Chapter 543: Golden Wind Welcomes Jade Dew

Count's Prefecture, Conglü Hall.

Jia Cong invited Liu Bi into the hall to sit down and asked the young servant to serve tea. The two chatted casually for a few sentences, and the topic turned to Liu Bi's transfer and taking up his new post.

After Liu Bi passed the imperial examination that year, he originally wanted to enter the Hanlin Academy, but he performed poorly in the examination and selection and did not enter the Hanlin Academy as a Shujishi.

This had surprised many of Liu Bi's peers, because Liu Bi had ranked in the second tier, and his ranking was in the middle; no one knew if it was because Liu Bi's knowledge was biased or if the examiners had a preference.

Historically, those who passed the metropolitan examination were the pride of the world's scholars, but their official career paths differed due to differences in talent, family background, connections, and opportunities.

The final outcomes were different, but they were nothing more than three results.

The first tier was to enter the Hanlin Academy through examination and selection; this was the cradle of the cabinet and a ladder for high officials, with the hope of entering the cabinet or becoming a chief official of the Six Ministries in the future.

The second tier was not to enter the Hanlin Academy, but to be selected into the Six Ministries as a probationary official, or to be selected for the position of a director in the Six Ministries.

This type of person could enter the Six Ministries in the Love Shenjing, which was an excellent opportunity to accumulate connections and talent, and also had the hope of climbing to the peak of civil officials in the future, but because they lacked the qualifications of entering the Hanlin Academy, the difficulty was much greater.

The third tier was to be sent out to serve as a county magistrate, assistant county magistrate, and other official positions. Most of them could only be trapped in one corner, unable to see the Emperor's face, and were destined to be low-level officials for life.

Originally, with Liu Jing'an's prestige in the officialdom and the scholarly community, as well as the Liu family's seven successful candidates in the imperial examinations, they had established a deep foundation in the officialdom.

It would not have been difficult for the Liu family to maneuver for Liu Bi to enter the Six Ministries in the Love Shenjing as a probationary official or to seek the position of a director.

But Liu Jing'an did not make any plans for his eldest grandson, only letting him wait for the Ministry of Personnel's routine selection of officials.

In the end, Liu Bi was selected by the Ministry of Personnel as the magistrate of Gaochun County. Compared with Liu Bi's family background, this result had to be said to be very unexpected.

……

Jia Cong asked, "I heard the teacher mention that in this Ministry of Personnel's three-year grand examination, Brother Liu's performance was excellent. I don't know where you are being promoted to this time?"

Liu Bi sighed slightly and said, "I originally thought that after serving as an official in Gaochun for three years and doing my best, I could return to the Love Shenjing after this grand examination, but in the end, things went against my wishes.

This time, the Ministry of Personnel transferred me to the Ministry of Revenue in the auxiliary capital to serve as a Grade 6 director. The result is not too bad; compared with some of my unfortunate peers, I should already be secretly happy."

Regarding Liu Bi's matter, Jia Cong had never asked Liu Jing'an about the relevant reasons.

Liu Jing'an also never talked to him about his past as an official in the imperial court.

But Jia Cong had heard rumors one after another over the years, knowing that his teacher had once served as the Minister of Rites and was a high official deeply trusted by the Retired Emperor.

But shortly after Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ascended the throne, Liu Jing'an soon retired and had since only opened a school at home to teach his descendants.

Liu Jing'an had two sons; the eldest served as the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangxi, and the second served as the Prefect of Qiantang. Originally, they were both officials in the Six Ministries in the capital. After Liu Jing'an retired, they were all sent out one after another.

The remaining descendants who passed the imperial examination, although three others entered the Hanlin Academy, were also sent out to serve as officials one after another over the years.

Even if the Liu family had no one as a capital official at the moment and lacked the power to reach the Emperor's ears, perhaps there was something missing.

But the fame of a family full of literary talent still possessed huge influence in the officialdom and the scholarly community.

Counting it up, Liu Bi was the eighth successful candidate in the Liu family's imperial examinations, and without even the opportunity to transition in the Six Ministries and the Hanlin Academy, he was directly sent out as a county magistrate.

To say that all this was a coincidence, no discerning person would believe it; it was just that everyone saw through it but didn't say it.

Liu Jing'an not maneuvering for his eldest grandson's future, but letting him passively wait for the Ministry of Personnel's selection of officials, was probably based on this thought.

……

Jia Cong said, "Brother Liu, there is no need to be discouraged. Ups and downs in the official career are within the natural order of things. To have attained the rank of Jinshi is already a testament to your years of diligent study. The world is vast, and there is much you can achieve."

