Jinting Han people

Chapter 79 Celebration (4k)

At the time of Xinwei and Si in March, the dazzling sunlight covered the corridors and courtyards, the walls were covered with leaves of osmanthus and golden lilies, and the cuckoo's intermittent calls made everything seem very comfortable.

Liu Xian was still dressed very neatly today. He sat upright in his study, copying Cai Yong's "Epitaph of Wang Zijiao" on the table with a serious and meticulous expression.

His wife Cao Shangrou knelt beside him, rolled up her sleeves and ground ink for her husband. She watched him write carefully with a faint smile on her face.

Since the end of the strategy test, Liu Xian has been waiting for the result at home. He was very calm about this strategy test that concerned his life's destiny. Every day he either practiced sword or read and practiced calligraphy at home. It seemed that he was just taking an outing to the Imperial Academy.

But everyone in Anle's mansion was inevitably nervous. They couldn't bring themselves to ask Liu Xian for confirmation, so they repeatedly sent people to the Imperial College to inquire about the news. It was as if announcing the results was some kind of collective laborious task, and if everyone just worked harder a few more times, they would be able to bring back good news.

"Is Lai Fu going to the Imperial College again?" Liu Xian asked.

A'Luo seemed to remember something and laughed.

"Aluo, what are you laughing at?"

"A Luo was wondering, is Fu Lang really as calm as he appears to be?"

"Hmm? My teacher, Little Ruan Gong, once said that one should possess great wisdom, the so-called composure of looking at a cliff, the composure of facing a raging wave. Only in this way can one make life as smooth as walking on flat ground. I really like this saying. Is there something wrong with it?"

"Of course there's nothing wrong with that," Ah Luo said with a smile. "But if my husband is such a person, then why is the word 'cloud' written with such sharp edges?"

Liu Xian was startled, stopped writing, and carefully examined the six characters he had just written: "飞神形，翔云小" (flying into the sky), but he found nothing wrong. Looking back at his wife's mischievous expression, he suddenly realized that he had been teased. He didn't get angry, but smiled helplessly and said:

"A Luo, it's precisely because your mind is restless that you need to calm it down. This is the essence of reading and calligraphy!"

"Hee, does my husband also feel restless?"

"If I were truly calm, I would have probably attained enlightenment. I wouldn't have gone to Fengxu to ride the wind and travel through the six heavens. Why would I still be arguing with you here?"

Ah Luo covered her mouth and laughed secretly. Her smile was like the sweet osmanthus in spring, full of vitality in her playfulness, cute and charming.

She said, "Then I have a way to calm my husband down."

"any solution?"

"Close your eyes."

Liu Xian closed his eyes and immediately felt a thin stream of heat hitting his face. His nose then smelled a familiar fragrance, which was the angelica powder that A'luo usually used.

He knew it was Ah Luo who was approaching him. Suddenly, his wife's moist lips swam gently around his neck like two fish just landed. Liu Xian's body tensed up, and his arms subconsciously wrapped around her.

But as soon as his hands hugged A'Luo's back, Liu Xian started laughing, because his wife stopped kissing and licked his collarbone like a kitten, which was wet and itchy, making him laugh.

Ah Luo took the opportunity to snuggle into Liu Xian's arms and asked with a smile, "Biji, are you calm now?"

Compared to the precocious Liu Xian, A'Luo acted like a child who hadn't grown up yet, which made Liu Xian lose his temper. He smiled and said, "Okay, okay, thanks to A'Luo."

It was strange. They had been married for over a year, but to Liu Xian, his wife, A'Luo, was still a mystery. She seemed to possess an incredible magical power. After such a joke, she had indeed easily dispelled his hesitation, letting tenderness and happiness drive away all other emotions. Whether it was intentional or not, it was unknown.

If she wasn't being affectionate, she was a delicate flower in need of his care. If she was being affectionate, she was a considerate harbor and screen. In either case, Liu Xian felt a surge of tenderness and affection for her. It was from his wife that Liu Xian truly felt that tenderness was also a powerful strength.

Liu Xian smiled and patted his wife on the back: "Okay, stop making trouble, it's still daytime!"

Ah Luo then returned to her original position obediently and continued to grind the ink slowly, as if nothing had happened.

Liu Xian continued to write, his mind now completely focused.

Sometimes fate is like this. When you are not worried about anything, good news will come naturally.

Just as Liu Xian finished copying the inscription and was about to put down his brush to examine it, a noise was heard outside the palace, like the ice flood when the river thaws: at first there is only a tiny sound, and then there is a torrent of water rushing past, sweeping up the broken ice and rushing towards the sea.

Soon, he saw Lai Fu limping over and shouting into the room, "Sir, good news, good news!"

Liu Xian's heart suddenly calmed down. He stood up with a smile, walked forward to support Lai Fu, and said, "Please speak slowly."

"It's Ji Gong from the Imperial College who has arrived!"

