Everyone exchanged toasts, feeling a bit drunk, when they heard Cao Cao say, "Brother Zifan, we have lived in the capital for a long time, and all we see is prosperity and Jinxiu, which blinds our eyes. Unlike you who have been in Wei Commandery for a long time, have you seen the suffering of the people? Could you tell us a little about it?"
Zhang Chen sighed softly and said, "To be honest with you two Brothers, Ji Province is poor and the source of the Yellow Turban rebellion, having suffered greatly from war. Everywhere you look, there are refugees and starving people, lonely and helpless. However, most of the county officials gained their positions by donating money and exploit the people to the extreme. Every time I see this, I grit my teeth! As a Prefect of a commandery, I feel the heavy burden on my shoulders and often sigh day and night, wishing only to set an example and save the people from their plight!"
"Brother Zifan is truly a worthy minister!" Yuan Shao praised, then said seriously, "But do you all know what is the source of the chaos in the world today?"
Upon hearing this, everyone shook their heads.
Yuan Shao continued, "Only two words - eunuchs! Eunuchs are treacherous and wicked, forming factions for personal gain, deceiving the emperor, and disrupting the court. This is the source of the chaos. Among the eunuchs, the 'Ten Attendants' are the worst. They bewitch the emperor's heart and opened the path to selling official positions and titles. If not for this, how could chaos arise in the world? If the eunuchs are not removed, there will be no peace for the country!"
As Yuan Shao spoke, he couldn't help but slap the table, his face full of anger.
"Brother Benchu, you should be careful with your words!" Zhen Yan said, "Beware of ears behind the walls..."
Yuan Shao snorted coldly, "Hmph! These words came from my Yuan Benchu's mouth. I'd like to see what those treacherous eunuchs can do to me? How dare they do anything to me?"
Zhang Chen couldn't help but think to himself, at this time, Yuan Shao was still a righteous and indignant young man, but the fact that he dared to say these words showed his spirit.
Immediately, Zhang Chen praised, "Good! Brother Benchu is a true hero! That's right, the eunuchs causing chaos in the government is the source of the trouble, but the eunuchs are powerful and difficult to deal with for a while, which makes the people of the world suffer..."
After hearing this, Yuan Shao couldn't help but look at Zhang Chen, with a hint of approval in his eyes.
This Zhang Chen, at such a young age, has such insight, he is truly my kindred spirit.
As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Cao immediately said angrily, "Hmph, what's so difficult to deal with? A mere eunuch, just need a minor official, raise a three-foot sword, and cut him down!"
"Mengde, you are drunk, don't talk nonsense!" Zhen Yan was startled and quickly stopped him.
"I'm not drunk, who says I'm drunk? If that day really comes, I, Cao Mengde, will definitely be the first to rush into the palace!"
"Mengde!" Zhen Yan said urgently, "Stop talking!"
If he continued speaking, it would be hard to say whether their heads could be kept!
Just at this moment, a voice sounded from outside the door.
"Gongzi! Gongzi!"
"Hmm? It's Cao An." Cao Cao was surprised and quickly said, "Come in!"
From outside the door, a person who looked like a young servant walked in, seemingly a subordinate from Cao Cao's residence.
The young servant came closer and said, "Gongzi, why are you still here? Hurry back, it's not good!"
When Cao Cao heard this, he immediately became displeased, "What's not good? You wretch, you're ruining my mood!"
"Oh no, Gongzi, the second master has gone to complain to the master again, saying that you went... to the pleasure district last night. The master is currently throwing a tantrum!"
"What!" When Cao Cao heard this, he immediately sobered up and cursed inwardly, "This old man, all he knows is stirring up trouble all day, as if he fears the world won't be in chaos! How annoying! Forget it, everyone, I still have some trivial matters at home to attend to, I'll go back first. Let's gather again another day, let's gather again another day!"
Saying this, Cao Cao stood up and was about to leave with the young servant.
"Brother Mengde, wait a moment." Zhang Chen stopped him and smiled, "Brother Mengde, since the matter has already happened, if you go back now, you will probably not avoid a scolding. How do you plan to deal with it?"
Cao Cao said, "Since my father scolds me, I can only accept it. Otherwise, wouldn't I be unfilial?"
"Then what about in the future?"
"As for the future..." Cao Cao thought for a moment, "Naturally, it's best to be careful and just not let my second uncle find out again!"
As soon as these words came out, the few people burst into laughter.
Zhang Chen then said, "Brother Mengde, don't worry, I have a plan that can save you from future reprimands."
"Oh? Is that true?" When Cao Cao heard this, he immediately became energetic and said, "Brother Zifan, what brilliant plan do you have? Tell me quickly."
Zhang Chen smiled slightly, "Brother Mengde, you don't need to rush back to the residence. You can go see your second uncle first."
"Why should I see him?"
Zhang Chen continued, "After you see him, pretend to have saliva flowing from your mouth, acting as if you've had a stroke. When your second uncle sees this, he will surely inform your father, and then you can return to the residence. When your father sees that you are fine, he will definitely ask for the reason. You can then say that nothing of the sort happened, and that your second uncle fabricated it and spread a false rumor. After this incident, whenever your second uncle mentions your affairs again, your father will no longer believe him."
"Wonderful! Truly wonderful!" When Cao Cao heard this, he was overjoyed and said, "Brother Zifan is truly my savior! If this succeeds, I will definitely thank you with a generous gift!"
Saying this, Cao Cao left with a joyful heart, and the three of them burst into laughter again.
...
Zhang Chen lingered in the General's Residence for several more days. Seeing that the end of the year was approaching, there was still no news about the matter of the Governor of Ji Province.
On this day, Zhang Chen made up his mind that whether the matter of the Governor of Ji Province was settled or not, he would not wait any longer and must return to Ye City as soon as possible.
Zhang Chen told Diao Chan to pack her bags. When He Jin returned from court later, he would go to bid farewell.
Before long, He Jin returned to his residence after the court session. Before Zhang Chen could go to pay his respects, He Jin sent someone to summon him to the study.
Zhang Chen came to the study, bowed and said, "Uncle."
"Zifan, you came just in time, sit down." He Jin said with a beaming smile, "Great news, great news!"
"Uncle is so happy, what good news is there?"
"The matter of the Governor of Ji Province is settled!" He Jin said, "Today, I and Yuan Ji jointly submitted a memorial, recommending you as the Governor of Ji Province, and His Majesty has agreed. However, a Prefect is after all a high official in charge of a region, so it cannot be taken lightly. His Majesty has issued an edict, summoning you for an audience at the court session tomorrow."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty wants to see me?"
Zhang Chen was startled. This was an audience with the Emperor! The person standing at the pinnacle of power in the vast Great Han actually wanted to see him!
Zhang Chen's heart was still inevitably anxious.
Seeing him quite nervous, He Jin comforted him, "You don't need to be nervous. Later, I will tell you the etiquette for entering the court and facing the emperor. You must remember it well and absolutely not lose your composure before the court. Come to the morning court with me tomorrow, don't worry, His Majesty just wants to meet you and won't make things difficult."
"In that case, I trouble Uncle to give me more guidance."
The entire day, Zhang Chen was in the study learning court etiquette with He Jin, such as removing swords and shoes, entering the court with a hurried pace, and so on.
Just the action of "hurrying" (bending over and jogging with small steps) was very particular. Running too fast wouldn't work, nor would running too slow. Zhang Chen practiced for a long time one afternoon.
Now, Zhang Chen finally understood what a great honor it was for people like Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao to be granted the privilege of "entering the court with swords and shoes" and "entering the court without hurrying"!
