The cold wind is biting, the branches are bare, and even the chirping of birds is getting less and less day by day. Winter is just around the corner.
Song Qingyue bought exam questions, Zhang Chengru was dismissed from office, and the incident between Zhang Guanhua and Li Luanhong spread like wildfire. The Zhang family has become a laughing stock among the aristocratic families and has become the talk of everyone after dinner. Those who were jealous of the Zhang family and the Gu family at this time Dance more happily.
This is not as pleasant as having your home confiscated and exiled if you make a big mistake. In such a big house, so many people have to live a normal life. They are looked at when they come in and out every day, and they have to say hello when they meet. They have to put on a good front, and the inside is already in disarray.
Shen Que knew the exact news in the morning court. The weather had suddenly changed in the past few days. Emperor Xiaochun had a cough again, so the emperor's eldest son took charge of the morning court.
This signal couldn't be more clear. Since the fraud in the imperial examination, everyone has known about the grudge between the eldest prince and Zhang Chengru. At this moment, he must not be willing to take the back seat, and everyone is in high spirits when gossiping.
"I heard that the Zhang family's gold and jade are ruined on the outside and become an empty shell. They have long been unable to make ends meet."
"Isn't it? The old lady in her family is really not good at teaching all her children."
"Five girls are going crazy when they hear that they are locked in the house and making trouble all day long..."
When Shen Que arrived, the group of old ladies were gathering together to gossip, with loud voices and rich expressions, no less impressive than the ladies in the back house.
This is human nature. They prefer to see people they were jealous of in the past being dragged into the market, or even trapped in a swamp. Even the futile struggle is enjoyable to watch. If you can use this as a stepping stone to help yourself take off, that would be even better.
It was the end of the year and the treasury was empty. Shen Que was so busy that he really didn't care about the Zhang family's trivial matters, so he pretended not to hear.
"Everyone, a group of officials selected from the imperial examination two months ago have been assigned to various ministries. The feedback has been very good. It's a pity that there are still more people who have no way to take the imperial examination." Shen Que is quite cherishing his talents.
"Your Highness, there has been a 'official promotion system' since ancient times. According to my research, it is often those who are older or have criminals in their families who cannot participate in the imperial examination. Through investigation, these people are upright but have been implicated, and Many of them are knowledgeable people, and their essays are not inferior to others. I would like to ask Your Highness to consider the appointment system."
Look, this is a smart man. He said what Shangfeng wanted to say but couldn't say it directly, and made it sound and well-founded.
Shen Que nodded. In fact, Emperor Xiaochun himself proposed the system of promotion of officials. The so-called promotion of officials is to pay a certain amount of money in exchange for official positions. This has been well documented in all dynasties. Its main purpose is to select people's legacy and enrich their lives. Treasury.
Of course, the recommendable official positions given by the official promotion system also have grade restrictions. For example, this time the official promotion system is the first operation in Daye, Shen Que finally determined that it was based on the number of people, and initially determined the official rank below the sixth grade. , if there are too many people, you can put it to the fifth level as appropriate.
As for the person responsible for this promotion system, she also has her own considerations.
The fraud in the imperial examination caused the second child to lose one of his arms, but he did not give up. This was known to Shen Zhen. Among the other younger brothers, the seventh brother took on positions, and the eighth brother was taken by his father and was still young. Too young, Shen Que thought of his third child.
The third oldest King of Qin, Li Luanyi, is in charge of the household department and knows the treasury best. Moreover, although this younger brother looks cowardly, he has a profound mind. Shen Que has noticed that every time there is a dispute between brothers, he is always the one who stirs up the trouble, a bit like the mantis stalking the cicada and the oriole behind.
In Li Luansong's words, Lao San has a soft temper and is not very smart. It is easy for people to ignore his existence by standing there dullly, but his temperament is that he likes to sit on the mountain and watch tigers fight.
Shen Que felt a headache when he thought of his second oldest brother, Li Luanyi, and simply recommended the third oldest brother, Li Luanyi, to be the ambassador of this official promotion system. The money earned was directly deposited into the national treasury, which was justifiable. This was also Li Luansong's idea.
Naturally, this proposal was recognized by Emperor Xiaochun and another wave of praise from ministers.
As soon as the news came out, the streets and alleys became more lively, as if they were even happier than the Chinese New Year.
Think about it, this is indeed a good thing for wealthy families. The so-called scholars, farmers, industrialists, and merchants, if they have some spare money at home, they can donate it to become an official. From then on, they can be regarded as entering the official career. The seeds are planted in this generation, and future generations will From then on, there was hope for the imperial examination, which was a great thing for the family.
Wang Peilan was one of the most excited people.
She comes from a family of officials. Even so, her brothers, nephews, and nephews who are officials are not of high rank. Her old father is also a fan of officials. When he heard the news about the promotion system, he immediately went to his daughter to discuss it.
"Didn't you say that you can recommend me?" The old man, who is thirty-three this year, pulled his daughter's sleeve and said, "You ask my uncle to recommend me. If my father becomes successful in the future, we can take care of each other."
Wang Peilan said: "Dad has only reached the seventh rank at this age. Don't even think about his meteoric rise. If he can be promoted one level and sit firmly at the seventh rank, his salary will be increased to some extent, and the children and grandchildren in the family will be able to have a ladder in the future."
