Chapter 777: Release

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

On the surface, there was no problem, but this made it even more problematic!

The Marquis of Zhenguo was deep in thought. “Quanzhou is rich. The natural advantage of maritime trade makes all the officials outside Quanzhou fat. Not only is it easy for them to achieve political achievements, but it’s also easy to acc.u.mulate connections. It’s a good place for promotion. Logically speaking, such a good position is almost always in the hands of high-ranking officials from the aristocratic families who are deeply rooted in the Imperial Court.”

How did Lord Jia, who had no money or connections, end up with such a lucrative job?

This was unless he had someone to rely on.

Song Mingzhao said, “There are differences between the various state capitals, be it in terms of size of wealth. Furthermore, because of Quanzhou’s unique geographical location, before the Imperial Court lifted the sea ban, trade was very convenient as sea transport was connected to river transport in the country. It has always been a place that collects heavy taxes for the Imperial Court. Thirty percent of the Great Zhou Dynasty’s taxes come from Quanzhou. In order to stabilize the tax income, the Imperial Court also controls Quanzhou very strictly.”

The Marquis of Zhenguo’s expression became even more solemn. There was most likely a problem with Lord Jia’s transfer order back then.

Indeed!

Song Mingzhao continued, “I’ve secretly investigated all the officials who were transferred by Lord Jia back then. I discovered that there was a transfer order for the former Marquis of Weining. Now, Ning Yuanbo’s residence is interfering.”

After all, the Marquis of Zhenguo had been in the government for many years, so he immediately understood the crux of the matter. “Do you suspect that the Jiazhou Residence is under the Second Prince’s wing and that the Second Prince’s wing wants to attack the Xie family?”

His scalp tingled.

The emperor had not been to court for a long time. The Second Prince gradually headed from the imperial study to the previous court. According to the secret information from the palace, the Third Prince’s grounding was also useless. The external Xu family’s Duke’s Residence had wantonly nurtured his henchmen. The Fourth Prince was low-key, but he seemed to have caught the Empress’s eye. The situation in the palace was very complicated.

If the Second Prince dragged in the Jiazhou Residence, then it was worth thinking deeply about how a mere son of a concubine from the Jiazhou Residence dared to publicly tease the daughter of a superior.

Song Mingzhao nodded. “Although the Zhenguo Marquis Residence is a royalist party, it’s inevitable that they’ll be implicated in the struggle for the throne. The capital has become a troublesome place. We can’t beat all the eggs in one basket.”

The logic was clear, but it couldn’t convince the Marquis of Zhenguo. If he wasn’t from the Hanlin Academy, he couldn’t enter the cabinet.

If Song Mingzhao wanted to be released, he would have to resign from his position as an editor of the Hanlin Academy.

Song Mingzhao held his breath. “Back then, Second Master Yu went to Quanzhou while holding a position in the Hanlin Academy. With the power of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence, it’s not impossible for me to hold a position in the Hanlin Academy.”

Old Madam Song understood that Song Mingzhao had schemed against her father.

Back then, it was because of Elder Xia’s strong support that Second Master Yu could go to Quanzhou. The Zhenguo Marquis Residence was an old n.o.ble. Song Mingzhao was talented, so it was effortless for him to imitate Second Master Yu.

Song Mingzhao was giving them a choice between not entering the Hanlin Academy and taking on a position in the Hanlin Academy.

Compared to not entering the Hanlin Academy, the latter was more acceptable.

In the end, he was determined to be released.

Clearly, this move was very useful to the Marquis of Zhenguo. As long as he did not enter the Hanlin, everything else could be discussed. He was a little hesitant. “Where do you want to go?”

Old Madam Song’s eyelids twitched. Indeed, she heard Song Mingzhao say in a low voice, “To Quanzhou!”

The Marquis of Zhenguo did not think too much about it. “You have to think carefully. Once you’re released, you can only be a seventh-grade county official. Even if you take on a position in the Hanlin Academy, you won’t be able to return without spending three to five years. The local supplies have decreased, and your days will be tough. The Zhenguo Marquis Residence is far away, so the help it can give you is limited. You’ve been living in luxury in the capital for many years, so you might not be able to survive. Moreover, you have to make political achievements. Otherwise, even if you return to the capital, it will affect your future. You…”

He admitted that Song Mingzhao’s words made sense. He also knew that once Song Mingzhao made political achievements in the local area, he would be able to rise rapidly when he returned to the capital in the future.

However, deep down, he did not want Song Mingzhao to be released.

The benefits of staying in the capital were obvious.

The benefits of being released would only take effect after three to five years. Who knew what variables there were?

Song Mingzhao said in a low voice, “I’ve made up my mind. Father, please fulfill my wish.”

The Marquis of Zhenguo was still unwilling. “Think about it carefully. The memorial you requested is still in the Imperial Court. I’ll help you set it aside for the time being.”

“Father…” Song Mingzhao called out.

The Marquis of Zhenguo flicked his sleeves and left. After delaying for a while, when the scholars for this examination were arranged and there were no vacancies everywhere, Song Mingzhao would be obedient.

There was a moment of silence in the reception pavilion.

Old Madam Song looked at him steadily. “Tell me honestly. You suddenly requested to be released and even want to work in Quanzhou. Is this for Yu Youyao?”

She did not believe a word about Lord Jia being involved with the Second Prince’s faction.

The more Song Mingzhao wanted to do something and achieve his goal, the more he would take action and scheme. He was worried that there would be additional complications, so he would not let anyone know easily.

Regardless of whether Lord Jia was a member of the Second Prince’s faction or not, Song Mingzhao had been paying attention to Yu Youyao since she went to Quanzhou. Therefore, as soon as news of Yu Youyao spread to the capital, even though no one reacted, he had already investigated the sect and done so much. This was abnormal.

Song Mingzhao felt a sense of panic as if his thoughts had been exposed, but he quickly calmed down. “Grandmother, Second Master Yu has lost his position. The cabinet is fighting for power, and there are demons dancing wildly. The situation in the palace is complicated. The emperor is obsessed with alchemy and hasn’t been in the court for a long time. He doesn’t want to a.s.sist with politics or manage the people. Even if I enter the Hanlin Academy, I’ll still be restricted by many henchmen. I might as well go somewhere to train and acc.u.mulate experience. I can even do something for the people…”

Even the excuse was perfect. Old Madam Song raised her voice. “Song Mingzhao, aren’t you going to tell me the truth in front of me?”

Without his grandmother’s help, it was almost impossible for his father to agree to let him out. Song Mingzhao’s straight back slowly collapsed. “Grandmother, please help me this time.”

Old Madam Song clutched her chest and panted. “I originally thought that you had let go of your feelings for Yao Yao for the time being. I didn’t expect that when Yao Yao went to Quanzhou, even your soul would leave with her. Why are you so anxious? Yaoyao has to observe mourning for her Grandmother for three years. Now isn’t the time to discuss marriage…”

Ever since she had failed to find Matriarch Yu in the Yu Residence, Song Mingzhao seemed to have restrained his thoughts and was focused on preparing for the next examination. She did not expect him to hide his thoughts even more deeply.

For Yu Youyao, she even had to gamble her future.

Song Mingzhao raised his head. “Grandmother, you know that Eldest Miss Yu won’t return easily after leaving the capital this time. Perhaps it’s not up to Lord Yu to decide her marriage. I like her and have considered it for a long time. I’m willing to give it my all for her, so I can’t sit back and do nothing.”

Old Madam Song closed her eyes. “Then what can you do in Quanzhou? Quanzhou is so big. You’re just a seventh-grade county officer. You can’t stay far away from the government.”