At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 78 Confused
Xiang Hong's words were beyond Zhou Qi's expectation.

Regardless of Yuan Shao's appearance, etiquette or conduct, there is almost nothing to criticize.

Even when dealing with people he has never met, he can still handle them without any pretense as a member of the official family.

Zhou Qi is familiar with history and naturally knows that Yuan Shao's character has flaws. However, Xiang Hong belongs to this era after all and has not been with Yuan Shao for a short time. Zhou Qi is naturally surprised that Xiang Hong can say these words.

"Brother, why do you think so?"

Xiang Hong pondered briefly and said: "I shouldn't talk about others behind their backs, but my predecessor asked me how Yuan Benchu ​​compares to Cao Mengde, so I naturally kept it in mind."

"From the beginning of my acquaintance with Yuan Benchu, I naturally felt like a spring breeze. Both his demeanor and his conduct in life are impressive. I wish I could always be by my side."

"Cao Mengde, on the contrary, is short in stature, unattractive in appearance, and dissolute and self-willed. At first glance, people think that he is not a good man."

"However, I have been in contact with Yuan Benchu ​​for a long time. Although he always maintained a humble and courteous attitude, I could feel an inexplicable alienation and gap. This is why, after the banquet, I just drank and drank without saying much."

"Cao Mengde is very different. Although I didn't think this person was worthy of close friendship at first, the more I interacted with Cao Mengde, the more I felt the charm of his personality."

"Moreover, Cao Mengde is very knowledgeable, and he understands all kinds of teachings and nine streams. No matter who talks to him, he seems to meet a confidant, and there are endless topics to talk about."

"Therefore, in my opinion, although Yuan Benchu ​​is eager for justice and has the style of Meng Chang, he does not have the reality of Meng Chang."

"However, Cao Mengde can truly befriend him regardless of his background, high or low, and he is good at restraining his edge, so that everyone can unconsciously open their hearts."

Zhou Qi couldn't help but sigh when he heard this.

People like Xiang Hong who come from a lower class background are mostly very sensitive and are more likely to feel slight changes in Yuan Shao's attitude.

If he were an ordinary person and could receive such courtesy from Yuan Shao, he would probably ignore this insignificant change.

Xiang Hong is different.

He first met Zhou Qi, who had a sincere friendship with him, and then saw Cao Mengde's demeanor, so his eyes naturally became much higher, so he was able to keenly perceive Yuan Shao's subtle attitude changes.

Zhou Qi stepped forward, patted the back of Xiang Hong's hand, and asked with a smile: "So, brother, how do you think I compare to Cao Mengde?"

Xiang Hong was a little shocked when he heard this, and then began to frown and think hard. After a long time, he replied: "Ziyi and Cao Mengde are both heroes in the world."

"Hahahaha!"

Zhou Qi couldn't help laughing out loud, obviously in a very happy mood.

"Zhou is engaged in this work, so that you can invite me."

At this moment, Yang Zuoshi's voice came from outside the door.

Zhou Qi hurriedly suppressed his smile, straightened his clothes first, then opened the door and rushed towards Yang Qiu's location under the leadership of Yang Zuoshi.

Not long after, Zhou Qi arrived at Yangqiu's office.

It was time to rest, but Yang Qiu was still busy with documents piled up in front of him with his head down.

Zhou Qi said softly: "My subordinates pay homage to the envoy."

Hearing this, Yang Qiu put down the document in his hand, raised his head and looked at Zhou Qi, saying, "No need to be polite, just sit down and talk."

Zhou Qi took the order and knelt down beside Yang Qiu.

He secretly looked at Yang Qiu, but found that the high-ranking Captain Sili no longer had the high spirits he had when he got rid of Wang Fu, and his face looked a little tired.

Yang Qiu rubbed his brows to relieve his fatigue a little, and then asked: "When you met with Yuan Benchu, did he ever ask about the internal affairs of Sili Xiaowei's mansion?"

Zhou Qi shook his head and said: "Yuan Benchu ​​and I were just chatting, and we never mentioned the internal government affairs of the Sili Xiaowei Mansion. We didn't even mention Wang Fu's execution."

A slight smile appeared on Yang Qiu's face.

He gently stroked his beard and said to himself: "This Yuan Benchu ​​has always had a good reputation, and the officials and disciples of Luoyang are vying to make friends with him. He is indeed a young talent."

"However, he has personal connections with rangers, has many connections with powerful people, and hides dead soldiers. His ambition is not small."

Zhou Qi was slightly shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect Yang Qiu to know all about Yuan Shao's private moves.

To be honest, if it wasn't for Zhou Qi who was a time traveler, I'm afraid he wouldn't know what Yuan Shao did.

The things Yuan Shao did in private could be big or small. If Yang Qiu wanted to investigate, he would install dead soldiers for the opponent, and the charge of plotting rebellion would not be out of the question.

Of course, in this era, there are many people who behave like Yuan Shao's. Although they do violate the law, it is also the practice of many aristocratic families, and they cannot withstand scrutiny.

Yang Qiu continued: "Compared to that, that guy Yuan Gongli walks his dog every day and stirs up trouble everywhere. There is a huge difference."

Zhou Qi heard the words, but didn't interrupt.

Although he knew some of Yuan Shu's deeds from history, he had not really come into contact with him in this era, so it was not easy to make a hasty evaluation.

"Do you know why Yuan Benchu ​​entertained you?"

Yang Qiu's words interrupted Zhou Qi's thoughts.

