Chapter 120 Assignment

Chapter 120: Appointment

The matter of Song Tingzhou's official appointment was settled. Lin Congrong came to his door to subtly hint about the out-of-capital posting before the appointment document from the Ministry of Personnel had even arrived.

In the main hall, Lin Congrong sat in the seat of honor, unable to sit still. He explained, "Originally, with your ranking, you could have participated in the Hanlin Academy's examination and stayed on as a selected bachelor (shujishi) for three years of advanced study. After three years, entering the Six Ministries or the Censorate would have been convenient."

He paused mid-sentence with a helpless expression. "But then someone interfered, and Lord Wang and I could only secure you a slightly better position than before."

Lin Congrong felt quite embarrassed. Song Tingzhou had truly earned his rank through talent. If not for the Wu family affair, even without his maneuvering, the Ministry of Personnel would have assigned a good post according to the rankings. He really couldn't claim any credit.

Meng Wan, seated below Lin Congrong, listened silently as Lin explained his purpose. Then he rose and stepped forward to pour tea for him. "Senior Brother Lin, what are you saying? My husband and I are not ungrateful people. All your efforts were on our behalf, and we remember them deeply."

Song Tingzhou also stood and bowed to Lin Congrong with a cupped-hand salute. "Thank you for your plans, Senior Brother. But being sent out to do practical work for the people is exactly what I desire. Whatever the motives of those behind this, it actually suits me. You need not feel troubled about it."

The couple spoke sincerely. Even if Lin Congrong hadn't come expecting thanks, their words still warmed his heart.

At noon, Lin Congrong stayed for a meal and shared many experiences and insights from serving as a local official.

The Lin family had an ancestral rule: only one member per generation remained in the imperial court. Lin Congrong had previously served in the provinces, while his father stayed in Shengjing. Later, when Lin returned to Shengjing to serve as Vice Minister of Rites, his father retired and returned to his hometown with his mother.

Having served as a local official for many years, Lin Congrong had many experiences. Before leaving the Song residence, he also instructed Song Tingzhou to come with Meng Wan to his home in a few days, on his day off, so he could teach them in more detail.

This was a rare opportunity, and of course Song Tingzhou agreed.

After seeing Lin Congrong off, the young couple began to discuss the out-of-capital posting.

Meng Wan pulled Song Tingzhou into the study and took out a map of the Yu kingdom to study.

"Where is this Western Wu Prefecture? I don't remember seeing it?"

The two searched the map for a long time before finally finding it at the southernmost border.

Meng Wan gasped. "No wonder Senior Brother was hesitant and looked regretful. This place is too remote, almost at the frontier." He thought the exile locations must be nearby. How could it be peaceful?

Most of the Lingnan region was mountainous and hilly, with few plains and many forests, and the forests were full of miasma. Song Tingzhou was not afraid of hardship, but what about Meng Wan and Chang Jinhua?

Song Tingzhou opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to ask Meng Wan to stay in their hometown with Chang Jinhua. So he listened silently while Meng Wan spoke.

"What about Lord Wang? Is it because of the merit from delivering that letter?" Meng Wan also recalled what Lin Congrong had mentioned in the morning—that Lord Wang had helped Song Tingzhou.

"Maybe that's it," Song Tingzhou guessed.

Their perspective was limited to this level. No matter how clever they were, they couldn't guess that there was someone higher up watching over them besides Wang Zan.

Inside the Eastern Palace's Yuqing Hall—

"Assigned to Western Wu Prefecture? In the Lingnan region?" Western Wu Prefecture was so remote that even the erudite Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince couldn't recall it at first mention.

Wang Zan reported, "Yes, originally that old fox Wu Wei wanted to send Song Tingzhou to Leizhou Prefecture, but Leizhou Prefecture is full of miasma, with unruly customs, completely uninhabitable. Lord Lin and I lobbied, and the Ministry of Personnel then assigned Song Tingzhou to Western Wu Prefecture."

The Grand Tutor was well-read. He recalled the descriptions in "Records of Strange Lands in the Southwest" and said, "Western Wu Prefecture isn't much better. Deep in the mountains and dense forests, there are many indigenous tribes who have never submitted to imperial rule."

Above them sat the Crown Prince, wearing a crimson round-collar narrow-sleeved robe with gold woven dragon patterns on the front, back, and shoulders. He was young in appearance but extraordinarily composed. He thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "He was targeted by the Wu family because of the Wu Yong case. I suppose I owe him a favor. This man acts with considerable calculation. After some experience outside, he could be of great use. Let's lend him a hand."

