When Zhu Houzhao left, all the ministers were upset.

Zhu Hou took a walk away without a single or twice. It seemed that every time the court held a court meeting, there would be some chaos in the end. The root of the incident was the confrontation between Liu Jin and the court officials.

Every time, Zhu Houzhao stood on Liu Jin's side, and Xie Qian and other civil officials repeatedly advised him without any effect.

After Zhu Houzhao left, most of the civil officials looked sad and silent, and were obviously disappointed... Of course, some people were chatting and laughing...

Xie Qian sighed long and, with the help of Zhou Jing, slowly stood up from the ground. He did not look at Chen Xi, nor did he accuse him.

At this time, Xie Qian was discouraged and relied on Zhou Jing and several old ministers to prevent him from being on the ground. He lowered his head and moved his steps hard to go outside Fengtian Palace.

Chen Xi naturally would not be in trouble. In this matter, he violated the will of the civil servant group. Although he was forced to do so, it was not a good thing to stand opposite Zhu Houzhao. He comforted himself in his heart: "This is not for my personal future, but to consider issues based on the interests of the civil servant group. With His Majesty's favor for Liu Jin, even if I come forward to stop him, it will not change the reality of his return to the court."

When Xie Qian, Zhou Jing and others left Fengtian Palace, Chen Xi calmed down and prepared to leave the palace. As soon as he left the hall, he found Tu Xun, the Minister of Justice, waiting for him outside.

"Zhihou, come with me!"

Tu Xun had no airs and signaled Chen Xi to walk with him. When he arrived at the Daming Gate, there was almost no one around. Tu Xun sighed: "Zhihou, you don't have to blame yourself. In fact, whether it is Xie Shangshu or Lao I, you understand your situation. You did not do anything wrong in this matter."

Chen Xi didn't expect Tu Xun to say this and said intimately: "This sounds pleasant, but it's more like a forced comfort."

"well!"

Chen Xi sighed quietly and said, "After Your Majesty sent Liu Jin to Xuan Mansion, he felt regretful. He had asked him to transfer Liu Jin back to the court several times. Although I obstructed him in every way, the results were very little... Your Majesty has decided this time. If I object again, I am afraid that the friendship between my teacher and student with Your Majesty will be cut off... I really have nothing else to say!"

"Um."

Tu Xun nodded slightly, "You know and I know your Majesty's thoughts, everyone in the court knows it, but even if you know that Your Majesty is biased, what can you do? Liu Jin's momentum of returning to the court is irreversible, and this is the sorrow of being a minister."

Tu Xun's tone was desolate, "Shangshu Xie came to see Lao Jiu before and mentioned this matter. His meaning was that since it was a fact that Liu Jin returned to the court, let you pretend to be a good person in front of His Majesty. He even expected you to say this, asking me not to blame you... In fact, it is the most difficult thing for you to deal with when you are caught between Your Majesty and the civil servants."

"this……"

When Chen Xi heard this, he knew that Tu Xun's words were suspected of winning people's hearts, but he also knew that Xie Qian was indeed defending him, and he could even say that he endured humiliation and was responsible for carrying heavy burdens.

Tu Xun said: "The only thing that can be done now is to limit the power of the Silijian, so that Liu Jin can no longer be as powerful as before after returning to the court... After all, he has been away from the capital for a while, and after returning, he cannot temporarily cover the sky with his hands as before. Moreover, it is not as difficult as before for the ministers to meet the saint now, especially for you, Zhihou, you often meet the saint. Even if you help Liu Jin this time, he will still cause trouble for you after returning to the court. You must be mentally prepared!"

"I understand." Chen Xi nodded.

Tu Xun said again: "You don't have to worry about being a head-on enemy with Liu Jin. Before Your Majesty returns to power, Xie Shangshu and Lao I will be incompatible with Liu Jin. There are many people in the court who are determined to fight the eunuch party to the end. Just do your business. The Ministry of War control for you is the best news for civil servants. You must not let Liu Jin extend his claws to the army, otherwise it may cause chaos in the court!"

