"Oh? How so?" Zhang Chen couldn't help but wonder, "What does this have to do with Miss Zhen?"
Dong Zhao smiled and said, "Lord, do you know that Zhen Yi's second son, Zhen Yan, has now been appointed as a General's Clerk? Lord, you saved Miss Zhen and have shown great kindness to the Zhen. With this relationship, asking her brother to speak a few good words before the General, how difficult could it be to appoint a few county officials?"
Ju Shou also said, "Appointing officials is a small matter, but it's a good opportunity to win over the Zhen. The Zhen are a famous family in Ji Province. If we can gain their assistance, Lord's actions will surely be more convenient in the future. Moreover, Zhen Yi is an upright person, and his family is very strict. He is one of the families in Ji Province worth winning over."
After hearing this, Zhang Chen nodded and said, "I also have this intention, but I have no way to go about it. If I were to visit rashly, I fear it would be seen as using kindness for gain."
Dong Zhao, who was beside him, heard this, his eyes darted around, and he asked with a smile, "Lord, may I know the age of this Miss Zhen, her appearance, and whether she is married?"
"This..." Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen's face couldn't help but turn red and he said, "Miss Zhen is sixteen years old, her appearance... is naturally excellent, and she comes from a noble and famous family, is knowledgeable and well-mannered, and every move she makes shows the demeanor of a lady from a distinguished family. As for whether she is married, this... I do not know."
"If Miss Zhen is not married, may I know if Lord is interested?"
"This..." Zhang Chen was speechless and said with a slight embarrassment, "It would naturally be good to get such a beauty, but..."
"Hahaha." Dong Zhao saw Zhang Chen's appearance and already understood eight or nine parts of it, so he smiled and said, "Lord, I have some friendship with Lord Zhen, and I am willing to go to Zhongshan for Lord to propose this marriage. What does Lord think?"
"This..." Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen felt his face burning.
That day, when he saw Zhen Jiang, he felt that this woman was gentle, dignified, and virtuous. Although her appearance was not stunningly beautiful, she was clear and refined. Even as a time-traveler from the 21st century, Zhen Jiang hit all his aesthetic points.
With such a beauty, what more could a husband ask for?
Zhang Chen was very familiar with the history of the Three Kingdoms and knew several of the beautiful women within it quite well.
Although Diao Chan was stunningly beautiful, she was just a singing girl, of low status, and offered him no help at all. She could be a concubine, but not a proper wife.
Cai Yan's talent was renowned throughout the world, but after Cai Yong's death, the Cai family declined, and the help they could offer Zhang Chen in the future was probably not much.
Those with both talent and family background, besides the Zhen, were only the Two Qiaos of Eastern Wu.
However, Eastern Wu was thousands of miles away, and it was naturally impossible to go there for the time being.
From this perspective, marrying Zhen Jiang was indeed an excellent choice.
Moreover, Zhang Chen himself had a good impression of Zhen Jiang.
However, the Zhen were a noble and famous family, could he really marry into such a family?
Thinking this in his heart, Zhang Chen frowned slightly and said, "The Zhen are after all a noble and famous family, extremely distinguished, while I am of humble origin, I'm afraid..."
"Lord, do not underestimate yourself," Ju Shou said, "Lord is already not what he used to be. You have the title of Filial and Incorruptible added to your name, and you are the rightful Prefect of Wei Commandery. Moreover, Lord has pacified the bandits, destroyed Yu Du, rescued Yingtao County, and greatly defeated fifty thousand bandits. These deeds have already spread far and wide. Now, throughout Ji Province, who does not know Lord's prestige? Lord's marriage alliance with the Zhen is by no means marrying up; it is the Zhen who have gotten a great bargain!"
"Exactly, Gongyu is absolutely right, Lord, do not worry," Dong Zhao also said, "As long as Lord agrees, this matter is on me. I will definitely ensure Lord brings the beauty home."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was overjoyed and immediately said, "Haha, good! Since that's the case, Gongren, this matter is entrusted to you!"
"Lord, rest assured, I will depart for Zhongshan tomorrow. Lord just needs to wait for good news."
That night, Zhang Chen's thoughts were a jumble, and he tossed and turned.
That day, the way Zhen Jiang looked at him, with shy eyes and brows, clearly showed that she also liked him.
Zhang Chen's thoughts surged, and he couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
Outside the window, the moonlight was strong. Zhang Chen simply got up fully dressed and came to the desk.
He took out the jade pendant Zhen Jiang had given him and rubbed the texture on it. The scene of their parting that day seemed vivid in his mind.
