Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

Wang Dan looked reticent, introverted, gentle and easy-going, and when he really did what he had set his mind to, he was unexpectedly bold and bold.

After he sent someone to send Lu Ci home, he changed into the court clothes without hesitation, and immediately drove into the palace.

He knew very well that the fact that he had invited Lu Ci to the mansion to speak would soon be known to those who cared.

Not to mention what kind of messy speculations will arise once the mouth enters His Majesty's ears, just because Ye Changmeng has many such things, it is better to get it done as soon as possible.

Wang Dan persuaded the emperor vigorously, and taking advantage of his power as a prime minister, he immediately rushed to Zhongshu with the drafted edict before the emperor regretted it, and signed it neatly.

When Lin Neichen came out of the palace gate in a daze with the edict of appointment, it was only an hour since Lu Ci walked out of the gate of the prime minister's mansion.

However, dispatching from a place of the first rank and sixth grade would not cause much disturbance in the court, but it was rare for Wang Dan to strike so quickly, which aroused some people's small discussions.

It wasn't long before Lu Ci arrived home, and he was asking his servants to pack up his things and was about to take up his post when he received a formal appointment letter.

Lin Neichen finished reading the edict carefully, and handed over the edict to Lu Ci. He said regretfully, "I don't know why the Prime Minister insisted on sending you abroad, but he has already convinced His Majesty that it is a done deal. Once you go, No matter how fast it is, I will have to invest once and return."

When Lin Neichen said this, he kept looking at Lu Ci's face calmly, obviously not really believing that he didn't know.

Lu Ci had no intention of hiding it from him.

When he entered and left the prime minister's mansion, he did not deliberately cover up his whereabouts, and he would soon be known by others, let alone Lin Neichen, who had good eyes and ears.

Under the circumstances that it is not appropriate to talk too much, Lu Ci just smiled, and said eagerly: "Wang Xiang intends to sculpt and hone me, isn't it a sign that he regards me as a jade in the rough? What's more, whether you stay in Bianjing , or go to the place, even if there are untold hardships to treat each other, as long as I can repay the profound kindness of the king, I am willing to go."

Lin Neichen smiled, and stopped talking, but got into the car and went back to the palace.

On the way, he sighed and thought, although this Lu Ci was talented and learned, he was valued by His Majesty at one time, but he might as well stop here.

Perhaps it was because the other party had just entered the official career and his resume was too shallow, so he retained so much naive arrogance.

Otherwise, how could he inexplicably offend the current Zaifu?

Wang Dan was notoriously mild-tempered, he didn't even care about Kou Zhun's repeated offenses to him, and he was willing to turn around and recommend Kou Zhun to excuse him before His Majesty.

After thinking about it, he could only come to the conclusion that Lu Ci, a junior, was too eager to ask for a job and treated people too lightly, so that even Wang Dan couldn't stand it. They should also be driven to far away Fenzhou as soon as possible.

It is said that they are dispatched at the same level, but one is in Bianjing, and the other is far away in Fenzhou. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that there is a world of difference between them.

Even if it is only a one-time investment, it will take a full three years.

Lin Neichen couldn't help frowning when he thought that Lu Ci's optimism was naive and wrong.

Three years!

Let alone three years, with His Majesty's forgetfulness, unless he hangs around in front of him all the time, I'm afraid he will forget everything within three months.

Even if the East Palace was really established not long after, they may not remember the prince Sheren who was appointed earlier.

However, no matter how excellent the performance is in a local office, it is extremely difficult to spread it to the imperial capital through many mountains and rivers, and then stand out from the many memorials.

Otherwise, how can those officials, big and small, who are struggling to get their qualifications in the local area and waiting to be funded, want to come to Beijing?

The most difficult thing about Lu Ci is that he most likely offended Wang Dan.

With the pressure of the Zaizhi who was deeply trusted by the emperor, even with the help and protection of Kou Zhun, it would be difficult.

After all, Kou Zhun's temper is outrageous, and he can't protect himself temporarily, so how can he speak to His Majesty?

——It is easy to go, but difficult to come back.

Lin Neichen shook his head regretfully.

Although Lu Ci guessed the truth from Lin Neichen's cold and perfunctory attitude instead of his usual smiling face when he left.

