Chapter 717

Chapter 724: The First Move (Part 2)

Respect is commanded by dignity.

Xu Sijie's eldest son was named "Zhuang."

After Zhuang Geer's Third-day Ceremony, Xu Sizhun privately spoke with Xu Sijin: "Tomorrow morning, go to Prince Yong's mansion. I heard from the Ministry of War that Prince Yong intends to appoint you as the Right Assistant Regional Commander of Qinglang in Guizhou. Although the official document hasn't been issued yet, since we know about it, we should go to express our gratitude..."

According to Da Zhou's official system, Guizhou had one Regional Commander, one Deputy Regional Commander, two Assistant Regional Commanders—one as the Right Assistant Regional Commander of Qinglang and the other as the Left Assistant Regional Commander of Western Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou—seven Defense Officers, and one Central Army Officer for Patrols... The position of Assistant Regional Commander was very important. Xu Sijin was only thirteen years old this year...

He was stunned.

Didn’t Father say he was going to Pingyi Station in Pu’an Guard, Guizhou? How did this Right Assistant Regional Commander of Qinglang come about?

"How did Fourth Brother find out?" Xu Sijin pondered. "Is this news reliable?"

"I originally wanted to help you maneuver within the Ministry of War to keep you in the Regional Military Commission. However, Minister Lu of the Ministry of War subtly informed me that Prince Yong had already spoken with him, intending to appoint you as the Right Assistant Regional Commander of Qinglang in Guizhou. The current Right Assistant Regional Commander was originally the Defense Officer of Pingyue, promoted to Right Assistant Regional Commander less than three months ago due to military merits. But Prince Yong specifically requested this position, so Minister Lu is trying to relocate the current Right Assistant Regional Commander. When I mentioned wanting to keep you in the Regional Military Commission, he asked whether we preferred the Regional Military Commission or the Regional Commander's office."

"With my capabilities, at best, I could only secure you a position as a registrar or secretary in the Regional Military Commission. But since the opportunity for Right Assistant Regional Commander arose, naturally that would be better. So I quickly changed my tone, saying that while the Assistant Regional Commander position might be difficult, the Regional Military Commission wouldn’t be bad either..." As he spoke, he showed a look of regret. "Looking back now, what I said was unreasonable. If Minister Lu takes the opportunity to only give you a registrar or secretary position in the Regional Military Commission, wouldn’t it waste Prince Yong's kindness? I even gave Minister Lu an easy way out. If Prince Yong finds out, he might secretly blame me for meddling." After a pause, he continued, "If he only blames me for meddling, that’s one thing, but I’m afraid it might implicate you as well. My suggestion is, before the official document is issued, use your visit to express gratitude to Prince Yong to clarify the situation, so Minister Lu doesn’t end up sending you to the Regional Military Commission instead..."

Xu Sijin finally understood.

He hadn’t expected Prince Yong to quietly help him by reaching out to the Ministry of War, nor had he expected Xu Sizhun to do the same...

Xu Sijin warmly put his arm around Xu Sizhun's shoulder and said with a smile, "Fourth Brother, so you went to pull strings for me too!"

"But it didn’t work out!" Xu Sizhun said sheepishly. "In fact, I might have made things worse!"

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Between brothers, the intention is what matters." Xu Sijin comforted him. "I’ll go to Prince Yong's mansion first thing tomorrow and make sure everything is handled properly." Though inwardly, he thought that after seeing off his fourth brother, he needed to quickly consult with his father. If he really became the Right Assistant Regional Commander, going to Pingyi Station would be out of the question!

Xu Sizhun, however, remembered something else: "Last time, I heard you talking about looking for gold mines and getting into the medicinal herb business? You’re going to a place where you don’t know anyone—why compete with the local military for profits and cause trouble? If you’re short on silver, just ask me. I can’t promise much, but I can spare two or three thousand taels of silver a year. Don’t take risks for money and offend Gong Dongning, understand?"

