I studied in modern times

Chapter 1057 Painting Cake
When Yelü Ju stood up again, his expression and posture had completely changed.

He acted exactly like a Song dynasty official!
Upon seeing this, Zhao Xu smiled and said, "You should strive to do your best and not disappoint me. In this way, you and your descendants will surely be granted titles and honors!"

Yelü Ju's status in Liaodong was that of a royal military governor!
Although he was not a high-ranking official, he was still a prominent figure in the Liao court.

In comparison, they were similar in status to powerful families like the Yang, Liu, and Cao families in the Song Dynasty, who were related to the emperor through marriage.

To be honest, if it weren't for Yelü Yixin, who wiped out Xiao Guanyin and Yelü Jun...

Unfortunately, Yelü Hongji was unable to father any more sons.

Only Yelü Yanxi remained as the sole heir.

Yelü Ju was a henchman of Yelü Yixin and was deeply involved in Yelü Yixin's plot to frame Empress Xiao Guanyin and falsely accuse Crown Prince Yelü Jun.

It would be virtually impossible to corrupt or win over such a powerful figure in the Liao court.

Wealth and enjoyment?
Perhaps the Song Dynasty had more than the Liao Dynasty.

But what about their status?

It should be understood that throughout history, only power and influence have been able to protect wealth.

Otherwise, even with immense wealth, one is merely entrusting it to others.

A simple selection of a person is enough to destroy a wealthy family in an instant.

Therefore, wealth without the protection of power and position is worthless!
Zhao Xu didn't believe that Yelü Ju wouldn't understand this!

Therefore, while people may be willing to help with some things, they will still side with the Liao Kingdom when it comes to crucial moments.

They're not stupid!
Business is business, but when it comes to choosing sides and risking one's life, one will still choose the side that is most beneficial to oneself.

Fortunately, Zhao Xu had been influenced by modern life.

He never expected anyone to be completely loyal to him!
Even Zhang Dun had his own selfish motives!
Even Feng Jing, Zhao Xu's closest confidant, has now learned to use his position to bully others and form cliques.

Sima Qian saw it clearly: "All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit; all the world's hustle and bustle is for gain."

Therefore, if you want to catch big fish, you have to be willing to bait the area!

Therefore, they simply granted Yelü Ju a prestigious official position at the Imperial Academy and promised him the grand promise of "hereditary succession and future high-ranking officials for his descendants."

Upon hearing this, Yelü Ju was deeply moved and immediately knelt down, kowtowing and saying, "Your Majesty has bestowed upon me a great favor, and I will repay it with all my might!"

There is nothing we can do about this.

People these days are generally not immune to the promises made by those in power.
Therefore, Yelü Ju believed Zhao Xu's empty promises almost immediately.

The emperor's words are as good as gold, a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold; would he possibly lie to anyone?!
Moreover, this Song emperor has an excellent reputation!

To date, there has been no breach of trust!

At this moment, Yelü Ju's heart was filled with the emperor's promise—that he and his descendants would be granted titles and honors!

Be a Marquis!
He wasn't even granted a title of nobility in the Liao Dynasty!

When the King of Wei (Yelü Yixin) was alive, he did promise to give him the title of Duke of the Founding State in the future.

But King Wei was executed before he could fulfill his promise.

He thought of the Crown Prince who was growing up day by day, and couldn't help but curse in his heart: "Bastard! Why don't you die?"

Even if Yelü Yanxi did not die, he and his friends would always be on the verge of death.

Once this imperial grandson ascends the throne, he will seek revenge for his parents' deaths.

Will he and his friends survive?

As for whether Yelü Yanxi will give up his revenge?
The enmity between parents is irreconcilable!
Besides, what emperor would feel at ease bearing the stigma of 'his parents having plotted rebellion'?
Therefore, this is an unsolvable political deadlock!

This is also the fundamental reason why people like Yelü Ju could be won over and corrupted by Xing Shu.

……

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Yelü Ju first went to the Academy of Scholars to express his gratitude for the pardon.

The posture was executed perfectly.

He addressed him formally as "elder brother" and respectfully returned the greeting with a crossed-hands salute.