——

The next day, the King was reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study. A palace attendant occasionally refilled his teacup or quietly tidied the stack of memorials on the desk.

After another quarter of an hour, the Minister of Personnel requested an audience, presenting the list of appointments for this year's new jinshi.

The King opened the memorial and only glanced at the first two pages. He asked blandly, "The Wu family's nephew has been sent to the Hanlin Academy for the bachelor examination?"

The Minister of Personnel replied, "Your Majesty is perceptive. Lord Wu of the Ministry of Rites did approach me, but the Ministry of Personnel acted strictly according to regulations." Wu Wei clearly wanted to keep his nephew under his own watch. With him in the Ministry of Rites, nothing like the Wu Yong incident would happen again.

But the position of Minister of Personnel was crucial; he was a steadfast royalist handpicked by the King and deeply trusted. He naturally knew that His Majesty was wary of powerful aristocratic families. So he simply arranged for Wu Qianzhang to be placed in the Hanlin Academy, a prestigious but in-name-only idle office.

The King thought for a moment and nodded. "Agreed."

He was about to put the memorial aside when the palace attendant beside him suddenly glanced at it twice, appearing puzzled.

"What is it?" the King asked.

The attendant was an old servant who had been with the King since his prince days and had some favor in the King's eyes. He knelt and reported, "Your servant noticed that only six names are listed to participate in the Hanlin Academy bachelor examination."

Among the top ten in the palace examination, aside from the top three who were directly appointed to Hanlin Academy posts, the remaining seven could participate in the examination. Those who passed would become bachelors. The second-rank candidates were not eligible; after their probation, they were directly appointed to posts.

The King took up the memorial again and realized one name was missing. He turned the page and saw Song Tingzhou's name listed first among the appointed jinshi.

"Song Tingzhou? That name sounds familiar."

The attendant reminded him, "Your Majesty, this is the second-rank jinshi who wrote that essay on equal land distribution and state rejuvenation. Your servant remembers he was second in the second class."

The King's voice was unreadable. "You seem to pay attention to this man."

The attendant showed no panic. He replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, after the palace examination, you brought that 'Essay on Equal Land Distribution and State Rejuvenation' to the Imperial Study and read it. When your servant was organizing your documents, I came across it and later placed it on the fourth shelf of the library. Does Your Majesty wish to have it brought for detailed reading?"

The King had already forgotten about Song Tingzhou, but this reminder brought back some memories.

In the twenty-fifth year of his reign, the King had encountered a few brilliant essays in the metropolitan examinations. That essay on equal land distribution was not the most outstanding, but it was the most practical one. The man wrote with real substance, a true minister who could think from the people's perspective.

When the King saw the remote posting, his face darkened. He tossed the memorial onto the desk with a soft thud.

"This Song Tingzhou, a second-rank jinshi, how could he be sent to a miasma-ridden place like Lingnan!" He had clearly forgotten the connection between Song Tingzhou and the Xiang family. After all, he was just a minor jinshi. Just because he wrote a good essay didn't mean he was useful; he hadn't yet caught the King's eye.

The Minister of Personnel knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Lord Wu sent people to the Ministry of Personnel. Lord Wang of the Censorate and Vice Minister Lin of the Ministry of Rites both came regarding this matter, but for different purposes."

He clearly laid out the grievances between those men and Song Tingzhou, and then suddenly steered the topic elsewhere. "The Duke of Dingxiang will soon return to court in triumph. Consort Guifei and Prince Lian must be overjoyed."

The Duke of Dingxiang was an old general with many achievements, loyal and patriotic, and also Prince Lian's strongest ally.

The Wu family, on the other hand, had always been close to Prince Qin.

At this juncture, what harm was there in letting Wu Wei's arrogance run rampant for a while?

It was just a pity for this jinshi, Song Tingzhou.

"Well, the Lingnan region has unruly customs and does not understand national law. It's about time to send a capable official there to bring order."

The King's tone softened. He then instructed the attendant, "Go to the Ministry of War and deliver my oral decree. Tell Fan Yong to assemble two thousand troops from the garrisons near Shengjing to assist Minister Song in his journey to his post."

If Song Tingzhou could shoulder the responsibility and make achievements in Lingnan—a region with poor agricultural output—he would be recalled for service in the capital. If not, it would prove his talent mediocre, and he would remain stuck in Lingnan.

As for that uncivilized land of Lingnan, even several officials sent there would struggle to achieve anything. Some endured until retirement, while others simply died of illness in office.

A monarch is ruthless. Even a benevolent king like the current one thought little of such minor figures. Even this brief inquiry was already immense imperial grace.

