Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

This is not a praising tactic to kill someone!

Of course, this is also partly due to Han Zhang's entry into the cabinet.

Han and Jiang, one a teacher and the other a student, have many similarities.

Han Zhang was the second-place scholar, and Jiang Zhao was the first-place scholar.

Han Zhang came from the Han clan of Xiangzhou, while Jiang Zhao came from the Jiang clan of Huaizuo.

Han Zhang was renowned for his wisdom from a young age, and his fame spread throughout the land after he dismissed four prime ministers with a single memorial. Jiang Zhao was known as a child prodigy from a young age, and his fame spread throughout the land after the famous story of "standing in the snow at Han's door".

Han Zhang rose to prominence in the imperial court at a young age and entered the cabinet at the age of thirty-seven; Jiang Zhao debuted at the peak of his career and was even more outstanding.

No matter how you look at it, the two are very similar as master and disciple.

Jiang Zhao is practically an enhanced version of Han Zhang.

Therefore, it's no wonder that some people hope to witness the legendary story of "two Grand Secretaries from one family" in their lifetime.

The title of "Young Grand Secretary" was naturally bestowed upon Jiang Zhao.

Since it didn't involve any scheming or backstabbing, Jiang Zhao felt much more at ease.

Just then, a voice came.

"Young Grand Secretary!" Su Shi called out emphatically.

Jiang Zhao was startled.

hiss~!

Even with Jiang Zhao's composure, he couldn't help but blush slightly and look unnatural.

"Zizhan, stop joking," Jiang Zhao said sternly.

As he spoke, he gently lifted his chopsticks to pick up some food, his face calm.

"Why is Zichuan pretending to be so ordinary?" Seeing Jiang Zhao's feigned seriousness, Su Shi slapped his thigh and couldn't help but laugh.

It would be better if he didn't smile.

With that smile, Jiang Zhao's seriousness vanished by seventy percent, and he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

Jiang Zhao's lips unconsciously curled up; he wanted to laugh, yet he also wanted to be serious, and he managed to suppress it until his face turned red.

This made Zhang Heng, Su Zhe, Zeng Bu, and the others all smile.

The air was suddenly filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Jiang Zhao was, after all, a person who was good at controlling his expression. Before long, his face returned to normal, but his slightly flushed face still said something.

"Hemp growing among reeds will stand straight without support," Jiang Zhao sighed, glancing at the group. "White sand in mud will become black."

In short, one becomes like the company one keeps.

If you have someone to blame, blame it on how you influenced me!

"Hahaha!"

Another burst of laughter.

"Let's drink, let's drink!" Jiang Zhao raised his glass, forced to end the banter.

"Come on, come on!"

The group exchanged smiles and raised their five cups together.

Due to the special circumstances of Zhang Dun and Zeng Gong, only five of the seven-person group are currently in Beijing.

Zhang Dun was dissatisfied with his nephew Zhang Heng's better ranking, so he voluntarily gave up his Jinshi degree and intended to retake the exam, which is why he never went to the capital again.

All I can say is that talented people are just carefree.

However, Zhang Dun certainly had reason to be proud.

Although Zhang Dun is Zhang Heng's cousin, he is more than ten years younger than Zhang Heng and is only in his early twenties. He has no shortage of three years to start over.

Zeng Gong failed to become a Shujishi (a junior official in the Hanlin Academy). After the imperial examinations, those who failed to become Shujishi in the second or third class of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest level of the imperial examinations) were all assigned to work outside the capital.

Zeng Gong has now been appointed as a judicial officer in Taiping Prefecture, a position of the ninth rank.

Perhaps to avoid gossip, or perhaps out of disappointment, his teacher Ouyang Xiu did not offer any assistance.

Otherwise, even a top-ranking scholar could easily start as an eighth-rank official with the backing of a powerful figure.

The five of them drank it all in one gulp.

Just then, a somewhat unexpected voice came from inside.

"Zichuan?" It was a dashing young man who happened to pass by the private room where the five of them were.

"Zhong Huai?" Jiang Zhao was taken aback, then stood up to greet him: "Please take a seat."

"Who is this?" Su Shi asked curiously.

"My name is Gu Tingye!"

Chapter 49 Jiang Zhi Retires, Polo Club!

The night falls and the lanterns come on.

Jiang Mansion, Study.

"Grandfather, did you call me?" Jiang Zhao entered and bowed respectfully.

These days, due to political struggles and busy official duties, he has hardly had any free time.

This time, several friends gathered together, and Gu Tingye was also invited. The six of them drank and talked for nearly three hours.

Jiang Zhao just got back.

Before he even entered the gate, a servant announced that his grandfather wanted to see him.

At the desk, Jiang Zhizheng was writing a memorial by hand.

Seeing his grandson return, Jiang Zhi stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "In a few days, I intend to retire. What do you think, Zhao'er?"

