Chapter 26: Zhou Shang Quits His Official Position

  Wan County, Qiao's Mansion.

  The sound of the zither is like water, flowing gently and continuously.

  Cai Yan sat in front of her desk, and with a wave of her slender jade fingers, moving notes sprang out.

  A beautiful person, an even more beautiful sound of the zither.

  Cai Yan's face was delicate and lovely, but between her painted eyebrows, a faint hint of worry was hidden.

  The sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and a servant girl hurried in.

  "Miss Cai, I've heard something."

  The woman entered and said: "I've heard news about Master Zhou."

  Cai Yan uttered an "oh" and asked: "Is the news true?"

  "My wife replied, 'It's true. I asked several lower officials in the county government, and they all said that Master Zhou had become a protégé of a eunuch and had bought an official position as a county magistrate, seemingly in Yanzhou, but I don't know exactly where.'"

  Cai Yan's heart sank, and she said softly: "So it was true!"

  The woman said again: "I also heard that the county magistrate of Zhou wants to expel young master Zhou from the clan, I don't know if it's true or not."

  Cai Yan's face changed color and she remained silent for a long time.

  "My wife doesn't understand much, and asked in confusion: 'What's wrong with relying on eunuchs? It's a good thing that Master Zhou can become the county magistrate, he's still young and has already achieved the same position as County Magistrate Zhou, why isn't County Magistrate Zhou happy about it?'"

  Cai Yan sighed, this woman didn't have much insight, and explaining such a major national affair to her would be pointless.

  Zhou Jian's reliance on eunuchs and buying official positions was not widely known in Anhui County, only a few people in the county government had some idea about it, but they were also not very clear. Zhou didn't say anything, his wife and servants only heard some rumors.

  Few people in Qiao's household had contact with the outside world, and they received news even later.

  Jiang Qin and Chen Fang, among others, received Zhou Jian's summons, and hundreds of people left Wu County for Jiwu. The commotion was quite considerable, but only the lower-ranking officials outside the Qiao mansion who were in charge of purchasing supplies heard some rumors.

  Cai Yan also unintentionally heard the servants in Qiao's house discussing it, and only then did she find out about this matter. She had a servant woman go ask around.

  "Have someone help me take this letter and go with you!"

  Tsai Yen handed a letter to the maid.

  The woman answered and hastily took over the letter, turned around and left.

  Luoyang, Deyang Hall.

  All officials attend court, Emperor Ling holds court.

  Emperor Ling of Han Liu Hong sat high on the imperial case, yawning continuously, his spirit was weak and he looked somewhat disheveled.

  Situ Yuanwei stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, Wei County Magistrate Zhou Shang has a memorial to present."

  The Minister of Works was originally the Chief Minister, the head of the civil officials. During the reign of Emperor Ai, it was renamed to Minister of Works, responsible for handling the affairs of the commanderies and counties. The memorials from the administrators of the commanderies and counties that wanted to be presented to the emperor were first sent to the Chancellor's office, and then presented by the Minister of Works.

  At the end of the morning shift, Zhou Zhong was stunned to hear that his third brother had submitted a memorial, how could he not have been notified in advance?

  The Ling Emperor asked weakly: "What is this all about?"

  Yuan Wei said: "I beg to report to Your Majesty, this is a secret memorial, please let Your Majesty personally inspect it."

  Eunuch Zhang Rang hastily descended from the Danbi, took the secret memorial from Yuan Wei's hands, and then hurried to the imperial desk, holding it with both hands and presenting it to Emperor Ling. He stood behind Emperor Ling, stealing glances at him.

  The Ling Emperor opened the fire lacquer seal and took out the secret edict. After reading it for a few moments, his face turned iron blue with rage.

  Zhang Rang looked clearly at the back and couldn't help but mutter to himself, how did Zhou Sheng do it, actually impeaching his own son.

  "Bang!"

