Aoyama

Chapter 201 Minister of Civil Service
In front of the Chen residence, Chen Liqin smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes and bowed to listen to the emperor's orders.

"Chen Liqin, the co-magistrate of Luocheng, Yuzhou, was honest and impartial during his tenure, set an example for his subordinates, was considerate of the people's feelings, and took extra care to comfort them, making them happy to work, and not losing money on state taxes..."

"The imperial decree states that Chen Liqin, the co-magistrate of Luocheng, Yuzhou, is to be transferred to the position of Junior Zhanshi in the Zhanshi Palace and enter the East Palace Office."

In front of the Chen Mansion, officials from the capital were exhausted.

After he finished reading the document, he politely handed the dragon-patterned yellow paper document to Chen Liqin, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Lord Chen. After we parted in Beijing three years ago, I knew we would have a chance to meet again, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. When Lord Chen returns to Beijing, I hope you can help me."

The wrinkles on Chen Liqin's face from wind and sun smoothed out. He had been in Luocheng for three years since he came from the capital. Although he knew that he would go back sooner or later, when this day finally came, he still felt a huge weight off his heart.

But he still had doubts in his heart, because the official position that his family had previously arranged for him was not Shao Zhanshi, but Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites.

Although it would be nice to follow the prince, the situation in the capital was turbulent, and intervening in the fight for the throne was not what he wanted. He was an official who followed the rules and did his job well, but he was not a "capable official" who was good at adapting to circumstances. He was afraid that he would not be able to follow the prince.

Why did his family arrange this job for him?

Before he could think about it, Zhang Zhuo said on the stone steps in front of the Chen Mansion, "A fourth-rank young scholar, what a big deal the Chen family has. I'm afraid this is not an official position that Lord Chen personally asked for for you? From now on, I have to respect Lord Chen more. A higher rank can crush a person."

The prefect of Luocheng was of the fifth rank, the co-magistrate of Luocheng was of the fifth rank, and the junior magistrate of the Zhanshi Mansion was of the fourth rank. From then on, Chen Liqin's official position was two levels higher than Zhang Zhuo.

Chen Liqin glanced at Zhang Zhuo and said, "Master Zhang's promotion documents have also arrived. Why do you have to make fun of me?"

He took the document, confirmed it again and again, and then heaved a sigh of relief. He hurriedly said to the official: "Mr. Li is too polite. I will need your care in the future. Wang Gui, take Mr. Li away..."

Chen Liqin almost subconsciously called out Wang Gui's name, but after calling it out, he remembered that Wang Gui had just been beaten with twenty sticks and was bedridden.

It always feels a bit uncomfortable when you can't find the tools you are used to for a while.

Chen Liqin thought for a moment and told a servant, "Please ask Master Li to stay at Runquan Garden and serve him well."

After saying that, he turned to look at Lord Li and said, "Lord Li, you must be exhausted from the journey. Please go to your residence and rest first. The Chen family will reward you handsomely."

Lord Li couldn't stop smiling. With Chen Liqin's words, his "business trip" of hundreds of miles was not in vain.

At this time, another official was led by Zhang's servant to the gate of Chen's house. When the official saw them, he shouted the good news: "Congratulations, Mr. Zhang, congratulations, Mr. Zhang!"

However, before he could finish, Zhang Zhuo stepped forward and grabbed the official's wrist and said, "Let me ask you, has the promotion document for Wang Daosheng arrived? His mourning period has ended. Has Your Majesty made any appointment or dismissal?"

The official was stunned for a moment, then whispered, "No... no, we only brought you and Mr. Chen."

Zhang Zhuo frowned and said, "Nonsense! His document has clearly been drafted, and it only needs the cabinet's approval!"

The official hurriedly said humbly, "Master Zhang, I am a lowly official and my words do not count. When I left Beijing, I did not hear anyone mention Master Wang's reinstatement."

"Really not?"

"Not really."

Zhang Zhuo sighed deeply, his figure became a little bleak, and he sighed in a low voice: "The ministers are still the same, without tolerance."

The officials of the Ministry of Personnel were silent. How could he have any say in the officials in the Ministry? It was a sin to even hear such talk.

Zhang Zhuo glanced at him, took the promotion document from his hand, and said casually, "No need to read it, I know the content. Zhang Zheng, take Mr. Zhou to Baiyi Lane to listen to some folk music and relax. Also, give him the box that you prepared."

"Hey," Zhang Zheng ran back to the mansion happily, took out a small wooden suitcase, and led Lord Zhou to the carriage.

Chen Liqin stood at the door and looked at Zhang Zhuo who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Why are you so worried, Lord Zhang? Is it because the promotion is not what you want?"

