The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 54: No one knows anyone below the state level!

Upon arriving in Bian Jing, Chu Hong's first thing was naturally to visit his mentor, father-in-law, and all his good friends and old officials.

Jiying Lane

On this day, the gate of Sheng Mansion was wide open, and Sheng Hong, a doctor of the Ministry of Works, was waiting at the gate in full dress early in the morning. His wife Wang, eldest son Sheng Changbai, and second son Sheng Changfeng were also waiting respectfully.

Even the old lady of the Sheng family, who was born in the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, was watching at the gate.

It looked like some distinguished guest was about to visit.

"Grandma, here they come, my eldest brother-in-law and eldest sister are here."

Sheng Rulan, who had been looking around, suddenly brightened up and pointed happily at a car that came into view for the first time.

Sheng Hong was immediately shocked when he heard this, but the carriage was too far away for him to see clearly. "Ruru, look carefully, is that the one?"

"That's the one with the purple tassels. How come it's not a carriage that only a third-rank official can ride in?"

Sheng Rulan hummed and looked towards Sheng Molan on the left with some pride. In order to steal the limelight from Molan, she specifically asked her grandmother what the carriage of a third-rank official should look like.

Sheng Molan rolled her eyes at Sheng Rulan and, rarely, did not argue. Instead, she looked at the carriage approaching in the distance with a somewhat obsessed look.

A third-rank official, wearing a purple robe!

See those cars watching in the distance?
Just a car is more grand than any effort others make.

This car and its purple tassels are such a show!

Nowadays, everyone in Bianjing secretly calls that man Little Grand Lord, and everyone respects him. How majestic is he?

Sheng Molan secretly clenched her pink handkerchief. If she wanted to be as majestic as her elder sister, it would not be feasible to expect to marry a poor scholar to take care of her husband and children.

After all, even though my eldest brother-in-law was a top scholar and a disciple of the prime minister, he was only able to have such a grand ceremony at the age of 27.

But where in the world could there be another top scholar at the age of 18?

If I marry a young scholar to take care of my husband and children, who knows if that scholar will ever have this day?

Even if there is, how many years will it take to have such a grand occasion?
You have to find someone with a high starting point, so that you will have the possibility of having such a grand occasion early in the future.

You can't look for a civil official, you have to look for a military general or lord.

I also want to have the same status as my big sister!
After about ten breaths, the carriage arrived at the main gate of Sheng Mansion.

Sheng Hong hurriedly trotted forward, intending to pick the person up from the car, but then he felt that he was the father-in-law after all, and doing so would be a bit flattering.

He immediately straightened his collar and greeted him in front of the car in a steady and gentle manner, trying to speak in a calm voice, "My dear son-in-law, it's been six years!"

Chu Hongyi lifted the curtain of the car and took out a cute little kid of about six or seven years old, "Father-in-law, long time no see!"

"Oh, Hua'er, my Hua'er, you are finally back."

Wang Ruofu didn't have as many thoughts as Sheng Hong. She immediately stepped forward, took her daughter's hand and started talking to her, while she also held her little grandson in her arms and admired him very much.

Sheng Hualan also had tears in her eyes and started to tell her story happily.

It has been six years since we last met, which is not a short period of time, so we have endless things to talk about.

Chu Hong smiled, walked forward to greet Old Madam Sheng, and together with Sheng Hong, they supported Old Madam Sheng and walked into the mansion together with smiles.

In the inner hall, curtains separate the seats for men and women.

Sheng Hualan chatted and laughed with her grandmother, while Wang Ruofu happily teased little Chu Rui.

Molan and Rulan fought secretly, while Minglan watched quietly.

Chu Hong was chatting with Sheng Hong, Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng.

"Your Excellency has been governing the country for six years. Liangzhe and Jiangnan East are clean and upright, officials are honest and dedicated, and the people praise you. This is all thanks to your Excellency!"

Sheng Hong held a cup of tea, smiled, and praised Chu Hong's political achievements.

"Father-in-law, you're too kind. I'm just doing what I should do."