——

The appointment document arrived at Song Tingzhou's home from the Ministry of Rites, finalizing the matter. As soon as he received the document, Song Tingzhou wasted no time. He immediately took the letter of appointment and his household registration to the Ministry of Personnel to obtain the credentials for his departure.

The Ministry of Personnel was in chaos at the moment, filled with newly appointed officials asking questions and others pulling strings to secure good positions.

Song Tingzhou thought he would have to waste his breath, but after stating his name, a fifth-rank Langzhong from the Ministry personally guided him through the appointment procedures.

First, his household registration and appointment documents were checked and confirmed; then the records were filed in the Ministry’s archives, and he received the appointment certificate.

The appointment certificate specified an exact departure date from the capital, and he needed to arrive at Xiwu Prefecture in Lingnan by the deadline; otherwise, the court would consider the new official negligent and impose severe punishment.

Next, he received the official patent, which specified his position, rank, and location of service, serving as an essential credential for identity and authority.

Then came the seal of the County Magistrate of Heshan County, which was returned to the Ministry when the previous magistrate retired and was handed over to the new magistrate upon appointment.

Finally, there were the salary certificate and the verification document. Salaries for officials of Yu were issued by the Ministry of Revenue, but the Ministry of Personnel provided a certificate to confirm the official’s rank and salary standard, so they could receive their pay smoothly upon taking up the post.

The verification document functioned as a travel permit and identification, recording the official’s identity, travel route, etc., allowing him to pass through checkpoints and courier stations along the way and enjoy the conveniences of official status, such as entering cities without being checked by guards.

The Langzhong of the Bureau of Merit Assessment explained all this to Song Tingzhou kindly and said, “County Magistrate Song is young and promising. May your journey be bright and your career rise high.”

Song Tingzhou felt flattered, clearly not expecting such kindness from this superior officer. He hurriedly bowed and said, “Thank you for your auspicious words, Your Excellency. I am deeply grateful.”

The Langzhong did not intend to let him go, despite the busy time, and even chatted about trivial matters. “I see on your household registration that you are only twenty-four this year—truly young and promising.”

He then changed the topic, “Are you married?”

Song Tingzhou’s household registration already listed Meng Wan’s name. If the Langzhong had seen his birth date, he would have noticed the words “husband Meng Wan.” Why ask knowingly?

Song Tingzhou’s face cooled. “I have been married to my husband for four years.”

The Langzhong was surprised. “Oh? I see no children on your registration. Has your husband been unable to have children for four years?”

Song Tingzhou was displeased but replied calmly, “My husband is still young, and bearing a child might harm his health.”

The Langzhong disapproved, believing no man would give up heirs. “County Magistrate Song is still young and does not yet appreciate the joy of having children.”

He sighed theatrically, “But it is not surprising—male spouses always have more difficulty bearing children than women. I have a daughter at home, a legitimate daughter I’ve raised carefully...”

His words trailed off, hinting at an offer any smart person would catch.

But Song Tingzhou found it absurd. He clasped his hands in apology, “Thank you for your help today, Your Excellency. The Ministry is busy, so I will not delay your work.”

The Langzhong’s expression soured, but remembering Song Tingzhou’s connections—Vice Minister Lin and Censor Wang had both spoken for him at the Ministry—he thought that although it seemed otherwise, the man must have some connections.

He had three daughters at home; marrying off one would be no great loss. Even if Song Tingzhou proved useless, it was just a daughter given away. Since his second daughter had taken a liking to Song, and he, as a fifth-rank capital official, would be mocked if his daughter became a concubine, he had initially hoped the young man would simply divorce his husband. But it seemed he was a sentimental fool.

The Langzhong’s face shifted between anger and forced calm, finally squeezing out a smile. “If you cannot bear to part with your husband, why not make him a secondary spouse? That way, the Song bloodline can continue—wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”

Song Tingzhou seethed with rage, but dared not show it. Suppressing his fury, he said, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. I am of low status and truly unworthy of your daughter.”

The Langzhong had not expected such obstinate refusal after his own concessions. Laughing bitterly, he said, “Fine, fine! A mere county magistrate in a remote place, and you think my family is forcing ourselves on you? In that uncivilized land, we shall see what achievements you make in a few years!”

Without accomplishments, even Lord Lin and Lord Wang could not bring him back!

The Langzhong had thought this a sure thing, but Song Tingzhou’s stubbornness infuriated him. As a fifth-rank official in the powerful Ministry of Personnel, he could easily marry off his daughter to any number of minor officials eager to form ties with him.

This minor county magistrate aimed too high. Let him go to Lingnan with his husband—he would regret it soon enough!