Chapter 66: Elder

  Zhang Shuye listened and knew that the other party had already seen through. If he continued to cover up, it would only make him look like he was hiding something. Originally, he had concealed Xu Wei's identity because he was afraid that these high-ranking officials would look down on him and not want to talk to him. Now, it seemed that both of these gentlemen had a favorable impression, so he might as well tell the truth. He replied: "To be honest, this young man is from Xiajin County in Daming Prefecture, his surname is Xu, his name is Wei, and he is the ninth son of his family. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Commander of the Zizhou Militia and concurrently holds the position of Commander of the Jingwei Village Brave Camp in Daming Prefecture."

  "Doesn't Director Zhang know yet? He's already been promoted to 'Deputy Commissioner of the Supply Depot', a seventh-rank official." The officer smiled, seemingly not minding that Zhang Shu Ye was hiding Xu Wei's identity.

  He Taizong's face changed as soon as he heard the two words "Xu Wei", and when he heard "Commander of the Militia Camp" again, he was even more surprised. He looked at Xu Wei and asked: "Are you the leader of the militia who suppressed the bandits under the great name of the prefecture? You were the one who went to Shandong to assist in the battle a few days ago, defeated Wang Shan's bandit group with one blow, and personally beheaded the bandit chief?"

  Xu Wei was a bit stunned, how did these two know all about his background? Although he had won a small victory, in the mansion of a great general it might be considered something, but this was under the feet of the Son of Heaven, the capital of the Great Song Dynasty, what could it amount to? He bowed his head to the two officials and replied: "It is indeed Xu Wei."

  Zhang Shuye was also surprised, "Is it really that big of a deal? Does Xu Wei have such a great reputation in the capital city?" If so, then what's the point of his own efforts to recommend him? He felt relieved and smiled at Xu Wei, "This is your great fortune! Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Xu Shaobao, the signing official of the Imperial Secretariat."

  Xu Wei was about to pay his respects, but Xu Shaobao suddenly stopped him and said with a smile: "Xu Jiu, when you pay your respects, it can't be the courtesy of an inferior official to a superior official, you must use the courtesy of a nephew to his uncle."

  Zhang Shuye's face showed a look of surprise, how did Xu Shaobao come to hold Xu Wei in such high esteem? He was treating him with the respect due to a nephew, which meant that he considered himself to be Xu Wei's elder, rather than his superior. This relationship was not an ordinary one. In the imperial court, since the abolition of the imperial examination system, there had been no more talk of teachers and students, so this uncle-nephew relationship was the most intimate one. Seeing Xu Wei still standing there in a state of uncertainty, he hastily urged him on: "Xu Shaobao is promoting you, why don't you hurry up and thank him?"

  He Taiwei noticed something and asked Xu Shaobao: "If I remember correctly, your original hometown seems to be..."

  "Haha!" Xu Shaobao burst out laughing, "You two don't know that Xu Wei's father Xu Zhang is my maternal uncle. Xu Wei is actually my own nephew."

  Xu Wei was speechless upon hearing the words. After messing around for half a day, he found out that it was his third uncle from Tokyo who had written to summon him. I said how come he looked somewhat familiar, and it turned out that he and the old master were biological brothers, rarely looking so alike. Zhang Zhi-fu and He Tai-wei burst into laughter upon hearing this, saying that after all this time, they finally found out they were from the same family! However, at the same time, they felt a bit strange - Xu Wei had been standing there for half a day, how come he didn't even greet his uncle? This was also quite impolite.

  Xu Wei stepped forward and saluted Xu Shao. Xu Shaobo was secretly impressed by his demeanor, which was neither arrogant nor obsequious, showing no intention to curry favor due to his high position or deliberately show indifference because of family grudges. The last time he saw him, he was just a few years old, what a reckless and impudent child, causing the Xu family village to be in an uproar. Every day, there were people lining up to file complaints at the Xu mansion gate. Unexpectedly, after growing up, he turned out to be so promising, which is rare.

