Fantasy: Starting out as a gigolo, born a Confucian sage

"Chu Pingshan?"

Gao Gan was stunned for a moment. Chu Pingshan's name sounded familiar, but he didn't know it clearly.

After all, a fourth-grade marquis with no real power is not worthy of the attention of a feudal official like him.

His eyes fell on the surrounding eunuchs. Chu Pingshan should be within their jurisdiction, right?

Taishou Ma's expression was slightly startled, and he stood up quickly and said, "I'm here. I wonder if Mr. Pei is..."

He was a little unsure about Pei Mao's intentions, but think about it, how could a second-grade official pay attention to a mere Hou Tinghou?

To say that the two sides have a relationship would be a bit of a stretch.

After all, there is a world of difference between the Shoutinghou Mansion and the Pei family in Zhongshan.

It's impossible to deal with them.

Could it be that Chu Pingshan offended the Zhongshan Pei family somewhere?

Thinking of this, Governor Ma couldn't help but look happy. Chu Pingshan had always been against him, and now this retribution had come.

After offending himself, the governor of Zhongshan, there is still a way to survive.

But if he collides with the Pei family in Zhongshan, he will be in big trouble, and he will definitely be unable to eat and walk around in circles.

Even winning the title is not impossible.

Taishou Ma thought of this and quickly added, "Did Chu Pingshan offend Mr. Pei somewhere?"

"He's right here. I'll ask someone to take him down right away..."

The others saw this scene in their eyes and couldn't help but shake their heads.

Chu Pingshan first offended Governor Ma, and now he violated the Pei family in Zhongshan. It was over.

Unexpectedly, the Shoutinghou Mansion, which is so big and is considered a local snake in Zhongshan County, would end up like this...

"What are you talking about?" Pei Mao frowned before he finished speaking, "Marquis Shouting is a good minister and hero of the country. He is gentle, knowledgeable, and noble."

"Back then, the rebellion in Huazhou required him to fight for several months before it was put down. His character and ability were well known to everyone in the court."

"How unbecoming of you to take him down without opening your mouth? Is this the way of being an official to convict someone before the matter is clear?"

Governor Ma was completely stunned. He just wanted to show his loyalty, but Pei Mao responded immediately.

He pursed his lips and quickly explained: "Being humble... that's not what being humble means..."

"That's not the best idea." Pei Mao emphasized, and then asked: "Where is Marquis Shouting now?"

"Alas..." Ma Taishou sighed secretly. He had been in the officialdom for a long time, so he naturally saw what Pei Mao meant.

As expected, his calculation just now was wrong.

This Lord Pei obviously favored Chu Pingshan. Although he didn't know the reason, he naturally did not dare to offend him at this time.

He quickly walked to Chu Pingshan who was standing aside, "Master Chu, Mr. Pei has summoned me."

Chu Pingshan stood up and was about to come over to pay his respects, but unexpectedly, Pei Mao followed Taishou Ma over.

"Is this the Marquis of Chu? I have long heard of his name in the court..."

Pei Mao sighed, "It's a pity that when I came to Beijing to serve as an official, the Marquis of Chu had already resigned and returned home..."

"I've met Mr. Pei, and Mr. Pei really upset me." Although Chu Pingshan didn't understand why Pei Mao was so enthusiastic, he still hurriedly returned the gift.

"No need to be so polite."

Pei Mao smiled and pulled Chu Pingshan back to the main table.

He is in the chief position, with the high-ranking governor of Dingzhou on his left, and the position of Governor Ma on his right.

"I met the Marquis of Chu very late. I would like to chat more. Could you please ask Governor Ma to change seats?"

Pei Mao looked at Ma Taishou politely. Ma Taishou's face was green and white, but he naturally did not dare to refuse at this time.

Everyone also vaguely understood.

Pei Mao saw the conflict between Governor Ma and Chu Pingshan, and he was openly siding with Chu Pingshan.

He was also beating Taishou Ma.

I'm behind Chu Pingshan, so don't cause trouble.

Everyone sat down again, and Chu Pingshan was already sitting in the third most distinguished position in the audience.