Zhou Qi raised his head and looked at the examiner's look in the other person's eyes. He didn't mean to hide his clumsiness and said: "After the emperor killed the traitor Wang Fu and others, he once promised to investigate the illegal activities of the Yuan family's children. I'm afraid this matter has already been solved." Into Yuan's ears."

"Yuan Benchu ​​invited his subordinates to the banquet, probably to test the envoy's attitude."

A smile gradually appeared on Yang Qiu's face, and he said: "You are indeed very smart and a talent that can be made."

"Then do you know why Yuan Benchu ​​didn't mention this at all during the banquet, not even mentioning the matter of Wang Fu's execution?"

Zhou Qi pondered briefly and said: "The fact that I can go to the banquet actually represents the envoy's attitude towards the Yuan family. Yuan Benchu ​​is very smart and already knows it, so he never mentions it."

Yang Qiu looked at Zhou Qi and said, "You have extraordinary talents, methods, and good character. It's a pity that you have a bad background, otherwise you will definitely have great achievements in the future."

Zhou Qi hurriedly said: "Qi is worthy of this life to be appreciated by the emperor."

But Yang Qiu sighed: "If you follow me, you can only do it for a while at most. Even if I am willing to promote you, it will be extremely difficult for you to go further. Ziyi, do you know why?"

Zhou Qi was silent when he heard the words.

Yang Qiu saw this and said, "You must have some calculations in your mind."

"In the imperial court, from the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty to the governors of the prefectures and counties, almost all those who can ascend to high positions are of Xiaolian origin. However, the Han Dynasty has a vast territory and a large population. How many Xiaolians are there every year?"

"For the quota of filial piety and honesty, the official family will have to pay a huge price if they want to get it, let alone you."

"Even if I strongly recommend you, if you did not observe filial piety after the death of Mr. Zhou Shifu, your character will be criticized by others. How difficult it is to recommend him as filial and honest."

Hearing this, Zhou Qi felt extremely bitter.

Before meeting Yuan Shao, Zhou Qi thought that he could gain some fame by assassinating Wang Ji, and with Yang Qiu's appreciation, he would be able to advance into the world.

The reality is very different from Zhou Qi's imagination.

Now that the imperial court has not collapsed, even aristocratic families must follow the rules of officialdom, let alone Zhou Qi, a little shrimp who is nothing.

He wants to reach the sky in one step, but it is absolutely impossible.

Even a child of a noble family like Yuan Shao has to work hard to raise his reputation. What advantage does Zhou Qi have compared to him?

At this time, Zhou Qi was rarely confused.

This confusion comes not only from the insurmountable class gap in Luoyang City, but also from the invisible oppression of the children of Yuan Benchu ​​and other aristocratic families.

Yang Qiu looked at Zhou Qi's face and suddenly said: "If you want to go far in the officialdom, I suggest you return to your hometown to observe filial piety for Zhou Shifu. After the period of filial piety is over, I will find a way to honor you. .”

"In this way, you can truly enter the officialdom and have unlimited possibilities."

Zhou Qi was both moved and helpless when he heard this.

The move is naturally because of the quota of filial piety promised by Yang Qiu.

The more he understands this era, the more he knows how precious the filial piety quota is, especially after the implementation of the Three Mutual Laws today, the filial piety quota has doubled his worth. To obtain such a quota, he must pay a huge price.

You know, even if the Cao family is as prominent as Pei Guo, it only secured a place for Cao Cao to be filial and honest.

Yang Qiu's ability to make such a promise also shows how much he values ​​Zhou Qi.

However, Zhou Qi, as a traveler, knows that Yang Qiu, who seems to have infinite beauty, actually doesn't have much time to live, and the promise of Xiaolian quota by the other party is naturally impossible to fulfill.

Even if the future can really come true, Zhou Qi, who knows the general trend of the world, can't waste the precious three years and focus all his attention on the officialdom.

Of course, keeping filial piety for the grandfather is a great gift in human relations, so Zhou Qi naturally couldn't refuse it explicitly.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Yang Qiu, saying, "Thank you so much for your love."

"However, the envoy has been kind to me for knowing and encountering me. Now the envoy wants to take action against Cao Jie and others. If I leave at this time, I will be ashamed of the envoy."

"I intend to help you to eradicate the traitors from Cao Jie and other countries first, and then return to my hometown to observe my filial piety for my great father. I wonder what your wishes are?"

Hearing this, Yang Qiu showed admiration in his eyes.

He promoted Zhou Qi at such a cost, so he was naturally preparing to train him as his protégé. For Yang Qiu, a protégé must have sufficient loyalty.

The influence of Cao Jie and others in the court is deeply rooted, and it will not be easy to completely eradicate them, but it will be very dangerous.

Now is the time when Yang Qiu is employing people, and Zhou Qi can choose to stay without hesitation at this time, which shows that Yang Qiu has not misunderstood the man, and it has strengthened his determination to train this young man.

"Since you have this loyalty, then please stay for now."

"However, after the matter is over, you must return to your hometown to be a filial piety for Mrs. Zhou, so as not to be punished."

"During these days in Luoyang, you can also get in touch with Yuan Benzhu more. If you can make friends with him, it will be of great benefit to your future development."

After Zhou Qi bid farewell to Yang Qiu and returned to his residence, his heart could not be calm for a long time.

What should he do next?
　Brothers, if you see typos, remember to mark them and I will correct them.If you have suggestions for the protagonist's future development, you can also mention them.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)