(The next chapter will be in the wee hours of the morning, so it will still be rather late.)
Hsu Fengnian went alone to the mansion of the Administrator in Beiliang, whose standard was only lower than that of Mount Qing Liang. Now that he was familiar with the Li Mansion, he didn't even need the steward to lead him to the back garden where Xu Xiao and Li Gongde rested. In the courtyard, there was a shady locust tree. The officialdom in Beiliang knew that Li Gongde was fond of planting locust trees in recent years, so many locust trees from other provinces had been moved into the mansion. Planting locust trees in front of the mansion was a sign of good fortune. Li Gongde's talent and learning were not obvious. Nowadays, most of the imperial examinations were in the autumn locust tree season, and the month was also known as the locust tree yellow. It could be seen that Official Li was still brooding over the fact that he had failed the imperial examinations many times in the past. Hsu Fengnian walked along a secluded path lined with Hollyhock trees. He saw a long sandalwood couch placed under a tree. Xu Xiao was drinking Green Ant Wine alone. Li Gongde used to kneel more than sit in front of the King of Beiliang. Now that he was the Administrator, he stood to the side, holding a wine jug and helping to pour wine. In other vassal states, the Administrator was a first-class official with the same rank as the Minister of the Six Ministries. There was no one like Li Gongde who bowed and bent his knees. Not to mention the Administrator of West Chu, Sun Xiji, even the Prince of Guangling, Zhao Yi, had personally visited him several times, but he had been refused the door. Just like Dai Yuzhen, the Administrator of the Two Huai Dao. She had openly bullied the Prince of Huainan Zhao Yi until he couldn't breathe. From this, one could see the weight of the Administrator's authority. As soon as Xu Xiao saw Hsu Fengnian, he immediately wanted to give up the sandalwood couch. However, Hsu Fengnian ignored him and asked Yuan Zuozong to ask for two chairs from the steward of the mansion. He sat down with Li Gongde. The afternoon sun shone on his body, making him feel warm. After drinking a few cups of Green Ant Wine, he knew that His Royal Highness had come back. However, he found that this young man who always called him uncle was not in a hurry to expose him. Therefore, Li Gongde had to sit with him and drink with him. He talked about some interesting anecdotes of Lingzhou, jesting and flattering him. He talked about how His Royal Highness had won the hearts of the people in the capital city. Whether Xu Xiao believed it or not was another matter. However, it was comfortable to listen to it and he showed a genial smile. Hsu Fengnian smiled and looked at it with mixed feelings. At that time, Yan Chiji and Yan Dongwu's father, Yan Jiexi, was the provincial governor of Lingzhou. His official position was about the same as Li Gongde, the provincial governor of Fengzhou who had not been incorporated into Youzhou at that time. Now, Yan Jiexi had betrayed Beiliang and went to Taian City to be a relative of the royal family. Perhaps, he would become the father-in-law of the emperor in the future. Li Gongde was not bad either. He did not become an official in the capital city but became an extreme local official. Actually, Hsu Fengnian was closer to Uncle Yan at that time. Uncle Li had a bad reputation. However, although both the Yan and Li families had passed the dragon gate, the women of the two families still hated this dissolute son. The female scholar, Yan Dongwu, had become the Crown Princess. Li Fuzhen, on the other hand, was "obsessed" and became a scholar from a poor family. Who said that the pavilion closest to the water would enjoy the moonlight first? Hsu Fengnian had been friends with Li Hanlin and Yan Chi for so many years, but he did not get any good treatment from their sister. It was not that Hsu Fengnian had any improper thoughts towards them. It was just that back then, he was frivolous and liked to tease the young ladies of noble families. Yan Dongwu would even argue with him. Hsu Fengnian was even more ruthless. His harsh words and cold words were lacking, and his eyes were cold all year round. Hsu Fengnian lazily leaned against the back of the chair and could not help but laugh. Uncle Li was rather open-minded towards the poor scholar who did not match his family background. Not only did he not break them apart, he even secretly paved the way and raised his status. From a poor family to an aristocratic family, and then from a minor official to a high-class official, the two matters of status and class were all settled magnanimously. He just did not know if Uncle Li would take the opportunity to make a move again this time when the Lingzhou officialdom was turned upside down. Hsu Fengnian did not have the intention to make things difficult for the poor scholar. Although he had seen the scholar's face and shrewdness outside Toma Temple, and that fellow had been schemed against by Xu Beizhi and felt that Hsu Fengnian had entrusted Li Hanlin to the wrong person, but since Li Hanlin's sister was enjoying it, Hsu Fengnian could not be bothered to point fingers. If that poor scholar really had the ability to become an official, Hsu Fengnian would not mind giving him a slightly bigger mink hat. To the Beiliang, whether or not he was an honest official was not important, whether or not he was a capable official was the key. Furthermore, that scholar might become the second Beiliang. Who dared to say that Li Fuzhen must have made a mistake? If a woman was foolish, perhaps she would have foolish fortune.
