Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 472 Conferring New Position
At dawn, the Song family mansion became lively. Family members got up to wash and feed the horses, prepare the procession, and send off their lord Song Jing and others who needed to go to court. Only then did the family begin to prepare breakfast and start a new day.

Not long after Song Zhuo returned to the capital, he was not yet used to the fast pace of life there. He originally wanted to sleep a little longer, but when he heard the sounds of his family members moving around outside, he felt embarrassed to continue sleeping in. He could only get up quickly, wash up, and then go to the back hall to pay his respects to his grandmother, Cui.

Although Song Jing's sons and their families may not have been harmonious in private, they all had to abide by the rules of the household. While their children and grandchildren might have been frivolous and playful outside, they were all humble and polite at home.

When Song Zhuo arrived at the front of the old lady Cui's hall, several uncles and cousins ​​were already standing there, waiting to enter and pay their respects.

Of Song Jing's seven sons, most of the others, except for the eldest son Song Fu who died young, have grown up, started their own families, and have children. There are also a few who are about the same age as Song Zhuo.

When Song Zhuo arrived, he first greeted his uncles, and then stood among his cousins. He then noticed a distinct sense of disharmony among them. Several cousins ​​of similar age to him had cold faces and avoided eye contact with each other, as if they were enemies.

"What happened?"

Sensing something amiss, Song Zhuo leaned closer to a familiar cousin and whispered a question.

Upon hearing this, the younger cousin pointed to two of them and replied, "My second uncle's family secretly sent money to the Yuwen family, asking them to arrange a position as a Taichang Xielu Lang (a minor official in charge of music and dance). My fourth uncle found out about this, but he went through the connections of General Li's family and seems to have ruined things..."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo couldn't help but sigh inwardly, feeling even more that what his mother had said last night made perfect sense.

His grandfather was an upright official, which was admirable, but he neglected and deliberately suppressed the various desires of his family members. Not all of his family members had noble sentiments. When they saw other powerful families engaging in rampant private schemes, how could they all stand it?
He could only sigh inwardly at these matters, for they were none of his concern. He had just left his post as Pre-Election Officer, and it would be difficult for him to return to the Pre-Election Office without a few years of silence.

Seeing his cousins ​​falling out over an official position, Song Zhuo couldn't help but think of Zhang Dai, the grandson of Zhang Yue, whom he had met the day before, and a sense of envy welled up in his heart.

Of course, he knew that Zhang Dai, who had passed the imperial examinations and topped the list, was more outstanding than his own sons. However, his smooth official career must have been due to the protection and support of his grandfather, Zhang Yan. On the other hand, his own sons did not have such advantages, and sometimes even faced obstacles due to the need to avoid suspicion.

Inside the inner hall, the old lady, Madam Cui, took her seat, and her sons and grandsons filed in to pay their respects. The inner hall could not accommodate so many people, and the old lady also preferred quiet, so she only kept a few of her favorite children and grandsons to accompany her for the meal, while the others went to their respective places.

Song Zhuo was not one of those left behind. After a brief greeting, he took his leave and returned to his own courtyard. He then greeted his stepmother and birth mother before sitting down to eat.

"Your brother will be on leave at the end of the month. Don't forget to pick him up from Hongwen Academy this afternoon. He works hard in his studies, and you have nothing to do at home now, so please take good care of him."

Upon hearing his stepmother's instructions, Song Zhuo quickly put down his chopsticks and respectfully replied, "Yes, ma'am."

Although his father was gone, his grandfather still took good care of their family. When he was only a teenager after the mourning period ended, he was granted a position in the Three Guards through hereditary privilege. After serving as a guard for several years, he was granted an outside post. His younger brother, Song Xiu, was a few years younger than him and was born to his stepmother. He was currently studying at the Hongwen Academy.

After he finished eating and left his room, his half-sister, Song Chunniang, followed him into his room. She then excitedly approached him and asked, "Brother, I heard from Qianniang that you met Jade Bone Zhang Lang during your trip yesterday? What is his character and demeanor like? Is he really as outstanding as the rumors say? Could you take me with you to your next gathering?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo felt a headache coming on and simply waved her hand, saying, "I've only just met Zhang Liulang, how could I know so much about him! You, a young lady, should stay indoors and not try to cause trouble outside!"

"Brother, could you give me some more money? My mother asks for my monthly allowance to pray for blessings in front of the Buddha. The ladies in the other courtyards are all adorned with cosmetics and hairpins, but I am as plain as a servant."

Upon hearing this, the young woman was greatly disappointed, and then she grabbed her brother's arm and pleaded.

Despite his mother's instructions the night before, seeing the girl's pitiful pleading look, Song Zhuo knew she was telling the truth. He couldn't help but take out a string of coins and hand it to her, saying softly, "Use it quietly for your own use. Don't make a fuss about it. Be frugal. Your brother isn't a rich man!"

"Thank you, brother!"

Seeing this, the young woman smiled sweetly, then held her brother's arm and said earnestly, "If I marry into a good family next year, I will definitely not forget to help you, brother!"

Song Zhuo smiled and nodded. Although he felt quite gratified, he was also a little tired. He waved for the young lady to go and sat by the window. He wanted to play a musical instrument for a while, but he was afraid that his stepmother would complain that he was obsessed with vulgar arts. So he took out a musical score and started reading.

Just then, a servant outside called out loudly, "Is Fourth Prince inside?"

"whats the matter?"

Song Zhuo stepped out of the room and asked the servant who had called out.

The servant hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Reporting to Fourth Master, an official has come to the front courtyard, requesting an audience with you."

