Women Wearing Men: The Growth Path of the Bastards of the Aristocratic Family

Within the Chief Secretary of a province, the Chief Envoy is the highest official and is of the third rank. There are also left and right political officers under him, who are the deputies of the Chief Envoy and are of the third rank.

Knowing that Yan Zhengqian was interested in the position of Chief Secretary of Sichuan, Pu Tingnan raised his eyebrows: "Master Yan is a fourth-rank prefect. Although he jumped from the prefecture level to the provincial level, and from the fourth rank to the third rank, it is still in compliance with the regulations. . But he is still a local official after all. After staying in the southwest for so long, Master Yan doesn’t want to return to Beijing?"

Yan Zhengqian was a little embarrassed and said very self-awarely: "My lord, you are a serious Jinshi. You were sent from the capital to the local area. Naturally, you think that the capital officials are good. But when you are a junior official, you have never even entered the imperial city. , for me, I have never been to the capital, so how can I talk about 'returning to the capital'?"

"What's more, I have more than 100 prefectures in Daxia. The prefectures that need to be transferred after their terms have expired are either fifty or thirty. How can they all be transferred to the capital? Even if the official becomes a capital official, I will not be in the government. I don’t have many connections in the country, so I’m afraid I’ll be ostracized if I go there, and everything is difficult.”

"How can the capital be as comfortable as in the southwest? I am your man. When I arrive at the Chief Secretary's office, you will take care of me. Isn't it much more comfortable than in the capital?"

As he spoke, Yan Zhengqian moved towards Pu Tingnan little by little, getting closer and closer to him. Finally, he simply sat on the steps at the other person's feet, touching Pu Tingnan's legs affectionately and flatteringly. He even used his sleeves to clean his shoes. His face was wrinkled with smiles, showing his servility.

"Besides, I am also willing to serve as an errand under you, Mr. Pu. It is my honor to serve you. When I arrive at the Chief Secretary, you can tell me whatever you want. I think it is like having an extra dog to call you, sir." how do you feel?"

Pu Tingnan laughed loudly when he heard this, stretched out his hand and patted his "old dog" on the face, and said happily: "You, you, you, since I became the chief envoy of Sichuan, there are so many people who want to please and flatter you. But you are the only one who is truly willing to be generous. It’s hard to find a dog as loyal as you, so how can I not cherish it and use it?”

"That's all, it's just a right-wing political position, and it's not too difficult for me. In two months, I will leave for the capital to prepare for the end of the year report. Then I will personally recommend you in front of His Majesty."

Yan Zhengqian's eyes were filled with joy. He was so happy that he didn't know what to say. He wished he could perform a tail wagging for Pu Tingnan: "Thank you, Mr. Pu! You are my reborn parents! I, Yan Zhengqian, will be at your disposal from now on. If you tell me to go east, I will Never go west!"

Pu Tingnan smiled and said: "Okay, don't do this to me. I don't know what you want. You are involved in politics and food management. As long as money and food are involved, it's just a fat job, you old thing." Don’t you just want to make a good profit?”

Yan Zheng smiled humbly: "The lower official is nearly fifty years old, and he is half dead. He doesn't expect to be promoted to a high official or hold any power. He just wants to earn more for his children and grandchildren before he becomes an official. Industry."

"Xuzhou Prefecture is barren, with very little oil and water. With Gu Yunji watching over the past two years, Xiaguan's life has become even more difficult, and he doesn't even dare to take more needles. Finally, we got to the Chief Secretary, and you are protecting me, Xiaguan. I can finally relax. Even if I am fishing for profit and water, I dare not forget you. If I fish for ten points, I will give you seven points of filial piety."

Speaking of Gu Yunji, Pu Tingnan remembered: "Having said that, since potatoes are such an important thing, since they first appeared in Xuzhou Prefecture, even if it is your credit alone, when it comes to political achievements, both Tongzhi and Tongpan have a share. Yes. You dedicated the potato to me privately, did Chen Xunzhou and Gu Yunji know about it?"

