Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 68 Paying Homage to the Magistrate of Zheng County
Attending court meetings was a reward for the officials who performed well during the "observing government" period. By allowing everyone to attend court meetings, it was hoped that this would encourage Zhang Yu, Yuan Mi, Dong Zhao and other six officials to work diligently and be appointed to central government positions as soon as possible.

The day after he attended the court meeting, the Secretariat had some changes regarding the official positions of the officials. Zhang Yu received a notice from the Secretariat, and under the guidance of Deng Guang, he came to the meeting hall alone.

In the hall, Shangshu Ling Liu Yu was kneeling on the main couch, and next to him was an unfamiliar official. Judging from his clothes, he should be Liu Yu's deputy Shangshu Pushe Feng Fang.

"Student Zhang Yu pays homage to Liu Lingjun and Feng Pushe."

Zhang Yu remembered Deng Guang's instructions, regarded himself as a student to the two men, and attended the worship meeting as a subordinate.

This is considered a tradition of the Shangshu Tai. That's why the Yuan family became a family with three dukes in four generations, and their students and former officials are spread all over the world. Even Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, was a disciple of the Yuan family.

The main reason was the control over the appointment of the officials in the Secretariat. Before being sent out, the officials would pay a visit to the chief official and regard themselves as students, forming a weak teacher-student and superior-subordinate relationship.

As long as the chief official has not fallen, even if the officials have gone out to take up new posts, in order to advance themselves, they will use this relationship to curry favor with the chief official. This is similar to the teacher-student relationship during the imperial examination system.

"Jian, no need to be polite!"

"sit!"

Liu Yu was nearly fifty years old, with a kind and amiable face, and his demeanor made people feel like spring breeze.

In Zhang Yu's eyes, Liu Yu was one of the few good officials in the court. Besides being flexible in political tactics, he was able to keep himself clean. Not only did he not engage in corruption or accept bribes, he also cared about the people and ruled fairly.

Liu Yu flipped through Zhang Yu's files and said, "Today I was summoned to Ji'an. Do you know what it is about?"

Zhang Yu said respectfully, "I have heard a little bit about it. It should be a matter of the official's posting outside the palace."

"Ok!"

Liu Yu smiled and asked, "Do you have any requests for your position?"

After a pause, Liu Yu added: "The appointment of an official is not a one-sided decision. Sometimes you need to listen to the official's heart. Ji'an, just say whatever you want, no need to be restrained!"

"Hmm~"

Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "To be honest, sir, my hometown is Yunzhong, and my fiancée is in Taiyuan. I hope to be able to take up the position nearby."

"Of course, if there is no suitable position, I am willing to work in a nearby state or county!"

"It's a pity to go to Bingzhou to take up a post!"

Liu Yu said to Feng Fang beside him with a smile: "Ji'an is good at archery and horse riding, has military strength, and can speak the Hu language. Logically, it is appropriate for him to serve in the border counties, but considering Ji'an's first place, he should be assigned to an inner county!"

Feng Fang stroked his beard and chanted, saying: "There are many vacancies in the counties of Hebei Province. It would be better to let Ji'an take up the post in Jizhou. Jizhou is close to Bingzhou, which can also be regarded as Ji'an's wish to be close to his hometown!"

"Most of the counties in Hebei are inner counties, which is not conducive to Ji'an displaying his talents!" Liu Yu said.

"What do you mean, sir?" Feng Fang asked.

Liu Yu pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Ji'an can be appointed to Guanzhong. Guanzhong has a large population and is now being attacked by rebels. The three prefectures are in turmoil and the people are in panic. Ji'an is both civil and military. If he is appointed as the magistrate in Guanzhong, he can not only appease the people, but also coordinate civil and political affairs and establish meritorious service."

Listening to Liu and Feng discussing his job position, Zhang Yu did not speak, but waited quietly. After all, where he would go and what position he would take needed to be discussed by the two of them. If his words were useful, he would have been arranged to work in Bingzhou long ago.

After discussing for a while, Liu Yu said, "Zheng County under Jingzhao Yin lacks good officials. Therefore, after the resignation of the magistrate of Zheng County, due to poor governance, the government affairs in the county have been in a state of disarray."

"Yin Shou Changqia has submitted many memorials to the emperor, asking for good officials to be appointed as county magistrates, but the court has been busy with various matters and has no time to take care of it. Therefore, Yin Shou Changqia sent Gongcao from the county to Zheng County to temporarily manage the county's affairs."

"Jian is a man of both civil and military talents. It would be better for him to be appointed as the magistrate of Zheng County, to take care of the government affairs of Zheng County and appease the people in the territory."

Zheng County (now Weinan City) is located south of the Wei River, on the Xiaohan Pass, and is a must-pass place for entering and exiting Guanxi from Guandong.

Feng Fang hesitated for a while and said, "Jingzhao is the capital of the country, and there are more than 10,000 households in Zheng County. Ji'an has just been a palace official, and he is only a young man. Is it too much to entrust him with such an important position?"

"You are wrong, the Minister of Justice is wrong. Extraordinary things require extraordinary people!"

Liu Yu admired Zhang Yu very much and said, "Among the officials this year, only Ji'an has extraordinary insights and outstanding talents, which are beyond the reach of ordinary officials. Zheng County has been without good officials for a long time. The first thing is to be harmonious with civil affairs, rather than to be entangled in the selection of people."

"I am willing to listen to your words!" Feng Fang said.

Liu Yu looked at Zhang Yu and said with a smile, "How is Ji'an?" Zhang Yu was overjoyed, bowed and said, "I am a student with little knowledge, thank you for your appreciation!"

