This was a major event that would affect Qiu Yizi's fate over the next few decades. He had to consider it carefully, but he couldn't help himself.
So Qiu Yizhi thought for a while and said, "Now that my foster father has accomplished his mission, I wonder if I can just live in seclusion and not get involved in the affairs of the court anymore?"
Zheng Rong raised his eyes and said, "Yizhi, I want to ask you, do you look down on me?"
Qiu Yizhi was stunned for a moment after hearing Zheng Rong's incoherent words, and then he fell to his knees on the ground, stammering, "What are you talking about, godfather? What are you talking about?"
Zheng Rong said, "Do you think that I am the kind of person who will abandon you after you have crossed the river? Seeing that you have done so many confidential things for me, you want to kill me to silence me? As the saying goes, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, so you, Qiu Yizi, want to get away early and become a hermit at such a young age?"
In the past six months, Qiu Yizhi witnessed or personally experienced Zheng Yao's self-immolation, Zheng Chang's murder, Yang Yuanzhi's suicide, Bai Wenbo's imprisonment, Zheng Rong and Dai Luanxiang's near-death, etc. And all of these people were extremely noble and superior people. Once they lost their power, they would be doomed forever. It was really scary to think about it; only by stopping when you are ahead and not caring about worldly affairs like Heluo King Zheng Hua could you save yourself.
Qiu Yizi already had some vague ideas in his mind, but when Zheng Rong pointed them out to him in person, he was inevitably frightened and said quickly: "How dare Yizi have such thoughts? How can I still have the dignity to live in this world after my adoptive father said so?" After saying that, he kowtowed several times.
Zheng Rong sighed and said, "Stand up and talk. Since ancient times, there are countless examples of kings who killed their meritorious officials after they accomplished something. Even if you really have this idea, I will not blame you. I was too harsh just now, please don't take it to heart. I just want to ask you, why did you want to retire? Do you really not want to work for me anymore?"
Qiu Yizhi bowed and said, "All under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people are his subjects. Even if he is an ordinary peasant in the mountains, he works hard every day to serve the country. If Yizhi can be blessed by the emperor and live in seclusion in the mountains, he will not forget the kindness of his adoptive father for a moment! As for my adoptive father's desire to keep me in the high position of the temple, according to Yizhi, there are three inappropriate things."
"Oh? What are the three problems?" Zheng Rong was a little curious.
Qiu Yizhi sat on the chair, counting on his fingers as he answered, "The first one - Yizhi was originally a poor and hungry child, and he survived by chance thanks to the mercy of his adoptive father. He has no ambitions and is lazy by nature, so he really doesn't have the tolerance for a high position. Yizhi has made some small achievements in the past few months. Apart from the great fortune of his adoptive father, he relied on some conspiracies and tricks. His adoptive father is about to ascend the throne and become emperor, and he values uprightness and honesty. My little tricks are not in line with his noble virtues - this is the second one. As for the third one -"
Qiu Yizhi thought for a moment and continued, "As for the third point, I am just a young boy with no official status. It is inevitable that I will be shocked if I suddenly ascend to a high position. If I were to start from a small official in the six ministries, I would inevitably offend my superiors with my personality and cause disputes. I wonder if my adoptive father would punish me or protect me?"
When Zheng Rong heard Qiu Yizi's words, his mind suddenly emerged with the image of Qiu Yizi sticking his neck out to argue with his superiors, or sneering at them. He couldn't help but smile and said, "What you said does make sense. But although you and I are not related by blood, we are as close as father and son. It's inevitable that I feel reluctant to be separated like this!" As he spoke, his eyes became moist.
Qiu Yizi said, "How can Yizi be willing to give it up? However, this is Yizi's greatest wish, I hope that foster father can grant it."
Zheng Rong calmed down and said, "Okay! I agree to your request. However, 'the great seclusion in the court, the small seclusion in the wild', I wonder how you, Qiu Yizi, want to 'hide'?"
"Yizi is planning to go into seclusion," Qiu Yizi replied.
"Oh? What does 'Zhongyin' mean?" Zheng Rong was curious and asked hurriedly.
Qiu Yizhi replied slowly, "I heard that my adoptive father will hold a special imperial examination after he ascends the throne. I have also half-truthfully donated the title of Xiaolian before. Therefore, I am thinking whether I can take part in the grand event and try my hand at the imperial examination. If I can pass the imperial examination, I hope my adoptive father can choose me to be a county magistrate or something. I will be very grateful."
Zheng Rong always knew that Qiu Yizi was original in his words and deeds, but he never thought that what he meant by "middle seclusion" was actually such a way of "seclusion". He couldn't help but grin and said, "Good for you, Qiu Yizi! Serving as an official appointed by the court, is that also considered retiring to the countryside?"
Qiu Yizi replied: "I have thought deeply about this matter for a long time. I have a deep bond with my adoptive father. If I were to retreat into the mountains and forests and be separated from my adoptive father forever, I would not want to die."
He was so touched by his own words that he choked up and said, "If Yizhi can achieve his wish, within a few years I will govern this county for my adoptive father so that no one will pick up things on the roads and no one will lock their doors at night. If my adoptive father still needs Yizhi by then, as long as an imperial edict comes down, Yizhi will naturally rush here overnight and serve my adoptive father at his utmost!" After he finished speaking, two lines of hot tears flowed down his face.
Zheng Rong was also moved by Qiu Yizi's sincerity. He sighed and said, "I have told you more than once that after the success, you can choose any civil or military position in the court that you like. I didn't expect that you would only choose a county magistrate position... At such a young age, you know how to advance and retreat. You are much better than your adoptive father!"