Chu Hong smiled slightly. In the past few years, all the officials in Hangzhou had been replaced, and it was now a one-man show.

Those who follow me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish.

They are all one of us, and there are so many of us that naturally one has to rely on one's abilities to get promoted.

Those who are capable and loyal can be promoted.

In this way, at least the common people will not be oppressed, and the government policies will not change every day. The common people can live in peace, with the men farming and the women weaving. This can be considered a clean and upright society, right?

Cough
"By the way, is Old Madam Wang going to bring the Wang family to Beijing?"

Chu Hong suddenly remembered something and looked at Sheng Hong meaningfully.

"Mother-in-law? There is such a rumor. It will be in the second half of next year or the early spring of the year after next. My eldest brother-in-law is a third-rank official in the local government. It is only a matter of time before he goes to Beijing to serve as an official."

Sheng Hong thought about it carefully and realized that this was indeed the case.

The Wang family is now in decline.

In just less than twenty years, the Wang family fell into complete decline.

When Old Master Wang was alive, his students and former officials were all over the world. Although it is a bit exaggerated, it is almost true.

Now, less than twenty years after the old Grand Tutor passed away, the Wang family has fallen into such a state that the highest-ranking official is only of the third rank.

This span is quite large.

As for why the Wang family fell into decline, Sheng Hong also has his own opinion.

First of all, it must be that his elder brother-in-law is incompetent.

Secondly, his mother-in-law has no ability at all, but she wants to hold power in the family.

His mother-in-law is really not a good person. Over the years, she has been reluctant to give up the little power she has in her hands, and relies on the word "filial piety" to keep the Wang family firmly under her control.

But, she is a incompetent person.

The mother-in-law seems extremely cruel, but in fact, that cruelty only applies to the rear house. In the court, she is just showing off her skills.

Sheng Hong had seen high-level games, so he naturally knew that those elegant and gentle scholars in the court were the real ruthless ones.

My mother-in-law is so cruel that it’s not worthy of being mentioned in public!
But he is showing off his skills in front of an expert without even realizing it!

They firmly grasp power, then live off their past achievements without making any progress.

In this case, decline is also normal.

"Why do you ask this, my dear son-in-law?"

Sheng Hong vaguely guessed something.

Chu Hong smiled and said nothing.

When he gradually accepted the power of the Wang family, he was destined to fight with the Wang family.

In fact, this is a win-win situation.

The Wang family has already declined. If the Wang family takes the initiative to help Chu Hong accept the old master Wang's disciples and former officials, those disciples and former officials who are desperate for a future and a support will naturally be grateful to the Wang family, and Chu Hong will also be grateful to the Wang family.

In this way, the Wang family can extend its life for a short period of time, and can also allow the next generation to develop well and see if someone can emerge to restore their glory.

With these disciples and former officials, as well as the support of the Han faction, it is only a matter of time before Chu Hong becomes the prime minister.

This way, it can give back to the Wang family to a certain extent.

This is a win-win situation. It can make Chu Hong's career easier and also help the Wang family out of its predicament.

Unfortunately, Old Mrs. Wang was destined not to agree.

She was just thinking about how to control people and how to display the power and prestige left by Old Master Wang.

The Wang family and the Chu family have a close relationship.

Destined to fight for it!
Speaking of which, Old Lady Wang was able to move Old Grand Tutor Wang out of the Imperial Temple on her own, so she is also a talented person!
Chu Hong did not answer Sheng Hong's words, but looked at Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng.

"How are Changbai and Changfeng doing in school?" Chu Hong put down his tea bowl and chatted casually.

"Mr. Zhuang is very knowledgeable and the lectures are very rewarding."

Sheng Changbai stood up and saluted, then spoke in a steady voice.

"It's a great harvest, and there is great hope that he will pass the imperial examination. Next year, the Spring Scholars at the village may have four more students pass the imperial examination."

Sheng Changfeng was in high spirits and looked confident as he sat on the stool.

In the past few years, the Sheng family invited Master Zhuang to give lectures, and the young master Qi Heng from the Duke of Qi's family and the second son of the Ningyuan Marquis's family, Gu Tingye, both came to seek advice and learn.

