When Yang Fan returned to the manor, a newly appointed accountant was already waiting for him.
The old man was not yet sixty years old and had a strong body. This person did not take the imperial examinations to become an official. At that time, only a few dozen people were admitted to the imperial examinations each time. More than half of them were stolen by the rich and powerful families. How could they satisfy the needs of a country's officials?
Recommendation was also a way, but this old man did not have a backer. Therefore, he spent his entire life in the prefectures and counties. In the end, he only became a county registrar and retired.
Don't look at his small position. A small county lieutenant's experience in official career and life might not be inferior to that of a prime minister. The only thing that mattered was whether he had the opportunity to enter the court and become an official. If Zhang Jianzhi continued to be a county lieutenant until he died, who would dare to say that he was a great talent?
After Yang Fan passed down the order, the old teachers of 'Tianshu' recommended him. This person had been in Guanzhong when he was an official and was very clear about the geography and the people there. He was also very clear about the hidden rules of the local government and the various methods that petty officials and their subordinates used to deal with high-ranking officials. If he was chosen, Pei Junma would not be fooled by his subordinates into not knowing what was going on and not be a complete figurehead.
The so-called advisor was also known as the advisor in later generations, but at that time, there was no such title. As an advisor, he had to give advice and advice to the ruler, participate in confidential matters, draft manuscripts, write memorials, deal with files, make official replies, follow orders, contact the government, and be relied on by the ruler as his left and right hand.
Although the advisors did not have official titles and were not within the system of the court, they were the trusted aides, think tanks, and personal assistants of the ruler. The ruler entrusted them with heavy responsibilities and could not leave them. Although they were not officials themselves, they were in charge of important official affairs. Although they were assisting officials in governing, in reality, to a large extent, they were governing on behalf of the official.
With this person by Pei Jun Ma's side, to a certain extent, Yang Fan had Feng Province in his hands.
Pei Jun Ma happily welcomed this old man back to his manor and treated him like an honored guest.
On Yang Fan's side, Shangguan Fei also sent news in a timely manner. He had already inquired about the origins of the Shu merchant Long Jiutao. Not only did he find out about Long Jiutao, he also found out about the identities of Song Badzi and a few other Shu merchants. These people were all big merchants from the Shu region. Among them, there were two big merchants whose main business was food. Other than that, Shangguan Fei did not manage to find out much. She did not discover any relationship between them and Shen Mu.
Yang Fan ordered, "Continue to investigate and keep a close eye on them. These people aren't that simple. My advantage was in the officialdom, but there was one thing. My influence was mostly in the open, so they could be on guard. Their advantage is in the Jianghu. In the past, they were greatly suppressed by Xian Zong, so they have a lot of power in the dark. It has the effect of catching the enemy off guard. We have to defend against it! "
The Shangguan Family relied on Yang Fan to begin with. They also knew that the female head of the family, Shanghai Wan 'er, was Yang Fan's woman, so they naturally listened to him. Without another word, they immediately replied to Shangguan Fei and continued to keep an eye on the Shu merchants who were renting out of the Liang Wang Fu.
The cook who had been beaten by the Jin Wu Guards was called Yang Tianyu. He led a group of people back to the Thousand Cavalry Camp to complain to his brothers about his grievances. He also explained Yang Fan's attitude. The group of brothers who had a common enemy immediately rubbed their palms together and followed them out of the camp.
These people hurried to the southern city. Those Jin Wu Guards took a fruit from the owners and some melon seeds from the owners and were still patrolling the streets. Yang Tianyu did not say a word. With a call, a group of men from the Thousand Cavalry Camp charged forward. The two sides began to fight in the southern city, causing chaos in the southern city.
By the time Luoyang Commandant Tang Zong heard the news and led a group of fast-paced patrolmen to the southern city, the soldiers of the Thousand Cavalry Camp had already arrived. They triumphantly left, leaving behind a few bruised and swollen Jin Wu Guards.
