Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 60: The Original Person
With Wang Chen's warm hospitality, Zhang Yu settled down in the mansion and visited Wang Yun's wife and Wang Chen's wife, Song.

In the evening, Wang Gai returned from the Secretariat and learned that Zhang Yu was coming, so he gave him a warm welcome.

In the elegant hall, Wang Chen was the oldest and sat in the main seat, while Wang Gai and Zhang Yu were younger and sat on the left and right. Each of the three had a table. On the table was a pot of rice wine, seven dishes of meat and vegetables, and a portion of meat soup, which was quite rich.

Since it was their first meeting, the three of them mostly asked and answered questions, pretending to get to know each other. Only when they talked about Wang Hong and Wang Yun did they talk more.

During this period, in order to verify whether there was the beautiful Diao Chan in Wang Yun's mansion, Zhang Yu had been secretly observing the maids in the mansion and even asked "Ren Hongchang" indirectly.

After some investigation, Zhang Yu found that not only were there no Diao Chan and Ren Hongchang, but there were also few good-looking maids. It was obvious that Wang Yun was very strict in managing his family and did not want his sons to hang out with the maids in the mansion to prevent them from indulging in alcohol and sex.

As the atmosphere became lively, Wang Chen took a sip of rice wine and asked, "Ji An was selected as a filial and honest official. Do you know about the annual selection?"

"Have heard a little bit!"

Zhang Yu did not hide anything and said truthfully: "The annual examinations test the classics, the Confucian scholars are tested on the family law, and the civil officials are tested on the writing and reporting. Yu entered the government as an official, and he should be tested on the writing and reporting. However, Yu focuses on military affairs and has little knowledge of the classics, so he is very worried about the annual examinations."

"It was not difficult in previous years, but I don't know what the situation will be like this year?" Wang Chen looked at Wang Gai and asked.

Wang Gai stroked his short beard and chanted, saying, "The annual examination is conducted by the Shangshu Ling. This year, the Shangshu Ling was originally Yang Gong, but because he was transferred to the post of Tingwei, Liu Ziqi (Liu Tao) was promoted to Shangshu Ling for the third time. However, because Liu Lingjun has always hated eunuchs, Your Majesty wants to remove Liu Lingjun and replace him with someone else."

"According to the rumors in Taichung, Zhang Jue rebelled and Hebei was in turmoil. Except for Ganling, all other counties were infested with bandits. Therefore, Your Majesty thought that Liu Yu, the Prime Minister of Ganling, had made contributions to the governance of the people and wanted to appoint him as the Minister of the Chancellery. If Liu Ganling is appointed as the Minister of the Chancellery, I wonder if the content of the annual election will be changed."

After a pause, Wang Gai got to the point and said, "Recently, Ji'an has been studying the classics with Zhengxiang, and I have been helping Ji'an keep an eye on changes in the Shangshutai."

Wang Chen pondered for a moment and asked, "I heard that the eunuchs have annual examinations, I wonder ~"

Wang Gai's face changed slightly, and he said sternly: "Father has always hated eunuchs, how can you spend money to buy the answer sheet? Moreover, if Ji'an can't even pass the annual examination, what's the point of being selected as a filial and honest official? If outsiders find out, where will Ji'an and my Wang family's face be?"

Wang Gai's personality is similar to his father Wang Yun. Although he is flexible in his actions, his bottom line is quite strict. Buying answers from eunuchs is a violation of integrity.

Wang Chen looked unhappy and said, "After all, Ji'an is not good at studying classics. If he fails in the annual examination, wouldn't it be a waste of effort?"

Seeing that the two kings were about to quarrel, Zhang Yu interrupted them and said with a smile: "Although I have little experience in classics, I am not unlearned. Now I would like to trouble you to help me find out about this year's annual elections, and I would like to trouble you to give me some advice on classics."

"good!"

Seeing Zhang Yu speak like this, the atmosphere relaxed slightly.

After chatting for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Wang Gai left first, saying that he had official business the next day.

After Wang Gai left, Wang Chen smiled and said, "Bo Guang and your uncle have similar personalities. They both do what they should and don't do what they shouldn't. Don't worry about the annual election. I'll take you to see Yuan Benchu tomorrow."

"I have come to Luoyang City today. If I don't pay my respects to Yuan Jun Benchu, it would be a pity!"

"But Yuan Shao of Runan?"

Zhang Yu was slightly surprised. He didn't expect Yuan Shao to be so famous that even his brother-in-law Wang Chen was his friend.

"Of course!"

Wang Chen wiped his hands and said, "Yuan Benchu has always loved scholars, regardless of their status, and treated them with courtesy. All the outstanding people in the city are eager to visit him. Ji'an is a hero from the north. With your martial arts and talent, Yuan will treat you with courtesy."

"Then why don't you see Yuan Gonglu?" Zhang Yu asked back.

Wang Chen raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "Although Yuan Gonglu and Yuan Benchu have a brotherly relationship, Yuan Gonglu has always looked down on Yuan Benchu. If I visit Yuan Benchu first and then visit Yuan Gonglu, I am afraid that Yuan Gonglu will be dissatisfied."

After a pause, Wang Chen said, "Ji'an has just arrived, so it is inconvenient to offend too many people. You can go to visit Yuan Gonglu. However, I have known Yuan Jun for a long time, so it is inconvenient for me to have too much interaction with Yuan Gonglu!"

Zhang Yu smiled bitterly in his heart. He thought he had to choose between the eunuchs and the scholar team, but now when making friends in Luoyang, he had to choose between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao. This was a little unexpected for him.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow!"

Zhang Yu responded vaguely and planned to make a decision tomorrow depending on the situation.