"You want to see me? Have you misheard me?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo was naturally taken aback. As a retired local official, he had no connections in the Chang'an officialdom except for his own family. He couldn't possibly guess why the official was looking for him.

But when the servant confirmed again that he was indeed looking for him, he hurried toward the front courtyard, still full of doubt. Upon entering the main hall, he saw a minor official in a green robe standing there. He stepped forward and asked, "May I ask your name? And what brings you here to seek me out?"

"This humble servant is an imperial edict messenger under the Ministry of Personnel. There is an imperial edict from the province concerning Young Master Song Zhuo, and this humble servant is ordered to enter the ward to inform him. If Young Master has nothing to do now, please bring your former official register and return to the province with this humble servant immediately to receive the imperial edict!"

When the man saw Song Zhuo approaching and asking, he quickly bowed again and said, "An imperial edict? For me?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo was even more puzzled. However, he dared not be negligent. He quickly apologized and returned to his room to change into new clothes. He then retrieved his official register before leaving his home with the imperial envoy and heading straight for the Ministry of Personnel of the Daming Palace.

Along the way, Song Zhuo inquired with the imperial envoy, but the envoy himself was the lowest-ranking messenger in the province, and he did not know the contents of the imperial edict. He simply led Song Zhuo into the palace.

Arriving outside the Ministry of Personnel within the Daming Palace, Song Zhuo was filled with excitement despite not knowing why he had come. Seeing the magnificent government building and the officials coming and going, he was deeply moved.

This is the central government headquarters of the powerful empire, where his grandfather, Song Jing, served as the head of the Secretariat many years ago! Thinking of this, Song Zhuo felt increasingly excited.

Song Zhuo tried his best to control his excitement and followed the imperial envoy to a government office in the province. The envoy went inside to announce the arrival of the imperial envoy, while Song Zhuo waited outside the hall.

Before long, a summons rang out in the room: "Former official Song Zhuo, enter the hall to receive the imperial edict!"

Song Zhuo hurriedly composed himself and rushed into the hall. Before he could even look around, he bowed his head and stood respectfully in the hall. Immediately, a voice from above read out an imperial edict.

"Xielu Lang? I'm being appointed Xielu Lang?"

After hearing the contents of the imperial edict, Song Zhuo was completely stunned, standing there motionless with an expression of disbelief on his face.

"Song Xielu, why don't you hurry forward to receive the imperial edict and express your gratitude!"

The official from the Secretariat who was reading the imperial edict in the hall saw that Song Zhuo was still standing in the distance, so he immediately spoke up to remind him.

"Your subject... Your subject thanks you..."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo hurriedly stepped forward to receive the imperial edict and then danced to express his gratitude.

Only after he finished expressing his gratitude and taking his leave did he eagerly open the imperial edict, reading the words over and over again, before confirming that it truly was an imperial decree appointing him as the Assistant Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

"What...what's going on? Could it be...father..."

Holding the imperial edict in his hands, Song Zhuo was naturally filled with doubts. The only thing he could think of was that his grandfather, Song Jing, had secretly intervened and helped him secure this position.

But when he returned to Beijing recently, his grandfather advised him to calm down and cultivate his character, without mentioning anything about arranging a new position for him. Moreover, his uncles and cousins ​​were still arguing about it. If it were truly his grandfather's doing, how could such a good thing possibly fall into his lap?
He was both surprised and delighted, but also filled with doubts. Seeing that there were many people in the Ministry of Personnel, he suppressed his emotions and decided to go home first.

After leaving the Secretariat, Song Zhuo clutched the imperial edict tightly to his chest and headed out of the palace somewhat absentmindedly. However, when he was halfway there, he realized that it was already afternoon. Remembering that his stepmother had instructed him to go to the Hongwen Hall to pick up his younger brother, he quickly turned back.

Hongwen Hall is located in a side courtyard of the Secretariat. When Song Zhuo arrived there, he saw many powerful and wealthy servants already waiting for him.

Those who entered Hongwen Academy were all the most powerful and influential children of the time, and each of them naturally had a grand entrance. In comparison, Song Zhuo, who came alone, was the least noticeable.

In the afternoon, the students came out of the hall one after another, and then their families left from below.

Song Zhuo waited a while longer before seeing his younger brother Song Xiu and a group of classmates walking out. There were more than a dozen people in the group, with a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy in the center, while Song Xiu followed behind the crowd.

"Qilang, come here!"

Song Zhuo waved and called out to his younger brother.

Hearing the sound, Song Xiu glanced over. Seeing her brother, she didn't show much joy. Only when Song Zhuo called again did she reluctantly walk over and whisper, "Brother, what are you doing here? I made plans with my classmates to go to Leyou Plain for some fun!"

"My mother told me that even if I were to go out for a trip, I should go home and let her know first!"

Song Zhuo first spoke in a deep voice, then pointed to the young man surrounded by his disciples and asked, "Who is that young disciple? What a grand entrance!"

"That was my classmate, named Zhang Yi. He himself wasn't very famous, but his elder brother, Zhang Zongzhi, was a rising star in the capital, admired by everyone!"

Upon hearing this, Song Xiu waved goodbye to his classmates and sighed to Song Zhuo, "Brother, you've been a scholar for several years now, how come you don't have any impressive deeds to boast about at the academy?"

"Young man, your own improvement is the right thing to do. Why do you keep begging others for help all day long!"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. After a moment's thought, he took out the imperial edict he had just received and showed it to Song Xiu: "Your brother has also been appreciated by the Emperor and has been granted the title of Assistant Musician. In the future, he will be working with Zhang Zongzhi in the same department!"

(End of this chapter)