As for Ma Taishou's change of position, he could only sit in the corner of the main table, and a bench was added for him.

"I have long heard that the Marquis of Chu was brave and good at fighting when he was in the court, especially the Battle of Huazhou, which greatly enhanced the country's prestige."

"I am very interested. The princes need to talk to me carefully..."

The Battle of Huazhou is neither big nor small. It is a battle of twenty to thirty thousand people.

In today's era of wars everywhere, it is naturally nothing, but it is the battle that made Chu Pingshan famous.

Everyone was shocked. Pei Mao even knew this, and it seemed that he really had a good relationship with Chu Pingshan.

"Your Excellency, that's a compliment!" Chu Pingshan said with a humble attitude, but he still said...

Although the senior officials on the side didn't know why Pei Mao was so enthusiastic, they were still very considerate.

He also chatted with Chu Pingshan from time to time.

Seeing this, other officials also gathered together and spoke highly of Chu Pingshan.

These officials are all old foxes, they don't know hundreds of tricks, and they just follow the trend easily.

When Governor Ma suppressed Chu Pingshan, they naturally distanced themselves.

But Chu Pingshan got Pei Mao's attention, and now he got involved again, a typical wallflower.

Taishou Ma was the only one sitting in the corner, drinking wine.

"By the way, Chu Hou, I also heard about your resignation back then, but it has been so long."

"Most of those involved have left or retreated. Are you still willing to return to the court?"

Pei Mao suddenly asked.

Chu Pingshan was stunned for a moment. What happened to him back then has long since passed, and he has been planning to return to the court.

It's a pity that there is no suitable position.

With his status in the past and his current title, it is not difficult to seek a fourth or fifth grade official position.

But it is difficult to hold real power.

Especially without anyone to recommend, it is estimated that he will have to queue up in the Ministry of Personnel, and I don't know when he will wait.

Unexpectedly, Pei Mao took the initiative to mention this matter.

"This..." Chu Pingshan wanted to be humble, but thinking of the rare opportunity, he nodded.

"Pingshan has always wanted to serve the country, but unfortunately there is no suitable opportunity, so he can only study and practice martial arts at home."

"As long as the court needs it one day, Pingshan can also serve the court in the best condition."

When Ma Taishou heard this, his eyes twitched. No way, no way, this dog...

"That would be great." Pei Mao laughed.

"Because of the collapse of the Yongding River embankment, His Majesty ordered the establishment of a naval camp on the Yongding River, named Guangwu."

"First, to protect the river defense, and second, it is also needed in times of emergency!"

"It's a pity that there are frequent border wars and no suitable generals to train troops. Is the Duke of Chu willing to serve as the General of Guangwu?"

General Guangwu is a general of miscellaneous titles. According to the regulations of the Northern Han Dynasty, he is ranked fourth.

You should know that miscellaneous generals are not miscellaneous generals, but are different from important generals.

For example, the General of Zhendong and the General of Zuowei are called important generals, and they are ranked third.

Generally speaking, miscellaneous generals command a battalion and an army, while important generals are responsible for matters in the field.

At this banquet, everyone thought that Pei Mao wanted them to donate money and then prepare for the construction of the embankment.

As a result, from beginning to end, Pei Mao was circling around Chu Pingshan and promoted him to a fourth-rank general.

This is a rare opportunity.

If anyone else had said this, even if it was Dingzhou Governor Gao Gan, it might not have counted.

But Pei Mao was different.

Shangshu Zuocheng was a giant in the Shangshu Province, the right-hand man of the prime ministers, and participated in the highest-level decision-making.

Every word he said would become the policy of the court, so you can imagine.

After the banquet, Chu Pingshan sent Pei Mao and Gao Gan away, and when he turned around, he found a large group of officials following him.

"Congratulations to Lord Chu for returning to office. You will be appreciated by Lord Pei and will surely rise to prominence in the future."

"This is a small gift from this humble official, please accept it, Lord Chu."

"Does Lord Chu have any unmarried children? My little daughter..."

"Oh, you only have one daughter, right? Does Lord Chu want a concubine?"