Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 569 - 567: Just Informing You

"Speaking of which, there’s another joyous occasion today," Li Shimin said as he embraced Empress Zhangsun.

"What brings such joy?"

"Today, Xiao Chong from the Xiao Family offered an incredibly powerful firecracker. If used well, it can be very useful for attacking cities, blasting roads, and mining. It’s truly a great fortune for my realm to have such a talented person."

"Congratulations, Second Brother! Could it be that morning thunder noise?" Empress Zhangsun asked with a smile.

"Indeed, were you frightened by it?"

Empress Zhangsun shook her head and asked again, "Is Xiao Chong the grandson of our cousin? That young boy who lost his mother early?"

"Yes, that’s him."

Empress Zhangsun sighed, "This child has had it tough, losing his mother at such a young age. I’m sure he’s suffered a lot. I remember he volunteered to be stationed outside the city last year, didn’t he?"

"Yes, this lad isn’t fond of being a civil servant; he likes doing practical work. Now he’s the County Magistrate of Mao County, and he’s a diligent and steady person. His words are agreeable, quite unlike his grandfather," Li Shimin was very pleased with Xiao Chong, who had given him a generous gift earlier that morning in the West Inner Court.

"Second Brother, are you planning to summon him back to Beijing?"

"It’s quite difficult," Li Shimin shook his head, "No hurry, no hurry."

Although an external County Magistrate may not hold a high position in the court’s hierarchy, they are nonetheless critically important for the Tang Dynasty’s governance.

As a County Magistrate, they act as the parental official for a locale, bearing significant responsibilities as the chief overseer of all matters in the county.

They must lead the people to prosperity and stability at the local level while reinforcing sovereignty and maintaining peace on a broader scale, serving as a vital link to uphold imperial authority. Therefore, the selection of a County Magistrate is extremely stringent.

During the Tang Dynasty, a recommendation and imperial examination system was used to select talent, including County Magistrates.

In the recommendation system, the recommender was directly responsible for the recommended, and any misconduct would lead to collective punishment. The imperial examination was straightforward, focusing on real assessments. Of course, since names were not anonymized in early Tang exams, reputation and family background had a significant influence.

Under Li Shimin, the Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the election and assessment of County Magistrates. If they shirk their duties, they could face penalties, ranging from demotion to imprisonment, deterring them from reckless appointments.

The County Magistrate is evaluated annually and undergoes a four-year cycle. After the cycle ends, results determine whether they are promoted, demoted, or remain the same.

Xiao Chong, newly appointed as the County Magistrate of Mao County, had only served for less than a year and a half. Despite his accomplishments, per regulations, he naturally shouldn’t be promoted yet.

Moreover, Xiao Chong had personally navigated his way through the Ministry of Personnel to be placed outside the capital. Li Shimin was also curious to see the extent of his capabilities.

After all, Xiao Chong is still young. More experience outside the capital wouldn’t hurt. If he proves truly outstanding, promoting him back to Beijing after the cycle would be timely.

After making a positive impression on Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, Xiao Chong was in his grandparents’ courtyard, reporting today’s activities, including presenting gifts to the emperor, to his grandfather, uncle, and father.

The three were overjoyed with what Xiao Chong and the Dugu Family had developed, eager to test the results immediately. But night had fallen, rendering such activities inappropriate.

Xiao Kai, Xiao Chong’s father, found everything about his son delightful.

The rebellious young man who used to give him headaches had finally grown into someone he could be proud of.

Moreover, the saying goes that people who are away become cherished, and having been stationed outside for over a year, Xiao Chong was now highly sought after in the Xiao Family, with his father nearly becoming obsessed with praising his son.

Whenever Xiao Kai went out drinking and socializing with colleagues, he always praised his gifted son.

His son might not be in Beijing anymore, but stories of him must continue to circulate. In the Great Tang’s environment, where reputation is crucial, "social influence" and "fame" are key to career advancement.

