The beginning of the story of the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Son-in-Law: A rhinoceros comes knocki

Chapter 108 Yuwen Ren's Ambition

Although the county magistrate in the capital region was of low rank, he wielded immense power.

They govern the civil affairs, criminal matters, taxes, and corvée labor of a region, wielding real power.

But holding this power is like holding a double-edged sword: if used well, it is a ladder to heaven; if used poorly, it is a catastrophe.

If you act rashly without knowing the details, you may offend someone you can't afford to offend at any time. It would be a small matter if you ruin your future, but if someone finds a reason to punish you and imprison you, that would be a truly unfortunate death.

Therefore, the most important thing for someone who can sit in the chair of the Lantian County Magistrate is not to be able to judge cases or collect taxes, but to have a clear and thorough understanding of the intricate network of relationships among all the forces in Lantian.

Who can be neglected, who must be respected, and who absolutely cannot be touched?

Which family is a showy, impoverished household, which is a low-key, powerful force, which family has arrogant and domineering offspring who are actually untouchable, and which family appears powerful but is actually unstable—knowing even one of these things could lead to utter ruin.

Yuwen Ren spent six whole years engraving this rule into his very bones, bit by bit.

Six years.

He sat in this small signing room, watching firsthand how the previous magistrate offended the steward of a certain Duke's mansion because of a land dispute.

Less than three months later, someone found a pretext to demote him in disguise, transferring him to the malaria-ridden Lingnan region, and he was never heard from again.

He witnessed firsthand how the county magistrate of the neighboring county of Chang'an punished the arrogant and domineering attendant of a prince in the street simply because he did not recognize the identity of the prince's household member.

As expected, he was impeached for corruption three days later, imprisoned, and awaiting trial. His fate remains unknown to this day.

He also witnessed firsthand how those county officials who had long since pledged allegiance to the powerful and wealthy and were willing to become their lackeys rose through the ranks.

Six years of honing have smoothed out the rough edges.

His vast knowledge and lofty ambitions were all transformed into the mountain of household registers and tax accounts piled up on his desk.

And there's also the dense network of interpersonal relationships deep in my heart, a network I dare not utter the slightest mistake in.

He was not reconciled.

He is thirty-seven years old this year. He has been in office for six years and is stuck in the position of assistant magistrate of Lantian County, without making any progress.

He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the first year of the Zhenguan era. After being selected by the Ministry of Personnel, he waited two years before taking up the post of Assistant Magistrate of Lantian County, where he remains to this day.

During the imperial examination, he caught the emperor's eye; in his youth, he was full of vigor and ambition.

Unfortunately, without the support of powerful families or the guidance of teachers in the imperial court, he was trapped in the small town of Lantian, wasting his days in vain despite his great ambition and talent.

He was waiting, waiting for an opportunity to leap over the dragon gate and soar to new heights. Perhaps heaven would take pity on him, and his hard work would ultimately pay off.

"grown ups."

A dark-skinned figure tiptoed in from outside the door. It was Wang Hu, his trusted clerk who had been with him for seven or eight years. He was reliable and meticulous in his work.

Wang Hu bowed as he entered, lowering his voice and speaking cautiously: "Sir, there is the latest news from Xiahe Village."

The three orphans left behind by Liu the carpenter before his death were all taken in by Wang Zhihuan, who lived on a farm outside the city. They now eat, sleep, and live on the farm, and are cared for by him.

Yuwen Ren's eyes flickered slightly, and he finally raised his head: "Please tell me your identity and age in detail."

"My eldest son, Dalang, is fourteen years old; my second son, Tiedan, is twelve years old; and my youngest daughter, Xiaoman, is only ten years old."

Wang Hu reported clearly and logically, "The three are indeed the orphans of Liu the carpenter. Their parents are dead, and they have no relatives to rely on."

It was Liu the carpenter who verbally entrusted this task before his death, and the village head and several villagers can testify that no formalities for taking him in were ever completed at the county government office.

The moment the words fell.

Yuwen Ren's long-held obsession finally came to an end.

A faint, cold smile slowly spread across the depths of his long-dormant eyes.

Wang Zhihuan.

This name already held a very special place in the dense web of human relationships in his heart.

The newly emerging local gentry of Lantian, a branch of the Wang family from Taiyuan, moved here last year and inherited his father's more than 200 mu of land.

Judging solely from land holdings, he was not even a landowner, let alone a local gentry; normally, he was just a landowner.

However, this young man was highly skilled in medicine and saved the villagers several times, which made him famous. He also had close ties with the Cheng family of the Duke of Lu's mansion.

Several months ago, Cheng Jia Dalang's convoy entered and exited the farm several times, which Yuwen Ren had already seen clearly from the shadows.

Cheng Yaojin, Duke of Lu, General of the Left Guard, is a veteran general of the court with extremely high prestige in the army and is deeply trusted by His Majesty.

Such a person is not someone that a mere county magistrate like him could possibly shake in the slightest.

