All Hail Cousin Brother

Chapter 484: Credit

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The officials of the various prefectures admired Head General Yin even more. They had to report everything to him first and listen to his opinion before making a decision.

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The commoners respected him as if a god had descended into the world. Master Yin would go out a few times to check on the people, and the commoners of Shandong would even welcome him.

Chang Ningbo knew very well that only when Head General Yin was in charge of Shandong could he intimidate the clan and change Shandong.

Once Head General Yin left, the officials of the various prefectures probably wouldn’t be able to suppress the clans.

Yin Huaixi said, “Shandong has accumulated ills. It’s not something that can be resolved in a day. It won’t be a day or two to completely manage it. I’ve been ordered to calm the chaos, but it’s not good for me to stay in Shandong. That way, it’ll be a great rebellion.”

Chang Ningbo also knew this. He had originally wanted to go to the Imperial Court and report the situation in Mingshan East to the emperor to see if he could escort Li Qiguang and the clans back to the capital first.

Unexpectedly, Head General Yin had already sent a request to return to the capital.

Yin Huaixi could tell what Chang Ningbo was thinking, so he changed the topic. “Chang Ningbo’s worry is not unreasonable. Although the situation in Shandong has stabilized a little, the clan is still plagued with trouble, so we have to send an army to oversee it. We can let the King of Dongning temporarily help to manage the accumulated ills in Shandong.”

When Chang Ningbo heard this, he slapped his thigh hard. “That’s right. Why didn’t I think of this? His fief is in the southeast area, neighboring Shandong.

It’s more logical for him to help the officials of the various prefectures govern Shandong and resolve the ills in Shandong. When I return, I’ll report the situation in Shandong to the emperor.”

Zhou Linghuai’s lips curled up slightly, but he did not say anything else.

The next day, before the letter of appointment from the Imperial Court was issued, Yu Zongzheng arranged to meet the Marquis of Zhenguo, Song Xiuqi, early in the morning.

Song Xiuqi said righteously, “Lord Yu, you don’t have to worry. If Song Xiuwen’s crime is convicted, the Zhenguo Marquis Residence will definitely put righteousness before family and help Yu Zongzheng. We won’t let the emperor down.”

Now that the Zhenguo Marquis Residence had expressed their stance, Song Xiuwen’s case was much easier to handle.

Yu Zongzheng also returned the favor. “Mingzhao was famous for his talent in the Fall Quarter Examinations last year. He’s really talented. He’s already 16 this year, right?”

Although he wanted to praise Song Mingzhao, he couldn’t rush to give him benefits. He couldn’t forget his status, so he didn’t explicitly mention bringing Song Mingzhao south.

When the Marquis of Zhenguo heard this, he laughed. “Mingzhao turned 16 in

June. Although he has been studying at the Precious Peace Temple, he has been in charge of some trivial matters at home.”

In other words, Song Mingzhao had already begun to participate in many matters at home. He wasn’t just studying hard. Not only did he have potential, but he also had talent.

They were all involved in politics. Yu Zongzheng’s words were reasonable, so he followed suit and this matter was settled.

Yu Zongzheng went with the flow and said, “Sixteen years old isn’t young anymore. In two to three years, Mingzhao will be participating in the examination. As Mr. Xian Yun’ s disciple, with his talent, he will definitely have a place in the top three. Shouldn’t we let him go out and train? It’ll be beneficial to him in the future?’

Yao Yao had suggested that he bring Song Mingzhao along. He felt that it was a good idea and discussed it with his aides.

The aides agreed that bringing Song Mingzhao south would do more good than harm to Song Xiuwen’s case. The Song and Yu families were connected, so it was not impossible to bring Song Mingzhao along.

The Marquis of Zhenguo revealed an expression of agreement. “It’s better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books. Previously, Mingzhao originally wanted to take a walk in Youzhou, but he didn’t know that Youzhou was a troublesome place, so he didn’t go. After that, the situation in the royal court changed. The winds were endless, and the rain didn’t stop. This training was delayed. I’m also having a headache over this matter. Brother Yu, do you have a countermeasure?”

The emperor had personally appointed Yu Zongzheng to accompany the Minister of Personnel, who was also an imperial envoy, south to investigate Song Xiuwen’s case.

After careful discussion with the Old Madam and his aides, he came to a conclusion that the emperor wanted to nurture the Yu Clan and promote Yu Zongzheng.

Yu Zongzheng was afraid that he would take the opportunity to rise up and become an important official.

The Song and Yu families were long-time friends, so the Zhenguo Marquis Residence wouldn’t feel bad about this. If the Yu Residence could benefit, it wouldn’t do them any harm. They just felt a little upset.

After all, it was an indisputable fact that Yu Zongzheng had stepped on Song Xiuwen’s advancement. Of course, they also knew that Song Xiuwen had suffered a setback. In the end, it was because Song Xiuwen had touched the emperor’s interests that the Marquis of Ningyuan had the chance to divert the trouble.

Everything had little to do with Yu Zongzheng.

It was a good thing for the Zhenguo Marquis Residence that Yu Zongzheng could participate in this case. It was also not as bad as being implicated by Song Xiuwen.

This was a blessing in disguise.

At this point, there was no need to keep him in suspense. “If Brother Song can be at ease with me, why don’t you let Mingzhao accompany me south? The Jiangnan area is rich and important for the Imperial Court when it comes to taxes. I think it’ll be a rare experience for Mingzhao to go there.”

The Marquis of Zhenguo was overjoyed. “Brother Yu, you have the intention to praise Mingzhao. I can’t ask for more. Please take care of Mingzhao on this trip. I thank you.”

Although it was said to be an experience, it was actually to let Song Mingzhao participate in Song Xiuwen’ s case. In the future, when Mingzhao participated in the examination, this experience would also be recorded in his resume. It would play a vital role in his future.

Although losing Song Xiuwen was a huge blow to the Zhenguo Marquis

Residence, if they could take the opportunity to train Song Mingzhao, it would be a blessing in disguise.

However, Yu Zongzheng was a straightforward person. Although he was a little powerful in the officialdom, he was not an experienced person. This plan did not seem to be his own idea.

However, on second thought, ever since Yu Zongzheng’s first wife, Madam Yang, recuperated from her illness, Old Madam Yu and his eldest daughter seemed to have been in charge of the household.

It was also from that time onwards that Yu Zongzheng’s career in the government had become smooth sailing.

The case of King You had implicated so many people in the Imperial Court. Even his father-in-law, Yang Shiguang, had been exiled, but he was actually fine.

Later on, he even participated in the three divisions’ trial and received praise from the emperor.

And now…

He had also often heard his mother and wife mention that Yu Youyao was scheming at such a young age. She was also capable of showing filial piety to her elders and relatives.

Her family was well managed and she was a capable person.

Previously, Mingzhao had vomited blood and lost his life. It was also because of Eldest Miss Yu’s Musk Medicinal Fragrance Pill that he was saved.

Everyone said that when the family was harmonious, everything would prosper. Only when the family was stable could the men focus on the royal court and politics. It seemed that Yu Zongzheng’s daughter had contributed greatly to his future.

The two of them reached a consensus.

When he returned home, the Imperial Court’s appointment document was officially issued.

In the name of the Imperial Censor, Yu Zongzheng would follow the Minister of Personnel, who was also an imperial envoy, south to investigate Song Xiuqi’s case. He would set off three days later..