Chen Xi said respectfully: "As long as I am here for a day, the military power will never be left behind. This is my commitment to my colleagues."

"You don't have to make any promises. The matter is done by others. Now Your Majesty values ​​you, but who knows what your Majesty will think in the future? Liu Jin is just a temporary gain. Throughout history, the power has become more and more short-lived... Xie Shangshu was afraid that there would be a shadow in your heart, so he told him before, if there is a gap with you in the court today, let me tell you alone after the court disperses. Now many people in the court are staring at him. If he explains something to you personally, it is really inappropriate. Okay, let's say goodbye to you."

Tu Xun's tone was sincere, and there was a hint of desolation in his voice.

Chen Xi bowed again, but did not continue to move forward. He stopped and watched Tu Xun leave, and then took heavy steps again.

...

...

The lights were just on, and the Hou Mansion of Shouning, Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling had just returned home from the palace.

When the two entered the main hall, Zhang Yanling couldn't help but curse: "...These civil officials were simply useless, with no courage or responsibility at all. Knowing that Liu Jin had no good life when they came back, they didn't even advise him to death... Especially the boy Chen, who actually spoke to Liu Jin. Humph, see that Liu Jin would not peel him alive when he came back!"

Zhang Yanling's anger came from fear of Liu Jin. When he thought that Liu Jin's power he had obtained would be stolen again by him, he felt a little uneasy.

Zhang Heling was much calmer than Zhang Yanling and said, "Second brother, don't get angry... Didn't you see that it was because His Majesty was indulging and favoring Liu Jin to make civil officials helpless in the matter of Liu Jin's return to the court?"

Zhang Yanling was a little dissatisfied: "Brother, why did you speak for those useless civil officials? You didn't see the boy named Chen, and he had a clear attitude and asked to transfer Liu Jin back to Beijing... I think this boy is tired of living. It was his own trick to Liu Jin leave the capital. Can he let him go easily after he comes back?"

Zhang Heling shook his head, frowned slightly, as if thinking about something. After a while, he said, "Second brother, do you also say that the person who was most affected by Liu Jin's return to the court was Shen Zhihou. Why did he come forward to help Liu Jin? Is he thinking that he can make peace with Liu Jin? Or is he confident that Liu Jin can't return to the capital?"

Zhang Yanling was stunned, then his eyes rolled and asked, "Brother's meaning is that he will make a good person in front of His Majesty first, and turn around and design to kill Liu Jin, and he will not suffer any loss inside or outside?"

Zhang Heling sighed and shook his head helplessly: "Who knows? The whole court is full of people, not Xie Yuqiao, nor our emperor's nephew, but Shen Zhihou, who has the status he is today at a young age. Do you think he is simply by flattery and tricks?"

"I don't think it's better to be on top even if I don't rely on sweet words... Your Majesty favors him and obeys his words. Others have always mixed reviews of him. Who dares to promise that he is not a slander?"

Zhang Yanling said this, but she was not as confident as she could.

Zhang Heling said angrily: "You are so stubborn that you can't listen to what you say... Shen Zhihou returned to the court and knew that Liu Jin would deal with him, but he still did not form cliques. He even looked like a civil servant such as Xie Qian, and he became the representative of the neutral faction of the court. What kind of heart does he have, do you know?"

Zhang Yanling did not argue and sat there alone sulked.

Zhang Heling continued: "If it weren't for the two situations I had guessed before, that is, Shen Zhihou knew that it could not win back His Majesty's heart, so he could only transfer Liu Jin back to the court first, because most of the power Liu Jin had had had had been lost. Even if Liu Jin came back, the major forces in the court would unite to fight him. Liu Jin's life would not be as easy as before..."

"But this is not the most worrying thing. I'm afraid that Shen Zhihou's purpose is to limit you and my brothers. Because Liu Jinli, Zhang Yuan got the most benefits, that is, you and my brothers benefited the most!"

