Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 397 Everyone's Choice
Zhou Ao is now in his forties, and has long passed his best years for promotion. He was squeezed out by his colleagues to the Taile Department, which wiped out all the remaining ambitions he had, and was later dismissed by Taile. The atmosphere in the yamen was assimilated and fell into that kind of drunken life.

But the arrival of Chen Zhi showed him the way and gave him a direction again. So when Chen Zhi asked several people if they were interested in going to the Secretariat Province, Zhou Ao was the first one to express his opinion. , the person who showed that he was willing to follow was even quicker than Dong Xu.

Although, the Taile Office at that time could be said to be prosperous, the success of the commentators made this originally idle yamen become a hotly sought-after yamen in many provincial bureaus. I don’t know how many people came to visit every day. The scene of being left in the cold is gone forever, and many people have come to ask for connections and go through the back door. I don't know how much oil and water they have brought.

This drastic change suddenly made the officials, subordinates, and servants from top to bottom of the Taile Department feel the benefits. It can be said that they went from hell to heaven. The originally deserted situation no longer existed, and they felt the power. The taste in hand.

Especially looking at that momentum, no one will doubt that as long as it continues, the future Taile Office, as the comments are perfected and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, will inevitably become one of the most powerful bureaucracies in Taichang Mansion, and even in the entire Luoyang.

But under such circumstances, Chen Zhi suddenly wanted to work as a secretary.

Where is the secretary's province?
In the hearts of ordinary officials, it is synonymous with nobleness. For the chief in charge of the provincial office, it may be a good place to make friends with all parties. For those who are interested in official careers, it is also a good place to make contacts and build a foundation. , but in the eyes of those who have power and endless wealth, the Secretariat Department is not a good place.

The officials in the Tai Le Department have jumped from being poor to being very popular. The huge contrast has long made it difficult for them to give up. Coupled with Chen Zhi's transfer, it sounds like a promotion, but in fact many people know that it is because of offending Without the Zhang family, it can be said that the future is uncertain.

But even under such circumstances, Zhou Ao agreed without hesitation, but because the transfer of his subordinate officials did not happen overnight, so Chen Zhi worked in the Secretary Department for a period of time before he was able to go. Dong Xu, there will be many more nights——

Dong Xu is Tai Le Cheng in the Tai Le Department, and his official position is much higher than Zhou Ao's. When he is transferred, he must be given priority.

Now, with a series of actions, Chen Zhi has firmly grasped the power of the Secretariat Ministry. And because of his special position and connections, as well as endless strategies, even the development of the reviews cannot bypass him as the sponsor, so that The Taile Bureau seems to be in charge, but in fact it is just an executive agency. The real ruling and authority, as well as the right to explain things, are still in Chen Zhi's hands.

As a result, even Luoyang commoners knew that if there were any comments in the future, even if Chen Zhi could not be there to comment in person, if there were any problems, he would still have to go to him for arbitration and explanation, otherwise it would be difficult to continue.

In contrast, the situation of Dong Xu and Zhou Ao seems very wise. These two people followed Chen Zhi, and not only did their power not decrease, but their rank increased——

Dong Xu's secretary Cheng is a sixth-rank official with a rank of 01 shi, while Zhou Ao's secretary Lang Wei is also a sixth-rank official. Compared with the two original Tai Le Cheng and Xie Lv Cao, the improvement is not 30:[-] points. , and it is also a place of nobility, and in terms of qualifications, it is even more attractive.

Under such circumstances, the officials in the Taile Department also regretted not following Chen Zhi's footsteps. They felt a little envious of Zhou Ao and Dong Xu who had decisively followed. It was not too late, so they all expressed their willingness to follow up and would also be transferred to the Secretariat Department.

As a result, before this was actually put into action, Chen Zhi actually wanted to move out.

Under such a drastic change, the originally eager officials of the Taile Department suddenly stopped and calmed down.

"Two days ago, that Gao Jiang came here and urged me to mention it to the supervisor again, so that he can be transferred as soon as possible so that he can follow the supervisor, the better. We will meet today and discuss this matter again. Early in the morning, I rushed to send someone over, saying that I was not feeling well, and I felt a cold occasionally, and I was afraid that I would not be able to come to the appointment. Is it really tricky that I can't see it?"

As he walked and thought about it, Zhou Ao frowned. He naturally knew the reason. It was just the rumor that the Taile Department also knew about.

That Gao Jiang was Ji Le Cao from Tai Le Department and Chen Zhi's old subordinate.

"Gao Jiang is still very snobbish. Seeing that Jian Zheng has power, he wanted to come over. Knowing that Jian Zheng might be released, he immediately changed his tune. Now he just said that he was not feeling well and could not see each other. Wait. After a few days, I’ll tell you that there’s something going on at home and I can’t be transferred!”

Zhou Ao is also well aware of this set of black and white dodging methods in the officialdom, but he is actually quite disdainful, but he is also worried in his heart.

