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

Page 149

Jiang Mansion.

Silver chestnut leaves rustle softly, lightly covering the garden weeds.

Jiang Zhao patted off a few snowflakes from his clothes and stepped into the courtyard.

In the pavilion, fruits and tea are laid out on a stone table, and a smokeless stove burns brightly below. Two beautiful women sip soup and play chess.

About a hundred paces apart, several children wearing brocade hats and sable fur coats each held a small puppy about a foot in size.

Jiang Huaijin, Jiang Heng, Wang Hou, Su Chi, Han Shu, Han Zhao, Zeng Gang.

Among them, Wang Hou was the eldest son of Wang Shao, Su Chi was the eldest son of Su Zhe, Han Shu and Han Zhao were the sons of Han Jiayan, and Zeng Gang was the youngest son of Zeng Gong.

Adults have their own social circles, and children have theirs.

We're all human, and if a child feels bored or lonely, they'll naturally need to make friends.

The children, the oldest of whom was under ten years old, would occasionally visit the Jiang residence or the Han residence.

"Officer."

As Jiang Zhao entered, Sheng Hualan and Sheng Shulan quickly rose and bowed respectfully.

Several children saw Jiang Zhao, and together they ran over with their little dogs, bowing and saying:

"Father!"

"Uncle Jiang!"

"Go play, everyone." Jiang Zhaoping smiled and waved his hand. The children excitedly led the puppy away.

"Officer."

Sheng Hualan supported her husband.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it and shook his head, saying, "Black is in a slightly weak position!"

"Then I'll trouble you, sir, to teach me how to win at chess," Sheng Shulan said with a smile.

Now, it is already the beginning of the twelfth lunar month.

In early October, a letter arrived from Youyang saying that the eldest wife had passed away.

For this, Sheng Shulan cried for more than ten days, burned incense and prayed, and recited scriptures and made offerings.

It wasn't until recently that things started to calm down.

"it is good."

Jiang Zhao nodded and walked over to sit down.

The beautiful woman chuckled softly as the three of them played chess, creating a unique and delightful experience.

With the game over, Sheng Hualan beckoned, and a maidservant presented her with an invitation.

“A visiting card from Cai Zhun, the Assistant Magistrate of Huzhou,” Sheng Hualan said softly.

"Tsai Chung?"

Jiang Zhao took the invitation and glanced at it.

"If you are visiting, you must not be impolite," Jiang Zhao instructed.

Cai Zhun, the Assistant Magistrate of Huzhou, was Cai Jing's father.

Su Shi sent a letter to Jiang Zhao proposing marriage, and Jiang Zhao responded.

Now, not only Cai Jing has come to Beijing, but his father Cai Zhun has also come to Beijing.

The reason why the Assistant Magistrate specifically requested leave to go to Beijing is self-evident.

It can be said that if Sheng Hong hadn't disliked Cai Jing, Sheng Rulan wouldn't be a 200-pound fat woman.

That marriage was practically a done deal.

Sheng Hualan nodded repeatedly.

She was naturally very concerned about her sister's marriage prospects.

"Second Brother and Third Brother, aren't they getting married soon?"

Jiang Zhao said slowly, "Send some valuable items down to Huaizuo as a token of our joy."

Originally, there were signs that the older generation had already arranged the marriage between Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu.

However, once Jiang Zhao sends out a letter, the final decision on how to proceed is entirely up to him.

For the past few days, Sheng Hualan has been looking for suitable partners for her two younger brothers.

Jiang Xiao married the youngest daughter of Su Song, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy.

Jiang Xu and Sun Ruonan, Minister of Rites, stayed together.

Both of them have already reached the "betrothal ceremony" stage in their marriage process.

With the betrothal gifts presented, the marriage was practically settled.

Next, it's just a matter of going through the procedures and waiting for the right time.

Of course, Jiang Zhao was an official in the capital, so he was destined to miss his two younger brothers' weddings.

Sheng Hualan nodded slightly.

"Come on, let's play chess."

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 Ruixuan.

"Is that the 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.