Chapter 67, Promotion to Prefecture
"Wen Xiu, you guys should have a good rest today. Tomorrow, your second uncle will come and take you to the capital city for a good stroll!"
After moving into the yard, officials came to visit Yan Zhigao one after another. Li Xingchang and Li Xingnian did not want to stay for long, so they talked for a while and then prepared to leave.
Yan Zhigao had to receive other officials, so the task of seeing them off fell on his eldest son Yan Wenxiu.
Yan Wenxiu knew that his younger brothers and sisters were active and had long wanted to explore the city, so he smiled and thanked them, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Second Uncle."
Li Xingnian patted Yan Wenxiu's shoulder and said, "Why are you being so polite? You've always been so polite since you were little. Who are we? We're your uncles. Shouldn't we do something for you?"
As he said this, he sighed.
"You, don't push yourself too hard and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Studying is important, but you still have to play. Your dad is taking care of everything at home, so you don't need to worry about it."
Hearing such caring words, Yan Wenxiu would be lying if he said he wasn't touched. However, his introverted nature, which he had developed since childhood, made him at a loss as to how to express it. He just nodded silently.
Li Xingchang smiled and said, "I originally wanted to take you to live with me this time, but looking at the current situation, I'm afraid you can't go."
Yan Wenxiu smiled and said, "Father said that he would come to visit when he is done with his work."
Li Xingnian shook his head: "I guess you don't have time this time, you can only wait until next time."
Li Xingchang: "Go back quickly! I just saw quite a few officials here. Don't worry about their intentions for now. Stay with your father and see more people. This will greatly benefit your studies and your interpersonal relationships."
Yan Wenxiu listened carefully. Although his uncles were businessmen, he still respected them very much and kept everything they said in mind.
The two sides said goodbye at the door of the post station. Yan Wenxiu wanted to wait until Li Xingchang and Li Xingnian got on the carriage before leaving, but the two refused and insisted that he leave first.
Only when they could no longer see Yan Wenxiu's back did Li Xingchang and his brother walk towards their carriage.
In the provincial capital, news spread quickly, and since there were many people coming and going at the entrance of the post station, people soon knew that the Li brothers and the Yan family were in-laws.
As soon as the two of them got on the carriage, they received greetings from many people.
"Hmph, I didn't expect that Master Sun from Wanjinlou would take the initiative to greet us?" Li Xingnian said with a playful smile as he got on the carriage.
The Li family's business in the provincial capital was not very big, and they had no strong connections behind them, so they could only be considered a third-rate merchant. However, the Sun family behind Wanjinlou was one of the most powerful merchant families in Zhongzhou Prefecture.
Under normal circumstances, if the Li family came to ask for a meeting, they might not even see the shadow of the head of the Sun family.
Li Xingchang lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked at the bustling scene at the entrance of the post station. His expression was somewhat serious. "I wonder if this will be a blessing or a curse for the Yan family?"
Li Xingnian understood his elder brother's worries. The owner of the Qilin jade pendant was of too high a status. The Yan family was a poor family with no foundation. If they were not careful, they might become victims of the power struggle.
However, thinking of her niece's clever and cunning eyes, she smiled and said, "It won't be a disaster. I think Daohua is very smart. She wouldn't take the jade pendant if it was too hot."
Hearing this, Li Xingchang also smiled: "That girl looks like my sister. My sister hasn't had a good time in the Yan family these years. However, I heard that Daohua has been venting her anger for her since she went to Linyi County."
Li Xingnian smiled more: "That tough personality is like me."
Li Xingchang rolled his eyes at his second brother, who was no longer younger than him. "Daohua is a girl. If she were really like you, it would be a headache for her."
Li Xingnian disagreed: "I think this is good. A strong temper will prevent you from being bullied. My sister is just too virtuous, which is why she has been trampled on by a concubine all these years."
"Ah," Li Xingchang sighed, "She's doing this for our Li family. You know Zhigao's attitude towards businessmen."
Li Xingnian snorted coldly, "Pedantic! Without us merchants, how would goods be circulated and traded? I think some people have become stupid from reading too much!"
"This is the way of the world, so you should stop talking."
In the following days, Yan Zhigao was either in the government office or invited by other officials as a guest; while Daohua and the others, accompanied by Li Xingnian, toured the entire city.
During this period, Li Xingnian responded to all the requests of the little ones and bought them whatever they liked. Even Yan Wentao received quite a few gifts, which made him feel embarrassed.
Daohua, the fake child, felt a little uncomfortable and could only say nice things: "Second uncle, you are so kind. I originally brought gifts for my uncle, aunt, and cousins, but they were ruined by someone."
Li Xingnian knew about this. If it wasn't for the purpose of getting back the potted plants that were to be given to them, Daohua and the others wouldn't have confronted the son of the Fanzhou prefect. Although he felt pleased in his heart, he said it out loud.
"Don't be so reckless next time. The capital city is not like Linyi County, nor is it like your hometown in the countryside. There are more noble people here, and you never know who you might run into."
"You are lucky this time to have met an important person. Otherwise, if you offend the prefect, even your father will suffer the consequences."
Daohua sighed and said, "Second uncle, don't worry, I will keep a low profile in the future."
Li Xingnian saw her acting strangely and nodded her head. After a few days of contact, he knew that although his niece was young, she was very sensible in handling things, so he didn't say anything more.
At the same time, in Zhongzhou City.
This performance report was the most successful one for Yan Zhigao.
In the past, every time he came here, he would encounter a lot of difficulties, but this time, not to mention difficulties, even his immediate superior was very friendly to him.
He knew that all this was because of the noble young man whom his eldest daughter had saved.
These days, he made inquiries from many sources, and although he did not get any exact information, he knew that the young man was currently with Prince Rui.
Prince?
Or the son of King Rui?
Yan Zhigao didn't dare to think too much. At this moment, he was extremely uneasy. He had a premonition that this time, he was really going to rise.
The main hall of the government office.
Governor Dong Jiancheng was looking through Yan Zhigao's political achievements over the years.
The eldest son told him what happened at the post station that day.
Although he still didn't know what the relationship was between the young prince and the young master of the Yan family, Prince Rui had personally instructed him that if Yan Zhigao was someone who could get things done, he should be promoted.
Since the prince had already spoken, he had to bring it up, but he was a little confused about how to bring it up and to what extent.
"Yan Zhigao has made good political achievements, so why hasn't he been promoted?" Dong Jiancheng was puzzled.
The official beside him laughed and said, "Your Excellency may not know that Yan Zhigao is an arrogant and unruly man. When he was transferred to Zhongzhou Province, he offended Councillor Du."
The official didn't say anything after that, but Dong Jiancheng knew it.
Dong Jiancheng said nothing. He had been assigned to Zhongzhou Province and would return to Beijing upon completion of his term. He had no desire to get involved in the disputes among local officials. He simply asked, "Where do you think we should recommend him?"
The officer smiled and said, "Of course, I'll be transferred to wherever it's beneficial to you, sir."
Dong Jiancheng smiled with satisfaction, but soon the smile faded: "The young prince doesn't want to return to the capital and is now arguing with Prince Rui. Yan Zhigao's promotion cannot be too high or too low."
".So, I'll promote him to the rank of fifth-rank prefect. That's a three-rank promotion, which will satisfy the prince and satisfy the young prince's loyalty. Look for a vacant prefecture position somewhere and choose one that's neither too high nor too low and give it to Yan Zhigao."
"I obey your command!"
(End of this chapter)
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