In the third month, old Madam Cheng's yard was full of people as usual. Qingfu was sitting at the small tea table, holding Cheng Enbao. Cheng Enbao was a four-year-old boy, but he was still being hugged all day long, too lazy to walk.
Ruan-shi was not as calm as Qingfu. She stood beside old Madam Cheng, constantly squeezing her handkerchief, and seemed to be a little uneasy. After a while, a servant boy finally ran in and kowtowed from beyond the threshold: "This small one pays respect to the old madam! To madams, to young master, to young miss."
Ruan-shi eyes lighted up suddenly. Even Qingfu also raised her head. Old Madam Cheng was the oldest and had the best disposition. Seemingly unstirred, she asked: "Does the ninth master's official notification come down? What did the announcing people say?"
"Great joy. The ninth master was granted the office at the Ministry of Public Work, as the Director of the Bureau of Forestry and Hunting."
The womenfolk exclaimed, "Ah." But the thing Ruan-shi most concerned about wasn't this, since she didn't understand the long names of official positions. The only thing she knew was: "What rank is he?"
"Standard fifth rank."
"Standard fifth rank." Ruan-shi murmured, her mood was a bit complicated. On the one hand, she was happy seeing Cheng Yuanjing appointed only the standard fifth rank. He got an official's position, but his rank lowered. But on the other hand, she was a bit worried about the Cheng family. After all, Cheng Yuanjing was the man with the highest official position in the manor and also the one with the best future prospect. If he couldn't climb up, then Yichun marquis manor would only decline more and more.
No one else in the room had spoken, but undoubtedly, Ruan-shi's muttering had conveyed everyone's thought. Cheng Min persuaded old Madam Cheng to spend some money on Cheng Yuanjing's career. Both the old Madam and her eldest son was reluctant, but knew that Cheng Min was right. Old Madam Cheng planned to use this matter as a handle, to let this shu son knew his position: even after becoming an official, he couldn't get rid of his legal mother's control. As a result, old Madam Cheng still didn't have a chance to put on the air, but Cheng Yuanjing's official order had been issued.
Standard fifth rank, moreover it was only the Ministry of Public Work. This official position made Old Madam Cheng a little disappointed, but also secretly joyful. This position couldn't be said to be not high, but just as everyone imagined, it was far away from the orthodox path of entering the cabinet via the Hanlin Academy.
The road towards officialdom was very orderly. The really smooth career path was to become a jinshi, entered Hanlin, then endured a few years of hardship. After that, being sent outside the capital to become a prefectural magistrate. After two appointments, transferred back to the capital to enter the six ministries. Those who could enter the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Personnel were the default future cabinet members. After another seven or eight years in the six ministries, steadily getting promoted into assistant minister before finally, a head minister. If there were no major mistakes during the tenure, he could enter the cabinet and become a cabinet minister.
This was the most ideal career path for aspiring scholars in the country. If one couldn't even get the erjia, they might as well not participate in the exam, since their career in the second half of life was destined to be mediocre at best. If the first assignment after getting the jinshi wasn't good and they didn't enter the Hanlin, their future promotion would also be limited.
Cheng Yuanjing was directly sent to an outside post right after passing the palace test. He was indeed starting high and walking low. No wonder Chang duke manor felt that the Cheng family couldn't manage their affair properly and delayed the future of their own descendants. Now it wasn't easy for Cheng Yuanjing to be transferred back to the capital, everyone was waiting for him to be admitted to such a prestigious place like the Official Historian. As a result, he went to the Ministry of Public Work.
The six ministries had their own hierarchy. Ministry of Personnel was the first, continued by Ministry of Revenue, then Ministry of War... and at last, Ministry of Public Work.
Old Madam Cheng didn't understand what 'Director of the Bureau of Forestry and Hunting' was. She only knew that Cheng Yuanjing had entered the Ministry of Public Work with the lowest standing and largest amount of work. According to her many years of life experience, after failing to enter the Hanlin and joining the Ministry of Public Work instead, Cheng Yuanjing's future promotion very likely had been cut off.
Old Madam Cheng's mind unconsciously calmed down. She secretly mused: what was a young fourth rank official, what was a jinshi. All of those sounded grand, but at the end, wasn't he merely a mediocre? Qingfu obviously thought the same thing. In her heart, she was secretly scorning, but didn't show it on the surface, and instead said with a smile: "It is a good thing for the ninth master to be granted an official position. How many people are idle in the capital for two or three years before finally getting a post? Come, give a reward."
