Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 17 Promoted to Assistant Secretary
Only then did Dai Hongling really take a serious look at the young man in front of him. Seeing that his eyes were bright and calm, and he looked like he had the pearls of wisdom at his fingertips, he hurriedly asked: "I wonder what my wise nephew has in mind?"

Suddenly there was a hint of expectation in his heart.

After his father and his mentor Yang Gongren died of illness, Magistrate Dai no longer had any extra ambitions and just wanted to live quietly until he became an official.

But now that the opportunity is right in front of him, his restless heart can't help but be restless, and his decaying body is slightly heated.

Wouldn't it be nice if this person really came up with a feasible strategy, sent him away, followed the law, and took the credit for himself?

Chen Qingsi did not answer immediately, but frowned and said, "Forget it, this method may not work. If something goes wrong, it would be bad to implicate the county magistrate."

He didn't believe the magistrate of Yixing County in front of him, who seemed heavy-handed but didn't have much responsibility.

This incident is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once Dai Hongling learns of his plan and how to break the situation, and then kicks him away and takes the merit himself, who will he cry to?

Dai Hongling's face changed slightly, and he said in a more serious tone: "Whether it succeeds or not, it's all about the method. Let's talk it out and discuss it together."

Chen Qingsi didn't answer the question, but said firmly: "Why don't we let the juniors give it a try? If it succeeds, congratulations to the county magistrate. If it fails, the juniors will be responsible for their own mistakes."

The atmosphere was a little stiff.

Li Hongqing was confused. He felt that the two men were speaking with difficulty and they did not look like men at all.

But Mr. Peng Qi heard the meaning behind it. He thought that his student was a bit aggressive, but he also favored him and said: "Don't blame the county magistrate. This student doesn't know the importance of it and gets involved in state affairs. I will take him away now." …”

The two of them were asked to sing in harmony. Dai Hongling was so angry that his teeth were itching, but he had to lower his head and admit defeat. He said: "Uncle, heroes have emerged from the youth since ancient times. I can rest assured about Chen Xiannephew's ability. I will hire Chen Xiannephew now." To serve as my official assistant..."

As the name suggests, Zuoshi is an assistant official. He is not an official, but a official.

The county magistrate has the power to recruit officials privately to share the heavy public duties for him.

Dai Hongling acted very generously and said, "Nephew Chen Xian can talk now."

Chen Qingsi bowed and said: "I am willing to serve the county magistrate. The county magistrate will wait for good news from my subordinates."

He still looked like he was refusing to speak.

Dai Hongling spoke in a bad tone, went to the table, wrote the letter of appointment himself, stamped it with his official seal, and said with a smile on his face: "This is how I congratulate Chen Zuoshi on the news."

He said that without even saying hello, he just threw up his sleeves and walked away.

Li Hongqing saw it inexplicably.

Elder Peng looked complicated and said, "Let's go!"

Chen Qingsi bowed and said, "The student has let the teacher down."

Old Peng Qi shook his head slightly: "Let's talk about it after we go out."

Li Hongqing wanted to ask, but was afraid of exposing his lack of intelligence, so he pretended not to care.

The three of them left the government office and walked some distance before Old Peng Qi said in a low voice: "You come from a humble background, so it is understandable that you use means to maintain your own interests, but why do you do this? Make things so tense..."

Chen Qingsi said: "Sir, it's not that the students are greedy for merit and are arrogant, nor are they arrogant. In fact, this magistrate Dai is too cautious, has no responsibility, and cannot be followed. Even if the students give all the credit to him and help him go further, he will If you don't deserve the position, it will be short-lived. There is no future for following him. Besides, the students can see that Magistrate Dai is already interested in grabbing credit. If I tell him directly, I'm afraid I won't even be able to drink the soup in the end. . As for why he didn’t say anything in the end, the student was worried that Magistrate Dai would send someone else to take care of the matter. In this way, as an officer, his credit would remain the same, but the student’s credit would be divided into two. At that time, the student, the assistant historian, could It's up to him." Elder Peng was speechless for a moment.

Li Hongqing also understood and asked, "Aren't you afraid of letting him take control now?"

Chen Qingsi said: "He doesn't dare in the short term. It's me who comes up with the strategies and handles the affairs. He wants to kill the donkey, which will bring bad reputation to him. Even if he wants to give me some color, he has to wait until the storm is over. At that time, everything will be settled. It can only prove that the court angel did not investigate the situation in Jiangnan, or that this angel did not exist from the beginning to the end. Then why should I follow a county magistrate who is destined to be unable to be promoted to see his face? "

Li Hongqing said truthfully with some complexity: "You are really scary."

Chen Qingsi pointed to the beggars on the street and said, "But my method can give them a bite of food and let them live."

Li Hongqing stopped talking.

Chen Qingsi asked: "Do you want to help them?"

"I think!" Li Hongqing answered without hesitation.

Chen Qingsi said again: "Then accompany me to meet these two people."

"Okay!" Li Hongqing answered firmly. For the sake of these suffering people, she could temporarily put aside the humiliation she suffered last night.

When Mr. Peng Qi heard him talking about the two men, he immediately realized that they were going to see the beggar leaders from Yanling County and Yixing County. Only they could control the troublemakers: "Are you sure?"

"It's a bit difficult for me to be alone, but with the help of the Li family's wife, who is chivalrous and courageous and has superb martial arts skills, I'm almost sure of it."

Li Hongqing was in a happy mood, and his eyebrows were beating.

"Then I will wait for the good news from you, my master!"

**********
Yangzhou City.

Different from the decline in Jiangnan, this town that is closely related to Jiangnan but located in Jiangbei is surprisingly prosperous due to Yang Guang in the past.

Jiangdu Lieutenant Lou Shide hurried to the governor's office. He just announced that the newly appointed governor of Yangzhou, Shi Lu Chengye, had already gone out to greet him.

Lou Shide was flattered and bowed to say hello.

However, Lu Chengye grabbed him and said, "Zong Ren, there is no need to be polite between you and me. Let's talk inside."

Lou Shide was a Jinshi in the 18th year of Zhenguan. He passed the Jinshi examination at the age of 20 and was appointed by the imperial court as Jiangdu County Captain. He has been working hard for more than ten years, but he has not been reused.But all this seems to have changed...

Yangzhou is different from other states and counties in that it has a Dudu's Mansion, which is responsible for all government affairs within the territory, and the Chief of the Dudu's Mansion, Shi, is the top leader.

The former governor of Yangzhou, Shi Fangrenyu, was promoted for his meritorious service in quelling Chen Shuozhen's rebellion in Muzhou. The new governor of Yangang, Shi Lu Chengye, rarely thought highly of Lou Shide. There was a huge difference in their identities, but Lu Chengye always condescended to be friends. In his words, Lou Shide There is a minister and assistant who is worthy of being entrusted to his descendants. How can he be treated with common courtesy in an official office?

Lou Shide, who was pulled into the room, was still a little confused. The chief historian was too enthusiastic about him.

"Zong Ren, you have been in Yangzhou for ten years and you must have a certain understanding of Jiangnan. A certain person has a close friend in Beijing who has a secret. He was ordered to go south to Jiangnan and needs a guide to lead the way. This matter is confidential and cannot be directly used by people from Jiangnan. After careful consideration, I think you are the most suitable."

(End of this chapter)