Entering the Yamen for the First Time

Chen Kang's partnership with Cai Yaozong yielded nothing more than money and power.

If descendants are incompetent and unable to seize power, no amount of money can protect them. Once Chen Kang falls, his son will not be able to take his place or control the hidden forces. It would be good enough if Cai Yaozong, who became the prefect of Nanyang, didn't directly swallow up the Chen family's property; he would never protect his son's advancement.

Therefore, Chen Kang wanted his children and grandchildren to enjoy wealth and honor in peace, not for money and power, but for their success.

He has three grandsons. If one is good at mathematics, he can enter the household and manage the money bag of Nanyang, controlling the salt and grain, thus gaining control of the legitimate world; if the other studies painting, he can become an artist in the criminal investigation department, dealing with all sorts of people, thus gaining influence in both the legitimate and underworld. This is what a shrewd person would seek.

After figuring things out, Zhou Chun's eyes lit up.

He bowed deeply and said in an extremely respectful tone, "Miss, I understand."

Zhao Ruxi said, "Don't rush to test him. First, find out how deep his ties are with Cai Yaozong. What if he outwardly pledges allegiance to us, but after we've taught his children and grandchildren, he's still secretly working for Cai Yaozong, just fooling us on the surface? We'd be the ones who get taken Datou of."

Zhou Chun immediately stiffened and said in a deep voice, "You're right, young lady. If it weren't for your reminder, I might have made a mistake."

Zhao Ruxi waved her hand. "None of us have experience, we're all learning. It's alright, just be careful."

"Yes."

Zhao Ruxi then inquired about business, "How's business at the rice noodle shop?"

When Zhou Chun came, Zhao Ruxi asked him to bring a few people from his estate to Nanyang to buy a shop and open a rice noodle shop.

Powerful families would select a few of their sons who were skilled in business, free them from slavery, and allow them to purchase land and shops in their own names to do business. In this way, no matter how much business the powerful families did, they would not be labeled as merchants, and their power would enable these businesses to grow bigger and stronger.

A servant born into a wealthy family must rely on powerful clans. His parents, brothers, and even his wife and children would still serve as servants in the household and would not dare to harbor any disloyalty. In this way, the business could be controlled by powerful clans.

Freeing servants from slavery was not only a way to make money for oneself, but also a means of showing favor to one's servants.

Given the abilities and loyalty of Zhou Chun and Ma Sheng's family, Zhao Ruxi granted Zhou Fan and Ma Wushi the status of slaves this time.

Zhou Fan originally studied mathematics under Zhao Ruxi. After mastering the subject, he now works for Zhao Yuanxun, managing and auditing accounts for him. After being freed from slavery, Zhou Fan's son will be able to take the imperial examinations and rise in the ranks.

After Zhao Ruxi released Ma Wushi from slavery, she rented several shops in his name and took over some of the families from the Egret Manor, including Qian Duoduo Duoduo's son Qian Buque and several other successful business owners, to start a rice noodle business.

She opened the rice noodle shop not to make money, but to gather information.

Restaurants and teahouses are often places where rumors spread.

With these shops, she could not only gather information, but also spread it.

Zhou Chun said, "The business is all based on familiar customers. The girls we brought in were all people who had done well in business in the capital. They also adjusted the flavor of the braising liquid according to the dietary habits of people in Nanyang. So, in just a few days, the business was on track and is now booming."

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "That's good."

After Zhou Chun left, Zhao Ruxi, as usual, called out in her mind, "System, System, baby..."

But the system's voice didn't ring in her head.

Zhao Ruxi sighed.

Another day without a system, I miss it, I miss it, I miss it...

If she had the system, she could have easily grasped the situation in Nanyang with just a few points. Why would she need Xiao Lingyan's men and Zhou Chun's group to expend so much effort to inquire?

She really misses her family's Tongzi.

After resting for a night, Zhao Ruxi changed into men's clothing the next day, led a few guards out, and wandered around aimlessly.

After wandering around for several days, Zhao Ruxi finally put on her official robes and led Zhou Chun to the yamen five days before her deadline for taking office.

During the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations and the procession of officials on the imperial street, the Ministry of Rites commissioned official Ministry of Rites for her to wear as a female scholar who had passed the highest level of the imperial examinations. However, once she entered officialdom, these robes could not be altered at will; they had to be made in accordance with etiquette and regulations.

Therefore, Zhao Ruxi wore the official robes and hat of a male official. However, she did not deliberately dress as a man; upon closer inspection, others could still tell that she was a woman.

Fortunately, she was tall and slender, a natural clothes hanger, and could carry them off perfectly. Wearing official robes did not diminish her elegance or beauty at all.

"You are...?" The yamen guard at the gate looked somewhat bewildered upon seeing Zhao Ruxi. "The newly appointed Assistant Magistrate?"

This new magistrate is incredibly beautiful! And so young too. I've heard she's a woman?

He couldn't help but look Zhao Ruxi up and down.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Ruxi frowned slightly. "Is the Prefect here? Zhao Zhiwei is here to report."

The constable snapped out of his daze, a slight embarrassment on his face, and said, "Yes, Lord Zhao wait a moment."

He turned to go and report, but after taking only two steps, he realized something was wrong and stopped.

Although this lady is new, since she has been appointed by the imperial court, she is now the head of the yamen. How can we let her wait here and not let her in?

He quickly turned back and said to Zhao Ruxi, "Please come in, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Ruxi and her entourage followed him into the spacious courtyard of the government office, where they were led to a building.

"Lord Liu, the newly arrived Assistant Lord Zhao has arrived," a yamen runner shouted at the door.

There was a commotion inside the house, and then an old man with a white beard came out.

He glanced at Zhao Ruxi, then quickly raised his hand and smiled at Zhao Ruxi, saying, "So it's Lord Zhao! You've finally arrived."

At this moment, a person came out from each of the two houses and looked at Zhao Ruxi.

One was in his thirties, the other in his forties; both were of medium build and average appearance. The one in his thirties was tall and thin, with a somewhat serious expression, while the one in his forties was fair-skinned, slightly plump, and appeared more amiable.

"Your humble servant Zhao Zhiwei greets Prefect Liu Lord Liu." Zhao Ruxi bowed to the old man first, then looked to both sides.

She cupped her hands in greeting and said with a smile, "These two must be Assistant Prefect Li and Assistant Prefect Cai, right? Zhao Zhiwei greets both of you."

The plump, forty-something-year-old man first greeted Zhao Ruxi with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting, "My name is Cai Yaozong, greetings to Lord Zhao."

Zhao Ruxi raised her eyebrows slightly.

Appearances can indeed be deceiving.

According to the information Xiao Lingyan gave her, this Cai Yaozong was a typical villain, belonging to the Crown Prince's faction, and someone she needed to be careful of.

On the other hand, Li Li, who looks serious and seemingly difficult to get along with, is actually a good person.