Chapter 119 His Schemes
When people are speechless to a certain extent, they really do want to laugh.
Dai Li sneered, "Do you think being a captain is so easy? To be fair, if you were Qin Changgeng, you would be eliminated in the first round of the selection process."
“Absolutely impossible. If he can do it, why can’t I?” Qin Shaozong said without even thinking.
Dai Li: "The recruitment process for pilots is extremely strict. With all those scars on your body, you can't become a pilot."
Qin Shaozong didn't understand what "captain," "recruited pilot," and "pilot" meant, but that didn't stop him from knowing the reason for the scar.
If it were anything else, he would definitely care. But for a man who has fought and bled on the battlefield, a scar is not necessarily a bad thing.
Therefore, Qin Shaozong was no longer bothered.
He said slowly, "So he wasn't an official after all. I thought you would marry one."
As a ruler, Qin Shaozong knew that power could only be concentrated in the hands of a few administrators. Those who embarked on an official career would ultimately be different from ordinary people, regardless of whether they served the country and its people or harmed them.
Dai Li was drawn into her memories by his words, and couldn't help but recall some past events.
Actually, it wasn't that there wasn't a chance. It's just that after carefully weighing the pros and cons, she ultimately gave it up.
When she was a junior in college, she had her third boyfriend, who was also her senior at the time. Later, she found out that her boyfriend's family was very wealthy, even more so than she had expected.
He was an only child; both his parents were civil servants, with his father holding a powerful position, and his maternal uncle's family had a large business. He himself landed a good job right after graduation, diligently following in his parents' footsteps. If there was one major obstacle in his life, it was probably... her.
He was determined to marry her, but his family was against it. His domineering parents believed that she had a complicated background and could not help their son.
Although at that time her boyfriend was very determined, you could even say he was defying the whole world and would marry no one but her.
But she was tired.
She was tired of his relatives always secretly contacting her, saying things that seemed peaceful but were actually barbed; she also knew very well that if they really got married, he, as an only child, could not completely cut himself off from his family.
Unless it involves a necessary turning point in her life, she never compromises herself. So, she broke up with the senior she had chosen from among her many suitors, the one who was also the most suitable for her.
It was a sudden, abrupt breakup; they broke up three times before finally ending things.
Despite hearing many stories from friends about his lingering feelings for her, Dai Li never regretted her decision.
If it's not a good match, it means we're not meant to be.
Life has many possibilities.
Qin Shaozong keenly sensed that Dai Li's silence was somewhat unusual, and he repeatedly called out, "Madam."
The sound wasn't loud, but in the quiet night, it wasn't hard to hear.
She didn't react, as if she were lost in thought, her mind wandering off somewhere. Qin Shaozong instantly connected this to her earlier comment about "cutting losses in time," and a thought suddenly occurred to him.
She said that being in a relationship does not equal being married.
Did she have another man before she married Qin Yanzhou's biological father?
Perhaps there is more than one.
This fox is incredibly cunning and adept at assessing situations; she'll flee at the slightest sign of trouble. If the environment of Peach Blossom Spring were truly this unique... she might very well be quite selective.
After all, even someone as powerful as him wouldn't be of any interest to her. If he hadn't been holding her back, she would have long since run off somewhere to enjoy herself.
Qin Shaozong's face gradually darkened.
Dai Li snapped out of her reverie, unaware that the person beside her was thinking of something else entirely. She found his slightly insincere regretful remark just now quite irritating.
How can the officials here be the same as those in later generations?
So Dai Li said, “Here, you enter officialdom through the recommendation system for filial piety and integrity, a path that is basically monopolized by the aristocratic class. If the father is an official, through manipulation, the son can inherit the father’s position. In their thirties, or even their twenties, they can become officials with real power.”
Take Qin Shaozong himself as an example. He went to the battlefield when he was a teenager and was granted the title of "Marquis of Wu'an" by imperial decree before he was even thirty years old.
This path paved with military merit was swift and efficient. However, aside from this treacherous route, he could have chosen inheritance, succeeding his father, the then-governor of Youzhou, as his official position.
