General Houfeng's words were like the cold wind of late autumn, revealing a coldness. He stared at Tai Hao closely, but the words in his mouth were like a drizzle, moisturizing things silently. He said: "Lord Taihao, your loyalty and perseverance have long been a good story in the imperial court. Your perseverance in Jiutu City is like a rock in the mountain, rain or shine. ”

His words paused, and his eyes flashed with a sly light, as if he was thinking. Then, he added: "However, the way of promotion in the court is not as pure and immaculate as a spring in the mountains. The twists and turns are like the undercurrents in the deep sea, which are difficult to guard. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, he sighed in his heart. He raised his head and looked out the window at the sky, where the clouds were floating leisurely, as if to tell him about his helplessness. He spoke: "Yuhong City Lord, General Houfeng, you are right. I am just a lieutenant general of Jiutu City, and my duty is to assist General Houfeng to guard Jiutu City and manage the army in the city. There was a sense of helplessness and resoluteness in his voice, as if to tell his determination.

The Yuhong City Lord looked at Tai Hao, and a trace of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said, "Lord Taihao, it is really commendable that you can have such an awareness. I believe that as long as you persevere, within two years, the day of your promotion will come. His voice was full of confidence and encouragement, as if he was painting a beautiful picture for Taihao's future.

Taihao didn't answer again, his heart was full of tiredness and helplessness for power, as bleak as yellow leaves in autumn. Yu Hong was as warm as a spring breeze, and he spoke again, his voice full of concern: "Lord Taihao, the renovation of the Deputy General's Mansion has begun, but before that, you still live in the Snow Lotus Residence. ”

Although Taihao was reluctant in his heart, he also understood the helplessness of reality, so he could only nod bitterly and said, "In this way, it will trouble the Yuhong City Lord, and please let the craftsmen speed up the repair." ”

Yu Hong smiled slightly, as if everything was under his control: "Lord Taihao, please rest assured, within seven days, I guarantee that you will be able to live in the brand-new Deputy General's Mansion." ”

So, Taihao said goodbye to Yuhong and Houfeng, turned around and walked towards the wing. He had a burden in his hand, but his heart felt like a stone had been crushed. Seeing this, Yu Hong immediately called a pawn and asked him to help Taihao. The pawn took the burden and respectfully followed behind Taihao.

On the way to the inn, Taihao looked at him, suddenly remembered something, and asked, "Little brother, what's your name?" ”

The pawn replied respectfully, "Master Hui Taihao, the little one's name is Jiang Bao." ”

"Jiang Bao?" Tai Hao repeated, and there was an appreciation in his voice, "Good name." Are you a native of Nine Earth City? ”

Jiang Bao nodded and replied, "The little ones are indeed local people. ”

Tai Hao continued to ask as he walked, "How many city lords have you seen here in Jiutu City?" ”

Jiang Bao thought for a moment and replied, "The current Yuhong City Lord has been in Jiutu City for three years. Some of the previous lords served for two years, some for five years, and one stayed for four years, and the shortest one only stayed for one year. For as long as I can remember, I've seen five city lords. ”

Tai Hao's response revealed a sense of surprise and curiosity, and he said slowly: "In just fifteen years, there have been five city lords, and all of them have been promoted. The promotion in this officialdom really makes this official feel incredible. ”

When Jiang Bao heard this, he couldn't help but smile proudly and said, "Lord Taihao, you don't know yet. As an official in this Jiutu City, as long as you understand some of the rules of officialdom, then promotion is just around the corner. ”

Tai Hao frowned slightly, and asked, "What do you mean by the rules of officialdom?" ”

Jiang Bao looked at Tai Hao, and a sly smile appeared on his face, as if to say, "This kind of thing, Lord Taihao, don't you know yet?" But he still patiently explained: "In fact, it is very simple, that is, during the New Year's holidays, give some gifts to the officials above to express their gratitude." In this way, the officials above will naturally favor you, and there will be more opportunities for promotion. ”

Taihao was shocked by Jiang Bao's bold remarks. His eyes widened and he looked at Jiang Bao, as if he was re-examining the young pawn. He said in a deep voice, "You mean to say that the officials of Jiutu City were promoted by bribing their superiors? His voice was full of majesty and questioning, as if he wanted to completely expose Jiang Bao's words.

