Four hundred and fifty-four chapters enter Beijing again
Li You has already made two trips to the two thousand-mile canal that connects the north and the south, and there is not much new meaning along the way. As long as he continues to be an official in his life, he will have to drift up and down this waterway countless times.
We arrived in Tongzhou, Jingdong, in early August. It was the peak season for water transportation. Only water boats were allowed to pass on the Tonghui River from Tongzhou to the capital. Li You's privileges were not enough to allow his boat to sail to the capital, so he disembarked in Tongzhou and changed boats as usual.
car.
The family has a large population, so they have hired more than a dozen large vehicles, which is another huge expense. Li You couldn't help but sigh again, if he didn't have gray income like regular money, Aunt Guan who likes to do business, and no money.
With a million-dollar sponsorship, living like Hai Rui, even if the salary can be paid in full, you still can't afford the expenses of leaving office and going to Beijing to elect an official.
It is said that when Mr. Li received the imperial edict in Yangzhou, he sent Zhang San to go to the capital early to buy real estate. He also designated a residence in Shi Yongfang to the west of the imperial city. Even if he could not buy a residence in Shi Yongfang, he still wanted to buy a house.
Not too far.
Without it, as the saying goes, the west is richer and the east is richer, and the higher-ranking officials and officials from Beijing and Cao mostly live in the west. Especially Yongfang, which is close to the southwest of the imperial city. Whether you go east to enter the palace from Chengtian Gate, or go north to enter the palace from Xi'an Gate
The inner and outer Xiyuan are very close, so it is a prime location where officials from the capital gather. This location is roughly equivalent to the Xidan area in later generations.
The origin of Xigui probably dates back to the early years of the Kingdom. Because there is Shichahai here, the scenery is better than other places, and the emperor likes to move in Xiyuan, and it is convenient to have an audience from Xi'an Gate, so high-ranking officials and dignitaries chose to live in the west of the imperial city.
As time went by, a noble area (note that it was not a rich area) naturally formed in the west of the imperial city.
Living here is not only a status symbol, but also makes it easier to interact with the court officials who live nearby. Otherwise, living in the east of the capital will look a bit different, which is equivalent to being far away from the mainstream of court officials.
To be honest, living in the east of the Imperial City doesn't have much benefit except having an affair with Princess Guide and having a carnival in Jiaofangsi Hutong. As for the remote North City and the outer city of South City, they are not even considered.
.
Li You's visit to Beijing this time was not like last time. He could find a place to rent at random, but he had to put on a serious air. At Tongzhou Station, he met Zhang San who had come from the capital to greet him.
"Sir, it's hard to find a suitable house. Lu Shangshu's family helped us find two candidates, both of which were left by former imperial officials. One of them was in Yongfang, but it only had three rooms and three floors.
"It's a bit crowded to live in, but fortunately the backyard is a building. The other place has three rooms and five floors, which is wider, but the location is not as good as the previous one." Zhang San reported to Li You.
Li You thought about it for a moment and then ordered: "Then let's go to the front. It's a rare place. Just make it smaller. Maybe there will be a chance to expand in the future."
There was nothing to say all night. The next day, we set off in a big car. Li You, Madam Liu and Mei Zhi took the same car. They arrived in the capital in the afternoon, entered the outer city through Dongbian Gate, and then entered the inner city along Chongwen Neili Street through Chongwen Gate.
Mei Zhi curiously looked out of the small window. In a sense, she also acted as Mrs. Liu's eyes and ears. She commented to Mrs. Liu: "Miss, the streets in Beijing are wide and straight, but they are a little dirty. The ground is really dusty."
Li You smiled and said: "You look like an outsider who has never been to the capital. It is almost the best season in the capital. The crisp autumn air is quite nice. When the wind blows and the dust comes next spring, you will know what dust is.
It’s big. Besides, the streets in the capital are only as wide as these main streets, and the alleys everywhere are as narrow.”
