Prince Qin's Mansion, back garden.
Xiao Yuan was taking a walk with Gu Xue.
The two of them strolled and chatted casually.
Gu Xue said: "Husband, I heard that the top one was transferred to Zhuyang as the county magistrate. Isn't this not good? After all, he is the top scholar."
"Haha." Xiao Yuan smiled and said: "There is no doubt that Song Lian is talented, but he does not have any experience and foundation as an official. I don't want to lose this kind of talent, but his performance is not satisfactory. What should I do? Well, we can only transfer him to the grassroots level and give him some training first."
As he spoke, he added: "We cannot deny his talent just because of his nervousness and stage fright. In time, he will have enough experience and experience in running a place and he will become a pillar."
"My husband is still thoughtful." Gu Xue smiled slightly.
On the other side, after the exams were over, students from all over the country began to return to their hometowns.
Jiang Yi, the Shaofu's order, was responsible for this matter.
In front of the Qindu Posthouse, many scholars had packed their bags and rushed to other places full of excitement.
When everyone was almost gone, Jiang Yi also called the person in charge of the post house: "Are you all done?"
"There is another person who seems to be at the top of the list of scholars." The person in charge returned respectfully.
"Oh?" Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow and immediately found Song Lian's room.
After the two met, and knowing Jiang Yi's identity, Song Lian quickly saluted: "Master Jiang."
"There is no need to be polite." Jiang Yi returned the salute, then looked at the simple luggage he had packed, and said: "The other scholars have left, and the imperial commission has been issued. You should rush to Zhuyang as soon as possible. ."
"Yes." Song Lian responded, but there was a bit of embarrassment on his face.
Seeing this, Jiang Yi couldn't help but ask, "Are you in trouble?"
Song Lian's face turned red and he hesitated for a long time before he said with embarrassment: "I...I don't have any money anymore."
"Oh, that's it." Jiang Yi didn't mean to make fun of him, but immediately asked someone to get some silver, stuffed it into Song Lian's hand, and said:
"Song Lian, don't waver in your ambitions because of temporary embarrassment. I know that as the top leader, you are somewhat aggrieved by being appointed county magistrate, but this is the king's good intention."
"Have you ever thought about it, if the king now uses you as an envoy to travel to other countries, and you go to the court of other countries, but you can't say a word, no matter how talented you are, it will be useless?"
After that, he added: "Going to Zhuyang to be the county magistrate is not the best thing for you."
"Did you know? I am the same as you. I was poor at the beginning. I also passed the examination as an examiner and also served as a county magistrate. Many of my Qin ministers have served as county magistrates, including the Prime Minister."
ah? Hearing what he said, Song Lian was surprised at first, and then his face showed excitement.
"Let's go. I wish you a safe journey. If you manage Zhuyang well, the king will definitely see your achievements." Jiang Yi patted his shoulder again.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Jiang. What you said today has inspired Song Lian. I will definitely repay you for your great kindness and kindness in the future!" Song Lian saluted with a straight face.
"No, no need." Jiang Yi waved her hand with a smile.
He is a smart man, and among all Xiao Yuan's ministers, he is also the one who understands King Qin's thoughts best.
With his encouragement, Song Lian put aside his despair, began to cheer up, and hurried to Zhuyang.
The place where he took office was his hometown.
In the court, facing the king, he was nervous and was not good at words, but this did not mean that he was mediocre.
With his talents, there is absolutely no problem in governing a county.
More than ten days later, Liangzhou.
Inside the Ruan Mansion.
Ruan Yang was advising Ruan Ming to ask someone to stop Song Lian, take him to his house, and hold a banquet for him.
Song Lian was about to take office in Zhuyang and would pass by Liangzhou. With the power of the Ruan family in Liangdi, they ranked first among the scholars. Of course they already knew about such a sensational event.
However, when his eldest son heard this, he sneered and said, "Second brother, are you looking up to him too much? He is just a small county magistrate, is he worthy of a banquet hosted by our Ruan family?"
Ruan Ming heard this and followed suit: "Yes, Yang'er, although Song Lian is at the top of the list, my father also heard that he is not very important. The king intends to demote him. This person's future is worrying."
Ruan Yang said: "Father's words are wrong. If the king is not willing to use Song Lian's words, how can he be appointed as the county magistrate? You must know that although the county magistrate is small, he is a local official. Looking at all the scholars, many of them are better than County magistrates have high positions, but almost all of them are subordinate officials or deputies, and none of them are actually in charge of local government affairs. This shows that the king has the intention to sharpen his people."
Ruan Yang is a very smart person. He is not by the king's side, but he can guess the king's intentions from his various actions.
After hearing this, Ruan Ming couldn't help but take a breath and tentatively said: "Then... let's entertain him?"
"I have to ask. Now that I have a relationship with Song Lian, maybe it will be a big help in the officialdom." Ruan Yang said.
"Okay, listen to Yang'er." Ruan Ming no longer hesitated, because a banquet was really nothing to the Ruan family.
Later, at Ruan Yang's suggestion, when Song Lian was passing by Liangzhou, he was grabbed by the Ruan family and cordially invited him.
The latter could not refuse at all, and in the end he had no choice but to be invited into the Ruan family.
At noon that day, Ruan Ming held a banquet in the living room, accompanied by his second son Ruan Yang, and entertained Song Lian warmly.
The Ruan family was very rich and a well-established family in Liangzhou, so all kinds of delicacies were served.
During the banquet, everyone was seated separately. After the food and wine were served, Ruan Ming, who was directly above him, also picked up his wine glass and said with a smile:
"Sir Song, you have been traveling all the way and are covered in dust. Come, I am here to toast you and help you get rid of your fatigue."
Ruan Ming was the censor of the capital of Liangzhou. Although he was not Song Lian's direct superior, in terms of official position, he was much older than the county magistrate.
No matter what he did, Song Lian could only follow him and take the cup. He was still a little shy and said: "No, Master Ruan is so polite. This official is flattered."
"Huh?" Ruan Ming waved his hand and said: "This time, Mr. Song is at the top of the list of civil servants in the country. He is really proud of our northern scholars. I have prepared a small amount of wine. This is what I should do. Come, please fill me up." Drink this cup.”
"My lord, please..."
Song Lian was somewhat uncomfortable with the polite politeness of official circles, but for him, this was not just a kind of experience.
The banquet was in a pretty good atmosphere, and after it was over, Ruan Ming did not forget to send him out of the house in person.
"My lord, please stay..."
"Master Song, have a nice trip..."
Seeing that Song Lian had left, Ruan Ming still had a fake smile on his face.
"Father." Ruan Yang called from the side.
Ruan Ming then calmed down his expression and said thoughtfully: "Yang'er, do you think Song Lian will have a future?"
"Definitely. His article has been made public. My son has read it and feels ashamed." Ruan Yang said seriously.
