Green Mountain
Chapter 255 - 200, General Wang

Chapter 255: 200, General Wang

"Yu State Luocheng City Deputy Magistrate Chen Liqin, during his tenure, remained uncorrupted and upright, led by example, empathized with the people, took special care to console and aid them, making them happy to serve, and ensured the national levies suffered no losses..."

"By decree, Yu State Luocheng City Deputy Magistrate Chen Liqin is promoted to Junior Scholar of Master’s Mansion and shall join the Eastern Palace Office."

In front of the Chen Mansion in the Imperial Capital, a government official had arrived, travel-worn and dusty.

After he finished reading the document, he politely handed the dragon-embossed yellow paper to Chen Liqin with a beaming smile and bowed with his hands clasped, "Congratulations to Mr. Chen, three years since our parting in the capital, I knew we would meet again, but I never expected it would be so soon. Once you return to the capital, I hope for your continued support."

Zhang Zhuo, standing beside them, gasped exaggeratedly, "Standard Fourth Rank Junior Scholar, the Chen family is indeed influential; could it be that Official Chen himself went to the emperor to seek this position for you? From now on, I must show even greater respect to Mr. Chen; a rank higher really does crush one down."

Luocheng City Prefect, fifth-rank; Luocheng Deputy Magistrate, secondary fifth-rank; Junior Scholar of Master’s Mansion, Standard Fourth Rank. From now on, Chen Liqin’s position would be two ranks higher than Zhang Zhuo’s.

Chen Liqin glanced at Zhang Zhuo, "Lord Zhang’s transfer document has also arrived; why mock a lower officer?"

He took the document and, after verifying it several times, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said to the official, "Lord Li is too kind. It is I who will need your care in the future. Wang Gui, lead Lord Li to..."

Chen Liqin had almost subconsciously called out Wang Gui’s name, but after he spoke, he remembered that Wang Gui had just been flogged twenty times and was bedridden.

When one can’t find the tool they’re used to, it always feels a bit uncomfortable.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Liqin instructed a servant, "Please take Lord Li to stay at Runquan Garden, and make sure he is well attended to."

With that, he turned to Lord Li, "Your journey has been exhausting, Lord Li. Please go to your accommodations to rest. The Chen family will surely express its gratitude."

Lord Li smiled so wide he could barely close his mouth; with Chen Liqin’s words, his hundreds of miles’ travel as a subordinate was not in vain.

At this time, another official was led to the front of Chen Mansion by a Zhang Family servant. Upon seeing everyone, the official loudly announced, "Congratulations to Lord Zhang, congratulations!"

However, before he could finish, Zhang Zhuo stepped forward and grabbed the official’s wrist, "First, let me ask you, has the transfer document for Wang Daosheng arrived? His period of mourning has ended, has His Majesty issued any orders for his reinstatement?"

The official was taken aback and stuttered, "No... there isn’t, we were only tasked with bringing your and Mr. Chen’s documents."

Zhang Zhuo frowned, "Nonsense, his document was clearly drafted already, just waiting for the Cabinet’s vermilion endorsement!"

The official hastily responded in a submissive tone, "Lord Zhang, I am but a lowly official with little weight, and I heard no word of Lord Wang’s reinstatement when I left the capital."

"Truly not?"

"Truly not."

Zhang Zhuo heaved a deep sigh, and his figure seemed suddenly desolate.

He took the transfer document from the official’s hand and stuffed it into his sleeve, off-handedly remarking, "No need to read it, I know the content. Zhang Zheng, take Lord Zhou to Baiyi Lane to listen to some music and relax. Also, give him the prepared box."

"Eh," Zhang Zheng cheerily ran back inside the mansion, fetching a small wooden box and leading Lord Zhou away.

Chen Liqin watched from the entrance as Zhang Zhuo stood at the bottom of the steps, "Lord Zhang, why the furrowed brow? Could it be that your promotion is not to your liking?"

Zhang Zhuo gave a wry smile, "Those who know me say I fret; those who do not wonder what I seek. Nevermind, it’s pointless to say more to you."

Just then, Mrs. Liang hurriedly walked out of the mansion with the aid of a maid.

Chen Liqin instinctively glanced at Chen Ji and Zhang Zhuo, then pondered for a moment before asking in a deep voice, "Weren’t you in the Buddhist hall? Why have you come out?"