Qiu Yizhi was about to say something humble, but Zheng Rong stood up and said loudly: "Although you only want a small position as a county magistrate, I cannot be mean and ungrateful. How about this, Qiu Yizhi, you go and be a small county magistrate, and I have a secret decree to confer you the title of earl - I think you should use the two characters "Congrui" as your title, and call you Earl Congrui."
Qiu Yizi hurriedly bowed and expressed his gratitude.
But Zheng Rong continued, "With your contribution, Qiu Yizi, you deserve to be crowned a king. However, since ancient times, people of the opposite sex who were crowned kings never had a good ending. I am thinking about you. As for why I didn't crown you a duke or a marquis... It's to leave room for you to improve. You are still young, and you are a talent I want to keep for my sons and grandsons. If you are crowned with a top title now, it will make future generations feel that you have no official title to confer."
Qiu Yizi understood the deep meaning of Zheng Rong's words, and kowtowed a few more times, saying, "Foster father has such far-reaching considerations for Yizi, Yizi is really indescribably grateful, and has no way to repay him!"
Zheng Rong raised his hand to help Qiu Yizi up and said, "You have done so many things for me. You are my savior. It is only natural for me to repay you like this."
Zheng Rong paused and said, "You want to seek a career in the imperial examination, which is a very good idea. However, Mr. Zhongli has never taught you how to write pedantic essays for the imperial examination, so I'm afraid this stepping stone may not be easy to get." Zheng Rong pondered for a moment and continued, "Although Mr. Zhongli will be the chief examiner for this special examination, I will set the questions myself. I might as well reveal something to you here: the topic of this special examination is the sentence you said to Marshal Dai a few days ago, 'A cruel and treacherous person is called a man.' You can go down and prepare carefully, but you can't disclose the topic."
Qiu Yizhi knew that Zheng Rong had obtained his position illegally, so he asked this question to take advantage of the opportunity of the special examination to change the direction of public opinion. He did not dare to say this, but only bowed and said, "Yizhi has made a note of it."
Zheng Rong changed the subject and continued, "When we conquered Luoyang, I intended to find a good match for you. In my opinion, Princess Yiran has had some feelings for you since she was a child. She is also the Princess of Bohai, so you and I are a perfect match. However, since you want to retire to the countryside, I am afraid Yiran is no longer a good match for you. I am not in a position to take charge of this matter, so you need to talk to Yiran and don't hurt her feelings. Do you understand?"
Qiu Yizhi didn't expect Zheng Rong to bring up this matter here. She was stunned for a long while, but didn't know how to explain it to Yiran, so she could only perfunctorily say, "Yizhi knows."
Zheng Rong nodded and continued, "There have been a lot of things going on in the court these days. Your adoptive father, master, and several brothers are all very busy. I think you have had enough fun and should help them. In my opinion, the Minister of Rites Shi Liangzhi is quite capable, but I am still a little worried. Why don't you just monitor from the side and report to me immediately if there is any abnormality or progress, so that your master can feel more at ease."
Qiu Yizi nodded and said, "My brother Yuchi Lianghong has a similar background to mine and has made great contributions to me. He is willing to serve my adoptive father. I wonder what arrangements my adoptive father has made?"
Zheng Rong nodded and said, "I intend to give him the title of a fourth-rank military commander, teach my personal army martial arts, and let him work in the Ministry of Justice to manage the affairs of both the black and white worlds. This is considered to be the best use of his talents."
Qiu Yizi had already heard from Zheng Rong's words that he wanted to keep Yuchi Lianghong by his side. Knowing that after being sent abroad, it would be difficult for her to meet the brother of the martial arts leader again, she suddenly felt sad.
However, Qiu Yizi felt from the bottom of her heart that Zheng Rong's arrangement was very appropriate, so she calmed down and bowed to thank Zheng Rong on behalf of Yuchi Lianghong.
The two chatted for a few more words, and by the time they left, it was already past noon.
Zheng Xin, Zheng Sen, Dai Luanxiang and others who stayed in the lobby of the Ministry of War did not dare to leave in advance, and they were all talking to each other. When they saw Zheng Rong leading Qiu Yizhi out, they hurried forward to greet him.
The eldest son Zheng Xin said, "Father has been talking to Yizhi for so long that it's almost time for dinner. I heard that the food in the Ministry of War is prepared by the cooks of the Imperial Guards, which is quite special. In my humble opinion, why don't you have your meal here?"
Zheng Rong immediately became interested when he heard this and said, "These days, we have been eating food sent from the imperial kitchen in the palace. Although it is cooked delicately, it has lost its flavor after a long time. It is a good time to change the taste. Today, I will try the food of the imperial army here and compare it with the food of my Youyan army."
So they did not look for another place to go, but set up tables and chairs in the yard in front of the Ministry of Justice lobby, and ordered the cook of the Ministry of War to pick out the dishes that the imperial guards usually ate and put on the table.
When several cooks from the Ministry of War heard that the future emperor was going to dine here, they hurried to try to curry his favor. Soon, they served a large plate of braised pork, a pot of shepherd's purse soup, a dozen fine steamed buns, and a plate of homemade side dishes.
Zheng Rong's second son, Zheng Sen, was ordered to take charge of the Ministry of War. He was half a landlord. When he saw the food served by the cooks was very rough and monotonous, he immediately became unhappy and shouted, "You cooks, I have never owed you any money. You actually served such crude food in front of my adoptive father. Are you deliberately trying to make me look bad?"
Zheng Sen was half Hu, and looked very ferocious. He was even more frightening when he got angry, and frightened the two soldiers so much that they stood there in a daze, their legs trembling. (To be continued)