Forget about irregularities; as long as the local Qin family is powerful enough, they are essentially local tyrants. Moreover, with the emperor currently weak and the ministers strong, the imperial court has virtually no control over the regions.
Qin Shaozong hummed in agreement, acknowledging that what she said was true. He wanted to say something else, but a strange curiosity was piqued. "Madam, doesn't Peach Blossom Spring select officials based on filial piety and integrity?"
Dai Li: "Of course not. The recommendation system for filial piety and integrity overemphasizes moral character, but its actual governance capabilities are still under investigation, and the probability of producing incompetent officials is very high. But Peach Blossom Spring is different. There is a fairly complete and rigorous system there, where everything is based on exam results. Whether you are from a noble family or a commoner family, as long as you want to pursue an official career, you have to take the exam. Only those with real talent and learning can be selected for employment."
After a pause, Dai Li added, "Of course, because the regulations are complex and the population is large, promotions won't be quick."
At least, you couldn't find another man in modern times who, before even reaching middle age, had such a firm grip on the entire northern region.
Qin Shaozong chuckled, his tone sarcastic yet smug, "In my opinion, Madam's last sentence is the most important."
Dai Li: "..."
"You'd better only hear the last sentence." Dai Li mimicked his sarcastic tone, then kicked his calf with her other foot. "I'm going to sleep, Qin Changgeng, let go of me."
"Really sleeping? Madam, aren't you going to continue frying pancakes?" Qin Shaozong loosened his legs.
Dai Li withdrew her foot like a fish, did not answer his question, turned over and turned her back to him, and buried her head in sleep.
Perhaps because of the small argument, the frustration that had been building up in her chest found an outlet, and Dai Li fell asleep faster than expected, soon drifting into a deep sleep.
She was fast asleep, but the man beside her was wide awake, even energetic.
Dai Li's words were still echoing in Qin Shaozong's mind.
He pondered and refined each sentence repeatedly, finally forging it into a giant mace in its initial form, which cleaved the stubborn rock covering it.
A brand new, never-before-seen, brilliant light fell into his eyes.
Everything is decided by exam results.
The system involved rigorous selection from both aristocratic and commoner families, weeding out the less capable. Talent was the sole criterion for promotion, with individuals drawn from the most humble backgrounds.
Qin Shaozong didn't sleep a wink all night. He got up before dawn to do his morning exercise and then went to his study.
Everyone is very busy today.
Ding Luying was busy removing the Gu worms, while Qin Shaozong and Nalan Zhi, along with other strategists, remained secluded in their study. Wei Qing and several village chiefs led a group of men to various prominent families in the prefecture, secretly searching for a servant with a black mole on the side of his neck.
Qin Qinian led his men to post the notice and reassure the people; Mo Yanyun was ordered to interrogate the prisoners captured the previous night.
Some progressed steadily, some continued, and some ended in disappointment.
*
On the other side.
After Qin Hongying and her daughter Shi Rongyue entered the mansion, they lived together in another courtyard.
Last night, Qin Shaozong personally led troops out to arrest people, making quite a commotion. Qin Hongying guessed that something major had happened in the county, but she wasn't worried at all.
Her second brother had weathered countless storms and was sure he could handle things well. Now, she was more concerned about other things, such as her daughter with dark circles under her eyes.
The little girl sat opposite her eating breakfast, stirring the porridge with her porcelain spoon several times, but she didn't put it in her mouth for a long time.
Qin Hongying felt sorry for her after the danger she had encountered yesterday: "Rongrong, why don't we go to Mr. Ding's place after breakfast and ask for some calming medicine so you can take it and get a good night's sleep?"
Shi Rongyue slowly shook her head, "Mother, I'm fine."
Qin Hongying pondered for a long time before finally deciding to act decisively. "Rongrong, there's something I need to tell you in advance. Your marriage has changed."
Shi Rongyue was scooping porridge when she heard this and listlessly raised her head. "What change? Has something happened to the Zheng family that forced us to postpone it?"
If an elder in the family passes away, the younger generation must observe mourning. "No. Your marriage to Zheng Xiaolangjun was called off by your second uncle," Qin Hongying said.