Although Yuan Shu is known as a fierce ghost on the road, he will at least be a local lord in the future. If you can make friends with him, it will definitely help your future.

After the banquet, Zhang Yu washed up and went to sleep in the room arranged for him by the king's palace. The bed was so comfortable and soft that Zhang Yu, who had been tired from long-term military service, fell asleep as soon as he touched the pillow.

The next day, the eldest brother-in-law went to the Shaofu to check in and take a stroll, then took Zhang Yu to visit Yuan Shao.

It must be said that the eldest brother-in-law Wang Chen was very enthusiastic. Before going to visit Yuan Shao, he took Zhang Yu to Liujiu City to spend some money. In order to broaden Zhang Yu's horizons, he even took Zhang Yu to walk around Zhangtai Street. Zhangtai Street is the name of a street in Luoyang City, the capital of the capital. It is similar to the red-light district in later generations. Many brothels will be opened on Zhangtai Street. Therefore, in the Han Dynasty, "Zou Ma Zhangtai" means visiting a brothel.

As for why we use "zouma" (walking horse), it has a similar meaning to "zoumaguandeng" (walking horse viewing lanterns).

In order to attract customers, beautiful prostitutes would sit behind curtains. When someone drove by or rode by, the prostitutes would lift the curtains, pose and attract potential customers.

As for why they didn't just lift it up, it was purely because they were afraid that the poor would be greedy, and that the nobles wouldn't see it.

If you enter a brothel, unless you actively request a name, the beautiful prostitute will not appear for you to choose. Instead, she will make various graceful poses behind the thin curtains under the candlelight to attract the rich man to spend money.

After leaving Zhangtai Street, Wang Chen warned him seriously, "Jian, you can't come to Zhangtai Street casually. Don't go the wrong way in the future."

"Naturally!"

Seeing Wang Chen's serious warning, Zhang Yu couldn't help but wonder, "Does my brother-in-law often come to Zhangtai Street to have fun under the pretext of taking the wrong road?"

After visiting the sixty-nine cities, upon learning that Yuan Shao had returned home, Wang Chen took Zhang Yu to pay a visit.

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Yuan Shao was recruited by He Jin and appointed as the Imperial Censor. Although he was called "four generations of three officials", Yuan Shao did not live in the six-nine cities in order to recruit talents more conveniently, but also lived in the southern suburbs.

Upon learning that Wang Chen was bringing people to visit him, Yuan Shao was humble and even took the initiative to go to the gate to greet him, surrounded by his retainers.

"Zhengxiang!"

“Brother Benchu!”

However, a handsome man with outstanding temperament took Wang Chen's arm and asked, "Who is this gentleman?"

Wang Chen smiled and said, "It's my brother-in-law, Zhang Yu, Zhang Ji'an."

"I am Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu, nice to meet Mr. Zhang." Yuan Shao was humble and had no airs. He took the initiative to talk to him, saying, "I have heard that you are a great archer. If I am lucky enough to meet you in the future, I will learn from you."

"Don't dare!"

Zhang Yu was surprised that Yuan Shao would show such courtesy to him. He immediately returned the courtesy and said, "I have heard of Mr. Yuan's name a long time ago. I am honored to meet you today. You are truly a great gentleman!"

Yuan Shao laughed a few times and said, "You are so beautiful!"

"please!"

At Yuan Shao's invitation, everyone entered the courtyard together.

In order to take care of Zhang Yu, Yuan Shao asked the miscellaneous guests to go and eat by themselves, and only allowed Feng Ji, Xu You and other friends to sit down.

After introducing each other, Yuan Shao took the initiative to speak: "When Shao was writing to Meng De, he mentioned Ji'an to me. He said that during the Battle of Changsha, General Huangfu was surrounded by Bo Cai and cut off from the reinforcements. He sent people to contact him many times but failed."

"Shi Ji'an was ordered to go alone and rode into the Yellow Turban Army camp alone, galloping on his horse, rushing back and forth as if he was in an empty space. Thanks to Ji'an's bravery and his ability to connect the inside and outside, we were able to achieve the great victory in Changsha!"

Yuan Shao praised the others, saying, "Your archery skills are superb, beyond the reach of ordinary people; your courage and bravery can only be matched by the Tiger Guards!"

"I really don't deserve Yuan Jun's praise!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "I just took advantage of the enemy's laxity and shot down a few of them with the advantage of my horse's speed, so that I could successfully communicate with them."

Yuan Shao nodded slightly and said, "Now that Ji'an has come to Luoyang to serve as an official, it is inevitable that he will have conflicts with the eunuchs. If you have any difficulties, just tell me, and I will do my best to help you."

Wang Chen said in support, "When the Party disaster started, many scholars fled. Those who were poor and destitute were helped by Brother Benchu; those who were arrested were hidden by Brother Benchu. It was only because of Brother Benchu's support for the needy that many scholars were able to escape the Party disaster."

Yuan Shao smiled slightly, waved his hand and said: "I am just protecting the heroes of the country. There is no need to talk about the past."

Although Yuan Shao became the hope of the world due to everyone's flattery, he actually did a lot of things.

In the past, Yuan Shao did a lot of illegal things to protect his party members. What he did in the past undoubtedly accumulated a lot of reputation for Yuan Shao, especially since the people he saved were scholars who controlled the power of public opinion.

These scholars who were helped by Yuan Shao would naturally help spread Yuan Shao's good name. In addition, Yuan Shao himself was handsome and courteous to scholars, which really attracted many scholars.

And when Zhang Yu met Yuan Shao today, he had to admit that Yuan Shao was extremely charming!
　I went to dinner tonight, so the update is really late!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)