  After he finished his courtesy, Zhang Uncle Ye rushed to introduce him to He Taifu: "This is the Commander of the Step Troops, Yu Hou He Taifu."

  As soon as he finished speaking, He Taigong also smiled and said: "Xu Wei, although I have never met your father before, he was once the commander of the infantry and cavalry, which is a position that I used to hold. Now it's up to you to decide how to proceed with this courtesy."

  Xu Shaobao listened and thought that He Taigong was just trying to show off his own prestige by promoting his nephew, so he quickly put on the airs of a senior and said: "Lao Jiu, hurry up and pay your respects to your uncle. You are the commander-in-chief of the village guards, and in the future you will inevitably have to rely on He Taigong."

  "Hey, how did everyone become my senior? I'll give you a salute, will you give me a red envelope? However, just because of this sentence, this uncle is more capable than the old master, no wonder he climbed so high and actually mixed with the imperial guards. After paying respects to General He, Zhang Uncle Ye only then explained the whole story from beginning to end, saying it was unavoidable and asking the two officials not to blame him."

  "Xu Shaobao, this young nephew of yours is a hero, so accomplished. How about letting him come to my infantry command for some training?" As soon as Commander He spoke, Xu Shao felt extremely pleased. Unfortunately, his own wooden-headed second brother was not around, otherwise he would have had a thing or two to say upon seeing this scene. You fought bloody battles your whole life, and only in old age did you manage to become a commander of the infantry guard. Until your retirement, Xu Wei was just a commoner, and it wasn't until later that he managed to obtain an official position through his own abilities. As for this son of yours, what role have you played? Wanting to climb higher still depends on me, your uncle?"

  "Xu Wei, did you hear that? Aren't you going to thank General Ta for promoting you?" Xu Shao had already taken on the role of "uncle", speaking in a tone of seniority.

  Unexpectedly, Xu Wei bowed to He Taigong and said seriously: "Thank you for your kindness, but my old father is old and ill at home, and my older brother is serving in the army. If I leave again, there will be no one to take care of the family. I will remember the kindness of the Grand Marshal in my heart and dare not forget it."

  Under this sky, countless people are racking their brains to get a government job in Tokyo. He's good, someone wants to promote him, but he actually declined politely. Xu Wei is not stupid, becoming the commander of the Imperial Guard? No way, with his current qualifications, even if Commander He promotes him, it's just a role for running errands. Maybe after mixing for three to five years and gaining enough qualifications, he can be promoted again. If he had traveled through time ten or eight years earlier, he would have tightly grasped this leg.

  The problem is, now it's the seventh year of Song Dynasty Xuanhe, and the seventh year of Jin Tianhui! The Jurchen people are marching south to destroy the Northern Song this year! I ran to your stepfather's office as a minor official who can be either kept or discarded, watching with my eyes wide open as the Jin army approaches and breaks through the Eastern Capital? At that time, I don't have a single soldier in my hands, do I use my head to knock against the Jurchen people's horse butt?

  At present, the most important thing is not to think about promotion, but to recruit soldiers and horses, expand strength, and strive to stand firm in the chaos of the Song-Jin war, with some development. In a chaotic world, human life is cheap as grass, and having a knife makes one a king! At that time, are you still afraid of not being an official? However, if you directly refuse the other party's good intentions, it will not only hurt their face but also leave them with the impression that you are arrogant and look down on others, which is absolutely unacceptable. Therefore, using filial piety as a shield is the best option.

  As expected, He Taowei saw him decline politely and not only did he not get angry, but instead praised him even more, saying: "Good! Really good! Xu Shaobao, this nephew of yours one day..." kept nodding, the meaning was already very clear.

