200. Assistant Minister of Personnel
In front of the Chen Mansion, Chen Liqin smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes and bowed to listen to the order.
"Chen Liqin, the Tongzhi of Luocheng, Yuzhou, has been honest and impartial in his duties, setting an example for his subordinates. He has shown consideration for the people's feelings and provided them with compassion, making them happy to serve and ensuring that the state's revenues are not in vain..."
"Imperial decree: Chen Liqin, the co-magistrate of Luocheng, Yuzhou, is transferred to the position of Junior Magistrate of the Magistrates' Office and appointed to the Eastern Palace."
In front of the Chen Mansion, officials from the capital were exhausted.
After he finished reading the document, he politely handed the dragon-patterned yellow paper to Chen Liqin, and with a smile on his face, he said, "Congratulations, Master Chen. When we parted in the capital three years ago, I knew we would have a chance to meet again, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. When Master Chen returns to the capital, I hope you will continue to support me."
The wrinkles on Chen Liqin's face from wind and sun smoothed out. He had been in Luocheng for three years since he came from the capital. Although he knew that he would have to go back sooner or later, when this day finally came, he still felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.
But he still had doubts in his heart. The official position that his family had previously arranged for him was not Shaozhanshi, but Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites.
While following the Crown Prince was a good idea, the current situation in the capital was turbulent, and intervening in the fight for the throne was not something he wished to do. He was a civil servant who followed the rules and did his job well, but he was not a capable official who was good at adapting to changing circumstances. He was afraid that he would not be able to follow the Crown Prince.
Why would his family arrange this job for him?
Before he could think about it, Zhang Zhuo exclaimed on the stone steps in front of the Chen Mansion, "Wow!" and said in an exaggerated tone, "A fourth-rank official, Young Master Zhanshi! What a generous gesture from the Chen family! I'm afraid Lord Chen personally went to the Imperial Court to ask for this position for you. From now on, I must show more respect to Lord Chen. A higher rank can crush a lower rank."
The prefect of Luocheng was of the fifth rank, the co-magistrate of Luocheng was of the fifth rank, and the junior magistrate of the Zhanshi Mansion was of the fourth rank. From then on, Chen Liqin's official position was two levels higher than Zhang Zhuo.
Chen Liqin glanced at Zhang Zhuo and said, "Master Zhang's promotion documents have arrived. Why are you teasing me?"
He took the document, confirmed it again and again, and breathed a sigh of relief. He hurriedly said to the official, "Master Li, you are too polite. I will need your continued care in the future. Wang Gui, take Master Li away..."
Chen Liqin almost subconsciously called out Wang Gui's name, but after calling it out, he remembered that Wang Gui had just been beaten with the cane twenty times and was bedridden.
It always feels a bit uncomfortable when you can’t find the tools you are used to.
Chen Liqin pondered for a moment and instructed a servant, "Please ask Master Li to stay at Runquan Garden and wait on him well."
After saying this, he turned to look at Lord Li and said, "Lord Li, you must be exhausted from the journey. Please go to your residence and rest first. The Chen family will reward you handsomely."
Lord Li couldn't stop smiling. With Chen Liqin's words, his "business trip" of hundreds of miles was not in vain.
At this time, another official was led to the gate of Chen's house by Zhang's servant. The official greeted them loudly and announced the good news: "Congratulations, Master Zhang! Congratulations, Master Zhang!"
But before he could finish, Zhang Zhuo stepped forward and grabbed the official's wrist: "Let me ask you
"Have you received the documents for Wang Daosheng's promotion? His mourning period has ended. Has Your Majesty made any appointments or dismissals?"
The official was stunned for a moment, then mumbled, "No... no, we only brought you and Master Chen."
Zhang Zhuo frowned, "Nonsense! His document is clearly already prepared. It only needs the cabinet's approval!"
The official hurriedly said humbly, "Master Zhang, I am of low rank and my words are not taken seriously. When I left Beijing, I didn't hear anyone mention Master Wang's reinstatement."
"Really?"
"Really not."
Zhang Zhuo sighed deeply, his figure becoming somewhat bleak. He murmured, "The officials are still the same as always. They have no tolerance for others."
The officials of the Ministry of Personnel were silent as a cicada. How could he have any say in the affairs of the officials in the Ministry? Even hearing such talk was a sin.
Zhang Zhuo glanced at him, then took the promotion document from his hand and said casually, "No need to read it, I know what it says. Zhang Zheng, take Lord Zhou to Baiyi Lane to listen to some folk music and relax. Also, give him the box that you prepared."
"Hey," Zhang Zheng ran back to the mansion happily, took out a small wooden suitcase, and led Lord Zhou into the carriage.
Chen Liqin stood at the door, looking at Zhang Zhuo who was standing on the steps below. "Why are you so worried, Master Zhang? Is it because this promotion is not what you want?"