"Oh?" Liu Xian was surprised. He quickly straightened his clothes and walked into the hall.

When he stepped into the main hall, almost all the servants who were still in the mansion were gathered inside and outside the hall, asking for news in low voices.

In the hall, Ji Shao was already seated at the table, being taken care of by his second uncle Liu Yao. Tea, cherries, and loquats were served to him on the table, a very rich feast.

Ji Shao had obviously not expected such a big scene, and felt a bit uncomfortable for a moment. Only when he saw Liu Xian approaching did he breathe a sigh of relief. He stood up and said with a smile, "Huai Chong, congratulations!" Then he pulled out a thin piece of yellow silk and a certificate from his pocket, handed them to Liu Xian, and said, "From today on, you are a clerk in the imperial court."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the mansion smiled happily.

The Anle Mansion was very familiar with the position of Zuo Zuo Lang, after all, Liu Yao had served as Zuo Zuo Lang for many years.

This was a sixth-rank official position at the imperial court, affiliated with the Secretariat. Its primary responsibilities were to organize classics and official documents, and to compile history. While its responsibilities were modest, it was considered an honest position, a position disliked by many older officials. However, for a young person just beginning their career in the civil service, everyone had to start with a relatively unassuming official position. Being a Zuoshulang (Zhuzulang) was a high starting point.

This was beyond Liu Xian's expectations. He thought that it was not easy for him to get a seventh-rank official position, and he had never thought about the sixth rank.

Joy and doubt surged in Liu Xian's heart, and his hands and feet felt a little shaky. He took the yellow silk and the name certificate, carefully compared them twice, and then put them in his arms. He then asked, "Master Jijiu, what rank did I get?" Seeing that Liu Xian did not lose his composure, Ji Shao was also quite relieved. He smiled at Liu Xian and said, "This is all thanks to Lord Yan Fu. It was he who insisted on promoting you and finally decided on the second rank. You must go to his house to thank him later."

Upon hearing that it was Zhuoran Second Rank, Liu Xian was even more surprised. He knew the weight of these four words. While there were many Second Rank officials in the Western Jin Dynasty, there were actually only a few hundred. Of those who could even receive this title, perhaps no more than twenty were considered Zhuoran Second Rank officials, all of whom were talented enough to assist the king. For example, Zhang Hua, the Marquis of Guangwu County, who lived next door to the Anle Mansion, was also Zhuoran Second Rank.

"Is it too conspicuous? Will it offend people?" These thoughts flashed through Liu Xian's mind for the first time, and then he laughed a little. He was just worried about not being able to get a high quality, but now he was afraid that the quality was too high. He was simply worrying too much.

Now is a happy moment, and when it is a happy moment, we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest.

Liu Xian immediately invited Ji Shao to stay at his home. He also sent for his teacher Chen Shou, his friends Zu Ti, Liu Kun, Liu Cong, Wang Cui, and some young men from the Ruan and Cao families, such as Ruan Xuan, Ruan Fu, Cao Guang, and Cao Miao. Of course, he also politely invited the sons of nobles such as Shi Chao, Zhang Wei, and Jia Mi. Liu Xian himself went to the Shiping Prince's mansion to invite his lord, Sima Wei, who had recommended him to the palace.

Although it was the busy spring season, it was also the time when the young men had the most free time. Except for the sons of nobles who were mostly not at home, the rest of the invited guests arrived one after another in the afternoon.

The family had already prepared the ingredients for the banquet, and as soon as the guests arrived, the house immediately became busy.

Maids such as Achun were coming and going in the kitchen, constantly delivering delicacies. Zhu Fu and Lai Fu were at the door, welcoming and seeing off the distinguished guests. Even the concubines of Anle Duke Liu Xun felt honored at this moment. Without being told by others, they changed into gorgeous dresses and took the initiative to dance and play music for the banquet.

Ever since Liu Xian's birth, the Anle Mansion had never been so bustling. So many talented young men, so much laughter, and so many faces that had never known hardship, all filled with yearning for the future, completely wiping out the sadness that had plagued the mansion for the past twenty years.

Many servants who came from Shuzhong were so happy that they wept, and some even cried out loudly. Zhu Fu said to Lai Fu, "God bless you to be alive today!"

"Good wine!" Wang Qi took a sip of wine when he had a moment's leisure, and his face twitched. "These aren't tears, they're wine. I..." He took a gulp, then put down the glass and burst into tears. He never cried before, and only today did anyone know how loud his sobs could be.

"Don't cry, it will embarrass you, Master."

"I'm not crying, I'm laughing." The old man laughed as he spoke, drank the wine in the glass, and suddenly started singing again. It was an old song from Shuzhong, the lyrics were no longer clear, but the melody was very old and tortuous, like a wild wolf in the mountains howling at the moon.

Ji Shao, the Imperial College's chief academic officer, was listening nearby and couldn't help but raise his glass. He said to Liu Xian, "Huai Chong, it seems like everyone in the palace is proud of you!"

