I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Prefect Liu and Sun Shan chatted on and on for a long time, but Sun Shan still couldn't figure out what Prefect Liu was trying to say.

It seems the real purpose isn't to make them pay more taxes, but what is it?

They can't just call me over for a late-night chat without my consent, can they?

It seems that he is not very familiar with Prefect Liu; their interactions are merely perfunctory, and they have a superior-subordinate relationship.

Once Sun Shan leaves Chenzhou Prefecture, or Prefect Liu leaves Chenzhou Prefecture, there will be no correspondence or formalities.

As they chatted, Prefect Liu suddenly said, "Magistrate Sun, I don't know why, but I feel that we have a strong connection."

The spirit in Sun Shan's heart rang out with a "clang clang clang~".

After all that talk, the fox is finally about to show its tail and reveal its ultimate goal.

Sun Shan smiled faintly: "I also feel that I have a great affinity with you, sir. It is my honor to be assigned to work under you."

Whether it's an honor or not is one thing, but we still have to say it politely.

Hello, hello, let's be polite to each other.

Prefect Liu continued, "Magistrate Sun, things haven't been peaceful in the imperial court lately."

Sun Shan was taken aback. Why was Prefect Liu telling him all this for no apparent reason?

Why release such important news?

Moreover, what aspect of unrest did Prefect Liu refer to when he said things were not peaceful?

Could it be as I've been thinking?

As for what Sun Shan was thinking, it was that the current emperor was unwell, something Chen Dongling had secretly told him.

Upon learning that the Emperor's health was failing, Sun Shan immediately began to carefully examine the official gazette, hoping to glean clues from the slightest hints.

For example, the frequent transfer of officials, the frequent downfall of officials, and the repeated cross-changes between old and new policies.

I searched and searched, but couldn't find anything special.

If it weren't for Chen Dongling, Sun Shan would have remained completely in the dark.

It wasn't until one day when they received the announcement of national mourning that they learned the emperor had been ill for some time.

At this point, Sun Shan had to admit that he had always been on the margins of officialdom, a marginal figure, with no opportunity to wield power or influence.

Sun Shan bowed in surprise and said, "My lord, I am ignorant and beg you to enlighten me."

Since Prefect Liu was so straightforward, Sun Shan simply asked for a solution directly.

Moreover, Prefect Liu must have had ulterior motives for saying this, so it would be better to just ask directly.

The game of "guess what I'm guessing" is not fun at all; it's better to be honest.

Prefect Liu stroked his beard and sighed, "I recently received news from my elder brother that things are not peaceful in the court. He told me to stay in Chenzhou Prefecture and not to go out too much. Ah, there are advantages to being far away in the capital like us; we won't be affected by anything that happens in the court."

His eyes darted around, then fixed on Sun Shan, his gaze full of concern.

Sun Shan: ...

To reiterate: when did he become so familiar with Prefect Liu? Why would Prefect Liu tell him such a confidential matter?

What does Prefect Liu want me to do?

What's the implied meaning behind those words?

Does "do not move around" mean "remain still"?

Does "staying away from the capital" mean that Prefect Liu intends to remain in Chenzhou Prefecture and adapt to any eventuality?

There's also the word "impact." Only intense events can have an aftereffect. Was Prefect Liu reminding himself not to go to the capital to avoid being affected?

Of course, all of this is based on the premise that one is very familiar with Prefect Liu.

The truth is, he wasn't familiar with Prefect Liu at all.

Sun Shan looked at Prefect Liu with utter bewilderment and, in a naive and straightforward manner, said, "Sir, I am ignorant and beg you to enlighten me."

He paused, then added, "I am very grateful for your reminder, sir. This is my first time serving as an official, and I have no connections or knowledge of what is happening in the capital. Please help me, sir."

Prefect Liu looked at Sun Shan speechlessly. He had explained it so clearly, yet Sun Shan still didn't understand?

However, this young man is indeed young, this is indeed his first time serving as an official, and he is indeed a genuine farmer's son. For nine generations, not a single person in his family has achieved any official rank, let alone had any connections in the imperial court.

Sun Shan, a "newcomer" with no real background, only managed to obtain an official position by marrying a woman from a prominent family.

It's understandable that the political arena can change rapidly and unpredictably, even if you don't understand it.

As for relying on the He family in the capital?

Haha, Sun Shan is just a peripheral relative of the emperor; how can he expect so much?

Even the He family might not fully understand the battle, let alone Sun Shan.

Prefect Liu smiled slightly and said kindly, "Magistrate Sun, I can only tell you that the imperial court will be very unstable in the next two or three years. We local officials should not go to the capital, lest we be affected by the various forces. We local officials should just stay in our localities and do our good job to relieve the emperor's worries."

This time, Prefect Liu's explanation was so clear that Sun Shan finally understood.

Prefect Liu's intention was for him to remain in Yuanlu County as magistrate, keeping his troops at home, and not to recklessly try to use all his connections to run to the capital.

You're just a greenhorn, you don't understand the situation in the capital at all. If you rush over there recklessly, you'll be used by others and become someone else's scapegoat.

It's better to stay put, work diligently on your own little plot of land, and wait for the aftermath to subside before seeking another way out.

Sun Shan paused for a moment, then quickly gathered his thoughts.

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Thank you for the reminder, sir. If it weren't for your presence, I wouldn't be able to understand the situation in the court."

As for the situation in the imperial court, Sun Shan wanted to ask.

But Prefect Liu didn't say anything, and wisely didn't ask.

Prefect Liu nodded in satisfaction and then said, "It's good that Magistrate Sun understands."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Of all the county magistrates in Chenzhou Prefecture, I admire Magistrate Sun the most. If every county magistrate could relieve my worries like Magistrate Sun, that would be wonderful."

The alarm bells in Sun Shan's mind rang again.

See? You'll know they won't release information for no reason; they must have something in mind.

Appreciation and optimism are all for the sake of trading.

Sun Shan replied calmly, "You flatter me, sir. What I did was all within my duty and is not worth mentioning."

Prefect Liu waved his hand and asked with a smile, "Magistrate Sun, I heard that a merchant caravan from Yuanlu County has recently gone to Dongting Lake to sell grain?"

Sun Shan's heart was pounding; nothing in this world can be kept secret.

However, the moment the grain was sold, Prefect Liu found out.

Could it be that Prefect Liu has his eye on the grain business and wants a piece of the pie?

So should we distribute the grain or not? But the grain trade isn't very profitable to begin with. If we distribute it, how much will Yuanlu County have left?

Furthermore, Prefect Liu came from a noble family and it is said that the late emperor bestowed many rewards upon him while he was still alive.

They've used it all up so quickly, are they going to try and extort money from outsiders?

Sun Shan sighed inwardly, realizing that doing business was indeed not easy.

Before it could grow strong and big, it was targeted by powerful and wealthy people. For an ordinary person to stand out is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Sun Shan considered himself to be an official, no longer an ordinary person, yet he still couldn't overcome the powerful.

It's pathetic, lamentable, and hateful!