Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 177 The Saint’s Appointment
Concubine Zheng was sitting in the Xunfeng Palace, talking to her mother, Madam Wang.

"Oh, I've never seen such a rude person. After all, he is a top scorer in the imperial examination, yet he speaks such vulgar words." Mrs. Wang said angrily.
Concubine Zheng asked, "If that's the case, why did he agree later?"

Madam Wang said, "I guess he calmed down after that. He came to our house a few days later to apologize. He admitted his mistake with a proper attitude and even promised to give us face by marrying his sister to a university student."

Concubine Zheng said, "It's good as long as it's done."

Mrs. Wang sighed, "Alas, if you think about it carefully, the Du family is quite pitiful. They were once a family like our Zheng family, but in just one year, they have become like this."

Concubine Zheng frowned and asked, "What does mother want to say?"

Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "I'm not trying to plead for the Du family, but Du Fu has been coming to our mansion quite often lately, and he seems to be trying to get a position as a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel."

The Clerk of the Menxia Province is a first-class official, and he works in the central government. As long as he is promoted, his future will be bright.

Concubine Zheng asked, "Is he qualified?"

Mrs. Wang said, "That's enough. He ranks first among the third list of candidates this time."

Concubine Zheng said, "I know about this."

When Mrs. Wang heard her daughter say this, she knew that her daughter would help and she felt relieved.

Of course, she helped like this not because of Du Fu's kindness, but because Du Fu's mother, Wei, had pleaded with her humbly several times.

Mrs. Wang was a Buddhist and could not afford to lose face, so she agreed.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while, and then Mrs. Wang took her leave and left the palace.

Concubine Zheng changed her clothes, ordered someone to call Princess Gao An, and went to Xu Jin's Penglai Palace.

When I got outside the hall, I saw Xu Jin drying books again.

She herself was lying on a couch, lazily basking in the sun.

The weather has been really nice these days, and it's quite comfortable to bask in the sun outside.

Princess Gao An ran over excitedly and said, "Madam Xu, why didn't you ask me to help you dry the books?"

Xu Jin stood up and bowed to Concubine Zheng, then said with a smile, "I haven't posted many books today. Besides, I heard you've been studying musical instruments quite hard recently, so I won't bother you."

Princess Gao An has indeed been learning to play a musical instrument recently.

After Xiaoji’s advice to her last time, she felt that she should learn more so that her father would not love her less when she grew up.

Anyway, as long as she asked to learn something, Concubine Zheng would teach her.

"Is my sister in the room?" she asked.

Xu Jin said, "She went to the Princess Courtyard. She must have followed Princess Changshan out of the palace."

Princess Gao An's eyes widened: "Why didn't you call me when you left the palace?"

Xu Jin waved her round fan and said, "Didn't she send someone to invite you over? Why didn't you come?"

Princess Gao An stamped her feet and said, "I didn't know I was going out of the palace to play!"

Turning to look at Concubine Zheng, she said, "Auntie, can I go to the Princess's Courtyard?"

Concubine Zheng sat down next to Xu Jin and said, "I'm afraid they've already left the palace. It would be useless for you to go."

Princess Gao An raised her little face and pleaded, "Maybe they haven't set off yet?"

Concubine Zheng was helpless and waved her hand, saying, "Then go. If you leave the palace, send someone to pass on the message."

Princess Gao An was overjoyed. She bowed to the two of them and then ran away happily.

Xu Jin ordered someone to bring a long couch and put it outside. The two women lay on it to bask in the sun and chat.

The topic unknowingly turned to this year's imperial examination.

Concubine Zheng smiled and said, "This imperial examination is different from the previous ones. I heard that there were three lists of Jinshi. The first two lists had more than a hundred people, and the last list also had more than a hundred people."

Xu Jin said, "Yes, I heard that there are over 3,000 candidates taking the imperial examination this time, and it's really tiring for father and the other examiners."

Concubine Zheng said, "I heard that the top scorer in the third place is the Du family's top scholar."

Xu Jin was surprised and said, "I've never heard of this before. Doesn't His Majesty forbid people from taking the imperial examinations?"

"The ban has been lifted long ago. His Majesty is kindhearted and probably feels pity for Dumen."

"That's true."

Concubine Zheng sighed, "Du Fu was the top scholar in the third year of the Yonghui reign—what a glorious life! Now he's begging for a clerk position. Life's circumstances are so unpredictable. Sometimes it's terrifying to think about it."

Xu Jin glanced at her and said, "Du Fu is so flexible, it's not easy. I wonder what kind of official he wants to ask for?"

"The Secretary of the Secretariat." Concubine Zheng replied with a smile.

"Since he's ranked first on all three lists, I think he has a good chance. I wonder when the selection results will be announced?"

"Tomorrow."

Xu Jin nodded and asked no more questions.

The two women then turned the topic to the trade route in Mobei. Concubine Zheng also gave Xu Jin a seven-colored stone that Lady Wang had brought into the palace.

At noon, the sun became a little hot, so Concubine Zheng said goodbye and returned to the palace.

Xu Jin returned to the room, pondered for a moment, and said to a palace servant, "Go and invite Mu Shangyi."

The palace maid took the order and left.

Die'er asked, "Madam, do you want to send a message to Minister Xu?"

Xu Jin picked up a jade brush and asked Die'er to grind ink for it. He said, "Did you see why Concubine Zheng came to see me just now?"

