The palace attendant said "Understood," took the order, and in a short while, walked over holding a wooden tray.
The wooden tray was lined with a brocade handkerchief, and on it lay a pair of flawless white jade pendants.
Empress He said, "This pair of 'Dragon and Phoenix Sheep Fat Jade Pendants' was bestowed by His Majesty last year. I heard that Zhang Qing is about to marry the eldest Miss Zhen in a few days, so I will bestow these jade pendants upon you, wishing you and Miss Zhen a harmonious and long-lasting marriage."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was overjoyed, and looking at the pair of jade pendants again, he couldn't help but be even more startled.
【Dragon and Phoenix Sheep Fat Jade Pendants: Mutual Devotion (Gold), Imperial Gift (Gold)】
【Mutual Devotion (Gold)】: Dragon and phoenix harmonize, symbolizing loyal and unwavering love.
【Imperial Gift (Gold)】: An imperial gift; holder's reputation is greatly increased.
!!!
Truly a treasure!
Just as Zhang Chen was in a daze, He Jin smiled and said, "Why are you still standing there foolishly? Thank the Empress for her reward."
"Ah." Zhang Chen came back to his senses and quickly bowed, saying, "Your humble servant thanks the Empress for her generous reward!"
Saying this, Zhang Chen picked up the brocade handkerchief from the wooden tray, carefully wrapped the pair of jade pendants, and cautiously tucked them into his embrace.
He Jin and Empress He exchanged a few pleasantries, and when Empress He felt a little tired, she asked He Jin to withdraw.
The two took their leave as ordered and exited the Changqiu Palace. The carriage left the palace gate and returned to the General's Residence.
It was already nearing the hour of Shen (around 3-5 PM). Zhang Chen informed He Jin, returned to his room to pack a bag, and then went alone to Zhang Rang's outer residence in the western part of the city.
Following the directions He Jin had given, Zhang Chen inquired around and finally found the residence.
Although the residence was not as luxurious as the General's Residence, it was still a large compound with several courtyards. The location was also quite secluded, and a plaque hung on the gate with the two large characters "Zhang Residence" written on it.
Zhang Chen stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a short while, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties peered out from inside.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" The man glanced at Zhang Chen and said with considerable vigilance.
Zhang Chen respectfully said, "May I ask if this is the residence of Zhang Changshi?"
The man's expression changed, and he quickly said, "You've come to the wrong place."
Saying this, he was about to close the door. Zhang Chen quickly stopped him and smiled, "Sir, I have long admired the great name of Zhang Changshi. I heard that he has an outer residence here, so I have come specifically to visit. I hope Sir can do me a favor and inform him."
Zhang Chen smiled apologetically and took out two gold ingots from his sleeve, slipping them into the man's hand.
Seeing this, the man's eyes lit up, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.
The man looked around and whispered, "Wait here first, I will go and inform Lord."
"Thank you, Sir."
Zhang Chen said respectfully.
After a short while, the man opened the door and said to Zhang Chen, "Lord invites you in, please follow me."
Zhang Chen bowed again and followed the man through the courtyard gate.
The man led Zhang Chen into a study. Zhang Chen walked in and saw that there were two people inside.
The person in the main seat was in his forties or fifties, rather thin, with graying temples and no beard under his jaw. He was wearing a brocade robe and was seated upright beside a desk.
To the right, another person was seated. He was somewhat plump, with a pale face and no beard, and was holding a cup of tea and drinking.
Seeing Zhang Chen enter, the man put down his cup.
Zhang Chen quietly observed the two.
【Name: Zhang Rang】
【Possesses Attributes: Ten Attendants (Gold), Corrupting the Imperial Court (Gold)】
【Name: Zhao Zhong】
【Possesses Attributes: Ten Attendants (Gold), Corrupting the Imperial Court (Gold)】
【Ten Attendants (Gold)】: During Emperor Ling's reign, ten eunuchs led by Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong colluded with each other, known as the 'Ten Attendants'. The 'Ten Attendants' were notorious, and everyone in the court and the public held them in contempt. (Reputation greatly reduced)】
【Corrupting the Imperial Court (Gold)】: You control the government and corrupt the imperial court; you are a complete traitor. (Popular support for the affiliated faction is greatly reduced)】
Hmph! It's indeed these two eunuchs!
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of contempt in his heart.
At this moment, he saw Zhang Rang open his mouth, and in a hoarse voice like a drake, he slowly said, "You are the one who wants to see us? Who are you, and why have you come here?"
The genderless voice truly made Zhang Chen feel nauseous.
But the next moment, Zhang Chen bowed deeply to the two and said, "Your humble official, Prefect of Wei Commandery Zhang Chen, pays his respects to the two Lords."
"Zhang Chen!" As soon as these words were spoken, both were startled. Zhao Zhong even couldn't help but stand up, and with a graceful gesture, pointed at Zhang Chen and said, "You... you are Zhang Chen? The Zhang Chen, Zhang Zifan, who greatly defeated the one hundred thousand Yellow Turbans?"
