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

Chapter 49 Jiang Zhi Retires, Polo Club!

The night falls and the lanterns come on.

Jiang Mansion, Study.

"Grandfather, did you call me?" Jiang Zhao entered and bowed respectfully.

These days, due to political struggles and busy official duties, he has hardly had any free time.

This time, several friends gathered together, and Gu Tingye was also invited. The six of them drank and talked for nearly three hours.

Jiang Zhao just got back.

Before he even entered the gate, a servant announced that his grandfather wanted to see him.

At the desk, Jiang Zhizheng was writing a memorial by hand.

Seeing his grandson return, Jiang Zhi stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "In a few days, I intend to retire. What do you think, Zhao'er?"

Jiang Zhao was startled, found a chair and sat down, then nodded.

“That’s a good thing. My grandfather is sixty-five years old. He has worked hard for many years and should have been enjoying his retirement long ago.”

The struggles in the imperial court are constantly exhausting.

In this era, life expectancy is generally short, and sixty-five years old is considered a very old age; one should have retired long ago to enjoy a peaceful life.

"Haha!" Jiang Zhi laughed.

He had long planned to retire.

Since February, he has been constantly taking his grandson to meet people and pass on his connections.

By now, the connections that should have been passed down have long been inherited.

Originally, he planned to stay for another year or two to support his grandson.

Unexpectedly, with his grandson's abilities, he was able to move freely in and out of the imperial court.

In addition, his teacher Han Zhang has also entered the cabinet and is governing the country.

With this, Jiang Zhi had no more worries and naturally began to consider retiring early.

Just as Jiang Zhao had thought, at sixty-five, in an era where one could call himself "old man" at thirty, he was certainly old and of advanced age.

It's not impossible for an elderly person to be energetic in the morning but suffer a relapse of an old ailment in the afternoon.

As Jiang Zhilin grew old, he naturally wanted to return to his hometown to live.

Since passing the imperial examination at the age of twenty-something and being appointed as the head of a county, he has almost always served as an official in other places.

Now that I'm almost sixty-five, I have to go back and take a look.

Fallen leaves return to their roots!

Anyway, since his grandson could handle the situation, he had no worries.

"I'm leaving now. You'll have to take care of the political situation in Bianjing yourself."

Jiang Zhi advised, "Remember to maintain the connections you have. However, don't put the cart before the horse. As long as your career goes smoothly, those people will take the initiative to maintain their relationship with you."

“I understand, grandson. These teachers have reprimanded me more than once!” Jiang Zhao replied.

Having become a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet at the age of thirty-seven, Han Zhang was first-rate in terms of scholarship, political maneuvering, and interpersonal skills.

It is no exaggeration to say that he is one of the best teachers of our time.

"Ok!"

Lanruoting.

This is the courtyard where Jiang Zhao lives.

It was early midnight (9:00 PM), and the lights were still on.

As soon as Jiang Zhao entered the courtyard, he saw his wife.

Sheng Hualan wore a light blue lotus-patterned brocade dress, and her hair was simply tied up in a bun with a wooden hairpin.

At first glance, it is simple and elegant, with a unique charm.

"Official!"

Upon seeing Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hualan immediately went to greet him.

Jiang Zhao embraced the beauty and strode inside.

Sheng Hualan's two maids, Cailan and Caizan, served her honey water and food one after the other.

Jiang Zhao hummed contentedly as he soaked his feet in a basin of warm water and enjoyed his wife's massage.

He slowly said, "Just now, I had a conversation with my grandfather. He is over sixty-five years old and wants to retire to Huaizuo to live out his remaining years."

"Oh!" Sheng Hualan exclaimed in surprise.

"My ancestor spent his life in the ups and downs of officialdom, and at the age of sixty-five, he did it all to support the Jiang family of Huaizuo."

"Now that you, sir, have become capable and can support the Jiang family, it is only right that our ancestor, in his old age, requests to retire." Sheng Hualan replied softly. Jiang Zhao nodded.

