Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 88 The Eunuch's Endorsement

Three days later, in Yuncheng.

The autumn sun shines brightly, but it doesn't bring much warmth.

On the official road outside the city, a group of people was slowly approaching.

Leading the procession was a large sedan chair carried by eight men, painted vermilion with tassels hanging from its four corners that glittered in the sunlight. On either side of the sedan chair were more than twenty attendants dressed in brocade robes, each with an embroidered spring knife at their waist, their expressions arrogant.

Behind the sedan chair followed a dozen or so large carts, filled with all sorts of boxes and baskets.

"The garrison eunuch, Liu, has arrived!"

At a shout, the guards at the city gate immediately made way and knelt down to pay their respects.

The garrison eunuchs were the ones who represented the emperor in overseeing the region; who would dare to neglect them?

Liu Cheng's sedan chair went straight into Yuncheng and arrived directly at the governor's residence.

Upon receiving the news, Zhao Yan personally went out to greet them.

"It is an honor to have Eunuch Liu grace us with his presence; I have failed to greet you properly!"

He strode forward to greet them, his face beaming with smiles.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and Liu Cheng stepped out of the sedan.

He was about fifty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard, a slightly plump figure, wearing a python robe and a black gauze hat, and his small eyes gleamed.

"Governor Zhao is too kind."

Liu Cheng said with a smile, his voice high-pitched.

"I heard that the White Lotus Rebellion has been quelled, so I've come to offer my congratulations."

"It is all thanks to the imperial court's great blessings and the soldiers' valiant efforts."

After exchanging a few polite words, Zhao Yan welcomed Liu Cheng into the main hall.

In the main hall, the generals and civil officials had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Liu Cheng enter, they all stepped forward to greet him.

"Greetings, Eunuch Liu!"

"Please, everyone, no need for formalities."

Liu Cheng raised his hand, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

His gaze, though seemingly casual, was actually sharp, taking in everyone's expressions.

Finally, his gaze fell on Lu Yan in the corner.

"Hey, isn't that Scholar Lu?"

He said, feigning surprise.

"Is Scholar Lu here too?"

All eyes turned to Lu Yan.

Lu Yan stepped forward and bowed.

"Student Lu Yan pays his respects to Eunuch Liu."

"No need for formalities."

Liu Cheng walked forward with a smile and looked Lu Yan up and down.

"Scholar Lu, I've heard that you've done a great service this time!"

"I dare not accept such praise."

Lu Yan bowed and said.

"This student has contributed my meager strength to transporting grain with the army, and dares not claim any merit."

"You're being modest, you're being modest."

Liu Cheng waved his hand and turned to look at Zhao Yan.

"Governor Zhao, I've heard that Scholar Lu played a significant role in suppressing this rebellion?"

Zhao Yan felt a chill run down his spine and immediately understood Liu Cheng's purpose.

This is to support Lu Yan.

The fact that the garrison eunuch personally came out shows he had considerable influence.

"That's true."

He spoke carefully.

"Scholar Lu was meritorious for transporting grain, for offering valuable strategies, and for personally leading a night raid, assisting in the capture of the city."

"Oh? So, Scholar Lu is a great contributor?"

Liu Cheng said with a smile, but his eyes swept over the generals.

"Generals, don't you agree?"

The generals looked at each other, unsure how to respond.

The adjutant who had previously mocked Lu Yan now looked grim but dared not utter a word.

Who would dare disrespect the eunuch in charge of the garrison?

If you offend a eunuch, forget about any merits; you might even lose your head.

After a moment of silence, Yang Zhaoji spoke first.

"Eunuch Liu is right."

His voice was deep and steady.

"Scholar Lu certainly deserves credit. He was the one who suggested the night raid, and he also led the assault team. Without him, the capture of the city wouldn't have been so smooth."

"General Yang is fair!"

Liu Cheng nodded in satisfaction, his smile widening.

"I always said that Scholar Lu is a talented man. He has rendered meritorious service in transporting grain, offering strategies, and fighting the enemy; he deserves to be rewarded!"

He turned to look at Zhao Yan, his voice still smiling, but the meaning behind it was self-evident.

"Governor Zhao, don't you agree?"

What else could Zhao Yan say?

The garrison eunuch spoke up personally; if he didn't give him face, how would he get along in Shandong in the future?

"Eunuch Liu is right."

He nodded.

"I will certainly report Lu Juren's merits to the court truthfully."

"That's good, that's good."

Liu Cheng clapped his hands, beaming with joy.

"I've just come to visit and offer my congratulations. Your great achievements in suppressing the rebellion will surely be richly rewarded by the court. Keep up the good work, everyone, and your futures are bright!"

Everyone quickly expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you for your kind words, Eunuch Liu!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Liu Cheng got up to take his leave.

"I have some matters to attend to at home, so I won't trouble you any longer. Governor Zhao, esteemed generals, I take my leave."

"Respectfully seeing off Eunuch Liu!"

Zhao Yan personally escorted Liu Cheng out of the main hall.

Before leaving, Liu Cheng deliberately walked up to Lu Yan and whispered something:

"Kid, we've put in a good word for you, so don't let us down."

"The student understands."

Lu Yan bowed respectfully.

"I will never forget Eunuch Liu's great kindness."

"Um."

Liu Cheng nodded in satisfaction, turned around, got into the sedan chair, and drove away.

……

After Liu Cheng left, the atmosphere in the hall became subtle.

The way the generals looked at Lu Yan changed.

Previously, they looked down on it and disdained it, but now they are more wary of it.

This scholar has a powerful eunuch backing him up; he's not someone to mess with.

The adjutant's face was particularly grim, but he dared not say anything more.

Zhao Yan also began to re-evaluate Lu Yan.

For a scholar to be able to cultivate a relationship with the garrison eunuch and have the eunuch personally speak on his behalf is no small feat.

"Lu, the successful candidate in the imperial examination."

He spoke, his tone much more polite than before.

"I will report your merits truthfully."

"Thank you very much, Your Excellency."

Lu Yan bowed respectfully, but his face showed no joy.

"Students take their leave."

He turned and walked out of the lobby with steady steps.

Behind him, everyone's gazes were like needles sticking out at him, but he was completely unaware.

……

Back at the camp, Zhao Changying greeted him, his face full of excitement.

"Master, it's done!"

"Um."

Lu Yan nodded, sat down, and took a sip of tea.

"With Eunuch Liu involved, they dared not disrespect him."

"Very good!"

Zhao Changying punched the palm of his hand.

"Now those bastards should shut up, right?"

"He's shut up, but he's definitely not convinced."

Lu Yan put down his teacup, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"But it doesn't matter, as long as our names are on the list of achievements, nothing else matters."

"The master is right."

Zhao Changying nodded.

"So what do we do next?"

"wait."

Lu Yan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"Wait for the merit list to be finalized, and for the imperial court to bestow rewards."

How long will it take?

"It will take anywhere from one month to three months."

Lu Yan opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"No rush, we can wait."

Outside the tent, the autumn wind began to rise, swirling up a flurry of fallen leaves.

Lu Yan's heart, however, was burning with passion.

The garrison eunuch personally endorsed the records, ensuring his name would appear on the merit list.

Next, we await the imperial court's bestowal of honors.

I'm finally about to get the official position.

Four years have passed since I traveled through time.

Four years of planning, four years of patience, and four years of life-and-death struggles are finally about to bear fruit.

He stood up, walked to the tent entrance, and looked at the distant sky.

On the horizon, a flock of wild geese is flying south, emitting cries.

"Official rank is just the beginning."

He muttered to himself.

"The real journey is yet to come."