Jin Ling is the hub of Jiangnan, an ancient capital of six dynasties, rich in goods and people, and its prosperity is no less than that of the Love Shenjing; it can be considered an excellent place to go.

The Ministry of Revenue in the auxiliary capital governs the livelihood and important affairs of the six prefectures and one prefecture in Jiangnan, and it will surely allow Brother Liu to display your talents."

Liu Bi heard Jia Cong's words, his expression brightened slightly, and he smiled, "Yuzhang is right. Jin Ling is indeed a good place to go. Yuzhang has been to Jin Ling twice and done great things.

At that time, you and I were both in Jiangnan, but I couldn't happen to be there; thinking about it is truly a pity. Now that you have returned to the Love Shenjing and I am going to Jin Ling, it makes people feel emotional.

In two days, I will leave the capital to take up my post and won't be able to witness Yuzhang's name on the golden list, the announcement of your name, and the Qionglin banquet.

At that time, my Liu family will produce its ninth successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and my grandfather will add glory again; what kind of scenery that will be."

Jia Cong felt a slight warmth in his heart when he heard him count himself as the ninth successful candidate of the Liu family. Being able to receive the teachings of a master like Liu Jing'an was already a great blessing, even if he had always had some doubts in his heart, it didn't count for much.

A direct descendant of the Liu family like Liu Bi was not only his close friend but also regarded him as part of the Liu family line, giving Jia Cong a warm sense of belonging; this feeling was even a few degrees warmer than the Jia family...

……

Liu Bi said again, "I will have peace of mind when I go to Jin Ling, but the water in the Love Shenjing is very deep.

Every spring examination in the Great Zhou dynasty selects three people as chief examiners, generally one Cabinet Grand Secretary and two officials above the rank of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries, all of whom need to be profound in learning and from the second tier or above.

But the selection of chief examiners for this year's spring examination has had many twists and turns. Originally, Guo Youchang, the Minister of Rites, and Zheng Yan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, were both famous throughout the world and had profound learning; they should have been the best candidates for chief examiners.

I didn't expect rumors to spread, and it actually involved Yuzhang. Officials from various ministries in the imperial court submitted memorials to reject them, and both of them were rejected.

I think my grandfather became vigilant because of this matter, which is why he specifically instructed you to keep a low profile and avoid trouble before the examination."

Jia Cong said helplessly, "Both teachers are great scholars of the present age, yet because of me, their student, they both lost the glory of being chief examiners."

Liu Bi smiled, "Yuzhang doesn't need to feel uneasy. Although the position of chief examiner for the metropolitan examination is the peak of glory for civil officials in their official career.

But this position concerns the official future of the world's candidates, and scholars have always been willing to risk their lives for the sake of the imperial examination and officialdom.

The position of chief examiner for the spring examination truly carries a huge responsibility and involves many entanglements inside and outside the court. As the saying goes, ants on a hot pot, that's probably about it.

Mr. Guo and Mr. Zheng have long since achieved success and fame; whether they serve as chief examiners for this year's metropolitan examination or not is irrelevant to them. In my opinion, they are probably secretly happy not to have to touch this hot potato.

Perhaps they even want to thank Yuzhang in their hearts."

Jia Cong thought it made sense. Although Guo Youchang and Zheng Yan had not reached the peak of their official careers, their prestige in the scholarly community had already reached its peak, so they truly didn't need the empty name of a spring examination chief examiner.

……

Liu Bi continued, "However, news came out of the imperial court yesterday that Cabinet Grand Secretary Cai Xiang was originally among the candidates for chief examiner, but he has now voluntarily declined the position of chief examiner for the spring examination.

It is said that the reason for Mr. Cai's decline is somewhat related to Yuzhang."

Jia Cong also felt strange in his heart. The chief examiners for the metropolitan examination are all three people appointed by the Emperor. Two have already been rejected in connection with him; he didn't expect there to be a third person...

Liu Bi saw Jia Cong's strange expression and smiled, "Because Cai Xiang's third son, Cai Xiaoyu, is also a candidate for this year's spring examination.

Moreover, many people know that Cai Xiaoyu is Yuzhang's close friend and fellow student at Qingshan Academy."

Liu Bi couldn't help but smile, "Mr. Cai declined the position of chief examiner because his son is taking this year's spring examination; he wants to avoid relevant suspicions.

Probably because of Cai Xiaoyu's relationship with you, he will be involved. He saw the previous examples in Mr. Guo and Mr. Zheng, so he simply didn't take this errand, achieving a relaxed and clean outcome."

