Chapter 375: Chapter 376: A Provincial Appointment?

Under the watchful eyes of his many colleagues at the Hanlin Academy, Ancient Wen Heng was once again summoned by Gong Zhengping.

He didn’t have to look back to guess that they were gossiping about him again.

"Sir," Ancient Wen Heng said, watching Gong Zhengping who was still hunched over, writing furiously. He stood quietly to the side, waiting.

Gong Zhengping put down his brush, sat down first, and pointed to a seat beside him. "Have a seat. Let’s talk."

As soon as Ancient Wen Heng sat, an attendant served tea.

Gong Zhengping got straight to the point. "A lot of officials have been investigated and removed recently, and many positions have opened up. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

Ancient Wen Heng lowered his gaze and said, "I am but a newcomer to the official world. I shouldn’t be qualified for a transfer, should I?"

Typically, one had to spend at least a year or two in the Hanlin Academy before other opportunities arose. It had only been a few short months; Ancient Wen Heng didn’t consider himself a special case.

"By custom, you should indeed remain here in the Hanlin Academy. However, this situation is not without exceptions. You’ve already been promoted three ranks in just a few short months. Given that, and your past achievements, it’s not impossible to vie for a position."

Gong Zhengping truly didn’t want this capable young man to leave the Hanlin Academy, but he was even more reluctant to let the other old-timers benefit.

He knew that, aside from the Hanlin Academy, several other ministries had many vacancies due to the recent account audits.

Ancient Wen Heng’s talent had been noticed during this time. Gong Zhengping had been invited for tea more than once by those old foxes, all of them eager to poach his subordinate.

"Is something amiss?" Ancient Wen Heng didn’t think Scholar Gong would bring this up for no reason.

’I’ve been diligent and conscientious during my time at the Hanlin Academy,’ he thought. ’It shouldn’t be enough to make my superior dislike me and want to transfer me away.’

Gong Zhengping said, "If you don’t want to stay in Shangjing, you could seek an external assignment. Go out and gain some experience for a few years, then come back."

Ancient Wen Heng was then reminded of the vacancies that had opened up in the other ministries. During the audits, those old foxes had stared at him for a long time.

Compared to a battle of wits and wills against these people in the capital, Ancient Wen Heng would much rather spend a few years out in the provinces where he could be more at ease.

Here, everyone outranked him, and his hands were tied in everything he did. It would be far better to go out and build up his own political achievements.

Having come to this conclusion, Ancient Wen Heng stood up and bowed to Scholar Gong. "If the opportunity arises, your subordinate is willing to be posted externally."

Scholar Gong stood and clapped him on the shoulder. "That was my thinking as well. Here in Shangjing, the high-ranking officials and aristocratic families are like a series of hurdles. In contrast, you’ll have better prospects outside.

Since you’ve made your decision, I will help make the arrangements. You should also make some preparations in the meantime."

"Yes. I am grateful for your patronage, Sir." Although Ancient Wen Heng didn’t understand why Gong Zhengping had always favored him, he knew he had to accept this kindness.

Gong Zhengping nodded, then turned and returned to his work.

The moment Ancient Wen Heng stepped out of the room, the probing gazes of his colleagues once again converged on him.

"Hmph, who knows what despicable means he used? With him in our Hanlin Academy, people like us will never have a chance to get ahead," Ning Yuchen complained to Cao Shijiang beside him.

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Cao Shijiang said, "So what? Everyone here is just biding their time to gain seniority. You should stop staring at Mr. Gu all day. With that time, you’d be better off finishing your own work so the rest of us don’t have to keep cleaning up your messes."

Ning Yuchen knew he had made quite a few mistakes recently, but this Mr. Cao was truly showing him no courtesy. Being called out so bluntly made him lose face.

"Yes, I will be more careful. Thank you all for your hard work this time." Though he secretly resented them for their lack of courtesy, he didn’t have the courage to offend officials who outranked him.

Cao Shishu snorted coldly, gathered his things, and walked away. ’This Ning Yuchen really takes me for a greenhorn just entering the official world. To think he’d try to use me as his blade. He should take a good look at himself and see if he’s even got what it takes.’

He might not like how Ancient Wen Heng had skipped several ranks in such a short time, but he knew better than to provoke such a person. If the man didn’t have a solid backing, could he have so smoothly broken with convention?

Ning Yuchen’s face darkened. ’The difference between the top scholar and the runner-up is just too great. I wonder if Ancient Wen Heng bribed his superiors?’

’Bribery.’ Ning Yuchen immediately thought of Ancient Wen Heng’s wife, the Imperial Merchant’s Wife. ’It’s very possible that’s what happened.’

§

That night, Wenheng brought the matter up with Jin Qianqian. "If I really can get an external assignment, is there anywhere you’d like to go?"

Jin Qianqian shot him a look. "That’s not exactly something we can choose, is it!"

Wenheng rubbed his nose. "Where there’s a will, there’s a way. How will we know if we don’t try?"

Jin Qianqian was not as optimistic as he was. "Our foundation in the capital is still too shallow. Even though we are acquainted with Prince Bai and Marquis Zhou, they aren’t in Shangjing right now.

Of all the officials you’ve befriended, besides Scholar Gong who might be willing to lend a hand, we can’t count on anyone else."

Wenheng said, "Once the news gets out, those people will probably get jealous again."

Wenheng mentally went through his connections and realized there truly weren’t many.

"There’s just one thing I don’t quite understand. Scholar Gong seems to be taking special care of you, doesn’t he?" Jin Qianqian hadn’t thought much of it before, assuming it was simply a case of the man appreciating talent, but now it had reached the point of giving career advice.

Wenheng was also puzzled by it. "For now, at least, it doesn’t seem like he’s scheming against me. Let’s just wait and see."

Jin Qianqian also knew they were in a passive position with no control over the situation. She then changed the subject.

"Since we might have to leave the capital, there are some things I don’t want to drag out any longer. I’ll take care of them all in the next few days."

Wenheng knew what she was talking about. "You’ve been buying up shops next to all the Huang family’s stores, haven’t you?"

Jin Qianqian hadn’t been secretive about her recent activities. She wanted to intimidate her rival, but she also saw it as an opportunity to acquire more properties while everyone was eager to watch the drama unfold.

Most people probably assumed she was just acting out of spite, paying inflated prices for the shops. They were likely laughing behind her back, calling her a fool with too much money and letting the neighboring shop owners make a killing off of her.

Jin Qianqian said, "Riding this wave of speculation, everyone thinks I’m overestimating myself and trying to pick a fight with the Huang family. Some people have even taken the initiative to come and sell their shops to me. Without me even realizing it, we now have a small portfolio of properties here in Shangjing."

Speaking of this, Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but feel a little smug. ’People think I only have the soap formula to my name. They assume this clash with the Huang family must have cost me dearly, and they’re all waiting to see me become a laughingstock.

’They’re probably even waiting for the day I can’t hold on any longer, so they can swoop in and pick up a bargain.

’But is that likely? After acquiring so many shops, I’ve only spent about half of the silver notes I have on hand.’

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