Jinzunlou is the largest restaurant in Ning'an Prefecture, located in the most prosperous Qingxi Street. Only wealthy businessmen and powerful people can afford it. A casual meal here is enough to cover the expenses of an ordinary family of three for a month.
As night falls, the restaurant is usually bustling, but the front is deserted. Not only are there no customers, even the pedestrians on the road have been dispersed.
The head of the Han family, Han Yu, his legitimate son Han Yuanzheng, the prefect of Ning'an Prefecture, Zhou Zheng'an, and other dignitaries were all waiting at the door.
This farewell banquet was naturally prepared for the Prime Minister, so it was given special attention. In order to welcome the distinguished guest, Jinzun Tower was closed for one day.
This is the Han family's property, and Han Yuanzheng has full authority over it. They all know that the Prime Minister likes quietness and rarely goes to such crowded occasions, so Han Yuanzheng came up with this idea.
At the same time, the prefect Zhou Zhengan ordered the entire street to be closed, which is why it was so quiet.
There was a cool breeze on the February night. Several people wrapped themselves tightly in their clothes and did not dare to be negligent. They kept looking at the street corner.
"Brother Han, at the female commander's homecoming banquet, I accidentally read that useless servant's poem in public. I'm afraid it might displease Master Ming. I hope Brother Han can say a few good words for me in front of Master Ming."
Zhou Zhengan was in a panic for several days and could not calm down. In fact, they rarely saw Song Shiwen. After all, he was the prime minister of the dynasty and not everyone could see him.
I can see Song Ming more often and follow his arrangements.
"I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you were too careless that day. You just tried to get away with it. How could you let Young Master Ming..."
"I know, I know."
Zhou Zhengan was in a state of panic.
"Be smart tonight... Whether you can truly be accepted by the Prime Minister depends on tonight, but it shouldn't be a problem."
Han Yuanzheng looked around and lowered his voice, "The new magistrate is from the deputy assistant Lu Zhengyuan. How he came to Ji County is not something you and I know, but what he came here for is clear as day!"
"Ji County is the hometown of the Prime Minister. There must be no mistakes. How well he performs as the magistrate depends on you, the prefect...so a heavy burden will fall on you."
"I see!"
Zhou Zhengan gritted his teeth. He was also a member of the Literary Party, but he was not a true confidant. Bai Yong was only a seventh-rank county magistrate, but he could always be by the side of the Prime Minister, while he rarely had such an opportunity.
Because Bai Yong was promoted by the Prime Minister himself, he had a clean record from beginning to end, and he could be considered a latecomer.
"If you can handle this job well, it won't be difficult to become a governor and govern a region."
"kindness."
Zhou Zhengan nodded heavily. He was already nearly fifty years old. If he didn't follow closely, he would have no chance...
"The county exam is over. Yuan Zheng will be able to vent his anger tomorrow."
"Haha, he's just a lowly servant boy, not worth mentioning."
Several people laughed.
“Here I come!”
As they were talking, they saw three carriages coming at the intersection. Several of them trotted over to greet them, collectively imitating Secretary Kang's running posture.
"Horse stool!"
"Move the horse stool over here quickly."
Han Yu scolded.
The carriage stopped, Song Shiwen and his son Song Ming got out, followed by Bai Yong who brought Dong Yimin, the county magistrate of Ji County, who was known as the second master of the county government.
The new county magistrate Feng Yuan did not show up. As the saying goes, people with different ideologies cannot work together, so Bai Yong just found him an inn and sent him away.
"Greetings, Prime Minister."
Everyone saluted.
"Closing the road and closing the shops... that's a bit too much." Song Shiwen took a few glances.
"Don't you like quiet?"
Han Yu smiled and turned to Bai Yong and said, "Master Bai, did the county exam go well today?"
Everyone present could hear the hidden meaning.
Bai Yong looked embarrassed. He glanced at Song Shiwen and saw that the Prime Minister had no intention of speaking. He then gritted his teeth and said, "The article written by that boy is very closely related to the topic and has outstanding brilliance. Already..."
He didn't dare mention Song Shiwen, and after a pause, he said, "He has been ranked first in the county case."
"What?"
Han Yu was stunned for a moment, then asked hurriedly, "You mean... not only did he pass the county exam, but he was also ranked first in the county?"
"yes."
"Why?"
Han Yuanzheng finally reacted. He pushed Zhou Fuyin aside and came to the front. "Master Bai, are you mistaken?"
"It's true."
Bai Yongtou was already sweating. He didn't know how to face the Han father and son. "Sir Prime Minister... please say something quickly."
He shouted in his heart.
"Why!"
Han Yuanzheng's face was distorted, even a little out of control. This county exam was about face. If he lost, he would have to kneel down to Shen Liangcai in public at the door of the Shen family.
Moreover, with the joint testimony of Marquis Wu'an and the Prime Minister, he could not deny it at all. In other words, as long as he lost, he had to do it.
As a person involved, how can I not be anxious?
"nothing."
Han Yu took a deep breath and said directly, "As long as the county list is not announced, there is no final decision... Lord Bai must be playing a joke on us."
"Haha, I think so too."
Zhou Zhengan also agreed. The county magistrate was the chief examiner of the county examination and had full power to decide whether a person passed or failed. Even the government office could not interfere.
"I'm not kidding...I'm serious."
Bai Yong said stubbornly, "You don't know yet. The county exam just started when the new magistrate Feng Yuan arrived. He was holding a red edict issued by the provincial government, and I couldn't stop him..."
He explained.
Zhou Zhengan frowned and said, "The government office hasn't even received the imperial edict yet, how can he take up the position?"
"This..." Bai Yong didn't know how to explain it. It was obvious that something went wrong at the provincial government office, and someone was deliberately embarrassing the Prime Minister.
"Even if the new magistrate has just arrived, how can he decide who will be the first in the county case?"
Han Yu said directly: "Master Bai, in front of the Prime Minister, I beg you this time, my Han family owes you a favor..."
"Master Han, you are too kind." Zhou Zhengan was busy trying to smooth things over.
Isn't this a very small thing?
Why has it come to this?
Bai Yong didn't know how to answer, it was really too difficult.
"Even if it has been decided, can't it be changed?" Han Yu found that Bai Yong seemed to be serious.
“It can’t be changed.”
"Why? Why can't it be changed? Aren't you the magistrate?"
Han Yuanzheng was almost crazy and even forgot the honorific title.
"Yeah, why can't it be changed?" Han Yu asked immediately.
Both father and son were anxious.
The Han family is the largest family in Ning'an and cannot afford to lose face with such a person.
"because……"
Bai Yong's face was in a state of distress and he really couldn't say anything.
"This is the first case decided by me." At this time, Song Shiwen, who had been silent all the time, finally spoke, and Bai Yong was relieved.
"You ordered it?"
"this……"
Han Yu subconsciously wanted to ask why, but he held back.
It would be too offensive to question the Prime Minister in this way.
However, this matter was too serious, so he couldn't help but ask, "That boy is just a useless book boy. How could he pass the county exam and become the top scorer in the county exam?"
“Could it be…”
Han Yuanzheng was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise: "Could the rumors be true?"
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