The servant boy received his reward and went out with joy. Seeing the expressions of Qingfu and the others, Cheng Yujin shook her head secretly. In order to accurately find potential stocks, Cheng Yujin purposely studied the official positions of the court. Her knowledge was more extensive than this womenfolks, and she understood the knack of officialdom.
For example, this time, although the bureau director's standard fifth rank was lower than that ofCheng Yuanjing's original fourth rank, officials in the provinces couldn't be compared to the officials in the capital. Even if someone may hold a standard second rank official in the provinces, in terms of power and authority, they were still less than a fourth rank official with a real post in capital.
Therefore, Cheng Yuanjing transferred back to the capital and successfully received the official post, it was an upright promotion, even with the lower rank that entrailed. He even entered the six ministries. Although the Ministry of Public Work might be less prestigious, the Bureau of Forestry and Hunting managed the manufacturing process of the government shops in various regions, military spending, military supplies, arms manufacturing, and accounting in provinces, even smelting and casting money. The Director of such a bureau had real power, and still a vital one.
Although small and inconspicious, it was extremely important.
Cheng Yujin did not feel that Cheng Yuanjing's career path had been broken, but since old Madam Cheng and Qingfu were willing to think so, she didn't need to destroy their thoughts. Cheng Yujin smiled and did not comment.
However, it was still a happy event to be granted an official post. No one in Cheng family has entered the six ministries before. Cheng Yuanjing's achievement still far exceeded the average level of the other men in this family. Old Madam Cheng pretended to be regretful with her two daughters-in-law in law for a while, and then said: "It is common for officials to rise and fall. Tell the ninth master not to worry, don't let one failure to destroy him. After all, I'm his di mother. No matter what, I'll always do my duty as a mother. So, get one hundred silver taels from the public account to subsidy the ninth master and hold a celebratory promotion banquet. As for who to invite and how to do it, let him decide."
One hundred silver taels, Ruan-shi secretly stunned. Her monthly allowance was only thirty silver taels. She wasn't like Qingfu, who had a massive dowry as a source of income. She needed to be careful and meticulous simply to maintain a decent appearance. But now, with just one wave of her hand, the old Madam gave Cheng Yuanjing one hundred taels.
There was a vast difference between those who held an official post with those who didn't.
Six Ministries and Twenty-Four Bureaus: Important central government agencies in imperial China. A head minister (尚书, Shangsu) led each ministry. These were, in hierarchical order, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Public Works. Beneath each Ministry were many Bureaus (司; sī), bodies responsible for grassroots administration.Nine Rank System: Official ranks in imperial China divided into nine ranks, nine as the bottom. Some rank further divided into zheng(正; standard), cong (從; deputy), shang (上; upper) and xia (下; lower) grades.Erjia : 2nd rank of candidates who passed the imperial examination (i.e., 4th place and up)
When the calendar entered the third month, the weather gradually became gentle, new greens sprouted in the garden, and colorful flowers started to bloom everywhere. The womenfolks in the inner courtyard also started to put on light spring clothes.
In the Jinning courtyard, Cheng Yujin was wearing a white top shirt, with a line of golden begonias embroidered at its edge. As if the flowers were growing until they spread into her skirt, the skirt was made from the same color, with dark golden lines decoration. Cheng Yujin sat in her embroidery room, puncturing a needle vertically without damaging the thread on the opposite side. Each of her stitches was well-proportioned, carefully taking into account the pattern of both sides. She embroidered another character, making several short stitches in a row to hide the thread ends without showing it on either side.
Lian Qiao was watching from the side, holding her breath in astonishment. Cheng Yujin's embroideries were scarce, but each of them was so exquisite that they instantly stole everyone's attention. It was significantly different from ordinary embroidery. Especially the double-sided embroidery, it was absolutely amazing. Lian Qiao admired it very much. Eldest miss has never done anything less than perfect. As long as she made her mind to do something, she must do the best. Even the movement of her needle was smooth and beautiful.
Lian Qiao saw Cheng Yujin put down the needle, and quickly came up to massage her shoulders: "Miss, you have embroidered for a while, rest your eyes."
"Mm." Cheng Yujin responded. She asked suddenly, "Is ninth uncle entertaining guests today?"
"Yes, in the outer courtyard's banquet hall. I heard that second young master Xu is also coming."
