Chapter 93 Uncle and Nephew Meet
Shuang'er's trip lasted eight days.
Yao Shisan was a little unaccustomed to it, and Fu'er asked about it every day.
"Why hasn't Sister Shuang'er come back yet?"
She corrected me several times, insisting that I call her "Auntie".
But Fu'er had gotten used to calling her "Sister Shuangjiang" and "Sister Shuang'er," and she just couldn't change it.
So she let her have her way.
The mother and daughter each had their own version of events.
Wenxi came in carrying the newly made clothes. "Madam Yao, I heard that the results have been posted at the city gate."
"The list of candidates who passed the imperial examination today has been released."
She remembered that Yao Niangzi's brother seemed to be taking the imperial examination this year.
"Where?!"
Yao Shisan immediately stood up.
Wenxi said, "Don't worry, we'll take a carriage from the East Gate."
"Let's go now!"
She put down what she was holding, lifted the hem of her skirt, and walked out.
"Be careful, the ranking list won't fly away."
Wenxi quickly put down her things, picked up Fu'er, and chased after them.
The East Gate was crowded with people, all of them guards.
There were quite a few people watching the spectacle.
The students on the list all have their hometowns. Even if you don't know them, as long as you see the words "Yuzhou", you will cheer with pride.
"My son got it!! He ranked 48th in the second-tier class!!"
An old man with gray hair was overcome with tears.
It seems that after years of hard work, we are finally seeing the results.
"My grandson also passed the exam, ranking 18th in the top tier!"
Immediately, congratulatory shouts erupted from all around.
Yao Shisan glanced at the list that was surrounded by a huge crowd and slipped a piece of silver to the coachman.
"Look at Chuzhou, has Jiang Xingyao passed the exam?"
The coachman scratched his head. "Madam, I can't read."
"I'll go." Wen Xi leaped onto the carriage and headed straight for the soldiers guarding the notice board.
"Young man, take this hard-earned money and use it to buy some wine. My wife can't get out of the car and won't be able to see the list."
"I'd like to ask if the name of Jiang Xingyao from Chuzhou is on this list."
The officer accepted the silver and, without hesitation, replied, "Yes, the top spot goes to Jiang Xingyao of Chuzhou."
"Today, the governor also said that Chu Prefecture has produced two top scholars in a row."
"Top scholar?! Thank you, young man." Wen Xi was surprised for a moment, then quickly walked towards the carriage.
Yao Shisan clutched his pounding heart, looking completely unsettled.
In her previous life, she had no news of her brother, and didn't know whether he had failed the exam or hadn't participated at all.
She feared that her brother would repeat the path of his previous life.
She was also afraid that her rebirth would change many things, and that her brother would also be affected.
"Jiang Xingyao, at the top of the list."
Yao Shisan felt as if his heart had stopped beating for a moment.
All sounds were gone.
There were only those five words.
Jiang Xingyao, at the top of the list.
*
"Brother Jiang, congratulations."
Jiang Xingyao had just come down from the morning court session when Liu Minghan was waiting for him on the road.
He didn't even look at him, his face expressionless as he walked straight past him.
There was another person waiting for him at the palace gate.
Zhou Congxian, the heir apparent of the Duke of Ying.
"Brother-in-law, congratulations..."
He had barely opened his mouth when Jiang Xingyao interrupted him.
"Did you bring my sister's indenture?"
Jiang Xingyao only ever said one thing to Zhou Congxian.
He had decided to redeem his sister from her servitude the moment she left home.
Zhou Congxian pursed his lips slightly. "Shi Yao is a member of the Zhou family."
Jiang Xingyao glared angrily, "Where is my sister?!"
"She traveled all the way from Chuzhou to the capital, and our correspondence never ceased!"
"Having become your concubine, she no longer tells me the truth about the kind of life she leads in your Zhou family!"
His veins bulged and his eyes were bloodshot with rage.
"No matter what mistakes she made when she was little, I couldn't bear to lay a finger on her!"
"Now tell me, where is my sister!"
Officials leaving the palace one after another emerged from the palace gates, and the two men stood at the gates, their swords drawn.
