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Chapter 392: Capable Minister (I)

About an incense stick of time later, several people came out of the white shed.

Doctor Tan's eyes were sharp, and he immediately saw a familiar face that he had not seen for a long time. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Isn't that County Magistrate Lu?"

The Magistrate Lu mentioned by Doctor Tan was Lu Cong. Lu Cong passed the imperial examination at a young age and was an outstanding figure among the Jinshi of that year. Later, when the six ministries observed politics, he was in the Ministry of Revenue. Doctor Tan was just a small clerk at that time. He met and befriended Lu Cong, and they had some friendship.

Later, Lu Cong's career was prosperous and he was promoted rapidly. He became the governor of a county before he was thirty. Doctor Tan climbed up the big tree of Prime Minister Wang and was promoted to the doctor of the Ministry of Revenue. He kept in correspondence with Lu Cong.

Unfortunately, Lu Cong was unlucky. He encountered natural disasters such as floods and bandit riots in his area. Not only did his wife and daughter die, but he was also stripped of his official hat. If it weren't for the rescue by the King of Nanyang, he would have lost his life. After he was released from prison, he returned to his ancestral home.

At this point, the contact between Doctor Tan and Lu Cong was interrupted.

I never thought that today, I would meet my old friend again at the farm in Nanyang County...

"So Doctor Tan and Sheren Lu are acquainted." Chen Changshi continued with a smile, "Sheren Lu is a criminal and can no longer serve as an official in the court. Our princess cherishes talents and gave him the status of a sheren to work in the palace. Sheren Lu has contributed to the promotion of new grain cultivation in Nanyang County in the past two years."

Just like the three Zhongshu Sheren, the princess also has three Sheren around her. They are not formal officials and have no official letters from the Ministry of Personnel, but they are all the princess's confidants.

Tan Lang's mind raced, and he turned to Jiang Shaohua and said with a smile, "My lord, you have a keen eye and are not bound by any rules in employing talents. I really admire you."

Jiang Shaohua's bright black eyes swept across Doctor Tan's shrewd face, and he smiled faintly: "Lu Sheren cherishes his current job very much. I hope that after Doctor Tan returns to the capital, he will not mention this matter in front of others, so as to avoid causing trouble for Lu Sheren for this princess."

The meaning of his words was clear. If the imperial court held Nanyang County accountable for employing a guilty official, the blame would be placed on Doctor Tan.

Doctor Tan immediately smiled and said, "Princess, please relax. My greatest strength is that I say what I should say and never say what I shouldn't say."

In just a few words, Lu Cong and his group appeared in front of them.

Doctor Tan's eyes moved away from Lu Cong's face and fell on a middle-aged man. This middle-aged man was about forty years old, with dark skin, a strong body, and calloused hands. At first glance, he looked like a farmer who had been working in the fields for many years.

It seems that this is the capable minister who planted the new crops. As for the handsome boy of thirteen or fourteen years old, he should be the son or nephew of the capable minister.

Wang Jin, who had been silent the whole time, thought the same thing. However, out of a young man's instinctive reaction, he couldn't help but look at the other person.

This young man was completely different from the noblemen in the capital. He was dressed simply and casually, and had an exceptionally bright smile on his face, which easily made people like him.

"Greetings, Princess." The three of them bowed and saluted.

Jiang Shaohua said with a smile: "Everyone, stand up. Come and meet Wang Sheren, the imperial envoy of the court, and Tan Langzhong from the Ministry of Revenue."

Upon hearing this, the three of them came forward to greet him.

Doctor Tan took a step forward, stretched out his hand and held Lu Cong's hand, and sighed: "It has been several years since we last met. I never thought that you and I would meet again one day."

It is normal for people in the officialdom to be forgotten after leaving. It is only natural that a criminal like Lu Cong, who could not turn over a new leaf, would have no friends in the court after returning home in disgrace. Even Lu Cong himself could not accuse Doctor Tan of being snobbish, because he would be the same if he were in his place.

Fortunately, in the past two years, Lu Cong has regained his position in Nanyang County. His former confidence and composure have returned. He took Doctor Tan's hand and said with a smile: "Today we are meeting again, old friends. We must have a few drinks together."

Doctor Tan responded with a smile. Jiang Shaohua watched this hypocritical scene with a smile, as if he didn't notice the rift between these two "old friends".

Wang Jin stepped forward and asked the princess with a smile: "I wonder what position Cui Du holds in the palace, and how to address him?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Cui Du is still young and has no official position. You can just call him by his name, Wang Sheren."

Then, the handsome young man in linen clothes smiled and bowed: "Cui Du greets Wang Sheren."

Wang Jin: “…”

Doctor Tan: “…”

This is actually Cui Du? !

How could a teenager like him grow a new crop with extremely high yield?
Wang Jin and Doctor Tan were both shocked. Jiang Shaohua knew what was going on and laughed and joked, "You heard it right, this is Cui Du. The one with the surname Lin is the manager of the farm."

Doctor Tan responded very quickly: "You can't judge a person by his appearance. Master Cui is so promising at such a young age. He will surely be a capable official in Daliang in the future."

Look, this is the speaking skill of an old official. He just talks about a capable minister of Daliang and tries to lightly erase the fact that Cui Du was born in Nanyang County.

Jiang Shaohua sneered in his heart, but smiled faintly and said, "Doctor Tan is right. Cui Du is good at cultivating grains and is a farming genius that is one in a million. With him, Nanyang County has grown new grains with extremely high yields, and the people can have enough food. The Nanyang Palace has the spare capacity to offer grain to the court."

Doctor Tan smiled and said, "After I return to the capital, I will recommend Master Cui to the emperor. Master Cui is a man of great talent and has made great contributions. It would not be excessive to confer a title on him."

Wang Jin came back to his senses from his shock and looked at Doctor Tan. "Of course, the request for merit must be written by the princess herself. We can take the memorial back to the capital for the princess."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Okay, I'll trouble Mr. Wang then."

Doctor Tan was not embarrassed at all, and laughed, "Mr. Wang is the one who thinks things through. At my age, my brain works slowly, and I may have made mistakes in my words and actions. I hope the princess will forgive me."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Doctor Tan is too modest. Doctor Tan is in his prime and is very capable. He went to Jiangnan to collect grain and later sent grain to the north. He has made great contributions many times, and even the late emperor praised him highly."

"Those who gossip behind his back, saying that Doctor Tan got to where he is today by fawning over Prime Minister Wang, are just people who are jealous of Doctor Tan, and I don't believe them."

Doctor Tan: “…”

Wang Jin: “…”

Wang Jin was still too young and naive. Listening to the princess's sarcasm and ridicule, his face felt hot.

Fortunately, Doctor Tan was old and thick-skinned, and he could still smile: "I think I have some talent, and I have the support of the Prime Minister, so my luck is slightly better than others."

Jiang Shaohua smiled leisurely and said, "This princess also hopes that Doctor Tan's luck will continue to be good. If one day Doctor Tan angers Prime Minister Wang and can no longer stay in the capital, you can come to Nanyang County. This princess will also give you a position as a servant."

Doctor Tan: “…”