The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 58 Polo Gala! (Daily 6k, three-in-one please read)
Pavilions rise up on the endless open lawn.

From a distance, you can see many young men and women hammering balls and fishing.

In this era of gender differences, such a grand occasion is extremely rare.

And this is the Polo Club!

The organizer of the Bian Jing Polo Club is the Liang family of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion.

The Earl of the Liang family of Yongchang Earl's Mansion was not a capable person, but a typical playboy.

Even two generations ago, the Earl of Yongchang was also a playboy and a conservative person.

Logically speaking, the Earl's Mansion of Yongchang should have long been in decline.

In fact, this is not the case. The Earl of Yongchang's Mansion is one of the richest families even in Bianliang, which is full of powerful people.

At least, on the surface, it is one of the best.

And all this is because of the wife of the current Earl of Yongchang, Mrs. Wu.

The wife of this generation of Earl Yongchang is a very remarkable person. Not only is she very good at business, she is also good at maintaining relationships.

In the city of Bianjing, at the feet of the emperor, people’s hearts are mixed.

The dignitaries in Bianjing needed a chance to have fun together, the women needed a chance to chat and laugh, and the young men and women needed a chance to get to know each other.
Men and women gather together, and officials and their families live in harmony.

All of these, of course, rely on large gatherings.

Everyone knows what the powerful people in Bianjing need.

But, who will do it?
The wives of top dignitaries would also be bored, so they naturally like to attend such gatherings.

However, the prerequisite is that the officials’ families at the same level also participate.

Otherwise, these officials' families would definitely not participate.

After all, if there weren't enough top officials' families participating, attending such a gathering would be seen as a loss of status.

The party should be big!
Then, who will do it?
The top dignitaries have their own small circle. They like this kind of gathering, but they won’t go through the effort of organizing one to be compatible with the lower classes.

It's fine to just attend for fun when you have time, but to let people personally come to host a party that's simply for fun and killing time?

Not too possible!

What about the third or fourth rank official families?

Officials of third and fourth ranks wouldn’t dare to do it!
These people merely have the qualifications to participate, and officials of the fourth rank are just about the threshold for such large gatherings.

Do you want a third or fourth rank to host it?
Without sufficient personal connections and the inability to invite the families of the top dignitaries to participate, a weird event would only make people laugh.

Not to mention too much, if we can't invite dozens of descendants and family members of the marquises, dukes, vice ministers and chancellors in the court, can such a gathering be qualified as a large one?
Of course not!
If you want to hold a large gathering, the connections of ordinary officials are not enough.

This makes the holding of such large-scale gatherings a bit of a dead end.

The families of the first and second ranks, dukes, and top marquises like to participate, but they will not lower their status to enter.

The families of third and fourth rank officials, ordinary marquises, and earls generally do not have such connections, and it is impossible for them to host the ceremony.

Mrs. Wu is good at socializing. Both her natal family and her husband's family are noble. She has been making friends over the years and has made quite a few friends.

She keenly noticed the needs of the people in Bianjing, so she bought a piece of vacant land to grow grass, organized a polo club, and provided a platform for making friends and having fun.

Gradually, relying on this, she became a know-it-all known to everyone in Bianjing. She had friends all over Bianjing and everyone was willing to give her face. As a result, the Earl of Yongchang gradually prospered and was not necessarily comparable to an ordinary marquis.

In the open field, Chu Hong walked slowly, while Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were on his left and right.

It is strange to say that whenever Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were alone together, they would definitely become angry with each other after just three sentences.

However, once Chu Hong appeared as a mediator, the three of them could communicate in a gentle and calm manner despite their different political views.

Of course, no matter how peaceful it is, sometimes Chu Hong, as the middleman, will be criticized, and then the third party will act as the middleman again.

There are many people with good intentions in the world. When Chu Hong, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang appeared in the field, almost everyone's eyes were on them.

After all, these three people have already been established as successors to their factions.

Chu Hong now holds a real position of the third rank. He was a nominal position of the second rank, and he could be the successor just by accumulating some experience.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang both held fourth-rank real positions and third-rank honorary positions, so their official positions were neither high nor low.

However, the identity of the successor is so special that if there is a shortage of talent in a faction, it is common for the emperor to promote him several times a year in order to balance and maintain the power of the faction.

Wherever the three of them are together, that place becomes the absolute political center of the younger generation.

There are many people who are willing to do so, and naturally there are also people who take action.

Just then, a man called the servant to come forward quickly, and the servant held four cups of sake on a plate.

"Liang Han has long admired the great names of Brother Chu, Brother Wang, and Brother Sima. Today I can finally meet them in person."