"You mean you should try it out when you are preparing for this session?"

"That's right, brother-in-law. The young master and the young marquis are also quite confident. We all plan to give it a try next year."

Chu Hong nodded slightly, "The scientific examination cannot be rushed. Laying a solid foundation and accumulating knowledge are the key. In a few days, I will ask Bu Mu to send over the policy papers of the top three in recent years. You can study them and maybe you will gain something."

"Thank you brother-in-law!"

Chu Hong nodded gently. He actually already knew the outcome of this scientific expedition.

Even with the help of the three top essays in recent years, the imperial examination results of several people are estimated to be similar to the original. Only Sheng Changbai and Gu Tingye can pass it in one go, and the others will have to pass it twice or three times at least.

The main reason is that Sheng Changbai, Sheng Changfeng, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng were all very young when they took the imperial examination.

Even the oldest one, Gu Tingye, is only 25 years old now.

This age is quite young for a Jinshi.

It should be noted that Zhang Juzheng, who was known for extending the life of the Ming Dynasty by fifty years, also passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-one. Among these people, Sheng Changbai is obviously a match for Zhang Juzheng. It would be really outrageous if the others could achieve this at this age.

Scientific examinations require sufficient time and a lot of accumulation. It is very difficult for a young man in his twenties to beat an old man in his forties or fifties.

Sheng Changbai is a genius, so it was natural that he passed the exam at the age of 23. With Chu Hong as his brother-in-law, he should be able to get into the top three.

Gu Tingye is also a capable person. He should not be able to reach the first and second place. The third place is his real ability.

Unfortunately, when he was a child, he spoke up for Yang Wuduan who said "Examinations in the imperial court are not as good as composing lyrics and music", which made the emperor angry and he directly stripped him of his title of Jinshi.

Sheng Changfeng himself was a talented scholar, but due to his youthful vigor, he could not resist the temptation of beauty and he also underestimated the imperial examinations. Even with the help of policy essays, he was still some distance away from passing the imperial examination. He probably would not pass the exam in the second attempt and would have to take at least the third and fourth attempts.

Qi Heng is in love early and wants to pass the imperial examination?

Do you really think that taking the imperial examination is easy and that you can pass it by studying hard before the exam?
Chu Hong had also read several of Qi Heng's essays, which were flashy and superficial. They seemed to be full of flowery words, but contained no practical content. They were just piles of flowery words, with lofty words but no substance.

Qi Heng was born in the Duke's Mansion. His mother, Princess Pingning, was raised by the Empress. The officials and their wives in Bian Jing were also willing to give face to the Empress, and no one dared to offend the Qi family.

Therefore, the Qi family, a Duke's Mansion that had actually declined, could maintain a bit of the dignity that a Duke should have with the help of Princess Pingning.

Qi Heng is still young, and his mother, Princess Pingning, is a person who is too arrogant. As a result, Qi Heng stands too high up and cannot see the people below. He often thinks some problems are too simple, and his words are naive. It would be a miracle if he can hit the mark.

"Master Zhuang was also a Jinshi in his youth, but he had no choice but to teach because his career was not going well. Now that my father-in-law has invited Master Zhuang to come here, it is your chance. You should study hard. With a Jinshi title to your name, your future will naturally be good."

“Our dynasty has always been a flourishing literary dynasty. Although only one in ten officials in the country are Jinshi, most of the people above the county chief are Jinshi, while there are no Jinshi among the petty officials below the county magistrate.

If one does not have the title of Jinshi, his future prospects will probably be a little worse. In matters of promotion, even an outstanding Juren official will find it difficult to compare with a mediocre Jinshi.

You are all suitable for studying. If you study hard and pass the imperial examination, your future will be bright."

Chu Hong took a sip of the tea and stopped there.

Chu Hong is not the kind of person who is unwilling to help his relatives and friends, but if he wants to be helped, he must have the qualifications to do so.

But if there is not even a Jinshi.
For the sake of a small county magistrate, the young cabinet minister personally gave the order to promote him?
I can't afford to lose that person!

Ahem, some of them are too arrogant.

