Chapter 705 This is how a man should be! [7k views, requesting monthly votes at the end of the month!]
The governor's mansion, the council hall.
Magistrate Diao, sitting in the front row, looked quite radiant today.
From the nearby city of Xunyang, he met his colleagues who were also attending the meeting.
On the way to the governor's mansion with them, the envious glances his colleagues cast at him from time to time made him secretly pleased.
As the current magistrate of Longcheng County, he is the successor to Lord Ouyang, the current governor of Jiangzhou and scholar of the Xiuwen Academy, who previously made his fortune in the place where he served.
His relationship with Ouyang Lianghan is obvious without even guessing.
According to the rules of officialdom, Longcheng County was the base of Ouyang Lianghan's rise to power, and those who took over were inevitably people he trusted and were close to.
Therefore, Magistrate Diao was naturally associated with Ouyang Lianghan and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion behind him.
Although Magistrate Diao knew in his heart that his former superior, Ouyang Lianghan, did not have the kind of gangster-like mentality, but only treated him as an old acquaintance and colleague. Ouyang Lianghan would even pat him on the shoulder and jokingly call him "Lord Diao" and ask, "How many sets of your four-season uniform do you have now?" This amused Magistrate Diao and made him feel somewhat helpless and embarrassed.
Ouyang Lianghan did not transfer him from the county to the prefecture for promotion or provide him with any personnel convenience. He let things take their natural course and said that it depended on his own ability to achieve political results, not on flattery.
It's just that if he achieves something and has connections, he certainly won't be ignored or overlooked.
But even this much is already a blessing.
When Ouyang Rong made his achievements with the Zheyi Canal, he was almost overshadowed by Wang Lengran, the then governor of Jiangzhou, during the semi-annual performance evaluation of officials, and his achievements were almost buried. If it weren't for the Su family of Longcheng at the time, now the Wang family of Xunyang, using their connections in Luoyang to strongly recommend him, plus the strong recommendation and efforts of his mentor Xie Xun to submit the report on the achievements of the Zheyi Canal to the desk of the chief minister of the Council of State, Di Fuzi, Ouyang Rong would probably still be doing trivial things like catching petty thieves and maintaining peace in Longcheng County, wasting his talents.
It's all about timing and fate; that's the difference between having a benefactor above you and not having one.
Magistrate Diao was deeply moved.
Although the person who helped you discover your talent may not care much about it, nor is they expecting any gratitude in return; it's simply a matter of rewarding merit, recognizing talent, and appreciating it...
However, the division into factions is not subject to human will.
It's not something that everyone in officialdom can decide on their own subjective freedom.
It's about how others see you, how your enemies see you.
When they think you are, you'd better be, or rather, you have to be.
Because you can't afford the cost of being examined even once by someone else.
Even the enemy couldn't be bothered to check it.
Since the stick has already been struck, even if your neutrality is confirmed, what if you greet them with a smile but secretly harbor resentment? It would be easier to just kill you outright.
In any system, the simpler the rules, the better, as they reduce resource consumption; the more complex they are, the harder they are to operate.
The same is true in officialdom; once a label is attached to someone, it is very difficult to remove it.
For example, Li Congshan, who is currently guarding the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, is the same. Although he has done nothing wrong and is even dutiful, Princess Wei Mei feels disgusted and suspicious of him because he comes from the White Tiger Guard that Qiu Shenji once ruled. She tries every means to replace him with her cousin Wei Mi so that she can sleep peacefully.
Li Xian, Li Guo'er, and Li Dalang all tacitly agreed to this and did not stop Wei Mei.
Because the three hundred armored soldiers guarding the Prince's mansion are extremely important, the Xunyang Prince's mansion cannot afford even one test of them.
At certain critical moments, a single defection by the king could plunge the royal palace into utter ruin.
Therefore, it is only when one's own family and friends are in control that one can feel at ease.
Avoid taking risks if you can avoid them.
Regardless of whether Li Congshan is good or bad, or whether he has fulfilled his duties.
