"I am Yuan Shao, whose courtesy name is Benchu. I have seen Zhou engaged in it."

After Zhou Qi heard the name Yuan Shao, he couldn't help showing a surprised look on his face.

In his inherent impression, Yuan Shao was one of those people who was lenient on the outside and taboo on the inside, headstrong and self-willed. He also came from a powerful family, so he must be full of arrogance.

Just like Yuan Shao looked down on the horse archer Guan Yu in the novel when the princes were fighting against Dong, Yuan Shao would not be too close to someone with a bad background.

However, he did not expect that the handsome young man in front of him, who was graceful in posture, very handsome, and quite magnanimous, and could make people fall in love with him at a glance, was actually the Yuan Shao in his impression.

After being surprised, Zhou Qi did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly bowed and saluted: "I never thought that it would be Yuan Benchu ​​in front of me, and I have admired him for a long time!"

However, Yuan Shao said somewhat impressively: "It's just a humble name, why should it matter? On the contrary, Zhou's feats in Pei State made Shao Jijie admire him, and he felt incomparable."

After finishing speaking, he turned to look at Xiang Hong, who was standing beside him, and asked: "Is this the Zhao guest described in "The Journey of a Knight"?"

Zhao Keman and Hu Ying.

When Zhou Qi wrote this poem, he also combined it with Xiang Hong's life experience, which was quite appropriate for the occasion.

Xiang Hong also knew about the Yuan family. When he heard Yuan Shao's question, he hurriedly saluted and said, "Xiang Hong, Xiang Bode, has met the young master."

Even though the term "gongzi" was no more noble in the late Han Dynasty than in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, ordinary people were not qualified to be called such a title. Instead, it symbolized status and identity.

With Yuan Shao's background, he is naturally worthy of these two words.

When Yuan Shao saw Xiang Hong's recognition, he immediately returned the courtesy and said: "Shao has admired Bo De for his righteous deeds for a long time. It is a blessing to meet him today."

Xiang Hong, who came from a humble background, received such praise from Yuan Shao, and suddenly felt a little at a loss and hurriedly postponed it.

When Zhou Qi saw this, his surprise became even stronger.

If Yuan Shao treated me with such a kind and gentle attitude, it would barely make sense. After all, he had done all those great things in Pei State, and he had also written a few poems, and he was an official under the command of Sili Xiaowei.

But Xiang Hong, who was born in this way, was able to receive such courtesy from Yuan Shao, which completely overturned Zhou Qi's inherent impression of Yuan Shao.

With Yuan Shao's appearance and background, if Zhou Qi had not already befriended Xiang Hong and gained his recognition and allegiance, just because of Yuan Shao's praise today, it would have been very easy to recruit Xiang Hong.

Many times, people who come from a poor family care more about other people's attitudes towards them, especially noble children like Yuan Shao. If they can be humble to a poor family, they will easily gain the loyalty of others.

Compared with Yuan Shao, Zhou Qi is naturally at a disadvantage in this regard. Even if he wants to recruit Xu Chu, it will be extremely difficult.

Changing places, if the person who recruited the Xu brothers in Xujiazhai was not Zhou Qi, but Yuan Shao, who was born in the Yuan family, I am afraid that the Xu brothers would have bowed to him and would follow him at all costs.

Yuan Shao praised Xiang Hong, then looked at Zhou Qi and said: "Meng De and I are close friends. Not long ago, he wrote to me, saying that Ziyi has great ambitions, has the talent to understand the world, and can stabilize the country."

"I have known Meng De for a long time, and I know that he may seem bohemian, but in fact he is extremely proud. I have never praised others so highly."

"For Zi Yi to be so praised by Meng De, there must be something extraordinary about him."

"I am not very talented, but I would like to prepare some wine and invite you two to a banquet. Is it okay?"

Zhou Qi is indeed interested in making friends with Yuan Shao.

However, when he turned around and saw the soldiers of Sili Xiaowei Mansion following him, he smiled bitterly and bowed: "I'm really sorry, I still have official duties, so I'm afraid I won't be able to go to the banquet."

