Chapter 206: A Staff Member
In the evening, the Crown Prince bestowed a banquet upon the elderly and virtuous individuals of Hangcheng. Gu Yan emerged from his villa and headed straight for the Imperial Examination Hall.
The Imperial Examination Hall was vast and quiet.
A lamp was lit in the library. Two scholars, one stout and one thin, sat and stood respectively, each engrossed in a book.
Neither of these two was Zhou Shennian.
Following Shi Gun’s gesture, Gu Yan passed through the Baoping Gate. In the center of the spacious courtyard behind the library, Zhou Shennian stood with his hands behind his back, head tilted upwards, mouth slightly agape, staring at the full moon in the sky like an idiot.
Gu Yan watched for a moment before stepping forward.
Hearing the movement, Zhou Shennian turned to look at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan emerged from the shadows of the corridor and stopped about ten paces from Zhou Shennian.
Zhou Shennian’s gaze shifted from the golden crown on Gu Yan’s head to the jade belt at his waist. His body swayed, hesitating between kneeling and not kneeling.
Gu Yan scrutinized Zhou Shennian from head to toe.
Before seeing Zhou Shennian, he had a vague recollection of his appearance, but now, seeing him, the Zhou Shennian of the past suddenly stood before him with perfect clarity.
The person was the same as before: slightly short, slightly plump, very disheveled, with poor eyesight, and when looking at someone, he would crane his neck and squint.
However, the Zhou Shennian of the past exuded a reckless, frenzied aura, while the Zhou Shennian before him was flustered and timid.
“My surname is Gu,” Gu Yan said, placing his hands behind his back.
“Young Lord, Young Lord,” Zhou Shennian knelt with a thud.
“Get up. My uncle said you were a radical scholar; I thought you would have said something like ‘those who feast on meat are base.'” Gu Yan looked at Zhou Shennian, who was prostrating himself and kowtowing.
The last time, when Zhou Shennian saw him, his first words were “those who feast on meat are base.”
Zhou Shennian was stunned by Gu Yan’s words.
No matter how radical he was, he wouldn’t dare say “those who feast on meat are base” to this Young Lord. Moreover, this Young Lord was so astute and formidable that he could only admire him.
Had someone slandered him in front of the Young Lord? Or had the Young Lord heard something?
“Young Lord, your talent is extraordinary…”
“You flatter me,” Gu Yan interrupted Zhou Shennian with a half-smile. “Extraordinary talent, what have you heard? Where is it extraordinary?”
“Regarding the Sea Tax Bureau case, I believe, Young Lord, that you are far-sighted,” Zhou Shennian said, holding his breath slightly and speaking cautiously.
Wei Educational Commissioner had kept them, ostensibly to help organize some rare books. However, Wei Educational Commissioner had let slip that the Young Lord had asked him to select a few suitable staff members.
This was a tremendous opportunity.
“Oh?” Gu Yan’s tone rose.
“I believe the corruption in the Sea Tax Bureau has a long history and must involve many parties. If it is to be rectified, it will not be a matter of a day or two,” Zhou Shennian dared to say.
“Alas,” Gu Yan sighed. “My uncle’s habit of not keeping his mouth shut, it seems, cannot be changed.”
Zhou Shennian was once again bewildered.
“Come with me,” Gu Yan turned and walked out.
Zhou Shennian scrambled to his feet, flicked his sleeves, and trotted after him.
Gu Yan was too busy with his affairs, and it was not until the next morning that he saw Wan Jing’s report letter.
“It was delivered last night. When I received it, the Young Lord had already retired. I thought the Young Lord was extremely tired, so I didn’t wake him,” Shi Gun explained obsequiously.
Gu Yan grunted and opened the envelope.
His instruction to Wan Jing regarding the report was to submit it as soon as possible, not necessarily immediately under all circumstances. Shi Gun had not made a mistake.
Wan Jing’s letter was brief: Miss Li and A Wu had gone out together. They said they heard the weaving workshop had laid off many weavers, so she was going to recruit them. As for where they were going, when asked Mei Jie, Mei Jie said it was hard to say, wherever there were laid-off weavers.
