The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 30: Sheng Family Enters Beijing (Seeking Follow-up Reading)

Now, it is time for the Zhou Dynasty’s three-yearly performance test.

The examination of political performance naturally means adjustments to official positions.

Of course, although it is said that official positions are adjusted every three years, in fact, if they can be moved once every six years, it means that they have someone above them.

Now, it is time to adjust the officials again.

Sheng Hong was very capable, had good connections, and was also very lucky. He was promoted from the position of Tongpan to the position of Bian Jing. Although his actual power was greatly reduced, he was still an official in the capital, which was a great improvement.

Chu Yu chose to continue serving as a local official and was promoted from the fifth-rank magistrate of Yangzhou to the fifth-rank assistant magistrate of the East Road of Jiangnan.

The governor of Jiangnan East Route was very sensible and personally promoted Chu Yu.

This is the influence of the Prime Minister. There are some things that the Prime Minister will not say, but the people below will do it themselves because the Prime Minister will definitely see it.

During this year, Zhao Zhen gradually became fascinated with history books.

Yes. These are the history books about the emperors that Chu Hong mentioned.

The historical deeds of emperors who had no offspring, including Emperor Zhao and Emperor Ai of Han, the last emperor of Northern Qi, and Emperor Shao and Emperor Ai of Tang.

Once you become fascinated with history books, you naturally want to hear them told.

But according to historical records, which of these emperors had a good ending?
Zhao Zhen naturally didn't like to hear about these situations with bad endings. He wanted to hear about those with good endings.

If you want to listen to unofficial history, you must listen to unofficial history with a good ending.

But ordinary officials do not have such knowledge reserves, and those officials are not very good at speaking, so they usually just recite the original text.

Others can’t do it, but Chu Hong can!
By chance, Chu Hong told Zhao Zhen a story about Emperor Zhao of Han, adding a little bit of personal opinion, which made the ending of the story much better.

Zhao Zhen liked it very much, so Chu Hong was summoned to explain the unofficial history of these emperors.

The more Zhao Zhen listened, the more fascinated he became, and sometimes he even wanted to take his place.

He was fascinated by Chu Hong's lectures on history, and in order to make it easier for him to listen in the future, he promoted Chu Hong from the sixth rank Ying Fengzheng to the fifth rank Shidu Bachelor.

These are the true ministers close to the emperor, who can always be by his side. Not only do they have great power, but more importantly, their symbolic significance.

The Hanlin Academy of Attending Readers and Attending Lecturers are positions for reserving talents for the country.

Even in the resume of a figure like the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, the titles of Reader and Lecturer are extremely important.

Chu Hong was increasingly favored, and many people in Bianjing were eager to see the story of a master and apprentice, and the title of "Little Elder" had already begun to take shape.
Jiying Lane

Jiying Lane has been a little lively these days. From time to time, servants carry things into a mansion on the left. It turns out that Sheng Hong, the Tongpan of Yangzhou, has been promoted and moved into Jiying Lane.

Jiying Lane is in an extremely advantageous location, roughly outside the Second Ring Road. About a thousand meters ahead is Donghuamen, which is full of houses bestowed by the emperor. Only officials at the level of the Cabinet Grand Secretary or the main officials of the six ministries have the opportunity to live there.

One doesn’t know how high an official’s rank is until he arrives in Bian Jing. The higher the official’s rank, the more superior the residence will naturally be. With the location of Jiying Lane, Sheng Hong, a small official of the sixth rank, naturally could not afford to live there.

However, as Mrs. Sheng is the only daughter of Marquis Xianyongyi, and Wang Ruofu is the second daughter of Grand Tutor Wang, their living in Jiying Lane now seems to be a bit low-key.

On this day, the main door of the Sheng Mansion was wide open. Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng were standing there early, looking around from time to time, as if they were waiting for someone.

Not long after, when an elegantly decorated and luxurious carriage was seen slowly approaching the Sheng Mansion, a servant with quick feet hurried into the mansion to report, and the master of the Sheng family, Sheng Hong, and his mistress, Wang, walked to the door to greet them in a few breaths.

Looking through the curtains, Chu Hong raised his brows slightly. Father-in-law is waiting, and mother-in-law is welcoming?

The father-in-law toasts and the mother-in-law lights a cigarette?
The carriage stopped quietly. Chu Hong helped Sheng Hualan out and greeted the waiting people one by one: "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, Changbai, Changfeng."

"Brother-in-law!"*2
"Hey, dear son-in-law, please come in quickly!"

"Hua'er, my good child!"

Yangzhou and Bianjing are thousands of miles apart, and even if you take a boat it takes almost half a month to travel by boat. Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hualan have not seen each other for a year now.

Wang Ruofu excitedly pulled Sheng Hualan's hand, and her eyes instantly became moist because of her frankness.

Chu Hong nodded gently towards Sheng Hualan, took two steps forward, and walked towards the main hall of Sheng Mansion with a smile at the hospitality of Sheng Hong. Sheng Hualan was pulled away by Wang Ruofu to talk in private.

After not seeing each other for several years, the mother and daughter were extremely excited and had endless things to talk about.

In the study, wild and vast calligraphy and paintings were placed in the center, and several people were discussing the calligraphy and paintings around the table.

