Chapter 1141 The halo of the protagonist, promotion of official position and salary
Zhou Chen had dinner at Sheng Mansion and chatted with the old lady for a while, and then the magistrate of Youyang came to visit.
The old lady said: "Youyang is the ancestral home of the Sheng family. From now on, your uncle and his family will still live in Youyang. Please help me if you can."
Although the Sheng family is very rich, money is not as good as power. If it were not for Sheng Hong's official status, it would be difficult for them to expand their business to such a large scale.
Of course, Sheng Hong can be promoted so quickly and can support a large family. Naturally, it is not enough to rely on his own ability and salary. In the early stage, most of it was supported by subsidies from the big house, so Sheng Hong can move faster.
’s meteoric rise.
To describe it in one sentence, it means supporting each other, both prospering and losing.
In the past, the second bedroom relied on the large bedroom, but now the larger bedroom relies more on the second bedroom.
As the second wife, Mrs. Sheng shared the same sorrows with the first wife, and her relationship with the second wife was very close, so if she could help the second wife, she would definitely be willing to help.
Of course Zhou Chen wouldn't have any objections. To him, it was just a matter of convenience.
His status as Zhongjing Marquis was a dimensional reduction blow for officials like Youyang Magistrate. This could be seen from the fact that when the other party learned that he was in Sheng Mansion, he came to visit him in a hurry.
"Grandma, don't worry, I will do it."
Sheng Wei brought the magistrate over to pay homage to Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen was naturally at ease, while Magistrate Youyang was much more humble. He was the powerful Zhongjing Marquis. The status gap between the two was huge, so they were very polite when they met.
Talk to Zhou Chen carefully.
Sheng Wei looked on the side with an expression of complacency. For people like them who were doing business, the magistrate of a county was already someone who could not be offended.
But such a person was restless and cautious in front of his niece and son-in-law, which naturally gave him great vanity.
Did you see that there are people in my Sheng family, and they are the Marquis Mansion that you can't reach? They are famous people in front of the current officials and nobles in the court.
Although Magistrate Youyang is much older than Zhou Chen, he is not qualified to show off in front of Zhou Chen, and he tries his best to leave a good impression in front of Zhou Chen.
Although Zhou Chen may not necessarily be able to help him in his career, if he is a familiar face, he may be able to use it in the future. Even if he does not use it, he will still be able to use it when bragging to his colleagues in the future.
matter.
Finally, Zhou Chen had a meal with Magistrate Youyang. In the evening, he was ready to say goodbye to the old lady, Sheng Wei and others.
Sheng Shulan suddenly walked out and saluted Zhou Chen, expressing her solemn gratitude.
"Hou Zhou, thank you very much for rescuing me yesterday, and also thank you for rescuing our entire family."
Zhou Chen smiled slightly and said: "We are all one family, so there is no need to be so polite. Grandma, uncle... I have military duties, so I will stay here soon. Say goodbye."
After saying that, he got on his horse, led his men, and quickly drove away. However, he still left some guards for the old lady and Minglan, and would escort them all the way back to Beijing.
Sheng Shulan stared blankly at the direction Zhou Chen was leaving. She didn't come back to her senses for a long time. In her mind, she could not help but think of the scene where Zhou Chen came down to earth to save her that day, and the scene where she sat on the horse and stood close to Zhou Chen.
Her reaction was noticed by several interested people, but no one said anything.
It's only been two months since the Chinese New Year, and no order has been sent from the court yet. I don't know if the court will let them return to Beijing to celebrate the Chinese New Year if Emperor Zhaode is not captured.
After Zhou Chen's six months of counterinsurgency, most of the uprisings and rebellions in many places in the south have been resolved. Although Emperor Zhaode has not yet been captured, the purpose of this counterinsurgency has been achieved.
But whether the court will let them go back depends on the official's wishes.
Zhou Chen actually no longer wanted to search for Emperor Zhaode with all his strength. The old boy searched for half a year and found no trace of Mao. Although he had learned from various rebel leaders that this guy was indeed still alive, but
He never showed up and seemed to have no ambitions for the rebellion. It was really difficult to catch him.
This also made him feel strange. Did you remember that it was explained in the plot that the Nong thief made a lot of noise, and even the subsequent capture of Rong Feiyan was framed on the Nong thief?
Why was it that after he came to the south to put down the rebellion, the rebels were not as powerful as expected? Although he did kill many rebels, to be honest, this level of rebels was not enough to pose any threat to the court, so
After thinking about it, there is only one possibility, and that is that the local officials' report is too watery.
