Capítulo 1072: Chapter 262: What? The Commandery Princess Was Captured by the Five Poison Sect? (Part 3)
Anyone who has read the history of the Ming Dynasty should know that Hu Weiyong was indeed a ruthless man. Serving as Prime Minister under Zhu Yuanzhang, he eventually formed cliques for personal gain and became too powerful to control, leading Zhu Yuanzhang to directly launch one of the four great cases of the early Ming, the Hu Weiyong case, and eliminate him, thereby consolidating power solely in his hands to become the unrivaled emperor.
This certainly shows Zhu Yuanzhang’s cunning strategy, but also highlights that Hu Weiyong was a person of talent.
After all, Old Zhu was wary of him, leading to a massive purge, indicating that Hu Weiyong was, at the very least, competent and had the talent of a Prime Minister.
Thinking of this, Chen Jie looked at the young Hu Weiyong, who at this time did not seem so absorbed in power and greed.
Yet now, as Chen Jie develops his forces, he lacks a civil servant with the ability of a Prime Minister.
Although Si Xi is somewhat capable, it’s hard for one person to hold up the sky alone. Now having to handle affairs of three prefectures, Si Xi would likely be exhausted half to death, so it would be better to find him an assistant.
In terms of governance, Hu Weiyong indeed has some talent.
With this thought, Chen Jie looked at Hu Weiyong and said, “Mr. Hu, what do you do for a living now?”
Hu Weiyong replied, “Traveling far and wide, I make a living by writing letters for people.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, “Writing letters, isn’t that a waste of talent? My garrison commander’s office lacks a secretary. I wonder if you have any interest?”
Chen Jie directly extended an olive branch to Hu Weiyong: would he like to come work for him? And he offered the position of secretary right away.
This position isn’t high ranking, but it’s very important, serving as the deputy to the garrison commander, equivalent to a close confidant.
Hearing this, Hu Weiyong hesitated only briefly, then clasped his hands and said, “Thank you, Lord, for your guidance. I am willing to serve you!”
Hu Weiyong was someone with a thirst for office. On his journey, he appeared to be on a scholarly tour, but was in fact looking for an opportunity, examining whether there were any keen-eyed individuals who could recognize his talent, allowing him to shine and prosper.
Initially, he did not find such recognition on his journey, and feeling despondent, he planned to return to his hometown in Anhui if unsuccessful.
If one day the court no longer employed him, he decided to join the rebellion army, for if he could not secure a position within the old bureaucratic system, he would make his mark in a new force.
He never imagined that today in this Miao Territory, among the native lands, he would be offered a position.
With this thought, he saluted Chen Jie.
Chen Jie smiled and said, “Zizhong, no need to be polite. I am also eager to recruit the talented. Having someone with your capabilities is a blessing for our Huangzhou Prefecture!”
Upon hearing this, Hu Weiyong said, “Today, Weiyong has met an enlightened leader, which is Weiyong’s good fortune as well.”
The two exchanged mutual compliments, and just then, a few Tujia merchants approached, speaking a string of dialect words to Chen Jie.
Chen Jie looked at them in surprise.
Unexpectedly, Hu Weiyong stepped forward to communicate fluently with these native Tujia people.
Then he turned to Chen Jie and said, “My Lord, these Tujia people say they are local merchants and are very grateful that you saved them. They invite you to visit their Tujia village when you are free, and they will thank you with the highest Tujia honors.”
Chen Jie looked at Hu Weiyong and said, “You also know the Tujia language?”
Hu Weiyong replied, “I do. Having traveled across the country, I learned a bit of the border languages.”
Chen Jie asked him, “How many languages do you know?”
Hu Weiyong thought for a moment and said, “Not many, just twelve or thirteen languages.”
Chen Jie was impressed. Indeed he is worthy of becoming a future Prime Minister, having a mind this sharp to master twelve or thirteen languages.
Truly talented.
Thinking this, Chen Jie said to Hu Weiyong, “Please pass on a few polite words for me, saying it’s no trouble at all and I will certainly visit the Tujia tribe when I have time.”
Hu Weiyong nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll convey it to them now.”
With that, Hu Weiyong translated Chen Jie’s words to the Tujia people, finally seeing them off.
It was only then that Chen Jie had the time, and he escorted the shopkeeper from the inn down to the cellar.
Upon entering the cellar, Chen Jie was met with an unpleasant odor, the stench of urine left unventilated for a long time.
Chen Jie looked around and saw several large cells, with quite a few people detained inside. He roughly estimated there were about fifteen or sixteen people.
Chen Jie said to Xiao Hu beside him, “Release them all and give each one an antidote.”
Hearing this, Xiao Hu replied, “Understood.”
Immediately, Xiao Hu used a knife to cut the chains on the door, allowing the people inside to come out.
At this point, the people inside thought they were being taken away and shouted, “You scum of the Five Poison Sect, don’t let me regain consciousness, or not a single one of your Five Poison Sect members will be left alive!”
“That’s right, you scum of the Five Poison Sect. I’m from the Whale Shark Guild. When you fall into my hands, I’ll butcher you all!”
The group shouted, and Chen Jie looked over and clasped his hands, saying, “Heroes, do not worry. I am not from the Five Poison Sect. I am Chen Jiusi, the Garrison Commander of Huangzhou Prefecture, here to rescue you all.”
“Not from the Five Poison Sect.”
Hmm!!
Hearing this, several people in the jail cells exclaimed in surprise, and suddenly in a corner of one cell, a person’s eyes lit up, then he rolled and crawled out and said, “Jiusi, is it Jiusi?”
Hmm?
Hearing this, Chen Jie was taken aback. Who could accurately call out his name?
With that thought, Chen Jie looked over and saw a person like a beggar. Upon seeing his face, Chen Jie was stunned: “Ah San!”