Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 44

Chen Tingjing also looked at Zhang Ying and smiled, but said nothing.He admired Zhang Ying's determinism very much. He could keep his head down and copy without saying a word all day long.If it wasn't for a sudden thought, almost everyone would have forgotten that there was Zhang Ying in the South Study Room.

Zhang Qian's errands were never ordered, and he was very unhappy.At night, he visited Chen Tingjing.Zhang Ban sat down in Chen Tingjing's study, and sighed: "I have been to the official department several times, Master Mingzhu always told me to wait. He said, it should go without saying that I should make up for the fourth rank, and I can also make up for it out of the ordinary." Being third grade, it depends on the Emperor’s will in the end. I, Brother Meng Tingjing, recommended me in front of the Emperor, and returned to Beijing to listen to him. I am very grateful. Can Brother Tingjing do the favor to the end, and then talk about it for me in front of the Emperor?”

Chen Tingjing was quite embarrassed: "Brother Zhang Qian, it's inconvenient for me to speak in front of the emperor! Although it is said that you do not avoid relatives, but after all, you and I are in-laws, so others will leave something to talk about. I am afraid that I will say too much for you. , but it’s not good for you.”

Zhang Qian asked: "Brother Ting Jing is worried about Mingzhu?"

Chen Tingjing shook his head and said, "Mingzhu is very well-behaved, she won't come to me openly."

Zhang Qian asked again: "Then who else?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Gao Shiqi!"

Zhang Jian asked in bewilderment: "Gao Shiqi is old with you and me, why does he have trouble with you?"

Chen Tingjing sighed: "You haven't been in the capital for a long time, and you don't know about the officialdom and the vicissitudes of life! Gao Shiqi is Suo'etu's disciple, Suo'etu and Mingzhu are enemies, and Suo'etu always thinks that I am Mingzhu's person. Hey ! They made a terrible difference between them, but insisted on involving me, it's extremely boring!"

Zhang Qian didn't know what to say, he could only sigh.Chen Tingjing said again: "I can't explain it to others. Do I want to make it clear that I am not from Suo'etu, nor from Mingzhu? I am neither party nor selfish, and I don't want to get involved in anyone's circle."

Zhang Jian asked: "Gao Shiqi is just a secretary in the cabinet with a six-rank salary, and his job is just copying and writing. Where did he get his arrogance?"

Chen Tingjing said: "You don't know, Gao Shiqi is the most pleasing to the emperor. Do you know how courageous Gao Shiqi is? He gave the fake "Kuang Lu Tu" to the emperor!"

Zhang Qian turned pale with shock and was speechless for a long time.Chen Tingjing said: "This is a serious crime of deceiving the emperor! But I can only keep silent."

Zhang Qian asked, "Why?"

Chen Tingjing sighed: "I said it, doesn't it mean that the emperor is a fool?"

Zhang Qian was very resentful, and said: "Gao Shiqi is so daring! A low-rank official!"

Chen Tingjing shook his hand and said, "Well, fortunately, it's just a fake painting, and it won't mislead the king or the country, so I'll pretend to be deaf and dumb!"

Zhang Bang still felt strange, and asked: "Brother Ting Jing, Suo Etu has lost power, so according to Gao Shiqi's character, wouldn't he follow him closely?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Gao Shiqi is not afraid of the emperor, but Suo'etu. Suo'etu is a relative of the emperor, and maybe one day he will make a comeback. The emperor will not kill Gao Shiqi, and Suo'etu will kill him if he loses his temper." he!"

Zhang Qian left Chen's house and wandered alone in the street.After hesitating for a long time, he simply went to Gao Shiqi's house.I thought that although Gao Shiqi is a villain, it might be useful to ask him to do things.At the gate of Gao's house, they didn't give Zhang Qian any face, they just said that no matter who it was, it was so late, Mr. Gao had already rested.Zhang Jian was anxious, thinking of his old relationship with Gao Shiqi for many years, so he stuck to it.In fact, it was seen at the door that Zhang Qian didn't give the door bag, so naturally he didn't have a good word.Zhang Qian didn't know the rules, so he became angry while talking.

In the middle of the night, the knock on the door was heard inside.If Gao Shiqi had gone to bed early on weekdays, he would not feel sleepy tonight playing with "The Picture of Kuanglu".He heard the noise at the door, so he went to ask questions.After a while, the door answered, saying that a man named Zhang Qian insisted on coming in to see the master.Gao Shiqi heard that it was Zhang Qian, so he hurriedly said please come in quickly.The door seemed to be frightened, and respectfully invited Zhang Qian into the mansion.

