Over at the Cao family, Cao Dejiang was leading several juniors to dinner.
Due to changes in the palace, Cao Dejiang called several children in the palace over, and Fu Laiqing also followed them. They talked about the affairs of the court at the table, and the Cao family's female family members went elsewhere.
Just as the meal was served, a servant came in from outside and said that Xiao Yan was here.
Fu Laiqing: "Uncle, what is Xiao Yan here for?"
What else can be done.
Cao Dejiang couldn't help but rolled his eyelids. He asked this boy to come over in the morning and he really rushed to find him at noon without delaying for a moment.
Proposing a kiss is like inducing someone to marry you, why are you so anxious? !
Cao Dejiang seemed to be complaining, but he said: "Go and invite him in."
When the servants went out to invite people, Cao Dejiang looked at Fu Laiqing and reprimanded him: "Xiao Yan has been granted the title of Duke, and his rank is much higher than my husband and your grandfather. From now on, everyone, big or small, will call him by his first name."
"knew."
Fu Laiqing agreed, and just as he was about to pick out the meat, he was suddenly hit with a chopstick.
Cao Dejiang scolded: "Why are you still eating? You didn't hear that the guests are coming, why don't you go and pick them up?"
Fu Laiqing: "...it's not his first time here..."
Cao Dejiang stared.
Fu Laiqing put down his chopsticks angrily, stood up and went out to pick up someone. Seeing this, the eldest son of Cao couldn't help but said: "Father, although Xiao Yan has been granted the title of Duke and has a high status, he has nothing to do with our Cao family, so why bother?" Let Ah Qing please him?"
"Yes, Grandpa, we don't need him for anything, so why are you so attentive? Speaking of which, you also helped Xiao Yan. Why should my cousin pick him up when he comes to the house?" the second grandson also said.
Although Fu Laiqing is a bloodline of the Fu family, because of Mrs. Fu's relationship and the fact that his parents were not very popular, he grew up in the Cao family and was very close to several uncles and brothers of the Cao family. Seeing Cao Dejiang, he actually let Fu Laiqing When he personally went to pick up Xiao Yan, several people were a little confused.
Cao Dejiang glanced at them: "Who told you that the Cao family has nothing to do with him?"
Everyone in the Cao family was stunned for a moment.
Cao Dejiang said: "You should know the news that the imperial court is going to open Enke. You should know how much contribution Xiao Yan has made. If the aristocratic family had not been suppressed by him, it would be difficult for the scholars from the humble family and you, the clear-blooded people, to serve in the imperial court. Middle outcropping.”
"Besides, Xiao Yan has a pure nature, a clear distinction between good and evil, and his vision and mind are better than yours in every aspect. Even if he is not Duke Ding, you should respect him more for what he has done for the people in the south."
After speaking, Cao Dejiang looked at the Cao family who just spoke:
"Also, I did stand up for Xiao Yan that night at the palace banquet, but it was for the future of our Cao family and the courtiers from poor families. Who told you that Xiao Yan owed me?"
"Even if I really helped him by taking ten thousand steps back, that's not a reason for you to neglect him. He is older than you, has a more noble status than you, and is a powerful official in the court. How capable are you to compete with him? Besides, you can take advantage of him. Self-respect is not something a gentleman should do, what about your upbringing?"
Shiro Cao: "Grandpa..."
He met Cao Dejiang's somewhat stern eyes and lowered his head: "I was wrong."
Cao Dejiang said calmly: "Go and copy the gentleman's advice five times later and give it to your father tomorrow."
Shiro Cao: "Yes, grandfather."
When Fu Laiqing led Xiao Yan in from the outside, he noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the dining room. A look of confusion appeared on his face: "Uncle, what's wrong with you?"
"nothing."
Cao Dejiang replied.
The younger members of the Cao family next to them looked at Xiao Yan respectfully and said, "I have met Duke Dingguo."
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I came to see Mr. Cao for something, and I didn't want to disturb you all. Mr. Cao and the gentlemen don't need to be so polite."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Cao Dejiang: "Mr. Cao, why don't I go wait for you outside first?"
"What are you waiting for?"
Cao Dejiang said: "I'm afraid you haven't eaten yet if you come here at this time. Let's stay and eat together. After eating, we will take A Qing to Fu's house." After he finished speaking, he said without waiting for Xiao Yan's reply: " Go get some dishes and chopsticks for Duke Ding."
Someone immediately started moving next to him, and Cao Dejiang waved to Xiao Yan: "Come and sit."
Xiao Yan laughed a little when he saw how familiar he looked, but seeing that everyone in the Cao family had already moved away, he walked over and said, "I'm sorry for bothering you."
Cao Dejiang glanced at him: "Don't pretend, when have you ever been polite?"
Xiao Yan laughed out loud.
Cao Dejiang then said to the others: "Everyone, please sit down."
The maid from outside came in with more bowls and chopsticks, and the eldest son Cao ordered a few more new dishes. When the meal started again on the table, several people in the Cao family were a little reserved when they looked at Xiao Yan, which made those on the side not think anything. Fu Laiqing's food is no longer so delicious.
Xiao Yan seemed to notice the tension at the table, so he took the initiative to calm down the atmosphere: "I saw the Ministry of Revenue transfer order earlier. Mr. Cao Dalang wants to leave the capital?"
Cao Wenyun, the eldest son of Dafang, replied in a low voice: "Beijing is too comfortable, and I am still relatively junior. It is difficult to be transferred if I stay in the capital. I heard from my grandfather that local positions provide more experienced people, so I thought about giving it a try. You can accumulate experience and gain knowledge.”
Xiao Yan said: "It's a good idea to have this idea. Beijing has not been very stable in the past two years. It would be better to go somewhere better. Have you chosen a place?"
Cao Wenyun said: "We have decided to go to Shezhou."
Xiao Yan looked surprised and turned to look at Cao Dejiang.
Cao Dejiang said: "Since he is here for training, other places are too comfortable after all. He is a descendant of the Cao family. After leaving the capital, he has more confidence than others. In ordinary places, he cannot experience the things in the officialdom. .”
"On the other hand, the place in Shezhou has been in chaos. After this purge, there will be a lot of vacancies. Many wealthy people there are coveting to be in power. Let him go there and experience the methods of officialdom."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan understood what Cao Dejiang meant.
There is a grandfather who is in charge of the Yushitai, and a father who is quite powerful. Even if the Cao family's descendants leave the capital to practice, ordinary local officials will not dare to easily embarrass them. Even if there is something, they will probably just deal with it to avoid offending. The Cao family in Beijing.
It doesn't matter if you just go out to "gold-plating". Staying anywhere for two years and then returning to the capital can be regarded as qualifications.
However, Cao Dejiang wanted to sharpen his children, let them experience the cruelty of officialdom, temper their character and some official methods, and other places were not as suitable as Shezhou.
Shezhou is located in the south of the Yangtze River. Even though the floods were tragic back then, it has long returned to its former prosperity after so many years of recuperation.
The official positions there have always been generous, and those in office can get a lot of money with just a little stretch of their hands, so no one in the government or the local government will just give up such benefits to others.
Even if the eldest son of the Cao family is gone, no one will give in to him without hindering the Cao family.
