Soon, Yuan Shu and Wen Nu arrived at the prefect's mansion.
Wen Nu: "Brother Gonglu, we have arrived."
"I've already prepared good wine and food in my house, and I'm just waiting for you to come, Brother Gu!"
As early as when Yuan Shu was still on the way, Wen Nu was already paying close attention to Yuan Shu's whereabouts.
In fact, there was nothing that could be done about it, and he was really in trouble.
Since the Shichangshi came to power, Zhang Rang, an eunuch, has said a lot of slanderous words to His Majesty. Now basically the governors and many officials in various states are unable to protect themselves.
Originally, everyone had tacitly approved of buying and selling officials, and His Majesty was also happy. But now His Majesty doesn't know what Zhang Rang said. He will not only sell his official position this year.
Even the position of prefect can be openly priced, and his position as prefect of Zhuo County is also clearly priced at two billion yuan.
During this time, he borrowed money here and there, and even with the money he had made over the years, he was still short of 300 million. It can be said that the current Yuan Shu is his last life-saving straw.
If Wen Nu had not been able to borrow 300 million from Yuan Shu, there was a high probability that his position would not be guaranteed. And he will change from a county governor to a commoner, and his life will be in danger.
After Yuan Shu got off the carriage, he glanced at Wen Nu and said, "Since Brother Wen has already prepared the food and wine, it's better for Shu to be respectful than to obey orders."
"It just so happens that the three of us brothers haven't had enough fun just now. Now we can try the delicacies of you, the prefect of Zhuojun, at your residence."
Wen Nu and Yuan Shu looked at each other and smiled, and then Wen Nu said: "Brother Lu, please!"
In Wen Nu's heart, this was the second time Yuan Shu emphasized his two brothers. Presumably, he also wanted the same thing from himself, so he didn't reject himself.
It seems that this time he is very sure that he can get help from Yuan Shu, but he doesn't know what price he will have to pay.
No matter what, as long as his position as the governor of Zhuo County is preserved. Even if Yuan Shu wanted to cut off his flesh and blood, he would admit it. After all, once he no longer had the position of the governor of Zhuo County as a cover.
Based on what he has done over the years, he doesn’t know how many people will want to kill him. By then, all his allies will be black and white who seek their lives.
He understands this truth better than anyone else, otherwise he would not have been able to sit in this position for so many years.
When the four of them walked out of the prefect's mansion, both Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were stunned by the luxurious accessories inside. Even Zhang Fei, a wealthy businessman who thought he had a fortune, was very surprised at this moment.
Just the things placed here and the utensils used are countless times more luxurious than those at home, and most of these are things reserved for officials, and they cannot be bought even if he has money.
As for Guan Yu, he was just a commoner now. Apart from feeling shocked and eye-opening, the only thing he could think of was how much people's fat and oil he had to absorb to have such a level of luxury.
The utensils used to entertain them during meals are very exquisite, and the cups used for drinking are all made of white jade.
Even the bowls and chopsticks are made of gold and silver. It can only be said that the poverty in the past limited his vision.
But these are indeed ordinary things in the eyes of Yuan Shu and Wen Nu.
Yuan Shu: "It seems that Brother Wen has really laid the foundation for it. Even I can only have such a meal every now and then at Yuan's house."
"Nashu and my two wise brothers are welcome, hahaha."
Wen Nu: "What are you talking about, Brother Qiao? To entertain you, Brother Xian, I have invited the best cook from Zhuo County a few days in advance."
"Brother Lu, do you need to be polite to me?"
After finishing speaking, he stroked his beard and laughed: "Hahahaha~."
And Yuan Shu's words were not meant for Wen Nu. The original intention was to tell Guan Yu not to make a fuss about Zhang Fei. In their eyes, these are very common things, just like home-cooked meals.
The main reason is that they are afraid that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei will misunderstand each other, and it will be bad if they fall out on impulse. Although there is a vague tendency of chaos in the world now, it is not appropriate to fall out with Wen Nu yet.
In court, everyone helps each other with many things. Even if they are enemies of life and death, they still have to pretend to be good friends. This is officialdom.
Wen Nu: "Brother Lu, there are two other strong men, please take a seat!"
"Eat first, otherwise these delicacies will get cold later."
Then he waved and said, "Come here, let the singer and dancer come in and play."
Wen Nu's years as the governor of Zhuojun were not in vain. Negotiating with the nobles in Zhuojun was one thing, and negotiating with the children of these officials was another.
