Chapter 103 Nanpi Zhang Family
Chapter 103 Nanpi Zhang Family
Shao Quanzhong did not read the intelligence without telling Lord Qiao. Now the two of them were in the same boat and were the most reliable allies with their interests linked together.
Qiao Songnian glanced at him and shook his head. "Li Jianfu calls himself 'a wandering scholar and drunkard', and is arrogant. Before joining Zeng Bohan, he organized his own militia in Anhui, and was promoted all the way to the title of provincial governor. It seems that our small temple is not big enough to accommodate such a great god as him."
Shao Quanzhong nodded, "Father is right, so I have always felt that time is running out, and I am willing to borrow money from foreigners to quickly promote the growth of the Huai Army. If they are willing to try, then they can try. If they fail, there is no loss, right?"
When Lord Qiao went to socialize with the welcoming prefect of Xuzhou, Zhang Siwen suddenly pulled Shao Quanzhong's sleeve.
"Second brother, I see that you are always very good at making decisions. Do we really need a military advisor?"
Shao Quanzhong habitually touched the back of his head and spoke from the bottom of his heart to his brothers.
"Of course I need it. I, your second brother, am very loyal to my friends and I am very capable of gathering them around me. My strategy is very average, and now I just rely on my cleverness and experience. As time goes by, experience becomes less and less valuable, so a chief of staff is a must."
Zhang Siwen suddenly looked hesitant, "I know a man who is smart enough to be your chief of staff. But he doesn't have the ability and fame of Li Hongzhang. He is just a juren now. I don't know if you think highly of him, second brother."
Shao Quanzhong looked Zhang Siwen up and down, "Wow? You've been begging with me since you were a teenager, and you actually know a juren? Among our group, Wu Ziyi, the most educated one, is only a gongsheng. I'd be so happy if a juren came."
Zhang Siwen hesitated, "I haven't seen him for many years, so I don't know the details. What if you find that he doesn't have the ability to be the chief of staff after your investigation?"
Shao Quanzhong patted Zhang Siwen on the shoulder and said, "The imperial examinations of our Qing Dynasty are not held in vain. There is no fool who can become a juren. If you can't be Zhuge Liang, you can be Xiao He. It mainly depends on one's character. As long as one has good character, there will always be a place where he can be used."
"There is definitely nothing wrong with his character. He and I had a very good relationship when we were young. Otherwise, ..."
Zhang Siwen fell into reminiscence and seemed to be turning into Zhang Ershazi.
"Why don't you help your brother invite the precious scholar over? Bring more money--"
"It's free. I'll go find him. He will definitely come, but I'm not sure if he can stay."
"Let's trick him first, and then I'll find a way to get him on board our pirate ship."
Shao Quanzhong was eager to recruit talented people, and immediately pushed Zhang Siwen's back, "Go quickly!"
"The person I'm looking for is in Zhili. Let's go hire a boat right away."
Zhang Siwen now enjoys the treatment of a commander-in-chief. He basically does not spend money on a daily basis. He has plenty of money, so he went to the dock to hire a sloop of war and headed north along the canal.
After the Yellow River took over the Huai River in the fifth year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign, the Grand Canal was cut off, and one might have to travel some land and change boats to get to Zhili.
Shao Quanzhong scratched his head. Zhang Siwen spoke with a southern Miao accent and always claimed to be the son of a poor Miao girl. How could an old childhood friend of his go to Zhili?
No matter where they are from, a scholar is valuable. The fact that he can be so close to Zhang Ershazi shows that he is a good person.
Even if he can't be the chief of staff, Wu Ziyi and Le Xiucai are both busy with multiple duties, so it would be good to share their pressure. The more talented scholars there are, the better.
…………
May 15, the eleventh year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign, Fu Yu Tang Pharmacy of the Wen family in Hailing.
Shao Quanzhong took off his hat and bowed deeply to the old gentleman sitting in the hall.
"The old gentleman is a great master of the time. He has saved countless lives and has even been an imperial physician. I am extremely grateful that he is willing to come to Fu Yu Tang to see patients."
