The next day, Xie Wan visited Zhao Zhen at home.

  After discussing a few sentences of the Analects, she turned to talk with Zhao Zhen about his upcoming departure. She said: "Lord Zhao entered officialdom at the age of 21 and has been in office for 22 years, making contributions to the country and its people, but also suffering hardships. Especially during these three years in Qinghe County, he has been diligent and dedicated, loving the people like his own children. This time when he goes to the capital, he must be going to get a promotion."

  Zao Zhen had heard Mrs. Zhao say before that Xie Sangu Niang's thinking was very mature, so when she heard her say this, she wasn't particularly surprised.

  He looked at Xie Wan with a benevolent smile, as if looking at a younger generation: "I have been an official for decades and I don't care about what others say. What's important is my own conscience. Whether I get promoted or not is unimportant, what matters is whether I can do practical things for the people. Besides, in this dynasty, there are many talented people emerging one after another, and it will gradually become the world of young people like your uncle and brother."

  Xie Wan smiled: "The adults are too modest, Third Uncle didn't mention him, but my brother is still young and inexperienced." After a pause, she continued: "Although the next place can more directly face the people of Li Ming, however, if the power in hand is greater, the scope of governance is wider, with your broad-mindedness, can't you bring benefits to the people on a larger scale?"

  Zhao Zhen stroked his mustache and nodded thoughtfully.

  Xie Wan stood up and walked to his desk, picked up a pen and wrote the character "duān". Then he put down the pen and said:

  "I beg your pardon for my impertinence, sir. Your courtesy name is Duanfeng, and the character 'duan' not only reveals your noble character but also serves as a self-admonition. With your exceptional talent and compassionate heart that empathizes with the suffering of the common people, it would be a pity if you were to remain in a humble position forever. In my opinion, what you lack is not ability, but opportunity. If such an opportunity arises, I am sure the people below will receive even more protection from you."

  Zhao Zhen heard this and stood up, turning sideways to face the bookshelf, avoiding Xie Wan's gaze.

  He didn't know that what he lacked was opportunity. For more than 20 years, from the lowest ninth rank to his current seventh rank, he had been stuck in the same position for over 20 years. As long as someone would give him a chance to move up, even if it meant being sent out again, he would be grateful! But he didn't have any connections or relationships. The Ministry of Personnel was a place that only opened its back door for people with power and influence! What could he do about the injustice?

  This was the heart disease that had been knotting in his heart for many years, and no one had ever touched this wound before. Now, Xie Wan suddenly opened it up, and every word hit the point, making him also have a few difficulties to respond.

  "You should read more of 'Nu Jie' and those things, these official career and economy are what your brother and his friends need to concern themselves with."

  After a long time, he suppressed his surging emotions and bowed his head to say to Xie Wan.

  Xie Wan smiled and said: "The Zhao family is also a family of poetry and etiquette, how can you believe in the words of that small household 'women without talent are virtuous'? If so, why do those noble and aristocratic families in the capital spend a lot of money to hire female teachers? Even the princesses in the palace have the right to ask for tutors like the princes.

  "It is said that a woman without talent is virtuous, but this is only the view of people from small households with shallow vision who cannot afford to cultivate their daughters. They are afraid that if they educate their daughters, someone else will reap the benefits in the future. Truly enlightened families would not wish for their own daughters to be mere ornaments who only know how to embroider and bear children."

  What she said is straightforward. In our dynasty, there was no saying that a girl who doesn't read books is a good daughter and a good lady. It's just that the words left by our ancestors were misunderstood by people.

  Zhao Zhen heard the words but was not greatly surprised. A young girl who had not yet reached adulthood, how could she have such insight? Even if it were taught by an adult, in the current state of the Xie family, I'm afraid there isn't a single female member who is familiar with the internal affairs of the capital's aristocratic families. But what's more important is that when she spoke these words, her face was full of confidence and composure, not at all like someone who was just parroting what others had told her.

  He looked at her, took a deep breath and said: "How did you know that the Xun family spent a lot of money to invite a female teacher?"

  Xie Wan stood up straight, "Sir, have you forgotten that our family has a hidden collection of books? It's true that if I hadn't gone there, I wouldn't have known. But after going, I found out that it had everything: miscellaneous notes, unofficial histories, from previous dynasties to the current one. After reading many books, I naturally came to know about these things. Not only this, but I also knew about a severe drought that occurred in our local area ten years before my birth, which resulted in the death of hundreds of people."

  Zhao Zhen stared blankly at her for a long time before exhaling the breath he had been holding in his throat.

  So that's how it is!

  He nodded in approval. Anyway, reading more books and having a wider range of experiences makes one different, Mrs. You said that Xie Sanniang was exceptionally sensible and mature, probably because she likes to read books. He made such an inference.

  Unexpectedly, there was a studious second young master Xie Liang in the second house, and also a well-read third daughter Xie Wan.

  When he spoke again, his tone was much softer.

  "It's true what you say, but after all these things are not suitable for women to discuss. Even talking about music, chess, books and paintings is better than this."

  "It depends on who you're talking to." Xie Wan smiled and said, "If it's with a senior official like yourself, then naturally it can't be separated from your line of work."

