Zhao Yasi looked at this letter with mixed feelings.
He stroked his half-grey hair and couldn't help but think of his life.
Since his parents were forced to death by subordinate officials when he was young, he has determined to work as a yamen official, not seeking to bully others, but seeking not to be bullied by others. He studied hard and mastered the art of writing punishment names, and finally entered the public service. He was just a junior in the prison at the beginning. Because he refused to cooperate with the superior officials in extorting prisoners, he was sent to the countryside to work as a petty official. He was also ostracized by his colleagues because he was meticulous in his work, refused to follow the rules of the countryside, and obscured his accounts.
It stands to reason that he should have been depressed and depressed all his life, until one day he met Chen Xiang, who was still the county boss.
That day Chen Xiang left him talking and said that he was the most unsullied person among the many county officials. Zhao Asi remembered how frightened he was listening to Chen Xiang pulling him to chat about everyday things.
Since that day, Zhao Yasi's life has changed. He became Chen Xiang's most valued official, promoted all the way up, and finally reached the pinnacle of the county's subordinate official position.
He also tried his best to repay Chen Xiang's kindness. Not only did he not collude with the subordinate officials in the county, but he also worked with Chen Xiang to expose the illegal activities of attacking the officials in the county.
It was not until Chen Xiang was transferred away that Zhao Yasi's fate took a turn for the worse. He had offended many people in the county government, and once Chen Xiang left, he lost his backer. In order to stand firm, they can only work hard to cling to the new county magistrate and manage their own power in the county and state. As a result, he took over the difficult tasks that the county and state were unwilling to handle, and even harmed many good people against his will.
In this way, Zhao Yasi's position was stabilized. Not only did he have both sides, but he also managed a lot of power and made a proud marriage to his daughter. If the only thing he regrets at this moment is that he has done so much and is afraid of retribution, this is also because he still has a conscience.
But everything changed after the future son-in-law escaped from the marriage.
Zhao Asi read the letter carefully, but saw that it contained the biggest scandal in his life. This matter was known to the other party for some reason... Once this matter was exposed, not only would he die, but his home would also be ransacked, and even his wife and daughter would be raped. Jiaofang Division.
But he could neither suppress the matter nor effect the other party. The other party was a new Jinshi, and his backing in the state was not as good as his. If he delivered a letter to Yousi, no one would be able to accept it.
In the Song Dynasty, it was extremely difficult to kill an official, but killing a subordinate was only a matter of words. On weekdays, Zhao Asi is always in trouble in the county, because there is no one with a higher status than him who wants to make things difficult for him.
Zhao Yasi looked at the date on the letter and realized that it was sent before the Ministry of Rites examination. Maybe Zhang Erlang was still on his way from Suzhou to the capital at that time. How could he be so confident that this Jinshi would definitely win? Is it a sure bet?
But now that he has won the Jinshi, what Zhao Asi is most worried about is right in front of him.
Don’t mess with scholars!
This was what an old official said to him when he first entered the county government. Zhao Yasi understood but did not understand.
Zhao Yasi felt that when he entered the yamen, he was an upright person, different from the subordinate officials who forced his parents to death, but he did countless bad things in the future. Zhao Asi also believed in the yamen's ritual of tooth for tooth and eye for eye. He felt that if he was ruthless enough, others would be afraid of him and not dare to embarrass him. However, Zhang Erlang was not afraid of him and dared to escape from the marriage.
He did not kill Dalangjun because Sanlangjun was afraid of revenge from Erlangjun one day. However, he induced Dalangjun to gamble and did not allow Sanlangjun to go to school in the county. He was also afraid that the Zhang family would turn over one day.
He consciously grasped the situation, but why did he end up in such a situation?
He really couldn't understand it.
But now he could no longer think about it.
Zhao Asi took out the fine wine that had been stored at home for many years. He originally wanted to drink it when his daughter got married, but now he couldn't wait any longer.
After drinking half of the jar, there was still half of the jar left. Zhao Yasi broke it, and then broke the remaining jars together. Finally, he put a smile on his lips and said: "Happy, happy!"
The next day, in the county government office.
The county magistrate and Xue Zheng are discussing the list of candidates for the county school entrance examination.
The county magistrate said: "Professor Hu, I heard people talking about Zhang Erlangjun's change of nationality. It is true that he hid it from his family, but it doesn't matter."
"I'm going to be the official... I'm going to be the official." Xuezheng didn't know what to say.
The county magistrate smiled and said: "Anyway, whether you congratulate or not is normal, it's just a matter of taking a trip or not. But having said that, Zhang Erlang ranked so high in the provincial examination, it is not difficult to get into the first class."
"If it's a headgear, even if you can't become an official in the capital after being released, you still have to select someone. The official rank is higher than mine, so you still have to be cautious."
In the Song Dynasty, there were two levels: county magistrates and county magistrates. Officials from the Beijing Dynasty were called county magistrates when they went to the local area, while elected officials were called county magistrates when they went to the local area. The Pucheng County Magistrate was naturally chosen.
In the official system of the Song Dynasty, there was a huge difference between officials in Beijing and those who selected people. The county magistrate selects people of the third and fifth levels, let alone the officials of the Beijing Dynasty.
"Actually, it doesn't matter whether Mr. Zhang Erlang cares about his family or not, but if the county does not do well, then he will be embarrassed. As for Zhang Sanlang, I think he is an honest man. Even if he becomes a yamen in the future, he will not lose his true character. . I have taken a liking to this son with my own eyes, and I will never make a mistake in the future."
Xuezheng also smiled and said: "The county magistrate has a keen eye and recognizes talents. Now it has become a good story in the county."
The county magistrate added: "Also, senior brother Guo Lin seems to be an upright person. Although this time he is between being recorded and not being recorded, good things come in pairs and there is no reason to break up their brothers. What do you think? "
Xuezheng was overjoyed and said: "Your Majesty is really smart. Guo Lin's father is a village schoolmaster in Wuxi. He has been teaching and educating people for more than ten years. His family tradition is very upright. If Guo Lin is chosen to study in the county, it will definitely make the people of this county become one." Shock!"
"Haha!" The county magistrate stroked his beard and laughed, "Since the professor said so, let's record it! The list has been copied and stamped, and the list will be published tomorrow!"
"It is really gratifying that you have promoted virtuous people and added talents to the country!"
Immediately Xuezheng was given another high hat.
It was a yamen servant who came in and reported: "To inform you, your Majesty, Zhao Asi in the yamen committed suicide by hanging himself last night."
"What?"
The county magistrate and Xuezheng were both shocked.
The county magistrate was surprised at first and then showed a little joy and said: "That's all, if you die, you will be clean."
"But do you know why he suddenly committed suicide?"
The visitor reported, "I don't know yet, but I heard from his wife that a letter was given to him in Beijing yesterday, saying it was from Mr. Zhang Erlang, who won the Jinshi."
"oh?"
The county magistrate caressed his beard and said: "In this chapter, Mr. Erlang really has the means to kill the first police officer in this county! If he goes to court one day, he will be a traitor if he is not a famous minister!"
The county magistrate turned around and said to Xuezheng: "I heard that Mr. Chen from Jianyang wanted to recruit the second and third sons of the Zhang family to study with his nephew to increase his reputation and for the purpose of scientific examination. But how can their brothers be willing to do this? The lower class, even if they come from a poor family, cannot be recruited by just one disciple."
"Mr. Chen has always had a reputation for knowing people, but this time he missed the mark."