The old gentleman was called Fei Boxiong. He had treated the Empress Dowager of Emperor Daoguang, Lin Zexu, and Zuo Zongtang, and was a famous doctor throughout the country.
Sixty-one is the best age for an old Chinese medicine doctor. He has both fame and experience. As a famous doctor, he is well maintained and his energy has not completely declined.
Mr. Fei stood up quickly and said, "Your Excellency the Governor is too polite. I dare not accept your gift. I came to Yangzhou Prefecture to avoid the rebellion of the Guangdong bandits and lived in Wuwei, Taixing. I am grateful for the protection of my hometown by the insurance team you established. I will do my best for the Governor." Shao Quanzhong came to inspect the newly built Wen family property. The Wen family's business is my family's, right? You are eating up the family and want to shave your head, but I am saving orphans and widows.
After exchanging a few polite words with the old gentleman, the guard came in and reported, "Master Commander, a relative of yours wants to see you?"
Relatives? There was only one family with the surname Shao in Lu Village. How the hell do I have any relatives?
A middle-aged man of medium build walked into the medicine shop in a proper manner. When he saw Shao Quanzhong, he knelt down and said, "Junior Shao Yuan, kowtow to your uncle."
"Get up."
Shao Quanzhong took a look. The guy who claimed to be his junior had a broad mouth, sword-like brows and deep eyes. He looked righteous, but his attitude was fawning, which seemed very discordant.
What do you mean by little uncle? You look like you are already over 30, how could I have a nephew as old as you?
After Shao Yuan kowtowed, he stood up quickly, bent down, took out a letter, and introduced himself in a familiar manner.
"I was born in Shaojiacun, Liuyang, Huguang. I am the nephew of my uncle Shao Hengzhong. I came to see you for a job this time and went to Tongzhou to find my uncle to recognize my relationship with me. The Shao family in Tongzhou moved out of Shaojiacun. We have the family tree, so it is correct. This is the letter from my uncle to you."
Damn, he's quite good at cheating. He's actually Shao Hengzhong's nephew. Shao Hengzhong and I are sworn brothers. According to the family tree, we can only be related to each other when we go back to the generation of King Wen of Zhou's son.
However, the way this nephew is trying to climb up the ladder is quite similar to me.
After reading the letter from Shao Hengzhong's father, Shao Quanzhong realized that this letter could not be forged. Shao Hengzhong himself was in the village, so a forgery would be exposed immediately.
If your relatives come to apply for a job and are not suitable, you can just shrug and chase them away, but you still have to take proper care of Hengzhong's relatives.
Shao Quanzhong said in a friendly tone, "What position do you want to apply for?"
"I passed the county and prefectural examinations and became a student, but I couldn't pass the imperial examination. Fortunately, I had some education, so I went out to look for a job and became the shopkeeper of Hu Xueyan's Hu Qingyu Tang Ningbo branch.
Ningbo was occupied by the Guangdong bandits, so I fled. Mr. Hu has no shortage of shopkeepers. I heard about your great victory in Zhenjiang and your great reputation, so I came to ask you for help, didn’t I? "
Shao Quanzhong scratched his head. "Hey, Shao—what's your name?"
"My nephew Shao Yuan, courtesy name Yi Gu."
"Igu, I'll write you a note. Take it to Wenfuji to find my wife and let her arrange it for you."
Shao Yuan took the note and left happily.
Shao Quanzhong shook his head. A rich man has distant relatives even if he lives in a remote mountain area. Wenxiu could probably arrange a position for him as the manager of a branch of Fu Yu Tang.
I hope this distant relative is not a corrupt person, otherwise it will be difficult for me to deal with Hengzhong’s relative.
Coming out of the pharmacy, I was going back to the village to continue the military training. As soon as I entered the headquarters, Zhang Siwen, who I hadn’t seen for more than a month, came over and said, “Second brother, I’m back. My brother who was a juren scholar has brought something to you.”
A scholar in his twenties came forward. He wore a black silk round hat with a red tassel on it. He was capable and had a sharp look. He bowed to Shao Quanzhong and said, "Nanpi Zhang Zhidong greets you, sir."
What? What's your name?!
(End of this chapter)