Although Jia Cong was a close friend and fellow student of Cai Xiaoyu at Qingshan Academy, he had no public or private dealings with his father, Cabinet Grand Secretary Cai Xiang.

He only heard that this Cabinet Secretary Cai was known as a "cunning scholar" in the imperial court; he was profound in learning, outstanding in talent, and was a capable official, highly esteemed and valued by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

But this person was not a Confucian official full of benevolence and righteousness; he had always used sharp and ruthless means against political enemies and offenders, never showing mercy.

Any person with such a temperament had a very shrewd and rational style. Cai Xiang was a Cabinet Grand Secretary and held the title of Minister of Revenue; his official career had reached its peak.

Naturally, he wouldn't care about the glory of being a chief examiner for the metropolitan examination; knowing that he would be tainted with groundless entanglements, he naturally wouldn't touch such trouble.

……

Liu Bi continued, "The list of chief examiners and subordinate officials for this spring examination is still being selected, and the imperial court has not yet made a final announcement, but the waves are already surging outside.

Noble families, civil and military officials, and candidates coming for the examination are all moving upon hearing the news.

It is said that there are people in the market who are well-versed in the situation of imperial court officials and are privately compiling a list of candidates for the spring examination.

Not only is there a list of candidates for chief examiners from the Cabinet and the Six Ministries, but there is also a list of subordinate officials drawn from various ministries for this spring examination; these people will all be responsible for the initial screening of papers later.

Now such a list has been speculated to ten taels of silver per copy in the market, and those candidates are all swarming to buy it.

Those who are lucky enough to buy it treat it as a treasure, while those who can't buy it are drilling everywhere, making the social atmosphere chaotic.

In the last two days, many candidates have visited the gates of several Cabinet ministers and high officials of the Six Ministries every day, and even some of the candidate subordinate officials for the spring examination have had candidates going around to make connections.

These are all caused by that privately circulated list. Although there have been many things happening in the spring examination in previous years, this year seems particularly lively.

Yuzhang, strictly following your grandfather's words and closing your doors to guests is the safe move, so as not to provoke any karma..."

……

Liu Bi had already landed on the shore of the imperial examination, so he treated these things as market anecdotes.

But Jia Cong was facing the spring examination, and he was much more sensitive to this news than Liu Bi.

A list of candidates for chief examiners and subordinate officials for the spring examination actually appeared in the market; this kind of thing obviously had the meaning of bewitchment and fraud, yet it was sought after by many candidates.

You must know that any candidate who can participate in the metropolitan examination is already the best among scholars, and many of them are top talents in a state.

Such people, regardless of their knowledge or vision, are not ordinary. This fabricated list could be recognized by them, spreading from ten to ten, and being scrambled for everywhere.

It shows that this fabricated list must make people feel that it is substantial and has some weight, making the candidates feel that it is worth the money and will help them pass the spring examination.

The people who wrote this list cannot be vulgar people in the market; they are not only familiar with the situation of officials in various ministries but may even be familiar with the essence of the spring examination examiners' screening, otherwise they would not be able to roughly lock the scope of personnel.

Now those candidates for the metropolitan examination have begun to visit and make connections everywhere according to the officials on the list, and they will be involved in unclear relationships with each other.

Once the imperial court announces the results of the selection of chief examiners and subordinate officials for the spring examination, and some officials happen to overlap with the list in the market, there will be hidden unpredictable entanglements and dangers...

Until Jia Cong sent Liu Bi away, his heart was still circling around the matter of the market list.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, East Wing Courtyard.

Madam Xia, bringing her daughter Xia Jingui, accepted Madam Wang's grand invitation to visit the East Wing Courtyard.

Since the carriage stopped at the gate of the East Wing Courtyard, Madam Wang had long since dismissed the stewards and young servants of the outer courtyard, and with her trusted dowry-bringing old women and maids, she personally welcomed them at the gate.

Madam Xia walked along with Madam Wang and discovered that although this East Wing Courtyard was not as wide as the Xia Prefecture, it was built very exquisitely and magnificently.

The corridors, houses, rockeries, water pavilions, trees, and flowers were arranged in a well-ordered manner, the winding paths led to secluded places, and everything was brand new, looking dignified.

Compared with the luxury of the Xia Prefecture, the East Wing Courtyard revealed the unique, pure, and noble foundation of a great noble family. This kind of atmosphere was something Madam Xia, who came from a wealthy merchant family, rarely had the opportunity to see, and she felt some emotion in her heart.

As she walked along, the Jia family servants she encountered had dignified faces, clean clothes, well-behaved manners, and thoughtful etiquette; the atmosphere inside and out was truly worthy of the style of a noble family.

