You Have to Give Something Up to Gain Something

Kang Shilin took the scroll but didn't rush to open it. He gestured for Zhao Ruxi to sit down and asked her, "I heard that Minister Lord Qi and Lord Gan of the Ministry of Revenue came to see you, but you refused to go to the Ministry of Revenue to help?"

"I still have the imperial examination to take, and they're asking me to help them at this time? What a ridiculous idea!" Zhao Ruxi said helplessly.

Kang Shilin stretched out his hand and pointed at Zhao Ruxi in the air, giving her a look that said, "Don't try to fool me, you little brat," and said, "So you're not planning to go to the Ministry of Revenue?"

He was naturally insightful and shrewd, and when Qi Xugu went to ask Zhao Ruxi for help that day, Zhao Ruxi refused, he understood perfectly what the two of them were up to.

However, since the results of the provincial examination had not yet been announced, he did not call Zhao Ruxi over to inquire.

"Hehe, nothing can escape your bright eyes, Master." Zhao Ruxi fawned over Kang Shilin, pouring him a cup of tea.

Kang Shilin knew that this little apprentice was young and a girl. She looked well-behaved, but in fact, she was more principled than anyone else.

He wasn't in a hurry to ask, picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and asked, "So, where do you want to go?"

"I want to be transferred to an outside post," Zhao Ruxi said.

She knew Kang Shilin's purpose in summoning her to ask this question; he simply wanted to understand her thoughts so he could inform Wu Huaisi or go directly to the Emperor. It was always better to give an early heads-up than to have to make arrangements at the last minute.

However, her senior brother always took care of her, and even if she didn't say anything, he would definitely ask before assigning her an official position. Not to mention that she had also refused the Ministry of Revenue's offer.

Of course, if you pass the imperial examination with top honors, then there's no need to ask any questions. You'll be directly admitted to the Hanlin Academy.

Even if her master hadn't called her today, she would have come anyway.

Kang Shilin nodded.

Zhao Ruxi's answer didn't surprise him at all.

For the past two years, Zhao Ruxi has been telling him and his three senior brothers how wonderful Jiangnan is. He said that if he could serve as an official in another place during his lifetime, he could experience a completely different experience from serving as an official in the capital, appreciate the local customs and culture of Jiangnan, and that would be a worthwhile experience of being a person and an official.

Because of her boasting, not only Gong Cheng and Wu Zong, but even Wu Huaisi were somewhat tempted.

Of course, no matter how tempted Wu Huaisi was, he would never accept the appointment to an outside post. The highest-ranking official appointed to an outside post was a governor, Principal Third Rank official, while he was the Minister of Personnel, Principal First Rank Ministry of Personnel. Unless he was demoted, this desire could only remain a regret.

Now it's Zhao Ruxi's turn to take office, and her desire to serve in Jiangnan is an expected response.

But there was one problem: he worried that the little girl wouldn't understand.

"Girl, you'd better think this through. I've already asked Lord Peng, and with your talent, getting into the top three in the palace examination is no problem at all. But all the top-ranking scholars go into the Hanlin Academy; if you want to be transferred to a post outside the capital, I'll have to go to the palace and speak to the Emperor to have him select you from among the third-ranked scholars."

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "I know. Even if you hadn't called me today, I would have come to tell you before the palace examination so you could give me your regards."

The top three scholars in the imperial examinations—the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua—were guaranteed to enter the Hanlin Academy as probationary officials; this was the established rule. After spending one or two years in the Hanlin Academy, they would be transferred to various ministries or assigned to other posts.

In other words, by choosing to be sent to a post outside the capital, she was essentially giving up the honor of being a top-ranking scholar in the imperial examinations; otherwise, it would be against the rules and put the emperor in a difficult position.

"I know this will disappoint Her Highness the Princess and Madam Cui's expectations of me. But one must always make choices. Being sent to a post outside the capital is my long-cherished wish. For this wish, I must give up something."

She smiled slightly, "Besides, the Great Jin Dynasty is full of talented people. Even if I didn't give up, I probably wouldn't be chosen. Saying this won't make me seem arrogant."

Despite her confidence in herself, despite her master's high regard for her, and despite the fact that it was just the two of them there, with the Kang Family's servants not daring to spread their conversation, one shouldn't speak too confidently. She truly didn't believe that becoming the top scholar or second-place winner was something she had in the bag.

Upon hearing this, Kang Shilin remained silent for a long while before nodding.

The girl gave up the top rank not only to fulfill her own wish, but also because she didn't want to put the Emperor in a difficult position.

Taking a step back opens up a vast expanse. This girl has truly grasped the essence of Tao.

"Alright, I will go to the palace and convey your message to the Emperor," he sighed.

When news of Zhao Ruxi's refusal of the Ministry of Revenue's offer of office reached him, Kang Shilin was already pondering what to do if this young girl wanted to become an official in Jiangnan.

"Your father is in Gusu Prefecture. Where do you want to go?" he asked.

Zhao Ruxi raised an eyebrow and said with a grin, "Master, everyone advises me not to go, but to stay in the capital. With you protecting me, no one will dare to bully me. Once I'm in the government office, no one will dare to mistreat me, nor will they look down on me just because I'm a woman. Why don't you advise me against it?"

Kang Shilin reached out and patted her on the head. "You have to listen to my advice. You're a very stubborn girl."

Zhao Ruxi chuckled twice, "Master, I don't have a specific place in mind either. However, my father is in Gusu Prefecture, so I have to avoid Jiangzhou Province; besides, you're getting old, and it's inconvenient for me to come back to see you if I'm far away. So, if possible, I'd like to serve as an official in Anzhou Province for a year or two."

The geographical location of the Great Jin was similar to that of the country she lived in in her previous life. The capital of the Great Jin Dynasty was located in a similar position to Nanjing, so it would only take two days to travel to Gusu Prefecture by fast horse. Anzhou Province was the province where the counties and cities near the capital were located.

If she had no connection with Xiao Lingyan, she would naturally prefer to go further south; but since her boyfriend is in the capital, she has no choice but to choose a place closer to the capital to facilitate sending messages.

Even though he knew perfectly well that the girl's words were probably just to make him happy, Kang Shilin was still very Gao Xing to hear them.

Zhao Ruxi continued, "Master, I'm not young anymore, and my mother has been arranging a marriage for me. So I don't think I'll stay in my post for long. When I say a year and a half, I really mean a year and a half. So please don't try to curry favor with the Emperor. When the official appointments are made, my eldest brother can see where there are vacancies and assign me there. With my eldest brother looking after me, no one will dare to make things difficult for me, no matter where I go. You can rest assured."

Then she added with a grin, "When I take up my post in another province, you can come and stay with me for a while. Besides giving me courage, you can also enjoy the scenery and relax. That's why I chose Anzhou Province; it'll be convenient for you to travel, and Brother Kang will feel at ease."

She wasn't just saying that to appease Kang Shilin; her choice of Anzhou Province was partly due to the need to relay messages, but also because of Kang Shilin.

Kang Shilin and Xiao Ge had an extremely good relationship. Xiao Ge treated him like a real uncle, and Kang Shilin looked at Xiao Ge like a son.

In the original novel, Xiao Ge was supposed to pass away this winter. Now that the political situation has changed, it's uncertain whether his fate will change. But if the story continues as it was originally written, Zhao Ruxi hopes that Kang Shilin wasn't in the capital at that time.