"Didn't they say that there were two scarce and important positions in this assessment?" How could Hu Xu, as the top scorer and a second-place scorer, be assigned to the History Museum?
Hu Xu's smile faded a little. "Important official positions are naturally sought after by everyone. Among the successful scholars, there are also children of noble families. They are confident enough to compete."
Although the imperial examinations and the Ministry of Rites' assessments were fair, the allocation and dispatch were still determined by the Ministry of Personnel. After the Ministry of Personnel drew up a list, it was submitted to the Ministry of Palace Affairs for decision. Many of the officials had close connections with the Ministry of Personnel, so naturally, the children of the gentry were recommended for the scarce and important positions.
Although the sage can appoint positions, he cannot interfere too much in order to maintain a balance in the court. Moreover, it is hard to say whether it is fortunate or unfortunate for a top scholar without any foundation to be appointed to an important position.
So when the sage summoned him, he gave him two choices: a lucrative job or an important one.
An ordinary person, faced with these two choices, would have chosen the lucrative position without hesitation. However, Hu Xu had just experienced a political conspiracy, and seeing the lucrative position within his grasp, he became wary. After pondering the sage's intention in asking him to choose, his mind suddenly became clear, and he chose the important position without hesitation.
The sage immediately exclaimed "wonderful" and then appointed him to the History Museum as a writer.
Although he didn't know what was so great about this job, his intuition told him that he had made the right choice.
So he said to Xu Jiang: "This position is not bad. The skills I have learned here at the master's house can be put to good use."
Hearing this, Xu Jiang laughed heartily and said, "Come to think of it, if I agree to Lord Zhong Lu's appointment as an external editor of the History Museum, then we can be considered colleagues."
Hu Xu also smiled, then straightened his back and bowed solemnly to Xu Jiang, saying, "Without you, Master, there would be no Hu Xu today. Thank you for your kindness in giving me advice and for your guidance and introduction."
He should have come to thank her for this gift a long time ago, but he was held back by various things after high school and has been putting it off until now.
Xu Jiang was startled and hurriedly said, "We are all friends, you are too polite." No wonder he brought so many things today, and he came for this matter.
"My boss is not only a friend to me, but also a benefactor. I deserve this gift." As for that unspoken friendship, it will always be kept in my heart.
He had promised himself that he would confess his feelings to her after graduating from high school, but time waited for no one and she had already chosen Lou Yunchun. It was not until he got to know Lou Yunchun that he realized that the only difference between him and Xu Jiang was not timing, but need.
Xu Jiang didn't need someone like him.
Seeing his stubbornness, Xu Jiang had no choice but to accept the gift.
"Oh, I have something for you." Xu Jiang stood up and found an incense jar and handed it to Hu Xu. "I made it a few days ago, but I forgot to give it to you because of Mr. Du's accident."
Hu Xu took the incense pot and took a look. There was a piece of paper stuck on it with the word "Qingyu" written in small regular script.
"Qingyu, is this incense?"
Xu Jiang nodded, "Open it and smell it to see if it smells right."
When Hu Xu opened the lid, he smelled a faint bamboo fragrance, which made him feel refreshed.
"Is this the bamboo water fragrance that the boss once mentioned?"
"Well, the timing is perfect. I'll use this as your investiture ceremony to congratulate you on your meteoric rise to prominence."
She was always so flawless in her dealings with others. Hu Xu sighed with regret in his heart, but couldn't help but feel a little envious of Lou Yunchun. She was so considerate and thoughtful to her friends, let alone her closest relatives?
"I'm so glad you remembered, Master. Thank you." He carefully put away the incense pot, then stood up and said, "It's getting late. I should leave too."
Xu Jiang stood up to see him off, and when she reached the door, she saw Zeng chasing after her.
Zeng Zhui was riding a donkey. When he saw Hu Xu, he quickly dismounted and bowed to him, congratulating him: "Brother Zhuchun, I heard that you have been appointed as an assistant minister. Congratulations!"
Hu Xu smiled and said, "Thank you very much."
Xu Jiang saw that the donkey's sack was stuffed with books, so she asked, "Are you going to the private school?"
"Hmm," Zeng Zhui replied, scratching his head. He then pulled out a purse from his pocket and handed it to Xu Jiang. "This is the money I borrowed from you last time. I've collected it and am here to return it to you."
Xu Jiang asked curiously, "How did you get them all together?"
"I used to save money from writing articles for others, and I've been selling some more these days. Now that I've saved enough, I'm going to pay you back."
"Give it all back to me, and you won't drink anymore?" Xu Jiang pushed the purse back. "Keep it for yourself. Besides, I should have contributed to Mr. Du's matter."
Zeng Zhui forced the purse into her arms and said with a bitter face, "Master Lin's rules are even stricter than Lao Du's. If you follow him, forget about going out for drinks." Then he said to the two of them, "I've rented a house next to the academy and will be living there from now on. If you need anything, come to the academy and find me."
Lanlingfang is not close to Daixianfang. It is okay to go there occasionally, but if you have to run back and forth every day, you will spend a lot of time on the road. That's why he rented a house to save effort and worry.
Hu Xu said, "Since we happened to meet, why don't I go with you to see your new residence and visit Master Lin."
Zeng Zhui naturally responded without hesitation, "That's great! I just packed up yesterday and I just need someone to warm the house. Come on, come on."
After saying this, the two of them said goodbye to Xu Jiang and left together.
Xu Jiang looked at the friendly relationship between the two, as if she was seeing several gentlemen getting along with each other.
It’s hard to find a true friend.
The aftermath of the imperial examination cheating incident gradually subsided, and the bookstores returned to their former tranquility and bustle.
Recently, Xu Jiang and Liang Mo have been busy printing old editions of books that have obtained approval from the government office. It's not just her bookshop that's busy. Since the decline of Jisheng Bookstore and the fall of Zhou Huai, all the bookshops, bookshops, and engraving houses in the city, big and small, have been buying paper to print books, so the prices of paper and ink have skyrocketed.
Carvers and inkmakers were also sought after by various families. Even she herself was asked by Wu Qingchuang and Dan Si to carve a plate, but she declined because she was busy at the shop.
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