Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 498 Imperial Favor and Pampering, Endless Enjoyment

The Thousand Autumns Festival provided the people of the capital region with much to talk about. When ordinary citizens talked about this grand event, what they talked about most were naturally the gorgeous and beautiful songs and dances and the wonderful variety of performances.

As for the various topics of discussion among the officials in the court, some envied the officials of the Music Bureau for advancing one rank with just one banquet, while others secretly discussed whether the Emperor's favor towards Prince Shou would have a profound impact on the succession of the dynasty.

Zhang Dai, who was the subject of much discussion, went straight home after the banquet. The next day, he arrived at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in high spirits and met with his colleagues at the Ministry of Personnel to register new officials.

The title of "honorary official" only determines the rank and treatment of an official, but has no impact on the duties they hold.

For example, Zhang Shuo's honorary title was a special advancement of the second rank, which was one rank lower than Song Jing's first rank of opening the government office. However, in terms of official rank, his position as the Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel was one rank higher than Song Jing's position as the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel.

In routine gatherings such as court assemblies, Zhang Yue was positioned ahead of Song Jing. However, in ceremonial occasions, Song Jing would be positioned ahead of Zhang Yue.

"Honors" (名官) is equivalent to a professional title in later times, while "officials" (职官) refers to the specific duties of officials. For example, among vice-class leaders, some are study committee members, while others are labor committee members.

Officials may not hold a formal position, but they must possess a nominal rank. For example, Zhang Dai was granted a nominal rank of the lower eighth grade after passing the imperial examination, but he was not appointed to any official position. Similarly, some officials who completed their term of office also held a nominal rank but no formal official position until they were granted a new post.

Advancing to the next rank is still very difficult. Many people may only stay at the eighth or ninth rank throughout their lives, just like some people in later generations who spend most of their lives as clerks.

At the beginning of the dynasty, there were various methods for ranking officials, including granting titles, kinship, meritorious service, hereditary privilege, outstanding filial piety, and meritorious service. However, with the increasing number of officials in recent years, some of these methods have gradually become merely nominal and have lost their practical significance.

Just like the system of meritorious officials, the original regulations stipulated that meritorious officials should be promoted to the rank of Pillar of State and ranked as the sixth rank. However, the system of meritorious officials quickly fell apart after the founding of the Tang Dynasty. When it came to ranking officials, the meritorious officials were merely existing but not used.

As for the conferment of titles, the court has been granting fewer and fewer titles in recent years. Apart from members of the royal family and relatives of the empress, it is difficult for ordinary officials to obtain titles. Therefore, the conferment of titles only affects the initial ranking of the family. When a prince or a duke is first ranked from the fourth rank, the ranking will no longer affect each other after the initial ranking.

Take Zhang Dai as an example. He was originally granted a title, namely the title of Viscount of Fanyang County. However, he did not have a title when he first came of age. He obtained the rank of the eighth grader based on his filial piety and family background, namely, his success in the imperial examination and his family's influence. Although he was granted a title later, he did not repeat it.

After an official is initially appointed, there are basically only two ways to advance in rank: performance evaluation and imperial favor. Performance evaluation is a test, which is limited to four tests. If all four tests are passed with a passing grade, the official advances one rank; if two tests are passed with a passing grade, the official advances two ranks; if one test is passed with a passing grade, the official advances two ranks; if one test is passed with a passing grade, the official advances two ranks. If there is a passing grade, the passing grade is deducted from the passing grade and the official is then considered.

As for imperial favors, they were bestowed upon officials who prepared for the grand celebrations, similar to the current Emperor's Birthday Festival, when the emperor celebrated with the people. Such opportunities were rare and precious, and it's unlikely that similar favors would be granted again for the annual Emperor's Birthday Festival.

Obtaining a high evaluation in the examinations was very difficult. Although Zhang Dai passed two examinations, one with a medium-high score and the other with a low-high score, it seemed simple. But first, you needed a grandfather who had once held immense power in the court, was fond of favoritism and corruption, and occasionally served as the examination commissioner.

Song Zhuo, for example, was not so lucky. After serving as an official in Huainan for several years, when he returned to Chang'an, his rank was still the eighth rank, which was the same as when the grandson of the prime minister was granted his official rank through hereditary privilege. However, after serving as an official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for less than a month, he was promoted two ranks to the eighth rank.

Such easy success clearly challenged his previously formed perceptions and values. On his way to register his name at the Ministry of Personnel, he remained excited, repeatedly saying, "Holy Grace Ruth, Holy Grace Ruth, how could I not dedicate myself to the country and serve it with my life!"

This guy is still too inexperienced and has never witnessed the grand style of their sage who deals with official titles and ranks like a clearance sale. He was only promoted from the eighth rank to the regular eighth rank, yet he acted like he was ready to fight to the death.

While expressing his willingness to sacrifice himself for the country along the way, Song Zhuo repeatedly bowed and thanked Zhang Dai: "If it weren't for your recommendation, Liu Lang, how could I have achieved this? Now I am rewarded by you and known by the times, all thanks to your kindness. Your kindness is heavier than heaven. From now on, I will never dare to disobey you, Liu Lang, in any way you need me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai couldn't help but laugh again. He really wanted to ask Song Zhuo if he were to lead his brothers to purge the court of corrupt officials in the future, would Song Zhuo follow him and serve him?
Putting aside these joking thoughts, Zhang Dai was quite satisfied with his three-rank promotion. After completing the registration, he officially became a seventh-rank, pale-faced youth.

