Yang Quanqi deliberately downplayed the outcome of the contest between the new armies and did not merge the new armies into one.
After Yang Anxuan was promoted to captain, he and Yang Anyuan were in charge of two new armies. For convenience, they were named "Anyuan Army" and "Anxuan Army". They were both under the command of General Liwu Yang Siping.
Yang Anyuan was really depressed for a while. He fought on the battlefield with his father for several years and beheaded more than thirty people before he was awarded the title of school captain.
Yang Anxuan had only been in the army for a long time, and it was really unfair that he could be on an equal footing with him just because of his achievements in wiping out bandit troubles.
However, the order to promote Yang Anxuan to the rank of captain was given by Governor Xi, so Yang Anyuan could only say nothing.
Fortunately, his mother-in-law Dong told him good news. Yang Anxuan would most likely be summoned to the capital by the emperor after he was confirmed.
This made Yang Anyuan envious and secretly glad that no one would compete with him for military power.
Things are changing in the north. On April 20th, Later Yan sent out a surprise force to attack Xiyan's Fukou and entered Tianjingguan; on May 1st, they besieged Taibi; on May 16th, they defeated Xiyan's 50,000 main force and killed more than 8,000 people; Xiyan Jinyang ( Taiyuan) defender abandoned the city and fled.
Yang Siping took two new troops and some county soldiers to the north for field training. Yang Anxuan did not accompany the army. He was ordered by Yang Quanqi to stay and participate in poetry gatherings, gatherings, and talks.
Ordinary people don't know much about the war in the north. They are more concerned about the harvest of the few acres of newly cultivated land this year. Thanks to Yang Jiali, the crops are growing well, and they may be able to have a few full meals at the end of the year.
The nobles are hotly discussing the change of the county Zhongzheng this year. The former county Zhongzheng Cangbu Minister Wei Cheng is old and sick and cannot be qualified for the county Zhongzheng position. He has been replaced by the crown prince Yin Youqi, the concubine of the county, as the Xinye County Zhongzheng.
In February of this year, Yinyou Qi was promoted from the prince's wife to the prince's concubine, becoming the fifth rank.
When the news came, the Yin Family Fort became lively, and families of all sizes in Xinye came to pay their respects. The Yin Family became the most prominent family in Xinye County.
Of course, the person in the county who is the first person in the county does not have to do everything personally. The inspections and inquiries are done by subordinates. These people collect the information and give it to Zhongzheng for tasting. After the county Zhongzheng assesses the quality of talents, he reports it to the Dazhongzheng for "general discussion".
Because the county officials are from the county, in order to prevent fraud and favoritism, Dazhongzheng will also send personnel to conduct overt and covert inspections to ensure that the assessment is fair and impartial.
…………
In the early days of Xu, in the Chen Mansion in the east of Jiyang City, Hualin Hall was full of distinguished guests, and Chen Shen, the chief registrar, was entertaining guests.
Two bronze lanterns were placed on the east and west sides respectively, illuminating the lobby brightly, and a team of dancers danced to the sound of silk and bamboo.
Yuan He stared at the maiko's soft and twisting waist, thinking of his mother-in-law's bulky waist, and raised his glass to swallow the depression and wine.
Chen Shen sat in the chair with a smile on his face, scanning everyone's expressions, and Yuan He's actions naturally fell in his eyes.
At the end of the dance, the dancer retreated in a relaxed manner.
Chen Shen raised his glass and said with a smile: "You are all talented people in this county. I would like to propose a toast to you. I wish you all your wishes for this appointment will come true and you will start your career as soon as possible."
Everyone raised their glasses in response.
But Yuan He said angrily: "What do you want to achieve? I'm afraid that only the Yang family and the Yin family can make your wishes come true. A poor family like Yuan, no matter how talented he is, can never hope to compete with the aristocratic family. .”
This sentence stirred the heartstrings of the poor people in the audience, and someone sighed and echoed: "Brother Yuan is right, 'There are no poor families in the upper class, and there are no noble families in the lower class.' We should find some jobs as assistants to support our families earlier."
"Zuo Li, do you think it's so easy to get subordinates? Xinye County has a new group of subordinates, most of whom are members of the Yin, Deng, and Cen families. Prefect Yang has spent a lot of money to raise food for disaster relief. These three families have spent a lot of money. You Why don't you donate money and food to Governor Yang? Maybe you are an official in the Yamen now."
