Chapter 175: Recommending Zhou Da, the two heroes of Shuntian Prefecture compete for the top spot
After returning from Zijin Temple, the next day it was Sun Shaozong's day on duty again.
That morning, he briefly dealt with the accumulated official documents, and seeing that there was nothing else to do, he took a letter of recommendation that he had already written and leisurely went to Jia Yucun.
In the past, Sun Shaozong also often came to Jia Yucun's courtyard, but later their relationship gradually cooled, and he seldom set foot there except for necessary official business.
The original treatment that did not require reporting had naturally been cancelled long ago.
This time he even waited outside the door for nearly half a quarter of an hour before being invited in by the clerk.
After entering the door, Jia Yucun was still smiling. Without waiting for Sun Shaozong to speak, he rushed to apologize, saying, "I am really guilty of neglecting you, my brother! But I have my own reasons, so please don't be offended."
Compared to Han Anbang's ever-changing expression, Jia Yucun was undoubtedly much smarter - no matter whether he had just been tripped up or not, it would be difficult to vent his anger when he saw his humble smile.
Fortunately, Sun Shaozong had no intention of arguing with him, so he smiled and said, "The Prime Minister is busy with his official duties. I am sorry for disturbing you. I should ask you not to be offended. "
"Brother, isn't this embarrassing for me?"
Jia Yucun tilted his face and said in a feigned anger, "You and I have always been brothers. What's the point of talking about humble positions? Come on, come on, sit down and taste the good tea I just bought!"
After the two of them sat down as host and guest, Sun Shaozong picked up the teacup, sniffed it pretentiously, and then put it back on the table.
Then he took out the letter of recommendation from his sleeve and said solemnly, "I heard the other day that the warden of our mansion was dismissed for extorting money, but how can this important prison be left without an owner? So I specially come to recommend Zhou Da, the inspector of the Criminal Law Department, to be promoted to the position of warden!"
"Although Zhou Da is only a scholar, he has been diligent since I took office. When I was inspecting the Imperial Examination Hall, I almost lost my life for official duties. Therefore, I think Zhou Da is qualified for the position of prison warden."
The prison warden of Shuntian Prefecture was a ninth-rank official position, which was a top-notch lucrative position compared to the low-ranking inspectors.
In addition, criminal justice and prison have been one and the same since ancient times. Zhou Da's promotion from the Inspector of the Criminal Law Department to the Chief of Prisons can barely be considered a professional match.
Therefore, when he learned that Sun Shaozong was going to recommend him for promotion to the position of prison warden, he was so happy that he almost burst into tears. But later he became worried and fearful that this lucrative position would be snatched away by someone else.
But Jia Yucun listened to Sun Shaozong's recommendation, looked down at the letter of recommendation, and suddenly sighed, saying helplessly: "Recently I have been distant from you in front of others. Do you know why?"
for what?
Naturally, it was because Sun Shaozong refused to listen to him. After several attempts, they decided that they could no longer work together!
But since Jia Yucun asked this question seriously, this is not the reason he wanted to talk about.
As for other factors...
Sun Shaozong smiled slightly and said, "I think you are deliberately trying to avoid suspicion, so as not to let people think that Shuntian Prefecture is ruled by your Jia Fucheng alone."
"Brother, your discerning eye is as sharp as a torch!"
Jia Yucun slapped the coffee table and said angrily: "Although I am dedicated to the public, there are always villains in the court who are suspicious and have hidden evil intentions. Last time, Han Fuyin made a big mistake, but the court did not punish him severely. I am afraid this is the reason!"
As he spoke, he looked at Sun Shaozong with full apology and said, "That is why, although I support you in my heart, I have to pretend to be distant from you on the surface."
What a pretend distance!
This old fox really has great acting skills!
Although he had some grudges in his heart, he acted as if everything was forced, even as if he was doing it for Sun Shaozong's own good.
Fortunately, Sun Shaozong was not a fool. After hearing this, his smile turned cold and he asked sarcastically, "So if I recommend Zhou Da, Your Excellency will definitely not agree to it right now, right?"
"Alas~"
Jia Yucun had a look of "my heart is restless, and it is clear to the sun and the moon". He sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want to do it, but I just can't do it! I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts and not ruin this good situation for the trivial matters of a small official."
What a great Prime Minister Jia is, who considers the overall situation, and what high-sounding words he speaks!
If it were someone else at this moment, he would probably have no choice but to return home in frustration and curse the old fox a thousand times in his heart.
But since Sun Shaozong had already suffered at the hands of this guy, why didn't he make some preparations in advance?
He pushed the recommendation letter in front of Jia Yucun with his smile on his face. He said, "I understand the good intentions of the Prime Minister. So this recommendation letter was actually written by Liu Zhizhong and has nothing to do with me!"
"Since it has nothing to do with me, sir... no, my brother should have nothing to worry about, right?"
Jia Yucun finally couldn't help but change color slightly, frowning and asking: "Why did Liu Zhizhong get involved in this?"
"Haha, brother, that's a weird question ."
Sun Shaozong laughed, tapped on the recommendation letter, and said, "Liu Zhizhong is about to be transferred. Before he leaves, he would like to recommend a few of his old subordinates out of consideration for their friendship. Isn't that human nature?"
"Haha, that's a normal human nature!"
Jia Yucun also laughed, but it was a typical fake smile. He stared at the recommendation book for a few seconds and murmured, "It seems that Lord Liu still owes a lot of old favors. "
He emphasized the word "old feelings", and it was obvious that he had seen through it. Sun Shaozong used the promise of "not to open old scores after taking over" in exchange for Liu Chongshan's temporary defection.
After a long silence, Jia Yucun continued to speak word by word: "What if I still don't allow it?"
Although the prison warden is only a ninth-rank official, if he wants to enrich himself and take money from his superiors and subordinates, it will be very troublesome without the cooperation of the prison boss!
Therefore, Jia Yucun was really reluctant to give up this position to Sun Shaozong.
"I'm afraid this is beyond your control, brother."
Sun Shaozong counted on his fingers with a half-smile, saying, "You first 'pretended' to break up with me recently, then abandoned Zhao Liben on the birthday celebration, and now you want to offend Liu Zhizhong..."
"Brother, haven't you heard of the saying 'Three times is the limit'?"
"If you really act so heartlessly, won't the officials around you be in danger in the future?"
At this point, Sun Shaozong also put on a face that said, "My heart is full of worries, and it can be seen by the sun and the moon." He sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want you to, but I just can't do it! I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts and don't ruin this good situation for the trivial matters of a small official."
The original words were returned, only to be heard Jia Yucun gritting his teeth and his face turning ashen!
But the old fox is an old fox after all, and in just a moment he suppressed his anger.
He pointed at himself, then at Sun Shaozong, and laughed heartily, "I'm sorry to say this to Prefect Han , but in the future, the only one in this prefecture who can compete with Jia Yucun will be you, my brother!"
