Tang Chen: Starting from the Xuanwu Gate Incident

Chapter 36 I am the deputy head of the pacification mission?

Cheng Zhijie's residence was in Huaide Ward, which was only separated from Yanshou Ward, where Shen Ce lived, by the West Market.

In the past, when Shen Ce needed to see General Cheng, he would go to the government office. Since his own rank was not high enough, he might be looked down upon if he went to the mansion.

Upon arriving at the mansion gate, Shen Ce looked up at the imposing plaque of the Duke of Su's mansion and couldn't help but feel envious. The vermilion-lacquered nanmu gate in the center was more than ten times more expensive than his own black-lacquered gate. Eight guards stood on either side of the gate, holding swords and looking straight ahead, displaying the demeanor of a powerful family.

The imposing stone lions on both sides were far superior to his own two small dismounting blocks, making Shen Ce's mouth water.

Seeing Shen Ce's surprised expression, the steward felt a surge of pride and puffed out his chest. Only when Shen Ce started picking at the paint on the door did he hurriedly say, "Registrar Shen, the master is still waiting in the flower hall."

Upon hearing that Cheng Zhijie was waiting in the flower hall, Shen Ce immediately abandoned his joking thoughts.

He had originally thought that General Cheng would be in a side hall or garden, perhaps wanting to chat with him, but he was surprised to find him in the flower hall where he entertained distinguished guests. He quickly asked General Cheng to lead the way.

In the flower hall

Shen Ce formally bowed to Cheng Zhijie with his hands clasped and stood aside.

Cheng Zhijie casually waved his hand and pointed to the folding chair next to him, saying, "Sit down, there's no need to be so polite."

Shen Ce responded and leaned on one side of the chair.

"These days you're so obsessed with money that you won't even bother to visit my humble abode?" Cheng Zhijie snorted, displeased.

Shen Ce dared not address General Cheng as "subordinate," fearing that the enraged Cheng Zhijie would throw him out of the mansion. So, he awkwardly smiled and said, "In previous years, my family suffered from poverty for a long time. Now that I have been promoted by the General, I naturally want my family to have a better life."

When Cheng Zhijie saw his reply, a look of joy appeared on his face. This was a loyal and righteous act for the sake of his family's livelihood, and there was nothing wrong with it. If he were a heartless and ungrateful person, he would never have promoted him.

Then he nodded and said, "Never get obsessed with money; self-reliance is the only true principle. Otherwise, you'll just be doing the work for someone else."

Shen Ce was deeply moved when Cheng Zhijie spoke such heartfelt words to him. He immediately stood up and bowed deeply to him, saying, "I will remember this and will certainly not be obsessed with wealth."

Cheng Zhijie straightened his expression and then told Shen Ce about the contents of the small meeting after the morning court session.

"I am appointed as the deputy to the chief envoy in charge of pacifying Shandong?" Shen Ce suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment, which then turned into surprise.

He started as a ninth-rank military officer, but after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he rose to become an official in the Eastern Palace's Chamberlain's Office and was granted the rank of seventh-rank.

Although he was in the Eastern Palace and managed clerks and document handlers, this was still enough to reward his merits at Xuanwu Gate.

But the position of Deputy Pacification Commissioner is different. It means that his performance over the past month has been recognized by Li Er and the ministers, which is why he was entrusted with this important task. In particular, his loyalty shows that the old clothes he presented some time ago touched Li Er's heart.

As a former official of the Crown Prince, Wei Zheng, as the chief envoy, would be responsible for formulating strategies and handling important matters. Having risen through the ranks from the Crown Prince's residence, he would undoubtedly be granted the power of confidential reporting—a power not even held by officials below the fifth rank. If he could successfully complete this mission, he might very well become a nobleman in the future...

Thinking of this, Shen Ce grinned to one side.

"What are you dreaming about?" Cheng Zhijie raised his hand and slapped Shen Ce, who was overjoyed.

"I called you here not just to tell you this good news," Cheng Zhijie stood up and called out to the screen, "Chumo, come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a fifteen-year-old boy strode out from behind. Shen Ce looked at the newcomer and saw that he had completely inherited his father's good looks. His frame had already developed, with broad shoulders, a muscular waist, and a dark, shiny complexion. At first glance, he was clearly a scion of a military family who honed his skills day and night. Shen Ce immediately had a very good impression of the boy. Despite being a descendant of nobility, he clearly had no airs whatsoever.