Liu Xian was also filled with emotion for a moment. He raised his glass and said, "I have always been grateful to them." But in his heart, he felt a little sad. He knew that everyone actually believed in him and believed that he could bring a turning point in the fate of the mansion.

But Liu Xian could no longer see Zhang Ximiao among the crowd, which made him lower his head slightly and adjust his expression.

I have already promised my mother that I must work hard without slacking off for a moment and become the pillar of support for those who support me!
Thinking of this, Liu Xian chuckled and raised his head again.

Ji Shao was unaware of Liu Xian's change of heart and continued on the same topic, "But Huai Chong and the others can be proud, but you shouldn't become complacent. You're still young and have a long way to go. A good start is great, but you also need to maintain a steady mindset and take each step forward."

"A career in the officialdom is never smooth sailing. While rank is important, it's just a road sign. Don't be too concerned about gains and losses."

"Thank you for the teachings, Master."

As they were talking, Sima Wei, the Prince of Shiping, slowly walked over, holding a wine glass. He looked around and said to Liu Xian with a smile, "Huai Chong, congratulations! I never thought you could get the Zhuoran Second Rank! I remember the last person to get this rank was Pei Wei!"

Ji Shao nodded and said, "Indeed."

Sima Wei patted Liu Xian on the shoulder and said, "Then you have a bright future. Pei Wei's promotion was so fast that even I was dumbfounded!"

"I remember that when he entered the civil service at the age of sixteen, he was promoted to the fifth rank of Prince's Secretary. A year later, he was promoted to Palace Attendant. I remember His Majesty said that in another six months, he would be promoted again. I don't know what position it will be."

"It's already been decided," Ji Shao said calmly. "In half a year, I will be appointed Governor of Xuzhou, and the Ministry of Rites has received an imperial decree stating that the Duke of Julu will take over as the Imperial College's Chief Academician."

"Hahaha! A twenty-year-old Imperial College Priest! This is probably the youngest Imperial College Priest in history! Huai Chong, you will be like this in the future!"

Liu Xian laughed and said, "Your Highness, why are you joking? How can I be compared with the Duke of Julu? It's just that Duke Yanfu and others flatter me. In terms of real talent and knowledge, I'm not even up to par!"

Sima Wei laughed and said, "You are not sincere! You say one thing and mean another!"

Their discussion attracted more young people. Everyone was happy for Liu Xian's achievement of the second-rank rank, but at the same time, they couldn't help but want to know who else had achieved the second-rank rank in the thirty years since the establishment of the Western Jin Dynasty.

The person who knew the most about this matter was of course Chen Shou. He was happy for his disciples and introduced familiar names to everyone: Zhang Hua, Liu Yi, Wang Yan, Le Guang, Wang Rong, Yang Yu... Most of these names were already successful and famous, and were very powerful in their area.

Zu Ti was a little frustrated when he heard this. He had not participated in the Imperial College Archery Test this year because he felt that even if he passed, the grade he would get would still be too low, so he was still waiting for his chance. After hearing the news that Liu Xian had passed, he couldn't help but feel anxious for himself and said:
"After all, they are all elderly people. The future of the country depends on us, the younger generation."

Chen Shou did not refute. He looked over Zu Ti, Liu Cong, Liu Kun, Sima Wei and the others, stroked his beard and smiled, "Yes, the future belongs to you young people. I think many of you here are no less capable than those so-called famous ministers of ancient times."

Taking advantage of this topic, Liu Cong couldn't help but extend it, "Then, in Lord Chengzuo's opinion, who is the most outstanding among the younger generation?"

Everyone laughed, thinking this topic was beyond suspense. After all, Liu Xian had just achieved the second rank of Zhuoran. As a teacher, Chen Shou was not partial to his own students, so why would he praise others?

As expected, Chen Shou smiled and said, "After all these years in the Central Plains, what I am most proud of is accepting such a disciple."

Unexpectedly, he paused here and then said, "However, when I was visiting Jiangdongnan, I met two geniuses who are no less talented than Huai Chong. If they were to come to the capital, they would probably be rated as Zhuoran Second Rank!"

This answer was truly unexpected. Everyone present was from the Central Plains, and no one had any real knowledge of the situation in Jiangdong. Indeed, the Wu Kingdom had existed for decades, the last of the Three Kingdoms to fall, and had even achieved numerous victories against the north. Of course, there must be exceptional individuals within the realm, but what kind of individuals they were? Since the talented Jiangnan scholars had yet to arrive in Beijing, the Central Plains scholars naturally had no idea.

But at this time, Chen Shou actually said that there were two Zhuoran second-rank officials in Wu. This made people curious. Ji Shao asked, "Who are they?"

Chen Shou replied, "Lu Ji from Wujun, and Zhou Qi from Wuxing."

Lu Ji was the grandson of Lu Xun, and Zhou Qi was the son of Zhou Chu. These are names that will never be forgotten by the people of the world.

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(End of this chapter)