  Zhao Zhen heard this and paused for a moment, but then seemed to take on a slightly more playful tone, saying: "Then what do you want to say to me?"

  Xie Wan picked up the character "duān" and blew off the ink marks on top, saying: "Of course it's about your Excellency's trip to the capital this time to report for duty."

  This time she didn't wait for him to speak and continued. "Sir, are you aware that I have a maternal uncle working in the Six Ministries?"

  Zhao Zhen's eyebrows moved slightly, and she blurted out: "But what about that Lord Jing Yong?"

  Xie Wan nodded: "That's right. Jing Shu was a supervising secretary in the Six Ministries, and his rank is equivalent to that of Official Zhao, both being seventh-grade officials. Although he doesn't manage any of the six ministries, he has the responsibility of overseeing them, so his power is considerable. If Official Zhao can get Jing Shu's recommendation, with your experience, staying in the capital or being sent out as a circuit intendant shouldn't be a problem."

  Zhao Zhen's expression was stiff, and it wasn't until half a day later that she finally showed some emotion.

  "The young lady is right. But I don't know Lord Jing at all, how can I ask to see him?" He said this and sighed, "At this time every year, the Ministry of Justice is always the busiest, with so many officials from all over the country coming to report for duty, who isn't trying to get in? I think even at Lord Jing's mansion, it's probably a never-ending stream of people."

  He has been in Qinghe for three years, and the local connections are not unknown. But it was Xie Wan who consciously brought it up at this moment, and he didn't think it would be of any use. The Six Departments were the imperial court's innermost secretariat, and if things were not handled properly in the Six Ministries, the officials in charge of the Six Departments could report directly to the emperor at any time. Even if the emperor issued an edict, they had the power to review it and return it unissued if they deemed it inappropriate.

  Jing Yong as an official of such a powerful department, who wouldn't want to follow in his footsteps?

  "An adult should not belittle others' ambitions. Don't you still have me?" Xie Wan smiled and said.

  "Who?" Zhao Zhen smiled and stroked his beard, saying: "What's this? Are you going to deliver a letter of recommendation on my behalf to your uncle?"

  Xie Wan didn't mind his teasing and only said, "Sir has always been a man of his word, I just ask you, if I let you into the prison, what would you do?"

  Zhao Zhen listened to her and also put on a few points of seriousness: "If I really have the opportunity to meet Lord Jing, no matter whether I am promoted or not, and no matter where I go, I will never forget Miss's kindness in recommending me. I will regard Miss as my lifelong friend!"

  Xie Wan smiled and said: "This is what you yourself have said, sir."

  "Of course it was me who said it!"

  Xie Wan then pulled out a letter from her sleeve, "I haven't written to my uncle and aunt for some time. Since you're going to the capital anyway, would you mind helping me deliver this? Just say it's on my behalf, and the people at my uncle's house will let you in."

  Zhao Zhenyuan had thought she was just joking, and they had been laughing together all along. But now that he saw her with a letter already written, with the two characters "Jing Yong" clearly written on it, and even the address was already on it, his smile suddenly froze on his face. He took the letter from her hands, held his breath for half a day before looking at Xie Zhu: "Miss, is this for real?"

  Xie Wan poured tea with a smile, "Does sir still think I'm joking?"

  Zhao Zhen held his breath for half a day, and when he looked down at the envelope in his hand again, the two lines of words were elegant and refined, with a hint of majesty, as if the owner of the words was about to reveal their presence, making people feel a sense of solemnity for no reason.

  At present, Xie Wan's intention to promote him with the help of Jing Yong is very clear and practical.

  No matter how old Xie Wan was, even if she was just a three-year-old doll, the emotional debt between the second house of the Xie family and the Jia family was something he had a good grasp of. As long as he had this letter, he would definitely be able to enter the Jia mansion.

  He didn't know whether Xie Wan's help was due to the half-kinship between their two families or because of his clean image established in Qinghe for three years. Anyway, he truly felt that he had a chance to compete with other officials. Even if he couldn't get Yu Yong's favor, he would have no regrets.

  "How can I repay Miss for treating me so kindly?" He spoke slowly, his tone completely devoid of its previous frivolity.

  She is not a girl who can be underestimated. She always manages to resolve people's worries at the right time. She deserves to be treated with respect.

  "Didn't you just say that we would be lifelong bosom friends?!" Xie Wan squeezed his eyes at him, seeing the awkward expression on his face, and then smiled as she stood up, "It's just a matter of asking you to deliver a letter for me, but you're making such a big deal out of it. If you really do get promoted in the future, wouldn't you have to thank me with drums and cymbals?"

  Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Whether or not I get promoted is secondary. With the favor you've shown me, Miss Mo, even if I end up being demoted and returning in defeat, that's just my fate. From now on, even if I spend the rest of my life stuck in a seventh-rank position, I won't complain about anything. But I will never dare forget the kindness you showed me today by recommending me."

  Xie Wan smiled and said: "Sir, there's no need to be humble. Then I'll wait for the good news of your promotion."

  Zhao Zhen just thought she was consoling her and didn't take it to heart.