novelSusiti Chapter 79 Going to Yangzhou
Chapter 79 Going to Yangzhou
Go to the capital for a few years, wait for an opportunity to make connections, whether it's joining one of the Six Ministries or being transferred to another region, it's a good choice.
Sheng Hong's current rank is far below that of a prefect. If he could work in one of the Six Ministries for a few years before being transferred to a local post, he might even have a chance to enter the central government in the future.
Even if one doesn't enter the Six Ministries, serving as a Beijing official for a few years and then being sent to a remote area can still result in a decent assignment.
The position of Tongpan (a minor official) is actually a bit awkward to advance in.
Because the position of Tongpan is typically low-ranking and low-powered, there aren't many good positions available if you move up a bit.
Of course, this only applies to those who aspire to advancement. Some older people, knowing that even if they advance further, will find it difficult to secure a good position before retirement, prefer to remain in the position of Tongpan (assistant prefect).
Sheng Hong was not yet forty at this time, and there was still considerable room for advancement.
Although Sheng Wei was a merchant, he had studied in Bianjing in his early years, and he and Sheng Hong studied together in the private school of the Duke of Ling's mansion.
He was very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of officialdom, and therefore very happy for Sheng Hong.
"This is a tremendous blessing for Uncle Yue!" Zhou An also showed a hint of excitement.
He was naturally aware of Sheng Hong's path to promotion.
Putting aside other aspects, Sheng Hong was indeed very capable in his official career.
Although he also relied on the Wang family's connections, he remembered that Madam Wang's brother had entered the capital later than Sheng Hong.
Grand Tutor Wang has been gone for many years. Even if we don't say that people forget each other after they've passed away, the old friendships have almost worn off.
In this situation, the fact that Sheng Hong was able to enter the capital before his brother-in-law shows that he was much better at maintaining relationships and getting official positions than his brother-in-law.
If Madam Wang's brother had the same abilities as Sheng Hong, he would have an enormous advantage as the heir to the Wang family.
"This isn't the only good news!"
Sheng Wei laughed and said, "My younger brother's eldest daughter came of age a few months ago, and this time when she came to the capital, she also arranged a marriage for my niece with the second son of the Earl of Zhongqin's family!"
"That's truly double happiness!"
Zhou An felt very tired, having to pretend to be happy even though he knew the truth.
Although the Great Zhou Dynasty valued civil officials over military ones, noble families were not the same as military families.
In fact, many civil officials have been granted titles, such as the prime ministers in the court today.
However, their titles were all temporary and could not be inherited by their descendants.
Lords were a separate group, distinct from both civil and military officials.
The Earl of Loyalty and Diligence was a founding noble title, which could be inherited for generations.
This is also why Sheng Hong was willing to marry off his daughter.
If a noble rank is equivalent to a military family, he would be crazy to agree to a marriage alliance with the Yuan family.
Given Sheng Hong's current rank, for his daughter to marry the eldest son of an earl's family is still considered a high achievement, even though the Yuan family has declined.
"In two months, it will be the day the Earl of Zhongqin's family goes to Yangzhou to present the betrothal gifts. My son-in-law and Shulan will go with me then!"
Sheng Wei said, "Your uncle-in-law will be setting off for Bianjing after the New Year, and you'll also be passing through Yangzhou on your way to the capital for the imperial examinations. Let's go together then, so we can look out for each other on the road!"
"yes!"
Zhou An nodded and said, "Father-in-law, just let me know in advance when we're leaving!"
The most lively part of a daughter's wedding is actually the day of the betrothal ceremony, not the day the daughter leaves home.
The groom visits the bride's home to present betrothal gifts, and after the ceremony, a marriage certificate is signed. Therefore, the bride's family invites guests to witness the ceremony and holds a grand celebration.
On the day of their daughter's wedding, they would not hold a large banquet.
As the son-in-law of the eldest branch of the Sheng family, he could have chosen not to go.
