The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1277 - 1276: Winds Rise

After leaving the main hall, seeing no one around, Song Hong was burning with anger: "Just now in the main hall, why didn’t you speak up for Chongjin? Are you going to watch Chongjin go to Chicheng too? If you had spoken, those two old fools from the Wang Family and the Ruan Family, could they have succeeded?"

Gu Changqing’s expression was indifferent: "Do you really think the Wang Family and the Ruan Family could accomplish this today? Can they influence His Majesty’s thoughts? This is nothing but His Majesty’s idea, speaking through their mouths!"

"Even if it’s not the Wang Family and the Ruan Family, there would be the Zhang Family and the Li Family! His Majesty wants Chongjin to go to Chicheng! Is it meaningful for you and I to argue in the court?"

Song Hong was stifled.

He wasn’t stupid; even if he didn’t see it at first, he understood it later.

Isn’t this misplaced anger?

Gu Changqing sneered and glanced at Song Hong: "Chongjin suffered because of you as a father! Yet you still have the face to vent your anger at me? If you’re sincere, go back to the residence, prepare two reliable people for him, and send word to suit the situation in Chicheng—"

A word reminded Song Hong, who, although angry, could recognize the priorities. He stamped his feet and went to find someone to handle the matter.

Since Song Chongjin accepted the imperial decree, he must first return to the Hanlin Academy to hand over the tasks he was working on, and then go to the Ministry of Personnel to receive the appointment document and official seal.

With these, he can use them to take over the position of Chicheng County Prefect when he arrives in Chicheng and manage the official seal.

Upon returning to the Hanlin Academy, his colleagues were unsure whether to congratulate him on his promotion or sympathize with his exile to a faraway place.

Song Chongjin didn’t care, he just silently handed over his responsibilities, packed up his personal belongings, carried important items himself, and left unimportant ones with his attendants.

After all, they had spent some time together, and Song Chongjin left a good impression among his colleagues in the Hanlin Academy.

Although he was taciturn, he was generous and would lend a hand when he saw colleagues overwhelmed with work.

Moreover, Wang Yongzhu was also considerate, sending hearty lunches over every noon, though simple home dishes, they were ample and tasty, and he would bring extra to share with colleagues.

As the saying goes, if you accept someone’s food, you are humbled, and if you take someone’s hand, you are short-handed. During these months, people in the Hanlin Academy ate quite a lot of what Wang Yongzhu brought.

Everyone was not foolish; they recognized this was an undeserved calamity for Song Chongjin, purely taking the fall for Duke Weiguo, clearly targeting Duke Weiguo Residence by Duke Qiguo and the Ruan Family.

Who in the Capital City doesn’t know the enmity between Song Chongjin, Duke Qiguo, and the Ruan Family?

They felt sympathy for him.

Seeing him leave, the colleagues didn’t dare say anything else. As the imperial decree had already been issued, who would dare to discuss it?

So they collectively contributed and reserved a banquet at Deyue Tower for his farewell that evening.

It was everyone’s intention; reserving a banquet at Deyue Tower, even with contributions, was a considerable expense for the esteemed Hanlin scholars.

Song Chongjin of course understood, so he agreed promptly and thanked everyone.

After handing over his tasks, he handed back the Hanlin Reviewer’s waist badge to his superior. The superior, who normally did not speak much and was extremely noble and proud, took the waist badge from Song Chongjin in silence, patted his shoulder: "Lightning and rain are all the grace of the monarch, your position in the Capital City has become a target, better to take this opportunity to be posted outside, perhaps there’s a broader world!"

Song Chongjin’s eyes flickered, he only bowed silently and took his leave.

Upon leaving the Hanlin Academy, he saw Gu Zikai and Xie Lang waiting outside; when they saw him come out, they quickly surrounded him.

Gu Zikai didn’t look well, and Xie Lang looked anxious.