Chen Shen frowned and said that he was the one who offended many people by taking out the sword for Yang Quanqi. He said: "Today is a feast, let's not talk about the spoilers. Come, you all, have a drink."
"I heard that Gongsunhe is getting married to the Yin family. It seems that he will definitely be promoted this time." A Gejin scholar on the right seat said enviously.
"Junhe (Gongsunhe) has learned enough. He can take advantage of the opportunity to be promoted this time, which is considered a blessing."
Yuan He slapped the case and said angrily: "He is just a follower of others. It is foolish to keep being proud of him. From now on, Yuan Mou will cut off all relations with him."
Many people secretly curled their lips. This Yuan He always talked about breaking up with others, acting like a cynical superior. In fact, when he heard that there was a party or banquet, he would rush there even if he walked more than ten miles.
A Gepao scholar sighed: "When Mr. He was still alive, he would still say a few kind words for us. Now that Mr. He has passed away, it is even more difficult for us to rise to the top."
The wise man said: "Although Mr. He is not here, but Mr. Chen is here, Mr. Chen will definitely speak out for us."
Chen Shen stroked his beard and said with emotion: "I will naturally argue for all the talented people, and I won't let you go unappreciated and your ambitions hard to realize."
Everyone raised their glasses to toast Chen Shen. Most people knew in their hearts that regardless of what Master Chen said nicely, the Chen family was originally a noble family, so how could they really speak for the children of a poor family.
Yuan He raised his glass frequently, and soon became very drunk. He slapped the table with his hand and sang loudly: "A gentleman's heart is as white as the sky, and cannot be made known to others; a gentleman's talent is hidden in jade and pearls, and cannot be made known to others." "It is easy for people to know" is exactly what is said in "Little Window Quiet Sentences".
At the beginning of the next day, Yuan He woke up from his drunken dream and felt a splitting headache. He closed his eyes and shouted: "Come water."
Yuan He was furious when he smelled a delicate fragrance in his nose. It was difficult for the family to have enough food and clothing, but the woman actually imitated others to apply makeup and powder. Where did she get the money?
When he opened his eyes, he was about to shout angrily, but he was stunned. Where was he? There was a green silk curtain and a thin brocade quilt. The woman in front of him had a pretty face. Could it be that he was drunk in the fairy palace?
"The guest is awake." The woman said in a sweet voice, "The guest was drunk yesterday, and the owner of the house asked him to stay in the guest room."
Yuan He woke up and realized that he had been drinking in Chen Mansion last night, but he couldn't remember it afterwards.
After looking at the thin quilt of the brocade couch with nostalgia, Yuan He turned over and got up. He looked straight and said with a serious face: "May I ask, young lady, if Mr. Chen is in the house, Yuan will go and thank you."
The maid led the way through the corridor and courtyard to the study, where Chen Shen sat in front of the window and read.
Yuan He hurriedly stepped forward, bowed his head to the ground, and said, "Yuan He has lost his decency. Please forgive me, Mr. Chen."
"Xuancheng (characterized by Yuan He) is awake. It doesn't matter. Drinking and being wild is the nature of a romantic. How can I blame you? You haven't had breakfast yet, so come with me. Come and serve breakfast."
Seeing Yuan He wolfing down his food, Chen Shen put down the chopsticks in his hand and said, "I heard that Xuancheng's family is suffering from poverty, so I will prepare a small gift so that Xuancheng can study in peace."
As soon as she clapped her hands, a maid held up a plate with golden gold on it, which should be two taels.
Twenty taels of gold, twenty thousand dollars, is enough for him to spend for a period of time. With such a generous gift, I don't know what Chen Shen wants to do.
Yuan He swallowed the millet porridge in his mouth, stood up and bowed again: "Yuan, thank you Mr. Chen for your kindness."
When Yuan He sat down again, Chen Shen whispered: "I heard that Xuancheng was very worried about the death of He Gong, and he often complained on behalf of He Gong in front of others."
Yuan He's heart moved and he said tentatively: "Yuan is just speaking out of righteous indignation."
"I have a close relationship with Mr. He, and I am not angry that he was forced to die. It's just that people can't help themselves in the officialdom, so I can't speak out for him. Alas, I am not as good as Xuancheng."