That being said...
Magistrate Diao, with his shiny label, really stole the show when he entered Xunyang City this time.
After Wang Lengran and Lin Cheng's group were eliminated, Ouyang Rong and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion had taken control of all the power in Jiangzhou. The local officials naturally sided with one side, but their sycophancy was certainly no match for the old people of Longcheng who had helped them in their time of need.
Having received the coveted "old friend of Longcheng" label, Magistrate Diao felt a pang of regret despite his initial satisfaction.
They say it takes ten years to sit on a cold bench, but he sat there for thirty years. Finally, just before he was about to retire, he met a great benefactor, and his career experienced a second spring.
What? Continue to retire and go back to his hometown? Retire my foot! He's not old at all; he can still serve the Great Zhou and Her Majesty the Empress for another ten years!
The governor's mansion, the council hall.
The influential prefectural and county officials of Jiangzhou gathered together.
It was past 1:30 AM.
The tea in the attendees' cups had gone cold, and the atmosphere in the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The governor was still nowhere to be seen outside the door.
Chen You, the military advisor in charge of the meeting, stepped out of the room.
A short while later, a group of clerks, led by Chen You, entered and served the officials present a fresh cup of hot tea.
The once quiet hall was suddenly filled with the crisp sounds of porcelain cups clinking together.
Pairs of eyes drifted almost imperceptibly toward the figures at the front of the hall.
The young governor has been in office for a year now, and everyone is familiar with his style. He is not one to be late, has a strong sense of time, and always arrives early. His self-discipline is admirable.
But this time they were late in coming.
Inside the hall, some people were quietly wondering if something major had happened, and a few even felt uneasy.
Magistrate Diao sat in the front row, his back straight, and his tea-drinking movements were calm and unhurried.
Actually, he learned from Ouyang Rong in Longcheng County before, and he still remembers the calm and composed demeanor of the magistrate at that time.
Magistrate Diao kept his eyes fixed ahead, sitting upright, without turning around to look outside the door.
Many people in the hall were already secretly watching Magistrate Diao, this popular figure. Seeing his posture of not looking to the side and waiting quietly, they couldn't help but feel more at ease.
Besides Magistrate Diao, there were three other people in the front row who remained as still as mountains.
They were a middle-aged female official, a stern-looking armored man, and a kind-faced, gentle, and noble-looking young man with stubble.
The former was Rongzhen's trusted female official, surnamed Li.
Next was Qin Yi, the transport supervisor, and Li Fusu, the heir apparent of the Prince of Xunyang and the prefectural governor of Jiangzhou.
They came in place of the Censorate, the Central Army Camp at the Front, and the Prince of Xunyang's Mansion.
The three of them drank their tea quietly without urging or rushing them.
They didn't even bother to check the time or the sky.
Acting as if nothing was wrong, they waited patiently.
There was no sign of dissatisfaction, resentment, or blame for the young governor's lateness.
Even Prince Li Fusu would occasionally turn around and touch the food box held by the maid behind him with great concern.
The food box contained a nourishing ginseng soup specially bestowed upon Governor Ouyang by Prince Xunyang, Li Xian, and it seemed to have been personally prepared by Princess Wei Mei.
Choosing to deliver it in public at a meeting time like this not only demonstrates their usual intimacy but also blatantly announces something.
The officials in the audience were stunned.
With these individuals setting a good example, even they weren't in a hurry and were patiently waiting. Naturally, no one in the room had a bigger presence or higher status than them, so they all quieted down and drank their tea in silence.
Occasionally, some of the younger officials in the hall would raise their heads and glance around at the silent, waiting crowd.
This reflects personal authority and power.
A sense of sighs and undisguised envy arose in their hearts.
Although the young governor was no longer with us, his lingering influence still allowed him to maintain control of the situation.
A man should be like this.
Just as everyone's thoughts were scattered, a steady footstep with its own rhythm sounded in the outer corridor, getting closer and closer to the hall.
It was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly enlivening the dull hall.
...
