Appointing Officials

It only takes the time to write an article, just a morning’s worth. Lü Shilang had the clerks anonymize the six people’s articles. After Zheng Shanci finished writing, he left the Ministry of Personnel. 

Fang Jue and the others looked at everything in the Imperial Palace with curiosity and envy. Zheng Shanci slowed his pace, also observing the palace.

“Ye Shizi, wait for me, Your Highness. Today, you spoke up righteously, allow me to express my gratitude,” a young official in a green robe caught up with Ye Yunchu.

Ye Yunchu replied, “I only spoke up because you made a good point, all for the prosperity of Da Yan. Liang Daren, you’re being too polite.”

After speaking, Ye Yunchu left with a faint smile on his lips, exuding the grace and elegance of a gentleman. Fang Jue and the others lowered their heads to avoid him.

Zheng Shanci walked faster than them and didn’t encounter Ye Yunchu. Once he exited the palace, he saw vendors outside shouting their wares. He found a noodle shop.

“Young Master, what kind of noodles would you like?”

“Wonton noodles.”

“Alright, Young Master, please wait a moment.”

While waiting for his noodles, Zheng Shanci felt a bit more relaxed. Tomorrow, the Ministry of Personnel would announce the results and send a clerk to deliver the good news. Zheng Shanci was confident but still cautious.

After paying for his noodles, he headed back. With his purse light, he needed to stay in the Capital City for a while longer and wanted to find some short-term work. Although copying books was his forte, it was mentally taxing, and he couldn’t finish a book in this period.

Lost in thought, a hand landed on his shoulder: “Brother Zheng, what are you thinking about?”

Cui Ziqi spoke with a smile. He had just left his residence, went to a wine shop, drank some wine, listened to some opera, found it boring, and decided to return home. On the way, he spotted Zheng Shanci, his eyes lighting up.

Zheng Shanci replied, “Looking for some short-term work.”

“Brother Zheng, once you get married, you won’t have to worry about these things.”

Zheng Shanci shook his head, “It’s always better to earn your own money.”

His earnest demeanor made people sigh. Cui Ziqi, though a playboy, owned several shops. Seeing Zheng Shanci, he surprisingly didn’t mock him but instead said, “Well, Jin Yi Ge is short of someone to watch the shop. Just greet the customers when they come. I’ll give you four taels of silver a month.”

“Brother Cui, I might only work for half a month.”

Cui Ziqi waved his hand, “Up to you.”

Cui Ziqi, in high spirits, took Zheng Shanci to Jin Yi Ge and introduced him to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper, seeing that the young master brought him, dared not neglect him, agreeing readily while thinking he should be treated like an ancestor.

Zheng Shanci cupped his hands, “Thank you, Brother Cui.”

“What’s the trouble? Just do your job well. I’m going back to sleep.” Cui Ziqi was a bit taken aback by Zheng Shanci’s attitude, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The silver he casually tipped the waiter when drinking was more than two taels.

Jin Yi Ge was the most popular clothing shop in Shengjing, and the shopkeeper explained some things to note.

“Young Master Zheng, just bring the customers over.”

Zheng Shanci nodded.

The shopkeeper asked Zheng Shanci to come the next day.

…

Lü Shilang and the remaining two officials from the Ministry of Personnel were responsible for selecting the new County Magistrate for Xinfeng County. Lü Shilang was impartial, and no one could gain any advantage from him.

He glanced at the articles in his hand, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He marked one with an A grade.

After the two officials reviewed the six articles, they passed them back to Lü Shilang.

The same article received three A grades.

Lü Shilang remembered that the position of Xinfeng County Magistrate only invited six scholars without official positions. The article was straightforward and incisive, truly a good piece.

“In that case, I’ll sign my name too.”

The names of the two officials were already on it, and Lü Shilang added his own, for accountability in case of issues. A clerk stepped forward and removed the anonymity.

“Zheng Shanci? It’s him.”

Zheng Shanci’s name was known in Shengjing due to his connection with the Changyang Marquis Mansion.

Lü Shilang was surprised, as the writing ability didn’t match his status as a third-class scholar. Lü Shilang remained silent, instructing the clerk to proceed.

The two officials also murmured to themselves, saluted Lü Shilang, and left.

“The position of Xinfeng County Magistrate is a hot potato, with no achievements to gain, in a poor and dangerous area, and has had several bandit incidents.”

“Yes, everyone avoids it. Initially, a second-class scholar was assigned, but he fell ill due to acclimatization issues and had to withdraw.”

They spoke quietly, knowing the announcement would be posted tomorrow, and they couldn’t leak the news.

Even though he’s about to become the son-in-law of the Changyang Marquis, he still has to endure hardship in Xinfeng County.

Yu Changxing was patrolling the palace, aware that today was the Ministry of Personnel’s assessment day. He saw the two officials walking side by side, talking. He pondered, thinking the position in Xinfeng County was too low after the Changyang Marquis sought connections in the Ministry of Personnel.

Emperor Wu Ming tightly controlled official positions, and even with a valid reason, it was hard to place someone. After the triennial exams, few positions were left. Staying in the capital would lead to gossip, and Yu Lanyi’s impulsive nature might cause trouble.

