After dinner at the Zhou family, Zhou Shuren left Changyi alone.
Chang Yi had been waiting for his father's arrangement. He knew in his heart why his father kept him. "Dad."
Zhou Shuren hummed, then said, "An envoy from another country will come to Beijing in a few days. I have mentioned your language talent to the emperor. The emperor mentioned you to me a few days ago. This time you will be the translator. Go to the Ministry of Rites to find Wu Ming tomorrow. He will make the arrangements."
Chang Yi's breathing became heavier. Dad definitely didn't just want him to be a translator, otherwise it wouldn't be an arrangement. Thinking of the possibility of extravagant hope, he said, "Dad."
Zhou Shuren raised his hand to signal, and continued: "This is a test. We can talk about other things after the test. Anything else you say now is just empty talk. Your father has done everything I can arrange for you. The rest is up to you. The opportunity is right in front of you. Whether you can grab it or not is entirely up to you."
Even if he has great abilities, it will be useless if Chang Yi cannot seize the opportunity.
Chang Yi's heart was burning with excitement. This was an opportunity, an opportunity to change the second house, and also an opportunity that his father had planned for him. "Dad, I understand, and I will not let you down."
Zhou Shuren said everything he should say and did everything he should do. "Okay, you should go back and have a rest. You will be busy tomorrow and beyond. Fortunately, the Ministry of Rites has been cleaned up. We have Wang Ju, Wu Ming, and Gu Zhuomin in the Ministry of Rites. I will feel more at ease if you go there."
Chang Yi clenched his fists. This was what his father said about the right time, right place, and right people. In the end, the only thing missing was himself. He understood that it was not easy for his father to create the conditions for him. "Dad, I know what to do."
"Well, among the ones in the family, you are the most promising. I am relieved. Come back!"
"Yes, Dad and Mom should go to bed early too."
On his way back to the second room, Chang Yi looked up at the moon in the sky. Today was a full moon, and he could see the road clearly without a lantern. Just like his future, it was already clearly visible. Chang Yi's nose felt a little sour.
Dad's eyes were more on Chang Lian and Ming Yun, then Chang Zhi, and then Ming Teng and Ming Rui. He knew in his heart that this was how his and his elder brother's lives would be, but he still longed for his dad's attention. Now his dad was also planning for him, seeking an impossible future. Chang Yi grinned foolishly.
Zhao had been waiting for her husband. Her father-in-law would only look for her husband when he had something to do. When she came out, she saw her husband grinning foolishly, "What's wrong?"
Chang Yi's smile didn't fade, "I am also Dad's son."
Zhao didn't understand, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Chang Yi explained, "Dad is paying attention to all of us sons."
Zhao felt sad when she heard this. Both her husband and herself had their own problems, and they were the ones who most desired the attention of their parents in the family.
Then Zhao realized that this was not the time to feel sad. Instead, she widened her eyes and asked, "Dad, do you mean that as long as you seize the opportunity, you can become an official?"
Chang Yi nodded repeatedly, "So I must seize the opportunity."
In Xuzhou, Chang Lian went to see his two daughters before returning to his house. "I'm used to living inland, so I'm a little uncomfortable living by the sea."
Because of the port, the Maritime Affairs Branch was set up in a county town by the sea, and I haven’t adapted to it after a few days.
Mrs. Dong frowned and rubbed her frozen fingers. "Although the temperature here is higher than that in the capital, it is cool inside the house. I have already found a craftsman to repair the kang."
She even regretted bringing her daughters with her. The two girls caught a cold and had to take medicine when they came here. She and her husband did not dare to write about it in the letter, for fear that their mother-in-law would worry.
Chang Lian was wearing a cape and said, "Well, the bed is indeed uncomfortable, and the quilt is a bit cold."
I have been wearing the cloak I brought with me these days.
Dong added, "There is also charcoal. I am thinking of buying more. If you think about it, there is a lot to do."
"Thanks a lot."
"You are the one who has worked hard, and mine is nothing."
She was surrounded by old women, maids, and servants, and she just talked a lot, unlike her husband, who wanted to walk around as soon as he arrived.
Chang Lian was roasting by the fire. After coming out, he realized how happy he was at home.
The next day, Chang Yi arrived at the Ministry of Rites. Wu Ming had been guarding the gate of the Ministry of Rites. When he saw his second brother, he shouted, "Second brother."
Chang Yi stepped forward quickly, "You won't be waiting here all the time, right?"
"I just came out not long ago. Lord Wang is waiting for my second brother. Let's go in and talk."
Chang Yi felt a little restrained. This was the Ministry of Rites, and he was a commoner. He was afraid of bringing shame to his father, so he followed Wu Ming without asking many questions until he met Wang Ju.
Wang Ju looked at Zhou Changyi and felt jealous of Zhou Shuren. Having more sons is good. "Your father and I are friends, and our two families are in-laws. You don't have to be an outsider. Just stay with me these days."
Chang Yi felt relieved and said, "Yes."
Wang Ju is happy to be in charge of the new department. This is something his father fought for him. He naturally knows its importance, so there must be no mistakes in the meeting with the envoys this time. Many people want to pull him down and take over themselves!
The Zhou family, the Li family, and others only found out this morning that Chang Yi had gone to the Ministry of Rites to work as a translator. Smart Su Xuan immediately thought of the key point, "Mom, will my second brother have a chance to join the Ministry of Rites in the future?"
Not everyone can go there if they want to. Even if they go to be an interpreter, she doesn't think her father-in-law would be the kind of person who doesn't do his job well.
Zhulan, "It's too early to say anything now, since we haven't even started yet."
Su Xuan was surprised that her mother-in-law did not deny it. She really guessed it right. Her pupils constricted. If this second brother really succeeded, the second house would be ahead of the fourth house. As for the first house, she never thought about competing with it. The first house had more sons, and the eldest grandson had an absolute advantage. What's more, Mingyun was indeed very outstanding.
Li finally understood, and then her eyes widened. The second son was a commoner. Thinking of her husband, she fell silent. It seemed that her husband had no outstanding qualities.
Li touched her belly. The only thing she could rely on in her life was her child, and she was sure she would give birth.
The second son of the Zhou family went to the Ministry of Rites and did not receive much attention. However, because the King of Qi was responsible for receiving the envoys, Zhou Changyi became famous.
After the morning court session, Zhou Shuren was stopped by the King of Qi, "I greet your Highness the King of Qi."
The King of Qi smiled and said, "I have nothing else to do, I just want to have a chat with Lord Zhou."
Zhou Shuren was speechless, but said, "Your Majesty, please speak."
The King of Qi walked slowly. "Yesterday, I personally experienced the ability of your second son. His talent for languages is indeed very high. The others I brought with me are not as good as your son. The most valuable thing is that your son can master three foreign languages, which is really rare."
Zhou Shuren hurriedly said: "I thank Your Highness for the praise on behalf of Changyi, but he still has many shortcomings and needs to learn."
The King of Qi curled his lips and said, "Lord Zhou is really modest."
Zhou Shuren was very cautious. He would not speak too confidently, otherwise he would be embarrassed and lose the opportunity. "I always remember that humility makes people progress."
The King of Qi looked at Zhou Shuren deeply. How did Zhou Changyi get into the Ministry of Rites? It must be because of Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren held a very high position in his father's heart, higher than he thought.