Dragging Song Chongjin aside, Gu Zikai whispered: "Don’t go to the Ministry of Personnel yet, let’s think of a way. If you do go to the Ministry of Personnel and receive the appointment, then there will be no room for maneuver."

Song Chongjin shook his head: "During today’s grand court meeting, in front of all civil and military officials, the emperor has spoken, the decree is issued, like a nail in a board, an unchangeable fact unless I die! I know you are doing this for my own good, I appreciate it! Rest assured, I know in my heart!"

Gesturing for the two to return: "You should go back quickly, lest you are seen! Meet up in the evening at Deyue Tower!"

Saying this, he pushed the two aside and headed straight to the Ministry of Personnel.

Gu Zikai and Xie Lang could only watch Song Chongjin leave, helpless.

After a while, Gu Zikai coldly said: "Good for the Duke Qiguo Residence, good for the Ruan Family!"

Xie Lang’s face had a frosty look as well: "The Wang Family and the Ruan Family confronting Brother Song, it’s both personal hatred and public enmity! Military Generals unexpectedly extending their reach into our Hanlin Academy, intolerable!"

This was extremely true; why were colleagues in the Hanlin Academy so sympathetic to Song Chongjin today. On one hand, Song Chongjin was a decent person, but not to the extent that everyone would be perfectly kind.

More importantly, it was the treatment he received today that sparked the civil officials’ wrath!

Newly graduated scholars, second class imperial graduate, Hanlin Reviewer! Exiled by two military generals! It’s like a loud slap in the face to civil officials!

This was not targeted at Song Chongjin! It’s a direction against all newly graduated scholars and all the scholars of the court relying on examinations to serve as officials!

For them, since this dynasty, the borders have been peaceful, most military generals are idle.

Now in the court, civil officials occupy the majority, His Majesty also relies heavily on them.

As the saying goes, military can uphold the nation, civil can govern the country, today’s peaceful era is the perfect time for civil officials to show their talents.

The court has also produced a batch of new emperor’s confidants, all promoted through examinations in recent years, gradually suppressing the old noble families and military generals.

But who would have thought that today’s event revealed the capability and strength these old families and generals still possess.

If they don’t strike back, from now on won’t these old families and generals reach towards others?

The logic of harm to one’s kind, and the relationship between the lips and teeth is understood by everyone.

Song Chongjin didn’t bother with what Xie Lang and the others thought; the matter had already concluded, everything in the Capital City seemingly had no connection to him anymore.

All he needed to do was dutifully return home in splendor and then proceed to take office.

Arriving at the Ministry of Personnel, normally a Seventh Rank County Magistrate’s appointment could be handled by any Exterior Gentleman.

But since today Song Chongjin appeared in front of the emperor, staff in the Ministry of Personnel didn’t dare neglect; after reporting it in, he was received more diligently and led respectfully to Qin Bohan’s side.

Qin Bohan waved for everyone to leave, leaving only Song Chongjin.

After a long while, he spoke: "Any grievances?"

Song Chongjin shook his head: "None at all!"

Qin Bohan nodded, "Since there are no grievances, then perform your duties well! Rest assured, I have already arranged for two Imperial Horse Administration’s stable orderlies and picked two group leaders from Taipu Temple to go ahead to Chicheng’s Horse Farm to set things up, so by the time you return home in splendor to take office, everything should be stabilized."

This was all arranged, very thoughtful.

Song Chongjin nodded: "Thank you, sir!"

As Qin Bohan spoke, his hands didn’t rest, he approved Song Chongjin’s appointment document and official seal together and handed them to Song Chongjin, softly said: "Now that you are leaving Capital City is good, the city is about to stir, if you stay in the city, your identity will be caught in the middle, better to be posted outside, wait and see after avoiding this storm."

Song Chongjin’s heart tightened, glancing at Qin Bohan, he nodded heavily: "I understand, sir!"

Qin Bohan waved: "Go now! Await your return!"

Song Chongjin bowed deeply, took the appointment document and official seal, and left.