"What?"

Zhang Yanling's anger had already subsided before, and when he heard this, he became angry again, "Is this kid planning on us? Brother, why don't you stand up and speak in the court?"

Zhang Heling said: "At the time, all the civil and military officials in the court, except for the eunuch party, all opposed Liu Jin's return to the court, but Your Majesty's attitude is still so firm. What's the use of you and I standing up and speaking? Talking with your brain, if you have half of Shen Zhihou... No, 10% of your intelligence, we brothers will not be so irrelevant until now. We are afraid of this and that, and we will suffer. My sister will cry in the palace every day... If you don't do your best, the existing power you have will be taken back by Liu Jin!"

Zhang Yanling squinted his eyes and cursed: "Shen Zhihou deserves to be cut into pieces, and Liu Jin is struck by lightning. These things are not things, so why aren't they all dead? Humph, they'd better not be in my hands, otherwise they must be smeared!"

Zhang Heling ignored his younger brother's venting words and said, "Liu Jin will most likely be controlled by him when he returns to the court. Now you and I must beware that he will take back the power of the Admiral's 3,000 battalions. At the same time, arrange for Zhang Yuan to serve in the Sili Supervisor as soon as possible. Even if he cannot become a seal, he must at least serve as the chief eunuch..."

"Brother, haven't you said before that Zhang Yuan's position in the Imperial Horse Prison cannot be lost?" Zhang Yanling raised his head and asked in surprise.

"It's time and time. If you don't want Liu Jin's family to dominate, you will have to control the Silijian... Now you can't just rely on Zhang Yuan, but you have to arrange more people to enter the palace to hold important positions... Oh, by the way, I have always said that you should establish a good relationship with Qian Ning. He is a celebrity in front of His Majesty. If he can stand on our side, he will be more confident in dealing with Liu Jin!" Zhang Heling analyzed.

Zhang Yanling said: "After all the time, I still have to buy people. This is a business of spending money. I am afraid that others will not appreciate it if they spend money!"

Zhang Heling said angrily: "In the current situation, if you don't show actual benefits, how can others help you? Unless you have Shen Zhihou's ability, let Your Majesty take the initiative to delegate power to you... In a short period of time, it will still be difficult for Liu Jin to rebel against the power of the Ministry of War when he returns to the court. This is also the reason why Shen Zhihou is not afraid of Liu Jin's return to the court!"

"Let's see!"

Zhang Yanling said, "The Ministry of War said it was in the hands of Shen Zhihou, but as long as Liu Jin blew the wind in front of our emperor's nephew every day, our nephew will continue to trust that kid? Brother, let me discuss it together, why did this boy Shen Zhihou do it? This boy had plotted against you and me, and keeping him in the court is always a hidden danger. Could it be that he just let him do whatever he wants in the Ministry of War?"

Zhang Heling raised his hand and stopped his younger brother's words: "Save what is done to Shen Zhihou for the future. Now the most important thing is to deal with Liu Jin's threat of returning to the court... If Shen Zhihou does not send someone to intercept the killing, you and I will also send someone to go there, and it will be just right for Shen Zhihou to blame him. Shen Zhihou hopes that we will fight with Liu Jin, and he hides behind him to pick up the ready-made ones. Why don't we do the opposite?"

Zhang Yanling's eyes lit up: "Brother, this is a good idea."

Zhang Heling said again: "Isn't you a Taoist priest named Sima Zhenren sent to the palace before? Now he is very powerful in front of His Majesty. Looking back to see him, promise him some benefits, and gold and silver beauties for him to choose... There is also a eunuch who went to the Xuanfu Army to supervise the army this time. His Majesty usually favors him, as if he was called a little knit. After he returned to the court, he would buy him... In short, now he wants to win over all the power that can be won over, even Shen Zhihou and Xie Yuqiao should not offend him!"

"I'm not willing to give up, I'm really unwilling to give up!" Zhang Yanling said with a tight fist.