Yes!

Now it's his turn to hold up the sky!
Jiang Zhao sighed, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of something that made his gaze flicker slightly.

At this moment, Sheng Hualan was kneeling down, massaging his feet. Because of the looseness of her clothes, he could vaguely see the cleavage from her perspective.

It was vague and indistinct, which aroused great curiosity.

The beautiful woman moved slightly, and her firm, rounded breasts swayed.

Meanwhile, Sheng Hualan's relatively simple attire inevitably stirred the desires of many.

"A rag!" Jiang Zhao said.

Upon hearing the sound, Sheng Hualan picked up a rag and dried her husband's feet.

Jiang Zhao chuckled, picked up his wife in his arms, and strode toward the canopy bed.

Sheng Hualan was startled and exclaimed, realizing something. She parted her teeth slightly, her eyes immediately becoming clear and bright, and gently buried her head in her husband's chest.

"Hua'er, help me undress!"

"Hi~!"

"Hmm."

Half an hour later, the clouds and rain over Wushan dissipated.

Sheng Hualan nestled against her husband and whispered, "At noon, Madam Wu came to visit and brought an invitation, saying that she was going to hold a polo match. Would you like to go, my lord?"

In fact, besides Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hualan has also been busy these days.

When Han Zhang entered the cabinet, many prominent families and their relatives sought to network with him. However, Han Zhang's wife had already passed away, and his concubine, Cui, was in charge of managing the household.

This concubine, Cui, was quite favored and a sensible person, making her the de facto manager of Han's inner quarters.

Not the legal wife, but better than the legal wife!
But a concubine is still a concubine; her status is illegitimate and her position is not legitimate.

When a concubine socializes with the wives of officials, it inevitably causes some controversy.

So, Cui called Sheng Hualan, and the two went out together.

In this way, visiting in the name of Jiang Zhao's wife, Sheng, with Cui accompanying her, would be perfectly legitimate.

As a result, Sheng Hualan's social circle of relatives of officials has become much wider.

Madam Wu of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion was also part of the social circle.

"Does my wife want to go?" Jiang Zhao asked in return.

"Yes," Sheng Hualan replied softly, her jade-like hand lightly touching the ground.

Jiang Zhao nodded and said, "Alright, let's go!"

"It would be nice to invite Zizhan, Ziyou, Ziping, and Zixuan to go on a trip together."

Fortunately, he had some free time during this period, so he could relax a bit.

"Thank you, sir!"

Wende Hall.

Civil and military officials, all dressed in purple robes, stood in orderly rows on the left and right.

"My esteemed ministers, do you have anything to report?" Emperor Zhao Zhen asked as usual.

Jiang Zhi stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your subject Jiang Zhi is of humble origin, but thanks to Your Majesty's great grace, I have been able to serve as a censor and assume the responsibility of supervision."

However, I am now over sixty-five years old, my energy is waning, and I often find myself unable to perform my duties as censor, which I fear will make it difficult for me to fulfill my responsibilities and fail to live up to Your Majesty's high expectations.

I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to retire and return to my hometown to live out my remaining years.

Zhao Zhen nodded.

Jiang Zhi has already submitted a memorial to the emperor regarding this matter, and he is aware of it.

There are established procedures for dealing with a subject who requests to retire.

Zhao Zhen closed his sleeves and said, "Since you took office as censor, you have been conscientious and upright, and have rectified the atmosphere of the court. I am very pleased with you. You are truly a pillar of the country, and I am really reluctant to part with you. However, your hair has turned completely white, and I cannot bear to keep you here."

"Alright, I grant your request!"

"I hereby bestow upon you three hundred bolts of silk and ten acres of fertile land, to provide for your comfortable old age!"

"This old minister thanks Your Majesty!"

Jiang Zhi bowed with tears in his eyes.

From then on, Jiang Zhi begged to retire and went to Huaizuo!

(End of this chapter)