Do you know: I am the crown prince

Chapter 50: Crown Prince's Concubine
"An official summons?"

Sheng Hong was stunned at first, and asked anxiously: "Where is the angel?"

"We've already entered the door and should be almost passing the front yard now," Dong Rong said.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong hurriedly called Sheng Wei to go out to meet him.

As soon as the two men stepped through the door of the central courtyard, they saw a man dressed as a eunuch in his twenties, followed by several imperial guards, walking towards them under the guidance of the doorman.

"Sheng Hong greets the angel!" Sheng Hong and the other man hurriedly saluted.

The eunuch looked at Sheng Hong who was speaking and smiled, "Mr. Sheng, the emperor has issued an order to summon you to the palace to meet the emperor. The carriage is waiting outside. Mr. Sheng, please follow me."

"Yes!" Sheng Hong didn't dare to ask more questions, nor was it convenient to explain anything, so he followed the eunuch.

Sheng Wei followed behind, went out the door and watched Sheng Hong get into the car and leave.

……

In the carriage, Sheng Hong hesitated for a while and asked, "Angel, I wonder why the government has summoned you? I want to be prepared."

As he said this, he took out a silver note and stuffed it over.

The so-called performance report is actually an interview assessment for officials who have reached a certain level before they are promoted.

According to court rules, the promotion of officials of the fourth rank and above was decided directly by the emperor.

The promotion of officials of the fifth and sixth ranks was decided by the Ministry of Personnel, but it was necessary to submit a memorial to the emperor for his review.

When submitting reports to the government, their previous achievements as officials and their evaluations over the years, including reports on their work, would be included for the government's reference.

Sheng Hong's promotion was only decided by the Ministry of Personnel, and it would take effect only after the emperor's approval.

However, officials of the fifth and sixth ranks were considered middle-level officials in the imperial court, and there were many of them. After each major examination, many of them were promoted.

It is impossible for the government to review all of them carefully, so they basically just take a quick look and make few changes.

That's why Sheng Hong told Sheng Wei that his promotion was confirmed.

The sudden summons from the emperor made Sheng Hong feel very unsure, not knowing whether it was a blessing or a curse.

"President Sheng, what are you doing?"

The eunuch refused to accept it, saying, "I am just an errand runner for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. How can I know the emperor's will?"

"Haha, eunuch, you have worked hard. Take this little money and have some tea." Sheng Hong said as he stuffed the banknote over.

The money has already been taken out. No matter whether this eunuch can tell you any useful information, there is no reason to take the money back.

The eunuch refused several times before finally accepting it.

As the saying goes, if you take money from someone, you should help them get rid of their misfortune. Although he didn't know the purpose of the government summoning Sheng Hong, he smiled and reminded him, "President Sheng, don't worry. With the position of Sheng Tongpan, the government summoning him will only be a good thing."

Sheng Hong thought about it for a moment and cursed himself for being stupid.

With his current official position, he is not even qualified to see the emperor. Even if he has made any mistakes, he is not qualified to be dealt with personally by the emperor.

I can’t say whether it is a good thing or not, but it is definitely not a bad thing.

But he was confused by the sudden summons from the government and didn't think about it carefully.

"Thank you for the reminder, eunuch." Sheng Hong bowed.

"President Sheng, you are too polite." The eunuch waved his hand and said with a smile.

……

After Sheng Hong was brought into the palace, he was taken to the outside of Longtu Pavilion, searched and waited for a while before being brought into Longtu Pavilion.

After entering the Longtu Pavilion, Sheng Hong did not dare to look around. He lowered his head and followed the eunuch who was leading the way.

When the eunuch leading the way stopped, Sheng Hong also stopped.

"Your Majesty, we have brought the person here." The eunuch who led the way saluted.

"Your Majesty, I am Sheng Hong, the Tongpan of Yangzhou!" Sheng Hong saluted hurriedly.

The emperor sat behind the imperial desk, waved his hand to let the eunuch leading the way back, and said with a smile: "No need to be polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After expressing his gratitude, Sheng Hong stood there with a slightly hunched back and his head lowered.

The official looked at Sheng Hong and saw that he was handsome and gentle, so he smiled and nodded. In ancient times, there were four important criteria for selecting officials: "body, speech, writing, and judgment."

