Yuan Wei had always been shrewd. Seeing He Jin personally bring him, how could he not understand? He immediately stroked his beard and smiled, "Hmm, very good, very good. My virtuous nephew is young and promising. Lord He, you've gained another talent!"
"Haha, Lord Yuan, you flatter me. Young people still need more experience," He Jin said with a smile. "Yesterday, I took him into the palace to see the Empress, and she was very satisfied with him. So, I thought of bringing him out to see the world. Naturally, the first person I thought of was Lord Yuan."
"Haha, this old man is already retired, now just a wealthy idler," Yuan Wei said, glancing at He Jin casually.
"Lord Yuan is too modest," Zhang Chen said. "Lord, you are a veteran of two dynasties, holding office for many years, dedicating your utmost loyalty and effort to the Great Han. All we officials look up to Lord as a role model, hoping to achieve even a fraction of what Lord has, to be remembered in history and praised by future generations."
Yuan Wei listened and smiled, "Haha, my virtuous nephew, you've said too much, too much."
"Ah, the Runan Yuan Clan, 'Four generations, three Excellencies,' have always been the backbone officials of our Great Han. Junior heard that Lord retired from office due to illness earlier this year, and my heart was filled with regret. But seeing Lord in good health today is truly a blessing for our Great Han," Zhang Chen said with a smile. "In Junior's humble opinion, Lord's career will not stop here; in the future, you will surely advance beyond the Three Excellencies!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Wei was immediately overjoyed. He Jin, on the side, was startled, thinking, advancing beyond the 'Three Excellencies,' wouldn't that make him the Grand Tutor, on equal footing with him?
This Zhang Chen, he really dares to speak. How could the position of Grand Tutor be easily promised?
However, looking at Yuan Wei's expression, it seemed Zhang Chen's words had truly struck a chord with him.
"Lord He, your nephew is not only brave and skilled in battle but also speaks in a way that is very likable!" Yuan Wei laughed. "Unlike my son and my other two nephews, who are still idlers, only knowing how to play. Fortunately, Ji is still ambitious, otherwise, my Yuan Family would truly have no successor!"
"Lord Yuan, what are you saying? Benchu and Gonglu are also talented; they will surely achieve great things in the future."
"Borrowing your auspicious words, if they could be half as capable as my virtuous nephew Zifan, this old man would die without regrets."
Yuan Wei finished speaking, looked at Zhang Chen, the smile on his face hard to conceal.
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded in Zhang Chen's ear.
"Ding! The host has gained the favor of Yuan Wei, the head of the Yuan Clan, automatically obtaining the entry 【Yuan Clan Disciple (Gold)】."
【Yuan Clan Disciple (Gold)】: The Runan Yuan Clan, four generations, three Excellencies, with disciples and former subordinates throughout the land. Yuan Clan disciples are sure to be recognized by the world, and talented individuals from all over will come to seek refuge. (Reputation greatly increased, favorability with Yuan Clan members increased)
Awesome! I didn't expect a few simple words to have such an effect.
Zhang Chen felt that this trip was truly not in vain.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, He Jin and Zhang Chen bid farewell and left. Yuan Wei was in a great mood, so he ordered Yuan Ji to escort the two.
After leaving the Yuan Residence and getting into the carriage, He Jin said to Zhang Chen, "Zifan, just now you said Yuan Wei's career would not stop here. Was that flattery, or did you truly mean it?"
Zhang Chen smiled, "To be honest, Uncle, this was not flattery, but a conclusion reached through my own speculation."
"Oh?" He Jin became interested and said, "Tell me in detail."
Zhang Chen said, "Uncle, the time for Lord Yuan's rise is not now, but after the new ruler succeeds to the throne."
"Don't speak nonsense!" He Jin's face suddenly changed slightly. He lifted the curtain of the carriage, looked around, and said, "How can you say such things carelessly? You must be more careful in the future, or you will surely bring about your own death!"
"Yes, Junior will remember that."
