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

Having served in office for only twelve years, Jiang Zhao's life trajectory is clear at a glance.

"wrong!"

Old Mrs. Wang snorted coldly and slammed her hand on the table: "Xihe has only been open to the border for five or six years. Its students and former officials are all newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and minor officials of the eighth or ninth rank. For Jiang Zichuan, it makes no difference whether they have them or not."

"Jiang Zichuan's entry into the cabinet was actually due to the protégés and former officials left behind by your father!"

Old Mrs. Wang asserted, "If it weren't for that, how could he have entered the cabinet?"

Wang Shipin was taken aback, then nodded.

The old mother's words were not without reason.

"It's also your fault for being so useless." Old Mrs. Wang scolded, looking at her with a disappointed expression, "Otherwise, how could you have let Jiang Zichuan snatch away the disciples and former officials left behind by your father?"

"Otherwise, your sister and brother-in-law would not have been demoted to local areas to suffer."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shiping couldn't help but lower his head.

Over the years, his elderly mother has often scolded him with examples of his younger sister, Wang Ruoyu's, experiences.

"That's fine."

Old Mrs. Wang stood up, squinted her eyes and said, "Now that you have served as a fourth-rank educational official for six years, it is time for you to be promoted to the capital. Your sister has been in the provinces for a full ten years, it is time for her to come to the capital and enjoy a peaceful retirement."

Wang Shiping was somewhat surprised and quickly asked, "It's not difficult for me to enter the capital, but how can my sister enter the capital?"

Previously, her younger sister, Wang Ruoyu, had offended Grand Secretary Jiang and was demoted to Danzhou.

The old lady couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer, so she used her connections extensively.

Ultimately, his brother-in-law, Kang Haifeng, was transferred from Danzhou to Wenzhou, thus leaving behind the harsh and cold land.

However, leaving this harsh and cold place doesn't mean you can swagger into the capital!

If we go to the capital and stand in front of Grand Secretary Jiang, wouldn't that make Grand Secretary Jiang unhappy?

"Why can't we enter the capital?"

Grandma Wang waved her hand dismissively and said, "It's not necessary for us to go to the capital together. Your mother and I will go to the capital first, and we can then make plans and arrangements so that you can come to the capital later."

"Jiang Zichuan swallowed up the connections left by your father, using them to enter the cabinet and become prime minister. He doesn't want to give up a single thing. Is there such a good thing as a free lunch?"

Wang Shiping was taken aback, but ultimately said nothing.

Jiang Mansion, Long Pavilion.

The shallow stream murmurs over the stones.

Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu, holding the official documents, looked at each other, somewhat at a loss.

After a year and a half of hard study, he finally passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), and now he has a chance to go to the capital for the imperial examinations.

As a result, the elder brother expanded the territory and returned in triumph, and the emperor simply rewarded him with an official position.

Chaofeng Dafu, a fifth-rank official.

Zhongsan Dafu, a fifth-rank official.

Generally speaking, the vast majority of second- and third-class Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) only reached the fifth rank.

This is like achieving instant success?

"Big brother, are we still taking the exam?" Jiang Xiao asked tentatively.

"Take the test!"

Taking a sip of tea, Jiang Zhao nodded decisively and said, "I won't take the exam. I'll just be a fifth-rank official who has passed the provincial examination. Whatever your official position is now, it will be the same thirty years from now."

"But if you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, even if you are promoted one rank every six years, you can still get a purple robe after thirty years."

"Retiring with honors as a third-rank official is still bringing glory to one's ancestors!"

Official positions were bestowed by imperial grace, ranging from the fifth or sixth rank to the eighth or ninth rank.

Generally speaking, the eldest son of a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet would receive a position starting from the fifth or sixth rank through hereditary privilege.

The eldest son of a regular second or third-rank official would start at the eighth or ninth rank.

As for those below the third rank, unless they have made extraordinary contributions, they are not qualified to have their sons inherit official positions.

Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu, one a fifth-rank official and the other a fifth-rank official, already have a very high starting point.

Of course, being appointed to an official position through hereditary privilege was not without its drawbacks.

At the very least, they would be at a disadvantage when it comes to promotions.

Promotions every six or nine years are the norm.

As for how far Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu will go in the future?

This depends on the issue of fame and fortune.

Without the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), one would remain stagnant for life.

If one has the title of Jinshi (进士), then there is a chance to rise to the third rank.

If one has the ability to pass the examination and become a probationary official, then the upper limit might be even higher.

Wang Shiping, the eldest son of Grand Tutor Wang, was a typical example of someone who entered officialdom through hereditary privilege.

He was supposed to be a sixth-grade healer, but he was forced to work his way down to the third or fourth grade.

"Yes." The two looked at each other and nodded in unison.

A third-rank purple robe is an absolute honor for any family.

"Don't worry if you don't pass the exam."