Pei Shisan Niang came to the governor's mansion today, still wearing her favorite purple and gold shawl.
However, her clothes and attire were much simpler.
Normally, on such important occasions, she would wear the most expensive silks and satins in her home and the finest luxury jewelry, radiating brilliance.
But not today.
She wore none of these things, only a plain white long dress, made of inexpensive material, a simple and unadorned outfit. Her jewelry was also minimal, with only a pair of jade hairpins that had been popular in Xunyang City for a while earlier this year.
Pei Shisan Niang herself had previously sold over a hundred of these jade hairpins with the help of jewelry stores.
The one she's wearing on her head right now is special.
Because the young master casually tossed it to her during the last Lantern Festival, she has kept it ever since.
In addition, the black veil that Pei Shisan Niang had been wearing on her face for more than half a month has also been removed.
Thanks to the ointment the young master secretly gave her, the red marks on her cheeks had mostly faded, leaving only a slight rosy glow, so that outsiders couldn't tell anything was wrong.
Pei Shisan Niang couldn't help but touch her cheek, somewhat lost in thought.
Pei Shisan Niang was not considered to have attended this meeting at the governor's mansion.
She arrived early today, and after entering, she went straight to a side hall next to the main council hall, where she sat down to drink tea and waited quietly.
This wasn't Pei Shisan Niang's first visit to the governor's mansion.
In her own words, she had been blinded by greed and was like a lost sheep when she was being used by Wang Lengran and Lin Cheng to cooperate. She had also visited the governor's mansion several times.
On one occasion, at the gate of the governor's mansion, Pei Shisan Niang and the already "heroically sacrificed" Shen Bingqiang even bumped into the young master's carriage...
All that is gone.
But this time, her experience was completely different from her previous visits.
Or rather, a complete upheaval.
From disembarking from the carriage at the governor's mansion to arriving at this side hall next to the council hall.
All the officials she encountered in Jiangzhou along the way were warm and kind to her, and even some of the lower-ranking officials had a hint of respect in their smiles.
They addressed her as Chairman Pei, instead of the previous "Madam Pei," which was more in line with the term used to refer to the wife who was considered the weaker party.
Pei Shisan Niang felt a mix of emotions, and her back gradually straightened a little.
The reason for this difference in status is actually quite simple.
She is Ouyang Rong's woman.
The shrewd people in Jiangzhou's officialdom all knew that she was working for the young governor.
Logically speaking, if a merchant's wife like Pei Shisan Niang were to get close to a young official, there would definitely be plenty of gossip about her, which might have been fabricated in some teahouse in the city the next day and spread throughout the whole prefecture.
But not this time.
She and Ouyang Rong did not have a relationship.
Because he is Ouyang Lianghan.
He was a renowned and upright gentleman, a loyal minister of the dynasty who refused to obey imperial orders, and the youngest scholar of the Imperial Academy.
Everyone knows that he was reforming her, not that he was bribed with a romantic relationship.
Ouyang Rong's public image and reputation provide absolutely no fertile ground for such scandalous gossip.
And that is indeed the case.
Inside the side hall, Pei Shisan Niang held a teacup in both hands, her expression somewhat lost in thought. Thinking of this, she freed one hand to stroke her right cheek, where the slap mark had faded, and gave it a squeeze.
The beautiful woman in the purple and gold robe, whose status had undergone a dramatic change, sighed softly for some reason.
The side hall door was wide open, and the morning sunlight falling on the floor at the entrance shifted slowly.
After drinking tea for a long time, Pei Shisan Niang realized that her colleague Wang Caozhi was nowhere to be seen.
Logically, Wang Caozhi should also come from Xunyang Grottoes to wait with her in this side hall for the young master to finish his meeting.
Strange, where did they go?
Moreover, there was still no sound of a meeting taking place in the adjacent council chamber, as if it hadn't started yet.
Pei Shisan Niang hesitated whether she should go out and take a look.
Just then, she heard footsteps coming from the corridor outside.