It is impolite not to return a favor. Why don't I also give her something to express my feelings?
But what should I give? She is a noble lady from a prominent family; she naturally lacks nothing.
Zhang Chen thought for a moment, smiled slightly, then took out a letter paper, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write.
【In the second year of Zhongping, I moved to Ye County. Wandering in the market, I met a beautiful woman.】
【……】
【Fluttering like a startled swan, graceful like a swimming dragon...】
I'm sorry, Brother Zijian, I'm borrowing your timeless masterpiece for now. It's just that you were born a few years later, but I believe with your talent, you can definitely write an even greater masterpiece than this 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo'!
【Crimson lips bright without, pearly teeth fresh within. Clear eyes gazing well, dimples supporting the cheeks...】
【Stepping on the waves, silk socks raising dust... Words yet unspoken, breath like a fragrant orchid...】
【……】
【My heart rejoices in her virtuous beauty, yet it is agitated and uneasy.】
【The beautiful woman gives jade as a gift, wishing her sincere feelings to arrive first.】
【……】
【Thoughts are endless and longing increases, the night is sleepless and bright.】
【Entrusting a wise scholar to convey a message, hoping for the beautiful woman's true heart.】
...
As the last word fell, Zhang Chen looked at his masterpiece with satisfaction.
Cao Zijian's talent was immense. This ode of his was slightly modified from his timeless masterpiece, 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo'.
Sorry, Brother Zijian, if this marriage succeeds, I will remember your kindness!
The name of this ode, well, let's call it 'Ode to a Beautiful Woman'.
Writing this ode out of longing for a beautiful woman is also a good story.
After the ink dried, Zhang Chen folded the letter paper, sealed it in an envelope, and prepared to give it to Dong Zhao tomorrow, asking him to deliver it to Zhen Jiang.
Zhang Chen believed that once this ode was released, it would surely shock Zhen Jiang, and even the entire Zhen.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully creating a golden-level ode, automatically obtaining the trait 【Proficient in Poetry and Prose (Purple)】."
【Proficient in Poetry and Prose (Purple)】: You have a deep understanding of poetry and prose, and your literary talent is sufficient to rank among famous literary figures. (More likely to gain the favor of literary scholars, gentry, and great Confucians.)
!!!
I never expected that an ode I wrote casually would have such a miraculous effect!
This trait is not to be underestimated. Gaining the favor of literary scholars, gentry, and great Confucians, those people hold significant positions in the court and the countryside. Gaining their favor is tantamount to paving the way for one's official career.
The next day, Dong Zhao set off for Zhongshan. Zhang Chen gave him the letter and instructed him to personally hand it to Zhen Jiang.
This matter was temporarily concluded, and Zhang Chen also began to plan his next steps.
According to the strategy Ju Shou mentioned yesterday, Guangping County, Cheng'an, and Linzhang County must be firmly in hand.
The court has not yet dispatched officials, so these three counties are under his direct jurisdiction, and all political orders come from him. Why not take this opportunity to implement political orders? Even if new officials arrive in the future, they probably wouldn't dare to openly overturn the Prefect's political orders.
However, the three counties still need people in charge. Now that he holds a commandery, he cannot do everything himself.
He lacks people. Zhang Chen currently has a huge shortage of talent and urgently needs replenishment.
That's right! Didn't I write a list of talents in Ji Province before? I originally planned to send people to find them, but unfortunately, Han Xuan, that grandson, suddenly arrived and caused so many problems. Back and forth, this matter was delayed.
But it doesn't matter. It's not yet the time when heroes rise together, so I'm not afraid of them being poached.
Furthermore, anyone with some foresight can see who the hero and lord in Ji Province is now!
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen suddenly had an idea.
Many of the talents he listed, he actually didn't know where they lived. Instead of racking his brains to search like finding a needle in a haystack, why not post a notice to recruit talented people and let those with ability come to him?
Although he currently doesn't have the power to appoint or dismiss officials, he does have the power to recruit a few subordinate officials.
Subordinate officials, also known as clerks and assistants. Below the Prefect, there are the Military Affairs Clerk and the Cavalry and Infantry Clerk, responsible for military matters. There is the Bandit Clerk, responsible for apprehending bandits and maintaining public order. In addition, there are the Merit Clerk and the Five Bureaus Clerks, all of whom are subordinate officials to the Prefect.
He can recruit and appoint these people himself.
As for the vacant official positions, before the court appoints new officials, he can have his subordinate officials temporarily fill them.