Die'er frowned and said, "It seems he came for Du Fu."

Xu Jin said, "That's right. She hopes Du Fu can join the Secretariat." Die'er asked, "Are you going to help her?"

Xu Jin smiled and said, "Du Fu ranked first among the three lists. Logically, he should have been promoted to the Secretariat. If he wasn't, it must be because someone was making things difficult for him. I simply asked Father to give him a fair shake."

Die'er said, "That's true. Du Men has offended so many people in Chang'an. Without your help, he would definitely not be able to enter the Secretariat."

Mu Shangyi arrived soon. Xu Jin handed her the letter he had written, gave her some instructions, and sent her away.

The next day, at the Ministry of Personnel's branch courtyard.

Two hundred successful candidates gathered in the other courtyard. Some sat in the hall, some stood in the courtyard, all waiting for the results of the selection.

In the past, the selection process was quite slow and was conducted in batches. If someone made trouble, you might have to wait for two or three years.

This time it was different. The emperor issued an edict, requiring results to be available within three months.

The officials of the Ministry of Personnel worked overtime and finally assigned work to more than 200 people.

Guo Daifeng sat on the chair with his arms and legs spread out, not looking panicked at all.

He had already visited Ashina Mishe, who was a good friend of his father and had promised to work secretly to get him admitted to the Hongwenguan as a waiting official.

In fact, he believed that he could become a minister in the Hongwenguan without Ashina Mishe's help.

Even going a step further, like Gao Youdao, it is unknown whether he is involved in confidential matters.

Just then, Guo Daifeng saw Zheng Mingyu walk in.

He had heard from Du Yijian that this man was Concubine Zheng's brother, so he stood up and bowed to him.

"Mr. Zheng, I apologize for my intrusion last time. I hope you can forgive me."

Zheng Mingyu snorted, turned his head away and ignored him.

Guo Daifeng smiled and sat back.

Suddenly, another person walked in, and everyone around pointed at that person and laughed at him.

The man had a handsome face, with his head held high and his chest puffed out, and he had the aura of a noble family, but his expression was rather ugly.

Guo Daifeng was secretly surprised and asked a friend around him, only to find out that this person was a disciple of the Du family.

Guo Daifeng did not laugh with everyone else.

He knew that Du Men was just a victim of the power struggle in Chang'an City.

It was not easy for Du Fu to take the imperial examination despite such a blow, but at least he was better than those who laughed at him.

Du Fu stood near the gate, closed his eyes, and ignored everyone.

Just then, accompanied by a burst of noise, several officials from the Ministry of Personnel walked in, surrounded by many clerks.

The leader was the Deputy Minister of Personnel, who was holding a scroll in his hand, which was the list of candidates for the imperial examination.

He walked to the north and stood still, announcing, "The results of the selection are out. The three lists of successful candidates will be read out. Everyone, please listen in silence."

In an instant, the hall became quiet, and one could even hear the sound of some people's throats moving.

The official from the Ministry of Personnel said, "Du Fu, who ranked first on the third list, will be appointed as a clerk in the Secretariat, a first-class official."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started talking and looked at Du Fu.

Du Fu clenched his fists, and a light flashed in his eyes.

As the officials from the Ministry of Personnel continued to read out the results, the other three lists of Jinshi were also granted the title of "Liuwai" (official title), with the lowest being second-class "Liuwai" (official title), so it would not be too difficult for them to be promoted in the future.

When it came to the second list of Jinshi, most of them were awarded the titles of county lieutenant and chief clerk from other places. When it was Zheng Mingyu's turn, he was awarded the title of county lieutenant of Fuping County.

Everyone looked at him enviously.

Fuping County is just north of Chang'an City and is no different from the officials in the capital.

I'm envious, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Since he has a sister who is a royal concubine, the selection officials will naturally help him find a comfortable job without violating the rules.

Finally, it was the turn of the first-place Jinshi.

I only heard the official from the Ministry of Personnel say, "The first place winner of the list, Guo Daifeng, has been appointed as the magistrate of Kunshan County, Suzhou."

Guo Daifeng stood up suddenly, his face changed as he asked, "County Magistrate?"

The official glanced at him and said, "Does Mr. Guo have any objections?"

Guo Daifeng took a deep breath and said, "No." He strode out of the hall.

Guo Daifeng came all the way to Ashina Mishe's residence. After being informed, he was taken to the study by the door servant.

After waiting for a while, Ashina Mishe walked in with a strange expression on his face.

"Mr. Ashina, why am I the magistrate of a county in another state?" Guo Daifeng asked anxiously.

Mishe smiled and said, "Nephew Guo, have you met His Majesty?"

Guo Daifeng was stunned and said, "No."

Mishe said slowly, "That's strange. Your county magistrate was personally appointed by His Majesty."

Guo Daifeng was surprised and asked, "Your Majesty's choice?"

Mishe smiled and said, "That's right. The county magistrate appointed by His Majesty is so popular that no one can get it even if they beg for it. I guess His Majesty will use you, just like he did with the eldest grandson of Lucheng County."

Guo Daifeng's eyes sparkled as he said joyfully, "Thank you, uncle, for your guidance. When I get to Suzhou, I will do my best to carry out my duties and look forward to serving the Saint!"

Mishe smiled and said, "That's right. I believe it won't be long before you will be transferred back to Chang'an. Then I will treat you to a drink!" He patted his shoulder.

(End of this chapter)