The first "body" refers to body shape and appearance. Of course, a handsome face and a strong body are better. However, it does not mean to choose a handsome guy. The basic standard is that the facial features are regular. The person cannot have an ugly face that is unsightly.

The third place in the imperial examination may not be among the top three in literary talent, but he must be good-looking.

Sheng Hong's father was a top scholar in the imperial examination, so naturally Sheng Hong is good-looking.

Therefore, when the emperor met Sheng Hong, he had a very good first impression of him.

"I have read your resume. You have been diligent and responsible in your local duties over the years, bringing benefits to the people and are deeply loved by the local people." The official praised.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I should be loyal to you and receive your salary. This is what I should do," said Sheng Hong.

"Haha, it would be great if all officials in the world thought like you." The official sighed.

Sheng Hong couldn't respond to this, nor did he dare to respond.

"I have read the memorial submitted by the Ministry of Personnel on the promotion and transfer of officials, and you are among them. I will promote you to the position of Shangshu Tai. I originally wanted to promote you as an exception, but after thinking about it, I gave up this idea. Shangshu Tai is where all the ministers work. You can also learn more by working in Shangshu Tai." said the emperor.

When Sheng Changbai was summoned to Beijing to accompany him in studying, he learned that Zhao Xing had specifically instructed the eunuch who was going to Yangzhou to convey the imperial edict to help him do something.

Although the government did not ask about it, it did ask someone to conduct a brief investigation into Sheng Hong.

After this investigation, he discovered that Sheng Hong was a talented person. He had been serving in local positions over the years. Wherever he went, he managed the place in an orderly manner and had a good reputation as an official.

The most important thing is that Sheng Hong is not like many officials who like to form cliques, which is what the emperor appreciates most.

At that time, the government was planning to promote Sheng Hong, but later on, because there were too many things to do, it was forgotten.

He would indeed take a cursory look at the promotions and transfers of fifth- and sixth-rank officials reported by the Ministry of Personnel.

When I saw Sheng Hong’s name on the list, I remembered him.

However, after seeing the new appointment of Sheng Hong by the Ministry of Personnel, he thought about it and did not change it.

There are two places in the court that are the best for training people, one is the Hanlin Academy, and the other is the Shangshu Tai.

He felt that placing Sheng Hong in the Shangshutai to train him would make it easier for him to be reused in the future.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will study hard and serve the country." Sheng Hong said excitedly.

Although he was still promoted to the position of Shangshutai, he is now well-known in the emperor's eyes. As long as he doesn't make any mistakes, his future will naturally be good.

The emperor nodded slightly, encouraged him a few times, and said, "By the way, I heard that your legitimate second daughter is about the same age as the prince. You are an honest official, and your father-in-law is the late Grand Tutor Wang. Naturally, her upbringing will not be bad. I intend to let the prince take your legitimate second daughter as a concubine after she reaches the age of 15. I wonder if you are willing to do so?"

The Crown Prince's concubines, like the Emperor's concubines, all have ranks.

The Crown Prince's concubine is of the sixth rank, the legitimate daughter of the Sheng family, and the granddaughter of the late Grand Tutor Wang, so she is qualified.

The government did this, on the one hand, because Sheng Hong was talented and not a party member, and the government wanted to promote him and build a team for Zhao Xing.

Another reason is Sheng Changbai.

The emperor had always paid attention to Zhao Xing's study companions.

The teachers at Zishan Hall were all selected by the government. When they asked about Zhao Xing's academic performance, they would occasionally ask about his companions.

Among all the reading companions, Sheng Changbai received the highest evaluation.

Hai Wenyou was full of praise for Sheng Changbai, saying that he had the talent of a top scholar.

As a Hanlin scholar and the emperor's think tank, Hai Wenyou often recommended talents to the emperor.

And the talents he recommended were all very capable.

This shows how he judges people.

The fact that he praised Sheng Changbai so highly proves that Sheng Changbai is indeed an extraordinary person.

Letting Zhao Xing marry the daughter of the Sheng family as a concubine would also help win the hearts of the Sheng family.

"It is an honor for my daughter and the Sheng family to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I am naturally willing to do so!" Sheng Hong bowed.

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(End of this chapter)