Cheng Yujin thought for a while and asked: "When did it start?"
Lian Qiao frowned and recalled. She had an agile mouth, and among Cheng Yujin's personal servants, she was usually in charge of inquiring news. After a while, Lian Qiao answered, "It should have been started for some time now. Probably an hour ago."
Cheng Yujin nodded. She stood up and said: "Let's go. There is a character that I'm not sure about. I should go to the ninth uncle's study to see if he is there and ask for some guidance."
Lian Qiao froze for a moment: "Miss, there is no one in ninth master's courtyard now, are you still going?"
"Of course." Cheng Yujin's expression was solemn. "How important is the Emperor's birthday gift? I shouldn't delay it. If I didn't see ninth uncle, then I have to figure it out myself. Alright, go and prepare some snacks, maybe ninth uncle drank some wine, it will help him sober up."
Lian Qiao was a little puzzled, but Du Ruo lightly hit her with one elbow. She immediately gathered her mind and went to prepare the snacks. Du Ruo could see clearly that the eldest miss had other intentions. Although her heart was clear, Du Ruo didn't say anything. She swiftly collected the needles on the table and asked: "Miss, do you want to change clothes?"
"No, I'm going to visit ninth uncle. "Cheng Yujin adjusted her skirt and said with satisfaction: "Let's go."
As expected, Cheng Yuanjing's yard was empty. Cheng Yujin came to the study every day around this hour, so Chen Yuanjing's people were familiar with her. One servant boy asked if he should go to ask Cheng Yuanjing to come back. Cheng Yujin refused. She sat in the east room, took a brush and paper, then started to copied Cheng Yuanjing's handwriting.
After a while, a sound of footsteps came from outside. Cheng Yuanjing has returned. But from the sound, he clearly brought other people.
The servant boy ran over and reported to Cheng Yuanjing: "Ninth master, the eldest miss is inside. She has been waiting for a while."
Right after, Cheng Yujin appeared from beside the many treasure shelves, and greeted Cheng Yuanjing with a smile: "Ninth Uncle, you are back."
For a while, Cheng Yuanjing was a bit stunned, as if Cheng Yujin was originally belonged to this room, and had been waiting for his return. Cheng Yuanjing quickly calmed down and asked, "Why are you here? Why are you sitting alone?"
"There is a word that I have some difficulty with, so I came to ask ninth uncle some guidance. But you weren't here, so I sit down and wait." Cheng Yujin spoke as she walked out of the room. When she saw the people behind, she froze for a moment and glanced at Cheng Yuanjing hesitantly: "Ninth uncle, they are..."
Cheng Yuanjing's confused brain cleared instantly. He took a glance at the people behind him. They were the young talents he took a liking. After the banquet at the front yard ended, he brought several acquaintances to his courtyard for further gathering. Those who could enter Cheng Yuanjing's eyes were all promising and talented youths.
The original purpose was actually here. Just now, he had a momentary confusion, and even thought that she was waiting for him.
Cheng Yujin finally got her goal and turned her eyes to the guests behind Cheng Yuanjing. He got the title of jinshi at a young age of sixteen. Every year, there was only a handful of jinshi. As long they were on the same batch, there would be a closeness among the jinshi that was unique to their circle. Cheng Yuanjing had been stationed in the outside post for so many years. But now he had come back and was getting a promotion, there should be many jinshi of his batch who come to visit him today. After the banquet, they might want to find another place to talk. With this anticipation, Cheng Yujin came to Cheng Yuanjing's yard.
Cheng Yujin saw the two young men on the lead. One was smiling brightly, and the other was reticent. Even more behind, there was Xu Zhixian, and finally, Huo Changyuan. Seeing this man made her bright mood dimmed.
Xu Zhixian saw Cheng Yujin and asked: "Elder sister Jin, why are you here?"
Cheng Yujin's eyes moved from Huo Changyuan. She was too lazy even to give some fake smile. Cheng Yujin turned at Xu Zhixian, smiling with a perfect courtesy: "Second biao elder brother."
The elegant and bright young man smiled: "Hey, your family is so interesting. Why is one called 'elder sister' and the other 'elder brother'? Who is the elder one?"
Cheng Yujin just waited for this sentence. She looked at Cheng Yuanjing and asked, "Ninth Uncle, this person is?"
Cheng Yuanjing stared at Cheng Yujin quietly. Did she treat him like a fool? She wanted to weigh the pork but made him brought the load?