When Gao Shiqi saw Zhang Qian, he joined hands and welcomed him into the study.Seeing that the master led Zhang Qian to the study, the people below knew that the visitor was unusual, so they hurried down and made the best tea and brought it up.Gao Shiqi said very angrily: "Brother Zhang Qian, I just wanted to invite you to come to my house. It's an old friend. It's been so long since I've been back to Beijing, why haven't I seen you?"

Zhang Jian said: "Master Gao is busy, how can I disturb you!"

Gao Shiqi laughed and said, "If Ting Jing can't bring you to the capital, he won't care!"

Zhang Ban sighed, and said, "I don't know how to say that. Mr. Gao, please help me."

Gao Shiqi shook his head and said: "Brother Zhang Qian, although I, Gao, serve the Holy One every day, I am only a secretary in the cabinet, a sixth-rank official. I can't help you with this favor!"

Zhang Qian said with a smile: "Lord Gao, I know you are a capable person."

Gao Shiqi still sighed: "Hey, it's hard..."

Zhang Jian said: "Lord Gao, you can even point me to a way."

Gao Shiqi asked: "Have you looked for Master Mingzhu?"

Zhang Bao didn't understand the intention of Gao Shiqi's question, so he didn't dare to answer casually, so he took a few sips from his teacup, thought about his words, and said: "I have been to the Ministry of Officials a few times, Master Ming said that I can send the next fourth rank For an errand, even a third-ranker can do it out of the ordinary, and finally get the emperor's permission."

Gao Shiqi also picked up his teacup, took a few sips, and said with a smile: "Brother Zhang Qian, you and I have been friends for many years, so let me tell you the truth. You have to go out at night, some things can't be done well during the day! "

Zhang Ban hurriedly said: "Thank you, Mr. Gao, for pointing out the maze! Mr. Gao, you and I have been friends for many years, so I didn't care about etiquette, and came to the door in the middle of the night. Master Mingzhu always smiles every time he sees me, but I really can't figure it out. Get rid of his temper!"

Gao Shiqi laughed and said, "Master Zhang has really flattered me by making Gao a confidant."

Zhang Qian climbed straight up.After being polite, Gao Shiqi asked: "Are you worried that you will get into trouble with Fu Lun when you are in Dezhou, and Master Mingzhu won't help? No! As long as you come to the door, Master Mingzhu is open to all people!"

Zhang Qian looked distressed, and said: "I am very grateful to Mr. Gao for telling the truth. But, I am so shy!"

Gao Shiqi said: "Ting Jing's family is a century-old rich man in Shanxi, you might as well look for him."

Zhang Jian said: "I am related to him, it is even more difficult to tell!"

Gao Shiqi nodded and said: "That's right, Ting Jing is an unsophisticated person. Well, it's rare to have a friend, so I'll think of a way for you. I have a friend, Yu Ziyi, a fellow from Qiantang, who has a good business and is a righteous person .I will ask him to lend you three to five thousand taels of silver first."

Zhang Qian bowed his hands and said: "Master Gao, Zhang Qian is very grateful!"

Gao Shiqi smiled and said: "Brother Zhang Qian, this is at home, don't call it Mr. Gao. You and I are still brothers in private!"

Zhang Jian then said: "Okay, brother Xie Shiqi will not give up, Zhang Qian is a person who knows how to repay his kindness."

Gao Shiqi leaned closer, patted Zhang Bang's hand, and said, "Brother Zhang Bang, I'm a person who hasn't obtained any merit in the examination, and I can't be a big official. You are a Jinshi, and you have been an official in a local area. After adding a third grade, after a while, when you put it down, you will be a great official of the frontier!"

Zhang Qian cupped his hands and said: "Brother Xie Shiqi Jiyan, one day, you will be kind to me!"

Gao Shiqi waved his hand and said, "You're welcome, I'll still count on you to take care of me when the time comes!"

It was well past midnight.Gao Shiqi stayed with him kindly, and Zhang Qian stayed at Gao's house.

Within a few days, Zhang Qian's errand was settled.That day in the South Study Room, Mingzhu invited the emperor, and the general manager was vacant, so he recommended Zhang Qian to fill in the vacancy.The emperor seemed to feel something was wrong, and said: "Zhang Qian was promoted from the fourth rank to the third rank, can he convince the public?"

Mingzhu replied: "The general administration envoy is in charge of the provinces, and it is not appropriate for the official to be from Wenhan's background. Zhang Qian has been an official in the local area for more than ten years, and he knows the people's conditions in detail. The minister thinks it is appropriate."

The emperor turned around and asked Chen Tingjing: "What does Ting Jing think?"

Chen Tingjing said: "I am related to Zhang Qian, so it is inconvenient to talk."

