Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 273: The Way to Enter the Imperial Academy

Li Zisheng personally went to Zhang's house, still through the back door, and this time he brought his trusted aide Pang Qing with him.

Zhang Luan's side was different from last time. He brought his son Zhang Yanling out to welcome Li Zisheng.

"Laizhan, you must believe me. I had no idea that you were transferred to the position of Junior Official of the Imperial Ministry of Rites."

Li Zisheng said with a look of annoyance, "His Majesty once mentioned to me that you would not be rewarded or punished in this matter. I was complacent at first, thinking that I had helped you by successfully earning a good reputation among the scholars. But who knew the result would be... Alas!"

After being counselled by Zhang Yanling, Zhang Luan had calmed down. Besides, his son was right beside him, so he had to pretend.

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "Minister Li, you don't need to explain. I understand everything. The Shaoqing of the Ministry of Rites is also a fourth-rank official, which is also good."

"Ugh!"

After Li Zisheng sighed, he went into the back room with Zhang Luan.

The two men sat down, with someone standing behind each of them. Li Zisheng didn't think this was awkward.

"Laizhan, the Taichang Temple is a place full of mixed people. Even if you are given the position of Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple, there is often nothing for you to do.

"But don't worry. It won't be long before I find a way to transfer you out. With my connections in the court, it won't be difficult to get you to the Tongzhengshisi or restore your position as the Minister of the Honglu Temple."

Li Zisheng began to paint a big picture for Zhang Luan.

When Zhang Luan just became the father-in-law of the crown prince, Li Zisheng said he would help him get a real position as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He believed it and was full of expectations.

But after he had served as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites for a few days, he realized that such a promise was unreliable.

I am the father-in-law of a prince and want to be an official in the court. Can I do it without the emperor's approval?
Do not make jokes!
It doesn’t matter how high the official position I hold is. The key is that I have to treat the emperor, which is too difficult... In this case, why don’t I wait for half a year and let my son-in-law assign me a good job?
Li Zisheng saw that Zhang Luan looked calm and seemed to no longer trust him, so he hurriedly said, "Laizhan, what are you thinking? Or, which government office do you want to go to? As long as you ask, I will do my best to help you get it."

"I……"

Zhang Luan didn't know what to say for a moment.

Zhang Yanling quickly answered for his father: "Master Li, my father said that he had a wish in his life, which was to get a basic job in the Imperial Academy, even if it was just helping people edit books and broaden their horizons."

"what!?"

Li Zisheng didn't react for a moment.

Zhang Luan nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I want to enter the Hanlin Academy."

Li Zisheng frowned and said, "This Hanlin Academy... has never been a place of nobility. Considering your position as a fourth-rank official, entering the Hanlin Academy... is neither high nor low. In addition, although the Hanlin Academy looks like a low-income government office with no money and no power, it is still quite difficult to enter it."

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, if it wasn’t difficult, I would have come to you.

Pang Qing explained: "People who are not Jinshi graduates can only do some marginal jobs in the Hanlin Academy. I am afraid they are not worthy of a talent like Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Luan patted his chest and said, "Mr. Pang really flattered me too much. I am just an ordinary person. Entering the Hanlin Academy is my lifelong dream. I originally wanted to study in Beiyong, but who knew... so many things happened in the middle, and now I can't go back to study, so I thought of going to the Hanlin Academy..."

"Laizhan, people always go to higher places, this is right."

Li Zisheng interrupted Zhang Luan and said with a smile, "You want to enter the Imperial Academy and make yourself famous among the scholars, which is understandable. Okay, I agree to this matter, but I can't guarantee that it will be as you wish. I can only say that I will do my best to help you fight for it."

Zhang Luan was overjoyed and quickly bowed: "Thank you."

Obviously, Zhang Luan didn't expect Li Zisheng to really express his willingness to help.

I couldn't help but think of what my son told me when I went out to greet the guests... Now Li Zisheng feels guilty towards you, but he wants to use you. As long as you propose something that is not too excessive and within his ability, he will find ways to help you accomplish it.

If you normally say you want to go to the Hanlin Academy, he will laugh at you for not seeing the situation clearly.

The Hanlin Academy will only recruit three top-ranking Jinshi and more than twenty selected Shujishi every three years... In some years, Shujishi are not selected... Only those who have served as Hanlin can have the opportunity to become a cabinet minister, and all court officials who have studied in the Hanlin Academy will have a great reputation after graduation.