Officials were divided into groups starting with the two individuals, fearing they might be implicated.
Zhou Congxian stared at him, his fingers clenched tightly, and after a long while, he finally spoke with difficulty.
"I'm still looking."
Jiang Xingyao scoffed coldly, glanced at Zhou Congxian, and then at Liu Minghan.
"If we meet again in the officialdom in the future, please do not blame me, Jiang, for showing no mercy."
Only after he strode away did I let out a soft sigh.
I wonder if Yao'er has seen the list.
This brat is so thoughtful, leaving him so much money, and she doesn't even know how to use it on the road!
If I see her again, I'm definitely going to give her a good beating!
As soon as Jiang Xingyao returned to his residence, he saw a eunuch standing at the door.
Yes, it was the one who announced the imperial decree in the main hall.
"Scholar Jiang, His Majesty requests your presence."
He had just finished court when His Majesty summoned him to the palace alone, away from the crowd.
The palace path was very quiet; you could barely hear the soles of cloth shoes hitting the ground.
Only he was unaware that a bloody massacre had recently taken place here.
The Empress Dowager claimed to be ill, but in reality, she was imprisoned deep within the palace.
In the Empress Dowager's palace, all 120 palace servants were slaughtered.
That night, His Majesty held a sharp sword, his whole being shrouded in a murderous aura, like a demon emerging from hell!
The eunuch from the Dezheng Hall quietly slipped out.
Upon seeing Eunuch Tian, he immediately stepped forward and greeted him softly.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, His Majesty has fallen asleep at his desk."
A hint of heartache flashed in Eunuch Tian's eyes. "Recently, there have been a constant stream of memorials from all over the country. His Majesty didn't sleep at all last night. How can his body withstand this?"
He then said apologetically to Jiang Xingyao, "Please wait a moment, Scholar Jiang."
He had barely finished speaking when a few soft coughs came from inside.
"Ahem, has the new top scholar arrived? Bring him in."
Jiang Xingyao stepped into the main hall, where the young emperor on the throne was writing red annotations on a memorial with a vermilion brush.
He saw the contents and angrily threw the document on the ground.
"A bunch of good-for-nothings! Do they think that just because the emperor is far away, I don't know anything?!"
The document was laid out right in front of Jiang Xingyao.
Chuzhou is suffering from a severe drought.
The officials of Chuzhou certainly did not expect that when this memorial reached the capital and was seen by His Majesty, it would coincide with the announcement of the results of the imperial examinations.
And coincidentally, the person at the top of the list was from Chuzhou.
Jiang Xingyao bowed deeply, saying, "This humble subject, Jiang Xingyao, greets Your Majesty."
His Majesty put down the vermilion pen and looked at him. “Scholar Jiang, our dynasty is now at peace, and the people are living in contentment. Yet, this corrupt practice persists despite repeated prohibitions. What can be done?”
Jiang Xingyao said, "I believe that the corruption among lower-ranking officials is rampant, partly due to collusion between officials and businessmen, and partly due to protection by higher-ranking officials."
"Many local officials in our dynasty are from their hometowns, and their families and friends are deeply entrenched, making them the easiest place to breed corruption."
"Therefore, I believe that local officials should take up their posts in other places and should not return to their hometowns to serve."
His Majesty nodded. "Then what should be done about the protection provided by high-ranking officials in the court?"
Jiang Xingyao said, "The assessment of local officials depends entirely on the appointment of officials by the Ministry of Revenue or the recommendation of governors and prefects, making them the easiest targets for bribery and protection."
"I believe that political achievements should speak for themselves. Only by serving the people can we achieve good results!"
His Majesty smiled and said, "Scholar Jiang, if I were to appoint you to this local post, you wouldn't feel wronged."
Jiang Xingyao kowtowed, "To be loyal to the emperor and to bear his worries is the blessing of a commoner."
"good!"
His Majesty slammed his hand on the table in excitement, then coughed several times.
Eunuch Tian quickly stepped forward to soothe the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician just said yesterday that you should avoid getting angry or upset; your health is of utmost importance."
His Majesty waved his hand away, "My empire is of utmost importance! My people are of utmost importance!"