This is what is meant by being flattered and overwhelmed by the favor shown to Xing Shu.

In the past, Xing Shu also fraternized with Yelü Ju and others, frequented brothels, and indulged in drunken revelry.

However, Yelü Ju never performed this crossed-hands salute to him!

He quickly stepped forward to help Yelü Ju up, saying repeatedly, "Brother, please don't stand on ceremony!" "Such a generous gift, I am unworthy of it... I am truly unworthy of it!"

Yelü Ju respectfully replied, "My elder brother has truly shown me the kindness of being reborn, so it is only right that I do so!"

He then showed the imperial edict to Xing Shu.

Upon seeing this, Xing Shu immediately offered his congratulations, saying, "This is truly a joyous occasion for my worthy brother!"

Xing Shu naturally knew about this matter long ago—he was the one who wrote the imperial edict.

Yelü Ju, however, was so happy that he seemed drunk, and he took Xing Shu's hand and said, "This is all thanks to my elder brother's kind words before the Emperor!"

He then invited Xing Shu to a banquet at Yimenfang that night.

Xing Shu readily agreed, and also told Yelü Ju some good news—the Kaifeng Prefecture had already taken care of the jobs for his two brothers-in-law.

They were all assigned to work at the Duqu Academy.

Although they are officials, they will be registered and recorded as civil servants according to the civil service examination system.

The Duqu Academy was one of the most lucrative positions in Bianjing, similar to the inn and residence office.

Because the Duquyuan was in charge of the monopoly purchase of yeast for Bianjing wine and the collection of money for white lees, glutinous rice, and wine rice.

Even a minor official would be treated like royalty by the thirty-six official shops and thousands of foot inns in Bianjing.

We have no worries about food and drink!

Therefore, in the past, one could not enter without the guarantee of a noble relative.

But now, every exam is a must!
Moreover, candidates must undergo multiple rounds of assessments, including written tests and interviews, and be selected based on merit.

Yelü Ju was even more grateful after hearing this.

They were practically ready to exchange birth certificates with Xing Shu on the spot and become sworn brothers.

……

Yelü Ju bid farewell to Xing Shu, left the imperial city, changed into civilian clothes, and headed straight for Yimenfang.

This was his subconscious choice.

When good news comes, one should first tell one's wife and children.

Upon entering the house, he went straight to the inner courtyard. There, he saw his wife, Liu, leading the servants in making clothes for their one-year-old son.

It must be said that Yelü Ju truly loved Lady Liu to the extreme.

He went straight up, picked up Liu, and kissed her passionately several times in his arms.

This was the first time Lady Liu had seen Yelü Ju so happy, and she quickly asked, "My lord... is there something to celebrate?"

Yelü Ju held his beloved wife and proudly took out the imperial edict.

Upon seeing the imperial edict and reading the words on it, Liu burst into tears for some reason, immediately embracing Yelü Ju and sobbing.

"Thank you... thank you, my lord..."

"What good fortune did I accumulate in my past life to be able to meet you, my lord..."

For her, the past three years have felt like a dream.

It's astonishing that a woman like her, who had already fallen into the abyss, had become a wealthy and influential lady in Bianjing.

Not only has the past been cleared, but now there is even a possibility of receiving an imperial decree!
After Yelü Ju helped Liu Shi and arranged for her two younger brothers to work in the Kaifeng Prefecture's Duqu Academy.

Liu's tears flowed even more freely.

She then carefully served Yelü Ju, and upon entering the side room, she used all her skills to serve Yelü Ju comfortably.

That night, when Yelü Yongchang arrived at Yimenfang and met with Yelü Ju, he learned that Yelü Ju had already received an official title from the Song Dynasty.

I immediately felt envious.

After Xing Shu arrived, he also begged Xing Shu to help him and give him recommendations.

Xing Shu had already received Zhao Xu's invitation, so he naturally agreed without hesitation.

Yelü Yongchang was overjoyed upon receiving the promise of pardon.

The host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely that night, and the three of them drank until they were completely drunk. They then shared a bed and slept side by side.

(End of this chapter)