Hearing Chen Shen's sanctimonious lament, Yuan He secretly thought to himself, who doesn't know that He Changsheng was ordered by you to frame Yang Anxuan, but was forced to leave the stage by Yang Anxuan's three poems. The person who really forced He Changsheng to death was the bookkeeper. .
He Changsheng had been favored by him when he was alive. After he died, he could be considered a favor by calling him a few words, Yuan He thought while stroking his beard.
Chen Shen continued: "If there is a 'visit' to you to explore the public opinion of the township party and evaluate the virtues of scholars and talents, Xuancheng might as well tell the truth about He Gong."
It turned out that he wanted to deal with Yang Anxuan, and Yuan He looked troubled. It was okay for him to yell a few words, but if he ruined Yang Anxuan's chance of being ordered, I'm afraid the Yang family would not let him go.
My eyes glanced at the two taels of gold, and I thought it was not worth it.
Chen Shen smiled and said: "I think the Yang family has heard Xuancheng's usual words. If there is right and wrong, it is Xuancheng who is not Xuancheng. It is useless to shrink back and be afraid at this time."
Yuan He deeply regretted that he had offended so many people with his talkative words. This time, he was caught in the competition between the Yang and Chen families. If he was not careful, his reputation would be ruined and beyond control.
"Xuancheng, don't be afraid. This time I will ask someone to speak kindly to you. Even if you can't be promoted, I can still recommend you to work in Yixing County, Yangzhou. Master Wu and Guo Jingshi are both officials in Yixing County now. I don't know how strong I was when I was in Xinye." Chen Shen smiled and stroked his beard, not afraid that Yuan He would not agree.
Yuan He asked himself that there was no way out, put the gold in his arms, stood up and said, "Yuan, I obey."
…………
In the evening, Chen Shen returned home from the office and ordered his clan brother Chen Chong to be found. He drove his attendants away and the two of them whispered in the study.
"...The He family promised to tell the 'visit' that He Changsheng was forced to death by the Yang family..."
"He Changsheng's eldest son should be named He Qing. You have to ask him clearly whether He Changsheng left any last words before his death. Don't let anyone catch you."
"Third brother, don't worry. I've already asked. He Qing said that He Changsheng drank poison and committed suicide after gathering his family members to distribute the property. The letter has been burned." Chen Zhongdao.
Chen Shen asked further, "Did He Qing cook it himself?"
"He Qing said he saw it burned by He Changsheng with his own eyes."
Chen Shen felt relieved and said, "How is Zhang Hong doing?"
Chen Zhong shook his head and said: "The man named Zhang is very naughty. He said that ten thousand yuan is too little. At least fifty thousand yuan is needed."
Chen Shen's eyes flashed fiercely, and he said: "When I was in the Yamen, this Zhang Hong was just a dog, nodding and bowing to me. Now he dares to bargain with me. He is capable of marrying his daughter to Yang Shangbao as a concubine, but it's a pity that he is so cheap. The son-in-law didn’t take him seriously.”
After cursing a few words angrily, Chen Shen said, "Just give him fifty thousand dollars, and I'll settle the accounts with him later. I'll make him spit it out when he eats me."
Chen Zhong was ordered to leave the study. Chen Shen's eyes fell on the case. Three days ago, his eldest brother Chen Hui wrote a letter. In the letter, he mentioned that his nephew Chen Zhi was humiliated. There was anger in the words, blaming himself for not taking care of him. The nephew came forward.
Chen Shen sighed softly, the eldest brother did not know his own difficulties. He was suppressed by Yang Quanqi in the Yamen and could not hold his head up. No officials in the Yamen dared to approach him.
No matter what, Yang Anxuan cannot sit idly by this time. Chen Shen has secretly made three moves: Yuan He, the He family and Zhang Hong.
After thinking over and over again, Chen Shen felt that it was not safe, so he decided to rely on interviews to find out the public opinion of the township party. The Chen family was a local noble family, so he might as well find more familiar township party members to give Yang Anxuan a "good word".
Also, Zhang Hui was his friend for many years. Dazhongzheng would participate in the evaluation of people. Chen thought deeply about it for a long time and wrote a letter to Zhang Hui.