One of the footsteps was familiar, with a fast rhythm, and one could tell from it that the owner of the footsteps was decisive and efficient.
Upon hearing this, Pei Shisan Niang immediately stood up and went out to greet her.
Just as I reached the entrance, the queue in the corridor had already passed the side hall.
Leading the way was a young man in a scarlet official robe, with an upright posture.
The morning sunlight stretched his slender figure across the floor of the side hall.
His handsome profile was bathed in sunlight, giving it a golden glow.
Pei Shisan Niang was slightly lost in thought.
By the time she realized what was happening and arrived at the door, Ouyang Rong had already passed the side hall entrance, his eyes fixed straight ahead as he strode towards the council hall, not even glancing at Pei Shisan Niang.
"Young Master?"
Pei Shisan Niang instinctively wanted to give chase, but a vertical hand appeared in front of her, signaling her to stop and retreat.
"Get out of the way," came a shout.
Pei Shisan Niang turned her head and saw Yan Liulang and Wang Caozhi, along with a team of tall and stern constables, clearing the way for the young master and following closely behind him, strictly prohibiting anyone who blocked the way from getting close.
"President Pei?"
Yan Liulang glanced at Pei Shisan Niang quickly, and when he realized it was her, he withdrew his hand, said nothing, and continued to lead his men to follow.
Wang Caozhi, standing beside her, slowed his pace slightly, glanced at Pei Shisan Niang's face after she removed her black veil, and said with a half-smile:
"President Pei looks much better, but it's always good to keep a black veil on hand, just in case you need it someday."
Pei Shisan Niang withdrew her gaze from Ouyang Rong's back and glanced at the smiling, short young man.
She gave a soft hum.
Although the two worked under Ouyang Rong, they didn't get along. Since they were both merchants and had joined in different orders, one considered himself an old friend while the other was a newcomer, so they naturally looked down on each other.
Wang Caozhi uttered teasing words without stopping for a moment. Pei Shisan Niang asked his retreating figure:
"Where is Manager Wang going? Why is he wandering around like this?"
Wang Caozhi had already suppressed his smile, ignored the beautiful woman, and quickly followed the group ahead.
Seeing this, Pei Shisan Niang also made a decisive move and went out instead of staying obediently in the side hall, following them.
At the entrance to the council chamber, Chen Canjun was eagerly waiting.
Upon seeing Ouyang and his entourage arrive, he immediately went to greet them: "Your Excellency, you've arrived!"
As Ouyang Rong passed by him, he tilted his head slightly and asked, "Has everyone arrived?"
Chen You followed closely behind Ouyang Rong, and being taller, he bent down slightly: "Everyone is here."
Without turning his head, Ouyang Rong tossed out a sentence: "Bring me a cup of tea."
Just as Chen You was about to say that the hot tea had been poured, he saw Yan Liulang turn around and leave from his seat in the council hall. He was accompanied by several constables, each carrying a bundle containing tea leaves and tea utensils, and went to fetch hot water to brew the tea. Their movements were very practiced.
Chen You immediately shut his mouth.
Wang Caozhi, Pei Shisan Niang, and the others glanced sideways, immediately realizing that this was a security measure. Especially at this critical juncture, important figures like these had to bring their own tea and water utensils, which were then checked by designated personnel; there was no room for carelessness.
They stopped at the door and waited, watching Ouyang Rong's figure disappear inside.
Two armored soldiers standing on either side of the door opened the main gate, and the young governor strode into the council hall.
The officials sitting on both sides of the hall stood up in unison to greet them, led by Magistrate Diao who was the first to rise.
All eyes in the room turned to him.
Ouyang Rong strode forward, his head slightly bowed as if deep in thought. Halfway through the hall, he seemed to remember everyone was still standing. He glanced around and said softly:
"Everyone, please sit down."
However, no one sat down first.
Wang Caozhi, who was standing guard outside the door, noticed that all the officials only sat down after the young governor had taken his seat.
After Li Dalang smiled and served the ginseng soup, today's meeting began.