The old man said that was not possible, "Just one level is too little, at least level three. Your father and I want to reach level six."
Wang Peilan curled her lips and said: "My husband is only from the fifth rank, but he is a serious member of the imperial examination. Besides, the highest rank this time is only the sixth rank. Dad should not think about such unrealistic good things."
The old man refused and took his daughter to talk earnestly: "Everyone in the capital knows about your husband's family. This family is about to decline. If you have father to support you, we can go further."
Wang Peilan felt very impressed and said, "I'll go back and talk to him."
Unexpectedly, this statement was opposed by her husband Zhang Chengzhong:
"Your father is right. You have seen what is going on in our family. The eldest brother is already useless. The second brother has a meek temper and has no hope of promotion. As for me, if I can help, maybe I can It can be better. Besides, you are now in charge, and our third house will be the backbone of the Zhang family in the future. However, it is really not possible to upgrade to three levels in a row. The decree clearly states that we can only upgrade to one level."
Wang Peilan hooked his neck and pulled the man in front of her, twisting and rubbing in front of her husband, and said coquettishly: "The first level is the first level, then husband, please write a letter of recommendation now."
Just do it, add fragrance to your red sleeves while waiting for the pen and ink, and watch Zhang Chengzhong write the recommendation, dry it, and fold it, and then your heart will feel at ease.
Master Wuchen of Fangyuan Temple had said last time that her father would definitely be able to accomplish this, and all the difficulties and costs would not be worth mentioning.
Thinking of this, Wang Peilan was filled with joy. She took another look at her husband. Although he was thinner, he was also lean. She dragged him to the bed and pressed him under her. She had been holding it in for a long time. How could she get such fat in her mouth so easily? He might have vomited it out, his whole body was restless and he was panting again and again. How could he allow Mr. Zhang to resist, take off his clothes, gag him, and give birth to a son? This time he must give birth to a son.
…
In the Jin Palace, Shen Que was busy for days and didn't forget to go to the school field to watch the military training. As a result, he came back with a high fever due to the cold weather.
This frightened the father-in-law Shi, who was so busy that he invited the imperial doctor and gave him water and medicine.
Shen Que was surrounded by groups of imperial doctors. Originally, it was impossible to open the windows for ventilation in winter, but now he felt that the air was even thinner, so he simply gave up and was left alone.
"Your Highness, you must not be willful. This wind and cold are terrible. If it invades the body and leaves the root of the disease..."
"Eunuch Shi." Shen Que interrupted him, "You can go out."
"No." At the critical moment, the father-in-law had a sense of righteousness and insisted on his position: "Your Highness was brought up by an old slave from childhood to adulthood. When did you get overheated? If the old slave doesn't leave, Your Highness will beat the old slave to death. The old slave will Don’t leave.”
"Are you leaving or not?"
"If this old slave doesn't leave, please beat me to death if His Highness feels uncomfortable."
Shen Que: ... just playing around.
Eunuch Shi: ...Yes, it’s a joke.
The two masters and servants were in a stalemate when they heard a servant coming hurriedly outside the door and reported: "Your Highness, the Queen heard that His Highness was seriously ill and sent it to His Highness...sent..."
"Hey, you little monkey, tell me if you have anything to say. What did you bring?" Eunuch Shi urged.
"Send me the medicine introduction." The boy stuttered.
Medicine introduction? What kind of medicine introduction? The two looked at each other.
But since it was sent by the Queen, it must be a good thing. Eunuch Shi quickly ordered: "Send it in quickly."
The boy said yes, turned around and ran away.
Not long after, the door was pushed open, and before they could see the situation clearly, they were coughed by a strong aroma. Both Shen Que and Eunuch Shi were stunned by the sight in front of them.
I saw four young ladies dressed in bright red and green clothes standing in front of me. Each of them had revealing clothes and graceful figure. They hooked their eyes, licked their lips, puffed out their breasts, and exposed their thighs...
Shen Que: ...Where did you find this monster?
Eunuch Shi: ...This looks very scary.
"Dian..." Eunuch Shi burst into tears, "What are you talking about?"
The young man stood aside and said tremblingly: "This is...the medicine introduction...rewarded by the Queen."
Before he finished speaking, the four women were about to step forward: "Your Highness..."
"Everyone stop." Shen Que shouted, stopping several people.
Shen Que covered his face: ...My life is at stake.
The father-in-law was speechless for a moment, and he didn't know how to respond. He thought to himself, it seems that the empress is really worried. What is this? It's just... I can't bear to look at it.
But after all, it was the empress's heart, and it was a reward that she couldn't refuse.
Eunuch Shi glanced at Shen Que, who was hopeless, and advised: "Why don't Your Highness just accept it and keep it by your side to serve, there's nothing wrong with it. Look, that figure, that face... wash it again It can still be used after washing.”
Shen Que gave him a hard look, sat up suddenly, and remembered Li Luansong's words: Whatever can't be solved, leave it to him.
"Come here." Shen Que ordered, "When I was sick, my father-in-law took care of me without taking off his clothes. He worked so hard that he didn't even go back to rest. He did everything with his own hands, and his spirit is commendable."
"I have decided to give these beautiful ladies to Eunuch Shi."
In the boy's astonishment, Shen Que turned to look at Eunuch Shi: "You can take it back and wash it."
