"Your deeds are well known to everyone. I don't think you would do something as offensive as you did at the female commander's homecoming banquet, but you did it anyway."
Feng Yuan paused, then looked at him and said, "The Prime Minister was quite fond of the essay you wrote during the county exam. I think he should recruit you, right?"
"Yes." Song Chi admitted. He was calm when talking about Song Shiwen. He had never regarded Song Shiwen as his father, and even regarded the blood relationship as non-existent. I am a time traveler, and you are talking to me about blood relationship. Isn't this outrageous?
That's how he could be so calm, treating him as an outsider.
"Song Shiwen always chooses people of humble status and position to train. He gives these people gifts, and they become completely devoted to him. But you refused."
It is easy to understand that if Song Chi really agreed, he would not be able to sit opposite him.
"Song Shiwen is the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. If you had just agreed to become his servant, offending the Han family wouldn't have been a big deal. It wouldn't have been impossible for you to rise to prominence in the future. But you refused. I'm curious why."
Song Chi shook his head. It seemed that Feng Yuan's guess was too one-sided. Song Shiwen had never promised him anything. He just wanted to adopt him as his son. It was ridiculous that he adopted his biological son.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and Song Chi said seriously: "I said I want to be the Prime Minister, so I must get rid of him. Do you believe it?"
This is the truth, and the absolute truth.
"Ha ha ha ha."
Feng Yuan was stunned at first, then he burst into laughter. This was the first time Song Chi saw such a clear expression on his stiff face. He thought he was very rigid, just like he had to put things in order.
"Young men should have lofty ambitions, striving to reach the heavens. I believe you are telling the truth." Feng Yuan admired the young man even more. He said seriously, "I believe you can truly defeat Song Shiwen and become Prime Minister in a few years."
This was just a word of encouragement from Feng Yuan, but he didn't expect it to come true a few years later.
"I have another question."
"you say."
After a conversation, the two of them were obviously less unfamiliar with each other.
Song Chi asked, "I want to know what happened to his predecessor, Wang Jin, when Song Shiwen became the Prime Minister?"
"The end of his family and property being confiscated," Feng Yuan said calmly. "When he began to oppose Your Majesty, his fate was already determined, and the one who confiscated his property was Song Shiwen."
Song Chi did not lie. In this power transition, the imperial power completely won.
"However, there were too many dissenting voices at the time. Although Wang Jin had fallen, the emperor couldn't just kill everyone. No matter who became emperor, he had to use civil officials to govern the country. To stabilize the court, he appointed Wang Jin's most valued student."
Feng Yuan asked, "Do you know who this person is? He is also in a high position now."
"It must be Lord Lu, the current deputy minister."
"Smart." Feng Yuan replied, "This man is my teacher. So, I can be considered the disciple of Prime Minister Wang."
I don't think Lu Taiyuan is a good person. Wang Jin, as a relative of the emperor, colluded with court officials to control the emperor. This shows that he is a person who is good at wielding power. Lu Taiyuan fought against Song Shiwen in the name of the Qingliu Party. Is he really devoted to the country?
In Song Chi's opinion, the word "Qingliu" is not a compliment.
"Let's get back to business." Feng Yuan's expression returned to solemnity. "I came to Ji County to take up my post because I wanted to investigate Song Shiwen's illegal activities. I don't believe he is truly clean. Even if I can't touch him, it's worth it to be able to break his wings."
This is truly a fierce general.
Song Chi sighed in his heart. Originally, he didn't need to take such a risk. Coming to Ji County was like walking into a tiger's den. He didn't know how many eyes were staring at him. If he was not careful, he would fall into the abyss. In the officialdom, everyone played conspiracies and intrigues, and there was no physical elimination.
Feng Yuan must have the support of a big shot behind him to be able to take up the position in Ji County. If he really finds out something, the big shot behind him can make use of it to make trouble. If he loses his life, the person behind him can also make use of it to make more violent means. I think this is not what the Wen Party wants to see, so Feng Yuan has no worries about his life for the time being.
Song Chi had unconsciously considered himself as a legal advisor, and it seemed that his situation was very similar to Feng Yuan's.
"They have two methods at their disposal right now. First, they want to completely sideline you as the county magistrate, restricting you from doing anything. Over time, you won't be able to stay here any longer. Second, they want to smear you, plot against you, or frame you. This is the most deadly method. If they do this, your career will end, and you'll also lose your life."
"You're right. County Magistrate Dong Weimin has served in Ji County for eight years. From the chief secretary to the clerks, everyone in the six departments and three classes follows his lead."
Feng Yuan said self-deprecatingly, "You may not know how pathetic I am as a county magistrate. I never issue orders outside my office, and no one listens to me."
"Your Excellency the County Magistrate is surprised by what he said." Song Chi said with a smile, "Now you have a mentor like me under your command."
"Yes, I feel much more at ease with you, the case master, by my side to give me advice." Feng Yuan said with emotion, and the haze in his heart for the past few days was swept away. He was no longer fighting alone.
"I am fortunate to be valued by the Lord." Song Chi lowered his posture. He was the legal advisor, so he should have the awareness of a legal advisor.
"I'm different from others. I don't stick to these formalities. I just said that you don't have to treat me as a superior, and I don't treat you as a subordinate. You will be the Prime Minister in the future, so how can I be so arrogant?"
Feng Yuan rarely made a joke. He stood up and refilled Song Chi's teacup with water. This was already the fifth cup. If he poured the tea but didn't drink it, people would mistakenly think he looked down on him. Song Chi could only endure it. Now his bladder was about to rebel. However, Feng Yuan did not have any official airs and did not show off.
"You are my personal advisor, so I should be the one paying you a salary. How about ten taels of silver a month?"
"Ten taels?"
The legal advisor was hired privately by the boss and had an employment relationship with him. He had no official title and was not included in the staff establishment. Naturally, his salary was paid by the boss. However, ten taels of salary per month was not a low price. Song Chi knew that the monthly salary of a county magistrate was less than eight taels.
The salaries of officials in the Zhou Dynasty were very low, and it is said that this was caused by Song Shiwen.
"As the saying goes, 'a thousand gold for a horse's bones'. Ten taels a month isn't much for you. I can compensate you by teaching you policy essays. Although you'll be serving as my advisor, you can't neglect your studies. The prefectural exam is in two months. Since you've won first place in the county exam, you should pass it without taking the exam. However, the prefect, Zhou Zhengan, may not do so."
Feng Yuan has already begun planning a path for Song Chi to take the imperial examination.
"If you pass the provincial examination, you will be a scholar. This status is extremely important and no one dares to touch you easily. From now on, I will spare an hour every day to teach you the classics and policy essays!"
Song Chi looked up and seemed to see his high school class teacher.
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