The corners of Jiang Bao's mouth hooked up a sly smile, as if thoughtful, and then replied: "Lord Taihao, aren't these things you are asking about officialdom?" Our little soldier, although his status is humble, who doesn't know the twists and turns in the officialdom? ”

Tai Hao frowned slightly, looked at Jiang Bao, and said with a hint of inquiry in his tone: "Oh? Then you might as well talk in detail, what are the unspoken rules in this officialdom? ”

When Jiang Bao heard this, he immediately became interested, as if a senior storyteller began to tell the story: "In the officialdom of the Eastern Empire, we all know that the first thing is the dependence on power. Those adults did not rely on their own real talents to rise up, but found a big backer and climbed up with power. Back then, loyalty was much more important than competence. ”

Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, looked at Taihao's reaction, and then continued: "The next thing is to bribe the public bank. In officialdom, gift-giving is commonplace. The adults accepted the gifts, and when they had plenty of money, they naturally got things done. Therefore, if you want to be promoted and make a fortune, you must first learn to give gifts. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he didn't interrupt Jiang Bao. Seeing this, Jiang Bao continued: "Let's talk about nepotism. In officialdom, if you want to be an official, you don't just have to rely on your ability, you have to have a relationship. When those adults promote their talents, the first thing to look at is not your ability, but whether you are an official in your own camp. Therefore, if you want to be an official, you must first learn to find relationships. ”

"And then there's clinging to the powerful." The more Jiang Bao spoke, the more energetic he became, "In officialdom, if you want to get ahead, it's not enough to rely on relationships, you have to learn to curry favor with the powerful." Those adults can even do without their own conscience in order to curry favor with the powerful. Therefore, if you want to be promoted and make a fortune, you must first learn to curry favor with the powerful. ”

Finally, he lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "The last one is to form a party for personal gain." In officialdom, it is impossible to stand alone. Those adults will form cliques to the detriment of the country and the people for the benefit of small groups. So if you want to mix in officialdom, you have to learn to stand in line. ”

Tai Hao couldn't help but show a look of surprise when he heard Jiang Bao's answer, he took a deep breath, and then said slowly: "It's really unexpected that you are a little soldier who knows so much about things in the officialdom. Where did you come from this? ”

After Jiang Bao heard this, he smiled and said: "Although I have never been an official, I have been working in the Yamen of Jiutu City, and I have heard about it, so I naturally know something." Lord Taihao, this officialdom seems complicated, but in fact, it is just like that. ”

Tai Hao nodded slightly, as if thinking about something, and then asked, "Then do you know who the official above the previous Nine Earth City City Lord is?" ”

Jiang Bao shook his head and said, "I don't know about this." I heard that he was a senior official in the capital, but I don't know the specific name and position. After all, I'm just a small soldier, and I've never followed the escort, how can I know so much? ”

After hearing this, Taihao frowned, as if he was a little dissatisfied with this answer. He then asked, "What do you mean by mentioning 'escort'?" ”

Jiang Bao explained: "Lord Taihao, you just came to Jiutu City, and you may not know very well. Here, on festivals or important occasions, the lord of the city would send soldiers to the capital to give gifts to the officials above. This process is called 'escorting'. After those high-ranking officials received the gifts, they naturally took care of the officials who gave the gifts. This is also an unspoken rule in officialdom. ”

After hearing this, Taihao's brows furrowed even tighter. He took a deep breath before he said slowly, "I see. Things in this officialdom are really more complicated than I imagined. However, I believe that as long as I stick to my heart and not be moved by power, I will be able to make a difference here. His voice was full of firmness and determination, as if to show Jiang Bao his faith and determination.

After Jiang Bao heard this, he smiled and said, "Lord Taihao, you really have ideas. However, in this Nine Earth City, it is not so easy to make achievements. The successive city lords all wanted to govern this place well at first, but later found that Jiutu City was too difficult to govern, so they began to find a way to leave here as soon as possible. You, I guess you'll understand after a while. His voice was full of amusement and teasing, and he didn't seem to believe that Taihao could do anything here.

At this time, they had already walked to the door of the Snow Lotus Inn. The shopkeeper had sharp eyes, and saw Taihao coming from a distance, hurriedly greeted him, bowed deeply, and said enthusiastically: "Welcome to the shop!" The city lord has already arranged it for you, and the upper class rooms on the second floor have already been prepared, just waiting for the adults to move in. ”

Taihao smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "I'm tired." The official will stay here for seven days, and I wonder if there will be any thieves during this time. ”

When the shopkeeper heard this, he hurriedly waved his hand and swore an oath: "My lord, please rest assured, now there are six servants sent by the Yuhong City Lord to guard here, and even a fly can't fly in." Adults live here, and you are completely safe and secure. ”

After hearing this, Taihao nodded with satisfaction and said, "That's good." You can take us to the room first. ”

The shopkeeper replied respectfully: "Yes!" Then, he led the way in front and took Tai Hao and Jiang Bao to a spacious and bright guest room on the second floor.

Taihao took out a silver ingot from his baggage, handed it to the shopkeeper, and said, "You go and prepare some wine and food to send over." ”

The shopkeeper took the silver with both hands, but shook his head and refused: "My lord, you are too polite." The lord of Yuhong City has specially instructed that all your expenses will be borne by the government, and the small shop will not be able to accept your silver taels. ”

Tai Hao smiled slightly and said, "Take it, the excess will be your hard work." He said it lightly, as if it were just a trivial matter.

After hearing this, the shopkeeper immediately smiled and said gratefully: "Thank you, Lord Taihao!" The little ones will go and prepare the food and drinks for you! With that, he respectfully retreated.