"My lord, the imperial edict is here! The imperial edict is here!"
Hearing the boy's shout, Qi Sheng raised his eyebrows, at this time...
"By heaven, the emperor's decree said..." Xuanzhi eunuch finished reading the imperial decree with a shrill voice, and when Qi Sheng received the decree, he got up and congratulated himself: "My lord, congratulations!"
Qi Sheng cupped his hands to express his thanks, and Fu Fu quietly handed him some money, which directly made the congratulatory Eunuch Li smile even deeper.
When he came to the front hall, Qi Sheng ordered his servants to serve tea, and then he heard Eunuch Li say: "A while ago, corrupt officials were rampant in Ningzhou, and the people complained a lot. Your Majesty just took care of the magistrate of Ningzhou and other people. The performance in the past year is really good, His Majesty specially reserved this prefect position for you."
Hearing the words, Qi Sheng thanked Sheng En, and couldn't help muttering in his heart, compared with Jeju, this Ningzhou is simply poor. Even Pingzhou in the past was more prosperous than Ningzhou, which means that he has been promoted to three levels in a row, which is a pity Life is not necessarily easy.
However, Qi Sheng just made complaints about it. He was promoted to an official of three ranks, and directly crossed the natural moat from rank five to rank four, which showed that he also had weight in the emperor's heart.
Because Pingzhou is far away from Ningzhou, Qi Sheng asked for leave and went back to his hometown in Anzhou to worship. Before leaving, everyone in the Qi family began to say goodbye to relatives and friends.
When Wang first heard about Qi Sheng's promotion, she was naturally very happy, but thinking of her daughter who married into Yuping County, the joy faded a lot. This time when she went to Ningzhou, she didn't know when she would be able to meet her again.
"Mom, don't cry. It's a good thing for Dad to be promoted. If you cry like this, be careful that Dad will be in a hurry when he finds out."
"He dares!"
Mrs. Wang wiped her tears and stopped crying. It is important to talk to her daughter now.
"Did your mother-in-law make things difficult for you? How is your son-in-law treating you well?"
Since moving to Zhizhou's mansion, the mother and daughter have seen each other much less often. Although they still have letters to each other and the Qi family is considered the eldest in Pingzhou, Wang is still very worried about her daughter's life.
"Mother, don't worry, my mother-in-law is very kind to me, and so is my father-in-law. My father has become famous in Pingzhou in recent years. Even my father-in-law is kind to me, and he often praises my father."
When Qi Mingshu said this, he couldn't help being a little excited. Since Qi Sheng's political achievements became more and more prominent, all the people in Pingzhou, whether they were gentry, wealthy or scholars, admired Qi Sheng very much. They even took Qi Mingshu, his daughter, to go out At gatherings, all the wives can treat her with respect, not to mention that her father-in-law worships her father deeply now, and treats her more tenderly and respectfully than before.
At this moment, Qi Mingshu realized the comfort of her natal family's strength. Although her father would be very reluctant to go to another place to work now, but the Qi family can go to a higher level, and some regrets can be ignored. Besides, now that her Xiang Gongzhi has passed the imperial examination, maybe they will be able to meet in the capital in the future.
The mother and daughter talked for a long time. Wang saw that although her daughter was also reluctant to leave, but there was no sorrow in the corners of her brows and eyes. She knew that her daughter was living a good life, so she finally felt relieved.
Because of the indefinite parting, Liu Shi specially took Qi Xiuli back to her natal home after obtaining Wang Shi's approval.
After seeing the ceremony for Mr. Liu, Mrs. Liu went to the backyard with her mother, leaving the son of the Liu family to stay in the living room.
Mr. Liu's face was flushed for a few days, and he looked so complacent that he didn't know that Qi Sheng was his own son, "I really have a unique vision. My son-in-law has been promoted to the fourth-rank magistrate now, but it's a pity that he can't stay in Jeju."
Now that he has reached the age of fate, with Qi Sheng's glory, the Liu family has grown from an ordinary small businessman to one of the top businessmen in Yuanping County.
Speaking of which, Mr. Liu was still a little emotional, when he married his daughter to Qi Sheng, he just hoped to find a sliver of protection. He first thought about sending his daughter to the Lin Zhi County at that time, but unfortunately after inquiring, he found out that there were already several concubines in Lin Zhi County. Among them, there is one who is more favored. Although his daughter is good-looking, she is not so scheming. It is okay if she is favored after entering the door. The second choice is Qi Sheng, who has a low official position but is fortunately young and clean.