Liang Han walked forward with a smile on his face, and every move he made was polite.

"Haha! This is Liang Han from the Earl of Yongchang's Mansion. He has a very erratic personality, but he is also kind-hearted. This polo match is hosted by his family."

"These two are Wang Anshi, Wang Jiefu, Sima Guang, and Sima Junshi."

Chu Hong has spent quite some time in Bian Jing, and through Gu Tingye's introduction, he has had some interactions with Liang Han. He is indeed a very interesting person, especially when it comes to making friends.

"Brother Liang!"

"Brother Liang!"

"Brother Jiefu, Brother Junshi!"

Liang Han didn't think there was anything wrong with the word "brother". Instead, he felt happy.

These people will all be high officials in the future. If you can really get to know one or two of them and have a chance to establish some relationship with them, it will benefit you for the rest of your life.

While greeting them, Liang Han handed the sake brought by the servant to the three of them, and they walked together for a distance before leaving politely.

"Just judging by the way this guy talks, he's not bad."

Sima Guang looked at Liang Han who was leaving happily and gave a slightly objective evaluation.

"From the fact that he doesn't bully the common people, doesn't harm ordinary people, and is good at socializing and has a broad mind, he is considered excellent among the sons of the nobles in Bianjing. The most he lacks is his ability."

Wang Anshi nodded slightly. Such words and conversation were indeed quite acceptable among the dandy young men.

After all, the fact that he never lets the atmosphere get dull shows that he is indeed a sociable person. His character is also good, so he is definitely one of the best among the lords' children who are full of trouble.

At this time, Sheng Hualan walked over from a distance, looking a little anxious.

"what happened?"

"Something happened to Sixth Sister."

"Ok!"

Chu Hong nodded calmly and slowly followed his wife forward.

Wang Anshi and Sima Guang had nothing to do, so they slowly followed.

As he got closer, he saw a crying girl pulling his sixth sister Sheng Minglan to cry to her. Opposite her was a young girl in red, who looked a little aggressive.

In front of Sheng Minglan's left, the usually weak young master Qi Heng actually looked like he was about to step forward to play polo.

"Oh, that's the young master Qi from the Qi family who gave up martial arts to pursue literature?"

Wang Anshi looked at Qi Heng in the distance with a calm gaze and immediately asked.

"You two have been in Bianjing for six years, and you have never met Qi Heng?"

Chu Hong walked forward and looked at the two of them.

Wang Anshi shook his head slightly. "I have heard of this handsome young master Qi. However, I have never really interacted with him."

Chu Hong immediately understood that Wang Anshi, Sima Guang and Qi Heng were not of the same age group, and Qi Heng was not the successor of the faction, so naturally he had no chance to interact with them.

The Duke of Qi's Mansion is naturally a behemoth in the eyes of others, but in the eyes of Chu Hong and others, it is just that.

Even, it's not an exaggeration to say so.

In the eyes of officials, the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion where Gu Tingye lives is almost as good as the Qiguo Duke Mansion.

It is exaggerated to say that the Marquis beats the Duke, but it is the fact.

The old Ningyuan Marquis guarded the border for decades for the emperor. He was a marquis with great power. There were few military generals and lords in Bianliang who were more powerful than the Ningyuan Marquis.

The Duke of Qi's Mansion, apart from Princess Pingning, has absolutely no power at all.

There is a huge difference between the two.

In the court, what Ningyuan Hou said was worthy of the careful listening of all the cabinet ministers.

What the Duke of Qi says is a waste of time and has no weight!
Under such circumstances, Qi Heng did not take the initiative to interact with Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, so naturally they had no chance to get to know each other.

As for letting Wang Anshi and Sima Guang take the initiative to interact with Qi Heng?

These two are the successors of the civil servant faction, and the Qi family's Duke's Mansion has long been abolished.
Ha ha
In other words, at the high-end banquet, considering that Princess Pingning was raised by the Queen, Qi Heng could only offer a glass of wine to Wang Anshi and Sima Guang and chat for a while.

These are still Wang Anshi and Sima Guang.

If it were Chu Hong, Qi Heng would just offer him a glass of wine and say a few flattering words.

As for joking, or even chatting about everything under the sun?

no chance!
Qi Heng’s father is not even qualified to chat with Chu Hong, let alone Qi Heng?
Exaggerated, but that's what it is!

Military generals are useless in front of civil officials.

Who are those people who are joking with Chu Hong?

The heads of the six ministries are either Shangshu or Shilang.

