Chapter 72

Yueyang never expected that a visit to the Prefectural Office would result in him being granted a Sixth Rank official position, which in other words made him a deputy department-level cadre now.

Xu Dingchen chatted with Yueyang for a while and encouraged him a few times before falling silent. Yueyang, understanding the situation, took his leave. Watching Yueyang's departing figure, Xu Dingchen took a sip of tea, held the teacup, and pondered for a moment before asking Zheng Fakui, "Shaoyu, although Yueyang is young, he is truly remarkable in both training troops and warfare. In the future, you must get along well with him. If the bandits invade again, the safety of Yingzhou Prefecture will depend on him!"

Zheng Fakui, however, asked hesitantly, "Sir, Yueyang is just a scholar, and you have directly recommended him to a Sixth Rank position as a military officer. Won't this cause controversy? Especially from the Grand Commander... I'm worried he might take advantage of this to make trouble!"

The Grand Commander Zheng Fakui referred to was the Grand Governor Zhang Zongheng, stationed in Datong Prefecture. In the recent bandit invasion of Shanxi, the General of Xuan and Da, Yang Guozhu, had gained considerable fame. As Yang Guozhu's direct superior, Zhang Zongheng had also enjoyed a period of glory. Xu Dingchen, who had long been dissatisfied with this, coldly snorted and said, "Trouble? If it weren't for Yueyang's defeat of Zhang Xianzhong's forces in Yingzhou last time, the prefecture might have already fallen, and Zhang Zongheng wouldn't have had his moment of glory. If we don't reward those who have made contributions, who will serve the court in the future? Even if this matter is brought before the Emperor, I dare to say the same thing!"

Originally, Zheng Fakui was quite worried about such a heavy reliance on and promotion of Yueyang, but seeing Xu Dingchen's firm attitude, he swallowed his words, though a look of skepticism still lingered on his face.

However, Mr. Tang, who understood his boss's thoughts, looked at Zheng Fakui and said, "Prefect Zheng, you don't need to worry about any problems arising from Xu Sir's promotion of Yueyang. I believe that even if Zhang Zongheng finds out, he won't say much. Last time, he deliberately downplayed Yueyang's contributions, which was not a glorious act. If this matter were to be publicized, it would not be good for him. Now, giving Yueyang a position as a military officer in Yingzhou is not excessive. He won't say anything, and don't you think it's a pity to let such a formidable force remain outside the court's control?"

"A pity?"

Zheng Fakui was initially taken aback, but then, seeing Mr. Tang stroke his beard and smile without speaking, he thought about it more carefully and finally understood, breaking into a smile. Indeed, Yueyang now commanded a force of five thousand well-equipped elite troops, but this force was a private army. If the court needed it, they could ignore the call, as they had never received a single coin from the court. However, if Yueyang officially took a court position, this force would belong to the court, at least nominally. In the event of war, it would be a force that Xu Dingchen could rely on. In exchange, Xu Dingchen only had to provide some grain and a Sixth Rank position, which seemed like a very good deal.

Realizing this, Zheng Fakui felt the depth of Xu Dingchen's strategy. By offering just a Sixth Rank position and some grain, he had brought five thousand elite troops under his control and made Yueyang grateful. This level of cunning was far beyond his own.

Thinking this, Zheng Fakui raised his head and said admiringly, "Sir, you are truly wise, and I am far inferior!"

Xu Dingchen smiled faintly, "Shaoyu, there's no need to flatter me. Although I have some personal interests, I have also recruited a formidable force for the court. If the bandits invade again, we won't be at a loss."

"That's true!" Zheng Shaoyu's lips also curled into a bitter smile. During the siege of Yingzhou City last time, the feeling of being helpless and almost driven to suicide was something he never wanted to experience again.

Yueyang was unaware of the discussions between Xu Dingchen and Zheng Shaoyu. Two hours later, he returned to Yue Family Village and gathered his family to share the good news. The old lady was overjoyed and said to Yueyang, "Grandson, although our Yue family has always been a farming and scholarly family, few have held official positions. Your great-grandfather was the only one to reach an Eighth Rank position as a clerk. I never expected that you would become a Sixth Rank military officer. This must be the blessing of our ancestors!"

Yueyang nodded, "Grandson didn't expect that Governor Xu would summon me and offer me an official position. Now, our Yue family has an official, and no one will dare to cause us trouble in the future."

"That's true," the old lady agreed, feeling deeply about this. Although Yue Family Village was one of the largest landowners in Yingzhou Prefecture, they were still just commoners in name. Anyone in the government could take advantage of them, and she had long suffered from this. Now, hearing that her grandson had become an official, and even a Sixth Rank military officer, how could she not be overjoyed?

However, the old lady, having lived for many years, quickly calmed down after her initial joy. She asked Yueyang, "Grandson, if you become a military officer, won't you have to stay in Yingzhou City?"

Yueyang nodded, "Yes, Grandma. Once the official appointment comes, I will have to take up my post in Yingzhou Prefecture. But I've already thought about it. In a few days, I'll ask someone to buy a house in the city, and we'll all move there. What do you think?"

"Move the whole family to the city?"

The old lady's smile faded, and she sighed, shaking her head. "Forget it, Grandson. You go by yourself. I'm old, and I've lived here for most of my life. I don't want to move. I won't go to the city."

"Don't say that, Grandma!" Yueyang was alarmed. Having lived in this time for half a year, he had long considered the old lady as family and would not leave her alone. He quickly signaled to the Ling sisters, who were hugging Yue Ying behind the old lady.

Yu Ling understood and quickly bent down, smiling at the old lady. "Grandma, that's not good. Think about it, if you don't go to the city, who will take care of the young master?"

"Who said that?" The old lady glared, pretending to be angry. "Ling'er, since Zhenghong has taken you and Long'er into his household, you are his women. If he goes to the city, won't you follow him to serve him? Are you going to stay with me, an old woman?"

"Grandma..." Yu Long also squatted down, gently holding the old lady's hand and pouting. "Look at what you're saying. As the saying goes, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. With you at home, the family has a backbone. If you're not there, how can the young master feel at ease in the city? Besides, even if we move to the city, we can still come back. When you miss this place, I and my sister can accompany you to stay here for a few days. Isn't that great?"

The old lady hesitated. Although she didn't want to live in the city, she knew that her grandson was going there for a serious matter. If she stayed here, it would make him worry, which wouldn't be good.

Seeing the old lady's hesitant expression, Yu Ling, who had served her for over ten years, knew that the matter was almost settled. She quickly pinched Yue Ying's little hand. Although Yue Ying was only thirteen or fourteen, she was a clever and quick-witted girl. She quickly jumped out of Yu Ling's arms and ran to the old lady, pouting. "Grandma, go live in the city with Brother. Then Ying'er can also live in the city. I heard it's very fun. Don't you want to see it?"

Hearing Yue Ying's innocent words, the old lady smiled. She gently pinched Yue Ying's little nose and laughed, "Alright, I'll listen to you, you little rascal. I'll move there."

"Great, we're all moving to the city!" Yue Ying jumped around the room in excitement.

Thus, the decision to move to the city was made. Yueyang sent Yue Laifu to find a house in the city, and he also had to make some arrangements. After all, Yue Family Village, including servants and maids, had hundreds of people. Although they were moving, someone had to stay behind to guard the village. He also needed to find a place in the city for the five thousand troops, build barracks, and find a training ground. It was a busy time indeed...

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