Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 145: A Glimpse into the Lives of the Sheng Family!
Jiang Mansion.

Chengde Hall.

The charcoal fire burns brightly, filling the air with the aroma of tea.

Jiang Zhao, dressed in a light gray brocade robe, held a wooden spoon and stirred the boiling tea from time to time.

In less than ten breaths, the two entered.

The man was in his forties, thin, with graying temples, and his demeanor was somewhat reserved.

The man was tall and handsome, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a composed demeanor and an imposing presence.

"Your humble servant Cai Zhun greets Your Excellency."

"I am Cai Jing, and I have long admired your name, Minister. It is my great honor to meet you today."

The two bowed in turn.

Nineteen-year-old Cai Jing was handsome and had a calm and proper demeanor.

In comparison, Cai Zhun was more reserved than his son.

Jiang Zhao nodded and raised his hand: "Have a seat."

Cai Zhun breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed.

The twenty-seven-year-old Duke of Lu, a third-rank official, concurrently served as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, in charge of the administration of officials throughout the country and responsible for teaching members of the imperial clan.

Even if they do nothing, their demeanor is full of pressure, making people tense.

Ultimately, if it weren't for Su Zizhan's introduction, even if he were a fifth-rank official, it would have been very difficult for him to meet such an important figure.

The father and son sat upright and solemnly.

"Do not be nervous."

Jiang Zhaoping smiled and scooped up two cups of tea, passing them over.

Cai Zhun cautiously picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Cai Jing remained unperturbed by either honor or disgrace, quietly sipping his tea.

He passed the county-level imperial examination at the age of sixteen and the provincial-level imperial examination at the age of eighteen, which makes him a very accomplished scholar.

In ordinary times, he is composed and unhurried, quoting classical texts and speaking eloquently.

This time, being introduced by someone was a rare privilege. He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was far from at peace.

"How's Xihe Road doing lately?" Jiang Zhao asked slowly, sipping his tea.

A treacherous official is not necessarily born a treacherous official.

What young man of eighteen or nineteen doesn't have a bit of passion and ambition?

Historically, unless one was a favored and sycophantic minister, to become a treacherous official, one had to be exceptionally capable and have the ability to do good things for the emperor.

If Cai Jing is still redeemable, becoming brothers-in-law is not out of the question.

Cai Jing carefully considered his words and replied, "Tibet is weak, and the relationship between Tibetans and Han Chinese is fading; the Western Xia ruler is gradually stabilizing his power, preparing for war, and is poised for action."

The Hehuang region is geographically deep but relatively short, making it difficult for the Western Xia ruler to effectively defend if he were to launch a military campaign. It is a region rife with undercurrents of conflict.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

This analysis of the situation is not bad.

"Is there a solution?" Jiang Zhao asked.

Cai Jing hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"The Hehuang region stretches too far inland. It is an excellent decision for the minister to order the construction of fortresses, uniting the cities and soldiers to achieve a comprehensive defense."

Having traveled to the frontier, Cai Jing already had a thorough understanding of the defenses of the Hehuang region.

It was precisely because of this that he became increasingly aware of the superiority of this three-pronged defensive approach: fortress, soldiers, and city.

Small-scale invasions involving a hundred or a thousand people can be easily stopped by nearby border troops, causing virtually no damage.

Even if tens of thousands invade, a well-organized army of soldiers can hold them off.

To find a better solution, we need to protect at least tens of thousands of people.

The fact is that the invasion of tens of thousands of people involves a national war and is not as simple as defense.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

This kid is alright. He's not in a hurry to show off, and his words and actions are practical.

Subsequently, Jiang Zhao asked a number of questions, and Cai Jing was able to give an excellent answer to each one.

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow, addressing the person in the main seat.

To be fair, Cai Jing was indeed a talented man. If he had been put to the right use, he might not have been a treacherous minister.

"Now that we're here, let's not rush off. A meal has been prepared at the manor; let's stay a while and have a meal together," Jiang Zhao said calmly.

As a high-ranking official of the third rank, he did not mind supporting young people.

At the same time, the pageboy Hesheng walked quickly outside.

Later, Mr. Sheng will also come to eat.

Whether it will succeed or not, we'll know once we see it.

To have a meal together?
Cai Jing and his son exchanged a glance and quickly stood up to bow.

"Thank you, sir."

Shengfu.

Wei Rui Xuan. "It's said that he was a scholar recommended by Prefect Su?"

Sheng Rulan held a brocade handkerchief, appearing nonchalant.

A woman's entire life is spent living in the inner quarters.