Just when Zhou Chen thought he might not be able to go home for the New Year, news suddenly reached him that Gu Tingye had found the regular army of the Nong thieves and started a fierce fight. Finally, Gu Tingye killed the leader of the Nong thieves on the battlefield.
The head of Emperor Zhaode.
This result really shocked Zhou Chen. Good guy, he led his army to search for this Emperor Zhaode for so long but still couldn't find him. But Gu Tingye was lucky enough to find him after he divided his troops. Is this how a child of destiny is treated?
Gu Tingye's luck is indeed good, but being able to take down the head of the Nong thief also shows his ability. The great credit for suppressing the rebellion this time must fall on him.
Zhou Chen naturally would not have the idea of being greedy for merit. Because of his intervention, Gu Tingye's original life trajectory has changed, but now that he has taken the head of Emperor Zhaode, it is definitely a great achievement for him, even if
The officials didn't have a good impression of him at first, but for such a great achievement, they would definitely be rewarded heavily.
The news of the victory was sent to Bianjing City in an urgent message of 800 miles, and a reply was quickly received. The officials asked them to immediately take the body and head of Emperor Zhaode and return to the court.
Zhou Chen gathered the Long Guards together, saw the excited Gu Tingye, and praised him from the bottom of his heart.
"Zhong Huai, it seems that I made the right choice to take you on this expedition. Without you, we really might not be able to catch this bandit leader."
Gu Tingye said very humbly: "Brother, what are you talking about? If my brother hadn't been willing to take me as a burden, how could I have had this opportunity? All the credit should be my brother's."
Zhou Chen punched him and said with a smile: "You kid, is it possible that I will still take your credit?"
Gu Tingye laughed and beheaded the rebel leader. This was a great achievement. Even if his superior took away the credit, he would not be surprised. But Zhou Chen was different. He knew that Zhou Chen was not such a person at all.
That's why I can talk to Zhou Chen so easily.
"You killed the leader of the Nong bandits with your own hands. I have already written a memorial on this matter. After returning to the capital, you can wait for your promotion."
Gu Tingye's face was filled with joy. He was ready to stand on his own outside the Marquis Mansion and had made an engagement. Of course he wanted to build a career, get promoted and make a fortune. At the very least, he couldn't let his future wife and children be looked down upon.
"Brother is so kind, I will remember it in my heart."
"Okay, don't do this with me. I have to thank you. If you hadn't found the thief's leader, I wouldn't have been able to return to Beijing so early, and I wouldn't have been able to celebrate the New Year with my family, so I accept it.
I love you."
Rather than continuing to fight the rebellion outside, Zhou Chen certainly hopes to go home to accompany his mother, wife and children during the Chinese New Year. What's more, he really has no loyalty to the Song Dynasty. As long as the Song Dynasty does not fall, he can maintain his current status and identity.
, it is enough to let your family live well.
"Pack up the corpse of the leader of the Nong bandits and return to the capital."
He left the capital with 10,000 Dragon Guard troops, and when he returned, there were still more than 7,000 people left. The damage was not too much. As for the reported success, it was 100,000 killed.
Of course, it also gave a lot of credit to the local government. Everyone has common interests and naturally protects each other.
If you lose more than 2,000 people and kill 100,000 enemies, you can tell whether the merit is great and whether the efficiency is high, and whether it should be rewarded or not.
On the way back to Beijing, Zhou Chen heard something from Gu Tingye that surprised him very much.
Gu Tingye said that when he was chasing the rebels, he met a relative of the emperor named Zhao Zongquan who was serving as a regiment training envoy in Yuzhou. At that time, Zhao Zongquan and his son were being hunted. He rescued him and stayed with them for a few days.
, escorted them to a safe place.
Hearing this, Zhou Chen was really shocked. He thought that Gu Tingye's life trajectory had been changed by him, and he would definitely never establish a good relationship with people from Zhao Zongquan's Yuzhou family.
But he never expected that Gu Tingye, who came out to suppress the rebellion, would actually meet Zhao Zongquan. You must know that Yuzhou where Zhao Zongquan is located is located on Jingxi Road, which is not very far from Bianjing City. Gu Tingye can meet him in this way.
It's really God's will.
But in Zhou Chen's opinion, this is also a good thing. If the plot remains unchanged in the future, and Zhao Zongquan really becomes the emperor, it will be a great thing for Gu Tingye.
Even if Zhao Zongquan fails to become emperor, Gu Tingye has nothing to lose.
Ten days before Yuan Day, Zhou Chen finally led his army back to Tokyo, and then immediately went to see the officials.
Before Zhou Chen and the others came back, the reward from the imperial court had been decided. After Zhou Chen paid a visit to the officials, he received the reward.