Jiang Zhao slowly said, "At worst, I can petition the emperor to grant me the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)."

The opening of the borders at Xihe and Xifeng resulted in ten people being granted the honor of becoming Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and receiving official positions through hereditary privilege.

If Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu fail the exam, then we'll use up two of their spots.

Anyway, might as well use it!

In the end, if a few spots are left, they will be used to seek fame and official positions for the next generation of children.

Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu nodded repeatedly.

Is this what it feels like to be carried away?

Although life can be seen to the end at a glance.

But it was so awesome!

Chapter 213 A new person has arrived in the cabinet! (4k)

As dawn breaks, a gentle breeze stirs the air.

Jiang Mansion.

On the ebony table, there were goji berry tea, flatbread, white porridge, rice noodles, fried meat, jujube cake, and clear mutton soup, served in six small bowls.

Jiang Zhao, Jiang Huaijin, Jiang Heng, Jiang Xun, Sheng Hualan, and Sheng Shulan, a total of six people, held chopsticks and spoons.

"call."

Jiang Zhao blew on the specially brewed goji berry tea and took a small sip.

After several days of this ordeal, I'm really feeling a bit weak.

Goji berry tea and mutton soup are good ways to nourish yourself.

After taking a few sips, Jiang Zhao couldn't help but glance at Sheng Hualan and Sheng Shulan.

Yin prevails over Yang, and Yang prevails over Yin; Yin and Yang are mutually generative.

If someone feels weak, someone else will definitely need nourishment.

Despite being tormented for several days, Sheng Hualan and Sheng Shulan showed no signs of weakness. On the contrary, their complexions were rosy and radiant, as if they had received a "great tonic".

Every glance, every smile, made her even more beautiful.

Jiang Zhao took a big gulp of goji berry tea and sighed inwardly.

In just a few days, he was hurt by women and felt so empty.

From this day forward, I will abstain from it!

Perhaps sensing their husbands' gaze, Sheng Hualan and Sheng Shulan both lowered their heads, not daring to meet each other's eyes.

It is really not in line with the dignified demeanor of a woman from a "distinguished family" or "scholarly family" to have two women serving her husband together.

Thinking about it now still makes me feel ashamed.

Little did they know that this coy refusal only made them more endearing.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it and then looked away.

How can one resist the allure of keeping a mistress in a golden house, surrounded by soft, fragrant flesh?

Don't quit!

Do you think I don't know whether female beauty is harmful or not?

"Huaijin, how are your studies at the Imperial Academy?" Jiang Zhao asked his eldest son, sipping his goji berry tea.

Officials of the third rank or above could allow their sons to study at the Imperial Academy, a practice known as "hereditary enrollment."

As Jiang Zhao's eldest son, Jiang Huaijin naturally entered the Imperial Academy to study.

"Of the more than two hundred students, my son ranked seventy-seventh," Jiang Huaijin replied.

Seventy-seven?

Jiang Zhao nodded in satisfaction.

The students of the Imperial Academy included not only the sons of high-ranking officials of the third rank or above, but also some who had failed the imperial examinations.

For a ten-year-old child to achieve a mid-to-high level in the Imperial College entrance exam is already quite remarkable.

"Where is Heng'er?" Jiang Zhao asked, looking at his second son.

"I recognize over seven hundred characters," Jiang Heng quickly replied.

He was just over five years old and still in the early stages of his education.

Jiang Zhao nodded and slowly sipped his tea.

If the father is a top scholar, the son can't be too bad.

If even a few of his children could inherit 30% of his abilities, studying for the imperial examinations and becoming officials would not be a problem at all.

"Father, what about me?" Jiang Xun glanced around a few times, and seeing that no one was asking him, he quickly waved to make his presence known.

Jiang Zhao couldn't help but smile.

The three-year-old is quite clever.

"Where is Xun'er?" Jiang Zhao asked.

Jiang Xun stood up straight and said loudly, "A few dozen characters."

"Impressive," Jiang Zhao said with a smile.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a cup of goji berry tea is finished.

One cup is finished, then another is poured.

After drinking two cups of goji berry tea, Jiang Zhao put down his teacup and slowly stood up.

Jiang Huaijin, Jiang Heng, and Jiang Xun all put down their bamboo chopsticks.

"I have to go to the yamen now, so please eat slowly," Jiang Zhaoping said gently.

It has been twelve years since I entered officialdom.

The much-praised "Young Grand Secretary" finally dropped the "Young" part and officially entered the cabinet as prime minister.

Today, he will go to the cabinet to take up his post and try out the life of a cabinet minister.

"Officer."

Sheng Hualan moved with light steps, her long dress swaying slightly. She held an invitation in her hand and said softly, "Yesterday, there was a small gathering of powerful officials and their families. Many people asked me when I would host a banquet to celebrate my entry into the cabinet."