But I didn't expect Lin Neichen to be so completely misunderstood.

Fenzhou is affiliated to Hedong Road and has four counties under its jurisdiction, namely Xihe, Xiaoyi, Jiexiu and Lingshi.

The prefecture is located in Xihe County. After looking at the map and comparing it with the maps of later generations in his impression, he judged that it was about the location of Fenyang City, Shanxi Province.

After getting the appointment, even though the edict of the appointment gave him plenty of time to hurry, Lu Ci did not intend to procrastinate at all.

He seemed to be able to feel that countless delicacies, including Fenyang Shiao cake, Xinghuacun wine, sesame sauce cold noodle, Fenzhou walnut, bean stewed noodles, etc., were calling him with great enthusiasm, hoping that he would take office as soon as possible , to take care of the amiable people of Fenzhou.

As a parent official, how can you disappoint the common people?

Lu Ci did his part and decided to leave tomorrow.

Now there are six servants in the family, all of whom have signed five-year long-term contracts, so there is no need to rush to renew the contracts.

Just leaving two people to take care of the house in Beijing, and he took the other four people to go to the post, should be enough.

While the servants were busy packing and packing their luggage, Lu Ci was not idle, and went back to his study to write letters to his friends.

Especially Liu Qi and the others who sent him special snacks from various places every month, Lu Ci repeatedly emphasized that starting from this month, the postal address will be changed.

Do not send it to the Jixian Academy where he worked, or his mansion in Beijing.

As for the location of the new delivery point, it has not been decided yet. We have to wait until we arrive at the office, and then we will find a suitable house to rent from the location of the government office.

After all, the food that has been stored for a long time will lose its taste.

It's about friends' wishes, so Lu Ci naturally doesn't want to waste half of it.

He also considered that he would not be able to come back for at least three years, perhaps because he could not care about Zhong Hui and Yi Shu, who were about to catch up with Ren Gongju, so he wrote letters to his masters and Zhong Yi's family.

Of course, Lu Ci was willing to let Zhong Hui and Yi Shu stay at his home during the examination period.

However, both of them are not very serious and measured people - Yi Shu is relatively good, only weak in resistance to female sex, but Zhong Yuan's influence is too big, it is inevitable that he will be led astray - only let the two If a man who has not reached the championship and is always thinking about going out stays at his house, I am afraid that it will be of no benefit to reviewing and preparing for the exam, and it will have the opposite effect.

Lu Ci simply asked Master Li to take a hard trip, and brought the two worrying bastards to Beijing together, just in time to urge them to study hard.

After making the arrangements, Lu Ci went to the teahouse.

As soon as he entered the gate, he smiled embarrassedly and apologetically at the store owner. It turned out that Yan Shu had suddenly arrived half an hour ago, and he could not help but take the position that had always been reserved for Lu Ci.

Lu Ci's heart was like a mirror, and he smiled and comforted him: "It's just right. I will leave Beijing tomorrow, and I am afraid that I will never have the opportunity to talk to Yan Xueshi again in the next few years."

The shopkeeper asked in surprise, "Are you leaving Beijing tomorrow?"

Lu Ci nodded.

The shopkeeper suddenly looked regretful.

Good-tempered old regulars like Lu Ci, big customers, and even live signs... It can be said that it is a great bad news for his shop to leave Beijing to report work.

Seeing that Lu Ci still had a smile on his face, he congratulated him sincerely.

After Lu Ci talked for a while, he ordered a few refreshments as usual, and went upstairs slowly.

When he entered the box, Yan Shu, who had been leaning on the window, heard some movement, and quickly turned his head. Seeing that it was Lu Ci, he couldn't help but raise his lips slightly: "I heard that Yu Yu is about to go to Xihe, Fenzhou, and I'm here to see you off."

Lu Ci sat down generously, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Uncle Tong. I'll trouble you to pay for today's tea and tea."

Yan Shu didn't tease him back, and responded directly: "You don't need to say, it's a practice banquet anyway, there's no reason for you to come out."

Lu Ci smiled and said: "Looking at your look, it seems that you have expected it a long time ago."

Yan Shu nodded with a smile: "You Wang Xiang is considerate, and treats you wholeheartedly. In order to facilitate this matter, he did not hesitate to take the blame on Kou Shumi... You must remember this kindness."

