It coincided with the Chinese New Year, and many officials from the capital who were far away from home stayed in the capital after the holidays. Yang Shiqi's guest had a birthday in the first month of the year, so he invited some colleagues and friends to a banquet. Zhang Ning was also invited. This kind of banquet must be attended.
The banquet was held at Yang's Mansion, just like a family banquet, but the dishes were prepared by the nearby Juxian Restaurant. Because as soon as we entered the door, we saw the flags of that restaurant, and the restaurant owner had a business sense and took the opportunity to advertise.
There were not many people, and including the families of the invited officials, there were only five or six tables in total. This kind of scene was very low-key. Three tables were set up in the living room, and an oilcloth was pulled up in the yard, and the snow was swept away, and three tables were also set up.
The three tables in the living room were all occupied by bureaucrats, and the eight people directly above them were almost all officials of the third or fourth grade or above, mostly old men. Zhang Ning naturally couldn't sit at that table. After sitting down, he first discovered that Yang Sihai was here.
It's a bit surprising indeed.
In addition, Yu Qian and Zhang He were also at the same table. Since everyone was of similar rank and age, they got together today.
Zhang He is Lu Zhen's son-in-law, and Lu Zhen is Zhang Ning's teacher in name. They can be regarded as brothers in the same discipline, but they actually have a personal grudge. When you think about it, this grudge is a bit inexplicable. At first, it was Zhang He who
He secretly impeached Zhang Ning about his life experience, and later Zhang Ning snatched the opportunity to go to Nanjing to meet him to perform meritorious deeds. After two rounds, it was difficult to resolve the dirty feelings in each other's hearts.
Sometimes personal grievances can also affect relationships. Some time ago, Zhang Ning and Hu Ying became natural enemies because of the ash case, and they could still chat a few words in private. On the contrary, he and Zhang He were supposed to be in the same camp through their relationship with Lu Zhen, but instead they became
It became a situation where I had nothing to say in private.
Zhang He was chatting and laughing, and exchanged a few words with everyone, but ignored Zhang Ning. When Zhang Ning saw this, he was too lazy to put his hot face on his cold butt, and they both seemed to treat each other as transparent people.
Zhang Ning saw Zhang He with his head raised and a very good mood. Zhang Ning felt unhappy and really wanted to go up and slap this guy twice. Of course, he was just thinking about whether he would give Yang Shiqi face if a fight broke out at the table.
Already?
Perhaps knowing that Yang Sihai was Zhang Ning's fellow villager, Zhang He took the initiative to become friendly with Yang Sihai, clasping his fists and saying congratulations: "I heard that Brother Sihai just bought a piece of land in Beijing?"
At this time, Yang Sihai replied: "My parents are old and I am an only son. I am an official in the capital and it is difficult to take care of me. I wanted to be supported by the capital, and I got a generous loan from a fellow villager, so I made preparations to buy a yard."
; Otherwise, leasing will also cost money.”
"These days, the people in Beijing are rich, and Brother Sihai's fellow countrymen must be rich people." Zhang He said with a smile.
Yang Sihai turned to look at Zhang Ning and said, "Brother Ping'an also knows Mr. Su. Several of our classmates even got together when we were in Nanjing."
"Of course we know each other, Mr. Su and I once co-wrote a play together." Zhang Ning smiled kindly.
Zhang Ning secretly thought: Su Liangchen actually started spending money to invest in Yang Sihai, but he and I have not exchanged letters for several months. Could it be that I am gradually losing investment value in the eyes of Jianghu people?
Yang Sihai is a relatively stable person, but he is still a young man. Maybe he still remembers the humiliation by "Zhang Ning", so his words are vaguely showing off? What about saying that he is short and has low knowledge?
Although it was resolved when he went to Beijing to take the exam, Yang Sihai may still be a little concerned about it in his heart... so it should be very psychologically satisfying to feel proud in front of someone who has humiliated him.
Sihai is indeed doing well now. He has the title of Jinshi and an official position. He mainly has a future, buys land and a house, and can care about honoring his parents. However, he and Zhang He have different personalities. They show off in a humble and casual way.
Shown, so the taunting effect is minimal.
Zhang He's next words were obviously deliberately disgusting. He nodded solemnly and said: "Brother Sihai is right, it is still necessary to take care of the yard. Are you not married yet? Your parents will definitely take care of this for you when they come.
That’s it, when our sister-in-law comes over, we can’t live in a yard under someone else’s name, right?”
Yang Sihai smiled without comment.
Zhang Ning heard that it was particularly harsh. He had been engaged to Luo Yaoniang last year, and it was delayed for a year and a half because of the death of the late emperor. As soon as the first year of Xuande arrived, this matter should have been put on the agenda, but he really
There is no house... Like the two-door courtyard rented in Zhengjuesi Hutong now, it would cost at least several hundred taels to buy; but a residence with a residential style like that is too simple and simple for bureaucrats, and it is still difficult to compare it with others.
I'm so sorry. A nice big mansion in the inner city would cost tens of thousands taels.
Sometimes things that I don't care much about become as if they are important due to vanity comparisons.
When encountering this kind of thing, if you go to refute and argue, your price will be reduced. The guy insinuations just want to make people feel humiliated and humiliated. As long as he gets angry, he will get what he wants. In the end, Zhang He was unreasonable and could still say: I am talking to Brother Sihai, there is really no such thing.
I mean, I'm sorry for making you worry too much.
