In early August, the Eastern Inspection Team of the Fourth Emperor of the Jin Dynasty left Xiang County and headed to Yuan County, Yue County. In addition to going to Lingxuan Zong to see the legendary Map of All Territories and Ten Thousand Kingdoms, Mu Sheng went there. He also wanted to meet someone, his own uncle Zhao Chu, who was idle at home.
Of course he could send an edict and have Zhao Cu come and leave at a moment's notice. If he personally visited him with the dignity of an emperor, it would naturally give Zhao Cu a lot of face.
By an unknown pond in Yuan County, Yue County, Zhao Cu, the then dignified assistant minister, had been forced to retire and return to his hometown for more than a year. Now he is like an old fisherman, wearing a bamboo hat and a raincoat, with a fish basket beside him. Sit on the Diaoyutai.
From a distance, Zhao Cu looked like an ordinary fisherman. Although Zhao Cu had been an official for decades, he did not use his authority to buy good land and a beautiful house in his hometown. However, after Zhao Cu returned to his hometown, he did not have to worry about his livelihood.
The Zhao family in Yuanxian County was a well-known family in the local area, with countless properties under their name. Their ancestors had been ministers of the Yue Kingdom for several generations, serving as generals and prime ministers. The Zhao family could be said to have responded to hundreds of calls in the local area and had high prestige. Although Zhao Cu became an official He returned to his hometown, but there was an endless stream of local wealthy people who came to visit him every day. Apart from dealing with guests and studying, Zhao Cu had nothing to do every day but came to this river pond to fish to pass the time.
At this time, Zhao Chu's youngest son, Zhao Chan, ran all the way to him and said, "Father, the county magistrate Mr. Li is here to visit you."
Zhao Chu said: "Well, I understand."
Here in Wuminghetang, Li Hui, as a dignified county magistrate, actually took the initiative to come here to see Zhao Chu.
When Zhao Chu saw the county magistrate arrived, he put down his fishing rod and stepped forward with a smile: "Mr. Li, what are you doing? You actually came here to see me, a common man, in person. You are the head of a county. If you say hello, I will naturally go to the Yamen in person." visit."
Seeing this, the county magistrate Li Hui waved his hands and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhao, what are you talking about? How dare I greet you casually? I am naturally here to visit you today."
The two of them were polite and chatted for a long time before getting down to business. Although the county magistrate Li Hui called it a visit, his words seemed more like he came to cling to Zhao Cu, as if the head of Yuan County was Zhao Cu.
However, when faced with a well-known local family like the Zhao family, sometimes the county magistrate may not be able to speak as well as Zhao Cu, the head of the Zhao family. Since ancient times, the imperial power has not been in the county. The county magistrate of Liushui, the iron-clad family, not to mention the famous family of the entire Yue County. He was from a distinguished family, and Zhao Chu was once one of the nine ministers in the central government. Even the governor of Yue County was very polite when he saw Zhao Chu.
Seeing this, Zhao Chu waved his hand and said: "Master Li, you're welcome. I have no power and power, just a commoner. Master Li is an official of the imperial court. I'm afraid it's inappropriate to run to my side every two days!"
When the county magistrate Li Hui heard this, he sneered and said: "Tai Gong Zhao, although I am an official of one parent in Yuan County, I am not allowed to discuss many things with you, right? Besides, Tai Gong Zhao, you used to be the ninth minister in the imperial court, right? Ordinary people, with their humble official position, how dare they look down on you, Taigong Zhao?"
Zhao Chu said helplessly: "Okay, what is the purpose of Mr. Li coming here today?"
Li Hui said with a smile: "Tai Gong Ming Jian, His Majesty's Holy Emperor will come to this county tomorrow to inspect. Tai Gong, you are the uncle of the emperor. Your Majesty will definitely receive you at that time. I have been here in these years." The county's political achievements are obvious to all, you see..."
Li Hui's meaning couldn't be more obvious. Seeing how he, Mr. Li, had asked for instructions and reported to the Zhao family in the past years, and obeyed his words, when Zhao Chu met the emperor and said a few nice words, he would naturally treat his own. An official career has many benefits.
Many times, whether you can advance in your career depends not only on your practical ability, but also on your leader's impression of you. It is also important to please the people around your leader.