He couldn’t rely on others forever, could he?

Xu Sijin muttered to himself but, seeing his brother’s sincere concern and considering that the gold mine and medicinal herb business were still uncertain, saw no reason to reject his brother’s kindness. He smiled and nodded: "I understand, I understand. If I need silver, I’ll let you know."

Xu Sizhun felt relieved and asked about Xu Sijin’s packing progress and if there was anything in his room that needed to be taken care of... They talked for about the time it takes two incense sticks to burn before Xu Sizhun took his leave.

Xu Sijin hurried to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu was also surprised to learn about Prince Yong and Xu Sizhun’s activities at the Ministry of War. After a moment of thought, he smiled and said, "It seems Prince Yong has his own views on your reassignment to Guizhou. Although I don’t know why, it’s better to wait for the official document before going to Prince Yong’s mansion."

Xu Sijin was somewhat puzzled.

Lord Xu explained with a smile, "I plan to assign you to Pingyi Station. If you go to thank Prince Yong now and the document ends up not appointing you as Right Assistant Regional Commander, wouldn’t Prince Yong be embarrassed and angry? If this leads to a dispute at the Ministry of War, you might really end up as Right Assistant Regional Commander! It’s better to pretend you don’t know, wait for the official document, then go to bid farewell to Prince Yong before leaving."

Xu Sijin nodded. After waiting two days, the Ministry of War’s official document was issued, and he went to bid farewell to Prince Yong.

Prince Yong looked very displeased and repeatedly advised him, "It’s no big deal. Stay there for a few months, and I’ll find a way to bring you back." He then gave him two thousand taels of silver for the journey.

Xu Sijin knew that Prince Yong hadn’t taken the matter seriously before, but if he were to act now, he might be recalled before even reaching Guizhou. Remembering that Prince Yong was always short on silver yet gave him two thousand taels for the journey, he thought for a moment and quietly brought up the topic of Guizhou’s medicinal herbs: "...There’s no need to rush to bring me back. Let me explore the opportunities first. If it doesn’t work out, you can always recall me later!" Prince Yong’s eyes lit up: "...Is that true? Then don’t hurry back. First, sound out Gong Dongning. With such a good opportunity, Gong Dongning must be involved. Once you’re there, we can discuss it further."

After discussing for a long time, they parted happily.

Xu Sijin didn’t arrive in Guizhou until the end of June. By the time Prince Yong received his letter, it was already mid-December. The marriage between the Eldest Princess and Wang Xian had been settled for the sixth day of the third month next year. Wang Xian was from Pengcheng, and the Empress didn’t want the princess to marry there, so the Emperor appointed Wang Xian’s father as Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, responsible for rituals. The Wang family was urgently looking for a house in Yanjing, and Prince Yong had to help. When he received Xu Sijin’s letter stating that Gong Dongning was the largest medicinal herb merchant in Guizhou, he felt somewhat discouraged and shifted his focus to helping the Eldest Princess find a house.

The Xu family also received Xu Sijin’s letter, learning that he had settled in and that he and Chang'an had quickly adapted to life in Pingyi. Lord Xu wrote back, instructing him to study the battles between the military stations and the indigenous tribes over the past few years during his training, analyzing the reasons for victories and defeats.

As the New Year approached, Lady Xu personally brought Song Mama to tidy up Xu Sijin’s room. Seeing A Jin making New Year clothes for Sui Feng, and considering that only A Jin and Sui Feng were left to look after Xu Sijin’s house, she had an idea and asked Song Mama to sound them out. A Jin blushed and lowered her head without speaking, while Sui Feng’s parents soon came to request an audience with Lady Xu, asking her to bestow the favor of allowing A Jin to marry Sui Feng.

Lady Eleven approved the marriage and wrote to inform Xu Sijin, handling some arrangements.