County Commandant Tang led a group of people forward to investigate, but they were scolded by the Jin Wu Guards. Then, they supported each other and left while cursing.
We're all soldiers. If you beat me, I'll use the same method to get back at you. Otherwise, how can I raise my head in front of the more than twenty guards of the capital's North and South yamen? Get the patrolmen to stand up for me? I can't afford to lose face like that! Those lowly servants can only bully the common people, they're nothing!
Tang Zong really did not like to care about these trivial matters of the Imperial Army. But when he heard those Jin Wu Guards go back and threaten to get back at the Thousand Cavalry Camp, he was worried. If this really developed into a large scale armed brawl … although the scale of the brawl was not small anymore, he, as the Luoyang Commandant, would have to bear the responsibility.
But the "victim" was the Lord of Hanoi, the Great General of the Jin Wu Guards, Wu Yizong. Would they need him to step in? Without the victim, this matter would be difficult to handle. Moreover, the one who beat them up was the Thousand Cavalry Camp. The Thousand Cavalry Camp was not even under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War or the Political Affairs Hall. What right did the Luoyang Prefecture have to detain them for questioning?
When soldiers broke the law, it was not up to the civil yamen to intervene. The Thousand Cavalry Camp was an extremely special existence in the army. Perhaps it would be useful to report this to the Prince of Jian An or the Great General of the Yulin Guard, Wu Youyi.
Between the Prince of Jian An and the Lord of Hanoi, he, the Luoyang Commandant, could not even be considered a judge. He was just a little brat. He would only go find trouble in front of these two Wu Wangye if he had nothing better to do. Helpless, Tang Zong could only clean up the scene and lead his group of people away in embarrassment.
The Jin Wu Guards Right Street Patrol Envoy who was beaten up was called Ding Sheng. His martial arts skills were relatively high and he had his subordinates to protect him. His injuries were not serious. However, when he returned to the Jin Wu Guards' camp, he was carried to see Wu Yizong. Wu Yizong did not care who provoked him first. Once he heard that his men had been punished by Yang Fan one after another and that his face had been completely shredded, he could only fly into a rage. He immediately wanted to find Yang Fan to settle the score.
Ding Sheng hurriedly stopped him: "General, you must not!"
Wu Yizong looked at him and said: "Why not? Do you think I am afraid of him? "
Ding Sheng said: "General has repeatedly tried to make things difficult for him, but he has resolved every time. It is not that General's power and influence is not as great as his, but because we have not taken the initiative to be reasonable."
Wu Yizong glared at him and said: "Does this Prince need to reason with him?"
Ding Sheng bitterly smiled: "But he is not an ordinary person. Once this matter is blown up, it will be up to the Emperor to decide. Once this matter is brought before the Emperor, we will not reason with him. Is that alright?"
Wu Yizong stared at him and said: "What sly idea do you have this time?"
Ding Sheng snickered and said: "On the way back, this lowly official has thought of a plan. We can ruthlessly punish him and at the same time, make him unable to say anything!"
Wu Yizong unhappily said: "When did you become so fussy? If you have something to fart, just say it!"
… …
After sending off Pei Jun Ma and his new aides, Yang Fan stayed at home on the same day. In the evening of the same day, a thousand Imperial Guards came to the residence and reported to Yang Fan that the Palace will be sending more people tomorrow. They also invited Yang Fan to be on duty in the Palace.
Yang Fan thought for a moment. Tomorrow is not the date of the Grand Court Conference. Moreover, the court conference has just begun today. According to the rules, tomorrow should be a rest. So, he asked: "What is going on in the Palace tomorrow?"
The Imperial Guard replied: "There will be a great banquet in the Palace tomorrow. I hear that the Prime Ministers and the princes will all be present."
Yang Fan understood and nodded. "I understand. Tomorrow morning, I will enter the Palace."