If it were during the Hongzhi period when the administration was clean and honest, you would have no chance of entering the Hanlin Academy as a student. Probably, there was only a chance at the end of the Chenghua period when the court was in chaos.

"Laizhan, what I told you last time..."

Li Zisheng first agreed to Zhang Luan's request, and now it was his turn to make his own request.

Zhang Luan said: "I'm already calculating and have some clues. I'll send the results to your house tomorrow."

"Good good."

Li Zisheng was very happy and expressed his attitude to Zhang Luan, "I still say that I will never change my heart to protect you. This time, I may not have done my job well and you have been wronged, but I will do my best to make up for it. Entering the Hanlin Academy... may be impossible for others, but for you... I will not let you down no matter what, please believe in my sincerity!"

Zhang Luan looked calm and nodded to show that he understood, but in his heart he shouted, my son is wise.

……

……

"Master Dao, you are not serious, are you? Help Zhang Laizhan enter the Hanlin Academy? Why? You yourself don't even have a chance to enter the Hanlin Academy!"

As soon as he left Zhang's house, Pang Qing began to sing a different tune.

He was embarrassed to offend Li Zisheng at the Zhang family, but now he had to explain the difficulty of this matter to Li Zisheng. After all, he claimed to be a competent aide.

"Of course I can't get in by myself, but Laizhan is different."

Li Zisheng looked indifferent.

"What's the difference? They are all students, he just holds the title of a student, but he has never been to school for a few days... and he just has the title of the father-in-law of the Eastern Palace."

Pang Qing said disdainfully.

Li Zisheng said, "Tsk tsk, listen to me, you can feel the big difference between him and me just by saying it yourself. In fact, you have missed a point. Zhang Laizhan is a scholar of the Qingliu school, while I am an alchemist. Is it really that difficult for him to be a Hanlin editor with the status of Shaoqing and Jiansheng of the Taichang Temple? Not necessarily!"

……

……

Xu Qiong's residence.

After learning that Zhang Luan was transferred to the position of Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple, Xu Qiong felt much more at ease. After all, Zhang Luan had just entered the court and had not even passed the imperial examination, let alone a person like him who had a top-ranking family. The court directly granted him a real position as the Minister of the Honglu Temple, which really made people feel indignant.

On this day, Qi Zhang, the Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple, came to visit.

"Minister Xu, you should have known about Zhang Honglu's relocation, right?" Qi Zhang asked.

"Ah."

Xu Qiong nodded, "Laizhan has just entered the officialdom, and it is difficult for him to display his talents in the position of Honglu Temple Minister. Your Majesty transferred him to Taichang Temple, I think he also hopes that he can gain more experience."

Qi Zhang asked curiously: "But why is all this happening?"

Xu Qiong did not answer but asked: "Do you have any doubts about this arrangement?"

"I mean... just think about it, when Minister Li hosted Zhang Honglu for a banquet, he treated him with great courtesy and even specially invited Minister Ni from the Ministry of Rites to accompany him... How much did Minister Li think of Zhang Honglu?

"Just a few days later, Zhang Honglu submitted a memorial to impeach Minister Li, and even stripped Minister Li of his position as... Minister of the Left. Afterwards, Zhang Honglu was demoted to the position of Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Rites. This is simply..."

Qi Zhang obviously couldn't figure out the trick behind it.

A few days ago, they were good buddies, helping each other and being united in the government. It was no exaggeration to say that they were in the same party. But in the blink of an eye, they broke up?

With Li Zisheng's power, if Zhang Luan really dares to do this, won't he be in big trouble in the future?
Even if Zhang Luan was not killed, at least he would be unable to get a chance to work in the court in the future.

Xu Qiong obviously didn't have as many thoughts as Qi Zhang, and smiled and said: "I came to impeach Li Yintai, and then I lost my job. Isn't this normal?"

"so……"

Qi Zhang asked, "Zhang Honglu was exiled to the Taichang Temple because he impeached Minister Li and was retaliated against?"

"Maybe."

Xu Qiong shrugged.

Qi Zhang sighed, "It's just as what people say. Zhang Honglu is really daring and a loyal minister... He pretended to be loyal to Li Shilang and fawned on him, but he was actually collecting evidence of Li Shilang's selling official positions and titles. After he got it, he stepped forward and impeached him in order to protect the government. Such integrity is rare."

"What did you say?"

Xu Qiong was shocked to hear Qi Zhang's evaluation of Zhang Luan.

I thought to myself, what a good guy.