Unless there is a special reason, he would never touch anyone related to the Cheng family.

Everyone in the imperial court knew how troublesome Cheng Yaojin was.

But now, the situation is different.

A few days ago, a secret letter was quietly delivered to him from Chang'an.

The sender was Zhang Jian, a fellow student and old acquaintance of his, who was also a clerk in the Secretariat.

The letter stated that the Duke of Zhao's mansion was secretly investigating the local conditions in the counties surrounding the capital, looking for suitable people and tasks.

Duke of Zhao, Changsun Wuji. The most powerful minister in the court, the Empress's elder brother, and the Crown Prince's maternal uncle.

In terms of official rank, bloodline, and weight in His Majesty's heart, there are very few officials in the entire court who can surpass him.

Even though Duke Lu, Cheng Yaojin, was a veteran general and important minister, there was still a distance between them in terms of personal relationships.

Moreover, behind Changsun Wuji stood the dual foundation of the Guanlong aristocratic families and the maternal relatives, a truly unshakeable towering tree in the Zhenguan court.

And Zhang Jian's letter contained a crucial hint—

If there are any useful tasks or opportunities in the local area, you can report them all, and you will naturally be rewarded with a promising future.

I heard that a new young man has arrived. He has superb medical skills and an excellent reputation. Everyone calls him a little philanthropist.

This is far from an ordinary visit to observe the people's conditions.

This is clearly an olive branch extended by the Duke of Zhao's mansion, a ladder to heaven that leads straight to the clouds.

Yuwen Ren had waited six years for this very opportunity.

He wasn't without weighing the pros and cons.

Duke Lu was indeed powerful, with many of his old subordinates in the army, and was not someone who could be easily offended.

However, the significance behind this secret letter far exceeds the potential threat posed by the Cheng family.

Befriending Cheng Yaojin might secure temporary protection.

But if one could seize this opportunity to climb up to Changsun Wuji—that would be the true path to success.

Moreover, this action was not a frame-up, but rather carried out in accordance with the law and the rules.

Even if the Cheng family intervened, Yuwen Ren was still enforcing the law impartially and had a clear conscience.

It's best to avoid touching Cheng Yaojin's tiger beard if possible.

If he doesn't accept this olive branch secretly extended by the Changsun family, he may never get another chance like it in his lifetime.

After weighing the pros and cons, he already had his answer in his heart.

"Have all the witnesses been verified?" Yuwen Ren's voice was low, carrying a hint of suppressed sharpness.

"Everything has been verified." Wang Hu nodded affirmatively. "The villagers and Zhao, the village head, who were entrusted with the task at the time, can all come forward to testify, and their testimonies are consistent."

"Hmm, not bad."

Yuwen Ren nodded slowly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk, the rhythm slow and deliberate, revealing a calm and collected demeanor.

"Continue to keep a close watch on the farm and record all of Wang Zhihuan's recent movements and activities."

"Also, keep those witnesses calm and on standby. Remember, they must not leak a single word to the outside world."

"yes!"

Wang Hu bowed and accepted the order, then quietly withdrew.

The room fell silent again.

Yuwen Ren looked up at the blazing sun outside the window, his eyes dark and deep.

He's not in a hurry. He'll have to wait until they meet before making a decision.

He was no longer the spirited young man he once was! Years of experience in officialdom had taught him to wait for the right opportunity before taking action.

He slowly withdrew his gaze and pulled out the well-preserved secret letter from the bottom of his desk.

The letter was written on thin paper, and the handwriting was messy; it was written by Zhang Jian. The six words "a future awaits" in the letter were like six sparks that had already ignited a wildfire in his heart.

He held the letter close to the candle.

Bright flames licked at the corner of the paper, causing it to slowly curl up and turn into specks of black ash, which fell beside the inkstone.

The ashes were fine and scattered by the wind, leaving no trace.

Like all his hidden thoughts, they remained secret, quietly waiting to erupt.

The next day, in Chang'an City.

At the foot of the imperial city, in an ordinary residential courtyard, a very simple banquet quietly began.

The host was Zhang Jian, the registrar of the Secretariat, and the guest was only one person—Yuwen Ren, the magistrate of Lantian County.

There were no delicacies on the table, only a dish of braised pork, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a pot of cloudy wine; it was simple and unpretentious.

But Yuwen Ren ate and drank with utmost respect, maintaining a proper sense of propriety.

We are old friends from the same year, with a friendship that is neither deep nor shallow. Today, we have come to this banquet not to reminisce, but to discuss our future.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Yuwen Ren put down his wine cup, his smile vanished, and he lowered his voice to get straight to the point: "Brother Zhang mentioned in his letter the day before yesterday the inspection of the Duke's mansion—"

Regarding local affairs, I happened to witness an important matter in Lantian.

The matter concerns the newly emerging local gentry, whose influence can be significant or minor, and who dare not make decisions on their own, hence this special report.