Normally, when a Langguan was appointed to a local post, he could only be appointed as a county magistrate or county chief historian. However, Zhang Yu was directly appointed as the magistrate of Zheng County at the age of twenty, which was a very high starting point for his career.

It should be noted that after being recommended as a filial and incorruptible official, Gongsun Zan temporarily served as the county chief historian. Because he became famous for killing the Hu people, he was appointed as the magistrate of Zhuo County.

Zhang Yu was appointed as a county magistrate at a young age, which was similar to Yuan Shao's early career. It could be said to be a dream start.

Liu Yu stepped down from the couch, helped Zhang Yu up, and said with a smile: "Ji'an and I have the same name, and our characters are similar to each other. I hope Ji'an can work hard and do his best. I will be waiting for Ji'an in the court."

Liu Yu's courtesy name was Bo'an, and his name was similar to Zhang Yu's. So after Zhang Yu submitted a memorial to refute Zou Jing, Liu Yu could not help but admire Zhang Yu's outstanding appearance, lofty ambitions, and quick thinking. It was because of this admiration that he gave him encouragement today.

"Thank you for your encouragement. I will keep your words in mind!" said Zhang Yu.

"good!"

Liu Yu sat back on the couch and said, "The previous county magistrate has not been in charge of government affairs for a long time, and there are many documents accumulated. After Ji'an takes office, he needs to deal with it as soon as possible to avoid resentment from the people. In addition, the three prefectures are in chaos due to war, and Ji'an needs to appease the people in the territory."

"promise!"

After chatting for a few more words, Zhang Yu walked away.

After a while, an eunuch came to tell Zhang Yu that the magistrate of Zheng County was an official position with an official salary of 800 stones, and he needed to pay 4 million coins before he could take up the post in Zheng County.

Of course, perhaps knowing that Zhang Yu had no money at the moment, the eunuch very humanely provided a credit service, saying that he could wait until Zhang Yu took office before paying the full four million coins to Xiyuan.

Although Zhang Yu was not told directly about the corruption, he had hinted that he could do so after taking office, thereby filling the hole of four million yuan.

Zhang Yu was unwilling to pay the money, but for the sake of his own future, he had no choice but to agree to collect four million within half a month.

Zhang Yu could not come up with the money on his own. When he pacified the Yellow Turbans in Runan, he only obtained 700,000 coins in spoils of war, which was still a long way from 4 million coins.

Fortunately, in recent years, Zhang Ji had made a lot of money from trade with the Xianbei. After some scraping together of money, Zhang Ji helped Zhang Yu come up with 2.5 million yuan, and his uncle Zhang Yang personally escorted him south.

As for the remaining shortfall of 800,000 coins, Wang Hong said that the Wang family would help pay for this part of the money.

First he was appointed as a state official, then he was selected as a filial and honest official, and then he gave Wang 800,000 yuan. Wang treated Zhang Yu very well, and it would be difficult for Zhang Yu to repay him. He only said that when Zhang Yu became successful or had a foundation, he would repay Wang.

Now that he had the money to take office, Zhang Yu began to wonder where the Secretariat would arrange for Zhong Yao, Yuan Mi, Dong Zhao and others to take office.

At the end of the first day, the whereabouts of Dong Zhao and Yuan Mi were revealed. Dong Zhao was appointed as the county magistrate of Yingtao in Julu County, and Yuan Mi was appointed as the magistrate of Juye in Shanyang County.

Although Dong Zhao seemed to be appointed as the county magistrate and his status was not as high as Yuan Mi, Zhang Yu and others, in fact, as the seat of Julu County, Yingtao County had a status that was incomparable to ordinary counties. Although there was a gap between him and the county magistrate, it was not big.

Yuan Mi's appointment as Juye Ling was basically expected by everyone. With Yuan Mi's family background, if he wanted, he could even stay in the Shangshutai as an official.

The next day, it was Zhong Yao's turn to be appointed. Because Zhong Yao showed outstanding political ability and was deeply appreciated by Liu Yu, he was unexpectedly appointed as the magistrate of Yangling County.

Yangling County is located in Guanzhong and is under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Yin. It is the location of the tomb of Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi, and has a population of over 10,000 households.

Zhang Yu was appointed as the magistrate of Zheng County because of his outstanding performance in "observing politics". Zhong Yao was appreciated by Liu Yu and appointed as the magistrate of Yangling County after only chatting with him for half a day, which shows that Zhong Yao had excellent political ability.

Except for Zhong Yao who was unexpectedly promoted, most of the Langguan on the second day were appointed as county magistrates, chief secretaries, and county magistrates.

The most unlucky person among them was Yang Zan, who spoke carelessly in the court. He could have been granted the title of county magistrate or county chief, but was exiled to be the county chief of Lucheng County in Yanmen County.

It is obvious that Liu Yu was very dissatisfied with what Yang Zan did that day, and demoted him today as a punishment for him.

The sharp contrast between Zhong Yao's strong counterattack and Yang Zan's self-inflicted consequences was enough to make all the officials remember it in their hearts.

For Zhang Yu, being able to serve as a county magistrate under Jingzhao Yin together with Zhong Yao was a coincidence among coincidences. After all, it was a coincidence that the two of them could serve as officials in the guest department together, and they did not expect that they would go west together to serve.

"Book of Tang·Biography 4" records: "…At that time, Taizu followed Wang Yun in Yingchuan. Although Wang Yun was older, he saw that Gaozu was an extraordinary person, so he became close to him. Wang Yun served as a palace official with Taizu and traveled west to Jingzhao with Taizu, serving as the magistrate of Yangling County."

(End of this chapter)