"Bogui is quite different from the past. When he was under Master Lu's sect, although he was not of high birth, he had a fiery temper and spoke straightforwardly. He spent all day wiping out the barbarians and was aspiring to become a marquis on the border."
Jian Yong looked at Gongsun Zan in the distance with a slight smile on his lips: "He actually still has such ambitions? It's quite interesting."
"You think he can't do it?"
Jian Yong did not answer, but asked: "So, how is he different today from the past?"
"Just imagine, we traveled hundreds of miles out of the county and came to meet him on the official road. He and I hadn't seen each other for many years. Although we exchanged a few words, he didn't ask why we came here or what we were doing now. He just
He accepted it calmly, as if it was normal for us to come here to welcome him."
After hearing this, Jian Yong suddenly woke up.
That's right, someone you haven't seen for many years suddenly appears on the official road, why don't you ask why?
He thought about it carefully for a while and then said: "According to common sense, when a friend whom you haven't seen for many years greets you on the official road, you should immediately ask why... The Ming court only said 'Ashamed', but it was accepted...
...So, before us, there are probably many people in Zhuo County who have said hello to him."
Liu Jian sighed: "So, people are very aware of our little thoughts...but there are not a few people who have this kind of thoughts. They have to consider who they choose or not."
Jian Yong smiled and said: "But you are all classmates, so he should still put you and Xuande first, right?"
"What you are thinking is simple. Favors in the officialdom are very important matters. Those who seek help from him in advance will probably be promised huge profits. However, we only bring some ordinary greetings and no huge wealth...
Didn't you hear what he said just now?"
Jian Yong carefully recalled it for a while, then shook his head: "I didn't hear it."
Liu Jian sighed, it was strange that there was no Jian Yong when he was studying scriptures in Fengshi Mountain.
"He just praised Xuande for being able to speak, and also said that it reminded him of Wang Yi, Fu Xie and others. In fact, he meant that when A Bei was in Fengshi Mountain, he had attached himself to the disciples of noble families."
Jian Yong suddenly realized: "Is this intentional because of Tao's dissatisfaction back then?"
"It doesn't really count. It's just that they used these words to remind us that when they take office this time, they can support us or not, and they can care about the friendship of classmates or ignore it... After all, people also have to look at the opinions of others.
Act on your face."
Jian Yong was surprised and said: "Why do you have so many thoughts? After all, he is a county magistrate who is more powerful than Qian Shi. He is the head of a county. Who else needs to look at his face?"
"There are too many. It has not happened before in Zhuo County. Officials sent from abroad had deep entanglements with local powerful families and were expelled by the local powerful families. Besides, in the territory of Zhuo County, there are still people who can control Gongsun Bogui.
County Sheriff, Uncle Fang, this method of clearing up and down communication, the first is the personnel of the county office, how can you easily promise it for a few classmates? Besides..."
"Besides what?"
"Do you think his seal, which is as big as a thousand stones, fell from the sky?"
…
On the other side, Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan, who were sitting and talking to each other under the big tree, were also looking at Liu Jian.
"Haha, it's been a few years since my two classmates were now handsome and heroic warriors. It's really disappointing. Look at Ajian, he was not as tall as my shoulders back then, but now he is almost as tall as me.
I'm just as majestic and heroic as a young man!" Gongsun Zan commented while looking at Liu Jian from a distance.
Liu Bei said with a smile: "My brother is different from the past. Now he has an official status that is as strong as a thousand stones. On the other hand, we have accomplished nothing and can only look at my brother's back from a distance. I am extremely ashamed."
Gongsun Zan's expression was complicated.
"This is harder to come by than a thousand stones...it's very difficult."
Liu Bei was stunned when he heard this, and then thought that since Gongsun Zan relied on his father-in-law's nepotism to reach the position, although his official career was smooth, everything still depended on the face of his father-in-law, the Marquis, which was indeed not easy.
"My brother has gone through many ups and downs, and yet he is able to reach today... Well, it is admirable to hear that when my brother was serving as charioteer in his previous career, he escorted Lord Liu Fu to his chariot for his righteousness and was passed down by the world." Liu Bei comforted him.
Gongsun Zan grinned and said nothing.
Liu Xuande, you don’t understand the meaning of my words.
…
Not far away.
"How could it be so easy for him to get to where he is today? It was all made possible by spending money." Liu Jian was categorical.
Jian Yongqi said: "I heard that when he was appointed as a chariot officer, his master Liu Qi was sent to Rinan. He disguised himself as a guard to escort him all the way. Later Liu Qi was pardoned. Gongsun Zan was also promoted to be a filial and honest official because of this. From then on
How can a developed country just spend money?"
Liu Jian murmured at Gongsun Zan who was not far away: "If Liu Qi is not pardoned, Gongsun Zan's move will be against the law. Even though his situation is pitiable, it is sheer delusion to want to be promoted in the officialdom... Moreover, what do you think?