At this time, Yuan Shao also saw the soldiers of the Sili Xiaowei Mansion behind Zhou Qi, and immediately smiled and said: "I was the one who was abrupt, don't blame me for being different."

Zhou Qi waved his hand: "If you don't abandon me, when I have some free time, I can prepare some wine and invite my brother to a banquet to make amends. Is that okay?"

Yuan Shao smiled and said: "I have lived in Luoyang for many years, and Ziyi has just arrived. How can I make Ziyi spend money?"

"It's up to me to invite Ziyi to drink."

Zhou Qi heard this and did not postpone it any further.

After arriving in Luoyang, he realized how high the consumption level here was. Zhou Qi was considered a poor loser at this time and had no extra money to entertain Yuan Shao in a better restaurant.

Since Yuan Shao insisted on hosting the banquet, he naturally did not continue to shirk it.

After bidding farewell to Yuan Shao, Zhou Qi took Xiang Hong and others to continue patrolling the city. During this period, he asked Xiang Hong: "Brother Bode, how do you think Cao Mengde compares with Yuan Benchu?"

Zhou Qi's words stumped Xiang Hong.

In terms of appearance, appearance, family background and demeanor, Yuan Shao almost outshines Cao Cao. Compared to Yuan Shao's magnanimity, Cao Cao can at best be considered a nouveau riche.

However, after Xiang Hong had a close relationship with Cao Cao, he could also feel Cao Cao's personality charm.

On the other hand, Yuan Shao, although his first impression of Xiang Hong was very good, they did not have a close relationship after all. Xiang Hong did not know what Yuan Benzhu was like, so he did not dare to make any more comments.

Seeing that Xiang Hong was in trouble and didn't know how to answer, Zhou Qi smiled casually and said, "Let's talk about this topic when we meet Yuan Benchu ​​tonight."

When Xiang Hong heard this, he lowered his voice and said: "The emperor has already announced that he will take action against the Yuan family's children. Will Ziyi meeting Yuan Benchu ​​in private at this time displease the emperor?"

When Zhou Qi heard this, he smiled slightly and said: "I will report this matter to the envoy. If he doesn't want to, I will postpone it."

The two of them took the soldiers under the command of Sili Xiaowei's Mansion. After completing their inspection, they returned to Sili Xiaowei's Mansion to take over the work.

Zhou Qi went to visit Yang Qiu and said: "Your Majesty, when I was patrolling today, I happened to meet Yuan Benchu, who invited me to a banquet."

"I don't know what your will is."

Hearing this, Yang Qiu looked at Zhou Qi, with a slight smile in his eyes, and asked, "Have you ever agreed?"

Zhou Qi said truthfully: "It's hard to refuse such kindness, and my subordinates have already agreed."

The smile in Yang Qiu's eyes grew stronger and he said: "If that's the case, why do you come back to ask me? You go to the banquet, lest you be known as someone who doesn't believe what you say."

Zhou Qi bowed and said, "Thank you very much for your understanding."

After watching Zhou Qi leave, the assistant who was standing around asked: "Why did Yuan Benchu ​​invite Zhou Ziyi to the banquet?"

Yang Qiu stroked his beard and said, "I'm afraid it's to test my attitude towards the Yuan family."

Jiazuo suddenly realized it and asked: "Is your Majesty showing your favor to the Yuan family by letting Zhou Ziyi go to the banquet?"

Yang Qiu slowly suppressed his smile, and then sighed: "If I want to help your majesty pacify the traitors in the court, I must be a lonely minister. I must not only be enemies with the eunuchs, but also be on the opposite side of the aristocratic family. Only in this way can I gain your majesty's respect."

."

"However, the Yuan family is extremely powerful. If we turn against them, I'm afraid I won't even be able to serve as a lone minister."

"Therefore, although I threatened to investigate the Yuan family, I delayed the matter and ordered Zhou Ziyi to go to Yuan Benchu's banquet. When the Yuan family saw this, they must know what I meant."