Clang—
The porcelain spoon in Shi Rongyue's hand fell into the bowl.
The meat porridge in the small bowl was splashed out, and a little landed on the back of Shi Rongyue's hand.
The porridge had been stirred many times and had long lost its original heat, becoming only a sticky, thick consistency.
"Second...Second Uncle had someone cancel?" Shi Rongyue was stunned. She stammered for a moment before finding her voice, "How could Second Uncle..."
"He said he wants you to marry back home," Qin Hongying said openly to her daughter.
There's nothing wrong with talking about this. My daughter is of marriageable age now, not a toddler. Besides, it's better to talk about it sooner rather than later, so she can be mentally prepared and start developing a relationship with Qinian sooner.
Qin Hongying stroked her chin. "I guess he wants to marry you off to Qinian. Although there is an order of seniority, you know Yun Ce's situation, not to mention that he has never been in good health. He had a serious illness last winter and has not fully recovered yet."
Speaking behind closed doors, with her own daughter on the other end, Qin Hongying spoke from the heart: "He is your maternal uncle, so he certainly wouldn't want you to have a husband who's always sick. Qinian is the same age as you, and although you were betrothed as children and now have some entanglements with the Wei family, based on my understanding of your second uncle, since he's been frequently having the Wei family come over lately, he must be plotting something."
This was something Qin Hongying had pondered for a long time, and she finally understood its different meaning—
Her second brother probably wants to get married!
Otherwise, why would he feign illness, send her to Yuyang, and secretly put pressure on the Wei family?
When he deals with the old promises this time, he will most likely also resolve the issue of Qinian's childhood betrothal at the same time.
Qin Hongying continued to say to her daughter, "Rongrong, you were born into the Shi family of Nanyu. The Shi family has many military generals, and they were highly valued by your maternal grandfather in the past. I am also the younger sister of Marquis Wu'an. If you marry Qinian, the Shi family will become his wife's family. With Lady Wei having passed away for many years, they will be able to completely overshadow the Wei family. Now that your second uncle has decided to cancel the marriage between the Shi and Zheng families, I guess he is paving the way for your little cousin."
Yun Ce was sickly and weak; in terms of military achievements, he was inferior to Qinian. Moreover, Yun Ce was his elder brother's son, and the throne had passed to him…
Well, it's not impossible.
The second brother has never been able to let go of what happened back then, always feeling that it was his responsibility. Over the years, he has treated Yun Ce like his own son. As long as Yun Ce does not acknowledge his eldest brother as his father when he comes of age, Yun Ce has a good chance of succeeding to the throne.
However, in her heart, Qin Hongying felt that her nephew had the best chance.
"...Rongrong, you can spend more time with your little cousin on weekdays." Qin Hongying said quite a bit.
After she finished speaking, she realized that her daughter was in a daze.
Stunned and bewildered, seemingly not yet recovered, her expression was somewhat strange, her thoughts seemingly wandering elsewhere.
"Knock knock—"
Qin Hongying tapped the table with her fingers.
"Rongrong, did you hear what I just said clearly?"
"Mother, my second uncle said I should marry back home. Does that mean he specifically wants my little cousin to marry into the family?"
Two voices rang out simultaneously.
Seeing that her daughter was listening, Qin Hongying's brows relaxed slightly. "No, that's not true. But your second uncle only has your little cousin as his own son, so he'll definitely help him out. You can trust your mother; in all these years, when has your mother ever misjudged you?"
The little girl made a "hmm" sound, lowered her head to take out a handkerchief, and slowly wiped away the porridge stains on the back of her hand.
“Actually, it would be best for you to marry Qinian. I’ve watched Qinian grow up since he was a child. Although he’s a bit impulsive, he’s reliable and responsible, and he’s good-looking too. He’d be a good husband.” Qin Hongying became more and more satisfied as she spoke.
Shi Rongyue lowered her head, her thoughts wandering for a while.
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Author's Note: Here I am, please give me some nutrient solution! [Hands clasped in prayer]
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