The colleagues at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices were excitedly discussing where to celebrate later, but they all tacitly avoided places of ill repute like the Pingkangfang Sanqu and Zuoyou Jiaofang. The reason was simple: they were sick of seeing all the performances during the preparations for the celebration and just wanted some peace and quiet. Seeing everyone discussing, Zhang Dai only asked them to come up with a conclusion and let him know. He had to go with Song Zhuo to the Secretariat to receive their appointments as the East and West Pavilion Masters of the Prince of Shou's residence and would arrive later.

Regarding the appointment as an official in the Prince's residence, Song Zhuo still hesitated. On the way, he couldn't help but whisper to Zhang Dai, "I know that Liu Lang and Prince Shou are related by marriage, which is why they are particularly close. However, people often gossip about past mistakes, and there may be malicious words and slander. Now that the Crown Prince is not a sham, Prince Shou is young and has been favored..."

“I know what you are worried about, but these are just trivial concerns of a mediocre person. Our sage once saved the day from collapse and is now creating a prosperous era. Governing the country is like playing chess, and employing talent is like moving pieces. All things under heaven are but the lines on the palm of the supreme ruler. What trouble or unrest could there be in mere family matters?”

Upon hearing Song Zhuo's words, Zhang Dai immediately replied solemnly. He held the current sage in the highest esteem and had unwavering faith in him. How could the sage, with his wisdom and intelligence, possibly be confused about such trivial matters as household affairs!
Upon hearing Zhang Dai's praise of the sage, Song Zhuo felt a pang of shame, deeply embarrassed by his own chaotic thoughts. He quickly lowered his head and said, "I have only seen the big picture from a small perspective, and my knowledge is limited. There are fundamental principles in all things, and there are proper order among people. How could the sage not know such simple truths? Today, the whole world praises the harmony of human relationships. To presume to judge it with the mind of a petty person would be to lose sight of the bigger picture and would be unbecoming of a subject!"

That's right! Everything our sage does has a reason! Even if he commits adultery, murders his own children, and is utterly immoral in the future, wouldn't he still be the supreme ruler of our Tang Dynasty? Anyone who spouts nonsense is just acting on their own conscience.

Although Zhang Dai intended to use the praise of the sage to conceal his ulterior motives, it must be said that, up to this point, the current sage, as an emperor, is considered perfect and flawless in the eyes of the people of the Tang Dynasty, and there is no need to question him.

Although the two were appointed as libationers of the East and West Pavilions of Prince Shou's residence, it was merely a nominal honorary title. Firstly, they had no place to work; secondly, they had no duties to perform; and thirdly, they were not required to be by Prince Shou's side all day. At most, they would pay their respects and inquire after his well-being during festivals.

However, if Prince Shou were to emerge from confinement and gain real political power, and need to unite the current faction, this relationship would become the best bridge for communication between them. Furthermore, if Prince Shou were to truly ascend to the throne, they would become the most senior members of the Prince's retinue.

After receiving his official appointment from the Secretariat, Zhang Dai was about to return to the Office of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices with Song Zhuo when he turned around and saw Niu Guier from Consort Wu Hui's palace rushing towards him.

"I am acting on the orders of Consort Hui to invite the Sixth Prince to the Southern Palace for a meeting."

Niu Guier hurried over to Zhang Dai, bowed to him, and said...

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai bid farewell to Song Zhuo and hurriedly headed to Xingqing Palace in the south, where he met Consort Wu Hui at the Hua'e Tower villa.

At this time, some festive decorations around the Hua'e Tower had not been completely removed. Consort Wu Hui sat in the magnificent and bright side hall, where her children and confidants were also present, as well as a middle-aged man who looked rather unfamiliar and was dressed in modern clothes.

"Good boy, come in and sit down! You've worked so hard preparing for this grand event. Your cousin has also been betrothed to you and has received many favors from his father. Sixth Brother, your aunt doesn't know how to thank you enough! It's truly a blessing for my son and me to have you help with everything!"

Upon seeing Zhang Dai enter the hall, before he could even bow in respect, Consort Wu Hui waved to him with a beaming smile, her joy evident in her words.

Zhang Dai did not become arrogant because of this. He still respectfully stepped forward to bow before saying, "My aunt and the King are blessed with inexhaustible imperial favor and grace. I have also received many rewards because of this favor! Yesterday, I was able to receive a gift in the same hall as the King, which was the envy of all the civil and military officials. If it weren't for my aunt's blessing, how could I have enjoyed this opportunity!"

These words naturally brought a smile to Consort Hui's face. After Zhang Dai took his seat, she said with a smile, "My aunt and I have a long history to tell our stories. Today, I'll introduce you to a relative from the same school."

As she spoke, Consort Wu Hui pointed to the middle-aged man in the hall. The middle-aged man had already stood up when Zhang Dai entered the hall and stood outside the table with his head bowed in a low-key manner.

When Consort Wu Hui mentioned him, he stepped forward slightly, bowed deeply to Zhang Dai, and said, "This humble commoner, Wu Wenshen, greets Sixth Brother. Sixth Brother's name is renowned far and wide. I am fortunate to have been introduced to Sixth Brother by Consort Hui!"

Zhang Dai heard the man introduce himself, but still had no recollection of him. However, when the man said his surname was Wu, and Consort Wu Hui said they were relatives, Zhang Dai rose and returned the greeting.

(End of this chapter)