Chapter 375: Chapter 376: A Provincial Appointment?
Under the watchful eyes of his many colleagues at the Hanlin Academy, Ancient Wen Heng was once again summoned by Gong Zhengping.
He didnât have to look back to guess that they were gossiping about him again.
"Sir," Ancient Wen Heng said, watching Gong Zhengping who was still hunched over, writing furiously. He stood quietly to the side, waiting.
Gong Zhengping put down his brush, sat down first, and pointed to a seat beside him. "Have a seat. Letâs talk."
As soon as Ancient Wen Heng sat, an attendant served tea.
Gong Zhengping got straight to the point. "A lot of officials have been investigated and removed recently, and many positions have opened up. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
Ancient Wen Heng lowered his gaze and said, "I am but a newcomer to the official world. I shouldnât be qualified for a transfer, should I?"
Typically, one had to spend at least a year or two in the Hanlin Academy before other opportunities arose. It had only been a few short months; Ancient Wen Heng didnât consider himself a special case.
"By custom, you should indeed remain here in the Hanlin Academy. However, this situation is not without exceptions. Youâve already been promoted three ranks in just a few short months. Given that, and your past achievements, itâs not impossible to vie for a position."
Gong Zhengping truly didnât want this capable young man to leave the Hanlin Academy, but he was even more reluctant to let the other old-timers benefit.
He knew that, aside from the Hanlin Academy, several other ministries had many vacancies due to the recent account audits.
Ancient Wen Hengâs talent had been noticed during this time. Gong Zhengping had been invited for tea more than once by those old foxes, all of them eager to poach his subordinate.
"Is something amiss?" Ancient Wen Heng didnât think Scholar Gong would bring this up for no reason.
âIâve been diligent and conscientious during my time at the Hanlin Academy,â he thought. âIt shouldnât be enough to make my superior dislike me and want to transfer me away.â
Gong Zhengping said, "If you donât want to stay in Shangjing, you could seek an external assignment. Go out and gain some experience for a few years, then come back."
Ancient Wen Heng was then reminded of the vacancies that had opened up in the other ministries. During the audits, those old foxes had stared at him for a long time.
Compared to a battle of wits and wills against these people in the capital, Ancient Wen Heng would much rather spend a few years out in the provinces where he could be more at ease.
Here, everyone outranked him, and his hands were tied in everything he did. It would be far better to go out and build up his own political achievements.
Having come to this conclusion, Ancient Wen Heng stood up and bowed to Scholar Gong. "If the opportunity arises, your subordinate is willing to be posted externally."
Scholar Gong stood and clapped him on the shoulder. "That was my thinking as well. Here in Shangjing, the high-ranking officials and aristocratic families are like a series of hurdles. In contrast, youâll have better prospects outside.
Since youâve made your decision, I will help make the arrangements. You should also make some preparations in the meantime."
"Yes. I am grateful for your patronage, Sir." Although Ancient Wen Heng didnât understand why Gong Zhengping had always favored him, he knew he had to accept this kindness.
Gong Zhengping nodded, then turned and returned to his work.
The moment Ancient Wen Heng stepped out of the room, the probing gazes of his colleagues once again converged on him.
"Hmph, who knows what despicable means he used? With him in our Hanlin Academy, people like us will never have a chance to get ahead," Ning Yuchen complained to Cao Shijiang beside him.
Cao Shijiang said, "So what? Everyone here is just biding their time to gain seniority. You should stop staring at Mr. Gu all day. With that time, youâd be better off finishing your own work so the rest of us donât have to keep cleaning up your messes."
Ning Yuchen knew he had made quite a few mistakes recently, but this Mr. Cao was truly showing him no courtesy. Being called out so bluntly made him lose face.
"Yes, I will be more careful. Thank you all for your hard work this time." Though he secretly resented them for their lack of courtesy, he didnât have the courage to offend officials who outranked him.
Cao Shishu snorted coldly, gathered his things, and walked away. âThis Ning Yuchen really takes me for a greenhorn just entering the official world. To think heâd try to use me as his blade. He should take a good look at himself and see if heâs even got what it takes.â
He might not like how Ancient Wen Heng had skipped several ranks in such a short time, but he knew better than to provoke such a person. If the man didnât have a solid backing, could he have so smoothly broken with convention?
Ning Yuchenâs face darkened. âThe difference between the top scholar and the runner-up is just too great. I wonder if Ancient Wen Heng bribed his superiors?â
âBribery.â Ning Yuchen immediately thought of Ancient Wen Hengâs wife, the Imperial Merchantâs Wife. âItâs very possible thatâs what happened.â
§
That night, Wenheng brought the matter up with Jin Qianqian. "If I really can get an external assignment, is there anywhere youâd like to go?"
Jin Qianqian shot him a look. "Thatâs not exactly something we can choose, is it!"
Wenheng rubbed his nose. "Where thereâs a will, thereâs a way. How will we know if we donât try?"
Jin Qianqian was not as optimistic as he was. "Our foundation in the capital is still too shallow. Even though we are acquainted with Prince Bai and Marquis Zhou, they arenât in Shangjing right now.
Of all the officials youâve befriended, besides Scholar Gong who might be willing to lend a hand, we canât count on anyone else."
Wenheng said, "Once the news gets out, those people will probably get jealous again."
Wenheng mentally went through his connections and realized there truly werenât many.
"Thereâs just one thing I donât quite understand. Scholar Gong seems to be taking special care of you, doesnât he?" Jin Qianqian hadnât thought much of it before, assuming it was simply a case of the man appreciating talent, but now it had reached the point of giving career advice.
Wenheng was also puzzled by it. "For now, at least, it doesnât seem like heâs scheming against me. Letâs just wait and see."
Jin Qianqian also knew they were in a passive position with no control over the situation. She then changed the subject.
"Since we might have to leave the capital, there are some things I donât want to drag out any longer. Iâll take care of them all in the next few days."
Wenheng knew what she was talking about. "Youâve been buying up shops next to all the Huang familyâs stores, havenât you?"
Jin Qianqian hadnât been secretive about her recent activities. She wanted to intimidate her rival, but she also saw it as an opportunity to acquire more properties while everyone was eager to watch the drama unfold.
Most people probably assumed she was just acting out of spite, paying inflated prices for the shops. They were likely laughing behind her back, calling her a fool with too much money and letting the neighboring shop owners make a killing off of her.
Jin Qianqian said, "Riding this wave of speculation, everyone thinks Iâm overestimating myself and trying to pick a fight with the Huang family. Some people have even taken the initiative to come and sell their shops to me. Without me even realizing it, we now have a small portfolio of properties here in Shangjing."
Speaking of this, Jin Qianqian couldnât help but feel a little smug. âPeople think I only have the soap formula to my name. They assume this clash with the Huang family must have cost me dearly, and theyâre all waiting to see me become a laughingstock.
âTheyâre probably even waiting for the day I canât hold on any longer, so they can swoop in and pick up a bargain.
âBut is that likely? After acquiring so many shops, Iâve only spent about half of the silver notes I have on hand.â