Then, he recounted the whole story of how Wang Zhihuan had taken in three orphans without official registration.

The arguments are clear, the evidence is conclusive, and the interests are clearly defined.

"However, this man is a highly skilled physician and has a deep connection with the Cheng family of the Duke of Lu's mansion. As a mere county magistrate, I would never dare to act rashly without a powerful backer."

"Brother Zhang mentioned in your letter that the Duke of Zhao's mansion is looking for suitable local positions. I'd like to ask—if this matter is reported, will there be any outcome?"

Zhang Jian slowly picked up some food and ate. After a long while, she finally looked up and spoke softly.

"Although the Cheng family is powerful, it is ultimately no match for the deep favor and long-standing foundation of the Duke of Zhao."

The Changsun family has stood firm in the imperial court for many years, with deep roots and many protégés and former officials throughout the court and the countryside. Which prefecture or county doesn't have to watch their face?

""

"To put it bluntly, Cheng Yaojin is a veteran general with military power, but there are many fierce generals in the army, and His Majesty trusts more than just him."

The eldest grandson, the emperor's maternal uncle, is the empress's own brother and the crown prince's maternal uncle. Who in the entire court could compare to this deep bond of blood? Who dared to compare?

"The future is long. When His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Changsun family will be the maternal relatives and the imperial tutor. At that time, the structure of the court will naturally become clear."

"Since your household has announced that you are looking for someone to do the work, you must know who is backing this person. You have the confidence to make such a statement."

Zhang Jian's voice was calm, yet every word struck Yuwen Ren's heart like a hammer blow.

This was exactly the exact word that Yuwen Ren had been waiting for for many days.

The Duke of Zhao's mansion was not unaware of the relationship between Cheng Yaojin and Wang Zhihuan. They knew, but they didn't care.

In their eyes, the mere Duke of Lu was not enough to make the Changsun family have any reservations.

So what is he waiting for?

Yuwen Ren put down his wine cup and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "I understand. I humbly request Brother Zhang to make the introduction. I am willing to explain the details in person and await your instructions."

Zhang Jian pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"This is indeed something worth looking into. I'll put in a good word for you, but whether you get to meet him and whether things work out depends on fate. You should go back and wait for news."

"Many thanks for your guidance, Brother Zhang!"

Yuwen Ren stood up, solemnly cupped his hands in a respectful bow, displaying impeccable manners.

Another day has passed in the blink of an eye.

In the depths of a quiet alley in the eastern part of Chang'an City.

With its green walls and black tiles, deep wooden doors, and quiet alleyways where no one comes and goes, you could hear a pin drop.

Yuwen Ren followed closely behind Zhang Jian and entered the inconspicuous courtyard.

The courtyard is paved with blue bricks, and a clump of green bamboo grows against the wall. A gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, making the place even more serene and tranquil.

A servant in blue bowed and led the way through the courtyard, lifting the curtain of the main hall.

A figure dressed in blue cloth sat upright in the hall.

The man was in his forties, with a lean and refined appearance. He wore a clean, plain-colored Taoist robe and was leisurely reading a book. His demeanor was as steady as a mountain, and his bearing far surpassed that of ordinary court officials.

This person is not Changsun Wuji.

But Yuwen Ren knew that with his status as a mere county magistrate, he was not qualified to meet the Duke of Zhao, let alone pay a visit to the Duke's steward.

.

The man before me is a trusted advisor to the Duke's mansion, in charge of various secret affairs. Although he does not have an official position, he has immense authority.

"Mr. Du." Zhang Jian bowed respectfully. "This is Yuwen Ren, the magistrate of Lantian County."

Du Muliao slowly closed the book and glanced at it indifferently.

His gaze was calm and unsharp, without scrutiny or disdain, yet it carried an inherent sense of oppression from someone who had long held a high position, instantly straightening Yuwen Ren's back so that he dared not relax in the slightest.

"I am Yuwen Ren, the county magistrate of Lantian County. I have come to pay my respects to Mr. Du." Yuwen Ren bowed deeply.

"sit."

Du's advisor spoke calmly, and he settled the matter with a single word.

Zhang Jian tactfully retreated outside the door, leaving only the two people sitting opposite each other in the hall.

The room was silent, with the candlelight burning quietly.

Du, the advisor, did not ask any questions. Instead, he picked up his teacup, sipped his tea, and waited quietly for the visitor to explain the situation.

Yuwen Ren steadied himself and gave a full account of the whole story of how Wang Zhihuan had taken in three orphans without proper documentation, yet with all the necessary witnesses.

"This man moved to Lantian last year, acquired land and built a farm. He is a highly skilled doctor and has saved the lives of his fellow villagers several times. He is very well-regarded in the area."

However, I have ascertained that he has close ties with the Cheng family of the Duke of Lu's mansion, and the eldest son of the Cheng family frequently visits his farm. Without the support of the mansion, I would not dare to act rashly.

After he finished speaking, the hall remained silent for a long time.