The Red Mansion

Chapter 80 Jiang Nian is awarded the title of Third-Class Guard
Emperor Jingning said calmly, "What does the Emperor want to report?"

Emperor Taishun looked respectful as he recounted in detail how Jiang Nian had ranked 33rd in the Shuntian Prefecture's provincial examination, and how he had personally examined Jiang Nian today.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingning raised his eyebrows slightly, a look of surprise flashing across his eyes. He said with a half-smile, "You actually let this boy take the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination? This was most likely instigated by the Thirteenth Master, right?"

Emperor Taishun looked embarrassed and whispered, "Although this was agreed upon by my son and my thirteenth brother, I really want to test this boy's talent. Facts have proven that he is indeed a man of both civil and military talents, with his exceptional memory being the most astonishing. I intend to first appoint him as a third-class guard, but not to serve on duty, so that he can concentrate on his studies. When he reaches adulthood next year, he can then enter the court as an official. What do you think, father?"

Emperor Jingning snorted softly, "This was probably instigated by the Thirteenth Master again, right?"

Emperor Taishun: "..."

Emperor Jingning turned and looked at the archery range in front of Wuyi Zhai.

This archery range is where the princes practice martial arts.

Emperor Jingning gazed at him, lost in thought. Soon, he withdrew his gaze and turned back to Emperor Taishun, speaking in a slow, calm voice, "This child is, after all, the Emperor's son. He possesses exceptional talent and should be nurtured, not left to the common people for long. The Emperor has made his decision, and I cannot hinder it. However, the Emperor must remember that this child's background must remain a secret, kept secret from the court and the public."

Emperor Taishun responded respectfully, "I understand, and I will remember your teachings."

Emperor Jingning nodded slightly, said no more, turned around and walked slowly towards Qingxi Book House.

Emperor Taishun watched his back gradually disappear into the distance before he withdrew his gaze and walked into Wuyi Zhai again to personally check the lessons of the princes.

Inside Wuyi Zhai, the flickering candlelight illuminated the princes.

There was no sign of Jiang Nian in the room. Fortunately, Emperor Taishun already had a thought in his mind...

……

……

The next day, the ninth day of May.

It has been a month since the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination began, and today is the day the results are announced.

In the morning, the list of successful candidates was posted on the outer wall of the Shuntian Prefecture Imperial Examination Hall.

The list was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Rites and noted "announced by imperial decree," reflecting the imperial power.

Since this was a special provincial examination with an imperial examination starting in April and the results announced in May, it could not be called a "Guibang".

As soon as the list was posted, candidates flocked to it, eagerly searching for their names.

Some stood on tiptoe and looked up, some pushed forward, and some held their breath.

Suddenly, a loud shout was heard: "I got it! I got it!"

I saw a scholar in a blue robe with a rosy face, dancing and crying with joy. The people around him were either envious or jealous, and congratulated him one after another.

There were also those who failed the exam, looking pale and depressed.

An old man stroked his beard and sighed, "Sixty years of hard study, and this time I failed again!"

A middle-aged man's voice trembled: "I have failed several provincial examinations. I have already spent all my family's wealth on this. I am ashamed to face my parents, wife and children at home!"

A young man clenched his fists and whispered through gritted teeth: "I will fight for the regular exam next year and I will live up to my ambition!"

All living things!
Thousands of scholars had different destinies because of a list.

After the results were announced, Shuntian Prefecture would hold a "Luming Banquet" to entertain examiners and new successful candidates, and recite the poem "Luming" to celebrate and highlight the prosperity of the country's culture and governance.

However, all this has nothing to do with Jiang Nian, even though he originally ranked 33rd in the exam.

He has embarked on a different path from the other candidates on the list...

……

...This afternoon.

The golden crow hung high in the sky, casting thousands of golden rays of light, illuminating the Jiang family's small courtyard with a bright and clear scene.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard approaching outside the house, and then a horse stopped. The imperial guard Ren Pijiang dismounted, carrying a package.