How could Lu Ci not know?

He sighed slightly: "I have devoted myself to serving the country and the people, and for him, that is the best reward."

Yan Shu readily agreed, "Exactly."

After the refreshments were served, Yan Shu stopped talking, and quietly finished a table of refreshments with Lu Ci.

After the two of them worked together to wipe them all out, Yan Shu slowly wet the handkerchief and wiped away some debris from the corners of his lips, and then slowly took out the extremely neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve. , put it in front of Lu Ci.

Lu Ci raised his eyebrows and looked at Yan Shu.

Yan Shu sighed quite sadly: "You and I met by chance, and it's not easy to meet outside. It's hard to establish such a deep friendship. You just left, leaving me alone in Beijing... I think If you want to go, I can't even give you a serious practice banquet, but I can only compose a poem and talk about blessings."

Lu Ci was used to his friends composing a poem and reciting a song at every turn. He unfolded the paper, and it was no accident that it was "Gift to Lu Zhizhou to Ren Fenzhou", so he accepted it with a smile.

After saying goodbye to Yan Shu, Lu Ci felt a little infected in his heart, so he couldn't help but give up his original plan to stay in Bianjing on this last day and eat and drink, but he wanted to go home first and have a good rest.

But when he was riding the horse, on the way home, his thoughts suddenly turned, and he couldn't help pulling the reins, urging the horse to make a small turn, and went to Wang Dan's Xiangfu.

He knew that at this moment, even if he was full of gratitude, it was not easy to come to the door, so he just planned to take a look from afar.

Unexpectedly, when he reached the corner, he saw a strange spacious car parked in front of Xiangfu's gate. The driver happened to get off and helped the people in the car to get off.

Lu Ci took a straight look at that person's profile.

This person was wearing a purple official uniform that could only be worn by officials of the third rank or above. He had a thin body, tightly pursed lips, deep eye sockets, short features, but a sinister look in his eyes.

The most eye-catching thing was a very eye-catching large sarcoma on his neck.

Lu Ci took a small step back and completely hid himself in the trees on both sides.

He thought, this person's goiter is probably not only iodine deficient, but also immoral.

Even if he had never met him before, with such distinctive features, he could still recognize that this person was none other than Wang Qinruo, his old enemy who was fighting Kou Zhun, and who did not hesitate to contribute to the farce of the heavenly book for his own official career.

After quietly watching Wang Qinruo enter Wang Dan's mansion, Lu Ci calmly averted his eyes, did not stop, but turned and left immediately.

Compared with Wang Dan and others who hated the 'five ghosts' deeply, Lu Ci obviously did not have such deep anger emotions.

——At the end of the day, they were just catering to their own selfish desires, and the real culprit for making this decision was the current Holy Majesty.

Can't Wang Dan see it?

Impossible.

It's just that he was deeply educated in Confucianism of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, so it is absolutely impossible for him to have such rebellious thoughts, and he will only vent his anger on the five ghosts.

Thinking of this, Lu Ci couldn't help shaking his head.

I am currently small and weak, so instead of thinking about these things, I might as well eat an extra bite of soufflé.

The author has something to say: Notes:

1. Among the five ghosts, Wang Qinruo has a large sarcoma on his neck, known as "Gall Xiang"; Ding Wei has a wretched appearance, like a monkey; Lin Te is even more thin and weak.These people are all sickly, but all of them are talented. ("300 Years of the Great Song Empire 7-Zhenzong Zhao Hengxia")

2. Information about counties under the jurisdiction of Fenzhou comes from Biography of Di Qing

3. The imperial edict of the emperor should be sent to Zhongshu, that is, Zhengshitang, and signed by the prime minister.In this way, the integration of palace prohibition and Zhongshu can unify the country's government orders.Imperial edicts are generally drafted by Hanlin (government orders are drafted by Zhi Zhigao), and in Zhongshu, if there are "disagreements", they can be "rejected" and re-drafted.This level of meaning is to ensure the seriousness and appropriateness of national laws and regulations.Therefore, Wang Dan can "suppress" the emperor's edict and not issue it for the time being, in order to strive for a change in the holy will. ("300 Years of the Great Song Empire 7-Zhenzong Zhao Hengxia")