"There's no one here now, you can continue."
"Yes," Zhang Chen continued. "When the new ruler succeeds, the court will be unstable. To stabilize the court, it is necessary to promote trusted aides and important officials. Uncle is the maternal uncle of the eldest prince, naturally a trusted aide. But if only Uncle is used, the officials will surely feel that the maternal relatives are monopolizing power. Therefore, there must also be an official who can command the respect of the entire court. Looking across the court and the countryside, the only person like this is Yuan Wei."
"Good, good!" He Jin exclaimed. "Zifan, did you really think of all this yourself?"
"Junior's humble opinion, I have made Uncle laugh."
"Zifan, you are a rare talent," He Jin said happily. "When Bian succeeds to the throne in the future, this old man will surely recommend you for an important position, even the Three Excellencies or Nine Ministers are not out of the question."
Zhang Chen smiled slightly and said, "Junior thanks Uncle for his promotion in advance."
The two rode in the carriage, heading directly to the General's Residence. After a long while, He Jin said again, "Virtuous nephew, we have visited Yuan Wei today. Is there anyone else you wish to befriend? Feel free to tell me. In Luoyang City, no one dares to not give this old man face."
Zhang Chen pondered for a moment and asked He Jin, "Uncle, is there a person in the court named Wang Yun, whose courtesy name is Zi Shi?"
"Wang Yun?" He Jin's expression changed slightly. "How do you know this person?"
Zhang Chen knew that Wang Yun became the Minister of the Masses during Dong Zhuo's chaotic rule, but he truly didn't know what position he held now.
Seeing He Jin ask, Zhang Chen was momentarily speechless.
He couldn't possibly say he was asking about Wang Yun because of Diao Chan, could he?
"Uh, Junior has always heard that Lord Wang governs with fairness and is a model for all officials. Junior also longs to meet him. Therefore, I wanted to meet Lord Wang to listen to his teachings, and I believe I would benefit greatly."
"Hmm... Zi Shi is indeed as you say, but unfortunately, he is not in the capital right now."
"What? Lord Wang... is not in the capital?"
Wang Yun isn't here?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel a bit regretful. If this was the case, the clue about Diao Chan was broken.
He Jin sighed softly and said, "Zi Shi was originally the Prefect of Yu Province. Last year, when the Yellow Turban rebelled, he inadvertently obtained a letter exchanged between Zhang Rang and the Yellow Turban Army. When this matter reached the capital, His Majesty was furious, but Zhang Rang was after all a favored official. His Majesty merely reprimanded him a few times and that was it. As the saying goes, 'If you don't kill the snake, it will bite you back.' After this incident, Zhang Rang held a grudge and twice framed him and had him imprisoned. It was only through the joint guarantee of this old man, Lord Yuan, and Minister Yang that His Majesty pardoned him. But he was also dismissed from office and left, his whereabouts unknown."
So, Wang Yun actually had this experience. This was something he didn't know.
Zhang Chen pondered to himself.
Cai Yong was currently taking refuge in the Wu and Kuai regions, so he couldn't see Cai Yan for the time being. Wang Yun was dismissed and left the capital, so there was naturally no news of Diao Chan either.
He was actually this unlucky, missing out on two beautiful women!
Never mind, never mind. Since this is the case, there is nothing else in Luoyang City worth his attention.
Zhang Chen was momentarily depressed, but he couldn't show it, so he could only say regretfully, "In that case, that is truly too regrettable. Uncle, I can't think of anyone else I should befriend for now."
He Jin smiled, "Haha, it's fine, it's fine. You've befriended the Yuan Clan today, and you have this old man and the Empress supporting you. That's already enough; your future career will surely be bright. You can settle down and enjoy yourself in the capital for a few days. After some time, this old man will recommend you to His Majesty to serve as the Governor of Ji Province!"
"In that case, Junior thanks Uncle for his guidance and promotion. If Uncle ever needs anything in the future, Junior will certainly go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"Haha, we are family, no need for such formalities."
...