"Jiang Xingyao, I hereby appoint you as the magistrate of Ding County, Yuzhou."
He took a breath and said, "This is the place that Lord Qin has governed for more than ten years. I am entrusting it to you. Don't let me down."
Jiang Xingyao: "Your subject receives the imperial decree!"
Sunlight streamed in from outside the hall and fell on Jiang Xingyao's back.
His Majesty leaned on the table, a glint of light flashing in his eyes as he looked at his back.
The long palace corridor was deserted; Eunuch Tian accompanied him in.
Now he goes out on his own again.
His Majesty stood on the pavilion, his hands behind his back, his index finger pointing at the jade thumb ring.
Eunuch Tian came up carrying two memorials.
"Your Majesty, the memorial has been drafted."
One book appointed Jiang Xingyao as the magistrate of Ding County.
One book, Jin Liu Minghan served as the governor of Yuzhou.
Although Liu Minghan was a sixth-rank censor in the capital, his promotion to the position of prefect of Yuzhou was a fourth-rank promotion, which was in reality a demotion.
“Jiang Xingyao and Liu Minghan are sworn enemies. There is no need for them to fight in the court now. Send them to Yuzhou first so that Prince Cheng can see my two top scholars as local officials.”
"I will clean up these old parasites in the court and make room for them to show their talents."
Eunuch Tian lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty's strategic planning is truly awe-inspiring."
His Majesty coughed lightly twice, his left hand clenched into a fist.
Do you know why I spared your life?
Eunuch Tian immediately knelt down.
He was someone Empress Dowager Su placed by His Majesty's side the year His Majesty ascended the throne.
Your Majesty, "Firstly, you reminded me of the unusual nature of the incense back then. Secondly, you were quite pragmatic."
He glanced at Eunuch Tian, then turned and walked downstairs, leaving behind a remark.
"A wise person should not let their cleverness backfire."
On the day Jiang Xingyao left the capital, he repeatedly told the examination hall that if there was any letter from him, he would definitely forward it to the government office in Ding County, Yuzhou.
On the third day after his departure, the Imperial Examination Hall received a letter from Yuzhou.
"Isn't this a letter from Yuzhou? Why go through all this trouble to send it to the capital? Since you'll be passing through Yuzhou anyway, why don't you just go back and take a look?"
Another soldier snatched the letter from his hand. "Why so much talk? Just forward it. It's not like Lord Jiang didn't give you a reward."
Jiang Xingyao drove his small horse-drawn carriage and traveled for a full twenty-three days before finally arriving in Yuzhou.
Although Chuzhou and Yuzhou are adjacent, one is mostly water and the other is mostly mountains.
The customs are also different, and Dingxian is in the opposite direction, even further away from Chuzhou.
When he entered Yuzhou City, it was already sunset.
He randomly picked a foot-rest inn by the roadside to rest.
"Waiter, feed my carriage."
Alright!
Just as Jiang Xingyao was about to enter the store, a playful child accidentally bumped into his leg and fell on his bottom.
"Ouch!--"
The little girl didn't cry.
"Little kid, why are you running around like this? Where are your parents?"
Jiang Xingyao put the bundle on the ground, grabbed the little girl's arm, and lifted her up.
The little girl's round eyes were full of curiosity; she showed neither fear nor timidity.
His beautiful eyes immediately reminded him of his younger sister when she was little.
That's true too.
Not only are they full of ideas, but they are also very bold.
"Uncle, your voice is as pleasant as my mother's."
Jiang Xingyao smiled; no one had ever praised a man for his pleasant voice before.
"Thank you. But your mother can't wander off alone."
The little girl pointed to a rice cake stall with her tiny finger, saying, "My mother is there."
As she spoke, she ran towards her mother.
"Sir, please come this way to the inn."
When the waiter returned, Jiang Xingyao saw that the little girl had found her family, so he turned around and followed the waiter inside.
“Mother, Mother, I’ve met an uncle who speaks as kindly as you.”
Yao Shisan took his daughter's little hand and asked, "Where is she?"
“There it is.”
She looked up, but only saw a figure halfway into the foot shop.
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