The Grand Madame asked if he was short on silver, while the Second Madame added her own advice after the Grand Madame’s reply, urging him to socialize more with Gong Dongning and find an opportunity to transfer to Tongren Prefecture, the Guizhou Regional Command headquarters. Yingniang wrote on behalf of herself and her husband, filling the letter with descriptions of how adorable Zhuang Geer was. Meanwhile, Shen Geer wanted to visit Xu Sijin in Guizhou after spring arrived but was scolded by the Fifth Madame, who was in low spirits because Cheng Geer was about to move to the outer residence. In a fit of anger, Shen Geer ran to the Grand Madame’s place and refused to return. Jiang Shi and others went to persuade him. Around the same time, Fang Shi from Sanjing Hutong gave birth to a second son. The Third-day Ceremony had just concluded, and the first-month celebration was scheduled before the New Year, coinciding with the hundred-day ceremony of Xiang Shi’s eldest son, Qing Geer. Amid the busy New Year preparations, there were banquets everywhere, filled with laughter and chatter. Before they knew it, the Lantern Festival arrived.

Lord Xu and Lady Eleven were invited to the palace to view the lanterns.

Surrounded by familiar faces, they gathered around the empress in the Wanchun Pavilion in the imperial garden to watch the fireworks.

Lady Zhou whispered to Lady Eleven, "I heard Grand Secretary Liang is about to retire?"

Lady Eleven nodded. "Lanting said Grand Secretary Liang is getting old, and his hands tremble badly when he writes. He requested retirement from the emperor, who quickly approved it."

"In that case, won’t they return to their hometown in Fengshui?" Lady Zhou sighed. "It’s a pity none of Grand Secretary Liang’s three sons earned jinshi degrees."

Lady Eleven fell silent.

For scholarly families like theirs, the absence of jinshi or hanlin scholars among the younger generation meant a gradual decline in status.

Feeling it inappropriate to discuss such matters during the New Year, Lady Zhou quickly changed the subject with a smile. "I heard from my husband that your brother is set to become the prefect of Hanyang Prefecture after the New Year?"

Lady Eleven hadn’t expected the news to spread so quickly. "We’ll know for sure once the Ministry of Personnel’s official notice arrives," she replied modestly. Just then, someone approached them.

Both fell silent and turned to look at the newcomer.

With her hair styled in double spiral buns and wearing a red gold-woven brocade vest with colorful cloud and dragon patterns, no one but the Grand Princess would dare to dress so boldly.

The two smiled and bowed to the Grand Princess.

But the Grand Princess took Lady Eleven’s hand. "Lady Yongping, I... I will make sure Jin’er returns soon!"

Under the dazzling fireworks, tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.

Did she think Jin’er was punished because of her?

Lady Eleven smiled and patted the Grand Princess’s hand. "It’s alright. His father thought his temper was too fiery and wanted him to hone his character in Guizhou. Besides, he’s doing well there now. There’s no need for you to worry, Princess."

The Grand Princess pressed her lips together and, as suddenly as she had arrived, turned and left.

Lady Eleven wanted to call out to her, but the empress had already turned to the crowd and said, "The fireworks today are truly magnificent! I wonder where they were presented as tribute from?"

Everyone laughed and chimed in agreement.

Lady Eleven had no choice but to let it go.

Princess Changning laughed heartily. "I think we should use the same fireworks for the Grand Princess’s wedding!"

Some eager guests immediately called for palace maids to inquire, while others flattered, "...A dowry of 30,000 mu (approx. 2,000 acres) of farmland in Jingzhou Prefecture—how vast must that be? I doubt one could see the end of it at a glance!"

"What’s so remarkable about that?" someone else joked. "Haven’t you seen the jewelry the empress prepared for the Grand Princess? It’s all solid gold. It dazzled my eyes so much I’m still seeing stars!" The crowd burst into laughter, praising the Wang family for their good fortune. Blushing, the Grand Princess ran off.

A crowd of palace maids and nannies hurried after her.

The empress watched her daughter’s retreating figure with a reserved smile, her eyes betraying a hint of reluctance.