Nanjing City, west of the city.
Compared with the east and north of the city, the environment in the west of Nanjing is worse and not as prosperous. Even so, the west part of the city is still overcrowded, with countless people gathering, and many businessmen and ordinary people living here.
There is an ordinary house in the west of the city.
On the house, there are two words "Zhang Family" hanging on it.
This is Zhang Hong's residence.
In his early years, he was not in Shu County, but lived in seclusion in his hometown. Later, when the Ming Dynasty made Nanjing its capital, all the officials moved here. Zhang Hong couldn't sit still, so he came to Nanjing, hoping to find some opportunities.
However, he never got the chance.
Zhang Hong also looked down on ordinary official positions and was unwilling to take them.
Zhang Hong is reading a book.
He was from the same period as Zhang Zhao, and was one or two years older than Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao is nearly sixty years old and has not yet arrived. Zhang Hong has just turned sixty this year.
Zhang Zhao is old, but he is in good spirits and does not look old at all. Zhang Hong, however, had frosty white hair on his temples and looked old. After all, Zhang Hong had not been an official in these years and had just lived an ordinary life.
Zhang Hong gradually got used to his current life, and he only felt a little regretful when he remembered it occasionally.
In his early years, he should have been directly loyal to Lu Xuan.
Or if Lu Xuan goes to recruit scholars later, he can also serve as an official.
Because he was putting on airs and putting it off again and again, in the end no one came to ask him to become an official. To this day, Zhang Hong has not been able to become an official even at his old age.
While Zhang Hong was reading, the housekeeper hurried in and said anxiously: "Master, a man named Zhuge Liang has come from outside the house and personally delivered a message asking for an audience. Zhuge Liang is the governor of Danyang and an important minister of the imperial court."
After Zhang Hong heard this, his gray eyebrows raised, looking surprised.
Zhuge Liang!
This is the emperor's favorite.
Zhang Hong also knew that Zhuge Liang was once the leader of the Five Classics Hall. He was the first to graduate from the Five Classics Hall and receive high recognition. He was first responsible for building the imperial capital of the imperial court, and at the same time served as county magistrate, and then served as the prefect of Danyang.
You know, there are very few people coming to his house.
Now, Zhuge Liang suddenly came to visit.
Zhang Hong felt that something must be wrong and ordered: "Go and invite someone."
The butler turned around and walked out.
However, Zhang Hong suddenly felt that something was wrong. People like Zhuge Liang could not be neglected, so he immediately added: "Wait a minute, I will go by myself."
He stood up, straightened his clothes, shook his robes, and strode out.
The Zhang Hong of today is no longer the Zhang Hong of the past.
Zhang Zhao, who was similar to him in the past, became the prime minister of the imperial court and the head of the civil service. In the past, some scholars who were much less famous than him became officials and held high positions of power. Zhang Hong was also a little helpless.
Now, Zhuge Liang suddenly arrived.
Zhang Hong felt that he should receive it in person.
Zhang Hong walked to the gate and saw Zhuge Liang waiting. He cupped his hands and said, "Zhang Hong, a common man, has met Mr. Zhuge Mansion."
It makes sense that Zhang Hong was addressed as the king of the mansion.
His words are neither humble nor arrogant.
Zhuge Liang returned the gift with a cupped hand, responded with a smile, and handed over the gift he had brought. The two parties had a simple meeting, and Zhang Hong led Zhuge Liang in.
In the hall, the guests and hosts took their seats.
After Zhang Hong asked someone to serve tea, he took the initiative and said, "Master Zhuge Mansion came to my humble residence. What can I do for you?"
Zhuge Liang said: "The imperial court has just received the latest news from your majesty. Your majesty entered Tianzhu and once again defeated the 100,000-strong army of King Chaori of Tianzhu. This news should spread soon."
Zhang Hong said with emotion: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and uses troops like a god. The capture of Tianzhu is just around the corner."
He thought inwardly.
Zhuge Liang's visit cannot be without purpose, it must have a purpose. Could it be related to Tianzhu?
Does the emperor want him to go to Tianzhu to work?
However, Zhang Hong thought it was unlikely, because the emperor wanted to use him and had already used him, and would not let Zhuge Liang come. It must have something to do with Zhuge Liang.
There should be other arrangements.
Zhuge Liang continued: "Your Majesty seized the Western Region last year and divided it into three counties, but did not clarify the governance of the Western Region. Now, Your Majesty established the Western Region and brought the Western Region under the rule of the Ming Dynasty. After establishing the Western Region, Your Majesty adjusted my official position and asked me to serve as The governor of Xizhou will temporarily act on behalf of the governor of Xizhou."
"Congratulations to Zhuge for his long history."
Zhang Hong quickly congratulated him.