When Hsu Fengnian saw that he had drunk to his heart's content, he looked at Li Gongde in a half-drunk state and said with a smile, "Uncle Li, do you know that there is a young man called Xu Beizhi in Longqing County?"
Although Xu Beizhi's official position is not high, only a secretary, subordinate to Longqing Junzhu, Uncle Li knows that even Longqing County's Governor Zhong Chengxin is extremely respectful toward Xu Beizhi. Because this person is extremely knowledgeable, what is even more difficult is that he can learn and use it for himself. He is familiar with governance and is not a self-proclaimed lofty bookworm. Many times, Zhong Chengxin did not hesitate to part with his love and did his best to recommend this person to Uncle Li. If Your Highness did not mention it, Uncle Li would have already decided that after the beginning of spring next year, Xu Beizhi would be promoted to the position of Lingzhou's Minister of Education, to serve as a province's Minister of Education, so that he can make the best use of his talent. "
The corners of Hsu Fengnian's mouth curled up, and he nodded. He turned to look at the old man who had been smiling and did not interrupt. "Xu Xiao, which official position is higher between the Counselor of Learning and Classics?"
Xu Xiao insisted on being a hands-off boss. He raised his cup and pointed at Li Gongde. "Don't ask the blind. Father is also a layman. You have to ask your Uncle Li."
Li Gongde quickly said with a smile, "Their ranks are similar. However, the Classics is in charge of a prefectural's governance, so the salary is slightly higher than the Counselor of Learning."
Li Gongde slapped his forehead, and the sound was very crisp. This slap was definitely not light, and he had a look of realization. "Look at Uncle Li's memory. Lingzhou's Classics, Yang Qianli, is not young anymore. Not long ago, he was complaining to Uncle Li that his physical strength was not good, and he had the idea of retiring and returning to his hometown. Coincidentally, Uncle Li feels that Xu Beizhi should not be a Counselor of Learning. Being a Classics is very good. Lingzhou's governance can only be managed by Xu Beizhi so that Uncle Li can be at ease."
Hsu Fengnian poured a full cup of wine for Li Gongde and himself. After drinking it in one gulp, he said with hazy drunk eyes, "Uncle Li, you don't know. When Xu Beizhi was tricked by me to come to Beiliang, I promised him that he would become a high ranking official. However, as for how high is considered a high ranking official, I don't know anything about it. What Counselor of Learning? I estimate that he would only be around sixth or seventh rank. Isn't that the same as being a county magistrate in a lower prefecture? Even if Xu Beizhi does not mind being a low ranking official, since Nephew had boasted, I am afraid that I will break my promise. Furthermore, I shamelessly begged Xu Xiao to be Lingzhou's General to show off. If Xu Beizhi becomes a Classics Administrator, we will see each other all the time, and I will be embarrassed to drink wine with him. Uncle Li, don't you think so? "
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