"Wow, my father-in-law actually has calligraphy and paintings by Wang Youjun?"

Chu Hong took a look at the style of the calligraphy and knew at once that the author of the calligraphy and painting was Wang Xizhi.

In the past few years, when he had nothing to do, he studied Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. His imitation was quite similar, but it lacked the same charm.

"Haha, for viewing and studying in my spare time." Sheng Hong stroked his beard modestly. His research on calligraphy was something he was proud of.

"I have never dared to practice Wang Youjun's handwriting, for fear that I would become discouraged after practicing."

This is Sheng Changfeng.

"Wang Wengong's calligraphy is naturally generated from the bottom of the pen, and it is written casually; there is the interest of the Jin people in the brush and ink, and the demeanor is handsome and extraordinary, with a high style and strong appreciation. However, Wengong's handwriting is not suitable for imperial examinations, but Changbai has never practiced it."

This is Sheng Changbai.

"Well, you are all of the age to take the imperial examinations now. It won't be too late to study Wang Youjun's calligraphy after you pass the imperial examination and become officials.

Come to my house in a few days. I have essays by past champions in various styles. You can study them. If you can understand 60% to 70% of the essays and combine them with your own knowledge, you will have a good chance of getting into the second place."

Chu Hong was not bragging. As long as one reads almost all of those people's articles and has some background, it would not be difficult to get into the second class.

As for the top three, there are too many judging factors, and reputation is a hurdle that cannot be avoided. The government may also select the top three, so there are too many variables.

"Thank you, brother-in-law. My second brother and I will definitely focus on the scientific examination."

Sheng Changfeng nodded solemnly, his every move and gesture showing the youthful vigor and vitality of a young man.

Chu Hong smiled gently. Sheng Changfeng was actually a good guy. He was not led astray by his mother. In the original novel, he seemed average in talent compared to Sheng Changbai. In fact, he was also a good student.

After all, Sheng Changbai was only 23 years old when he passed the imperial examination, and Sheng Changfeng was only 21 years old at that time. It would be strange if he could pass.

When Sheng Changfeng studied hard and passed the imperial examination, he was probably no more than 30 years old, which was considered quite young for a Jinshi.

"Do you two plan to try for this year's provincial examination?"

"Brother-in-law, my father knew a scholar named Zhuang when he was in Quanzhou. After Changfeng and I have completed our studies, he will ask him to teach us in a few years. Changfeng and I plan to give it a try."

Sheng Changbai has an extraordinary temperament and looks steady and reliable.

"Mr. Zhuang? That's really your blessing. Your road to scientific examinations will be much easier in the future."

Chu Hong was amazed that the scholar Zhuang was a Jinshi.

Jinshi are first-class figures wherever they go. If their official career is not smooth, they can develop into great scholars. It is rare for them to be teachers, and even if there are some, they serve the top dignitaries.

Although Sheng Hong was indebted to Mr. Zhuang, his way of repaying his kindness was certainly not limited to teaching. Sheng Hong was indeed impeccable in his dealings with people.

Apart from favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife, his father-in-law really did not have any major shortcomings. He could even be said to be the main founder of the Sheng family's prosperity.

Look at the sons-in-law and wives he chose for his children. Sheng Changbai married the noble lady of the Hai family, and Sheng Changfeng married the noble lady of the Liu family.

Although Sheng Molan had an affair with Liang Liulang of the Earl of Yongchang, Sheng Hong chose the newly-minted Jinshi Wen Yanjing for Sheng Molan.

In the original novel, this person seemed to have become the prime minister. Well, without forming cliques and factions, and without someone pushing him from behind, he would not have been able to get promoted.

According to the standards of entering the cabinet in the Zhou Dynasty, Chu Hong felt that Wen Yanjing had no chance of becoming prime minister. It was most likely that the author simply wanted to have a happy ending and had too much fun writing it.

Regardless of whether Wen Yanjing could become the prime minister, he had Sheng Changbai, the evergreen tree, to protect him, and as a Jinshi, he was certainly not short of wealth.

To be honest, each of these choices are quite stable, he is indeed a master.

"Haha! With the help of my good son-in-law, Master Zhuang will come to teach Changfeng and Changbai in a while. If they work hard, they will surely have a good future."

Sheng Hong stroked his beard elegantly. Zhuang Xuejiu was an extremely rare Jinshi. When one reached the level of Jinshi, he would be an official governing a region. It was not easy to find a Jinshi to teach.

"Speaking of exams, it seems that I will be responsible for marking the exam papers in the spring of next year."

Chu Hong raised his eyebrows slightly. There were two people from the Hanlin Academy who were to examine the papers this time, and he was one of them.

"What? Brother-in-law, is this true? What is the exam topic?"

Chu Hong shook his head helplessly: "I am the examiner of the imperial examination, not the provincial examination."

"Ah? That's a pity."

"Boom boom boom!"

"Master, son-in-law, lunch is ready. The mistress wants you to eat together in the inner hall."

At this time, Wang Ruofu's trusted servant, Madam Fang, knocked on the door gently.

"Father-in-law, please!"

"Haha, good son-in-law."

Chu Hong was sensible and asked Sheng Hong to go first. Sheng Hong laughed and took a half step forward. He walked forward slowly with Chu Hong. Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng followed slowly.
(End of this chapter)