After the Imperial Guard left, Yang Fan thought for a while and felt that something was about to happen. Just as he was about to send someone to investigate, Shangguan Fei of the Bureau of Rites came to visit. Only now did Yang Fan suddenly understand.
Shangguan Fei said: "Through Princess Taiping's matchmaking, His Majesty will be holding a … family banquet tomorrow. But the Prime Ministers will also be present. The Prince of Xiang and the Prince of Luling will both be there. Perhaps …"
Yang Fan nodded thoughtfully and said, "Yes! The Prince of Luling has been back in the capital for some time. This is probably to inform the Prime Ministers before the official succession change. "
Shangguan Fei smiled. "General truly guessed correctly. If this were not the case, there would be no other explanation. It's rare for General to return to the estate and you must enter the Palace tomorrow morning. Rest early. This lowly official bids farewell. "
Yang Fan said, "Since you've already come, why don't you leave after dinner? Let's drink a cup or two."
Shangguan Fei said, "The Bureau of Rites has sent this lowly official to the Palace tomorrow. I don't dare to delay matters. Another day, another day."
Early the next morning, Yang Fan went to the Palace to dispatch guards and arrange for defense. There was no court session today. Those attending the banquet had to enter the Palace through the Black Tortoise Gate at the back of the Palace, so the arrangements at the Black Tortoise Gate were especially strict. By the time the sun was high in the sky, those attending the banquet began to arrive.
Li Jingxiu rode his horse toward the Palace, his brow tightly furrowed. Logically speaking, he should not have had the right to attend the Emperor's family banquet today, but the Palace had specifically chosen his name. This was a special honor, and he should be happy. However, he knew the reason why the Emperor favored him so much.
The Emperor had hinted to him that he wanted him to marry again, to marry Zhang Yizhi's mother, Lady Azang. Li Jingxiu was very satisfied with his wife. She came from a noble family, gentle and virtuous. To ask him to marry someone else, and the other party was a few years older than him, he really did not want to.
More importantly, he had the reputation of being the capital's most distinguished man. In addition to his talent, his future was guaranteed. If he married Zhang Yizhi's mother, it would inevitably give people a feeling that he was lucky to advance. He would become the laughing stock of the capital, and he would not be able to lift his head in front of his relatives and friends.
To Li Jingxiu, who cherished his reputation and had become a celebrity in the capital, this was an intolerable loss. But the Emperor had come forward, how could he not agree? If he did not agree, based on how much Zhang Yizhi was favored by the Emperor, his future would be ruined.
The Black Tortoise Gate was just around the corner. Li Jingxiu sighed bitterly.
In the Xi Fang Courtyard, the Zhang brothers, who lived in the Palace, had already arrived. They had also invited a few friends. Because the honored guests had not arrived, the banquet had not started, so they were playing chess with their friends.
Zhang Yizhi played white first. Opposite him was a middle-aged man. Facing Zhang Yizhi's chess moves, he was constantly frowning and repeatedly muttering to himself. It was obvious that he could not win. Zhang Changzong and the other chess watchers saw him racking his brains, but after a long time he could not make a move, they could not help laughing incessantly.
Yang Fan patrolled to this point and was quite surprised. He summoned an Imperial Bodyguard and asked, "Today is the Emperor's family banquet, not everyone can come. Who is the person playing chess with Zhang Fengchen?"
The soldier replied, "He is Zhang Fengchen's friend. Listening to his accent, he seems to be from Shu. I think he is called Song Ba Zi."
Yang Fan's heart tightened, "Song Ba Zi? Isn't it just a few Shu merchants? These people are already acquainted with Zhang Yizhi so quickly, unexpectedly they were invited into the Palace to participate in the Emperor's family banquet. "
Yang Fan raised his head to look, and just happened to see the Minister of Rites, Shangguan Fei, was giving directions in the distance, arranging the musicians. Immediately an idea came to his mind, and he immediately walked toward her.
…
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