  Xu Shao was not convinced in his heart, He Taizong's promotion was obviously a blow to his own face. Xu Wei refused because he was influenced by his father and did not want to borrow his own light. Alas, after all, you are your father's kind, with the same stubborn brain. Once this village is passed, there will be no such shop. Forget it, forget it, it's your family's business, why should I, as an uncle, care about that? Moreover, your stubborn and unrepentant old man has long ceased to regard me as a brother, even if I helped you, he would not remember my kindness, what's the point of my coming here? You cross your own single-plank bridge, I'll walk my own Yangguan Road.

  He continued to praise Xu Wei, but Xu Shao just thought he was trying to curry favor with him and didn't take it to heart. After a while, he stood up and said to Zhang Shuye: "Today's discussion, let's think carefully and not rush into anything. I'll go first, there are still things at the Imperial Secretariat, goodbye."

  Magistrate Zhang's heart was anxious, but he had no choice, and he personally said: "See off Shaobao."

  "Hmm, Xu Wei, I'm going to the government office. If you have nothing else to do, go to the mansion and pay your respects to Auntie and the other brothers and sisters. We'll talk when I get back." With that, Xu Shao dropped this sentence, bid farewell to the other two officials, and left on his own.

  Zhang Shuye saw him off and was waiting to see He Taigong off. Turning his head, he saw him kindly say to Xu Wei: "Since you've come to the Eastern Capital, I suppose you'll want to stay for a few days. There's no rush to pay respects to your elders at this moment. How about it? Come with me?" It seemed like he wanted to enlighten Xu Wei a bit.

  Zhang Shuye's eyebrows slightly furrowed, isn't this flattery a bit too much? Xu Shaobao, everyone has left, why are you still here trying to get close to the young master? Ah, He Taifu himself has been friends with him for many years, doesn't seem like that kind of person. How long has he been in the capital, and he's already learned how to fawn and flatter people?

  Xu Wei also saw that He Taoyi probably didn't really appreciate him, but wanted to use him to flatter the Third Uncle. Just as he was about to decline, He Taoyi grabbed his hand and said with a half-joking, half-serious tone: "If you don't go, I'll really be offended."

  Zhang Shu Ye let out a quiet sigh, what kind of people am I discussing important matters with? Alas, the country is in trouble, and these people are still focused on these trivial things. The Song Dynasty's future, isn't it really at stake? With this feeling of frustration, his mood also turned sour, and he couldn't wait for He Taiwei to leave. He then said to Xu Wei: "Go, go, let the great He Taiwei enlighten you, only then will your official career be smooth." He Taiwei seemed not to have noticed Zhang Shu Ye's sarcastic tone, and pulled Xu Wei away as they left. Leaving Zhang Shu Ye alone, gazing up at the sky with a long sigh, worrying about the country and its people. Being a loyal minister is truly not easy.

  Out of the inn, He Taigong ordered his followers to bring Xu Wei's horse over, and the two rode side by side. Along the way, He Taigong asked about military affairs, but Xu Wei was preoccupied with something on his mind and responded vaguely. Even the bustling streets of Tokyo didn't catch his attention. Zhang Zhifu gathered old friends to discuss this matter, but they couldn't come up with a solution. Now that this path is blocked, where should they start again? This is quite a dilemma...

  After wandering around for about the time it takes to have a cup of tea, they arrived in front of a mansion. Xu Wei looked up and saw that it was the He manor. Why did General He bring him to his home? Was he going to give his daughter to him as a reward for flattering him too much? This trip to Tokyo had been a complete waste, and now he was going to end up with a wife.

  The two dismounted, and the gatekeeper came to lead them away. He Taigong led the way, straight into the mansion. The servants and maids saw their master return and hastily lined up to pay their respects. He Taigong merely nodded and led Xu Wei to the flower hall, ordering someone to serve tea.

  "Have some tea." A maid placed a teacup on the wooden table beside Xu Wei. This voice, where had he heard it before? He looked up, could it be that coincidental?

  ...........

  Today's first update is here! I've been typing away quietly until late at night, and updating so early in the morning. Brothers, isn't it time to recommend, collect, and reward me?