Chapter 262: The Road to High Office 62

Chapter 262: The Road to High Office 62

"The embroidery technique I am going to teach you is Shu embroidery. Shu embroidery has over 130 types of stitches, roughly categorized into 12 major types, such as the shading stitch, rolling stitch, and spreading stitch..." Cheng Ge Er looked at the four children sitting in front of him. The oldest, Qiao Yun, was thirteen, and the youngest, Wang Ye, was only ten, but all of them were listening attentively to his explanation.

Cheng Ge Er spent half a shichen explaining the various stitches used in Shu embroidery. Then, he turned to Qiao Yun and Wang Yingying and said solemnly, "Apart from Qin Qin and Ye Ye, Yun Ge Er and Yingying, you both have some foundation in needlework. Therefore, I expect you to skip copying patterns and start directly with the stitches. You must learn one stitch every day. Can you do that?"

Qiao Yun and Wang Yingying nodded earnestly, "Master Cheng, we will not let you down!"

Cheng Ge Er nodded in approval. He then looked at Wang Ye and Cao Qin, "As for Qin Qin and Ye Ye, you two will spend this month learning to copy patterns. Starting next month, you will follow Yun Ge Er and the others in learning the stitches."

Cheng Ge Er adopted a method where the older children would guide the younger ones, and he would provide corrections from the side.

Time was tight, and he estimated that the four children would stay in Lingbei County for the New Year.

Since the Green Embroidery Workshop was still under renovation, the four children were arranged to stay in the west courtyard.

Before leaving, Cheng Ge Er had instructed Xia Tian and Qiu Tian to tidy up the west courtyard. The living quarters for the four children were not too cramped.

Qiao Yun and Wang Yingying, the two older ones, shared one bedroom, while Cao Qin and Wang Ye, the younger ones, shared another.

Upon their return yesterday, the four children had chosen their rooms. The two bedrooms were adjacent, and the furnishings were identical, with the only difference being that one room was in the front and the other in the back.

Once everything was settled, they dined together and were advised to retire early.

The next day, Cheng Ge Er began teaching them embroidery.

Whether it was stitches or copying patterns, Cheng Ge Er had prepared samples in advance. Most of these samples were hastily made based on what his sister Luo Niang had taught him, with a few being his own improvements.

Today, he assigned Yun Ge Er and Yingying to learn the shading stitch. He first handed them the sample for the shading stitch.

Then, he picked out some relatively simple pattern samples and taught them to Wang Ye and Cao Qin.

After everything was arranged, he sat on the daybed, intending to take a brief rest... but inadvertently fell asleep. In the end, it was Qiao Yun who bravely woke him up, "Master Cheng? Master Cheng?"

Cheng Ge Er groggily opened his eyes, "What is it?"

"Could you take a look at Yingying's and my stitches? Are there any issues?"

Cheng Ge Er took the embroidery work, his mind becoming clearer. He rubbed his temples and said gently, "Yun Ge Er, your stitch should land here..."

As he explained, Cheng Ge Er also helped by manually removing the thread and re-stitching. After his adjustments, the stitches indeed looked much better.

After addressing Qiao Yun's stitching, he then provided Wang Yingying with meticulous guidance on her work.

Concerned he might doze off once more, Cheng Ge Er got up to check on the progress of the two younger ones in copying patterns...

Xu Zeping returned from the prefectural office and, seeing the empty east courtyard, encountered Qiu Tian, who was preparing dinner, "Where is Cheng Ge Er?"

"The young master is in the west courtyard teaching Yun Ge Er and the others embroidery."

Xu Zeping initially wanted to go and take a look but then retracted his steps and headed to the study. Little Tiger had mentioned that a letter from his elder brother had arrived and had been placed in the study.

Entering the study, Xu Zeping dismissed Little Tiger.

He opened the letter from Xu Zeli, which detailed recent significant events at court.

Firstly, the Crown Prince had successfully completed the investigation of hidden lands in Jiangnan and casually mentioned that the Crown Prince had encountered a few bandits on the way.

During the Crown Prince's journey to Jiangnan, tens of thousands of acres of fertile land were surveyed, with the concealed lands of the Jiang family, particularly those of Jiang Ge Lao (Jiang Ge Lao), accounting for the majority, up to fifty percent... Other officials from Huai Su also occupied hundreds of acres to varying degrees.

Currently, the factions in Jiangnan and Huai Su are in turmoil. Jiang Ge Lao, ashamed of his clan's misconduct, has considered resigning.

The Sage, acknowledging his lifelong service and significant contributions to the nation, and considering his grandson's harmonious relationship with the imperial family, has decided to retain his position. He is allowed to take a leave to reorganize his family and is expected to return to the court by the time the spring flowers bloom next year.

Reading this, Xu Zeping grasped the subtle message in his brother's letter. With Jiang Ge Lao's departure, the Huai Su faction would be left without a leader, and the officials involved in the encroachment of concealed lands would inevitably be held accountable by the Sage.

The lighter punishment would be a demotion, while the more severe would be outright dismissal or imprisonment!

However, considering the Sage's handling of Jiang Ge Lao, Xu Zeping rubbed his fingertips, pondering that as long as these officials didn't cross the Sage's bottom line, the worst would be dismissal without reemployment.

With these officials being purged, the new officials selected through the imperial grace examination (Enke) would likely step into the officialdom.

By next spring, his brother-in-law would surely secure an external assignment, though it's uncertain where he would be assigned.

Xu Zeli also mentioned that his brother's wife is expecting, increasing household expenses, and their current salary is somewhat insufficient... Xu Zeping, no fool, knew his brother's wife's dowry was substantial and would not be short of funds.

Rather, his brother was hinting at his upcoming promotion.