It would be fine if they kept to themselves under normal circumstances, but if the Duke of Qi fails to see clearly his own status and embarrassing situation, and tries to get closer to the position of Minister of Six Ministries, then you will see whether these literati will resent him or not!
These people are not afraid of the Duke of Qi's Mansion. They are originally from the civil and military sides, not from the same camp. The Duke of Qi's Mansion is also a fallen noble. If they are afraid of this, there is no need for them to be high-ranking civil officials.

If there was no Princess Pingning as his mother, the power of the Duke of Qi's Mansion would be quite mediocre among the nobles.

With no military roots, a legitimate son wants to study literature and pursue a career as a civil servant?

Well, that's it!
At least, Ningyuan Hou's second son Gu Tingye studied literature in order to better pursue a career as a military general.

Even though they are both learning the same language, there is a huge difference.

"Give up martial arts and pursue literature?"

Sima Guang's gaze shifted away and turned to Qi Heng again, with some surprise.

"good."

Wang Anshi nodded slightly.

"Smart move."

Sima Guang made a comment immediately, seeming to appreciate Qi Heng's choice.

Chu Hong smiled. Whether it was wise or not was uncertain.

After all, it is not wise to give up the military that has been rooted in for generations and choose to pursue a career in literature.

Even though the Qi family's military foundation was about to be lost, it would definitely be easier for Qi Heng to take the path of a "scholar-general" than to take the path of a civil servant.

Even if the children of noble families pass the imperial examinations, their official careers will never be smooth.

In the original novel, Qi Heng was promoted very quickly after passing the imperial examination, but that was the result of party struggles.

Once the party struggle is over, do you think the civil service group will deal with him?
As the son of a noble family, it would be good enough to have a slightly better future by studying literature.

You, a lucky person and a military general, are planning to move up to the high level of civil service?
dream!

The sons of lords who studied literature had no chance of rising to the top of the civil service.

Several people walked forward while talking, and soon they arrived in front of Sheng Minglan.

"Sixth sister, what happened?"

Chu Hong shook his head and walked slowly towards the stands accompanied by Sheng Hualan.

"Brother-in-law?!"

Sheng Minglan's eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately pulled Yu Yanran and ran over.

"Brother-in-law"

Sheng Minglan and Yu Yanran jogged all the way, and when they were about five or six meters away, they slowly walked again. Looking at the two strangers, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, they were a little hesitant, not knowing whether they should say hello.

"This is Sima Guang, the Minister of Imperial Lectures at the Tianzhang Pavilion, and this is Wang Anshi, the Minister of Imperial Edicts at the Jixian Academy. Both of you are my friends. This is my wife's sixth sister, Minglan."

Chu Hong smiled and introduced.

"Minglan has met you two."

Sheng Minglan and Yu Yanran hurriedly saluted, while Sima Guang and Wang Anshi nodded politely.

"Why does it look like you had an argument with someone?"

"Brother-in-law, this is Yu Yanran, the eldest granddaughter of Old Master Yu."

Chu Hong nodded slightly, motioning Sheng Minglan to continue.

"Yanran is the eldest daughter of Yu Shilang. After Yanran's mother passed away, her stepmother gave birth to her sister, Yu Yanhong. Yanran has no biological mother, so even with the care of Old Master Yu, she can't do everything for her.

She had been bullied a lot at home, and many things in the house had been lost. Over the years, Yanran no longer had many of her mother's belongings in her hands.

Yanran was a gentle and tolerant person to begin with, and she had never competed with her sister for anything. But this time, Yu Yanhong actually gave Yanran her deceased mother's relics as a reward for the polo winner. Yanran could not bear it and asked for them back immediately.

But Yu Yanhong was unwilling to give it to her, so Yanran had no choice but to win the polo game to get her mother's belongings back. Unfortunately, she couldn't ride a horse, so I learned horse riding for a few days and wanted to help Yanran get her mother's belongings back. "

"What kind of horse can an unmarried woman ride in public with so many people around?"

Chu Hong sighed slightly, then strode towards Yu Yanhong and others. Sheng Minglan and Yu Yanran immediately followed behind excitedly, holding hands.

"It's over, sister. Chu Zifeng is here. I told you not to play polo, but you didn't believe me."

Yu Yanhong's biological brother didn't want to bully Yu Yanran, so he immediately tried to dissuade his sister.

"What are you afraid of? Our house is still the Grand Tutor's Mansion. What are you afraid of?"

Yu Yanhong snorted in dissatisfaction. She had been spoiled since she was a child and she would never submit to anyone.

"But Chu Zifeng's teacher is the Prime Minister, and he is also the future Minister of the Cabinet. If we are hated by him, our future life will be difficult!"