It all depended on whether Zheng Shanci could rise to the occasion.

After his shift, Yu Changxing returned home to find Yu Lanyi still sulking. The Changyang Marquis and Yu Fulang pretended not to notice, leaving Yu Lanyi at home to embroider his wedding clothes. Yu Lanyi, not skilled in embroidery, abandoned it halfway.

“Big Brother, I need to talk to you.”

After dinner, Yu Lanyi called out to Yu Changxing.

Yu Changxing stopped and nodded.

The two went to the garden, and Yu Lanyi looked up at his brother, “Big Brother, I’ve run out of pocket money.”

Yu Changxing was prepared, giving Yu Lanyi twenty taels of silver, “I recently bought a knife, so there’s not much left.”

Yu Lanyi tucked the twenty taels into his sleeve.

Yu Changxing patted his head, “If you run out of money, just charge it to me when you’re out.”

Yu Lanyi replied, “I’m not that irresponsible.”

His eyes darted, thinking of his horse at the stable, “Big Brother, can I take my horse with me after I get married?”

Yu Changxing assured him, “Of course you can.”

Yu Lanyi smiled, “That’s good.”

He wanted to say more but held back. From the attitudes of the Changyang Marquis and Yu Fulang, he knew he had to marry, so he didn’t want to trouble his brother.

Thinking of Zheng Shanci’s stingy nature, Yu Lanyi, holding twenty taels, walked lightly. His family was wealthy, and he wouldn’t spend it on that miserly man.

As he left the garden, he saw Yu Shiyan. Yu Lanyi smirked; recently, Ye Yunchu had been inviting Yu Shiyan out, and he hadn’t seen much of him. Now he finally caught him.

“Second Brother,” Yu Shiyan called softly.

Yu Lanyi crossed his arms, “I can’t accept that title. I don’t have a brother like you, so don’t try to get close.” He glanced at Yu Shiyan, noticing the new, beautiful hairpin he wore.

“You’ve really got skills, making Ye Yunchu dance to your tune.”

Yu Shiyan touched the hairpin on his head, his tone calm, “Second Brother, you’re joking. Ye Shizi and I are just friends. You’re about to get married, so focus on your wedding clothes and don’t worry about others, lest you stress yourself out.”

“So what if I’m getting married? I’ll still be the legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion!”

Yu Shiyan nodded perfunctorily, bowed, and left.

Yu Lanyi was fuming.

If Yu Shiyan really marries Ye Yunchu, I’ll be so mad.

Yu Lanyi clenched his fists.

Back home, Zheng Shanci was unaware of the Yu brothers’ argument. He had a good night’s sleep. The next day, someone knocked on his door. Zheng Shanci opened it to find a small official.

The clerk held a tray with a blue official robe. A seventh-rank county magistrate wore a blue robe, and the tray also held an official seal.

“Congratulations, Young Master Zheng. You passed the assessment. Here are your official robe and seal, along with travel documents and the court’s appointment letter. Please keep them safe. The Ministry of Personnel asks you to depart for your post this month. Though it’s a bit tough, Xinfeng County urgently needs someone in charge. Please forgive us.”

Zheng Shanci cupped his hands, “I will follow orders.”

“Then I won’t disturb you further, Zheng Daren.”

After seeing off the official, Zheng Shanci hung up the robe. The tray contained two sets of robes, a pair of boots, and an official hat.

He smiled, having secured the county magistrate position. He looked forward to his time in Xinfeng County. For now, he couldn’t delay and needed to work at Jin Yi Ge.

After putting everything away, he headed to Jin Yi Ge.

Jin Yi Ge was luxurious, frequented by the wealthy and powerful. Customers didn’t hesitate to spend a hundred taels on a garment.

Zheng Shanci guided these noble customers into the pavilion.

Some Furen, seeing his good looks, playfully teased him.

“Young man, with such good looks and extraordinary demeanor, why work as a clerk at Jin Yi Ge?” The Furen laughed, covering her mouth.

The shopkeeper’s eyelid twitched, fearing Zheng Shanci’s scholarly pride might make him reveal his ambitions, and then he’d leave, costing Jin Yi Ge a big client.

Zheng Shanci replied, “Furen, you’re too kind.”

The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief.

The Furen laughed and said no more.

Many young ladies and Ge’er in the boudoir stole glances at Zheng Shanci.

Working at Jin Yi Ge was quite easy for Zheng Shanci.

After leaving Jin Yi Ge, Zhang Furen went to the Changyang Marquis Mansion. She was Yu Fulang’s sister, married into a prominent family. Today, she came to add to Yu Lanyi’s dowry. Yu Lanyi was the first of their generation to marry.

She had seen Zheng Shanci’s portrait and recognized him.

Zhang Furen shared the amusing story from Jin Yi Ge with Yu Fulang, who smiled, “Shanci is an honest child.”

The Changyang Marquis family was a large one, and Yu Fulang’s family was also prominent. The Duke of England’s Mansion had three legitimate children, with Yu Fulang being the youngest.

They would need to get to know him better in the future to avoid offending anyone.