Zhang Heling frowned: "I have to do it even if I am unwilling to accept it. In terms of threats, it is still Liu Jinda. After eliminating Liu Jin, the only people in the court who can fight against you and my brothers are Shen Zhihou and Xie Yuqiao, but you and my brothers are not Liu Jin. You and I are relatives of the royal family. Your Majesty and the Queen Mother will definitely stand on our side!"

...

...

Shen Xi failed to stop Liu Jin from returning to the court and was in a depressed mood.

It was not because of what kind of storms that Liu Jin could have caused after returning to the court, but Shen Xi discovered that Zhu Houzhao treated him more by using it rather than convinced him.

Shen Xi thought about this issue carefully on the way back to the yamen.

"What I hope to do is to cultivate Zhu Houzhao into the emperor I hope. The Ming Dynasty can move to a turning point from then on, Eastern civilization can be revived, the decline of the middle and late Ming dynasties can be avoided, and even a powerful Ming Empire can be established to conquer the world, rather than waiting for more than a hundred years to be destroyed by foreign tribes, and there will be no great shame and humiliation in hundreds of years! But now it seems that Zhu Houzhao will not follow the path I planned..."

"What this kid wants to be a tyrant monarch who eats, drinks and has fun. He does nothing every day and throws even the court affairs to others. But he would rather trust eunuchs than civil servants. Now he has a grudge against me... Abandoning Liu Jin, with Zhu Houzhao's current moral character of being lazy and hates labor, wouldn't others rise?"

Shen Xi was very disappointed with Zhu Houzhao. This pessimism made him feel that his life needs to be re-planned.

Shortly after returning to the yamen, Shen Xi went out to see Xier again, preparing to let Xier convey his meaning to Xuanfu... In general, he was going to let Liu Jin return to Beijing.

Xier was extremely puzzled after receiving the order: "Sir, since you are so afraid of Liu Jin, why don't you let him die at the border? As long as you give your order, your senior sister will definitely send the best assassin to kill Liu Jin... I don't believe there is no chance of success!"

"It is as easy as you say to kill people in the army?"

Shen Xi shook his head and said, "Even if I can kill, I won't do this. Liu Jin is just a reflection of His Majesty's will. Killing Liu Jin can change His Majesty's attitude towards the court and let him walk out of the leopard room?"

When it comes to court affairs, Xier is overwhelmed and lowers her head and remains silent.

Shen Xi said again: "Tell your senior sister that what should happen will happen sooner or later. Don't hinder Liu Jin from returning to the court. I will remember the credit for this time, and the court will also remember that your sisters did a good job. The rest is to prevent the Tatars from making a comeback... When Hu Lian returns to the court, you will come back with your senior sister, and the Xuanfu will not have to leave anyone anymore!"

Xier said: "Yes."

Chen Xi stood up, walked to the window, looked up at the stars in the sky, and said for no reason: "The grasshoppers after autumn are getting better after a few days..."

"Sir, are you talking about Liu Jin?" Xier asked.

"It doesn't matter who it is." Chen Xidao, "Also, there are probably many people who want Liu Jin to die this time. If Liu Jin gets an accident, Your Majesty will definitely doubt me and ask your senior sister to see the situation. If you find someone assassinating Liu Jin, you can help me, and now I hope Liu Jin can return to Beijing safely!"

"ah?"

Chen Xi's words became more and more confused by Xier.

Now Shen Xi not only did not let her and Yun Liu get rid of Liu Jin, but also had to help her, which made her unable to accept it.

Chen Xi noticed Xier's shock, shook her head and smiled bitterly, and explained: "Remember, there is no absolute justice and evil in this world, but only interests are entangled. Now all forces in the court have formed a delicate balance. The balance of Liu Jin's death is likely to be broken and produce unpredictable consequences. Leaving a Liu Jin seems to be full of dangers, but the chess game has room for maneuvering. If you lose three hundred yuan, you may not be able to kill a thousand enemies!"
Chapter completed!