Zhang Zhuo sneered, "Those who know me think I'm worried, while those who don't think I'm seeking anything. Although I, Zhang Zhuo, am obsessed with power, I also have more important things to worry about. Well, there's no point in talking to you any more."
Chen Liqin pondered for a moment: "Master Zhang, are you worried about Mr. Wang's reinstatement? But Mr. Wang and you have different political views..."
Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "Master Chen, the court is plagued by problems. It would be great to have people willing to work, regardless of whether they are suitable or not. By the way, you and I happen to be returning to the capital together. Why don't we travel together? Bandits are rampant in the Taihang Mountains. If we have more people with us, they will surely not dare to act rashly."
Chen Liqin was reluctant to return to Beijing with the Zhang family and remained silent. "You and I are officials appointed by the imperial court. How dare the Taihang Mountain bandits attack you and me?"
Zhang Zhuo said helplessly: "Nerd..."
Chen Liqin glared at him angrily: "Master Zhang, why are you saying that?"
Zhang Zhuo thought for a moment and said, "It's okay if our two families don't go together. You can let Chen Ji return to Beijing with me."
Chen Liqin was stunned, unsure of what Zhang Zhuo meant. Only Chen Ji understood that Zhang Zhuo was genuinely worried about the Taihang Mountain bandits and truly wanted to bring an official with him to protect him.
At this time, Liang hurried out of the house with the help of her maid.
Chen Liqin subconsciously glanced at Chen Ji and Zhang Zhuo, pondered for a moment, and then said in a deep voice: "Aren't you in the Buddhist temple? Why did you come out?"
Liang was about to cry, "Master, I have been reflecting on my mistakes in the Buddhist temple, but now that your promotion documents have arrived, you must host a banquet for guests. This matter concerns the reputation of the Chen family, so I will do my best."
She counted them carefully: "Master, you have to write and send the invitations three days before the banquet.
Three in a row would be respectable. Before the banquet, we have to prepare the ingredients, find a cook, and clean the house. Now that Wang Gui and I have both passed away, I am afraid that the others in the mansion cannot take care of it. You have never taken care of these things before..."
Chen Liqin hesitated.
These matters had always been handled by Liang and Wang Guizai, and he had never gotten involved. If he were to handle them personally, he would probably be overwhelmed.
Seeing Chen Liqin's hesitation, Liang turned to look at Chen Ji and said gently, "Chen Ji, you can see that there is a big happy event in our family. If we don't treat our guests well, they will laugh at us. I will take care of the banquet first, and we can discuss some things after the banquet is over, okay?"
Chen Ji smiled and replied, "You are right, the important thing is."
He knew that after this banquet, the Chen family would have to go to the capital, and Liang would still be needed to take care of the packing of luggage. How could they have time to reflect in the Buddhist temple?
It was this incident that made Chen Liqin realize that the Chen family really needed Liang.
However, Zhang Zhuo, standing by, said, "Why does my sister-in-law need to take care of this? Lord Chen and I were promoted together. If the promotion banquets were held separately, would the officials from Luo City attend my Zhang family's banquet or your Chen family's banquet? Wouldn't that embarrass the officials?"
Liang's expression changed slightly.
Zhang Zhuo smiled and said, "I have also been promoted this time, even higher than Lord Chen. This matter can be handled by my Zhang family. Lord Chen and I will attend together, so my sister-in-law and I don't need to worry about it."
Liang stood in front of the door, her fingers tightly gripping the maid's arm. She didn't know whether to leave or not.
Zhang Xia took Zhang Zhuo's arm and said, "Father, I'll help Mother with the preparations. Tomorrow I'll write the invitations and ask the chef from Yingxianlou to prepare the ingredients. I will not let Father and Master Chen down."
Zhang Zhuo praised her, "My daughter has grown up."
Liang was silent for a long while, then bowed deeply and turned back to the house. "Then I'll trouble you, Master Zhang and Miss Zhang Er. I'll return to the Buddhist temple now."
Chen Liqin was puzzled: "What official position did Master Zhang get promoted to?"
Zhang Zhuo glanced at him and said, "Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."
Chen Liqin was shocked. He was a third-rank official!
No wonder the official from the Ministry of Personnel just now was so humble, it turned out he was here to deliver documents to his superior!
Chen Liqin was puzzled and confused: "Master Zhang is now only one step away from entering the cabinet, how could he be promoted so quickly?"
"The hermit has a brilliant plan!" Zhang Zhuo turned and said softly to Zhang Xia, "My daughter, accompany me to meet Mr. Wang. Chen Ji, do you want to come with us?"
Chen Ji thought for a moment, and for some reason he didn't want to see Mr. Wang anymore: "Master Zhang, I just got home today and need to settle down, so I won't go."
"Okay." Zhang Zhuo waved his hand and left.
Chen Ji looked at Zhang Zhuo's back and felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him today.
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