"Perhaps Zhou Ziyi guessed my intentions and came here to test me on purpose."

"If he doesn't come to ask for instructions and goes directly to the banquet, he has different intentions and cannot be used again. Now that he tells the truth, it shows Ziyi's loyalty."

After hearing this, Jizuo suddenly realized.

He also echoed: "Zhou Ziyi is affectionate, righteous, wise and courageous, and can indeed take on big responsibilities."

Yang Qiu stroked his beard and nodded, and then sighed: "With Ziyi's background and reputation, even if I recruit him into the Sili Xiaowei Mansion, his future will be limited after all. If possible, I would like to recommend him as a filial and honest person. This way

For the right path."

In this era, promoting filial piety and integrity is like promoting success in later generations. It is the most orthodox way for scholars to climb up. Otherwise, it is just conquest.

However, except for those celebrities with high moral character and high prestige who could be recruited by the imperial court and entrusted with important tasks, most of the others were recruited as minor officials. Compared with those who promoted filial piety and integrity, they naturally had no future.

If Zhou Qi can be promoted as a filial and honest person, it will be equivalent to a stepping stone in the bureaucracy of this era. As long as he makes merit and someone is promoted above him, it will be very easy to get promoted.

Hearing this, Jizuo looked envious.

As a confidant of Yang Qiu, he has followed him conscientiously for so many years, but he has not been awarded the place to be promoted as filial and honest.

But he didn't expect that Yang Qiu would be willing to give such a precious spot to Zhou Qi.

As if he had read through Jia Zuo's thoughts, Yang Qiu patted him on the shoulder and said: "To promote Xiaolian is not just based on relationships, but also depends on character, talent, knowledge, and reputation. There is no problem with your character, but you lack the compatibility with Xiaolian."

Matching talent, learning and fame."

Ji Zuo said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, my subordinates do not dare to expect to be promoted as filial and honest. As long as they can always be by your side, this life will be enough."

Hearing this, Yang Qiu sighed deeply.

Since the emperor used the Three Mutual Methods, it has become more and more difficult for noble families to exchange benefits and make their own family members filial and honest.

Behind every Xiaolian quota involves a very complicated exchange of interests. Even with Yang Qiu's current status and power, it is not easy to obtain a Xiaolian quota.

Moreover, people with high positions and positions like them tend to cherish their feathers and would never recommend people easily.

Otherwise, if the person being recommended does not have real talents and knowledge, it will bring shame on the recommender and damage the recommender's reputation.

He walked to the door of the attic, stared at the bustling Luoyang City outside, and said: "Although I intend to promote Zhou Ziyi, it is not easy."

"First, Zhou Ziyi comes from a humble background and has no help in the court. It is not easy for him to gain a firm foothold in the court with my own strength."

"Secondly, Zhou Ziyi has not yet reached the age of crown, so it is not suitable for him to be filial and honest."

"Third, and most importantly, Zhou Shifu died and Zhou Ziyi did not observe filial piety. This may be criticized by others. It is extremely difficult to promote him as filial and honest."

Yang Qiu has been in the officialdom for so many years and is very familiar with many hidden rules. Therefore, he can conclude that even if he is promoted and promoted, Zhou Qi will not be able to make a name for himself in the officialdom in a short time.

Of course, if it comes to the future era when princes will rise together, there will not be so many restrictions on who you want to promote. As long as the princes are willing, people can rise to the top in one step.

However, the world is not yet in chaos, and everything must be done within the rules of the system.

Failure to honor his grandfather has become Zhou Qi's biggest weakness in this era. Unfortunately, even if Zhou Qi knows this, there is no good solution for the time being.

He came from a poor background, but he was able to achieve what he has today because the old miser risked his life to create such an opportunity for him.

If Zhou Qi doesn't seize this opportunity, it will be difficult for him to get a chance to succeed.

After he killed Wang Ji, if he did not join Yang Qiu, he would not be absolved, and he might be wanted by the court for years to come.
To be continued...