Without his father-in-law's permission, how could he accompany Liu Qifa so casually? There are so many complications involved, how can he just do whatever he wants?"
Jian Yong stroked his short beard and thought: "What do you mean? It was agreed in advance that Gongsun Zan would accompany Liu Qi to the south, and Liu Qi had already gotten wind of it and would be pardoned on the way? So Gongsun Zan accompanied the prince to the south, just for show.
?”
"In a court where eunuchs and relatives are in charge, any information can be exported, including who your Majesty wants to pardon in advance."
Jian Yong blinked: "From the beginning of promoting filial piety and integrity, you have to spend a lot of money?"
"What do you think? Although there are many people who cheat and make up the money, wouldn't it be ridiculous to just rely on fraud without making money? Among them, family background, connections, deeds, and wealth are all indispensable.
Jian Yong was a poor scholar after all. Even though he was slightly poor, he still had a glimmer of hope for promotion in this world.
"But this is all your own guess. How can you guess so accurately when you are naked?"
Liu Jian whispered: "Then I will give you an accurate guess. How much do you think this Zhuoxian Mingting spent for today?"
Jian Yong said dryly: "The official price of Xiyuan is tens of millions for the county magistrate of Qianshi... He spent ten million?"
Liu Jian shook his head: "Moreover, since he pretended to be an escort and accompanied Liu Qi south, just buying the news about the pardon should have cost more than several million. Even if he bought the news and achieved fame, Xiao Xi in Liaoxi County
The quota of honest people may not necessarily fall on his head. You have to know how many people are watching his Gongsun family alone? In addition, after promoting Xiaolian, Gongsun Zan did not go to Beijing to take up the post of Langguan, but directly took up the post in Liaodong.
It belongs to the long history of the country, and how much time is saved in this, but these illegal regulations actually require money to clear."
Jian Yong's reading of ancient scriptures was good, but his numeracy skills were average.
"Then, how much does it cost him to do so many things?"
"A conservative estimate should be more than 25 million yuan."
"so much?"
"This is an estimate based on what I know. There are also things I don't know."
Jian Yong sighed: "Gongsun Zan, who has the ambition to drive out the barbarians, can he still do this?"
"This has nothing to do with his ambition, profit will follow him!"
…
After setting up camp, Gongsun Zan ordered people to cook rice in pots, and entertained Liu Jian and others with the meat and Liaoxi liquor he brought with him.
He estimated the time and set out tomorrow morning. He would arrive in Zhuoxian County at noon, which was more than enough time. He immediately decided to have a drink with his two junior brothers here tonight.
Liu Bei was overjoyed that Gongsun Zan was so kind. He was not polite and kept drinking with Gongsun Zan.
After knowing each other for many years, Liu Jian understood in his heart that Liu Bei was actually a man who was very greedy for pleasure. He liked fine wine, carriages and horses, eagles and dogs, beautiful women and beautiful clothes... Gongsun Zan entertained him with good wine, and he was immediately taken in.
As for Gongsun Zan, he was very arrogant on the surface, drinking with them one after another, but in reality he was hiding his secrets.
Liu Jian already understood that Gongsun Zan was a high-ranking official to them, and those who were waiting for his promotion in Zhuoxian County were already lined up with all kinds of "benefits".
And he and Liu Bei only have one Xianbei person in their hands, which may not be considered a bargaining chip.
The two sides are not equal now.
Liu Jian rubbed his brows helplessly and thought: It is better to keep things simple. He should have thought of these things long ago, but it was not until he met Gongsun Zan and went through the details that he began to think about it.
But now, we are in a dilemma.
At this time, I suddenly heard Gongsun Zan ask Liu Jian: "Brother Xian, I haven't seen you for many years, why are you so cold to my brother? Xuande talks to me, but you don't pay attention to my brother? What's the reason?"
Liu Jian turned his head and found Gongsun Zan looking at him with a smile on his face.
Although he was enthusiastic, the meaning in his eyes was profound and difficult to detect without looking carefully. It was only because it was deeply concealed by Gongsun's bold and heroic attitude.
"How can I ignore my brother? It's just that I'm so excited after not seeing him for so many years. I have so many words to say, but I don't know where to start."
"Well, you still look as aloof as when you were studying scriptures. That's all. If you have nothing to say, then you can drink three squid with your brother, right?"
Gongsun Zan had a good drinker. He had drunk too much with Liu Bei just now, and now he drank too much with Liu Jian.
At this moment, Liu Bei, who was already drunk, suddenly approached Gongsun Zan and laughed loudly: "Brother, Ajian and I are here today, but we have something important to report to brother! Don't you dare
I’m going to be scared!”
Liu Jian remained silent, just observing Gongsun Zan's condition with cold eyes.