"Brother-in-law is right. My second brother and I will study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination."

Sheng Changfeng looked very excited, and his every move was full of the youthful vigor and vitality of a young man.

"Brother-in-law is right. Changbai will definitely cherish it."

Sheng Changbai nodded steadily. It was extremely difficult to find a Jinshi teacher. Even Qi Heng's mother, Princess Pingning, heard that the Sheng family had a scholar teaching, so she hurriedly sent Qi Heng to the Sheng family to study. The same was true for Gu Tingye from Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion.

"Brother-in-law, you are the top scholar in previous years. Would you mind taking some time to help us take a look and give us some advice?"

Sheng Changfeng turned his eyes and suggested with a smile.

"Well, at the level of Jinshi, no one dares to say that guidance will really work. Some things will only be effective after understanding them.

However, I happen to be not very busy at this time, so it is not a bad idea to talk about it. You can come to my house in a few days and I will tell you about the important tasks and strategies of the imperial examination! "

Chu Hong thought about it and did not refuse.

"Zifeng has returned to the capital to recuperate and take time off. It's rare for him to have some free time. You must study hard when the time comes."

This is Sheng Hong, he is smiling and sipping tea.

Chu Hong smiled and said nothing.

The two sons of the Sheng family are both rare talents, but Sheng Changfeng is too impatient and lacks sophistication. When he experiences more, he will naturally become a talent and be of great use.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't my brother-in-law's official position be adjusted after the imperial examination? Why did you come to Beijing several months in advance?"

Sheng Changfeng suddenly remembered a rumor among the young men in Bian Jing, and asked curiously.

Chu Hong raised his tea and took a sip, then looked at Sheng Changfeng meaningfully, "Because I am the deputy chief examiner for this year!"

"what?!"

"What? The examiner is actually the son-in-law?"

"This time, my brother-in-law is the examiner?"

Sheng Hong, Sheng Changfeng and Sheng Changbai were all a little surprised.

Chu Hong took a sip of tea and patted Sheng Changfeng on the shoulder, "Deputy examiner! That's why I asked you and Changbai to study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination this time!"

"This year's winner is actually my brother-in-law, so my second brother and I are in a safe position this time!"

Sheng Changfeng's face lit up with joy. He really didn't expect that this gossip was actually true.

"What's the point of being so sure? Your paper may not fall into my hands. Even if I really come across your paper, I'm afraid I will have to avoid it.

All you can do is to have some real knowledge, and as your brother-in-law, I can only ensure that you and Changbai are fair in marking the papers."

Chu Hong shook his head slightly. He didn't intend to let Sheng Changfeng become a Jinshi in this session.

The next session, that is, Qi Heng's session, will be the new emperor's special examination, and as expected, he will be the chief examiner as well.

The next term, if nothing unexpected happens, it will probably be him.
With so many opportunities, there will always be one time that Sheng Changfeng will make the list.

Sheng Changfeng is actually a man with great potential, but his temperament needs to be tempered. If he succeeds in one try, he will probably be so angry that he goes to the sky. It would be better to suppress it appropriately.

Moreover, Sheng Changfeng will only be twenty-one years old next year. If he passes the imperial examination, no matter what rank he gets, it will be too conspicuous. At this juncture when Prince Yan is about to rebel, every little thing will be magnified, which is not good.

Compared to Sheng Changfeng's success in the imperial examination, Chu Hong would rather have Sheng Changbai get the first place this time.

Of course, if Sheng Changfeng really has the talent to become a Jinshi, then it would not be a bad idea to give him a mention and create a good story.

"Brother-in-law is right. Fairness and justice are the best."

Sheng Changbai nodded steadily.

"Brother-in-law, what is the test question this time?"

Sheng Changfeng asked about something else.

"No! I just came to Beijing these two days. Yesterday I went to visit my mentor, and today I visited the Yue family. How can I have the time to come up with questions?"

"Chang Feng, don't do these fancy things. When your brother-in-law and I come up with the questions, you will be locked up in the Liyuan and won't be able to leave."

"what"

……

(End of this chapter)