  The Emperor suddenly slapped the imperial case with a loud slap, and angrily said: "Zhou Shang is so rude, I have issued an edict three times to promote his official position, appointing him as the governor of the county. If he didn't want to pay for the renovation of the palace, that's fine, but how dare he attack the imperial court, saying that awarding officials with a price will harm the country? Is this reasonable? It's simply unreasonable! I'm so angry!"

  The officials suddenly realized, it turned out to be such a thing, those who knew couldn't help but turn their heads and glance at Zhou Zhong.

  Emperor Ling's anger had yet to dissipate, and he asked Zhang Rang, "How long has this Zhou Jian been a eunuch?"

  Zhang Rang hastily replied: "To answer Your Majesty, it is still less than three months."

  The Emperor was even more furious, "Is there such a reason? Zhou Jian has been in office for less than three months, if I dismiss him from his post now, who will pay the palace repair money to the court in the future? This is what Zhou Shang wants me to lose faith with the world!"

  All officials thought it was originally so, the son donated an official position, and the father impeached him in a memorial to the emperor, which is also a interesting thing.

  In this day and age, even when Situ Yuanzi was appointed as a minister, he had to pay for the position. It's an open secret that everyone knows but doesn't talk about.

  This week, Zhou Shang is still somewhat unaware of the good and bad, not knowing the times. No wonder he can only be a county magistrate. However, his son, Zhou Jian, is able to recognize the times. The only thing that displeases several informed ministers is that this young man has actually attached himself to the eunuch party.

  Zhou Zhong stood at the back of the morning class, his heart racing with fear, secretly cursing his luck.

  Third brother, third brother, what's wrong with you? After all these years, can't you still see clearly?

  Zhou Zhong wanted to plead for Zhou Shang, but he was a man of low status and his words carried little weight, so he didn't even have the qualification to speak.

  The Emperor Ling ordered a fire to be lit and, after his anger had slightly subsided, he was about to punish Zhou Shang. An official who had once received kindness from the Grand Marshal Zhou Jing hastily came forward to plead for mercy. The Emperor said angrily: "His crime can be pardoned, but I will remove him from office. Pass on my decree that Zhou Shang, the Magistrate of Wan County, has failed in his duty as a minister and has rashly criticized state affairs. Let him return home and not be reinstated for ten years."

  "Old slave obeys orders."

  All officials were silent and no one came forward to plead for him again.

  Zhou Zhong's face turned pale and he sighed silently, thinking "it's all over".

  My humble abode is at the back of the county government office.

  Right!

  Right!

  Right!

  In the midst of a thunderous clash of steel on steel, two figures were locked in a fierce battle, fighting to the point where they couldn't be separated.

  Zhou Jian wielded a bright silver iron spear weighing as much as eighty catties. The Han Dynasty's catty was different from the later one, but even so, the iron spear weighed at least forty catties. Such a heavy weapon could only be used by a very small number of people.

  Dian Wei's halberd was still unfinished, so he used an iron chain over three zhang long instead, which weighed almost as much as his iron spear.

  Guns came and went, exchanging hands in fifty rounds in an instant.

  Zhou Jian was most skilled at close combat, and the weapon he used with the greatest ease was the Eastern Broadsword. Although his spear techniques were refined, they were more suited for mounted combat, and not as effective in close quarters melee. After fifty rounds of fighting, he still hadn't gained any advantage.

  "Let go."

  Dian Wei fiercely shook off the iron chains wrapped around his iron spear, let out a loud roar, and the iron chains instantly tightened into a straight line, emitting a 'clattering' sound.

  "Not necessarily."

  Zhou's eyes were sharp as a knife, his right hand suddenly loosened its grip on the gun body, and reversed to grasp the tail of the gun in his left hand. The iron spear shook violently, following the powerful pull of the tiger's pounce, swiftly and mercilessly stabbing into Dian Wei's chest and abdomen.

  "Good."

  Dian Wei let out a loud roar and quickly exerted his strength to shake the iron chain, pulling the gun blade aside, and the chain also came off the gun.

  Zhou Jian's iron spear thrust into the ground, borrowing momentum to fly upwards and launch a fierce whip-like kick towards Dian Wei's left calf.