Gu Yan frowned at the letter and thought for a moment, then instructed Shi Gun: “Send someone to the Pingjiang Villa. First, have Wan Jing find Miss Li and follow her. She understands weaving workshop matters, so let her help Miss Li. Second, tell Wan Jing to send me a letter every day after she finds Miss Li. As for any necessary personnel or supplies, have Uncle Hong arrange them.”
“Yes,” Shi Gun replied. Seeing that Gu Yan had no further instructions, he bowed and withdrew, quickly selecting someone to deliver the message.
Gu Yan had breakfast with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, accompanied by the Liangzhe Circuit Gao Shuai Division and others, inspected Hangcheng’s wharf and shipyard. Gu Yan saw off the Crown Prince and his entourage and returned directly to his residence, entering the last row of back auxiliary rooms.
He had temporarily arranged for Zhou Shennian to stay in the back auxiliary room.
Gu Yan did not enter the house but sat in the courtyard in front of the back auxiliary room, carefully observing Zhou Shennian.
When he returned last night, he had someone bring a thick stack of official documents and memorials to Zhou Shennian.
Having stayed up all night, Zhou Shennian’s eyes were red, and he exuded a faint scent of excited madness.
This was indeed the Zhou Shennian who had pointed at his nose and cursed him wildly.
“Sit down and talk. What have you figured out?” Gu Yan asked with a half-smile.
“Young Lord, I… can I have it brewed stronger? The stronger the better.” Zhou Shennian’s words were interrupted by a servant with a cup of tea.
“No need to change it,” Gu Yan raised his hand to stop the servant. “After you finish talking, you should get a good night’s sleep. Tea that is too strong is not good.”
“Young Lord!” Zhou Shennian’s face was filled with gratitude.
Gu Yan, slightly leaning back from Zhou Shennian’s intense gratitude, tapped his folding fan at Zhou Shennian. “You were saying.”
“Yes!” Zhou Shennian straightened his back. “I believe the three Prime Ministers in court likely have three different intentions.”
Zhou Shennian paused. Gu Yan leaned back against the chair back, his expression unreadable.
“I believe Prime Minister Zhang is best at understanding the Emperor’s will and seeking stability. Prime Minister Pang likely has considerable personal ambition. As for Prime Minister Wang,” Zhou Shennian paused and sighed.
Prime Minister Wang hailed from the humble families of Jiangnan, and he was originally a benchmark in his heart. However, after reading the memorials all night, this benchmark had begun to waver.
“I believe Prime Minister Wang may be two-faced, being excessively just.”
Gu Yan unfolded his folding fan and slowly waved it, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
This Zhou Shennian was indeed sharp and insightful.
“Do you have more to say?” Zhou Shennian looked at Gu Yan, who was waving his folding fan with a half-smile, feeling uncertain.
“If you haven’t finished, continue,” Gu Yan said slowly.
“Yes, after Vice Minister Pang took office in the Ministry of Rites, he vigorously promoted appeasement and pacification towards the north, using rites and education to civilize the barbarians, teach them literacy and etiquette, and gradually assimilate them. His influence grew year by year. Does Prime Minister Pang intend for Vice Minister Pang to inherit his position? The succession of the Prime Ministership from father to son has never happened since the founding of the dynasty,” Zhou Shennian’s tone was less certain than before.
Gu Yan waved his folding fan, his expression unchanged, and remained silent.
“Prime Minister Wang is too just for the nation; I don’t understand,” Zhou Shennian continued.
“Prime Minister Zhang is already seventy-one,” Gu Yan closed his folding fan and stood up. “You should get a good night’s sleep first. We’ll talk again when you’re rested.”
“Yes,” Zhou Shennian quickly stood up and followed closely behind Gu Yan. He only turned back after escorting Gu Yan to the corner gate.
Prime Minister Zhang is already seventy-one. Seventy is rare in life; then Prime Minister Wang’s justice is for the position of Prime Minister?
This means the Young Lord is guiding him, which means he has caught the Young Lord’s eye?
Zhou Shennian stood at the entrance of the small house, beaming with joy.