The emperor said: "Since ancient times, there has been a way to promote virtuous people without avoiding relatives. But it's okay for Chen Tingjing to say it inconveniently. You can tell me, what is Zhang Qian's official like?"

Mingzhu played back: "Zhang Qian is capable in handling affairs, considerate to the common people, clean and honest. In the 16th year of Shunzhi, he was sent to Shandong, and it has been like a day for more than ten years. It can be said that his two sleeves are clean and spotless!"

The emperor sneered and said: "Mingzhu also doesn't overdo it. As an official in a local area, there are naturally incorruptible people, but when it comes to being clean and clear, I may not believe it."

Only then did Chen Tingjing say: "Zhang Qian has been an official for more than ten years, and he has no personal possessions. He returned to Beijing to listen to him, and lived without a place to live. He lived in the Shanxi Guild Hall."

The emperor couldn't help nodding his head: "From this point of view, Zhang Qian has been an official for more than ten years, and he is no different from the poor scholar who went to Beijing to catch the exam?"

Chen Tingjing said: "This is indeed the case."

Gao Shiqi also said: "The minister can also testify."

The emperor finally agreed: "Okay, let Zhang Qian fill in the post of Tongzheng envoy."

Mingzhu hurriedly cupped her hands: "I will handle it according to the order."

But the emperor said with a half-smile: "Mingzhu, don't say it respectfully, what you do is another way. Maybe it's all a set up by you, just waiting for me to drill into it!"

Mingzhu hurriedly fell to the ground and knelt down: "The minister is sincere and fearful, he only dares to show his respect and act according to the order, how dare he sell any private goods!"

Chen Tingjing, Gao Shiqi, Zhang Ying and others also knelt on the ground.

The emperor smiled and said: "Okay, I just remind you a few words, don't say anything, you are just like this. Hey, Zhang Ying, why don't you talk?"

Zhang Ying replied: "Report to the emperor, I only say what I know, and only do what I have to do!"

The emperor nodded for a while and said, "Okay, Zhang Ying is a man of duty."

That night, Zhang Qian first went to Mingzhu's mansion to express his thanks, and then went to Gao Shiqi's house, where Yu Ziyi happened to be present.Gao Shiqi then said: "Brother Zhang Qian, don't thank me so much, Ziyi has helped you a lot!"

Zhang Qian cupped his hands towards Yu Ziyi: "Thank you Brother Yu, Zhang Qian will repay you!"

Yu Ziyi was very humble: "Yu will do what Mr. Gao ordered, how can he deserve a thank you from Mr. Zhang!"

Gossiping for a long time, Gao Shiqi pretended to think of it suddenly, and said, "Brother Zhang Qian, I have something to say. Ziyi relies on business for his living, and he borrowed the money. You have to accept the interest!"

Zhang Qian quickly nodded and said: "It's only natural to borrow money and pay interest!"

Yu Ziyi said, "I'm so sorry!" Seeing that it was getting late, Zhang Qian left.

After sending Zhang Qian away, Yu Ziyi turned around and talked to Gao Shiqi: "Master Gao, I have found a new home for the few shops I bought for you a few days ago, do you think it's time to sell them?"

Gao Shiqi said: "If the price is good, let's sell it. Ziyi, if you do business for me, the most important thing is to keep your mouth shut."

Yu Ziyi whispered: "Don't worry, Mr. Gao, no one knows that my business is your old man's business."

Gao Shiqi asked: "Ziyi, is your butler reliable?"

Yu Ziyi said: "It's reliable, he is a person who is determined."

Gao Shiqi nodded and pondered for a long time, and said, "He came to the door several times with you, but I have never seen him. Since he is such a loyal person, let him come in and sit down."

Yu Ziyi said: "I dare not let the people below be presumptuous in front of Mr. Gao!"

But Gao Shiqi said: "Informal, let him in. Call... what is his name?"

Yu Ziyi replied, "Kuang Xiaomao."

Not long after, Kuang Xiaomao came in with a bow and bowed: "The little one pays homage to Mr. Gao, and the little one thanks Mr. Gao for looking down on the little one! The little one is willing to work like a cow for Mr. Gao!"

Gao Shiqi said: "Kuang Xiaomao, don't be so petty. It's rare that you are so loyal, and I like people like you. From now on, you don't have to be so formal, just come in and sit down."

Kuang Xiaomao just kowtowed: "The little one is loyal to Mr. Gao!"

Gao Shiqi said: "Okay, don't just kowtow, raise your face and let the old man see you."

Kuang Xiaomao timidly raised his head, only dared to glance at Gao Shiqi's face, and then hurriedly avoided it.Gao Shiqi looked easy-going, but the more he laughed, the lower Kuang Xiaomao buried his head, and soon fell to the ground again.

(End of this chapter)