Chapter 61: Hidden Truth, Transaction

After half a month and the unremitting efforts of tens of thousands of people, the road from Jinyun Mountain to Yao Village and then to Yongning County was finally opened.

Many poor old people lost their lives because of this.

Jinmao was heartbroken and could only see these people off for the last time.

The less people blame Jinmao, the more self-blame it feels, and the stronger its determination to become stronger becomes.

The army set out again, advancing both by land and sea.

Along the way, Jin Mao was like a sponge, absorbing every possible amount of Zhu Jun's experience in leading troops.

Zhu Jun was not shy about answering any questions Jin Mao asked, and he tried his best to answer them, caring about him more than his own son.

This made Jin Mao think: "Isn't that old ghost Zhu Jun really wanting to recruit me as his son-in-law?"

"Looking at Zhu Jun's appearance, his daughter is probably not as pretty as the little beauty."

"Anyway, there's no way I'll marry into your family!"

In this march, Jin Mao did not take the lead. It was probably because Zhu Jun asked him to return to the county early to raise food last time that he was able to take the lead.

A true pioneer not only needs to open up a path and explore, but also needs to select a good camping location for the rear troops and be able to protect themselves when encountering the enemy.

A powerful vanguard can even destroy the enemy vanguard and open up the situation.

In short, Jinmao is immature in all aspects and he will never be the vanguard officer.

This also indirectly shows that Zhu Jun did not trust him, but wanted to help him or recruit him as his son-in-law because of his fellow townsman's talent and food supplies.

No matter how you look at it, it is disadvantageous to Jinmao.

The first day of December.

The army set out to a place where they found an unknown tidal flat. According to the geomancy map, this place was only a day's journey away from Yongning County.

That night.

Jin Mao felt very surprised when he received Tang Mao's invitation. Although his direct superior was nominally Zhu Jun, once Zhu Jun left, he might be reinstated and be under the leadership of Tang Mao again.

Therefore, with the idea of ​​not offending anyone, Jinmao was invited.

Tang Mao hosted a simple dinner, and the two of them drank tea instead of wine and had a great conversation.

Finally, Jin Mao did not wait for Tang Mao to talk about the main business, and could not help asking: "The prefecture summoned me here, it must be something important, please tell me clearly."

Tang Mao suddenly felt relieved. He had wanted to talk about business for a long time, but this kid was not understanding and had no foresight at all. Did he, who was both a superior and an elder, have to speak first?
"It's not a big deal." Tang Mao asked, "Does Zhu Cheqi want to marry his daughter to you?"

So it was this matter. Jin Mao immediately put on a smile and said, "Father-in-law, it's too formal to say that. We are a family!"

"Hahaha!" Tang Mao was overjoyed. This time, he rarely refuted: "You said that!"

"In two years, when my little girl has her coming-of-age ceremony, you can get married. The five thousand shi of grain will be your dowry."

"Thank you..." Jin Mao suddenly reacted: "Ah?"

No, I didn’t want to get married so early.

"What?" Tang Mao narrowed his eyes, his expression dangerous: "Isn't it easy for you to call me that? What? Do you regret it now?"

"No, no, no!" Jin Mao called out awkwardly, "Father-in-law."

Tang Mao nodded in satisfaction and said, "With the war at hand, we can put off discussing trivial matters such as marriage for now."

The next moment, Tang Mao's expression became serious: "You know, your situation is very dangerous. If you are not careful, you will die on the spot!"

"Zhu Jun has always suspected that the person who annihilated the Southern Commander of Kuaiji was you!"

Jin Mao's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to be expressionless and said calmly, "My father-in-law is really good at joking."

"Do you think I'm exaggerating?" Tang Mao sighed, "If you hadn't become my son-in-law, would I have helped you like this?"

Jinmao felt that he had a say in this matter. It was obviously you who wanted to marry your daughter to me, so why did it become the other way around?

Tang Mao didn't give him a chance to speak, and told him many secret things.

"There is no trace of Shanyue along this road..."

"Zhu Jun has sent out no less than ten scouts, covering hundreds of miles, and you are the only one with the most Shanyue under your command..."

Finally, Tang Mao delivered the final blow: "You have so much food, do you think Zhu Jun would believe that you only have so few soldiers?"

“Even I don’t believe it!”