Cheng Chumo stood in front of Shen Ce, puffed out his chest, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a deep voice, "Chumo greets Brother Shen."

Shen Ce returned the greeting with a cupped hand, then turned and hurriedly asked, "General Cheng, what is the meaning of this?"

"This is my eldest son, a sixth-rank official in Mengyin. He's always been a good-for-nothing at home. I'll put him in the troupe as a common soldier. Don't worry about his status. Beat him the same way I beat you." Cheng Zhijie said casually, then took out a wooden stick as thick as his forearm from his sleeve and grinned maliciously, "Use this to beat him."

Shen Ce paused for a moment, not considering the issue of fighting, but rather wondering if the choice of who would travel should be made by the chief envoy.

Cheng Zhijie guessed his doubts and said leisurely, "His colleagues in the court are still not at ease, so they have entrusted you with the power to select and appoint subordinate officials, leaving him only one position as a personal attendant. However, he will decide all the major matters along the way, and you will only be responsible for guarding and supervising him."

Shen Ce was not qualified to be seen off by Cheng Zhijie, so he took his leave. Only then did Madam Cheng emerge from behind the screen and anxiously ask, "This trip to Shandong is bound to be dangerous. Why did you send Chu Mo along?"

"My Cheng family has no cowards. Shen Ce surrendered to the Prince of Qin at the age of fifteen. How can my son sit comfortably in Chang'an and enjoy himself?" Cheng Zhijie flicked his sleeves, turned around and left the flower hall.

When Shen Ce left the Duke of Su's mansion, his mind was still buzzing. He had been dreaming of getting rich these past few days, but why was he punished with three months' salary for attending the last court session, and now he had to travel all the way to Shandong (Shandong does not refer to the present-day Shandong Province, but to the area east of the Xiaoshan Mountains, which is collectively called Shandong)?

Without airplanes or high-speed trains, Shen Ce roughly estimated in his mind that the furthest route would be from Chang'an, through Tongguan, to Luoyang, then north of Luoyang across the Yellow River... the furthest he could go was Yanzhou (Jining, Shandong).

It's been over two thousand li, hasn't it? As the second-in-command, I certainly don't qualify to ride in a carriage...

However, the ministers were still wary of Wei Zheng, but they entrusted him with the task of selecting subordinate officials, which was a great thing. However, he would have to put aside his dream of getting rich first.

Early the next morning

Shen Ce, who was serving at the Zhan Shi residence, indeed received the Crown Prince's order, and the person who came was none other than Guo Sheren from last time.

When acquaintances meet, their eyes are always glaring at each other. Unlike last time, this time Guo Sheren kept touching Shen Ce's hand, acting as if he were a future important minister of the court.

Shen Ce reluctantly accepted the offer, considering that the man held the Crown Prince's decree.

There's not much to say. His rank remains unchanged, but he's been given a temporary assignment. Anyone with eyes can see that this is preparation for promotion and important responsibilities. A twenty-one-year-old deputy governor has a bright future ahead of him.

The imperial court had its own regulations regarding the number of people accompanying the envoy.

Based on priorities, this mission to pacify Shandong should have a fixed number of 28 people.

Although the imperial decree stated that the attendants could be chosen by himself, and then reported to the Chan Shi Mansion for review by Yuwen Shiji.

However, out of courtesy, Shen Ce went to see Wei Zheng as soon as he received the order, perhaps because Wei Zheng had some other ideas.

"You don't need to beat around the bush. The Crown Prince has already shown me immense trust by appointing me as Junior Chamberlain and Pacification Envoy. It is perfectly reasonable and justified for the court officials to have differing opinions and to strip subordinates of their power of appointment and dismissal. If I were in his shoes, I would have done the same. You don't need to worry about this matter," Wei Zheng said to Shen Ce with a serious expression, putting down the memorial in his hand.

Seeing Wei Zheng's open-mindedness and magnanimity, Shen Ce immediately felt that he had been judging a gentleman by his own petty standards. After bowing respectfully, he went to find his target.