County Magistrate Zhao Ruohai was taking a nap in the study at the moment. When he heard footsteps, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked up.
Seeing that it was Xu Yan, he forced himself to smile and said, "Yi Shi, why are you here at the county government office instead of studying at home?"
"Teacher, I have come here to offer auspicious blessings."
Magistrate Zhao's sleepiness vanished instantly upon hearing this. Had he heard correctly? An auspicious offering?
It is better to believe in auspicious signs than not to believe in them.
Since Xu Yan came here so solemnly, there must be an explanation.
"Please look, Your Excellency."
Xu Yan carried the wooden basin and walked to County Magistrate Zhao. He placed the basin on the table and then took off the lid.
Magistrate Zhao looked closely and saw a white turtle moving slowly in the wooden basin. He subconsciously took a breath of cool air.
He had been studying and serving as an official for so many years, and of course he had heard of the legend of the white turtle, but he had never seen it with his own eyes.
I never thought that there really was such a sacred object in the world.
"Yishi, where did you get this white turtle?"
County Magistrate Zhao's beard trembled with excitement, and his face was full of smiles.
"To be honest, Master, this was something a servant of the mansion accidentally found while shopping. I dared not keep it to myself, so I came to present it to you."
Xu Yan thought to himself, "I can't possibly explain genetic mutation to you." He continued, "There's a saying that when a white turtle appears, a sage emerges. I believe the current emperor must be wise and powerful, which is why a white turtle appeared. Teacher, why don't you present this auspicious sign to the current emperor?"
Xu Yan's words really touched County Magistrate Zhao's heart.
After passing the imperial examination and being appointed an official, he had experienced more than a decade of ups and downs in the officialdom, yet remained a seventh-rank official. Magistrate Zhao had originally grown disheartened and planned to live a carefree life until retirement. Unexpectedly, he was rewarded by the governor for his contributions to defending the territory, and his future brightened.
This time, a white turtle suddenly appeared in Dinghai County. If it were presented to the emperor as a good omen, it would be a great achievement.
And both of these things were due to Xu Yan's contribution.
At this moment, County Magistrate Zhao felt that Xu Yan was his lucky star!
"Well, Yishi is right! The current emperor is wise and virtuous, so Heaven will allow the white turtle to appear. As an official of this county, it is natural for us to offer auspicious gifts!"
After a brief pause, Magistrate Zhao stroked his beard and continued, "However, this county cannot be too greedy for credit. This matter of offering auspicious signs is most appropriately done by the Governor. This county will send someone to Hangzhou to deliver the white tortoise to the Governor!"
Xu Yan felt relieved upon hearing this. He had been a little worried that County Magistrate Zhao would be too greedy to give the white tortoise to Zhu Wan, but now it seemed that County Magistrate Zhao was politically savvy enough.
In this way, although it was Zhu Wan who finally offered the auspicious sign, County Magistrate Zhao and Xu Yan would both be commended by Emperor Jiajing, which could be said to be a happy ending for everyone.
To pursue the path of imperial examinations and a place in the imperial court, one must have a strong background, and the most influential figure Xu Yan could currently reach was Zhu Wan. Only if Zhu Wan secured his position as Governor of Zhejiang would Xu Yan's future be bright.
"Teacher, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
"It's okay to just talk about it now."
Now County Magistrate Zhao was very fond of Xu Yan and waved his hand.
"Didn't Master inform the prefect in advance about this matter?"
County Magistrate Zhao laughed and said, "This county isn't that foolish. Let alone Magistrate Ma, this county will send someone to inform all the government offices in Hangzhou."
Xu Yan frowned and said nothing, but his heart was beating fast.
It seemed that Magistrate Zhao really valued this auspicious sign, viewing it as his only chance to turn things around. However, Xu Yan still felt it was inappropriate to inform only the Ningbo prefect.
"Master, in my humble opinion, you should go in person to present the auspicious omen, and accompany the prefect."
Reporting matters above one's proper authority is a taboo in officialdom. Magistrate Zhao, blinded by his position, had intended to present the auspicious omen to Zhu Wan but had bypassed the Ningbo prefect, a move that was inappropriate. As a bystander, Xu Yan could not bear to see Magistrate Zhao go astray.
If they really bypassed the Ningbo prefect and went directly to Zhu Wan, Prefect Ma might not say it out loud, but he would definitely keep making things difficult for County Magistrate Zhao in secret.
After all, he is the immediate superior, and County Magistrate Zhao cannot afford to offend him.
As for going there in person, firstly, it was to show his respect for Zhu Wan, and secondly, Xu Yan was worried that Zhu Wan would not accept this auspicious sign.
After all, Zhu Wan is too rigid, and having more subordinates to persuade him would be more effective.
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zhao's expression became somewhat solemn, and he began to tap his fingers repeatedly.
After a long silence, he sighed and said, "Yi Shi is right. I was indeed inconsiderate just now. Fortunately, Yi Shi reminded me in time, so that I would not make a big mistake and regret it too late. I will order people to prepare carriages and horses immediately, take this white turtle to Ningbo Prefecture, and then go to Hangzhou with the prefect!"
Seeing that County Magistrate Zhao had "repented and returned to the right path", Xu Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Students wish our teachers every success!"
Xu Yan flattered Zhao County Magistrate subtly, which made Zhao County Magistrate very uncomfortable.
"Yishi, you have done a great service in this matter. This merit will be remembered by the county!"
At this moment, County Magistrate Zhao was extremely impressed with Xu Yan. This young man was not only talented and learned, but also very tactful in his conduct. His future was undoubtedly limitless.
"I dare not take credit for it. I only hope that good officials like my teacher and the governor can be rewarded by the emperor and benefit the people of this area."
Seeing that he had almost finished talking, Xu Yan took the initiative to bow and leave: "I have to go home to review my lessons, so I won't bother you any more."
County Magistrate Zhao nodded slightly and watched Xu Yan leave with satisfaction.
Things like offering auspicious signs should not be postponed. Now that the decision has been made, County Magistrate Zhao immediately ordered the preparation of the carriage and he would go to the provincial capital in person!
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......
When Xu Yan returned home, he was in a very good mood.
As one of the millions of people in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, his influence is still too small.
But at least his act of donating grain saved the people of Dinghai County from starvation. Now, if Zhu Wan could win the favor of Emperor Jiajing by presenting auspicious signs, thus securing his position, perhaps the history of southeastern Fujian and Zhejiang would quietly change.
Maybe this is the butterfly effect.
This feeling is very wonderful. Xu Yan is no longer a speck of dust in the long scroll of history, but a person who changes history.
Perhaps Qi Jiguang could have come out of retirement earlier and been entrusted with important tasks, perhaps the Japanese invasion in the southeast could have been quelled earlier, and perhaps Zhu Wan would not have died...
Of course, if Xu Yan wants to truly and directly influence the course of history, he needs to enter the official career as soon as possible.
However, this year is the year of the big exam, and it will take at least three years for Xu Yan to pass the exam.
What Xu Yan needs to do now is to prepare for the exam actively and strive to win the provincial and academy examinations and obtain the title of scholar.
The road is long and arduous, but I will search for it up and down!
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