Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Chapter 121 Reward

Wenhua Palace has become half of the officialdom.

Ever since Xu Yuan met Qi Chengen, she felt that Qi Chengen had been testing her.

This is true whether you are asking questions or playing chess.

However, she never thought that a person of such high position and power as Qi Chengen would decide to recommend her to Wenhua Palace within just half an hour.

Does Qi Chengen really want to be a mentor, or does he have other plans?

I don’t know if I want to make a wish.

In her previous life, she had never met Qi Chengen and didn't know Qi Chengen's personality.

All I know is that in the capital, it is said that Qi Chengen is a brilliant scholar and a good prime minister.

Especially in comparison with the Xu family, Qi Chengen became even more legendary.

In his previous life, Xu Yuan had never believed these words.

Because Qi Chengen was the prime minister, naturally everyone in the capital was praising him. Who would dare to openly accuse Qi Chengen of wrongdoing?

But based on their interactions today, Xu Yuan could tell that Qi Chengen was a man without airs and someone who could humble himself.

He would never call himself "old man" and rarely emphasized that he was the prime minister. The questions he asked were mostly about family matters.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan said, "Prime Minister, you are too kind. I saved Miss Qi yesterday just for the sake of convenience. If the Prime Minister takes this as a reward, it would seem that I have ulterior motives."

"Hahaha, you don't think that if I recommend you, you can directly enter Wenhua Palace, right? If so, I really won't do that. To enter Wenhua Palace, there is an exam. Only if you can pass the exam, you can be considered to have entered Wenhua Palace. If you don't have the ability, I can't do anything for you."

Qi Chengen looked at Xu Yuan with a gentler look in his eyes, "Young man, do you know why I want to recommend you to Wenhua Palace?"

Xuyuan shook his head.

"You are a smart person, and you are also kind. You should also know that there are countless people who want to use Zhu'er to get close to the Prime Minister's Mansion over the years, and you are the only exception. You do good things without asking for anything in return, which shows that you have a good character. But if I don't even repay this favor, who will dare to help me in the Prime Minister's Mansion in the future?"

Qi Chengen looked at Xu Yuan and spoke slowly: "You are young, but you should understand that being kind to others is being kind to yourself. I recommend you just to give you a chance. If you are really capable and become a pillar of Tianqi in the future, you will naturally remember my good deed today. If not, I have also repaid your kindness. Why not do it?"

Xu Yuan pursed her lips and said nothing.

Qi Shengzhu said, "Mr. Xu, you may not like what I am saying, but I still want to say that if you enter Wenhua Palace, you will not have to pay tuition fees, and you will also receive a monthly subsidy. If you choose to enter the academy, I am afraid you will not be able to afford the tuition fees."

After meeting Xu Yuan yesterday, Qi Shengzhu finally understood Xu Yuan's family.

People coming from remote small towns must not have much money on them.

So, this is the best way to repay a wish.

Just as Qi Chengen said, if you have the ability to make a wish, you can naturally get in. If you don’t, you can’t blame others.

However, Qi Shengzhu felt that Xu Yuan had that ability.

Because it was the first time she saw Shen Yichuan taking care of someone like this.

Even if her father didn't mention it today, Shen Yichuan would find ways to send Xu Yuan to Wenhua Palace.

Make a wish, and you may become the next proud child of destiny.

Therefore, the Qi family must get ahead of others and bring him under their command.

After hearing Qi Shengzhu's words, Xu Yuan fell silent.

Seeing this, Qi Chengen also said, "There's no rush for this matter. You can think about it slowly. There's still a lot of time."

Xu Yuan calmed down slightly and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Prime Minister."

"It's because I value talent, and I can't bear to see a gem like you covered in dust."

After Qi Chengen finished speaking, he asked again, "You said you have another brother who joined the army?"

Xu Yuan nodded and said, "Yes, I just joined the army and was caught in the war. I almost lost my life."

These things are not difficult to check as long as one wants to. Xu Yuan has no intention of hiding anything and tells the truth.

"It's the battle with Geshu this year, right?"

Make a wish and nod.

"I do remember that there was a young man in that military camp who was said to have saved General Xie. He was captured and taken to King Geshu's tent. Not only did he not die, he also brought people back. Now the emperor is discussing his reward."

After Qi Chengen finished speaking, he added: "It is true that heroes emerge from youth. We are all old now."

Qi Shengzhu heard this and said, "Dad, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Qi Chengen smiled and said nothing.

After hearing what Qi Chengen said, Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I wonder if the person the Prime Minister is talking about is called Zhang Yue?"

Hearing this, Qi Chengen asked, "Do you know him?"

"He is the elder brother of the younger generation."

"No wonder. It seems that your father must be a remarkable person who can raise such an outstanding child."

After Qi Chengen finished speaking, he paused and said, "Zhu'er, you go out first."

Hearing Qi Chengen's words, Qi Shengzhu stood up, didn't ask why, bowed, and went out directly, closing the door.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan asked, "Prime Minister, do you have anything to say?"

"I do have something to ask you. I've been holding this in my mind for a long time, and I can't find anyone to ask for advice. Perhaps you'd be a good candidate."

Qi Chengen looked at Xu Yuan, his eyes suddenly becoming distant, "Actually, I'm not sick. I announced to the public that I was recuperating at home just to avoid this matter."

Xu Yuan's heart froze, but he did not speak in a hurry. Instead, he listened quietly.

Qi Chengen said: "The battle in Sishui County caused a lot of uproar in the capital. After the battle, Xie Xiaocheng wrote a letter mentioning Zhang Yue, saying that he was brave and resourceful, and a rare military commander. The court praised Zhang Yue a lot."

Make a wish and clench your fist slightly.

Qi Chengen continued, "Two days ago, the Grand Tutor's Office wrote a letter saying that Zhang Yue was from Shuozhou and that he was only a deputy general, so the reward was not enough. They also mentioned vaguely that Xie Xiaocheng had been guarding the border for many years, and even if he had no merits, he had worked hard."

Qi Chengen paused after he finished speaking and asked Xu Yuan, "Do you understand?"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I understand. The Prime Minister is troubled as to whether he should transfer General Xie back to the capital, and whether Zhang Yue is young and can shoulder the responsibility of guarding the border."

After making the wish, he also stopped.

She naturally knew what Qi Chengen was troubled by. What she said was only part of it, and she couldn't say the other part.

In her opinion, it was not the Grand Tutor's idea to let Xie Xiaocheng return to the capital with his military achievements, but the Third Prince's idea.

Because Xie Xiaocheng will be the third prince's first weapon against the crown prince.

Xie Xiaocheng was able to leave the capital city thanks to the prince.

Now that Xie Xiaocheng has returned to Beijing, he naturally will not stand on the side of the prince.

Similarly, Xie Xiaocheng holds the military power of Tianqi. Although it is not as strong as that of the Taiwei Mansion, he also has real troops.

Under such circumstances, if the Third Prince married the daughter of the Song family, he would hold the military power of Tianqi, and the Crown Prince would naturally be unhappy.

The reason why Qi Chengen was in trouble was probably because of Qi Shengmei.

Summoning military generals back to the capital is no small matter and requires discussion by the three ministers. The prime minister nodded.

Xu Yuan guessed that Qi Chengen took leave now just to delay the matter. After all, his daughter was the Crown Princess.

Therefore, the prince should have used Qi Shengmei to hint to Qi Chengen many times to stop Xie Xiaocheng from returning to Beijing.

This is the fundamental reason why Qi Chengen is in trouble.

But she couldn't say these words.