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In fact, before the joint examination, although Xiao Wenxuan had made a move to seek refuge with Zhao Junchen, it was not out of sincerity. He just wanted to use Zhao Junchen's power in the court to help him make a difference in the imperial examination. [No pop-up novel website]
At that time, Xiao Wenxuan had already made up his mind. As long as he was nominated for the imperial examination and entered the officialdom, he would immediately draw a clear line and distance himself from Zhao Junchen.
After all, Zhao Junchen has a very bad reputation among the government and the public. He is the corrupt official who Xiao Wenxuan despises the most. Letting him become Zhao Junchen's lackey would completely violate the values he has established since he was a child.
Of course, at that time, Xiao Wenxuan did not understand the world's conditions and people's hearts, let alone the unspoken rules of officialdom, so his ideas were still a bit naive and simple.
But now Xiao Wenxuan has gradually understood that after a person enters the officialdom, his initial faction and position cannot be changed so easily. Once you make a choice, there is only one way to go!
Because, if Xiao Wenxuan takes advantage of Zhao Junchen's power to take the imperial examination and become an official, he will be branded as a "Zhao Party", which cannot be washed away. Other factions in the court will naturally be hostile and suppress him, and he will only get Only with Zhao Junchen's continued protection can he gain a firm foothold in the officialdom and seek further development.
But if Xiao Wenxuan has the idea of drawing a clear line with Zhao Junchen, then he will not only lose Zhao Junchen's asylum, but even Zhao Junchen's faction will regard him as a traitor and actively persecute him, and other factions will not It was easy to trust him and take him in. At that time, surrounded by enemies, Xiao Wenxuan might not even know how he died.
When entering officialdom for the first time, the most important basic principle is often to "follow the right person" and "choose the right backer"! ——This is not only because it will affect your rise and fall and future, but also because once you choose and decide, it is difficult to change or regret it. You can only bite the bullet and keep going.
so. Once Xiao Wenxuan really uses Zhao Junchen to enter officialdom, he will have no choice.
In officialdom, "choice" is often the most expensive thing! Especially newcomers to officialdom, especially those newcomers to officialdom who have no strength and background. In the beginning, I had no right to choose my own path! No one will care about your choice at all!
Only when enough power and influence have been accumulated that people cannot be underestimated and can influence the court's decision-making to a certain extent - just like Zhao Junchen today - at that time, people in the officialdom will have certain "choices" "right, but most of the time, we still have no control over it.
This is the reality and cruelty of officialdom.
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However, precisely because Xiao Wenxuan gradually understood the reality and cruelty of these officialdoms, he was so hesitant in the face of Zhao Junchen's recruitment.
Although Xiao Wenxuan has failed the examination, if he becomes Zhao Junchen's staff, he will still face a similar helpless situation - he will still be branded as a "Zhao Party". And being hostile to other factions in the DPRK, he will still be cut off from other options and can only follow Zhao Junchen's path to darkness.
Of course, not to mention Zhao Junchen's own infamous reputation, becoming Zhao Junchen's staff and retainer. For Xiao Wenxuan, it is almost the same as "helping the tyrants to do evil".
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On the other side, seeing the hesitation in Xiao Wenxuan's expression, Zhao Junchen smiled instead.
Since it is "indecisive", it proves that deep down in Xiao Wenxuan's heart, he does not object to becoming Zhao Junchen's retainer and staff, only Shang still has some concerns.
after all. The two encounters between Zhao Junchen and Xiao Wenxuan left Xiao Wenxuan with a pretty good first impression, and this good first impression can also largely alleviate Xiao Wenxuan's disgust and rejection of Zhao Junchen's infamous reputation.
Moreover, once he became Zhao Junchen's aide in the palace, it would be very difficult for Xiao Wenxuan himself. It is also quite beneficial. As the saying goes, "the seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's door", but once you become Zhao Junchen's staff and retainer, you are more than just a seventh-rank official? Although I dare not say that it is Guangzong Yaozu, the Fuze family can still do it.
so. Seeing that Xiao Wenxuan was hesitant and did not respond to his solicitation, Zhao Junchen said softly: "Mr. Xiao, you failed the exam this time. Although it is due to my poor consideration, it is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, With your original character, even if you enter the officialdom, you will only make enemies everywhere, and the final end may be unbearable, and your family may be implicated. But if you fail now, you will not only avoid possible disasters in the future, but also make you mature. He cultivates his character and cultivates his city."
Regarding what Zhao Junchen said, Xiao Wenxuan had actually considered what Zhao Junchen said when he was tossing and turning at night, so after a moment of silence, he nodded in agreement, then sighed again and said: "That being said, But after all, it was my last attempt on the road to the imperial examination. I failed like this, and I am always unwilling to accept it... Although I also understand that all of this is caused by myself. I can’t blame anyone, and of course, I can’t blame you, sir. "
"Oh? So, Mr. Xiao, you really don't plan to continue taking the imperial examination?"
Xiao Wenxuan shook his head and said: "Failing the exam four times in a row has exhausted my energy, and I am not young now. Even if I am lucky enough to win the exam three years later, I am afraid my results will not be that good, let alone these years. My family has worked very hard to support me in my studies, and I don’t want them to have to work so hard anymore, but it’s time for me to repay them.”
