the palace..."
"No need, just look around."
She did need two clerks, but she was also fishing to see if she could catch someone.
Song Heng, a future famous official of the Great Xia Dynasty, was born in a poor family and lived near Qingshi Street.
It is said that when he was young, his parents died of illness one after another, and he spent all his savings on their medical treatment. The family, which was originally well-off, immediately fell into poverty.
He once made a living by writing letters, moving sandbags at the docks, and doing odd jobs in restaurants. It was rumored that he was almost tricked into working as a prostitute in a brothel because of his good looks...
He was among the last few on the list of Jinshi in such a difficult environment.
He did not go to a private school, but only taught himself the Four Books and Five Classics left by his father, but he was able to achieve such results. He was extremely talented.
Because of his low ranking and lack of connections in the court, Song Heng was assigned to be the county magistrate of a poor border county where no one wanted to go.
But he has amazing ability in governing and is an honest official.
No matter where he served as an official, he could always benefit the people. He was promoted step by step based on his political achievements and became the youngest important official among the six ministries.
He is a rare advocate of war among civil servants.
Finally, under the attack of political enemies, he died in prison for corruption. After his death, his house was searched, but no 100 taels of silver were found.
This man is upright and loyal, and not easy to be won over, but he is also loyal and righteous. Jiang Rong does not want to use him for her own benefit, she just wants to establish a good relationship with him in advance.
In the past, the Northern Palace had always kept itself out of trouble, but what was the result?
When the bird is dead, the bow is put away.
She needs to have her own power in the court to protect the Northern Palace. The war faction is in line with the Northern Palace and is a natural ally.
certainly……
Even if we cast a wide net, we may not be able to catch him.
This is just an appetizer; her real bait has not been released yet.
Even if we can't catch him this time, he will definitely come to us next time.
…
The next day, Qiu Niang came in with a thick stack of rice paper.
"Princess, after we spread the news, many people came to apply for the job. This is the self-recommendation letter they left. I'm sure that when the news spreads, more people will come."
Jiang Rong flipped through the pictures one by one...
After a while, I saw a familiar name - Song Heng.
His handwriting is timeless, flowing like clouds and water, and very beautiful. His writing style is also outstanding among this pile of articles...
He is worthy of being a future Jinshi, very outstanding.
Jiang Rong took out his article, and then picked out an article with outstanding writing skills from the remaining articles, and said:
"Just these two people. Let them meet me in the study tomorrow."
"yes."
…
Song Heng was wearing a long gown that was washed so much that it looked bleached, and was standing in front of the Wanjuan Study.
This was his most respectable outfit.
He went to the dock yesterday and moved sandbags for a whole day, but the monthly salary he earned was less than one-fifth of what he earned in the study.
He needs this job.
As long as he takes this job, he can pay off the remaining debt of his family within half a year.
When his father was seriously ill, he borrowed some money from his uncle to buy medicine for his father. Although the interest rate was high, it was at least one point lower than the loan. Song Heng paid it back for three years and was almost done.
The study in front of me is quiet and elegant.
The plaque has the words "Wanjuan Shuzhai" written in large letters. I don't know who wrote it and there is no signature, but the dancing dragons and phoenixes are unique in style. It must have been written by some great calligrapher.
The study has not yet officially opened.
Standing in front of the counter was a woman in plain clothes, smiling very amiably, without any of the arrogance of a manager of a wealthy family.
"Mr. Song is here. Please take a seat. My master will be here soon." Qiu Niang greeted him when she saw him.
"Thank you." Song Heng sat down in the study.
The servant made a pot of hot tea and brought some cakes.
"Mr. Song, you're here a little early. Please have a cup of tea and wait for a while." Qiu Niang said with a smile.
Song Heng said stiffly, "I came down a little early..."
The aroma of the pastries was tempting. Having only eaten one meal yesterday, his eyes unconsciously fell on the pastries.
But he restrained himself and just sat upright.
After waiting for about a cup of tea, an old scholar with a white beard walked in.
"Please take a seat, Mr. Zhou," Qiu Niang greeted.
The old scholar nodded rather arrogantly and sat down lazily. He used to be a teacher for a wealthy family. If he had not been a little tight on money, he would not have come to a small shop if he saw the price offered by this study was particularly high.
How much capital and background could one have to open a shop in a slum like Qingshi Street?
A loud voice came from outside: "The Crown Prince's Consort has arrived!"
Qiu Niang immediately stood up and went to greet them, "Your servant greets the Crown Prince's wife. The Crown Prince's wife is well, and the two clerks have arrived!"
Crown Princess? !
Zhou Xiucai jumped up from the table and chair, looking towards the door in disbelief.
The guards of the palace came in, escorting a woman wearing a goose yellow skirt embroidered with peony flowers.
Her every gesture and movement revealed the dignified demeanor of a noble lady from an aristocratic family.
This inconspicuous little study actually has a royal palace background?
Mr. Zhou's face was immediately filled with smiles. He bowed attentively and offered a bunch of auspicious words:
"I pay my respects to the Crown Prince's Consort! I wish the Crown Prince's Consort good health, good luck, and prosperity, and may the embroidery pavilion last forever ...
Song Heng was also stunned.
He also didn't expect that the person behind this study was actually a prince's consort.
"I pay my respects to the Crown Prince's wife." Song Heng stood up and saluted. He was not good at saying auspicious words, but he sincerely wished this generous host: "I wish you all the best."
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