After dinner, Shen Zhonglei handed over the errands of settling the others to his colleague Jiang Hong, and accompanied Li Zian and Fan Yuru back to the magistrate's residence.
The three of them sat down one after another. After the servants served tea, they left wisely and closed the door before leaving.
Fan Yuru saw Shen Zhonglei's restrained and anxious look, so he took the lead and asked: "Master Shen, have you found out what happened last time?"
Shen Zhonglei never mentioned this matter because he was afraid of causing trouble for Fan Yuru in front of Li Zian.
He originally thought that he would find an opportunity to thank Mr. Fan in private. He had really helped him a lot. Otherwise, he would have lost his black gauze hat on his head, let alone his performance appraisal and promotion.
Hearing what Fan Yuru said at this time, Shen Zhonglei immediately said: "During the Flower Goddess Festival, I really want to thank Mr. Fan so much!"
"If Mr. Fan hadn't helped me, I would have made a fool of myself at the harvest ceremony. If it affected the harvests of farmers around Yongzhou Prefecture this year, I really can't afford it!"
Li Zian was just drinking tea quietly on the side and had no intention of participating in the chat, but after hearing Shen Zhonglei's words, he suddenly became interested.
"I didn't expect Master Shen to attach great importance to the fertility ceremony."
"It made the prince laugh." Shen Zhonglei said, "Actually, although Weichen was born in the imperial examination, he is not a pedantic person. However, after Weichen took office, he checked the government records of previous years and compared several weather, rain and
In all years with similar conditions, one year, it rained on the day of the harvest ceremony, which was considered unlucky by the people, and the field output that year was nearly 20% less than in other years."
"So Mr. Shen thinks that the failure of the prayer ceremony affected the land production of that year?"
Shen Zhonglei shook his head and said: "The ministers don't believe it, but the common people believe it. Those farmers who work in the fields all year round, with their faces facing the loess and their backs to the sky, believe it.
"Many farmers have never read a book and are illiterate. They only have simple senses and beliefs.
"Perhaps in the eyes of the Crown Prince and Wei Chen, it is a bit absurd and childish to entrust all the harvest of a year to one ceremony.
"But for ordinary people, it is their expectation and hope for the year. If the day goes well, the good mood it brings can last from the beginning to the end of the year.
"Similarly, if they have a bad day, that frustration will carry over into their lives every day.
"Although mood will not affect the growth of crops, it can change a person's attitude towards crops. Maybe they are not even aware of it, but over time, the changes will be subtle and subtle. The changes will be huge. I gave up my land from the bottom of my heart.
For those who love it, the land will give them the most direct lesson.”
"Although Huguang is not as famous as Jiangnan, which has been a land of plenty since ancient times, in recent years, the capital and even Jiangnan have actually needed Huguang to supply food, so there is also a saying that if Huguang is cooked, the world will have enough.
"As a parent official, Wei Chen naturally hopes that the local fields will have a good harvest and the people will be rich, so no matter what the meaning of praying for prosperity is, as long as it has an effect, Wei Chen is willing to take it seriously."
Shen Zhonglei's words really made Li Zian look at him with admiration.
From top to bottom, Daqi attaches great importance to reading.
As the crown prince, Li Zian not only read the Classics and History Collection from an early age, but Prince Rui also hired a Western teacher for him, exposing him to many different cultures and perspectives.
But I never expected that Shen Zhonglei, who entered the official position through the imperial examination, would be so open-minded, and even had many views that coincided with his.
Li Zian asked with great interest: "Has Mr. Shen ever invited a Western gentleman before?"
"Although Wei Chen's family background is not bad, he only went to the academy to study step by step. He never invited a Western gentleman, and I have never heard of inviting a Western gentleman among my acquaintances."
"What you said just now were all your own thoughts?"
"Yes, it's all Wei Chen who figured it out by himself in his spare time."
Speaking of this, Shen Zhonglei couldn't help but think of the two years when he first arrived in Yongzhou Mansion. At that time, Xu was not as good as he is now. He took care of everything in the back house and didn't let him worry about it. He really put all his experiences into it.
They are all focused on the work of the yamen.
How is it like now, when the house is restless all day long, and it takes a toll on his energy from time to time.
"So, who were the people who sabotaged the fertility ceremony before?" Li Zian had a good impression of Shen Zhonglei and became interested in this matter.
Shen Zhonglei was a little hesitant when asked, not knowing whether he should say anything.
"Lord Shen, it's okay if you say so." Fan Yuru noticed Shen Zhonglei's confusion and smiled to remind him.
"If nothing else happens, it should be the fault of Sheng Zhishan, the governor of Xiangyang Prefecture."
"Xiangyang Prefecture?" Li Zian couldn't figure it out, "Master Shen has a feud with the prefect of Xiangyang Prefecture?"
Shen Zhonglei smiled bitterly and shook his head: "There is no festival, we don't even know each other."
Fan Yuru understood immediately and said: "This year happens to be the year when the imperial court assesses officials. Mr. Shen is in his sixth year in Yongzhou Mansion, and Mr. Shanda is in his ninth year. In theory, they can be transferred and promoted.
"Although Yongzhou and Xiangyang are far apart, they are both within our territory of Huguang. Whichever of the two has better performance appraisals will be more likely to get this opportunity..."
After saying this, Li Zian understood.
Moreover, what Fan Yuru did not mention was that the reason why Sheng Zhishan made this move was because there was news from Beijing that an old minister planned to retire this year and return to his hometown to retire, and the candidate to be promoted to replace him had already been determined.
In this way, there will be a good job vacancy in Jingzhong.
And this position, neither high nor low, is something that those who have been sent to work as officials can get it by standing on tiptoe.
The Shen family sent a letter before, asking Shen Zhonglei to be careful and behave well this year, saying that the family has entrusted the relationship, and as long as his grades are excellent, he may be able to take a further step. This is the position he is talking about.
But such a good position is about to be vacant. It is impossible for only the Shen family to get the news. Others will naturally see it and be greedy in their hearts.
It's just that Shen Zhonglei put his energy into doing practical things and thinking about how to do better.
However, Sheng Zhishan was full of shady calculations and only thought about how to unseat his powerful competitors so that he could ascend to the top.
"Is this Xiangyang Mansion?" Li Zian nodded, "I understand."
When Shen Zhonglei heard this, his heart beat wildly.
What does the prince mean by this? Does he mean to help him?
Impossible, he has no friendship with Li Zian.
Whoever can go further, Sheng Zhishan or him, actually has nothing to do with Li Zian. He has no reason to do such a thing.
Could it be that the prince wanted to win over him and use him as a pawn in the capital?