Jiang Nian and He Yun invited Ren Pijiang into the main hall, asked the servants to leave, and had Meng guard under the eaves at the door of the main hall.

Jiang Nian knelt down and listened attentively to the imperial edict.

Ren Pijiang announced, "By order of His Majesty, I appoint Jiang Nian as a third-class imperial guard, granting him an official uniform, a license, and a waist badge. I also grant him special leave to remain absent from duty, allowing him to concentrate on his studies. He will return to the court when he reaches adulthood next year."

Jiang Nian said respectfully, "I obey your instructions and thank you!"

From now on, he is a "minister" rather than a "commoner"!

Jiang Nian knelt again facing west.

Ren Pijiang handed a package to Jiang Nian, which contained the official uniform, license, and waist badge of a fifth-rank, third-class guard.

A third-class guard of the fifth rank is much stronger than He Yun's fifth-rank Dragon Guard.

The third-class guard is a real position, although Jiang Nian does not have to be on duty.

Moreover, the guards of Daqing are similar to the guards of the Qing Dynasty in Jiang Nian's previous life. Their promotion system is an important manifestation of privilege.

In the previous Qing Dynasty, more than forty people were promoted from guards to first-rank officials such as Grand Secretary, Grand Councilor, and Governor-General.

For example, Fuheng and Heshen were both promoted from imperial guards.

For example, Fu Kang'an was appointed a third-class imperial guard at the age of fourteen, a second-class imperial guard at the age of sixteen, a first-class imperial guard at the age of seventeen, and a minister of the Ministry of Revenue at the age of eighteen. At nineteen, he was promoted from imperial guard to vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Emperor Taishun and Prince Zhongyi arranged Jiang Nian as a third-class guard this time. Their purpose was not to let Jiang Nian serve as a guard, but to open up a privileged promotion channel for Jiang Nian.

As a second-class imperial guard, Ren Pijiang understood the profound meaning of Emperor Taishun's appointment of Jiang Nian as a third-class guard, and realized that this was a special path to success for Jiang Nian.

He looked respectful and bowed to Jiang Nian, congratulating him: "Congratulations, Master Nian, on being promoted to the Third Class Guard. This is truly a special favor from His Majesty."

Jiang Nian smiled slightly, and said humbly: "You are too polite, Guard Ren. From now on, you and I will be colleagues. I hope you will take good care of me."

Ren Pijiang smiled and nodded, but he thought to himself, "My guards protect His Majesty, while yours is a step to promotion. How can we compare?"

Jiang Nian took out a silver note worth one hundred taels and handed it to Ren Pijiang, saying gently, "Thank you for troubling Guard Ren again today. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

Ren Pijiang waved his hand and declined: "I already accepted Master Nian's reward the day before yesterday. How dare I accept it again today?"

Jiang Nian insisted on giving it as a gift: "This is a small token of my appreciation. Besides, you brought me good news today, so I should accept it. If I don't accept it, I will seem stingy."

Ren Pijiang hesitated for a moment, then finally took the banknote and said, "Since that's the case, I will respectfully obey your command. Thank you very much, Master Nian, for your generous gift."

After saying this, Ren Pijiang firmly declined Jiang Nian's farewell and He Yun sent him off.

After He Yun sent Ren Pijiang out of the house, he returned to the main house and saw Jiang Nian in the study, so he went into the study.

He Yun's face was filled with joy. He bowed and said, "Congratulations, sir! In the past, I was a fifth-rank Dragon Guard, but you had no official title or rank, which made me feel quite uncomfortable. Now that you have been honored with the rank of third-class guard, it is truly a cause for celebration!"

Jiang Nian suddenly asked, "How much is the salary of a third-class guard?"

He Yun: “…”

As a third-class guard, he naturally received a salary. Although it was not generous, it meant that from now on, Jiang Nian was not only an official, but also a person with an income.

(End of this chapter)