CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: PROMOTION (2)

From a young age, Chen Jinyu was intelligent and clever, certainly not in the least bit dull. When Chen Zhuo spoke up to this extent, how could she not understand?

She was just... too shocked, neither daring nor willing to think deeply about it.

Chen Zhuo looked deeply at Chen Jinyu and spoke even more directly: "I am the Chief Historian of the Prince Mansion; all personnel matters in the mansion are under my control. Your father is working as the Bowang County Magistrate, managing the iron and silver mines, it’s fair to say that both our father and son are key ministers of Nanyang."

"The Commandery Princess favors you, which is a grace to our Chen Family, but she also intends to use you to check our family."

"Just like today, when she favored Ma Sheren—is it really because Ma Yaosong is exceptionally talented? No, it’s because the Ma Family has entrenched in Bi Yang for twenty years, with deep roots and broad branches. The Commandery Princess wants to use Ma Yaosong to check the Ma Family and thus effectively control County Magistrate Ma, thereby controlling Biyang County."

"County Magistrate Ma’s greed is insatiable; previously, his desires were nothing more than hoping the Commandery Princess would allow descendants of the Ma Family to continue as county magistrates. Then the Ma Family could become the local tyrants of Biyang County. The Commandery Princess’ move precisely hit the Achilles’ heel of County Magistrate Ma."

"In fact, when the Commandery Princess emphasized at the banquet today the promise the Prince had made to County Magistrate Ma when he was alive, it was a warning and reminder. The Prince has already lavishly rewarded the Ma Family for their merits. The next county magistrate can no longer be from the Ma Family. Otherwise, whose county will Biyang be—the Commandery Princess’ or the Ma’s?"

"County Magistrate Ma knows he can’t resist and, with the Commandery Princess favoring Ma Yaosong’s future, he tacitly accepted this outcome. Otherwise, what awaits the Ma Family would be a bloodbath by the Personal Guard or Nanyang Army."

"Jinyu, this is the truth; this is the officialdom and politics."

"Are you sure you still want to be a Commandery Princess Attendant, to step into this mire?"

Chen Jinyu was completely at a loss for words.

The study was silent.

After a long time, Chen Jinyu’s eyes brimmed with mist as she spoke with trembling voice: "Grandfather, after just over a year of not seeing her, how did the Commandery Princess seem like a different person?"

Chen Zhuo sighed, but his eyes held a trace of relief: "Such a change is correct. She is not a maiden pampered in a boudoir, she is the heir raised and meticulously taught by the Prince himself. She ought to have such schemes and means."

"Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to hold the Nanyang Prince Mansion nor Nanyang County."

"Jinyu, tonight’s words, I will only say them once; after hearing them, just remember it in your heart."

"Don’t be overly fearful or doubtful. The Commandery Princess uses gentle and common methods, and her affection for you is genuine, not all scheming. You should also respond with a sincere heart towards her, revering and adoring her with the loyalty of a subject. In doing so, nothing will go wrong."

Chen Jinyu replied with red eyes, using the back of her hand to wipe her eyes: "I’ve remembered everything. I’m ignorant, causing Grandfather to worry."

Chen Zhuo smiled comfortably, reaching out to stroke his granddaughter’s hair: "One cannot remain young forever, my Jinyu, you should grow up."

...

The carriage drove into the back courtyard of the county government from the rear gate.

Ma Yaosong first got off the carriage, then carefully helped his drunken grandfather into the study to rest, taking off his shoes and socks and covering him with a quilt.

"Yaosong, sit down," County Magistrate Ma opened his murky old eyes and exhaled heavily with a strong scent of alcohol: "Have you understood what transpired tonight?"

Ma Yaosong answered in a low voice: "Grandson has understood some. The Commandery Princess does not wish for the Ma Family to produce another county magistrate, so she first favored me to become a housekeeper, thus silencing Grandfather."

County Magistrate Ma’s eyes flashed with relief: "It’s good that you can understand; it’s not in vain that I’ve taught you for so many years."

A trace of unwillingness flashed across Ma Yaosong’s handsome face: "Grandfather, although I understand, my heart is still filled with resentment. Back then, Grandfather led the uncles outside the border, and it took over a year on the road, with many dying, and our Ma Family’s assets scattered because of it. Only then did we bring back 300 fine horses, slowly building up what is now Da Liang’s largest and best horse ranch."

"What our Ma Family seeks is nothing but the position of county magistrate. Why won’t the Commandery Princess allow it?"

County Magistrate Ma furrowed his brows, struggled to sit up, and suddenly his eyes turned sharp: "Rubbish! Such thoughts are not allowed in the future!"

"You only speak of the Ma Family’s contributions; why don’t you mention how the Ma Family is now?"

"Back then, the Ma Family were merchants of Bi Yang, with assets totaling about 50,000 taels of silver. But over these twenty years, the Ma Family has possessed the horse ranch, and all the fine horses raised were indeed sent to the Prince Mansion and military camps. Privately operating brokerage, the family assets expanded tenfold, even twentyfold."

"Others might not know, but don’t you, the young master of the brokerage, know in your heart?"

Ma Yaosong was rendered speechless.

That’s right, among the four brokerages in Biyang County, each appears to have its owner, but in truth, they are all owned by the Ma Family. Every year they trade in people and horses from outside the border, bringing a constant stream of silver to the Ma Family.

The Ma Family appears low-key but is actually the richest in Nanyang County. Except for the Commandery Princess, the Ma Family is the wealthiest.

County Magistrate Ma became agitated, coughing several times, and finally spat out a thick phlegm, allowing him to breathe smoothly: "Even when the Prince was alive, do you think the things the Ma Family did secretly could be hidden from him?"

"It was merely that the Prince remembered the Ma Family’s merits, turning a blind eye and allowing the Ma Family to amass wealth."

"The Commandery Princess is unparalleled in talent, more cunning and formidable than the Prince. After touring the brokerage today, she has got the measure. At tonight’s welcoming banquet, she showed favor and authority."

"This is also a warning for the Ma Family to not reach out further. Otherwise, once the Commandery Princess gets angry, she will find an excuse to deal with the Ma Family. Those house servants secretly raised by the Ma Family, can they stop 2,000 Personal Guards or can they withstand 4,000 Nanyang Army?"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured down.

Completely extinguishing Ma Yaosong’s inner dissatisfaction.

The Ma Family’s rise over twenty years has indeed made them local tyrants of Biyang County, and they have one or two hundred useful house servants. However, that’s all. The Ma Family originally hails from merchants, with no kinship or support in the court. What qualifications or confidence do they have to confront the Commandery Princess?

"The Commandery Princess is willing to favor you as a housekeeper and allow me, an old man, to continue as county magistrate until the day I die and then replace me. This is already an extraordinary grace."

County Magistrate Ma coughed several more times, his old face flushed red, and after spitting out another phlegm, he finally exhaled deeply: "Serve attentively beside the Commandery Princess. Perhaps in the future, you can find a better future than staying in Biyang County."

Ma Yaosong nodded assent.

County Magistrate Ma thought for a moment and advised again: "Chen Sheren is the biological granddaughter of Chief Historian Chen, and her father is the county magistrate of Bowang County, overseeing iron and silver mines. In terms of status and kin, far superior to the Ma Family. In future service, you must respect Chen Sheren in all matters and never compete with her!"

Ma Yaosong’s mind flashed with Chen Sheren’s bright and straightforward smile, his face suddenly flushed red, and he softly agreed.