Аt Сhаoyаng Gаtе, Сhеng Chi was discussing mаttеrs with Old Mаdam Guo: "...Мinistеr Sоng wаnts mе tо go to thе River Administration to assist Rivеr Gоvernоr Yang Shоushаn in mаnаging the wаtеrwауs. I wоuld hold а concurrеnt siхth-rank аssistant directоr title in the Wаter Deраrtmеnt оf thе Мinistrу of Works, еssеntiallу оn tеmpоrarу аssignment to thе Rivеr Govеrnor's Officе, with all apроintmеnts and rеmovals still under thе Мinistrу of Wоrks. I'vе thоught it оvеr сarеfullу. Rathеr than humblу submitting my resumе to thе Мinistrу of Реrsоnnеl, begging them for аn appointment, it wоuld be better tо acсeрt Мinister Sоng's arrangement and go to the River Governor's Office. At least they are the ones inviting me, and I would start with a concurrent sixth-rank title. Zhang Hui, the Vice Minister of Works, is Minister Song's student. Minister Song has really put a lot of thought into this arrangement."
In the early years of the dynasty, the Yellow River's flooding was less severe, and the court had the Canal Transport Commissioner concurrently manage river affairs. During major floods, a temporary River Commissioner would be dispatched to handle the situation and withdrawn once the task was completed. However, since the tenth year of Yongchang, flooding along the Yellow River had grown increasingly severe. By the third year of Zhi De, river administration and canal transport were separated. The court established the position of River Governor, responsible for the embankments and dredging of the Yellow River, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and the Yongding River. That Yang Shoushan was the current River Governor.
He was a fellow graduate of the same imperial examination as Song Jingran.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guo couldn't help but frown. The teacup in her hand remained poised, not brought to her lips, as she said, "If I recall correctly, the River Governor's Office isn't located in the capital, is it?"
Cheng Chi smiled. "It's in Jining Prefecture, Shandong."
Old Madam Guo's brows knitted tighter. "River administration is such arduous work where your efforts often go unseen. If nothing goes wrong, all is peaceful and well. But if something happens, it's a matter of losing one's head... Should you reconsider? Last time Zheng Jie'er mentioned there's a Supervising Secretary position in the Ministry of Justice. Although it's only a concurrent seventh-rank, it's a prestigious post, and transferring to other ministries later would be simpler. You don't necessarily have to start your official career through river management. Once you get that label, people will see you as suited for the Ministry of Works. After managing rivers, you'd move on to organizing canal transport—you'd spend your whole life revolving around these matters. In my opinion, the gains wouldn't outweigh the losses."
Cheng Chi replied tactfully, "It's not about becoming an official for me. Ever since Shaojin declined the Song family's marriage proposal, I've felt somewhat awkward meeting the Songs. Minister Song still feels deeply apologetic when he sees me, constantly offering apologies. Old Master Song also seeks me out every few days, either inviting me for drinks or meals... Now Yang Shoushan is having a difficult time in his post. He was recommended by Minister Song, and the two families are close allies—their fortunes rise and fall together. Since Minister Song has made this request, how could I refuse? I must at least help Yang Shoushan stabilize the situation."
Old Madam Guo was unaware of Zhou Shaojin's rejection of Song Mu and hurriedly asked what had happened.
Cheng Chi omitted the crucial details.
Old Madam Guo remained silent for a long while.
She considered herself a calm and rational person. Her late husband had been decisive and strategic, yet she didn't know whom her three sons took after—each one was more devoted and sentimental than the last.
The Eldest Young Master went without saying. The Second Young Master's wife had been ill for so many years, yet he never kept a concubine or visited pleasure houses. And Si Lang was even more so. Not only did he want to marry his niece, but he also went to great lengths to repay debts for that young lady whose marriage wasn't even a sure prospect yet!In that case, she simply said, "So you know you're about to get married? How could you bear to leave her alone in the capital? Your eldest sister-in-law may be muddle-headed, but is your eldest brother muddle-headed too? Once your marriage with Shaojin is proposed, won't your eldest brother see right through your little schemes? What good will come to Shaojin then?"