Jiang Zhao was startled, found a chair and sat down, then nodded.

“That’s a good thing. My grandfather is sixty-five years old. He has worked hard for many years and should have been enjoying his retirement long ago.”

The struggles in the imperial court are constantly exhausting.

In this era, life expectancy is generally short, and sixty-five years old is considered a very old age; one should have retired long ago to enjoy a peaceful life.

"Haha!" Jiang Zhi laughed.

He had long planned to retire.

Since February, he has been constantly taking his grandson to meet people and pass on his connections.

By now, the connections that should have been passed down have long been inherited.

Originally, he planned to stay for another year or two to support his grandson.

Unexpectedly, with his grandson's abilities, he was able to move freely in and out of the imperial court.

In addition, his teacher Han Zhang has also entered the cabinet and is governing the country.

With this, Jiang Zhi had no more worries and naturally began to consider retiring early.

Just as Jiang Zhao had thought, at sixty-five, in an era where one could call himself "old man" at thirty, he was certainly old and of advanced age.

It's not impossible for an elderly person to be energetic in the morning but suffer a relapse of an old ailment in the afternoon.

As Jiang Zhilin grew old, he naturally wanted to return to his hometown to live.

Since passing the imperial examination at the age of twenty-something and being appointed as the head of a county, he has almost always served as an official in other places.

Now that I'm almost sixty-five, I have to go back and take a look.

Fallen leaves return to their roots!

Anyway, since his grandson could handle the situation, he had no worries.

"I'm leaving now. You'll have to take care of the political situation in Bianjing yourself."

Jiang Zhi advised, "Remember to maintain the connections you have. However, don't put the cart before the horse. As long as your career goes smoothly, those people will take the initiative to maintain their relationship with you."

“I understand, grandson. These teachers have reprimanded me more than once!” Jiang Zhao replied.

Having become a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet at the age of thirty-seven, Han Zhang was first-rate in terms of scholarship, political maneuvering, and interpersonal skills.

It is no exaggeration to say that he is one of the best teachers of our time.

"Ok!"

Lanruoting.

This is the courtyard where Jiang Zhao lives.

It was early midnight (9:00 PM), and the lights were still on.

As soon as Jiang Zhao entered the courtyard, he saw his wife.

Sheng Hualan wore a light blue lotus-patterned brocade dress, and her hair was simply tied up in a bun with a wooden hairpin.

At first glance, it is simple and elegant, with a unique charm.

"Official!"

Upon seeing Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hualan immediately went to greet him.

Jiang Zhao embraced the beauty and strode inside.

Sheng Hualan's two maids, Cailan and Caizan, served her honey water and food one after the other.

Jiang Zhao hummed contentedly as he soaked his feet in a basin of warm water and enjoyed his wife's massage.

He slowly said, "Just now, I had a conversation with my grandfather. He is over sixty-five years old and wants to retire to Huaizuo to live out his remaining years."

"Oh!" Sheng Hualan exclaimed in surprise.

"My ancestor spent his life in the ups and downs of officialdom, and at the age of sixty-five, he did it all to support the Jiang family of Huaizuo."

"Now that you, sir, have become capable and can support the Jiang family, it is only right that our ancestor, being old, should retire," Sheng Hualan replied softly.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

Yes!

Now it's his turn to hold up the sky!

Jiang Zhao sighed, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of something that made his gaze flicker slightly.

At this moment, Sheng Hualan was kneeling down, massaging his feet. Because of the looseness of her clothes, he could vaguely see the cleavage from her perspective.

It was vague and indistinct, which aroused great curiosity.

The beautiful woman moved slightly, and her firm, rounded breasts swayed.

Meanwhile, Sheng Hualan's relatively simple attire inevitably stirred the desires of many.

"A rag!" Jiang Zhao said.

Upon hearing the sound, Sheng Hualan picked up a rag and dried her husband's feet.

Jiang Zhao chuckled, picked up his wife in his arms, and strode toward the canopy bed.

Sheng Hualan was startled and exclaimed, realizing something. She parted her teeth slightly, her eyes immediately becoming clear and bright, and gently buried her head in her husband's chest.

"Hua'er, help me undress!"

"Hi~!"

"Hmm."

Half an hour later, the clouds and rain over Wushan dissipated.

Sheng Hualan nestled against her husband and whispered, "At noon, Madam Wu came to visit and brought an invitation, saying that she was going to hold a polo match. Would you like to go, my lord?"

In fact, besides Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hualan has also been busy these days.

When Han Zhang entered the cabinet, many prominent families and their relatives sought to network with him. However, Han Zhang's wife had already passed away, and his concubine, Cui, was in charge of managing the household.

This concubine, Cui, was quite favored and a sensible person, making her the de facto manager of Han's inner quarters.