In short, no matter how you warm up your anger, you will give the other person face, especially now when you have something to ask for.
Soon, under Wen Nu's instructions, the singers and dancers who were in charge of playing came in to perform.
This was the first time for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to see such a scene, and they felt a little uncomfortable. I didn't dare to look blatantly, so I could only pretend to be eating and drinking.
He didn't pay any attention to these singers and dancers, and Yuan Shu didn't say much about it. Although Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are not used to it now, they will slowly adapt to it in a short time.
Accompanied by these singers and dancers, the banquet was quickly halfway through. Wen Nu saw that the time and heat were almost up, so he said, "Brother Qiu Nu, I actually have something to ask of you."
"I don't know whether I should talk about it or not, but it's really hard to talk about."
And Yuan Shu has been waiting here for so long, waiting for Wen Nu's words. Because he wanted to show his different benevolence and righteousness in front of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and let them see that he really regarded the two of them as brothers.
Therefore, Wen Nu's request at this time was in line with Yuan Shu's wishes.
Yuan Shu: "Brother Wen, what's the problem? If Shu can help me, I won't hesitate to help."
"Why is a man like this? No need to sigh."
Yuan Shu did not take any chances and directly gave Wen Nu a reassurance. It's like telling Wen Nu that if you have anything to say, just tell him.
I will definitely help. This is Yuan Shu's current attitude towards Wen Nu.
Indeed, when Wen Nu heard Yuan Shu's words. I calmed down a little, but then I thought that I would definitely be cheated by Yuan Shu.
But Wen Nu can't take care of that much now. After all, he can't find anyone except Yuan Shu who is willing to help him. After all, 300 million yuan is not a small amount, and these nobles are eager to replace themselves and let their own people become the governor of Zhuojun.
Wen Nu waved his hands to the singers and dancers, signaling them to go down. There were only four people left in such a big place. At this time, Wen Nucai said: "Brother Gong Road, do you know what positions are included in the imperial court's auction officials this year?"
"To be honest, I am bothering you, my dear brother, just because of this matter. I am really at my wits end."
Regarding the things that you know and I know, there is no need for Wen Nu to hide it from Yuan Shu, because this will make Yuan Shu resent him.
Yuan Shu put down the wine glass in his hand and continued using Wen Nu's words: "Brother Wen, don't talk about this matter between you and me. Even the merchants and common people know about it."
"It's just not in front of the world. I don't know what Brother Wen means."
Nowadays, it is basically known to everyone that the imperial court buys and sells official positions wantonly. It's just that everyone has a tacit understanding not to mention this matter, and the people among the people have already accepted their fate.
Because no matter who the officials above them are, it's just a different person who continues to exploit them.
As for them, they are just people begging for half a mouthful of food, so how can they care about these things.
So it's not surprising, and this matter has become a common after-dinner chat among the people.
Wen Nu: "Hey, Brother Qiu doesn't know."
"This year's official position sales in the imperial court are different from those held in the past. In the beginning, they were just selling some official positions below the fifth rank."
"The foundation of the court has not been touched at all, but this time this year is different."
"The imperial court has spent a lot of money this year. Not only the official positions of governors can be sold with clearly marked prices, but I even heard that this time even the prefects have been put up for auction."
"The price is clearly marked. It's hard to say whether my current position will still be mine after this year."
Regarding this matter, Yuan Shu himself was also one of the participants. He spent a lot of gold and silver to obtain information from Zhang Rang and other ten permanent servants, and also promised them additional benefits.
Let them persuade the Holy Lord to put the position of a state pastor up for auction. Yuan Shu himself had already reserved the position of the state pastor.
Nanyang Prefecture Mu was the highlight of this auction, and no one except himself and the ten permanent attendants knew about it.
After all, this was something he had personally negotiated with Zhang Rang, and the money spent could almost buy the positions of three state pastors.
If it weren't for his own secret management over the years, if he only wanted to win the position of state pastor based on his background as the fourth and third son of the Yuan family. It will definitely break your muscles and bones, and although it can’t be said to be bankrupt, it’s close to it.
Moreover, he also found out what his uncle Yuan Wei meant, he just wanted to help him and Yuan Shao each buy a prefect position.
It seems that Wen Nu is just worried that his position is unstable this time.
Yuan Shu: "In that case, Brother Wen must have encountered his own difficulties."
"Then let's just say it. Although Shu is only a small captain. But with his weight in the court and the strength of the Yuan family, I think he can still help Brother Wen in this matter."