Zhang Laizhan had just entered the court and hadn't even done his job well, but he had already gained a reputation as a loyal minister? Who said Li Zisheng was selling official positions?

Then do you think that I, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel who was promoted by Li Zisheng, also obtained this position through bribery?

Qi Zhang said, "Minister Xu, you may not know that not only the Honglu Temple, but also the six departments are discussing this matter. Especially today, many people think that Zhang Honglu is a model of benevolent ministers for speaking out for justice and maintaining the rules and regulations for the court. They are all speaking up for him. Some people even plan to jointly submit a memorial to defend him."

Xu Qiong frowned, wondering what the hell was going on.

Others may not know Zhang Laizhan, but as his "brother-in-law", how could I not know what kind of person he is?
Just him?

Still a loyal minister?
Maintain the court's discipline and laws?

Go to hell!

"Master, there are guests outside. They seem to be from Minister Li's residence."

At this moment, a report came from the servants outside.

Xu Qiong was a little impatient: "Which Minister Li?"

Qi Zhang quickly stood up and said, "Could it be...could it be that Li...Yintai sent someone here?"

"hiss."

Xu Qiong took a deep breath and complained, "Are you here for Lai Zhan's matter?"

"Who knows?"

Qi Zhang smiled and bowed, "I will not bother you any more. Goodbye. If there is any news about Zhang Honglu...or should be called Zhang Taichang, I hope you can send someone to inform us. If someone signs a petition to plead for him, we at the Honglu Temple cannot sit idly by."

Xu Qiong said: "You mean, if someone takes the lead, you plan to..."

Qi Zhang quickly defended himself: "No, no, I just wanted to speak up for Zhang Honglu and hope that he would be given a lighter sentence. No one in the court dares to be an enemy of Li Shilang. The matter... cannot be explained clearly."

Xu Qiong thought to himself, if you don't have the courage, then you don't have the courage. How can you explain it clearly?
Who doesn’t know what kind of person Li Zisheng is?
Do you really dare to speak up for Zhang Laizhan now?

Stop it!
……

……

Unconsciously, Xu Qiong had developed a greater respect for Zhang Luan. Although she did not say it, she had that thought in her mind.

If it were him, he would not be able to be as reckless as Zhang Luan.

But when he met the representative sent by Li Zisheng, Pang Qing, the chief steward of the Li Mansion, his thoughts immediately changed.

"...Sir Xu, my Taoist priest has asked me to help Sir Zhang find a job in the Imperial Academy. The rank doesn't have to be too high, just an editor will do... Doesn't this require a recommendation from a court official who is also a member of the Imperial Academy to bring this up? And now that you have the support of my Taoist priest, you are already a person who has the final say in the Ministry of Personnel, so it would be most appropriate for you to come forward."

Pang Qing told the purpose of his visit.

Li Zisheng agreed to help Zhang Luan obtain an official position in the Hanlin Academy, but he also knew that it was not appropriate for him to propose this matter himself.

He and Zhang Luan were originally acting in cahoots. If he were to show up himself, wouldn't everything be exposed?

Xu Qiong frowned upon hearing this: "Why did Li Yintai want to help Lai Zhan? This is not a general help..."

Originally, Xu Qiong thought that Zhang Luan and Li Zisheng had completely broken up, and he didn't know how to stand in front of Li Zisheng. He might receive a transfer order and go to Nanjing to serve as a minister. After all, he knew that he was able to enter the central government to perform his duties because of the relationship between Zhang Luan and Li Zisheng.

but now……

Pang Qing smiled and said, "That's right. The transfer of Lord Zhang to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Household was not what my Taoist expected. I felt that I had treated Lord Zhang unfairly, so I personally went to his house today to explain, and then... I agreed to do this."

When Xu Qiong heard this, she instantly felt that there was a conspiracy behind it.

"You mean, Li Yintai went to Zhang's house in person to explain after His Majesty issued the edict?"

Xu Qiong's face was full of disbelief.

Who is Li Zisheng?

The power is overwhelming!
Zhang Luan impeached him but just wanted to transfer him to the position of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, but Li Zisheng actually went to his house in person to explain?
If housekeeper Pang hadn't said it himself, I, Xu, would never believe it even if I were beaten to death.

Pang Qing sighed, "It can't be helped. Our Lord Zhang is a top figure. He is not only the father-in-law of the prince, but also can help me... I always respect the wise and humble, let alone a great man like Lord Zhang."