So Zhang Ning simply pretended to be stupid and pretended not to hear, but silence was golden. However, no matter whether Zhang He's method was tacky or not, the effect was indeed effective, and Zhang Ning's heart was troubled for a while.
At this moment, Yu Qian said: "Let's sit in Yang Gong's house and talk about the common things that ordinary people like to talk about. It's really meaningless. Let's talk about something else."
Only then did Zhang He's crow's mouth stop.
There was a lot of excitement inside and outside the living room, and after the banquet there were refreshments. However, the time gradually became late, and the guests were leaving one after another. Zhang Ning and several colleagues of similar age also went to say goodbye. At this time, Yang Shiqi said: "Ping'an and Tingyi (Yu Qian)
"Leave later, I'll help you later." Only Yu Qian and Zhang Ning were left, and no one else was called. After all, there is a difference between closeness and distance.
Of course, Yang Shiqi didn't keep the two of them just to help. The Yang family had servants to clean and tidy up, so it would be unreasonable to ask officials to do those things. We are not ordinary people, only ordinary people in the market would help with some work in the neighborhood.
After the guests had dispersed, Yang Shiqi called Yu and Zhang to the study, probably because he had something to say.
Sure enough, after the guests and hosts were seated, Yang Shiqi had no polite words and went straight to the subject as if he were one of his own: "After the festival, the imperial government will open the printing office, and the Ministry of Personnel will have an inspection for promotions. It just so happens that you are in the house today, so I will say a few words.
After Tingyi became the supervisory censor, he worked conscientiously without any fault, but he still lacked qualifications. During the ministry meeting, he should maintain his original position according to the rules. This is fine. There is a very important event in the court this year, and maybe Tingyi can experience it... As for
Safety……"
At this point, Yang Shiqi's face suddenly showed a trace of unnoticeable sadness. When Zhang Ning saw this, he knew that it was impossible for him to participate in "that big thing"; the so-called big thing, he could easily guess, it was to cut down the vassal clan.
Son is the first political achievement Xuande wanted to accomplish after he came to the throne.
Sure enough, Yang Shiqi paused and said: "Ping'an is not a Jinshi after all. While you are young, you should calm down and do more learning. There is a vacancy in the Nanjing Imperial College..."
When Zhang Ning heard this, he suddenly felt sad. Emperor Xuande was only in his twenties and had not established a prince. Now it would be meaningless to go to Nanjing. If Zhang Ning is older, it would be nice to go to Nanjing to be an official in the Imperial Academy, which is easy and dignified, but he
When you are in your twenties and you are looking forward to your future, it is really uncomfortable to be in an official position that is far away from the political center and does not do anything practical.
Zhang Ning finally couldn't help it and said: "If possible, I would rather be a county magistrate."
Although his attitude remained respectful, his dissatisfaction was obvious in his words. Of course, his dissatisfaction was not directed at Yang Shiqi. Yang Shiqi had no reason to run against Zhang Ning. The reason why he wanted to do so was probably because he had figured out the emperor's thoughts and let Zhang Ning leave.
Capital, please give me a peaceful life, and the emperor will be satisfied with this arrangement.
After Yang Shiqi heard Zhang Ning's words, he glanced at him, pondered for a moment and said: "It's not enough to be a county magistrate. You are a fifth-grade Beijing official, and you are not wrong (on the surface), but you are devolved to a seventh-grade county magistrate. Because of your feelings,
Yu Li can't explain it. But..."
The word "but" gave Zhang Ning a slight boost of hope. He really didn't want to waste his time! But where is the way out? From the Ming Dynasty to the present, the situation has gradually stabilized. If you don't have the right, you can't do anything. Think about it.
A county official can kill people no matter what he does; if he quits being an official and goes to Yao Ji to farm and rebel... Zhang Ning thought about it, but felt that there was little hope of direct rebellion. If it were at the end of the dynasty, the possibility would be greater.
Furthermore, Jianwen's old party itself is already in decline. It is estimated that the "prince" of Jianwen is quite depressed now, let alone Zhang Ning, the youngest son who is not familiar with the place and place there; obviously he has no place in that circle if he defected to the past.
, without official position and court connections, a bachelor is of little value to them, how can he be reused?
"But..." Yang Shiqi said, "There is one more thing that Ping An may be able to do. A few years ago, Minister Hu made a rumor that there was a refugee group called the 'Evil Cult' in Huguang, and it was said that tens of thousands of people gathered to harass the place. The Emperor therefore
I intend to send a censor to inspect Huguang, sort out the truth and falsehoods, and then propose strategies to stabilize Huguang based on the facts. If Ping An can achieve results here, perhaps he will do something else in the future."
There were no outsiders in the study. Although Yang Shiqi did not say it explicitly, he made it very clear: Zhang Ning could either live a good life as a casual civil servant; or he could give up the "grace of forgiveness" and slowly work through his seniority to achieve political achievements and try his best to prove his position.
, and later looked for opportunities to make a comeback and be reused by the court again.
As for the marriage, Yang Shiqi didn't mention a word and showed no signs of changing it. After all, Luo Yaoniang was just his adopted daughter. It would be good to have an extra right and left arm in the marriage; if the matter could not be forced, as long as she was not a political opponent, just let it go.
Of course, there is no need to persist in this matter and ruin his reputation. Besides, the adopted daughter Luo Yaoniang has made up her mind. How can she be forced to do so? As for Zhang Ning's troubled life experience, even if a adopted daughter is implicated, it will be difficult to shake Yang Shaobao's status.
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