Mei Zhi ignored the master's teasing, looked out, and continued to say to Mrs. Liu: "This house has red bricks and green tiles, and is colorful and beautiful. It is different from my hometown."
The carriage swayed for another half an hour. It stopped, and Zhang San, who had been leading the way, stood outside and reported respectfully: "Master, Madam, we are here now."
Li You got out of the car. The red door of the house had been opened. There was a screen wall inside. Standing outside the door, he couldn't see clearly inside. Zhang San took out a few pictures and started to explain to Li You how to arrange it.
Mr. Li was impatient to listen to these mundane matters, waved his hand and said: "You and Li Si should be more diligent, arrange the wives and household items, and find a quiet house for the two teachers. Just talk to me briefly later, Mr.
I won’t ask in detail.”
Li You stood in the alley and looked around from east to west, north and south. Sure enough, the neighbors had rich families. It was indeed an area where officials gathered. He had to pay a visit when he had time. Moreover, he had to ask Zhang San to inquire more. I didn't know who was nearby.
If someone's house leaves office or is raided, buy it quickly to expand the area of your house.
The next day was the fourth day of August. Li You left his family in the new house to settle down and tidy up, but he was anxious and took the post to the official department located just south of the palace city.
Li You was summoned to Beijing this time to accept the inspection and review of his tenure. The yamen responsible for the inspection were the Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Therefore, after entering Beijing, he had to take the initiative to report to the Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. His name was Cui
The post that the master helped write was equivalent to a work report from his previous life. The main content was to report his achievements for investigation.
His new house is only more than two miles away from Liubu outside Chengtianmen, and it is also an easy-to-walk road. Compared with the apartment he stayed in Beijing last time, it is much more convenient.
At the gate of the official department, it still looks like a busy market that remains unchanged all year round. If the court is like a market, the official department is the largest merchant in this market.
It is rare to find officials with real credentials in the local area. There may only be seven or eight in a large county. But here it is bustling and crowded. If a leaf swirls down, you may encounter three or five officials.
.No matter whether you are the local leader or the parent of the people, you will be just an ordinary commodity when you get here.
But it has to be said that even when standing in the pile of goods, Mr. Li is still eye-catching. Compared with the old guys who are mainly in their thirties and forties, such a young and fifth-grade person is either a phoenix or a rhinoceros.
The old officials in the staff hall were extremely impressed by Li You. When they saw the heroic Mr. Li stepping in, they were stunned for a moment and took the initiative to say hello: "Long time no see, Mr. Li!"
Amid all kinds of side glances, Li You jumped in and put the unveiling note on the case and asked, "Are Tianguan and Zuobu Lang here?"
"Yes, yes." The old official accepted the post and replied enthusiastically.
Li You nodded his thanks and turned to go to the back office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
After the reshuffle of the court in March last year, Xu Daohong, the former Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was promoted to the Grand Bachelor of Jianji Palace and became the second assistant. The former Yushi of Zuodu, Zhao Liangren, was moved to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and he is now the Lord Tianguan.
This old man Zhao Liangren and Li You are from the same hometown, and Li You has good relations with the Zhao family in Suzhou, so in terms of relationship, he should be closer than Xu Daohong.
However, Zhao Tianguan must have been serving as a magistrate in the Metropolitan Procuratorate for a long time. His unsmiling and stern demeanor could not be corrected for a while. The same was true for Li You, a fellow countryman who could barely be considered a good person in the family.
Therefore, when facing Zhao Tianguan, Li You felt that the closeness was not as good as when he got along with Xu Cifu, but he also knew that this was purely a personal feeling, and being an official should never rely on superficial sensory perceptions.
After meeting Mr. Tianguan and exchanging a few words of greetings, Li You turned his head and decided to talk about a few less abrupt personal matters to increase the intimacy. "Master Yi of your house has been at home for nearly three years now, and the limelight he once had has long since passed.