A few years ago, when Lin Zhi County was promoted, and when Qi Sheng was promoted to the county magistrate but was sent to the poor Yuping County, Master Liu still regretted that he had bet on the wrong treasure at the beginning, but now he has changed his tone a lot in the past few years, boasting of his own vision it is good.
"Father, eldest sister is going to Ningzhou with brother-in-law this time, what should our family do?"
Today's Liu family is headed by Liu's younger brother Liu Pingzhang. Now, in his thirties, Qi Sheng has made a lot of money by selling chili peppers. He has taken over the Liu family's affairs two years ago. When it came to important matters, he would still discuss it with Mr. Liu.
Mr. Liu smiled: "What's the matter? Our family is a serious businessman and has not done anything against the laws of the court. There is nothing to be afraid of! Besides, although the son-in-law is no longer in Pingzhou, the influence is still there, as long as his official position is still there. , no one will deliberately embarrass us."
Liu Pingzhang thought about it for this reason, and no longer worried, ordered his wife to arrange a meal for his eldest sister and nephew.
In the backyard, Mrs. Liu hugged Mrs. Liu and cried bitterly, "My darling, you don't know when you will come back to see me!"
Mrs. Liu was talking with her just now, but upon seeing this scene, she withdrew from the door, leaving Liu's mother and daughter alone to talk about themselves.
After the two of them finished crying and calmed down, Mrs. Liu began to ask again: "How are your lord and madam treating you? Did you suffer any grievances at the Qi family?"
Compared to Mrs. Liu and Liu Pingzhang brazenly calling Qi Sheng's son-in-law and brother-in-law, Mrs. Liu still has some self-knowledge. Her daughter is the side wife of the Qi family, but to put it bluntly, she is just a concubine. That's how it goes.
Mrs. Liu knew that it was her mother who really cared for her in this family, so she comforted her: "Mother, don't worry, Madam is generous and will not intentionally make me angry. The master may have had a smooth official career in the past few years, and he has become more gentle and considerate. Now that Li'er has been selected as a scholar, she is also a famous person, and her daughter's life is very good, so you can rest assured."
Mrs. Liu thought of her more outstanding grandson, and said with a smile: "That's right, it's still our family's etiquette. He passed the examination at the age of sixteen, and in a few years, he will be able to be named on the gold list!"
The mother and daughter said a lot of thoughtful words, Mrs. Liu took out the purse she had prepared and stuffed it to Mrs. Liu: "Ningzhou has high mountains and long roads, so you can get close by with this money."
Liu's resignation: "Mother, no need, I have saved a lot these years, and the master has been generous to me these few years, you can keep the money for yourself."
Mrs. Liu disagreed, and said: "What are you talking about? Your younger brother has now become the head of the Liu family, and the people in the backyard can't figure it out. I have your younger brother here, so why worry about it? It's you …”
Seemingly remembering something, he hurriedly asked, "My lord, does he have any plans to recruit new people?"
Mrs. Liu thought for a while and said: "There were indeed many people who wanted to send someone to the master before, but they were all rejected by the master. Looking at it now, it doesn't seem like they have the idea of accepting new people."
After speaking, he said happily: "Master has been very kind to me these past few years. Even if there is a newcomer, he will not treat me harshly. You don't have to worry about me."
Mrs. Liu was relieved after hearing this, and then carefully looked at her well-maintained daughter. She has delicate skin and a slender figure. She said that no one doubted that she was in her twenties. Still stuffing the purse to Liu Shi: "You must keep the money. I don't know how you are doing so far away. If you take more money, I can feel more at ease."
The mother and daughter thought that they would be separated soon, so they couldn't hold back and cried together again.
Anzhou is not too far from here, and it is the only way for Qi Sheng to go to Ningzhou, so there is no reason not to go back to pay homage.
When they left, many people in Pingzhou came to see them off, including Song Laosan's family of five.
"Son, remember, Master Qi is our family's great benefactor, and even our entire Pingzhou benefactor. In the future, you must study harder, strive for fame in the exam, and be a good official like Master Qi!"
The eldest son of the Song family is now in school. Compared with the days when he could not even eat enough, his life now is completely different, so at a young age, he believes in Qi Sheng as a god. The Qi family's convoy went farther and farther, and couldn't help crying.
His situation was not unexpected, because many of the people seeing off the carriage couldn't help lowering their heads and wiping tears when they saw the carriage getting smaller and smaller.