He hadn't expected that fighting this battle with Guan Hai would make him famous, so much so that even the high and mighty "Ten Attendants" knew his name.
Zhang Chen smiled inwardly and immediately said loudly, "This humble official's victory is not due to my own merit, but to the protection of His Majesty's imperial might. The two Lords have worked diligently in the court, stabilizing the political situation, and the people of the world desire peace, hence this victory. This humble official would never dare to claim credit for the heavens!"
Upon hearing this, the two couldn't help but be slightly taken aback, but they were happy in their hearts, thinking that this young man was quite articulate.
Zhang Rang revealed a cunning smile and said, "You young man, you are quite articulate. What is your purpose in coming here today?"
Zhang Chen said, "His Majesty once said that Lord Zhang is like a father, and Lord Zhao is like a mother, which shows His Majesty's trust and reliance on the two Lords. This humble official has admired the two Lords for a long time, and having arrived in Luoyang this time, I must pay my respects no matter what."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, Zhao Zhong, who was standing beside him, frowned and said with a hint of suspicion, "You were able to find this place, so you must know that this is Zhang Changshi's outer residence, but how did you know our identities?"
This Zhao Zhong's mind was quite sharp. From the moment he entered until now, he hadn't revealed his identity, yet Zhang Chen had revealed that the two of them were Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong in one sentence. This indeed aroused suspicion.
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel a bit troubled; he couldn't possibly say that he saw it through the "Insight Eye."
However, Zhang Chen's mind also turned quickly, and he immediately had an idea.
"The two Lords may not know, but you two have been loyal and diligent in assisting the government, and your virtuous reputation has spread far and wide, making you extremely popular among the people. The portraits of the two Lords have already spread throughout the world for people to worship. In the main hall of this humble official's residence, the portraits of the two Lords are hung, and this humble official gazes upon them morning and night, only wishing to be as loyal and dedicated as the two Lords and become a famous minister of an era. The two Lords are the role models on this humble official's life path, and this humble official's admiration for the two Lords is like..."
"Hahahaha! Good! I didn't expect you young man to be so interesting, hahahaha!"
Zhang and Zhao were overjoyed by Zhang Chen's flattery, and before he could finish, they already felt as if they were floating in the clouds.
However, after a moment, Zhang Rang still asked, "I heard that you came to the capital this time at the summons of that He Jin, and you even stayed at the General's Residence yesterday?"
Zhang Chen knew that his whereabouts could not escape the other party's surveillance, so he did not conceal anything and frankly said, "What the two Lords said is correct. Because I had merit in defeating the rebels, the General sent someone to the commandery to summon me to the capital for a meeting."
"Oh? He asked you to stay at his residence upon your first meeting, so he must think highly of you?" Zhang Rang said, and his eyes seemed to have a few more cold glints.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen immediately knelt on the ground with a thud and cried, "Two Lords, save me!"
Seeing this, both were startled. Zhao Zhong asked, "Zhang Chen, what is the meaning of this? If you have something to say, get up and say it."
Zhang Chen said, "The two Lords may not know, but that He Jin summoned me here to recruit me into his residence. I originally had no intention of becoming an official in the capital, so I politely refused him, but unexpectedly, I was forcibly detained in his residence yesterday. Today, I pretended to comply and finally managed to escape, but if I stubbornly refuse, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave Luoyang City! I know that within Luoyang City, only the two Lords can contend with He Jin, so I have presumptuously come here to ask the two Lords to save me!"
After hearing this, the two exchanged glances, and Zhang Rang mused, "Well..."
"Lord, if you can help this humble official escape this difficulty, this humble official will definitely offer a generous gift in return!"
"Ji Province is a wealthy land. Although I currently only govern a single commandery, from now on, I will definitely not lack offerings for the Lord every year," Zhang Chen said. "In the future, if the Lord has any assignments, this humble official will definitely obey. Lord, think carefully, that He Jin is the General, holding military power. Once he makes trouble, how can the Lord not have troops to contend with him?"
As soon as Zhang Chen said this, the expressions of the two couldn't help but change slightly, and they exchanged glances, pondering in silence.
After a long while, Zhang Rang said, "Zhang Chen, you don't need to worry. Leave this matter to us. Today, His Majesty has issued an imperial decree to restore the provincial governor system. We feel that only young talents like Zhang Chen are capable of governing the area of Ji Province. What do you think, Zhang Chen?"
Zhang Chen was secretly delighted, thinking that these two eunuchs were indeed easy to deal with, and his efforts were not in vain.
So, Zhang Chen smiled slightly and said, "This humble official believes that Zhang's Ji Province is the Lord's Ji Province."
Hmph, I'll humor you first and make you happy. Once I'm firmly seated as the Governor of Ji Province, I don't care who you are!
Anyway, you won't be able to cause trouble for many more years!