In the 14th year of Chenghua, when we talk about the first eunuch in Ouchi, we are not talking about the arrogant eunuch of Yumajian, the eunuch Wang of the West Factory, the money-grubbing eunuch Bingbi, the eunuch of the East Factory, or the eunuch Shang Ming of the East Factory. The eunuch Liang Fang, who was favored by flattery and dedication, was not the eunuch Qin Chang, the eunuch Qin Chang who was the chief secretary beside the emperor.
This first eunuch is actually Huaien, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony. Regardless of his qualifications, prestige, or position, Huaien is the first eunuch among the eunuchs.
As a side note, in the traditional model of the power of the eunuchs in the inner palace of the Ming Dynasty, the eunuch holding the seal of the Si Li eunuch is the first master, the eunuch Bingbi of the Si Li eunuch and the admiral Dongchang is the second master, and the rest of the eunuchs Bingbi and the Yuma eunuch hold the seal of the family. Ranking depends on personal influence.
However, where there is tradition, there is specialness. The Chenghua Dynasty was a relatively special period. There were weird concubines like Wan Guifei and Eunuch Wang in the inner palace. Shang Ming, the admiral of the East Factory, was completely suppressed and was almost equivalent to a subordinate of the West Factory.
But the status of Huai'en, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies and in charge of printing, is not special. He is still the eldest among the eunuchs, but he is indeed not as favored as Wang Zhi and Liang Fang.
Eunuch Huai'en was known for his loyalty and uprightness. Some people in later generations commented that he was a more manly eunuch than a man. During the Chenghua period, he was regarded as the backbone of righteousness in the imperial court.
So when Fang Yingwu heard that the emperor had sent Hua En to the cabinet to inquire about Liu Ji, he immediately realized that this was the dawn of hope.
With Huaien's character, if there was a chance to rescue a minister who was imprisoned for remonstrating, he would definitely do it. It is also recorded in the history books that because Huaien tried his best to persuade the emperor to forgive a certain minister, he was hit with an inkstone by the emperor's dragon claw. Over the head.
However, from this small incident, we can also see that the emperor today has a bad habit of not seeing ministers. When things happen, eunuchs are relied on to pass the news on the emperor's behalf. The two people who play this role today are Huai'en and Qin Chang.
It is said that the ruling model of the Ming Dynasty in which the emperor lived in the inner palace without seeing foreign ministers was initiated by the Chenghua Emperor. Under this model, if the ministers of the outer court met upright eunuchs, it was relatively easy to worry about, but if they met evil eunuchs, then Just waiting to be tricked. Fortunately, Father Huai'en is relatively decent, so this time the Fang family is also lucky.
When Liu Ji saw Fang Yingwu's overjoyed expression, he knew that Fang Yingwu should understand who Huai En was. He couldn't help but asked curiously: "I found out that you are very familiar with people in the court? Where did you know that? of?"
"I know a little bit, I know a little bit." Fang Yingwu wiped his sweat and thought for a while, then explained: "When I was studying in the countryside, I had some contacts with Mr. Shang, so I also know a lot about the people in the court."
Liu Ji was worried that Fang Yingwu's expectations were too high, and said: "But I can only say that it may start now, but the specific process will have to be done step by step."
Fang Yingwu said quickly: "Wan Sheng understands! At present, the boss is just testing the emperor's intention. Even if Duke Huai'en is willing to help and say good things, he can only start the operation. This cannot be considered as a settlement.
As for the later stage, official documents have to be submitted, uploaded and distributed, from the Jin Yiwei to the Cabinet, the Director of Ceremonies, the Sixth Section, and then distributed in turn. It always needs to be done step by step. It will take at least a few days for everything to go smoothly, so there is no rush."
Liu Ji became even more curious, "I noticed that you seem to be very familiar with the governing process of the imperial government?"
"I know a little bit, I know a little bit." Fang Yingwu wiped his sweat and explained: "When I was studying in the countryside, I had some contacts with Mr. Shang, so I have some understanding of the business process."
Liu Ji continued to ask curiously: "With Senior Shang's steady character, why does he not urge you to study, but boringly tell you these trivial matters? Do you even have to teach you how to be the chief assistant?"
Why is this Liu Mianmian as thoughtful as a woman! Fang Yingwu racked his brains and replied: "Well, after he returned to his hometown after becoming an official, his temperament has become much more cheerful. He often chats with me and other juniors about his life experiences."
"I see." Liu Ji finally stopped asking, and asked another matter: "How are you doing with Wantong?"
Fang Yingwu is not stupid. He certainly knows that when asking one person for help, he should never show that he is still placing hope on another person.
What's more, after the meeting before tonight, he no longer wants to deal with Wantong. Wantong is far less comfortable to interact with than Liu Miantian, and he feels very awkward. From style to identity, he is not the same person at all. We can't even talk together.
So Fang Yingwu replied decisively: "They are not of my race, so I can only try to avoid him if I am born late!"
Liu Ji was noncommittal, "Let's put it down first, but don't ruin your reputation because of Wantong. It's not worth it. If your reputation is going to be ruined, how can you help me?"
When it looked like he was about to finish talking, University Scholar Liu suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "There is one more thing I almost forgot. I asked you to write some poems to thank me afterwards. Do you have a draft? Can you review it with me now? ?”