Yu Erlang was a little anxious. He was a 26-27-year-old official of the third rank, and he even had a nominal position of the second rank. Regardless of whether it was a nominal position or not, I just want to ask you, are you panicking?
When you are in a low official position, you need to accumulate experience, and age is a disadvantage.

When you are in a high position, you also have to accumulate experience, and age is an advantage!
"no!"

Yu Yanhong shook her head and refused.

"Grandfather and father also told us not to offend Chu Hong. You can't do anything reckless, otherwise you will have to be punished by father."

Yu Erlang was a little nervous and seemed absolutely unwilling to play ball.

Yu Yanhong looked at Chu Hong and others who were getting closer and closer. She felt a warm breeze blowing and inexplicably felt a little pressure in her heart. She softened her tone and said, "Let's see what he says!"

"Second Miss Yu, this golden hairpin is very interesting. Would you mind giving it up?"

Chu Hong smiled and walked forward slowly.

"No, this is the reward for the competition."

"Master Chu, are you trying to persuade me? I won't agree to that."

Yu Yanhong snorted coldly. There was nothing to be afraid of.

Chu Hong shook his head slightly. With the current power of him and his teacher Han Zhang, it would be a big deal if they really offended Old Master Yu.

Not to mention the old Grand Tutor who has no power now, even if it was Elder Yu who was at the peak of his power back then, Chu Hong would not be afraid of him.

However, Yu Yanhong is a woman after all. If she uses her power to oppress others, it would seem like she is bullying a woman.

"Minglan, the pole!"

The tone is calm and there is a sense of stability.

"Young Master, are you going to play basketball yourself?"

Mrs. Wu, who had been watching from afar, hurried over in two steps at a time.

Although the Earl of Yongchang's Mansion was one of the richest in Bianjing, it was only rich. Her husband was incompetent and had little power.

Yu Yanhong and Sheng Minglan were the second granddaughter of Grand Tutor Yu and the sister-in-law of Young Prime Minister respectively, and she dared not offend either of them.

"Young Lord? Madam Wu, please don't be embarrassed. Zifeng really can't bear this title."

Chu Hong shook his head and smiled gently, "Whether to fight or not depends on what Miss Yu Er wants."

Chu Hong answered as he took the club. The servant walked forward and threw the ball without hesitation. Chu Hong swung the club and the ball flew dozens of meters away.

"tower!"

Right in the bull's eye.

"Ah? I got it! Brother-in-law, you are so good at playing basketball?"

Sheng Minglan was stunned. Who would have thought that this weak scholar had such a skill?

Chu Hong smiled and said nothing.

Madam Wu hesitated for a moment, and then thought of her son coming forward to toast her. She immediately leaned in favor and looked at Sheng Minglan with a smile: "Young Lord is from the Chu family in Jiangnan, a famous family. He must have been taught these things by someone. How could he not know them?"

As she spoke, Madam Wu gave Yu Yanhong, who looked a little unhappy, a way out. "Second Miss, your gold hairpin is a bit expensive after all, and it's not suitable as a polo reward. I do have a pair of purple gold jade bracelets. How about I treat you as a reward?"

Chu Hong raised his eyebrows. This was a very perfect statement. No wonder Madam Wu could make the Earl of Yongchang's Mansion prosperous.

"for you!"

Yu Yanhong looked a little ugly.

Although she is domineering, she also knows who she can and cannot mess with.

You can offend Sheng Minglan, but you can’t offend the young cabinet minister.

Yu Yanhong took a deep breath, rolled up her sleeves and handed the gold hairpin to Yu Yanran. She wanted to apologize, but she couldn't help it. She felt a little embarrassed and walked to the other side immediately.

Chu Hong shook his head slightly. This matter was essentially Yu Yanran's business, not Sheng Minglan's business, and he didn't really want to offend Old Master Yu.

Otherwise, with his current reputation, a sentence like "The mouth of a bamboo snake is the most poisonous, and the heart of a woman is the most poisonous" would be enough to ruin Yu Yanhong's life.

Xu Shao once made a comment, "A traitor in times of peace, a hero in times of troubled times", which Cao Cao never forgot throughout his life.

Although it sounds exaggerated, it is true. Although fame is not omnipotent, most things can be achieved with the help of fame.

Fame brought with it power and power brought with it fame are both more attractive.

After playing ball, Chu Hong stayed for just quarter of an hour and then left.

His current official position is quite high. With him around, the polo match will probably gradually change its flavor.

Of course, it’s also because polo is really boring.

Polo is a sport that is both competitive and social, so it's fine to play it moderately.

However, it is limited to playing during leisure and entertainment.

(End of this chapter)