With this thought in mind, he walked into the Dongyuan Library and saw a figure just beside the pillar in front. The figure was lingering and hesitant, as if he was hesitating about something. "Dong Jun, you're here too." Zhou Ao glanced over and recognized the person. If he wasn't the current Secretary Cheng Dong Xu, who was he?
This Secretary Cheng has also been very popular recently. He assists Chen Zhi in acting as secretary and is quite trustworthy. Moreover, he was also transferred from the Taile Department. He is Chen Zhi's old subordinate and is regarded as Chen Zhi's best confidant. .

But at this time, the face of this confidant was full of worry.

"Dong Jun, it was you who reported this matter yesterday. What do you think?" Zhou Ao took two steps forward and asked in a low voice.

Dong Xu sighed slightly and said, "It's hard to say. Yesterday I went to report it and was asked by the Yang family master. Judging from the appearance of the Yang family gentleman and Jian Zheng, they didn't seem worried, as if they had expected it."

Hearing this, Zhou Ao breathed a sigh of relief and said: "That's good. I think it's impossible for a person like Jianzheng to really not make preparations. Since he has expected it, there is nothing good. Worried.”

"Mr. Zhou, from the tone of your words, could it be that..." Dong Xu hesitated for a moment, then asked: "Could it be that you have already thought about what is going to happen next?" He lowered his voice a little, "Jian Zhengyi Let's go. It's hard to say who the secretary or senior official behind us is. We have also lost our backer. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to gain a foothold in this yamen. After all, you and I have only been here for a short time, and the foundation has not been laid yet. But it's not convenient to go back to Taile Department, because your and my positions have also been taken, and besides, how can we easily lower our rank? Now we are in a dilemma." His words were full of regret.

Zhou Ao was a little surprised and asked: "Dong Jun, are you planning to stay?"

"Of course you are staying? Could it be that..." Dong Xu's depressed mood suddenly changed, and he also showed a look of surprise, "Brother Zhou, are you planning to follow Jian Zheng to Northern Xinjiang?"

"Isn't this obvious?" Zhou Ao said matter-of-factly, "You and I have been silent for a long time. Fortunately, thanks to the promotion of the supervisor, he also transferred us here. This is the treatment of confidants. Now that he is going somewhere, he is well prepared. If you and I don't follow the past and stay in the Secretariat, don't we just think like you said, we don't know the way forward, and it's hard to return, and we're in a dilemma?"

"This..." Dong Xu's eyes widened suddenly and he looked at the colleagues in front of him, "I'm afraid this is not good. Even if the supervisor has been prepared for it, after all, he is an official in another place. The situation in the local area, How can it be compared with the capital city? The future for you and me is probably bleak right now. Furthermore, where the prison is headed, it would be inappropriate for the center not to leave one or two reliable people to contact us. Moreover, there are many wars in northern Xinjiang, which is very dangerous. Bu Jing, once he leaves, Jian Zheng will have the roots of the Yang family and the Chen family, but our future will be uncertain."

Zhou Ao frowned and said in a slightly unhappy tone: "Dong Jun, I hear what you mean. I don't plan to follow Jian Zheng anymore. Have you forgotten that if it weren't for Jian Zheng, you would still be doing nothing in the idle yamen. Where would you be?" With today's scenery? Now that the prison has encountered some setbacks, you have backed down. Isn't this justified? "

Dong Xu shook his head and said: "Mr. Zhou, you have misunderstood me. How dare Dong forget Jian Zheng's promotion? However, this matter involves too many things. I ask myself that my ability is limited. How can I follow Jian Zheng in the past?" How can I help? One more person is not too much, and one person less than me is not a lot. It is better to stay in Luoyang, because I can still come in handy when the liaison officer and supervisor are in need."

"There are eunuchs in the prison and Da Si Nong as the elders. If we want to contact the capital, where do we need your help?" Zhou Ao's words already had a hint of coldness, "It's just that I have no intention of accompanying you, just looking for an excuse." .”

"This may be an excuse, but Dong thinks he is incomparable to people at the level of Taipu and Da Sinong, but humble status also has its uses. There are some things that it is really difficult for those big men to take action." Dong Xu did not hide his thoughts, "Besides, I am different from you. You are also from the Zhou family and have care at home, but my family is all dependent on me. Now I have an old mother, a wife and children, and more There are so many brothers, it’s really…sigh!”

Zhou Ao's expression changed slightly, and he wanted to say something more, but before he could say anything, a guard came over first. When he saw the two of them, he immediately saluted and said, "You two, the prison guard is looking for you to come over."

"I know, I'll go right away." Dong Xu nodded and looked at Zhou Ao.

"Don't talk about that, let's go see the supervisor first," Zhou Ao said coldly, "Going to us at this time must involve the handover of the secretary department. You should tell the supervisor your reasons. Let's go." After saying that, he took the first step and left.

Looking at Zhou Ao's retreating figure, Dong Xu couldn't help but shake his head.

"Well, with the current situation, who can see the way forward? We have to be more cautious. Besides, the prison is far away, how can the capital not leave one or two people behind? We need to know the county guards and county magistrates in those places. Every year, money is sent to the capital to communicate with the upper and lower levels, in order to find someone who can contact both inside and outside the country. A high-ranking official has the help of a high-ranking official. Now a low-level official also has the convenience of a small official. Since he wants to help supervise and correct, he also Why sacrifice the near for the far?”

　Statistics tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)