Xu Zeping smiled with understanding; it seems his brother is highly regarded by the Sage, having been promoted to the sixth-rank attendant and now likely to be promoted again within a year.

His brother emphasized the salary, suggesting a move to one of the Six Ministries.

It seems highly probable that he will become a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites.

The second matter is that the Deputy Commander of Nanzhou successfully extracted a high-quality snowflake salt called seawater salt in early November, which was rushed to the capital and presented to the Sage.

After tasting it, the Sage was greatly pleased and immediately promoted the Deputy Commander to the second-rank Commander.

Subsequently, the price of salt in Yanjing plummeted.

Xu Zeli casually mentioned in the letter that the Sage, after a banquet, whispered in his ear: "Your brother is a talent."

Reading this, Xu Zeping's eyes filled with blood, suppressing his excitement. It seems as he and his brother had deduced, Lingbei County was indeed a test from the Sage.

Whether it was the former or the latter, Xu Zeping had a hand in it, but he was unsure when the reward would come.

After reading the letter, Xu Zeping burned it with an oil lamp.

From the second matter, he inferred a message: the newly appointed Commander of Nanzhou, Hong Yanchen, is aligned with the Sage!

Perhaps the Sage also supports Hong Yanchen's involvement in the disputes between the two branches of the Hong family. Looking at the ashes on the ground, Xu Zeping finally understood why his brother advised him not to get too close to the Hong family.

This chess game is indeed riddled with hidden dangers.

The marriage between the Western River Governor and the Wo family is undoubtedly aligned with the Crown Prince's faction.

And Hong Yanchen, being the Sage's man, previously unaligned, has now been exposed at this critical juncture. What is the Sage's intention?

To turn the Western River Governor and Hong Yanchen against each other?

Or to have the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince's brother vie for Hong Yanchen's allegiance, escalating their rivalry?

Initially, Xu Zeping suspected the Huai Su faction regarding the Crown Prince's assassination.

But considering the second matter, it was likely the Crown Prince's brother's doing.

After all, Jiang Ge Lao's grandson is the Crown Prince's brother-in-law; they are tied together, and Jiang Ge Lao would not allow his subordinates to commit such folly.

Outside, the cold wind rustled, and the accumulated snow fell. A heavy snow block might have hit a stray cat, causing it to let out a startled scream.

Hearing the cat's scream, Xu Zeping suddenly understood what he hadn't figured out before.

The snow was like the eldest prince, and the stray cat was like the crown prince.

The heavy snow block not only hurt the stray cat but also the old cat behind it.

If nothing unexpected happened, the crown prince would successfully win over Hong Yanchen.

Emperor Sheng'an would not allow the eldest prince to use such underhanded tactics to gain the throne.

After figuring it out, Xu Zeping shook his head in disbelief. The eldest prince had truly shot himself in the foot, allowing the crown prince to gain the support of a faction of military officials for nothing.

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a knock at the study door. Xu Zeping composed himself and asked, "Who is it?"

"Young master, the young master sent me to call you for dinner."

Hearing Xiang'er's voice, Xu Zeping replied, "Coming."

The four children were already old enough to understand things, so they did not dine with Xu Zeping.

Looking at the spicy dishes on the table—sour and spicy shredded potatoes, sour and spicy diced chicken, and chopped chili fish head—Xu Zeping swallowed his saliva. "Cheng Ge Er, did you order all these dishes?"

Cheng Ge Er gestured for Xu Zeping to sit down, then served rice while saying, "Yeah, lately I've been feeling like my mouth is bland, so I wanted to eat something spicy and sour."

After handing the rice to Xu Zeping, he served himself a bowl, then picked up a chopstick full of sour and spicy shredded potatoes and ate it in one bite, his eyes lighting up with delight. "Mmm, so delicious!"

Another chopstickful!

The diced chicken smelled good too, let's try some.

Wow, these are so fragrant.

Cheng Ge Er kept eating, one chopstickful after another, enjoying every bite.

He usually eats one bowl of rice, but today he managed to eat two. After finishing, he let out an involuntary burp.

When he noticed Xu Zeping's surprised look from across the table, he awkwardly wiped his mouth and laughed, "Xiang'er's cooking has gotten better and better. I just couldn't help myself, that's all."

Xu Zeping put down his bowl and chopsticks, looking seriously at Cheng Ge Er. "Xiang'er, tell me the truth, did you forget to eat lunch today?"

"No, really, it's just that Xiang'er's cooking is so good, I couldn't help myself."

Xu Zeping looked at Cheng Ge Er suspiciously. "Really?"

"Really!" Cheng Ge Er raised three fingers. "I swear, I had lunch at noon. If you don't believe me, ask Xiang'er."

"Young master, the young master had two large bowls of meat noodle soup at noon." Xiang'er accidentally blurted out the truth.

After saying it, Xiang'er thought, "Oh no, how did I let the truth slip out?"

"Cheng Ge Er, should we call a doctor to take a look?"

Not only had his appetite increased dramatically, but he was also sleeping excessively, which made Xu Zeping uncontrollably worried.

Two days ago, in Daji Town, Cheng Ge Er always seemed to be sleepy. Xu Zeping hadn't paid much attention to it, thinking it was just the winter drowsiness.

But yesterday, they arrived home at around 3:30 PM and had an early dinner by 4:15 PM at the latest. Since the journey was long and they hadn't had a warm meal for over four hours, they naturally ate early to satisfy their hunger.

After dinner, Xu Zeping wanted to take a walk with him to aid digestion, but when he turned around, he saw that Cheng Ge Er had already fallen asleep leaning against the chair.

Then today, before Xu Zeping left at 7 AM, he went into the room to check on him, and he was still asleep.

Counting the hours, it was almost twelve hours, which was really unusual.