Fang Yingwu was speechless and choked. There are many people who like to be praised, but how can anyone take the initiative to rush the manuscript in advance? How thick-skinned does this have to be? Although he promised to use his reputation and poems to praise him and help him recover. A little fame in exchange
However, Fang Yingwu soon came to his senses. This man was known as Liu Mianmian, and his thick skin was his trademark. At that moment, he had no choice but to recite a quatrain and said: "I will long the streets in the future to lament my father's misfortune, and I will have to pay homage to the Prime Minister Guokuan throughout my life." In the third winter, the world is cold and people are cold, and in spring, Wen Yuan is frightened by the wind and cold."
Scholar Liu smacked his lips and commented: "First of all, the format of the quatrains is too casual. Why should I write a rhymed poem? This is solemn and upright, and the style of the song is not forced.
Secondly, it is empty and has no connotation, no intention, and is purely a coping work. In your poems, you should focus on reflecting my painstaking efforts and humiliation-bearing mentality, as well as the joy of rescuing your father-in-law, a loyal and good man.
Third, the wording is too general. You should find examples from ancient sages and use them as allusions. Have you heard the story of the Zhao orphans? There are Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu in it. One sacrificed his life and the other endured. You can take Cheng Ying's metaphor appears in poetry."
In short, what Mr. Liu means is - your praise is not good enough, from the format to the writing style to the conception, everything is wrong, so go back and praise it again.
Fang Yingwu was astonished. Is there anyone in the world who despises other people's poems for not praising them well enough and asks others to revise their flattery? This comment is not an ordinary poem, but a poem that praises his own. How can he just ignore it?
He asked cautiously: "Sir, are you joking, or are you teaching late students?"
Liu Ji said seriously: "Do you think I am joking? This is to discuss the details with you in advance. This is related to the result of my using this matter to win the hearts of the people.
If you really deal with it randomly like this, the final effect will be much worse. It will be irreversible and it will be too late to regret it! Therefore, the poem draft must be finalized in advance. You young people are so random in doing things and don't know how to plan in advance! "
Fang Yingwu understood. It turned out that his comments were purely based on a technical discussion. He could only admire him from the bottom of his heart and said: "Only today do I know why the old man can become the prime minister and minister in his early fifties."
Academician Liu nodded and said, "Let's encourage each other."
Since it was too late, Liu Ji left Fang Yingwu to stay in the guest room. In the courtyard between the main gate and the second door, there was a side door leading to the side courtyard, and the guest room where Fang Yingwu stayed was located here.
When he got to the room, he lay on the bed and thought about tonight's conversation. Fang Yingwu found that talking to Liu Mianhua was the most relaxing and satisfying. He could say whatever was on his mind without pretentiousness or superficiality.
This is a person with a very bad reputation in history books. He is definitely the opposite of a gentleman. How could I feel so comfortable with him?
Fang Yingwu thought about it and came up with some insights. This Cotton Prime Minister is actually a typical example of being overly obsessed with "technology", thus neglecting other things, such as spiritual will.
What I and Liu Miantian secretly agree with is this emphasis on technology. But because I have countless research results five hundred years later, I have an innate advantage in this area, so of course I must use it as much as possible. Moreover, I am better than him
More noble.
In his wild thoughts, Fang Yingwu fell asleep and woke up again. It was already bright, and Fang Yingwu washed his face by the well water.
At this time, a servant came over, and Fang Yingwu greeted him: "I've been bothering you all night, and it's time to leave. Please lead me to say goodbye to your master."
The servant replied: "When it was dark, the master went out to go to court. But I left a message. If Mr. Fang wants to leave, he can leave on his own. There is no need to say goodbye in person."
Fang Yingwu felt a little embarrassed and left the courtyard gate to leave the Liu Mansion. When he walked to the courtyard inside the gate, he found two sedans parked and seven or eight servants surrounding him.
It seemed like someone was going out from the Liu Mansion? Fang Yingwu stopped when he saw this, retreated to the moon gate and waited. Yu Li wanted to let the host go out first, and at the same time, he wanted to prevent himself, an uninvited guest, from suddenly appearing in the courtyard and bumping into the host's house.
Team.
Suddenly a steward trotted over and said in response: "My wife said that we can't treat our guests slowly, so we have to free up a sedan to take the young master back to his apartment."
Fang Yingwu hurriedly thanked her and said, "Thank you, Madam, for your kindness, but I, the young generation, do not dare to accept this great gift. Please take it back, Madam."
As he was talking here, he saw the curtain of a sedan behind him opened, and a girl of twelve or thirteen years old came down from it, holding an unfinished peach in her hand. It was Fang Yingwu who came last time.
The person Liu Mansion caught a glimpse of must be the daughter of Grand Scholar Liu.
Then the girl got on the sedan chair in front, and the manager of the Liu Mansion said to Fang Wu: "It has been vacated, Mr. Fang, there is no need to refuse."
At this time, the curtain of the sedan in front suddenly opened from the inside, revealing a pink and pretty face full of anger. Maybe she was angry that she was deprived of the right to ride alone in the sedan? Fang Yingwu smiled apologetically at her.
But he saw a thin white hand stretched out from the sedan and waved at him. Immediately something flew over and Fang Yingwu quickly dodged it.
When it landed on the ground, he looked carefully and saw that it was just a peach pit. Looking up again, the little beauty's face became even more angry. But someone in the sedan seemed to have patted her and took her back.
Judging from the steward's words, the other person in the sedan was Mrs. Liu? Fang Yingwu bowed deeply to the sedan as a gift in return. (To be continued. Please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!)
