Chapter 165 Mr. Xiao's Official Career
Mr. Xiao walked on the street in a daze, not even knowing when he returned to the gate of the Xiao Mansion.
He looked up at the huge plaque on the Xiao Mansion's door and sighed.
After studying hard for more than ten years, I finally passed the imperial examination and became a juren. But what good is it to pass the imperial examination?
If you want to be an official, doesn’t it just depend on fate and waiting?
I finally met Liu Yan and thought I had finally gotten the chance, but who knew that guy would die of illness without a word, and even the gifts I had gritted my teeth to give him over the past few months were all wasted.
What a twist of fate! What a twist of fate!
Mr. Xiao lowered his head and was about to step over the threshold when he suddenly ran into someone walking out of his own house.
"Oh, Master Xiao, you're back. I was just looking for you, but Madam said you were out on some business."
Mr. Xiao looked at the man in front of him. He was dressed as a servant, but he was not from his own house, so he asked him who he was.
"I am from the Yang Mansion. Our Lord Yang said he has something important to discuss with you. Please come to the mansion to discuss it."
"But Lord Yang Yao?"
"Exactly."
Mr. Xiao nodded. Since it was Yang Tongpan who invited him, he would go. So he washed up and followed the servant to Yang's house.
This was not his first time to come to Yang's Mansion, but as soon as he entered the door this time, he always felt that it was a little different from the last time he came.
Not only was a new lotus pond built in the mansion, a small pavilion was also expanded, and there were also many more flowers, plants and unusual rocks.
It seems that the position of Tongpan is quite lucrative, Master Xiao felt in his heart.
Yang Yao was waiting for him in the main hall. When he saw Mr. Xiao coming, he immediately stood up to greet him.
"Brother Xiao, please take a seat." Then he ordered someone to serve tea.
After Mr. Xiao took his seat, Yang Yao first talked about other things and made a few small talk. Mr. Xiao responded one by one, wondering in his heart why the other party invited him here.
Could it be about Wan'er and Young Master Yang's marriage?
He was very much in favor of this marriage. The Yang family had always been indebted to the Xiao family, and Yang Yao was now the magistrate of Jiangzhou. If his career went smoothly, he might be promoted to the prefect one day.
The marriage between the two families will only bring benefits to the Xiao family.
After a while, Yang Yao finally got to the point: "Brother Xiao, I heard that you often sent letters to Lord Liu Yan in the capital a few days ago?"
Mr. Xiao was slightly surprised.
Yang Yao smiled, "Brother Xiao, don't worry. With the friendship between our two families, I will never harm you. But Liu Yan is only a seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel. If Brother Xiao wants to count on him to find a position for you, you are wrong."
"This... is sorry to have embarrassed Lord Yang." Mr. Xiao was hit on the spot and looked a little embarrassed.
Yang Yao suddenly became serious and asked him if he really wanted to be an official.
Mr. Xiao nodded. Who in the world studies and takes imperial examinations not for the purpose of becoming an official?
Yang Yao lowered his head and took a sip of tea, then said calmly, "Brother Xiao, do you know about the recent incident in which the Magistrate of Long'an County, Li Yishen, hanged himself?"
Mr. Xiao was slightly startled, "I just heard a little bit about it."
"During his tenure, Magistrate Li embezzled and accepted bribes amounting to as much as five thousand taels, so he hanged himself out of fear of punishment. Now the position of Magistrate of Long'an County is vacant, I wonder if Brother Xiao is interested?"
Mr. Xiao stood up suddenly, and a light burst out from his originally cloudy eyes, but then dimmed again the next moment.
He sat back slowly and said, "If I could have such an opportunity, I would never dare to think about it in my dreams. But the appointment and dismissal of the county magistrate..."
Although the position of county magistrate is low-ranking, the power of appointment and dismissal lies in the hands of the emperor. No matter how high Yang Yao's rank is, he is only a magistrate. How can he make the decision?
Yang Yao knew what he was thinking and said with a smile, "Although the power of appointment and dismissal lies with Your Majesty, the candidate for the county magistrate still needs to be recommended by the prefect, right?
I have already mentioned this to Lord Bi, and Lord Bi also believes that Brother Xiao is talented and qualified for this position, and will soon submit a letter to the court to recommend Brother Xiao as the new magistrate of Long'an County."
Mr. Xiao stood there in a daze, unable to believe that what he heard was true.
I felt the future was bleak in the early morning, but I didn't expect that things would turn around so quickly and there would be light at the end of the tunnel?
"Master Yang, I, I..." Mr. Xiao was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He didn't know what to say and wished he could kowtow to Yang Yao on the spot.
Yang Yao smiled and comforted him, then said to the outside of the door: "Xin'er, come in."
Yang Xin walked in from outside, bowed to Mr. Xiao and said, "Hello, Uncle Xiao."
This was not the first time they met, and Mr. Xiao nodded to him repeatedly.
"Brother Xiao, you and I have known each other for many years, so I won't beat around the bush. How do you feel about meeting Xin'er?" Yang Yao walked to his son and asked.
Mr. Xiao naturally agreed and praised him for his talent and appearance.
Yang Yao was obviously very satisfied, and his smile became even more intense. "I like Wan'er too. If that's the case, why don't we marry our two families? It would be a closer relationship. What do you think, Brother Xiao?"
"Okay, okay! To be honest with you, Lord Yang, I have had this idea for a long time." Mr. Xiao said happily, and then paused, "It's just that the little girl has a stubborn personality and likes to make her own decisions. She seems..."
Mr. Xiao looked embarrassed. Yang Xin had come to his house many times before, but was rejected by Xiao Wan. It was obvious that she had no such feelings for him.
Yang Yao said "Ah" in disapproval, "In my opinion, it's just that the two children have too little contact with each other and are both too shy.
How about this? The Double Ninth Festival is just a few days away. Our two families can get together and let the two children spend some time together. What do you think, Brother Xiao?"
Mr. Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Very good, very good! There is only one thing. Sir Yang, I must host this time. Sir Yang and his family will be invited to visit my humble home. We can celebrate the Double Ninth Festival together!"
…
"Double Ninth Festival Banquet? The Yang family is coming too?" Xiao Wan frowned immediately when she heard the news.
Madam Xiao held her hand and said, "Wan'er, Young Master Yang is quite good. You haven't had much contact with him. Maybe there are some misunderstandings?
Why don't you take advantage of this Chongyang Banquet to get to know him better..."
"Mother..." Xiao Wan was a little annoyed and was about to say something but was interrupted.
Madam Xiao sighed and said, "The Yang family has been kind to us, and now they have persuaded the prefect to recommend your father to be the magistrate of Long'an. It is reasonable for us to at least treat them to a meal and express our gratitude. You must not be absent and be impolite."
Xiao Wan was silent for a long time. "Okay, mother, I understand. But I have to go out later to buy some things."
Madam Xiao observed that there was nothing unusual on her face, but she was still a little worried, "Okay, then let Chunlan go with you."
Xiao Wan nodded, and after her mother left, she walked to the desk and started writing.
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