This caused Qi Sheng, who wanted to ride a horse, to be frightened by the people who saw him off, and hid in the carriage
**
Now that Qi Xiuwen has been in the Hanlin Academy for three years, and has been assigned to the Ministry of Rites for being outstanding in the examination, when Qi Sheng was going back to his hometown to worship his ancestors, Qi Xiuwen also asked for leave to return to his hometown in Anzhou.
Qi Sheng is the youngest, and there is an elder brother and sister above him. When Qi Sheng was assigned to Yuanping County, the two old people stayed with him for a few years, but when he was assigned to Yuping County, Qi Sheng would The two old people were sent back to their hometown. One is that Yuping County is poor, and the old people will not enjoy much blessings, and the other is that they are old and hard to leave their homeland.
Qi Sheng hadn't seen Qi's father and Qi's mother for several years, and now that they met again, the family was naturally extremely excited to reunite.
The Qi family is now the most respectable existence in this Qi family village. The magnificent green brick house and the Jinshi memorial archway with two Jinshi are enough to make the Qi family always headed by the Qi family.
Boss Qi is now working as an errand in the county government relying on Qi Sheng's face, and has become more tactful over the years. Seeing this up-and-coming younger brother, his face is flushed with joy.
Qi Sheng chatted with everyone in a good-tempered manner, and only then did he meet the eldest son alone until everyone dispersed.
"Father!" Qi Xiuwen knelt down deeply, the long-term longing made him unable to bear the redness of the eye circles.
Qi Sheng hurriedly pulled him up, looked around carefully, and was a little satisfied, "That's right, he's become more stable these past few years."
The father and son chatted about some court affairs, Qi Sheng said worriedly: "There are many factions in the capital, and each of them is a scheming old fox, you are in it, don't act rashly, as a father, you would rather stay in one position for the rest of your life." Don't move, and I don't want you to be too showy, and become someone else's pawn and a trailblazer!"
Qi Xiuwen was moved, and said solemnly: "Son must act carefully, and don't dare to implicate father by acting recklessly."
Qi Sheng laughed: "What nonsense are you talking about? If you really committed a crime, I hope that my father can still use the achievements of these years to save you. If you are outside alone, the most worrying thing for my father is that he will not be able to protect you."
The father and son talked for a long time before Qi Xiuwen reluctantly got up and left.
This is a rare family reunion of the Qi family. Apart from offering sacrifices to the ancestors, Qi Sheng also took Wang and his elder son's family to the Yue family. Wang has been with him for so many years, and it has been a long time since he visited his mother's house. The reunion now is natural. It was holding Mrs. Wang and crying bitterly.
Because he left without knowing the date of return, Qi Sheng asked Mrs. Wang to stay at her mother's house for two more days, but he didn't go out to socialize anymore. He either stayed at home to check on the homework of the elder grandson, or played with the younger grandson, and enjoyed the elder son by the way. filial piety.
The days of reunion are always short, but within a few days, Qi Sheng and his family left for Ningzhou, and Qi Xiuwen hurried back to the capital after seeing off his father.
On the way, looking at the old man sitting silently alone, Mrs. Lin leaned over to comfort him and said, "Brother Wen, I should be happy that my father can be promoted. Maybe in a few years, my father will be able to enter Beijing as an official."
Qi Xiuwen held his wife's hand and smiled, but in his heart he began to hope that their family could be reunited as soon as possible.
**
Ningzhou is located in the southwest, with high mountains and turbulent water. If you don’t consider economic issues, it is actually quite suitable for living. The scenery here is beautiful and the climate is good for people.
After going through thousands of mountains and rivers, the Qi family and his party finally came to the boundary of Ningzhou.
"Master, I see that this is only Shen Shi, why are there so few pedestrians?" Mrs. Wang lifted the curtain and looked outside.
Qi Sheng thought for a while and said: "Madam doesn't know something. In the past few years, corrupt officials have been rampant in the whole area of Ningzhou. The court may have been kept in the dark about several relatively large incidents of robbing the rich and helping the poor."
Wang couldn't help worrying when she heard the words: "There is still this matter! Then...then, sir, is it safe for us to come here, and don't run into those gangsters on the road!"
Qi Sheng hurriedly comforted him: "Madam, don't worry, there are soldiers and horses specially dispatched by the governor to escort us. I think the journey here will be much more peaceful."
Seeing that Qi Sheng was so calm, Mrs. Wang felt relieved, but she still prayed in her heart not to run into those short-sighted people.