Securing an Official Post

Zhao Yuanliang was taken aback, then quickly stood up. "Please come in."

The maid who came to announce the arrival looked troubled, "Where should we go?"

Zhao Yuanliang was speechless for a moment.

Yes, where should we invite them?

He didn't have his own room in the inner courtyard. In the past, if he didn't want to stay overnight in the inner courtyard, he would stay in the study in the outer courtyard.

But now that outer academy is located within the main house's grounds, and he's moved all his things back today, so the outer academy isn't set up yet. The place he's currently in is within the inner courtyard. Even though Zhao Yuankun is his younger brother, he's still considered an outsider, so it's really inconvenient for him to come here.

He sighed. "Please come this way."

A short while later, Zhao Yuankun was led in by a maid.

The two brothers greeted each other and sat down as host and guest, respectively.

Zhao Yuanliang said with a wry smile, "Second brother, it's a mess here, third brother, please don't mind."

"It's the same there," Zhao Yuankun said.

Zhao Yuanliang smiled but didn't say anything.

How can they be the same? At least the third wife is still alive. Lady Su appears weak and frail on the surface, seemingly incapable of doing anything right. Yet, she never loses in her battles with Lady Wei. This shows that she is actually quite capable. Her apparent weakness and incompetence are just an act.

Besides, his third brother is quite capable too, humph!

Zhao Yuanliang glanced at Zhao Yuankun and asked, "Third brother, what brings you here?"

Although both brothers were born out of wedlock, they did not get along well. In contrast, Zhao Yuanliang had a better relationship with his elder brother, Zhao Yuanxun.

Zhao Yuanxun was a kind and generous man who took good care of his two younger brothers. When they got into trouble as children, he always took the blame.

You have to understand that when they were young, the three brothers' positions in the mansion were not like they are now. The Duke's favorite son was not the legitimate son, but the illegitimate youngest son, Zhao Yuankun. If the eldest brother was punished, the Duke would not let him off easily.

Zhao Yuankun, on the other hand, is always the one who comes up with the tricks to cause trouble; but when it comes to punishment, he's the best at shirking responsibility than anyone else.

He's a cold-hearted and selfish guy by nature.

"I've come to see how Second Brother plans to renovate the courtyard; I don't really have any ideas," Zhao Yuankun said.

"But I don't think this mess is a good thing. A house can't function without a mistress of the house."

Zhao Yuanliang said impatiently, "Just say what you want to say. I'm very busy and really can't keep you company with idle chatter."

Zhao Yuankun glanced at him, not annoyed at all. "Second brother is still so impatient. I said, we are both born out of wedlock, and now we've been kicked out of the house, and all we have is this little bit of property. We have to give back the money we've taken in. I haven't even said anything because of your family, yet you treat me so coldly, second brother."

Zhao Yuanliang sneered, "Come on. My sister-in-law's dowry is generous, and I don't think my third brother cares about this little bit of family property. It's the division of the family property that my third brother has been longing for, hasn't it? Now that we can divide the family, it's all thanks to me. Instead of being grateful, my third brother is blaming me. Why don't I go and beg my eldest brother to stop the division? Anyway, the land in the county hasn't been registered with the government yet, so dividing and merging the family is just a matter of a word."

"You..." Zhao Yuankun was a little annoyed by what he said, but he quickly suppressed his emotions.

He waved his hand and said, "Alright. Since our eldest brother has kicked us out, from now on it'll just be the two of us supporting each other. What do past grudges matter compared to brotherhood? Second brother, you may not care about your younger brother, but I certainly do."

He looked at Zhao Yuanliang and said seriously, "I heard that Second Brother has been wanting to find a job?"

Zhao Yuanliang looked at him suspiciously. "A job? You can find me a job?"

Zhao Yuankun picked up a pastry from the table, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. Only when Zhao Yuanliang's face showed impatience again did he say, "Second brother, don't underestimate me. I used to be suppressed by the old lady and the eldest brother, and I never had a chance to stand out. But in private, I have quite a few friends."

He clapped his hands, took a sip of tea, leaned closer to Zhao Yuanliang, and lowered his voice, saying, "I will soon be serving as the Right Qingji Lang in the Right Spring Directorate Office of the Grand Steward of Imperial Sacrifices. Although it's only Subordinate Eighth Rank official position now, it's only temporary. As long as I perform well on a few assignments, I'll be promoted soon."

He leaned back in his chair, adopting a relaxed and comfortable posture, a composed smile on his face, "You know what position my elder brother held in the Five Cities Military Command before. My position is no worse than his, and it's not as demanding. Besides, my future prospects are far superior to his."

Zhao Yuanliang was very tempted by these words.

He personally poured tea for Zhao Yuankun, a smile plastered on his face, "Third brother is a capable man. Brothers fight side by side, fathers and sons go to war together. Now that you've achieved success, don't forget your second brother. Although I'm not of great use, I've always been wholeheartedly devoted to helping you, something no outsider can compare to."

Zhao Yuankun nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking, that's why I came to find you."

Zhao Yuanliang's spirits lifted, and he sat up straight, looking intently at Zhao Yuankun: "What position?"

"Deputy Capital Guard Command."

Zhao Yuanliang was taken aback. "Isn't this a position in the Office of the Grand Steward?"

Zhao Yuankun shook his head. "There are no vacancies in the Office of the Grand Steward. I had to pull a lot of strings to find out about this position in the Capital Guard Commanding Officers' Office."

Zhao Yuanliang was very disappointed.

He knew that the Deputy Capital Guard Command was a low-ranking official position. It had no official rank and the work was exhausting. When he first started his official career, he knew that it was impossible to be a sixth or seventh rank right away. Someone like Zhao Yuankun, who Subordinate Eighth Rank Right Secretary of the Office of the Grand Steward of Imperial Sacrifices, must have spent a lot of effort and money to get that position.

Since neither position is high-ranking, it's better to work under Zhao Yuankun. It's easier and the responsibility is less. Besides, although the Office of the Grand Steward seems to have little power now, once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will definitely promote his own Office of the Grand Steward first. At that time, a fifth or sixth-rank official position will be within easy reach, won't it?

He was still persistent and asked, "Why don't you ask around for me again? If I get into the Office of the Grand Steward, I can help you too, right?"

Zhao Yuankun shook his head. "No. You know, there are quite a few people eyeing this area. I've been given an official position by the higher-ups, how could I give it back? Besides..."

He glanced at Zhao Yuanliang: "You can't be unaware that the most taboo thing in officialdom is for a whole family to be huddled together in one government office."

Zhao Yuanliang looked embarrassed.

He knew that the imperial court would not allow people with very close relationships to work in the same government office to prevent corruption and embezzlement. In the past, Lady Wei had often used this reason to fob him off and prevent Wei Qiu from seeking an official position for him.

Seeing his pickiness, Zhao Yuankun grew impatient and said, "Are you going to take this position or not? If not, I'll directly turn them down."

"Go, go, go," Zhao Yuanliang hurriedly said.

There are extremely limited official positions in the capital, and countless scions of powerful families are vying for them. The Earl of Suiping's Residence previously lacked connections. Even when vacancies became available, they were filled before the family even received the news.

Now that he finally has a chance, Zhao Yuanliang is willing to accept the hardship.

Now that the family has separated, he can't just sit around and do nothing; he needs to generate some income.