Zhang Zhuo sneered: "Those who know me think I am worried, and those who don't know me think I am asking for nothing. Although I am obsessed with officialdom, I also have things that I care about more. Forget it, there is no point in talking to you."

Chen Liqin thought for a moment: "Master Zhang, are you worried about Mr. Wang's reinstatement? But Mr. Wang and you have different political views..." Zhang Zhuo laughed: "Master Chen, the court has accumulated a lot of problems. It's good to have people who are willing to work. Who cares if they are suitable or not? By the way, it happens that you and I are going back to Beijing together. Why don't we go together? Bandits are rampant in Taihang Mountain. If there are more people, they will not dare to act rashly."

Chen Liqin didn't want to go back to Beijing with the Zhang family, so he didn't comment: "You and I are officials appointed by the court, how dare the Taihang Mountain bandits attack you and me?"

Zhang Zhuo said helplessly: "Nerd..."

Chen Liqin glared at him: "Master Zhang, why are you saying that?"

Zhang Zhuo thought for a moment and said, "It's okay if the two families don't go together. You can let Chen Ji go back to Beijing with me."

Chen Liqin was stunned, not knowing what Zhang Zhuo meant. Only Chen Ji understood that Zhang Zhuo was really worried about the Taihang Mountain bandits, and he really wanted to bring an official with him to escort him...

At this time, Liang hurried out of the house with the help of her maid.

Chen Liqin subconsciously glanced at Chen Ji and Zhang Zhuo, pondered for a moment, and then said in a deep voice: "Aren't you in the Buddhist temple? Why did you come out?"

Liang was about to cry: "Master, I have been thinking about it in the Buddhist temple before, but your promotion documents have come, and you must host a banquet for guests. This matter concerns the reputation of the Chen family, so I will do my best."

She enumerated them carefully: "Master, you have to write and send invitations three days before the banquet. It's decent to send three invitations in a row. You also have to prepare food, find a cook, and clean the house before the banquet. Now that Wang Gui and I have passed away at the same time, I'm afraid that other people in the mansion can't take care of it. You have never taken care of these things before..."

Chen Liqin hesitated.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

These things have always been handled by Liang and Wang Guizai, and he has never been involved. If he were to handle them personally, he would probably be overwhelmed.

Seeing Chen Liqin's hesitation, Liang turned to look at Chen Ji and said gently, "Chen Ji, you have seen that there is a big happy event in this family. If we do not treat the guests well, they will laugh at us. How about I take charge of the banquet first and talk about some things after the banquet?"

Chen Ji smiled and replied: "You are right, the big things are important."

He knew that after this banquet, the Chen family would move to the capital, and Liang would also be needed to take care of the packing of luggage. How would they have time to reflect in the Buddhist temple?
It was this incident that made Chen Liqin realize that the Chen family really could not do without Liang.

However, Zhang Zhuo at the side said, "Well, why does my sister-in-law need to take care of this matter? I was promoted together with Lord Chen. If the promotion banquets are held separately, do you think the officials in Luocheng will come to my Zhang family's banquet or to your Chen family's banquet? We are embarrassing the officials!"

Liang's expression changed slightly.

Zhang Zhuo smiled and said, "I have also been promoted this time, to a higher position than Lord Chen. This matter can be handled by my Zhang family. Lord Chen and I will attend together, so you don't have to worry about it."

Liang stood in front of the door, her fingers clenched around the maid's arm, not knowing whether to leave or not.

Zhang Xia took Zhang Zhuo's arm and said, "Father, I will help mother with the preparations. Tomorrow I will write the invitations and ask the chef of Yingxianlou to prepare the food. I will not embarrass father and Master Chen."

Zhang Zhuo praised: "My daughter has grown up."

Liang was silent for a long while, then bowed and went back to the mansion: "Then I'll trouble you, Master Zhang and Miss Zhang Er. I'll go back to the Buddhist temple now."

Chen Liqin was puzzled: "What official position did Mr. Zhang get promoted to?"

Zhang Zhuo glanced at him and said, "Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."

Chen Liqin was shocked. He was a third-rank official!
No wonder the official from the Ministry of Personnel just now was so humble, it turned out he was here to deliver documents to his superior!
Chen Liqin was puzzled: "Master Zhang is only one step away from entering the cabinet, how come he was promoted so quickly?"

"The hermit has his own ingenious plan!" Zhang Zhuo turned around and said to Zhang Xia in a gentle voice, "Girl, accompany me to meet Mr. Wang. Chen Ji, do you want to come with us?"

Chen Ji thought for a moment, and for some reason he didn't want to see Mr. Wang anymore: "Master Zhang, I just got home today and need to settle down, so I won't go."

"Okay." Zhang Zhuo waved his hand and left.

Chen Ji looked at Zhang Zhuo's back and felt as if there was a mountain pressing down on him today.

(End of this chapter)