After listening outside for a while, Wang Caozhi couldn't help but sigh:
"Brother-in-law, your back view and aura are really handsome. You are no ordinary person. A real man should be like this, strategizing and commanding with great confidence."
He didn't forget to tease Pei Shisan Niang behind him:
"President Pei, a man like that, how could you women not be captivated and weak-kneed? If I were a young lady, I would have already thrown myself into his arms..."
After waiting a while and not hearing any response from the merchant woman, Wang Caozhi turned around curiously and found that Pei Shisan Niang had disappeared.
Before he could think it through, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye, turned his head and saw Pei Shisan Niang's graceful figure on the long corridor ahead, as if she was waiting for something.
Just then, Yan Liulang returned, carrying a bowl of hot tea, and was passing by the corridor when he was stopped by Pei Shisan Niang. She seemed to say a few words, and Yan Liulang paused for a moment before nodding. Pei Shisan Niang carefully carried the teacup and turned back.
Pei Shisan Niang didn't even glance at Wang Caozhi, whose eyes were twitching slightly. She carried tea past him and the two armored soldiers and entered the council hall.
A meeting was being held in the hall, and everyone held their breath to listen attentively to the young governor's words.
Pei Shisan Niang held the cup with both hands, slightly lowering her back, as unassuming as a tea-serving maid.
She walked demurely past two rows of officials and arrived at the head seat in the hall, where she bent down and gently placed the teacup beside the young master.
The woman's plump and graceful figure attracted a few glances.
However, Pei Shisan Niang didn't pay attention to that; her entire attention was drawn to the young man beside her, dressed in a crimson official robe.
He was standing there, speaking loudly to the entire audience. His usually frail figure appeared exceptionally upright and imposing.
Everyone in the room was listening attentively to the young governor.
Pei Shisan Niang lowered her head and bent over. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the young master's handsome face was calm. After speaking for a while, he seemed to be ordering everyone to discuss. He sat down again, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then suddenly put the teacup down.
The porcelain teacup struck the solid wood tabletop with a heavy clang, instantly silencing the previously quiet hall.
Pei Shisan Niang, who was about to leave, trembled slightly at the loud thud.
Immediately, she heard him speak loudly, his tone brooking no dissent:
"It's set for the 15th of this month. Seven days from now, at noon, the Donglin Buddha will be officially completed, a celebration ceremony will be held, and the Xunyang Grottoes will be opened to the public. Officials and civilians will enjoy the festivities together. At that time, painters will also record the grand scene of the day, and the paintings will be presented to Luoyang... Gentlemen, please go back and prepare well."
...
Although important people like to hold meetings and say a few words.
They even have the right to be late for meetings and to cross their legs.
But Ouyang Rong didn't like meetings.
Because he knew in his heart that the people below him would be on pins and needles, under immense pressure.
Aside from leaders, who among decent people likes to attend meetings?
Holding meetings to reprimand people can emphasize authority, but Ouyang Rong doesn't need to rely on this to establish prestige, nor is he interested in it.
Because this meeting had to be held today, Ouyang Rong adopted a swift and decisive approach.
After temporarily setting aside matters concerning Princess An Hui, he arrived somewhat late at the governor's mansion council hall and quickly recounted the events surrounding the Donglin Buddha and the victory celebration.
Just as Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er had analyzed, most officials expressed their support for this victory celebration. After all, it was a celebration for everyone's achievements, and the grander the event, the more the Emperor would like it, and the more rewards everyone would receive. Naturally, they wholeheartedly agreed.
However, some officials advocate frugality and oppose extravagant celebrations.
Ouyang Rong synthesized the proposals from all sides and found a relatively moderate one, allowing everyone to discuss and improve it freely.
At the head of the table, Ouyang Rong lowered his head and took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, which was almost dry from talking.
After listening to their discussion in silence for a while, he put down his teacup and loudly set the date.
In the silent hall, everyone was stunned for a moment, then they all agreed.
There is no objection to the date.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly and then discussed the arrangements in detail.
The meeting was drawing to a close.