However, Sheng Wei's intention in taking him there was clearly to introduce him to Sheng Hong.
At that time, he could go to the capital with the second wife's family and receive their care in Bianjing.
Zhou An didn't really need it. With his connections to Lu Wang and Hu Yuan, if he could pass the imperial examination with flying colors and firmly stand on the side of the reformists, he wouldn't be too worried about his future.
There was no other way; the reformists were desperately short of people.
Sheng Hong was a sixth-rank official, which was not low even in a prefecture, but in Bianjing he was just a nobody. How could he possibly help him?
But this was just what he thought; he couldn't very well refuse his father-in-law Sheng Wei's kind offer.
The main problem is that there's no way to explain it.
"Yes, I'll let you know in advance!" Sheng Wei smiled and nodded.
.........
On their way back to the city, Zhou An and Shulan were still talking about Hualan's engagement to the Yuan family.
"I never expected that my second sister would actually marry into the Earl's family."
Although Shulan sounded surprised, she couldn't stop smiling.
The relationship between the first and second branches of the Sheng family is close. The more prosperous the maternal family becomes, the more it helps the husband and strengthens the wife's own confidence, which is something to be happy about.
Zhou An smiled, not trying to discourage her; on the surface, it was indeed a good thing.
When Zhou Li and Hao Shi returned home, they were very happy to hear the news.
For the next month, Zhou An mostly stayed at home, or went to his father's teahouse to listen to storytelling.
Zhou Li's teahouse opened a few months ago, and because Shulan chose a very popular location, business is quite good.
After visiting a few times, Zhou An finally understood why Zhou Li loved going to teahouses to listen to storytelling.
Because he had a son who had passed the imperial examinations, many people were very polite to Zhou Li, and some even flattered him.
Zhou Li was all smiles when dealing with those people, clearly enjoying his current life.
If Zhou An hadn't prevented him from revealing his identity, he would have introduced himself to the guests.
Zhou An had observed that although his father enjoyed being praised, he had not lost himself in the process.
At most, when there are conflicts between brothers or neighbors, they will help mediate and that's all.
In his spare time, Zhou An would listen to storytelling, tease his younger sister, and enjoy romantic moments with Shulan under the moon. He lived a very comfortable life.
Zhou An couldn't help but think that living like this for the rest of his life would actually be quite nice.
No wonder the ancients said that the land of gentle pleasures is the tomb of heroes.
Although Zhou An lived a leisurely life, he kept an eye on news from Bianjing.
However, they did not receive news of the young prince's death for a long time, but instead received news of Sheng Wei's departure.
At the end of September, Zhou An and Shulan bid farewell to their parents, met up with Sheng Wei, and then traveled by boat to Yangzhou.
The Sheng family members who went this time included Sheng Wei and his wife, Sheng Changsong, and Sheng Wei's sister, Sheng Yun.
.........
Two large boats adorned with red ribbons sailed on the canal.
Just by looking at the passing ships, you could tell they were either betrothal vessels or wedding processions.
Regardless of the type, deploying two large ships at once indicates that they are not ordinary people.
On the canal, even if you are curious, you can only ask questions when you dock at the pier.
On the bow of the largest ship at the front, a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy in brocade robes stood with his hands behind his back, gazing absently at the surface of the canal.
A servant in blue robes stood to the side.
At that moment, a man in his twenties walked out of the cabin and approached the boy.
The boy, reminded by Xiao Si, snapped out of his daze and turned around.
"Zhonghuai, it's getting a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings, and the wind is strong on the canal. Don't stay outside for too long, or you'll catch a cold!" Yuan Wenchun said with a smile.
"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Yuan. I will return shortly." Gu Tingye bowed and expressed his gratitude.
"Haha, no need to be so polite!"
Yuan Wenchun stepped forward, gripping the edge of the boat and looking at the river, and said, "By the way, what is Zhonghuai doing all the way to Yangzhou?"