Zhuge Liang said: "This time, your Majesty arranged for me to be the governor of the Western Province, and also recruited Duke Zhang to be the chief secretary of the Western Province to assist me in governing the Western Province. Liang has long heard of Duke Zhang's talents. Therefore, I came here to invite Zhang Gong. The public comes out of the mountain."
Zhang Hong knew it in his heart and said it was true.
The emperor conquered him.
He was neither a local official nor a high-ranking official. He was the chief secretary of Xizhou, responsible for assisting Zhuge Liang.
However, Zhang Hong was also happy in his heart.
Over the years, he has become accustomed to living in isolation, but he also longs for an official career.
The official position of Xizhou Registrar is not high, but it can serve as the Registrar of a state. In the future, he can be transferred to other places and serve as the governor of a county. If there is an opportunity later, he can also serve as the governor of a state, or be transferred back to serve as the center of the imperial court.
These are all opportunities.
Zhang Hong thought clearly and said: "Zhuge is a long-time official. I am willing to serve as an official. I will do my best to live up to your majesty's high expectations."
Zhuge Liang said: "With the help of Duke Zhang, I will have nothing to worry about."
Zhang Hong looked humble and said: "Zhuge, the Chief, has been honored. I am an old man and can serve the court in his old age. If I can help the Chief to govern Xizhou and make a small contribution, I will die in peace." "
Zhuge Liang said: "Mr. Zhang is too humble. Next, I will hand over the affairs of Danyang Prefect first, and then I will leave for the Western Regions in two days at most. Therefore, Gong Zhang will arrange things at home, and we will leave in two days."
"Here!"
Zhang Hong answered with his hands raised.
Zhuge Liang didn't stay any longer, got up and left Zhang's house, going straight to the Danyang Prefecture's office.
Zhuge Liang is not yet clear about the successor to Danyang Prefect, but Zhang Zhao will arrange it anyway. He compiled all the tasks into a book and arranged them into categories to facilitate the subsequent appointment of new officials.
After everything was arranged, Zhuge Liang called all the subordinates under his command, gave instructions one by one, and then left after talking about the follow-up.
It was already evening when Zhuge Liang returned home.
After Zhuge Xuan returned home, he talked to Zhuge Liang about the Western Regions.
Zhuge Xuan looked solemn and said, "Kong Ming, going to the Western Regions is an opportunity for you. But if you don't handle it well, it will be a disaster and block your future."
Zhuge Liang said: "Don't worry, uncle, I will handle it properly."
Zhu Ge It’s not easy to blend in, nor is it easy to assimilate.”
Zhuge Liang said calmly: "Uncle, if governing the Western Regions is easy, it won't be my turn. There are dangers in governing the Western Regions, but it is an opportunity for me. What's more, I am willing to do anything that is challenging."
Zhuge Xuandao: "As long as you are prepared."
Zhuge Liang continued: "Starting from this year, the imperial court has increased its support for the Western Regions, sending many scholars there, and many big families have also arranged for scholars from their respective families to go there. The Ministry of Rites, which my uncle is in charge of, has many scholars, and he also Please uncle to promote the Western Regions more and let more scholars go to work in the Western Regions."
Zhuge Xuandao: "Whatever I can do, I will naturally arrange it for you."
He changed the topic and suddenly said: "Kong Ming, you are not young anymore. In my opinion, you should prepare to marry a wife and have children. When a man is born, he must settle down to establish a career and devote himself to work."
Zhuge Liang's cheeks twitched and said: "Uncle, why should a man worry about not having a wife? I'm still young, so I won't be anxious if I wait a little longer."
"You!"
Zhuge Xuan shook his head and smiled helplessly.
Over the years, people have been proposing marriage for Zhuge Liang, but Zhuge Liang refused every time.
Zhuge Liang didn't want to say anything more, so he stood up quickly and said, "Uncle, please rest early. I will prepare for the follow-up affairs in the Western Regions."
"go Go."
Zhuge Xuan waved his hand.
He looked at Zhuge Liang's leaving figure and thought quickly in his mind.
After Zhuge Jin took office in Donghai County, he married a local wealthy woman in Donghai County last year. Now, Zhuge Liang should also marry a wife, but Zhuge Liang is more assertive and Zhuge Xuan cannot force her.
Zhuge Xuan suddenly thought of Lu Xuan.
He couldn't force Zhuge Liang's affairs, so he asked the emperor to come forward. Talking about the relationship, the emperor was also Zhuge Liang's brother-in-law, so he asked the emperor to find a candidate for Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Xuan did as he said, and immediately picked up the paper and pen, and said sincerely that Zhuge Liang was of age to marry a wife, but he was devoted to work and was unwilling to marry a wife, and begged the Emperor to show his mercy.
After a letter was written, Zhuge Xuan arranged for the people in his house to send it quickly to Tianzhu in the Western Regions.