The stately men accused me of evil, but I repaid them with good.

Is there something wrong with Li Zisheng?
Xu Qiong said: "There has never been a precedent for a scholar to enter the Hanlin Academy, so it may be difficult to succeed. Even if someone recommends him, I am afraid it will be a laughing stock."

Pang Qing smiled and said, "You don't have to worry too much about this. Lord Zhang has won the hearts of the people by rectifying the chaos in the court. If he is promoted to the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household, some people will definitely think it is unfair to him. If someone suggests that he be admitted to the Hanlin Academy for training, and a few more people add fuel to the fire... then the Taoist will show his tolerance, and everything will be... a matter of course, right?"

Xu Qiong asked doubtfully, "Do we have to do this?"

"Yes, it must be so!"

Pang Qing said affirmatively, "This is what I personally promised Master Zhang. If I don't do it, it will inevitably appear petty."

Xu Qiong said with emotion: "One dares to ask, and the other dares to respond."

Pang Qing was not annoyed after hearing this, but just smiled and said, "You are also a person of temperament!"

Isn't it?

If you are not a man of character, how dare you say this about Li Zisheng? And in front of Li Zisheng's top aide?
Xu Qiong said: "Someone needs to bring this up, but it's best if it's not me. We need to find someone else."

"oh!?"

When Pang Qing heard this, he thought, is Xu Qiong going to openly refuse?
But he had some brains, and immediately asked, "Who is more suitable?"

"Laizhan has a relative, Shen Lu, an official at the Yintai Division. He can bring him forward, and I can help him behind the scenes. If someone else speaks up for him, it may be enough. After all, there is no precedent for a non-Jinshi to be admitted to the Hanlin Academy and be granted the position of editor." Xu Qiong proposed a solution.

It's not my place to bring this up.

As the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, I should be very clear about the rules for promoting officials in the court. If I rashly propose this, others will think that I am intentionally breaking the rules and favoring Zhang Laizhan, which will damage our reputation.

But since Shen Lulai brought it up, it makes sense.

After all, Shen Lu was only a juren, and he did not work in the Ministry of Personnel, so it was understandable that he did not understand the twists and turns of official promotion. And even if people in the court accused him of breaking the rules, he could say that he was speaking out for justice.

Anyway, even if he loses his job in the end, Shen Lu won't suffer much loss. Li Zisheng or Zhang Luan will help him get it back. But Xu Qiong can't afford to lose such a high-ranking position as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After all, all the third-rank officials in the court are assigned to their respective posts. Once he goes down, it will be extremely difficult for him to come back.

Pang Qing thought about it and nodded: "Minister Xu's opinion is indeed brilliant. Then let's settle this matter. If someone brings up this idea later, you must stand firmly on the side of supporting Lord Zhang during the discussion in the Ministry. As for Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel, I will also make arrangements in advance."

A Minister of Personnel, plus a Right Vice Minister of Personnel, and the support of the most powerful official in the court, all for the purpose of helping Zhang Luan enter the Hanlin Academy.

This configuration can be said to be quite luxurious.

Things that were originally impossible suddenly seemed to be possible.

Xu Qiong reminded: "This matter must have the participation of the censors."

Pang Qing smiled and said, "Minister Xu, don't worry about that. We will have a chance to greet everyone. After all, this time, everything was proposed by the people in the court... In the end, the Taoist only wanted to show his grace and integrity... and also to prevent Mr. Zhang from affecting the Taoist's work... that's why he agreed to transfer Lai Zhan to the Hanlin Academy to do a noble and leisurely job... That's all."

Xu Qiong was surprised and asked, "Has Li Yintai laid out all the subsequent development plans?"

"That's it."

Pang Qing bowed and said, "It's better to be direct when talking to you, Minister Xu. In fact, Lord Zhang is also very aggrieved. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with him. He impeached Liang Fang and Wei Juan out of justice. Who would have thought... Alas!"

"So, Li Yintai wants to impeach himself?" Xu Qiong asked.

Pang Qing smiled and said, "Some things are hard to explain, you just need to understand them yourself. I'll take my leave first, and I have to meet other people later, so I won't bother you anymore."

"please."

Xu Qiong took a deep breath.

It suddenly felt like Zhang Luan was about to step into the core power circle of the imperial court.

Li Zisheng helped him and cared for him so wholeheartedly...

Zhang Luan is also the prince's father-in-law. This background...

It doesn’t matter if you don’t accept it!

(End of this chapter)