She looked at the several personal maids beside Madam Wang again; they were dressed in silk and satin, wearing pearls and jade, and had beautiful appearances; even the young ladies of ordinary families were often not as good.

When she entered the hall and saw the antique shelves filled with antiques, some crystal clear, some with restrained treasure light, it fully displayed elegance and wealth.

The tables and chairs used were all old-aged acid-branch fragrant sandalwood, flashing with the dark light of time, which showed that they had been passed down for several generations, unlike the new luxury items of wealthy families, which revealed a nouveau riche atmosphere inside and out.

Madam Xia also occasionally walked in the homes of officials and nobles, but none of them had the bearing of a century-old noble family like the Jia family, and a sense of admiration and envy that could not be concealed arose spontaneously in her heart.

According to what she knew, the East Wing Courtyard here was just a side courtyard of the Rongguo Prefecture; a side courtyard already had this kind of atmosphere, so the magnificence of the Rongguo main prefecture would probably be even more dazzling.

Last time Madam Xia visited Lixiang Garden, although it was also within the Jia Prefecture, she didn't pay too much attention at that time.

But this time she came to visit, and a trace of distracting thoughts arose in her heart; before coming, she had roughly inquired about the Jia family's affairs.

She knew that the Jia family had more than one Rongguo Prefecture; the head of the family, Jia Cong, was successful in his youth, famous throughout the Love Shenjing, held two titles, and besides the Rongguo Prefecture, there was also a Lord Weiyuan Count's Prefecture where he lived daily.

Since it was the head of the family's residence and was also built by the imperial family, the Jia family called it the East Prefecture; the wealth and style were probably more than that of the Rongguo Prefecture.

Madam Xia thought of these things, and her heart couldn't help but be a little restless...

……

The Xia family was a family of imperial merchants; although they were full of gold and silver, in the eyes of officials and nobles, they were just pigs and sheep to be slaughtered.

She was a widow who guarded the business; in order to keep the vast family fortune.

She had to use the connections left by her late husband to introduce those royal nobles into the Xia family's business, letting them share the Xia family's profits, so as to keep the Xia family's wealthy business.

The foundation and power of noble families like the Jia family were exactly the support that merchant families like the Xia family lacked most...

The planning and calculation that Madam Xia had practiced while supporting the family business alone were not something that women like Madam Wang, who had enjoyed the inner chambers for half a life, could compare with.

She thought of her daughter's infatuation with that Jia Cong, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart; it was not that her daughter's vision and ideas were wrong, but that this style and direction were truly not compatible.

Her own daughter and that young noble were worlds apart; there was no need to dream about it.

……

At this time, the maid came in to report that the Third Young Lady had just come over from the East Prefecture and had now entered the inner courtyard.

Madam Xia saw her daughter on the side, not knowing if it was because she heard the Third Young Lady had arrived, or because she heard the words "East Prefecture," but a pair of bright eyes seemed to light up slightly.

Seeing her frown, she couldn't help but ponder in her heart, and thinking of the purpose of Madam Wang's grand invitation today, she had roughly calculated it in her heart.

After Tan Chun arrived at the main hall, Madam Wang smilingly asked her to accompany Miss Xia to stroll around the courtyard and talk.

After the two young ladies left, Madam Xia said, "Regarding the matter mentioned in the letter from Madam Jia last time, the eldest young lady of the family has been in the palace for many years, with a beautiful appearance, filial piety, and virtue.

Such a person, if she can receive the Emperor's favor, is naturally well-deserved and a blessing for the family.

It's just that there have always been many beauties in the palace; if you want to receive the Emperor's favor, you must be able to catch the Emperor's eye, and there are too many particulars and ways in this.

I do have a relative in my family who has been working in the palace for many years and can be considered to have some means.

I can help Madam Jia inquire about it, but this three-year matter in the palace, if it is a show girl sent by an official family, it is easier to handle.

Because the show girls sent into the palace have established procedures for layer-by-layer screening; as long as the person is outstanding, plus some extra means, they will surely be able to show their face before the Emperor; this is a routine selection.

And the eldest young lady of the family has been in the palace for many years and belongs to the female official of the Shanggong Bureau; there is a precedent for female officials to be selected as concubines in the three-year period, but it is not in the routine; this is a special selection.

Special selection is ten times more difficult than the routine selection of show girls; selecting female officials requires not only outstanding appearance and virtue, but also family background and connections, and also requires very good opportunities.

If you want to find someone to handle it, it is also very sensitive and cumbersome, and it is difficult to do it in one go; you need to inquire and plan carefully, and you cannot be too hasty."