Who a woman marries determines the rest of her life.

Sheng Rulan is lively, innocent and straightforward, but when it really comes to this point, she can't help but feel nervous and worried.

"Yes."

Wang Ruofu knew some of the inside story and slowly said, "Your brother-in-law is a high-ranking official of the third rank, enjoying great favor and honor. Many people are interested in marrying you. For example, Prefect Su introduced Cai Jing to him."

"Cai Jing?"

Sheng Rulan nodded slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked with her head down, "How is he?"

"Cai Jing was from Xianyou County. He became a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examinations) at the age of sixteen and a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) at the age of eighteen. His father, Cai Zhun, served as the Tongzhi (assistant magistrate) of Huzhou. From his father's generation onwards, his grandfather and great-grandfather were all Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and four generations of his family had served as officials. The Cai family was a prominent family in the county."

"Compared to Zhao Ge'er's family background, it's probably much worse."

“However, they are still a prominent family in the county, and with four generations of business, they certainly won’t have to worry about wealth,” Wang Ruofu asserted.

In terms of family background alone, without Zhao Ge'er, it's really hard to say whether the Cai family or the Sheng family was more powerful.

After all, the Sheng family only began to prosper after Sheng Hong started his business.

In terms of background, it is definitely lacking, but with two great figures, the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi and the legitimate daughter of Grand Tutor Wang, it is not too bad.

The Cai family had indeed run the business for generations, but none of them had ever held high-ranking official positions; they had merely managed the territory of a single county.

In terms of individual merits, the two are equally matched.

However, since Jiang Zhao became their son-in-law, the Sheng family has become the most powerful force in the country, far surpassing the Cai family.

Of course, when civil officials discussed marriage, they focused more on the woman's family background and upbringing, and the man's character and talent.

Cai Jing's lower social standing didn't matter much.

"A sixteen-year-old scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination, and an eighteen-year-old scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination?" Sheng Rulan asked cautiously.

“Not bad.” Wang Ruofu nodded.

This level of reading ability is even much better than Changbai's.

Changbai passed the provincial examination at the age of twenty-two, and then went on to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). At the age of twenty-three, he entered the Hanlin Academy to compile books.

"Oh." Sheng Rulan nodded, her thoughts unreadable.

Wang Ruofu was not surprised to see this.

When a daughter is involved in marriage, she becomes much more sensitive and is destined to be quiet and reserved for a period of time.

"So how exactly do we discuss marriage?" Sheng Rulan asked.

"In a few days, his father Cai Zhun and Cai Jing will come to visit. If there are no problems, the marriage will be arranged."

A deep, resonant voice rang out, and Sheng Hong stroked his beard as he strode inside.

"Father," Sheng Rulan quickly bowed and asked eagerly, "The engagement?"

"engagement!"

Sheng Hong smiled and said, "That Cai Jing is both talented and handsome, and his speech and conversation are in no way inferior to Changbai's. I was very satisfied with my discussion with his father."

Sheng Rulan nodded.

Linqi Pavilion.

Sheng Molan frowned and exclaimed in surprise, "My brother-in-law has arranged a marriage for Rulan?"

Sheng Molan could not help but be surprised.

That's my brother-in-law!

Given my brother-in-law's network of connections, the talented young man he introduces is definitely not an ordinary person.

"They say they are a prominent family in the county. He passed the provincial examination at the age of eighteen and is a shoo-in for the imperial examination in the future," Lin Qinshuang said slowly.

"I see!" Sheng Molan's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

She felt that this family background wasn't good enough.

She prefers to reap the rewards of others' labor rather than rise to power step by step.

Once married, they enjoy boundless glory, instead of having to wait for seniority.

"Mo'er, no rush."

Lin Qinshuang offered a comforting remark and said in a low voice, "We can't count on the young master, but the eldest son of the Earl's mansion can make do."

Sheng Molan nodded, her heart hardening: "Little sister, you have to help me."

Of the sisters, the eldest sister undoubtedly married the best, so well that it was something no one dared to dream of.

The fifth sister married a young scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. Although she didn't like to suffer hardships with him, she had to admit that he did have a promising future.

The sixth sister attempted to marry into a higher social class, and her reputation was almost ruined by Princess Pingning.

In comparison, the earl's eldest son, whose status is neither too high nor too low, and who is not worried about wealth, is also a good choice.

Unfortunately, her father always wanted her to marry a young scholar and suffer hardships together.

Since her father wouldn't find her a duke's legitimate son, she would find one herself!
……

(End of this chapter)