Great!
Jin Mao never expected that his seemingly flawless plan would be exposed in this place.

"No!" Jin Mao realized, "He might be lying to me." Jin Mao said with a sullen face, "Father-in-law, I don't understand what you are saying. Are you trying to say that I am rebelling?"

Tang Mao sighed deeply and pointed with his finger: "You, if I wanted to harm you, why would I waste my breath on this?"

Jin Mao didn't believe it: "If the general doubted me, he could have just killed me. Why would he waste his energy teaching me?"

Tang Mao smiled: "You are still too young. How could you kill the Sima of another department that you just promoted just because of suspicion of guilt?"

"Zhu Jun is just looking for an opportunity."

Although Jin Mao wanted to agree with Tang Mao, he knew that he could not trust anyone now.

"Why do you have to talk about irrelevant things?" Jin Mao stood up and said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Seeing that he couldn't intimidate Jin Mao, Tang Mao had no choice but to throw out his trump card: "You don't believe it, right?"

"I don't believe it either, but someone can prove it!"

Tang Mao clapped his hands, and a beardless man smelling of powder walked out from behind the screen.

The man first bowed to Tang Mao, then stood up and was very polite to Jin Mao, but spoke in a sissy voice: "Sima Jin, do you want to take the position of the Southern Commander of Kuaiji?"

It turns out he is a eunuch, but what he says is not sissy at all!
And aren’t the eunuchs who follow the army military supervisors?

Jin Mao didn't know what official position this person held, so he bowed and said, "Greetings, eunuch."

"Jinmao doesn't dare to hope for that."

The eunuch waved his hand and said, "Thanks to Grandpa Tang, I want to discuss serious matters with Sima Jin today."

"To be honest..."

The eunuchs eagerly told the Southern Commander about his lack of employment opportunities, his tribute to Zhang Gong, one of the Ten Eunuchs, and his hope that Jin Mao would succeed him as the Southern Commander.

Said everything again.

Jin Mao really wanted to cover his ears and pretend he didn’t hear anything. Please don’t let me know about such an important and confidential matter.
I’m afraid that if he refuses, he won’t see the sun rise the next day.

So, does Jinmao dare to refuse?

He doesn't dare!
"Father-in-law, you've caused me so much trouble." Jin Mao complained with a sad face: "Can't you just tell me this directly?"

"Hmph!" Tang Mao snorted angrily: "When there is something going on, you call me father-in-law, but when there is nothing going on, you always call me Jun Chao. You are really my good son-in-law!"

There's no other way. What else can I do but agree?
However, Jin Mao was worried and asked, "How can I take on such a big task when I am still young?"

Tang Mao said there was no need to worry, as the New Year was coming soon, and he would be able to recommend Jin Mao as a filial and incorrupt official next year. Now Jin Mao also had military merits, and when the time came, Zhu Jun would report his achievements to the emperor, and Zhang Gong, one of the Ten Attendants, would spend some money to make the arrangements.

The matter is settled.

Of course, the money must be paid by Jinmao.

Jin Mao was stunned.

And this kind of operation?

You have to know that in the Eastern Han Dynasty, one had to be over 40 years old to be eligible for selection as a filial and honest official, and he was only 17 after the Chinese New Year.

I can only say, you are worthy of being Emperor Ling of Han.

Everyone is happy.

Jin Mao also knew that the young eunuch was Zhang Gong's confidant, named Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie also made it clear: "After becoming the Southern Commander of Kuaiji, I have to give my share of the salary I have earned without doing anything to my father."

Jin Mao assured: "No problem! After this matter is over, we can pay tribute next year."

Zhang Tie was very satisfied. Ever since Jin Mao donated 20,000 shi of grain, he had set his sights on Jin Mao.

But for Jinmao, the position of Southern Commander of Kuaiji was much more attractive than paying tribute to the emperor.

This is an official position authorized by Emperor Ling of Han. No matter where he came from, he is still a high-ranking official with a rank of two thousand stones!
The scope of authority is much higher than that of a county magistrate or a Sima of another department.

Besides, my father-in-law is the county magistrate. Won’t he be the one who has the final say in the entire Kuaiji County in the future?

By then, he would be excited to think about how much land he would be in charge of and how much he would be able to produce in a year.

From this perspective, Tang Mao's vision is truly sharp.

Maybe Tang Mao already knew it.

(End of this chapter)