Mrs. Liang, on the verge of tears, said, "My lord, I was indeed reflecting in the Buddhist hall earlier, but with the arrival of your transfer document, a celebratory feast must be held for the guests—a matter that concerns the face of the Chen Mansion. It is my duty to devote myself wholeheartedly to this."

She carefully considered, "Master, three days before the banquet, we must write and send invitations. It takes three successive letters to appear respectable. Before the banquet, we also need to prepare the ingredients, find chefs, and clean the house. Now that both Mrs. Liang and Wang Gui have stepped back, I’m afraid the others in the mansion won’t be able to handle it, and you’ve never managed these matters before..."

Chen Liqin hesitated.

These matters had always been managed by Mrs. Liang and Wang Gui, and he had never been involved. If he had to personally take charge, it would likely cause him a great deal of stress.

Seeing Chen Liqin’s hesitation, Mrs. Liang turned to Chen Ji and spoke gently, "Chen Ji, you see, there are big celebrations in the house, and poor hospitality might make us a laughing stock among the guests. Let me handle this banquet first. We’ll talk about other matters after the banquet is over, how about that?"

Chen Ji smiled in response, "You’re right, the important matters come first."

He knew that after this banquet, the Chen family would be moving to the Imperial Capital, and packing for the trip would still require Mrs. Liang’s management. Where would she find the time to reflect in the Buddhist hall then?

Even this small matter made Chen Liqin realize that the Chen Mansion truly couldn’t do without Mrs. Liang. If Chen Ji opposed her, it would show a lack of awareness of the bigger picture.

However, Zhang Zhuo interjected, "Tsk, why does my sister-in-law need to take care of this? Lord Zhang and Mr. Chen are being promoted together. If we hold separate celebrations, what will the officials of Luocheng do? Attend the Zhang family’s banquet or the Chen family’s? It would just put them in a difficult position!"

Mrs. Liang’s expression changed slightly.

Zhang Zhuo continued with a smile, "I’ve also been promoted this time, even higher than Mr. Chen. The Zhang family will handle this matter. When the time comes, I’ll attend alongside Mr. Chen, so my sister-in-law needn’t trouble herself."

Mrs. Liang, standing at the door, clutched her maid’s arm tightly, torn between staying or leaving.

Zhang Xia, holding onto Zhang Zhuo’s arm, said, "Father, I’ll help mother manage it too. Tomorrow I’ll go write the invitations and find chefs from Yingxian Building to prepare the ingredients. I won’t let father or Mr. Chen be embarrassed."

Zhang Zhuo praised her, "What a sensible daughter."

Mrs. Liang, after a moment of silence, finally bowed deeply and turned to leave, "Then I’ll trouble Lord Zhang and Second Miss Zhang. I’ll return to the Buddhist hall now."

Chen Liqin was puzzled, "What position has Lord Zhang been promoted to exactly?"

Zhang Zhuo glanced at him, "Left Assistant Minister of Personnel."

Chen Liqin was startled, Standard Fourth Rank!

No wonder the official from the Ministry of Personnel earlier acted so humbly. He had been delivering documents to his superior!

Chen Liqin, still full of doubt, asked, "Lord Zhang, now only a step away from joining the Cabinet, why did you still seem so troubled earlier?"

"You wouldn’t understand," Zhang Zhuo chuckled and then softly said to Zhang Xia, "Let’s go home, my daughter."

Chen Ji watched Zhang Zhuo’s receding figure, feeling as if a mountain suddenly pressed down on him all alone.

However, there was still something he had to do before leaving Luocheng.

"Lord Zhang, wait," Chen Ji hurried after him and grabbed Zhang Zhuo’s arm, lowering his voice, "Lord Zhang, I have a favor to ask of you."

Zhang Zhuo looked puzzled, "Speak, it’s no trouble."

Chen Ji earnestly said, "Please have the Zhang Mansion deliver an invitation to General Wang of the Thousand-year Army when sending out invitations to the Luocheng officials. Rest assured, Lord Zhang, this matter won’t implicate the Zhang family."

Zhang Zhuo was shocked for a moment and looked at Chen Ji.

The night had grown deep and Chen Ji’s expression was no longer clearly visible in the darkness.

After thinking for a short time, Zhang Zhuo looked up and agreed, "Alright, the promotion banquet was meant to include him anyway."