Yan Zhengqian said: "Chen Xunzhou knows it. He relies on me to see you, sir, and he got your promise to remove the word 'Dai' from the front of his Tongzhi hat. Even if I bypassed him and put the potato Dedicated to you alone, he wouldn’t dare to say anything.”

"As for Gu Yunji..." At this point, Yan Zhengqian felt guilty and paused involuntarily.

Considering Pu Tingnan's previous attitude towards Gu Yunji, if he were to know that the introduction and promotion of potato was the result of Gu Yunji's efforts and had nothing to do with him, he might be furious and his position as a right-hand political participant would probably be lost.

Thinking like this, Yan Zhengqian rolled his eyes twice and said with a dry smile: "...Gu Yunji has such a background and is a high-ranking official in the Imperial Academy. He originally came to the southwest to practice gilding. I don't think he would like it. The political achievements of three melons and two dates. If I discuss it with him seriously, maybe others will look down on him..." Pu Tingnan did not doubt that he was there, smacking his lips and sighing: "That's right, it's your contribution in the first place, even if he is qualified to share it. It’s not much. Gu Yunji has been in the Hanlin Academy and served as an official for His Majesty, and his family has high hopes for him. He is afraid that he will join the cabinet as a prime minister in the future, so he will not get entangled with you on these minutiae."

After that, he warned: "But to be on the safe side, you'd better inform him. After all, you have to do your best to save face, and you still need to have at least respect."

Yan Zhengqian's eyes wandered and he replied absently: "Yes, I understand."

-

On the country road outside Xuzhou Prefecture, a few people with extraordinary clothes and temperaments that were incompatible with the surroundings were walking slowly.

The leader is a young man, in his 20s, with fair skin, and he looks pampered at first glance.Although he was wearing regular clothes, he still had an upright figure and was dressed meticulously. While walking, he carefully observed the surrounding farmland.

The few people following behind him must be his followers. They have a well-proportioned figure and tight forearm muscles. They look like a practitioner.The group of people just moved forward under the bright sun, and the road ahead seemed endless.

A follower blocked the dazzling sunlight with his hand and couldn't help but said: "Sir, why do we have to leave the broad official road and come to this crooked and painful country road?"

Another follower answered: "Our group is so conspicuous that we may attract the attention of the local officials if we get halfway there. Your Majesty is a special envoy sent by His Majesty to check the drought situation in Sichuan. What if we don't keep a low profile? Could it be that we Are you happy that you have to be greeted by local officials beating gongs and drums as soon as you arrive and taken to the Yamen to sit and drink tea?"

The attendant's brain was slow to react. He had been exposed to the sun for a long time and his mouth was really dry. He said stupidly: "It's not bad to be welcomed into the Yamen for tea. I happen to be a little thirsty too."

"Elm head!"

His companion gave him a slap in the face and said: "The chief envoy of Sichuan wrote a Zhezi a few months ago complaining about the serious drought in Shuzhong and asking for grain tax relief. Later, officials in Shuzhong heard that His Majesty wanted to find an official to find out. Regarding the situation, we all worked hard to find out the news, and prepared to exaggerate the truth when the special envoy arrived, so as to ask for more disaster relief money from the imperial court."

"Taking this into consideration, His Majesty did not select officials from the capital. Instead, he chose us, who were on official business in Hangzhou, as special envoys. He went directly upstream along the Yangtze River and arrived in Sichuan two months in advance. In order to gain It just catches local officials off guard.”

"If you are noticed by the local officials as soon as you arrive and make them prepared, then what you see will be what they want you to see. Why do you talk about running errands for His Majesty? Of course you have to investigate it yourself first. In my heart Only when you have a foundation can you communicate with local officials."

As he spoke, seeing that his companion was doubtful, the man shouted to the young man in front of him: "Master Qian, do you think this is true?"

Qian Xun paused, turned around and nodded with a smile: "Yes, that's the truth. Zhaoying is very smart."