Cheng Chi chuckled.
His mother was afraid that if he succeeded in river management and became a technical official, his future promotions would be difficult. She was even using Shaojin to persuade him.
She really was desperate enough to try anything.
Cheng Chi blinked and said, "Didn't you say you don't agree? I might as well wander the world in sorrow and avoid it all!"
"You good-for-nothing!" Old Madam Guo put down her teacup and looked around for something to hit Cheng Chi with. "If it weren't for you, why would I worry about such nonsense? Just thinking about the day I have to propose marriage to the Zhou family makes my face burn. Who knows if I'll be chased out of their gate? I've lived my whole life with dignity, and now in my old age, I have to humble myself before others because of my useless little son..."
"Mother, how can you say that!" Cheng Chi, with skin as thick as a city wall, pretended to be frightened and dodged aside. "Isn't it a parent's responsibility to arrange marriages for their children?"
Old Madam Guo was so angry she could hardly speak. "I think the sixth young lady of the Fang family is quite good. Since your marriage is up to me, let it be the sixth young lady of the Fang family..."
Cheng Chi laughed heartily, deliberately flattering her. "I'll marry whoever Mother wants me to marry!"
Old Madam Guo was furious. Unable to hold back, she stood up and punched Cheng Chi a few times. "How dare you talk back to me!"
Cheng Chi coaxed his mother, "I act this way because I know you love me. Please don't be angry. When you propose to the Zhou family, I need to make something of myself so they won't refuse you! Besides, others may not know, but you do. When it comes to river management, I only understand it because I'm good with numbers, so I grasp what Master Song says right away. This time, they say I'm assisting Yang Shoushan with river management, but Master Song is actually going too. Managing the Yellow River well has been his lifelong wish—he's just using my name. My strength is still in numbers. Before I had contact with Lord Song, he didn't know. Later, when we interacted, I didn't hide it. Otherwise, Lord Song wouldn't have let me serve in the Ministry of Works, all so I could eventually become an official in the Six Ministries."
In the end, it was all for Zhou Shaojin.
Old Madam Guo said angrily, "If you've already thought it all through, why ask me?"
Cheng Chi gently pushed his mother back onto the kang, massaging her shoulders while speaking softly and smiling. "Mother, you're the backbone of our family. Even when Father was alive, didn't he discuss everything with you? Now that I'm facing such a big matter, of course I need to discuss it with you to feel at ease!"
Old Madam Guo's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She had been shrewd and capable all her life, but in her old age, her husband had tricked her, sending the son she had carried for ten hard months to that old scoundrel Cheng Xu to be trained into some ghostly hall master. If her son hadn't been clever and obedient, he would have become a mere warrior long ago. How could they be here today, mother and son, discussing his entry into officialdom?With that thought, Old Madam Guo’s heart softened once more.
So be it—let him go to the waterways department!
What matters most is a clear conscience.
Since they had wronged the Song family, they should properly repay this debt of gratitude.
As for Shaojin… Who would have thought that at such a young age, she already had such a strong will of her own?
No wonder she had been so resolute during my previous test—she had already made her choice long ago.
That little girl… she’s had it tough too…
I’ll just consider it as owing these two.
Once Si Lang’s official appointment is settled, I’ll send someone to the Zhou family to propose the marriage.
Si Lang is right—once he holds an official position, the Zhou family will regard him more highly. This marriage might just proceed smoothly!
They can marry next spring, and I’ll have a chubby grandson to hold the year after… No, Jiashan is getting married next spring… Then let’s set it for the end of this year… After all, Si Lang is the uncle and older than Jiashan. It wouldn’t be proper for the nephew to marry first while the uncle remains alone…
As Old Madam Guo pondered these thoughts, her expression grew even gentler. She said, “Don’t worry about your elder brother. I’ll speak to him. He wouldn’t dare disagree. As for Minister Song, let him go and extend our thanks as well. Let him acknowledge this favor from Minister Song.”