"In this way, Mr. Xiao, you don't have many choices in the future. You may be farming, doing business, teaching, or serving as a staff master to officials in the DPRK." Zhao Junchen nodded with understanding. But he looked like he was sincerely planning for Xiao Wenxuan, and said: "However, the future of farming is not very good after all. What's more, as far as I know, Mr. Xiao, your family's land is not very large; and the connections, money, and experience required for doing business are , I’m afraid Mr. Xiao, you are also slightly deficient; as for teaching, it is certainly a good choice, but I don’t think Mr. Xiao, you will like to deal with those naughty boys all day long... In this way, Mr. Xiao, you will have the best future. The only choice you have is to serve as an aide or master to officials in the DPRK. This way you can also be involved in political affairs, and you can also display your ambitions and ambitions."
Hearing that Zhao Junchen was still trying to recruit him, Xiao Wenxuan was still silent and still couldn't make up his mind.
However. Zhao Junchen's next words made Xiao Wenxuan's expression change slightly.
"It's just that I don't know, Mr. Xiao, which official do you want to take refuge in? In other words, given your current situation, Mr. Xiao, which officials are willing to recruit you, Mr. Xiao?"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Xiao Wenxuan's body shook slightly, but he suddenly realized that he didn't have many choices!
Before the joint examination, the news that Xiao Wenxuan wanted to join Zhao Junchen with the help of Liu Zimin's relationship could not be concealed at all as long as the officials from the DPRK and China wanted to inquire!
In other words, Xiao Wenxuan has actually been branded as "Zhao Party" for a long time!
With such imprints and traces. Apart from officials from Zhao Junchen's group, who else is willing to recruit Xiao Wenxuan as an aide or master? If he could only seek refuge with officials from Zhao Junchen's faction, then he might as well seek refuge with Zhao Junchen directly!
As for choices such as farming, doing business, and teaching, as Zhao Junchen said before, Xiao Wenxuan may not like it. Or the conditions are insufficient.
Thinking of this, a hint of bitterness flashed across Xiao Wenxuan's expression. Unexpectedly, he had just a little involvement with officialdom and already had no choice.
When people are in the officialdom, they can't help themselves. This is how it is!
However, Zhao Junchen came to Xiao Wenxuan this time. Just to reassure Xiao Wenxuan, but not to make Xiao Wenxuan feel forced, he stopped talking about some things and would not continue to talk in depth.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen's expression became more candid and he continued: "I am meeting you this time. I come here with sincerity. In fact, you and I have met twice. Mr. Xiao, you should be able to notice that now everyone in the court, There are very few people who can understand you, Mr. Xiao, and I am one of them. Mr. Xiao, what you have done in the past shows that you have unique views, are not bound by secular rules, and will not hesitate to endure humiliation and hardship in order to achieve your goals. , and this is what I value about you, because I do the same, so I believe that if you serve as my adviser, we will understand each other and cooperate happily."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued: "Of course, I understand your concerns, Mr. Xiao. You think that I am a corrupt official and working for me is not in line with your ambitions. But Mr. Xiao, you should also understand that the rumors in this world are , most of them are nine lies and one truth. If I am really just an incompetent and corrupt official, how can I make His Majesty stay away from me? In fact, in today's temple, I don't think there are many people who have made higher contributions than me. More, including His Highness the Crown Prince, who is famous all over the world for his virtues and virtues. Mr. Xiao, if you really want to fulfill your ambitions, instead of working for those Qingliu people who only talk about things but don't do practical things, why don't you help me do some real practical things? Are the reputations of corrupt officials and honest officials really that important to you?"
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After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xiao Wenxuan's expression changed for a long time before he finally made a decision!
That is, join Zhao Junchen's sect and become Zhao Junchen's aide in the palace!
What Zhao Junchen said is only one aspect. More importantly, the so-called persistence and ambition are always insignificant in the face of cruel reality.
After thinking about it for a long time, Xiao Wenxuan found that becoming Zhao Junchen's staff was indeed his best choice at the moment.
What's more, since the two met, Xiao Wenxuan always kept silent because of hesitation, but Zhao Junchen talked a lot of reasons in order to persuade, and he was not angry because of Xiao Wenxuan's silence. This was enough for Xiao Wenxuan to understand that Zhao Junchen Junchen’s sincerity.
So, Xiao Wenxuan stood up, bowed to Zhao Junchen, and said: "Thank you for the compliment, sir. Although Xiao Wenxuan deserves it, he does not dare to refuse anymore. After more than thirty years of hard study, I have achieved my lifelong ambition." Ambition is sold to adults from now on!"
Seeing that Xiao Wenxuan was finally convinced by him, Zhao Junchen smiled.
While laughing, Zhao Junchen suddenly said: "Very good, but you have your ambitions, and I also have mine, so in the future I will recruit many staff to assist the government, and these staff will perform their respective responsibilities, and Mr. Xiao, I don’t know, do you want to do some big things for me in the future? Or do you just want to make a living?"
"Xiao Wenxuan will not refuse where his ability lies. If there is a choice, I will naturally want to do some big things for you." Xiao Wenxuan naturally did not want Zhao Junchen to look down on him at this time, so he said simply.
"If you want to do something big, then you have to do something for yourself first!" Zhao Junchen said slowly.
"I hope you can give me some advice."
"Now, Liu Zimin, Zeng Wei and other candidates who have surrendered to me are gathering in Tianhai Tower to congratulate each other because they have all made it to the apricot list." Zhao Junchen looked into Xiao Wenxuan's eyes and said softly: "And What you have to do is to join them immediately, integrate into them, and try every means to eliminate their dislike of you! They will also be my people in the future, and will also be entrusted with important tasks by me. If you are at odds with them, and I Recruiting you into my house and entrusting you with big things will only make them dissatisfied and worry about your revenge. This is what I don't want to see. So, in the future, in my house, will you do big things or just hang around? , it depends on whether you can have a good relationship with them."
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