With only Xiao Chong as his heir, Xiao Kai’s first wife, Gu, bore him his only son. Tragically, both mother and child died during the birth of a younger son due to complications.

The subsequent concubine bore him three more children, a son and two daughters, none of whom survived past childhood.

The year the youngest son died, the eldest son requested an external post, leaving Xiao Kai without any children nearby.

If he didn’t extol his eldest, who would he praise? 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

After Xiao Chong recounted the events of his audience with the emperor and uncle left, he suddenly mentioned to his father Xiao Kai and grandfather Xiao Yu that he had someone in mind, shocking them both.

This was likely the real reason Xiao Chong had been building up to this point!

With a flick of his eyes, Xiao Kai guessed that the person Xiao Chong was about to mention likely came from an extremely humble background!

His expression immediately darkened.

This rebellious son! Throughout history, marriages were arranged by parental orders and matchmakers. Yet he insisted on not following the convention of marrying someone of equal status for a peaceful life!

Indeed, as Xiao Chong continued, he mentioned someone from the Lin Family of Hou Tao, a Village Lady granted imperial favor in Le’an!

Outrageous, I disapprove! I want a daughter from the Cui Family of Qinghe as my daughter-in-law! Xiao Kai shouted in his heart.

Xiao Yu also frowned, as a prince from the previous dynasty, their family held a prestigious status. And Xiao Chong, being the legitimate grandson of the third generation of the Xiao Family, couldn’t possibly marry someone from such a background!

That would be preferable to staying single!

But this time, Xiao Yu held back, as he had been so infuriated by Xiao Chong’s refusal to marry years ago that he nearly suffered a stroke. This time, he decided to let his son handle the situation.

Although Xiao Chong had been raised by him, his grandson’s marriage was not his responsibility.

So he glared at his second son, Xiao Kai, urging him to take a stand.

Receiving the signal, Xiao Kai cleared his throat, saying, "Son, we need to consider this carefully. The Lin Family, after all, has a low status. Even if I agree, your grandparents would not."

Xiao Yu breathed heavily at his second son’s cowardice, ultimately dragging the elderly couple into the mess.

Xiao Chong suddenly knelt and said, "Father, Grandfather, shortly after my appointment in the third year of Zhenguan, I fell critically ill and was nearly lost. It was my cousin from the Lin Family who saved me. Is saving a life not more significant than family reputation?"

After a pause, he continued, "Moreover, cousin is the disciple of an exceptional person, with a broader perspective than mine, scarcely lowly."

Just as Xiao Kai was about to speak, Xiao Chong added, "My mind is made up; I will marry no one but her. I humbly ask Grandfather and Father for your blessing."

This was not a request for approval but merely notification!

"Hmph! This is a matter for you and your son, I’m no longer involved," Xiao Yu snorted and left, unwilling to listen.

Xiao Kai pondered, "Years ago, you refused to marry the Cui Family, and now you want to wed a Lin, aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"

Xiao Chong indifferently replied, "What others say is of little importance, Father. I am not bothered."

Of course, you’re not bothered! If you were, you would have married at sixteen, had children by now, instead of waiting until your late twenties! You’ve paid your fair share of bachelor taxes!

Xiao Kai complained internally about his rebellious son.

He sighed outwardly, "Stand up first. Even to get engaged, we must send someone to propose to the Lin Family of Hou Tao in Jiangnan Road Mao County."

"Thank you, Father, for your blessing."

This was a compromise, albeit with some stalling tactics, but Xiao Chong would find ways to handle it.

Initially, Xiao Chong didn’t intend to rush, hoping to organize everything so everyone could accept it joyfully. But something told him he couldn’t delay, especially with Wanwan’s hesitance, necessitating his action, so he resorted to this last-ditch effort.

Fortunately, even with this fallback, he was quite confident. Today’s offer to the Xiao Family demonstrated his capability in making choices.

He was grateful for his rebellious youth, which had lowered his family’s expectations for him to follow the rules.