In the past, it was supposed to be resurrected. The boss wanted to promote the virtuous and not avoid relatives."
This righteous master refers to Zhao Liangyi, the second among the three brothers of the Zhao family. He resigned from his official position and retired at home to avoid suspicion. Unexpectedly, he suffered the pain of a white-haired man giving away a black-haired man. Fortunately, Li You helped him find his lost grandchildren.
I just felt relieved that it was almost three years ago.
Zhao Tianguan smiled bitterly and said: "My second brother is now focused on training his grandchildren at home and no longer wants to become an official."
Oh, Li You lamented for a few words and chatted about gossip about his hometown. Then he stood up and left.
When he came out, he found the room of Mr. Zuo, the doctor of literary selection department. He raised his hands to Mr. Zuo and said, "Brother Zuo, you are well here!"
After Zuo Langzhong sat upright, he did not stand up without returning the courtesy. He looked at Li You rudely, sighed and smiled bitterly, and then said for a long time: "At the end of February of the seventh year of Jinghe, you were elected to be the official of Jiangdu County. It has only been one year, five months and twenty years ago."
God, you’re back again.”
Li You looked excited and said: "Brother Zuo, I miss you so much. I am so grateful!"
Zuo Langzhong said proudly: "I don't just remember you. I have the resumes of all the seventh-rank and above officials in the world who have been in charge of their political affairs and are in my heart!"
Li You was secretly surprised and didn't know whether what he said was true or not. As expected, these people in important positions all have a lot of skills. He complimented him: "Brother Zuo has a superb memory. I am so impressed."
Zuo Langzhong waved his hand: "Don't interrupt, I'm talking about you. I never expected that you would be deposed to a certain place, but only a year and a half later, you would come back again, and you would be on an equal footing with me instead of rising...
"
Li You was previously a sixth-grade imperial official. When he was appointed as a sixth-grade official in other places, he was downgraded by one level. Being promoted to a fifth-grade local official was a compensation. But if he was transferred to a fifth-grade imperial official, he would be promoted by another level.
It’s the same as Wupinlangzhong.
He was obviously demoted to a certain place, but then he was promoted back to his equal position, so Mr. Zuo, who had seen many promotions and promotions, would be blatantly jealous. Not just a joke, Li You's special situation is really enough to make any official
I feel that people are more infuriating than others.
Li Youpai smiled and said: "Brother Zuo, what did you say? You, the literary anthology doctor, are known as the best in the world. Who else can compare with you? You just don't bother to be promoted elsewhere. You have survived for six or nine years.
It’s easy to be promoted to the rank of third-grade minister, so why bother worrying about the length of time.”
Then he quickly asked: "I came here because I heard that the imperial court is going to set up a fifth-rank imperial envoy to oversee the military and horse divisions of the five cities. I want to know the details."
Zuo Langzhong frowned and said: "I knew you came here for this. The initial list was drawn up by me. After that, it becomes the matter of the temple princes and the Holy Mother. I can't make the decision. There are five people left to be selected.
I have been recommended to the Holy Mother three times and played against the Holy Mother, but the Holy Mother has failed to hit the mark every time, and it is still a matter of suspense to this day."
Li You wondered: "Then what does the Holy Mother want?"
"This official position is equivalent to being in charge of most of the affairs of the capital. Not only are the disputes between civil servants extremely fierce, but the relatives are also eager to take action. Therefore, the Holy Mother has been unable to make a decision. However, I heard that the Holy Mother intends to ask the five candidates to debate in court to make a decision.
Candidate."
Li You was speechless. He couldn't see that the Queen Mother was still very fashionable and could actually invent campaign speeches that transcended the times.
Zuo Langzhong smiled half-heartedly and said: "Showing off is your strength. I think that court debate will greatly benefit you. To be honest, how much effort did you put into being around the Queen Mother to win such an opportunity?"
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