Chapter 85: Tongwu County

Chapter 85: Tongwu County

Lin Yingxue touched the peony in her hair, no wonder he had insisted on pinning a palace flower for her every day; it was all to prepare for this day.

The moment she touched the flower, her eyes curved with joy.

Lin Yingxue couldn't help but think, if she were to receive an imperial decree, what would he say to her?

Lowering her hand, Lin Yingxue softly urged Fu Jiaze, "Go back quickly."

Today, Lin Yingxue wore newly made clothes to welcome the early spring. Her light apricot-colored half-sleeve was embroidered with delicate spring flowers, and her lower body was clad in a crimson pleated skirt with silver trim. She smiled gently, her face blushing visibly, more beautiful than the radiant peony on her head.

Fu Jiaze wanted to stay, but he had already delayed the parade for a while, which was enough. "Alright, I'll go first."

Fu Jiaze turned and returned to the parade.

The second and third place winners smiled warmly at the top scholar, especially Wu Yusheng, who had a better impression of Fu Jiaze.

Such deep feelings, no wonder he could defy the world. Even with an uncle like Fu Bin, Wu Yusheng thought this person could make a good censor in the future.

Lin Yingxue looked up, watching Fu Jiaze nimbly mount his horse. His robe fluttered, and the wings of his hat trembled, like the wings of a flying bird. He pulled the reins, and the horse started moving forward.

After the top scholar left, the small area erupted into a flurry of activity.

"Congratulations, madam! Your husband looks so young and handsome, truly a match made in heaven."

This was said by an elderly lady with a kind face, smiling and nodding continuously, her wrinkles smoothing out.

"Oh, the top scholar is young, and so is the young lady. Do you have any secrets to motivate your husband? We've put a lot of effort into our child's studies. Our family isn't wealthy, do you have any tips to make him study well?"

This was a middle-aged woman with a long, thin face, talking incessantly about her child, wanting to ask how Fu Jiaze managed to become the top scholar, but always circling back to how smart her child was, just not diligent enough.

"Young lady, you're beautiful and tall, but too thin. That's not good for bearing children. Take care of yourself and give birth to a healthy baby boy, and your marriage will last forever."

This was advice from someone who had been through it all, looking meaningfully at Lin Yingxue, especially focusing on her slender waist, as if she wanted to immediately fatten it up.

"Such affection, it's truly enviable. If only I could have such a husband, I envy this madam so much."

The last one was a young lady with a small voice, still unmarried, blushing and covering her face with her sleeve when she saw Lin Yingxue looking at her, her eyes filled with longing.

"My brother and sister-in-law are very affectionate," Fu Wanan said proudly. "My brother is smart and diligent, that's why he became the top scholar."

Fu Wanan's words drew many people's attention, and Pei Qinghe, who had never been so noticed before, shyly hid behind Fu Wanan.

Fu Heng glanced at the distance and patted her daughter's head. "Alright, you talk too much. Yingxue, let's go back. After Jinyuan finishes the parade, he'll come back for dinner."

Fu Heng suggested leaving early to avoid Lin Yi, who might cause trouble for Lin Yingxue today. It was such a good day, and Lin Yi should wait until tomorrow.

Fu Heng had already planned to take everyone back home, and if Lin Yi came again, she would handle it the same way, ensuring he wouldn't visit today.

Lin Yingxue couldn't handle the teasing gazes of so many people and nodded, saying she wanted to leave.

Lin Yingxue's group dispersed, and the scholars continued their parade, with the crowd gradually dispersing.

After the parade, Fu Jiaze returned home for dinner. The Fu family brought out a large round table from the storeroom, and they all enjoyed a lively meal together.

/

After dinner, Pei Jin took Fu Jiaze back to the Pei residence.

First, they went over the palace examination essay, and when Pei Jin saw Fu Jiaze's work, he couldn't help but frown. "Jinyuan, why did you write such an essay?"

It was good, but too radical and risky, likely to displease the emperor.

Fu Jiaze explained, "During the preliminary examination, Minister Lu of the Ministry of Rites presented the answers to His Majesty. Concubine Chen was present and opened the envelope, seeing my name. She shed tears, saying it reminded her of the late Young Master Yan."

"Two days before the palace examination, Concubine Chen mentioned me to His Majesty again. Today, when we entered the main hall for the examination, the emperor singled me out and asked me to raise my head."

"My wife once met Young Master Yan, and I do bear some resemblance to him. Today, during the examination, I dressed differently to avoid looking too much like him."

Pei Jin understood Fu Jiaze's intention; he wanted to sever ties with Concubine Chen completely.

"That's for the best." Pei Jin relaxed. "Getting involved with Concubine Chen is unwise."

Emperor Chengde's infatuation with Concubine Chen was intense and unsettling, and some people were already calling He Lanting a demoness.

Fu Jiaze had the talent of a top scholar; there was no need for him to be entangled with that demoness.

Pei Jin accepted Fu Jiaze's writing style, understanding that even if he failed today, it would be worth it to avoid being associated with Concubine Chen. Besides, Fu Jiaze still won the top scholar title.

