Chapter 280 The Eunuch in Charge
Prefect Min pinched his nose and said to Master Xu, "Why is this Eunuch Shu not serving Concubine Yan in the palace? Why is he here with us? Have you found out anything?"
As the right-hand man of Prefect Min, Master Xu's ability to handle affairs was naturally beyond reproach. He actually found out that this kind of thing could be obtained by spending a little money. It was not difficult. "Eunuch Shu wanted to return home after achieving success. He asked for the favor of the Imperial Concubine and went back to worship his ancestors. It was also a coincidence that his hometown was not far from us. He came here to take a look and bring back some local specialties for the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."
After Master Xu finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Magistrate Min, and they both had a tacit understanding.
Prefect Min's eyes darkened, he nodded and said nothing.
Lingnan, like other places in Daqin, has special products as tribute every year, so there is no need for Eunuch Shu to come here specifically to look for any special products.
Besides, the Imperial Concubine was so popular around him. It was understandable that he had made it big and asked for leave to go back to his hometown to worship his ancestors, showing off proudly and showing off his power to make people envious. But if he said that he delayed returning to the palace in search of some local specialties - wasn't he afraid that if he left the palace for too long, other eunuchs would take advantage of the situation and please the Imperial Concubine and grab his position?
You have to know that eunuchs like them, even if they are favored by their masters, are just lowly slaves and are not irreplaceable.
If there is someone who satisfies the Imperial Concubine more, she may not necessarily require him to serve her.
Unless, looking for local specialties is just an excuse, he might have brought other secret orders.
In Lingnan, if someone from the palace really came with a secret order, it would most likely be related to Mr. Zhao Xiangzhao.
However, this was taboo, and neither Magistrate Min nor Mr. Xu dared to say it out loud.
Prefect Min had already made plans in his mind: first he would meet with Eunuch Shu, and then he would send someone to Yan Village in Gaolian County as soon as possible tomorrow.
Prefect Min led the officials of all ranks in the government office and greeted Eunuch Shu politely with smiles on their faces.
Eunuch Shu sat lazily in the gorgeous and comfortable carriage and was too lazy to get out. He just ordered the eunuch to lift a corner of the curtain and said a few fake polite words in a shrill voice and with a smile.
How could Prefect Min dare to argue with him? Still smiling, he personally led him and his party to stay in the post station.
He also quickly ordered people to arrange a banquet and entertain Eunuch Shu well in the evening.
Eunuch Shu was treated like this wherever he went, and he felt very happy and proud.
Under the bright candlelight, amidst the brocade curtains, Eunuch Shu sat in the main seat with an imposing aura, his round, fat face full of smiles. He was even more proud and satisfied as he listened to everyone's compliments and flattery while drinking and chatting.
He sighed from the bottom of his heart countless times: What's the point of studying? What's the point of working so hard to pass the imperial examination and become an official? For this person, luck is still the most important thing. For example, he followed the right master, which is better than anything else. These officials, big and small, are nothing in his eyes! They are all desperately trying to please him! As long as he is unhappy, he can easily decide their official careers, haha!
There were many people at the welcoming banquet and the atmosphere was full of gossip. Prefect Min originally wanted to test Eunuch Shu's words, but he could not find a suitable opportunity and had to give up.
That night, he gave instructions and told his confidant to set out at dawn the next day to go to Yan Village in Gaolian County to find the Zhao family.
Zhao Liya and the others had saved his youngest son's life, and they had become closer over the past two years. Furthermore, he had a genuine admiration for the Zhao family, especially due to their work on the road and harbor routes. And Mr. Zhao, upon arriving here, didn't wallow in self-pity or give up on himself. Instead, he established a school, teaching local children free of charge. It was said that he had discovered several promising young people who, even if they weren't qualified for official positions, could certainly become teachers.
Isn’t this how education continues step by step, generation after generation? When the accumulation and development reaches a certain level, there will naturally be results.
Based on all these things, it was impossible for Magistrate Min to guess something and then do nothing.
Of course, he would rather be wrong.
Magistrate Min was not wrong. The next morning, someone came from Eunuch Shu and asked him to come over, saying that Eunuch Shu wanted to ask him something.
Prefect Min said yes with a smile on his face, and immediately stood up and left, cursing in his heart. How could this eunuch take the court or the officials appointed by the emperor seriously? He was just a dog beside the concubines in the harem, but he had the confidence to boss these court officials around.
Eunuch Shu didn't care whether others were happy or not. He got up after getting enough sleep and casually gave instructions. When Prefect Min came over, he hadn't had breakfast yet.
Prefect Min could only wait outside the courtyard in frustration. After a long while, when Eunuch Shu had eaten and drunk his fill, had some tea to help digest his food, and took a short walk, he lazily ordered someone to bring him in for questioning.
"Where was Zhao Xiang exiled to? You should know, right?"
Prefect Min was startled, then lowered his head and smiled: "Of course I know. Their whole family was exiled to Gaolian County."
Shu Min nodded and said casually, "What has Zhao Xiang done in the past few years?" After saying that, he secretly stared at Prefect Min's reaction.
Prefect Min paused. "This place is quite far from Gaolian County, and I am usually very busy with official duties, with countless matters big and small. The people here are tough and like to stick together. If they start fighting over a disagreement, it will cause a big scene. I dare not be negligent or careless. I haven't heard of any accidents in Gaolian County, so I haven't paid much attention to it."
"I wonder what you're asking about? I only know that Zhao and Zhao Xiang seem to have opened a school, taking in a few farm children and teaching them daily. I don't know anything else."
Shu Min sneered at the words, "Is that so?"
This Zhao Xiang is really pathetic. He was once the Prince's tutor and the first-rank minister, but he has fallen to the point of teaching children from farming families.
It seems that Her Majesty and His Highness are worrying too much. They even suspect that Zhao Xiang is secretly in contact with the Crown Prince and even helps the Crown Prince contact and lobby other people. Ha, how could he have such ability!
Shu Min asked Prefect Min some other questions. Prefect Min only told him what he knew and kept silent about what he didn't know. He would never tell him anything that Shu Min didn't ask.
For example, Shu Min never imagined that Zhao Xiang's daughter and adopted son had such great abilities, made so much money, and accomplished so many things. So he never asked about Zhao Xiang's family, and Prefect Min naturally did not interfere.
Shu Min asked for a while, then said, "Tomorrow we will go to Gaolian County. Please send someone to the county government office to let them know."
Let the county government prepare for the reception.
(End of this chapter)
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