……

Since the day Madam Wang sent the letter to the Xia family, she had been thinking about this matter, and now that she finally heard the truth from Madam Xia, her heart couldn't help but be excited.

Her guess was indeed correct; that Eunuch Xia in the palace was a relative of the Xia family. Madam Xia said he had been working for many years and had some means, so there was no one else.

It was just that Madam Xia said that handling Yuanchun's matter was quite cumbersome; Madam Wang felt a little discouraged after hearing it.

But she didn't feel strange; if this matter were not difficult, why would Yuanchun have been in the palace for many years without any results?

Moreover, Madam Wang had just heard Madam Xia speak eloquently, which showed that she knew the ins and outs of this matter, making Madam Wang feel that she had finally met someone who understood.

She suppressed the excitement in her heart and said, "Madam Xia has such a relative and such a foundation and means; please help with my daughter's matter, and the Jia family will surely remember this kindness.

If the matter can be accomplished, my husband and I will surely do our best to repay it and will not fail the Xia family's friendship."

Madam Xia smiled, "Madam Jia, these words are too polite. I felt like old friends at first sight with you and truly felt that we were compatible. We are both mothers, calculating for the long term for our children, and we share the same heart.

I will send a message into the palace and ask my relative to inquire first, and first clarify the situation of the eldest young lady in the palace now.

For example, why has she not been selected after being in the palace for many years? We need to clarify the reason.

This deep palace is not like an ordinary home; there are many particulars and taboos. We must clarify the foundation of such things to know whether it can be handled, and only then will it be twice the result with half the effort."

When Madam Xia said this, Madam Wang's heart was lifted again, and she felt a bit more anxious and uneasy about the future.

But Madam Wang thought carefully and felt that Madam Xia's words were steady; if such things were so easy, wouldn't any palace maid be able to become an imperial concubine?

But although Madam Wang was impatient, she also knew that today's topic had reached the limit here; she could only wait for the Xia family's relative to inquire clearly about Yuanchun's situation in the palace before making other plans.

……

After Madam Xia and Madam Wang finished talking about the key matters, they chatted about everyday matters. The topics between women, going around and around, inevitably involved their respective children.

Madam Xia smiled, "Madam Jia is also a person with deep blessings; the children you raise are all outstanding. The eldest young lady was selected into the palace as an official at the age of a young girl because of her appearance and virtue.

Just now I saw that Third Young Lady, with a beautiful appearance and graceful bearing; she is a top-notch figure among young ladies of noble families, truly uncommon.

I also heard that the son Madam Jia raised is even more incredible; it is rumored in the capital that he was born with jade in his mouth, noble and strange, and he also has a good appearance. It sounds rare, but I have never seen him."

Madam Wang was very pleased to hear this. Ever since Baoyu received a reprimand from the Imperial Clan Court, Jia Zheng had not allowed him to wear that piece of jade, and even the talk of being born with jade in his mouth was no longer allowed to be spread randomly.

This matter was the thing Madam Wang was most proud of in her life, but she was no longer allowed to promote it, which was truly like a fishbone in her throat; not to mention how unpleasant she felt in her heart.

Now, Madam Xia happened to mention this, and she was truly a person who understood.

Madam Wang smiled, "Madam Xia, you are too flattering. Although my Baoyu has some advantages, he is also naughty in ordinary times, and there is not a day I don't worry about him; fortunately, he is filial and obedient.

He has been doted upon by the old lady since he was a child; originally he was to live here, but the old lady insisted on keeping him by her side to raise him, so he lived in the West Prefecture, and I couldn't argue with the old lady."

……

Madam Xia felt strange in her heart. Baoyu, a descendant of a side branch, actually had such a status in the Jia family and was raised by the Jia family's State Madam by her side; this doting was probably no less than that of the Lord Weiyuan Count.

As for Baoyu being demoted by an imperial edict, she also inquired and knew about it, but in Madam Xia's view, this was not a big deal.

If everyone were like that young Lord Weiyuan Count, pure as diamond and without dust or dirt, who else could hope for it?

Madam Xia smiled slightly and said, "Which family's boy isn't naughty when he is young? They all come through like this. As long as he understands filial piety and knows etiquette, what else matters?"

Madam Wang thought of Madam Xia's words, which were quite to her liking. Since the topic had been brought up, and she was now asking for help, the etiquette on the surface had to be thoughtful.

She said, "Since Madam Xia is visiting today, Baoyu, as a junior, should logically come to pay his respects."

So she instructed the maid Caiyun to go to the West Prefecture to pass the word to Baoyu, asking him to come to the East Wing Courtyard to meet the guests... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 544 =====