This was the shortest state-level meeting among all the officials present.
Especially for such a major event, in the past, it has always been a lengthy discussion.
In other states, the governor would at least have to hold a meeting that would last at least two days.
"Disperse, everyone."
Ouyang Rong waved his hand as he drank his tea.
The group looked at each other, and someone glanced at the sky outside.
It wasn't even noon yet, and the governor had a feeling that he "didn't want to worry about their lunch."
However, deep down everyone still enjoys this relaxed atmosphere.
Do what needs to be done when you need to do it, and rest when you need to rest.
Perhaps having grown accustomed to Ouyang Rong's balanced approach, one of the older county magistrates boldly asked with a smile:
"Your Excellency, we've all come from afar, won't you provide us with a meal?"
Ouyang Rong shrugged:
“I also need to go home for meals on time. I have an aunt here, and I’ve hardly ever stayed in this governor’s mansion. I don’t even know where the kitchen is, so how can I provide you with meals? If you’d like, you can come home with me for meals. Just don’t mind my aunt’s nagging. You can ask Chief Clerk Yuan for advice; he has experience in this area.”
Everyone burst into laughter, and Yuan Huaimin blushed slightly. The atmosphere became more lively after the meeting.
An official asked, "By the way, I heard that the governor's aunt is having her birthday celebration soon. May I ask when it is?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"Regardless of the date, this is a family dinner. There will only be a few of us eating, and Chief Secretary Yuan will be the one to pay. My aunt said so. Anyway, let me make this clear: no gifts are allowed. Anyone who violates this rule will be punished."
After saying this, Ouyang Rong stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked towards the door. Before leaving, he left a comment:
"Magistrate Meng of Hukou County, please stay. The rest of you may leave."
Among the crowd preparing to leave the hall, a middle-aged county magistrate who had just stood up paused, then unconsciously pointed to his face:
"Ah, is Your Excellency addressing me as 'this humble official'?"
Everyone turned to look, and nodded in agreement.
Ouyang Rong had already left, and Yan Liulang remained at the door, glancing at Magistrate Meng in the hall, waiting with his sword in his arms.
Amidst the sidelong glances of his colleagues, Magistrate Meng, utterly bewildered, left and followed.
...
One hour later.
A side hall not far from the council hall of the governor's mansion.
The tightly closed door was opened from the inside, and two figures hurriedly walked out.
They were the stern-faced Magistrate Meng and Wang Caozhi, who had put away his nonchalant smile.
The two left together, their departing figures occasionally whispering to each other, seemingly discussing something important.
Inside the side hall, which had been closed again, Ouyang Rong sat in the main seat, his eyes closed as he rested, the teacup beside him empty.
Yan Liulang and Pei Shisan Niang were sitting to one side.
Pei Shisan Niang lowered her eyes, took out a teapot, and silently poured Ouyang Rong a cup of hot tea.
Yan Liulang sighed, "Your Excellency is still cautious. Having Brother Wang in the past is not enough to guarantee safety. Now, with the addition of Magistrate Meng and the secret assistance of the Hukou County government, who can find the customs documents at various checkpoints within the territory, that man named Qian Chen will definitely have nowhere to hide."
Pei Shisan Niang asked with some curiosity, "Young master, I don't quite understand what this person's identity is. I'm sorry to trouble you. Also, is Hukou County some important place? Is there someone there who is so important to you?"
Yan Liulang said calmly, "Recently, a general surnamed Duan from the White Tiger Guard has been suppressing bandits over there."
Pei Shisan Niang immediately fell silent.
Just then, Ouyang Rong opened his eyes and said calmly:
"Don't alert them yet. Don't arrest them, but keep an eye on them and see who they're going to see."
Wang Caozhi looked up: "What you mean is, Your Excellency, is that he may not necessarily be meeting Duan Quanwu."
Ouyang Rong had already closed his eyes and remained silent.
Wang Caozhi and Pei Shisan Niang exchanged a glance, bowed in agreement, and withdrew.
——————
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