  Dian Wei couldn't shake off the iron chain in time, and hastily raised his left arm to block the kick. He was kicked back several steps before he could fling open the chain, let out a loud roar, and fiercely swept it towards Zhou Jian's waist.

  Right!

  The iron spear and iron chain pierced together fiercely, and the two of them leapt up and flew back at the same time.

  "Great!"

  Di Renjie's madness has erupted again, and he wants to take off his armor for a fierce battle.

  "Alright, let's stop here for today!"

  Zhou Jian casually threw away the iron spear and pulled down the cloth from his neck to wipe off the fine sweat on his forehead.

  These days, whenever I have some free time, I play a game with Dian Wei. It's been half a month now, and the harvest is quite substantial.

  Shutting the door to create a cart, progress is limited in many ways. Especially when martial arts reach Zhou Jian's level, wanting to make further progress is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Only by exchanging blows with fierce men like Dian Wei can one gain some inspiration and learn from their strengths to make up for weaknesses.

  Dian Wei had no suitable weapon at hand, and although his iron chain was heavy, he could not bring out its full potential.

  Zhou Jian's swordsmanship was superior, and after exchanging three hundred blows, he could gain the upper hand. However, when using iron spear for close combat on horseback, his actual strength couldn't be fully utilized, and he could only fight evenly with Dian Wei.

  However, after half a month, his shooting technique has also made some progress, with more coherence and less awkwardness.

  Dian Wei didn't show any excitement, let out a low grunt, and dragged his chains back to his room.

  Zhou Jian didn't bother with him either. This guy had some strange habits, and when he was free, he usually hid in his room, staring blankly, rarely interacting with people. The only thing he cared about was perhaps the matter of Hu San making weapons for him.

  The sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and Zhou Wu rushed in hastily.

  "Sir, Miss Cai from the Qiao family has sent a letter through someone."

  Zhou Wu rushed forward and handed over a letter without sealing wax.

  "Has Cai Yan sent a letter?"

  Zhou Jian was stunned for a moment, then took it casually, pulled out the letter inside, and saw the beautiful handwriting on the paper.

  In the Han dynasty, all written records were made on bamboo slips, paper was a luxury item and of poor quality, only occasionally used by some wealthy families.

  "Hearing about your situation, my heart is uneasy; however, as a woman, I shouldn't interfere with politics. With your wisdom, you will make the right decision for yourself. I don't dare to offer any advice, but only wish that your long-cherished wishes come true and you become a prominent official. I hope you treasure your reputation and bring honor to our hometown. Cai Yan pays her respects!"

  The letter is very short, only over 70 words, with a hint of advice between the lines, and more of an inexplicable and unclear emotional feeling. It seems that Cai Yan's mood was also very complicated when writing this letter.

  Zhou Jian's face was calm and composed, but the implicit advice in the letter made him involuntarily frown, yet upon careful consideration, it wasn't entirely so.

  The advice in the letter actually meant to advise him to cherish his reputation, rather than advising him to pull the horse back from the cliff.

  Women are not heard of in politics, which shows an attitude, meaning that Cai Yan also does not know whether Zhou Jian's approach is right or wrong.

  Since it's unclear what's right or wrong, there's no point in advising him to stop at the edge of the cliff.

  Although there is no sentence of concern throughout the article, between the lines, a hint of worry can be seen.

  Zhou Jian quietly put away the letter, heroes loving beauties is an eternal melody that never goes out of style, even the Overlord Xiang Yu was not immune to having a hard time parting with his lover, let alone him, this ordinary man.

  But now is not the time for romance.

  In just one more year, the Yellow Turban Rebellion that would sweep across the land was about to erupt, and the curtain of chaos was about to be lifted. There were far too many preparations to make, and time was woefully insufficient; where was there energy for romantic entanglements?

  Zhou Jian turned several ideas in his heart, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion ended, he would find a place to settle down as soon as possible, and then think of a way to get Cai Yan by his side, and also bring Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao together.

  Especially Xiao Qiao, she is Zhou Yu's future wife, can't make any mistakes, don't let others take the lead.

  ;