Li Hui is such a smart person. Although he doesn't know what happened above, he vaguely guessed that Zhao Shu, as the emperor's uncle, was just temporarily frustrated. Sooner or later, he would be transferred back to the central government by the imperial court. In fact, Zhao Shu's Hidden energy is very powerful. Now that the emperor's inspection team is here, it further confirms Li Hui's suspicion.
Zhao Chu nodded when he heard this and said: "Master Li, please rest assured. Master Li has indeed done a lot of good things for the local people as the official of our parents in Yuan County. If I have the opportunity to meet the saint, I will give you some advice."
Li Hui was overjoyed when he heard this. It seemed that he had not been fawning over the Zhao family in vain all these years.
Li Hui said: "Thank you very much, Taigong Zhao, for your promotion. I will be responsible for receiving the emperor's emissary now. I won't disturb your elegance, Taigong Zhao. I will resign."
Zhao Chu said: "Okay, I'm old and frail, so I won't send you far away."
Seeing Magistrate Li walking away, Zhao Chu continued fishing with his hook. Zhao Chu glanced at his second son, Zhao Chan, and asked, "Why are you still standing here? Your immediate superiors have gone back, why are you still here?" Don’t you just let him go?”
In order to curry favor with the Zhao family, Li Hui, the magistrate of Yuan County, appointed Zhao Chan as the county magistrate and entrusted him with important tasks. At the imperial county level, in addition to the county magistrate, the county captain was directly appointed by the court. At other levels in the county, Officials are all made by the local county magistrate, who usually appoints the children of more prestigious local families as officials, which can be said to have considerable power.
Zhao Chan said: "Father, I have something to ask. After I finish asking, I will go back to the county government office."
"You tell me."
Zhao Chan said: "Your Majesty is coming to Yuan County tomorrow. Is your Majesty's trip here specifically to see your father?"
Zhao Cu said thoughtfully: "I don't know, maybe I'm just passing by here."
Zhao Chan said with joy on his face: "Father, Chan'er guesses that Your Majesty must have come to see you, father. If father is allowed to return to the court again, our Zhao family will be able to get up again, and our whole family will be able to return to Qingyang."
Hearing this, Zhao Chu frowned and said, "What? You have wanted to go back to Qingyang for a long time?"
Zhao Chan rubbed the back of his head and said sheepishly: "Yes, father, I was born in Qingyang since I was a child and grew up there. Many of my friends are also there. Now, what do I do as a county government in this remote place?" If my father can be reused again, I won’t have to stay in this small place."
Zhao Chan used to work as an official in Qingyang with his parents. He was equivalent to the second generation official in the Beijing circle. He naturally had a high vision, so it was normal for him to look down on this little Yuan County.
Hearing this, Zhao Chu scolded with a cold snort: "Chan'er, are you thinking about your gang of friends in Qingyang every day? Remember, your surname is Zhao, you are from Yue, and this is your hometown. Yuan County is the place where our Zhao family really rises, and this is the foundation of our Zhao family. Your grandfather, grandfather, and grandfather all grew up here. They served as ministers of the Yue Kingdom in the past, and I, Zhao The family also started with military exploits and is one of the most famous families in the local area. After finally returning to my hometown, you need to make more friends with the scholars here so that you can shoulder the important task of reviving my Zhao family in the future. Why do you think so? Don’t you understand? Even if His Majesty uses me again this time, you will stay here and you will not be allowed to go anywhere. You want to go back to Qingyang? You think so."
Zhao Chan was stunned for a moment after being scolded. He suddenly shrugged and said, "Didn't my father still have an eldest brother? Now that the eldest brother is also the censor of Yunan County, it's not my turn to revitalize the Zhao family... …”
Zhao Chu said coldly: "What? Your eldest brother's surname is Zhao, but your surname is not Zhao? Look at your eldest brother. Although he is far away in Yunan County, he is a steady man and has made great achievements in official circles. You two brothers are working together. Only by working together can our Zhao family prosper. You are no longer a child, and you must shoulder the responsibility of reviving our Zhao family in the future."
"Father, I remember, I will go to the Yamen to handle my errands." After Zhao Chan said that, he disappeared without a trace.
Zhao Chu looked at his retreating back and shook his head helplessly, thinking that it was time to find a good marriage for him so that he could curb his frivolous and naughty temperament.