Cheng Chi always felt that his elder brother Cheng Jing was too easily swayed and overly reliant on the Yuan family. There were some matters he preferred not to discuss with him, such as Song Jingran’s invitation to serve in office, which he had kept from Cheng Jing.
The two brothers had long held differing views on how to bring glory to the Cheng family.
In Cheng Jing’s view, the Cheng and Yuan families were in-laws and natural allies. Since Yuan Weichang was the Chief Grand Secretary, it was only fitting, both in sentiment and reason, for the Cheng family to follow the Yuan family’s lead.
In Cheng Chi’s view, precisely because the Cheng and Yuan families were in-laws and natural allies, there was no need to involve themselves in every single matter. They could try to build good relations with the other grand secretaries, seize opportunities to clarify their stance, demonstrate their governance principles, and thus break free from the identity of being Yuan’s allies, remaining neutral among the various grand secretaries.
Cheng Jing dismissed this idea.
He felt Cheng Chi was being unrealistic, unaware of the practical difficulties of managing a household.
Cheng Chi believed Cheng Jing was burdened by empty prestige and lacked ambition.
Although the brothers had never openly voiced these thoughts, their actions had already begun to reveal the rift. They merely refrained from bringing it up out of consideration for Old Madam Guo and the lack of a suitable opportunity to address it directly.
If Cheng Jing were to learn that Cheng Chi had accepted Song Jingran’s assistance, Cheng Chi knew without a doubt that Cheng Jing would not only oppose it vehemently but also ignore his explanations, proceeding to devise plans on his own, arranging what he believed to be the most advantageous position for Cheng Chi’s future. He would then summon Cheng Chi to reprimand him, urging him to keep his distance from Song Jingran, as the relationship between Song Jingran and Yuan Weichang was somewhat strained. Getting too close to Song Jingran might give others the impression that the two brothers were playing both sides, trying to please everyone without a clear stance… In the imperial court, besides fearing aligning with the wrong faction, one also feared being seen as a fence-sitter, swaying with the wind…
Last time, when Song Jingran recommended Cheng Chi for an official post, Cheng Jing had already summoned him for a stern lecture.
Thinking of this, Cheng Chi curled his lips dismissively.
He was well aware of the rift between Song Jingran and Yuan Weichang.Yuan Weichang was the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, renowned for his ability to navigate complex relationships and maintain numerous delicate balances. Song Jingran oversaw the Ministry of Revenue and was famously known as the "Minister of Calculations." Yuan Weichang often found himself asking Song Jingran for favors—to expedite or increase fund allocations for provincial governors, former colleagues, and other officials who sought his assistance. As a key minister in his own right, Song Jingran had his own principles and temperament, and he did not always accommodate Yuan Weichang’s requests. Over time, Yuan Weichang began to contemplate replacing Song Jingran. However, Song Jingran enjoyed the emperor’s favor, skillfully discerning the emperor’s intentions. Moreover, Yuan Weichang’s efforts in this matter were not executed discreetly enough, and Song Jingran eventually learned of them.
From then on, the two were considered enemies.
Upon hearing from his mother that his eldest brother had incurred a favor from Song Jingran, Cheng Chi chuckled, naturally pleased with the outcome.
His eldest brother had grown too close to the Yuan family. It was time to create a minor conflict to make him reconsider the relationship between the Cheng and Yuan families!
Thus, when Cheng Jing and Madam Yuan came to pay their respects to Old Madam Guo, and she brought up the matter, Cheng Jing could not hide his surprise as he looked at Cheng Chi. In response, Cheng Chi picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
Tomorrow’s update will still be around eight o’clock in the evening.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel