Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 113 Zhang Dun's Test! (Completed in words a day!)

Zhang Dun was only relatively kind to Su Shi, Su Yun and others. He did not have a good face towards other people.

Of course, he was not in a terrible state, but just looked reserved and cold, which was in line with his social status and position.

Although Zhang Dun has no real power now, the title of Hanlin Bachelor before his mourning period has not been removed.

Hanlin Bachelor is one of the four top officials, namely Hanlin Bachelor, Chief Censor, Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture, and Envoy of the Three Departments. It means that once an official holds one of these positions, he is qualified to become a prime minister.

Although Zhang Dun was in mourning, he had already served as a Hanlin scholar for three years. At that time, the New Party was in power, and once Zhang Dun entered the court, he only needed to transition briefly to other positions before he could be promoted to the position of Vice Prime Minister.

Therefore, the governor of Jiangzhou and his officials did not treat Zhang Dun as an ordinary Hanlin scholar, but treated him as a prime minister.

The entire huge restaurant was not accepting outside guests today, just to accommodate Zhang Dun. Moreover, all the important people in the Jiangzhou government office came, and even the magistrates of all the counties under the state were all present, together with the gentry of Jiangzhou. At a glance, the place was crowded with people, and everyone had a kind and humble smile on their face, and their words were even more pleasant.

The banquet did not look luxurious, but the various delicacies from land and sea were rarely seen in normal days, which showed Jiangzhou's dedication.

The tableware and drinks used in the banquet were all produced by famous kilns and famous workshops. The singing girls who served with the wine were all top performers in various brothels and restaurants in Jiangzhou. Each of them looked pretty and charming, and spoke soft and lovely compliments, making one almost suspect that they were attending a feast in the Dragon Palace.

While dealing with the flattery of the state officials, Zhang Dun observed Su Yun.

As Su Yun was the only person Zhang Dun brought to the dinner table and he was so young, he naturally attracted the attention of the state officials. When Zhang Dun simply said that he was his nephew and did not specifically mention his name, he was showered with praises.

What about the words "a dragon among men", "handsome and elegant", "graceful and elegant" etc., these are compliments on appearance;

Others praised Su Yun for his talent, calmness in handling situations, calmness in heart but calmness in face, and his potential to become a prime minister.

Some people even read Su Yun's fortune, saying that once Su Yun took part in the imperial examination, he would definitely be the top scorer and get one of the top three places. Once he entered the officialdom, he would surely rise to a high position.

In fact, Su Yun just stood next to Zhang Dun. When someone came to talk to him, he would bow and say a few words. When no one came to talk, he would just eat and drink quietly. However, each of these people was a talent scout among men. They could see at a glance that Su Yun was extraordinary and they kept praising him.

Zhang Dun saw that Su Yun was sometimes complacent, sometimes suddenly enlightened, sometimes shyly lowered his head, and sometimes overjoyed under the flattery of the crowd. He was just like a young man who was overjoyed by the praise.

Those who came to say nice things were very satisfied when they saw Su Yun like this. They thought that they spoke properly and pleased Shangguan's nephew. In the future, they might have someone they could talk to around Shangguan, so they all had smiles on their faces.

In this way, even though the host Zhang Dun didn't talk much, just drank and ate reservedly and occasionally dealt with each other, for a while both the host and the guests were happy and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Zhang Dun laughed secretly in his heart, thinking that you old foxes who have been in the officialdom for many years have been pecked in the eyes by the little eagle today.

Su Yun pretended to be very conscientious, but he did not miss any of the delicious dishes. Although the wine was good, he drank in moderation. The singing girls next to him who were serving wine all pushed themselves into the boy's arms, but the boy looked intimate with them, but actually kept his distance.

Humph, little fox!
After three rounds of wine and five kinds of dishes, the cups and plates were in a mess, and the host and the guests were all having a great time.

Outside, the moon was setting. Zhang Dun stood up, thanked everyone for their hospitality, apologized that he had to go back to the ship to reunite with his family, and would leave for the court tomorrow. He took Su Yun back to the dock by car and declined everyone's farewell.

Such a feast came to an end.

The carriage rumbled, Zhang Dun leaned on the soft chair, closed his eyes slightly to rest, and when the carriage started, Zhang Dun suddenly said: "Today everyone surrounded us, treated us as honored guests, entertained us with delicacies from land and sea, and there was no end to the fine wine and delicacies. The beauty's body was fragrant and soft, and her tone was so charming. Do you like it? Do you envy her?"

Su Yun smiled and said, "Very good, very good, these people speak well and are interesting, the food is rare, and it must be cooked by a chef, very good, very good.

And the girls at the table, wow, each one is prettier than the other, and they are especially nice to me, calling me brother all the time. Hey, if you weren’t here today, I would definitely have sunk into this land of tenderness.”

Zhang Dun said again: "Then do you want to live this kind of life, where everyone will flatter you wherever you go, treat you with delicious food and wine, and have beautiful women serve you. It would be the happiest thing in the world."

Su Yun chuckled and said, "You want to seduce me with power and beauty?"

This was probably what Su Shi instructed, asking Zhang Dun to find a way to persuade him to become an official during the journey.

Su Yun shook his head and said, "Uncle, I am not an ungrateful person. I understand what you and I expect of me, but I am not really interested in this..."

Zhang Dun waved his hand to tell Su Yun to stop talking, and said with a smile: "Today I want to let you see what power can bring, and take this opportunity to persuade you, which can also be regarded as completing Zizhan's instructions.

I will no longer persuade you to enter the government. Just do what you like happily. I will tell Zizhan that you really don’t want to do this and ask him not to force you. "

Zhang Dun acted as if it had nothing to do with him, as if he was really just trying to fulfill his friend's request, and would let it go if anything went wrong.

Su Yun didn't disbelieve it, but he didn't believe it completely either. He just said happily, "Thank you, uncle!"

Zhang Dun smiled carefreely, as if it was really true, and then closed his eyes and dozed off.

However, Zhang Dun's face was calm, but there was thunder in his heart.

Originally, he just wanted to inspire Su Yun's ambition to make progress, but he unexpectedly saw more things.

Su Juzheng was only sixteen years old, but he was so cunning that even I, who had fought wits and courage with the Hu people on the border, fought swords with the old party in the court, and had been immersed in officialdom for many years, could not fully understand his thoughts!
I didn't expect that Li Chang, whom I regarded as mediocre, actually had such vision. He could see that Su Juzheng had the talent of Han Zhongxian. He is really amazing!

This boy is truly extraordinary. If he could enter officialdom, with his shrewdness and talent, just as those nonsense people say today, he would surely rise rapidly and have the potential to become a prime minister.

But how to inspire his ambition?

Zhang Dun felt a bit of a headache, but then his fighting spirit became high: I can even pacify the fierce Jinghu barbarians easily, and I don’t believe that I can’t subdue you, a young man like you!
(End of this chapter)