He was promoted to General Zuo Xiaowei, Doctor Yinqing Guanglu, and was awarded the title of Protector of the Army. He still served as the Commander of the Horse Army and the commander of the capital.
The official rank has been promoted, but in fact, all the positions he obtained are false. Now his greatest real power is still the commander of the Ma Army, but he now holds several positions. In terms of rank and status, he is second to none in the court.
A big step forward.
There are positions, titles, honors, and real power.
Among the entire Xungui Group, there are few who can compare with Zhou Chen.
Although the initial decision to grant these rewards to Zhou Chen aroused opposition from many civil servants, the official attitude was firm. Those civil servants objected several times to no avail. In the end, seeing that Zhou Chen held mostly empty positions, they did not insist anymore.
On the contrary, when Gu Tingye was awarded the title, there was a heated discussion within the court.
Unlike Zhou Chen, after all, Zhou Chen had made great contributions and opened up territory for the Song Dynasty. He also held the title of founding marquis and had real power. Even if he was promoted, it would be considered reasonable. The objections from the civil servants were just habitual defiance.
Home arena.
But Gu Tingye was different. In Zhou Chen's good news, Gu Tingye was listed as the first contributor to the suppression of the rebellion, and he also personally beheaded the leader of the rebels. Such a contribution cannot be justified without a large reward.
In the end, Gu Tingye was promoted to the rank of Imperial Guardsman and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Marquis Yu. In this process, Gu Tingye's future in-laws also played a certain role, otherwise it would have been difficult for Gu Tingye to be promoted to the fifth rank and put on the scarlet robe.
You must know that Gu Tingye only started working under Zhou Chen a few months ago. So far, it has only been more than half a year, and he has been promoted several levels at once. Under normal circumstances, this would not happen at all.
It can only be said that military merit is still very good in the current period of official rule. In addition, he has the influence of Ningyuan Houfu and Mrs. Yu behind him, so he can be promoted exceptionally.
This is also the benefit of having people in the court and a deep backing. People like Sheng Hong, who had been wandering around and working hard for more than ten years, put on the scarlet robe. But Gu Tingye put on the scarlet robe in just one year, and he was well known among the people.
It can be regarded as a step to the sky.
"Brother."
Gu Tingye, who saw Zhou Chen again, had already changed into a scarlet robe, and his face was full of joy. He obviously knew about his reward.
He bowed deeply to Zhou Chen.
"What are you doing?" Zhou Chen helped him up.
Gu Tingye must say seriously and solemnly: "If it weren't for my brother, I would still be a libertine who hangs around all day long. I wouldn't have the achievements I have now. I deserve such a great favor."
Zhou Chen said: "You don't have to be like this. Now that we are officials in the same dynasty and both serve in Ma Junsi, there is no need to be so polite. With you helping me with things in the future, I can still be lazy and save some trouble, haha."
"
Gu Tingye clasped his fists and said, "Whatever my brother tells me, I will do whatever I want."
"Okay, let's not do this between the two of us. I miss my wife and children and am eager to go home, so I won't say more to you and will leave now."
"Brother, walk slowly."
After Zhou Chen said goodbye to Gu Tingye, he rode back to Zhongjing Hou Mansion.
As soon as he returned home, he saw Hua Lan coming over to greet him. Zhou Chen gave her a reassuring smile. Hua Lan breathed a sigh of relief and then looked happy.
"Official."
"Lady."
Hua Lan said very sensibly: "Mother has been waiting for the official for a long time. Let's go to see mother first."
"good."
Zhou Chen nodded, and then went with Hua Lan to the courtyard where his mother, Zhou Xu, lived.
"Saburo."
Mrs. Zhou Xu cried with joy when she saw Zhou Chen returning safely. She stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Chen to look at him non-stop.
Zhou Chen can especially understand the feelings of his mother and wife, because this is not his first time on the battlefield, but no matter how brave and invincible he is, people who really care about him will always be worried. This is pure care and love.
"Mom, I'm fine. Not only am I fine, I've also been promoted. Mother, don't worry."
Zhou Xu said: "It's a good thing to be promoted, but it's best if you are fine. When you come back, you won't leave again, right?"
"Well, the rebels have almost been defeated. There is no need for me to go to the official family. Moreover, it will be Yuan Day soon, and the court will also have a holiday. In the next time, I will mostly stay at home to accompany my mother and children.
.”
"well."
Mrs. Zhou Xu was very happy, and then called her two sons who were waiting anxiously. Zhou Chen picked them up one by one.
My toothache is so bad that I am very irritated. I have to find a time to have my wisdom teeth pulled out. It’s life-threatening. Do you have any friends who have had teeth pulled out? Does it hurt to pull out overgrown wisdom teeth?