Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

Chapter 400 Reunion

On the way back to the city, snowflakes were flying everywhere and there was already a layer of snow on the ground. The carriage still slowed down a lot as it was driving on the shallow snow.

However, the journey back to the city was not difficult. Not to mention Wulang and Erniu, even for Ye Xiaozheng and Lian, this couple living in Yuzhou Prefecture rarely saw such a scene of snowflakes falling heavily. Despite the cold weather, they would occasionally lift the curtain to look at the white expanse outside the car window.

Suddenly, a sharp cold wind blew into the carriage through the window. Everyone felt the biting chill and had to lower the carriage curtains. Soon, they heard Wu Lang chattering about the grandeur of Yujing Palace.

"Brother Zhong told us when he came back that Yujing Palace was like a paradise on earth. Now we can see it with our own eyes. It is indeed a paradise on earth. In addition, with the snowfall last night, the entire Yujing Palace is covered in silver, which makes it even more mysterious and magnificent."

Erniu was extremely excited when she saw the Yujing Palace she had heard so much about for the first time. She discussed it heatedly with Wulang. Lian and Ye Xiaozheng were also pulled aside by the brother and sister to join in the conversation from time to time. Ye Changyan, who was riding in the same carriage, was all smiles. Perhaps this was the happiness of a family reunion.

Although they descended the mountain from Yujing Palace just after noon, the driving speed was slow due to the snow on the road. In addition, it got dark early in winter, so when the carriage entered the gate of Shengjing City, the sky had already become a little dim.

The carriage drove straight to Yunfeng Tower. Although the Imperial College had been closed for the past two days, the business of Yunfeng Tower was not much slower. Quan Youfang said that all the tables before and after the New Year had been booked. Now it was completely dark, but the lights in Yunfeng Tower were still bright, and guests were still coming and going.

Led by Quan Youfang, the group walked towards the largest private room on the second floor. When they pushed open the door, they saw Zhu Yuchun, Zhao Mubai and Ji Yunting, three fellow apprentices working in Beijing, and Xiao Yankai and his son Xiao Jingxing, already waiting inside.

Ye Changyan briefly introduced Wulang and Erniu to his three senior brothers and Xiao Yankai and his son, then he heard someone knocking on the door and the waiters began to serve the dishes.

As the steaming hot food entered our mouths, we felt warm all over and everyone started chatting.

"Teacher, during the six months since you left for Yujing Palace, you have become full of energy and vitality. You look at least ten years younger than before you left."

Zhao Mubai's words immediately attracted a wave of agreement from everyone present, especially Xiao Yankai, who, seeing Mr. Cai's condition, was filled with envy.

"Brother-in-law, if you go out with your current spirit, no one will think you are your brother-in-law. Most people will say that I, the younger brother-in-law, am the older brother-in-law."

Xiao Yankai's words caused everyone to laugh.

"Uncle Ye and Auntie have been recuperating in Yujing Palace for the past six months. Their physical condition is much better than when they came to Shengjing after the Dragon Boat Festival. Especially Uncle Ye, he looks energetic now. This Yujing Palace is indeed worthy of being the world's famous paradise. It really lives up to its reputation!"

Ji Yunting knew that Ye Xiaozheng couldn't drink alcohol, so he picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Ye Xiaozheng, and toasted Ye Xiaozheng while speaking.

"My husband and I have lived in Yujing Palace with my elder brother for the past six months. I feel refreshed and relaxed. However, I have also been able to rely on Xingwang's care for me during this period."

As he spoke, Ye Xiaozheng turned his gaze to Xing Wang. Xing Wang, who was sitting next to Wu Lang, seemed to have not heard the topic of discussion at all. He was holding his own bowl, holding his own chopsticks, and eating heartily.

Everyone saw Xingwang eating seriously, and the private room was filled with laughter for a while.

As they drank and chatted, the topic turned to the careers of Mr. Cai's disciples, and Zhu Yuchun began to speak.

"Teacher, I received a letter from my fifth junior brother a few days ago. He said in the letter that although Chaozhou and Shengjing are only a few days' drive away, he will not be taking up his new post until August, so he does not plan to come back for the New Year this year. Yesterday, my fifth brother's wife also took their two children and set off for Chaozhou. They plan to celebrate the New Year together in Chaozhou."

After hearing what Zhu Yuchun said, Mr. Cai nodded.

"Young man, it's time to venture out into the world. Now that your fifth brother's wife has gone with her children, Geang has nothing to worry about. He should work hard in Chaozhou and live up to His Majesty's expectations of him."

"Fifth Junior Brother mentioned in his letter that the impact of the flood in Chaozhou has gradually subsided, and now all affairs in Chaozhou are returning to normal in an orderly manner. He is also doing a good job in his position, and the Chaozhou prefect also relies heavily on him."

"Although Geang's knowledge is later than your brothers, he is still very good at interpersonal communication. It would be great if he could do well in Chaozhou."

Just as the outside world expected, the emperor was not very satisfied with the performance of the Xuyang prefect in recent years, especially when dealing with floods. He lacked the courage to make decisive decisions, which led to Xuyang missing opportunities everywhere when dealing with floods and post-disaster disasters. He was slow at every step, which caused Xuyang to suffer such heavy losses in the floods and secondary disasters after the disaster.

If it were not for the Empress Dowager's consideration, the emperor would have dismissed the Xuyang prefect on the spot. Fortunately, after Wang Xinkuan took office as the Xuyang co-magistrate, he acted decisively and quickly took control of the local situation. Although he had some conflicts with some local gentry during this period, Wang Xinkuan was able to keep the impact within a limited scope.

In just over three months, the situation in Xuyang was effectively controlled, the people's production and life were restored to a large extent, and the refugees displaced by the disaster were well resettled.

Therefore, His Majesty was quite satisfied with Wang Xinkuan's performance. Before the seal was issued before the New Year, the Emperor privately mentioned it to the Minister of Personnel Tong Zhongqin, planning to promote Wang Xinkuan to be the prefect of Xuyang after Wang Xinkuan's wedding after the New Year. The original prefect of Xuyang, for the sake of the empress dowager's face, transferred him to a remote prefecture to hone his skills.

Because Zhu Yuchun and Wang Xinkuan are fellow disciples, Zhu Yuchun should have been avoided in the personnel arrangements for Wang Xinkuan. However, Zhu Yuchun has now become Tong Zhongqin's most capable assistant. Tong Zhongqin did not hide his plan for Zhu Yuchun, which was also a manifestation of Tong Zhongqin's ability to control his subordinates and his confidence.

Although Zhu Yuchun had long guessed that Wang Xinkuan's appointment as Tongzhi of Xuyang was just a transitional arrangement, he was still quite shocked when he learned that Wang Xinkuan would take over as prefect of Xuyang in just a few months. You know, after the new year, Wang Xinkuan was only 27 years old. A 27-year-old fourth-rank prefect was probably a rare existence in the history of the entire Dasheng Dynasty.