Pei Jin stroked the paper in his hand and praised, "If you hadn't taken such a bold approach, you wouldn't have written such a brilliant essay. Such sharpness can only come from a young man."

"Teacher, you flatter me. Many of the ideas in the essay are mere fantasies. Whether they can boost the local economy needs practical testing."

Pei Jin looked at Fu Jiaze. "Do you still want to serve outside the capital? If you don't go to the Imperial Academy, have you considered choosing an interesting department among the six ministries? Serving in the ministries would be beneficial for your future career."

Fu Jiaze nodded. "I've always wanted to serve outside the capital. Now that Concubine Chen frequently mentions me, staying in the capital is inappropriate. I fear I might be labeled as part of her faction."

Fu Jiaze was confident in his administrative abilities, and He Lanting was cunning. It would be easy for her to pull him into her faction by emphasizing his resemblance to Yan Ji.

Pei Jin pondered Fu Jiaze's words.

It was one thing for a top scholar not to join the Imperial Academy, but directly choosing an external post seemed too wasteful and might make people think Emperor Chengde disliked Fu Jiaze. Initially, Pei Jin wanted to persuade Fu Jiaze to join the Ministry of Revenue with him.

However, mentioning Concubine Chen changed Pei Jin's mind. Serving outside the capital became the best path for Fu Jiaze's career.

Pei Jin tapped his fingers on the table and said thoughtfully, "As the top scholar, you can choose a prosperous region in Jiangnan for your post. I'll discuss with Grand Eunuch Fu and see if we can arrange for you to go to Suzhou."

Fu Jiaze immediately replied, "I don't want to go to that land of pleasure. I prefer serving in the northern border regions."

Going to Jiangnan would mean a lucrative position, but he wouldn't be in charge of a region. Instead, he would have to navigate complex relationships. Fu Jiaze didn't want to be a constrained official; he wanted to have free rein in a specific area.

To accomplish something substantial without being constrained by others, the best choice would be either the southern frontier or the northern border.

There are some differences between these two places. The southern frontier is home to many ethnic minorities, and as a Han Chinese, Fu Jiaze would find it difficult to integrate quickly. It would take years of effort to gain the trust of his subordinates and achieve political success. Fu Jiaze will eventually need to reorganize the south, and he hopes that when the time comes, he can at least serve as a provincial governor, allowing the local people and Han Chinese to work together in governing various counties and cities.

The northern border is simpler; the greatest threat there is the Di people. With Jian He stationed there, maintaining the stability of the border, there are many things Fu Jiaze can do.

"By the way, to be precise, my preferred place is the northeast," Fu Jiaze said. "The land is fertile, but unfortunately, it has been frequently attacked by nomadic tribes, and many fields have been abandoned and turned into pastures in recent years."

Pei Jin shook his head with a smile. "Does Jinyuan also have a chosen place?"

"Niushou County," Fu Jiaze replied without hesitation.

Pei Jin said, "If you hadn't taken the spring examination, you could have become a county magistrate with just the status of a juren (scholar). Now that you are the zhuangyuan (top scholar), serving as a county official will attract much attention. Are you prepared for that?"

"Yes," Fu Jiaze replied.

Pei Jin nodded. "I will go to the palace shortly to request your appointment as the magistrate of Niushou County."

Fu Jiaze rubbed his nose with his fingertips, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "If I had only passed the juren exam, Niushou County would have been enough. But now that I am the zhuangyuan, I want to ask for two more places."

Pei Jin was taken aback. "You can't serve as the magistrate of other places simultaneously."

As soon as he said this, Pei Jin immediately realized, "You want Niushou County to merge with two other counties."

"Exactly," Fu Jiaze nodded repeatedly. "One is Fenglin County, which borders the frontier and is almost uninhabited. The other is the slightly larger Tongwu County."

Fu Jiaze had even considered that if he had only passed the juren exam, he might not have been able to take up the post in a large county like Niushou. He would have gone to Tongwu County instead.

Now that he was the zhuangyuan, he might as well be more ambitious and claim two more counties.

Pei Jin looked at Fu Jiaze, who kept bowing, making him look like a mischievous student.

Pei Jin smiled. "Alright, then you will be the magistrate of Niushou, Fenglin, and Tongwu Counties. I will request your appointments for all three."

Fu Jiaze bowed deeply to Pei Jin. "Thank you, Master."

"There's one more thing," Pei Jin said, clasping his hands together. "It's a personal matter, and I wanted to ask you before going to the palace."

Pei Jin felt a bit awkward thinking about discussing his personal affairs with his student.

Fu Jiaze smiled. "Master, there's no need to say anything. If I am posted out, my wife will stay in the capital temporarily until I stabilize the situation and then join me in the county."

With Lin Yingxue staying in the capital, there was no way Wen Hui would go to Niushou County. Pei Jin breathed a sigh of relief but still felt a faint sense of awkwardness.

Pei Jin stood up. "I'll go to the palace now to request your appointment letter."