The cold wind was strong, and Fang Yingwu followed his father on the imperial road inside Chang'an Gate. There were few pedestrians at this time (the imperial road was not a main road in the first place), the yellow clouds were white, and it made people suddenly feel confused.
Fang Yingwu, who came out of the Hanlin Academy, sighed. Today's Hanlin banquet really impressed him. Looking back, he simply stepped on landmines, and stepped on more than one -
First, he stepped on the landmine between Wang Hao and Shang Xianggong, which made Wang Hao angry; then he stepped on the landmine between Xie Qian and his father, and made Xie Qian angry;
In the end, I thought I could avoid the landmine between Shang Xianggong and Wan Shoufu, but unexpectedly I stepped on the landmine between Wan An, the first assistant, and Liu Jue, the second assistant, causing Liu Cifu to walk away in a hurry.
Fang Yingwu felt that he was innocent. What did all this have to do with him? He originally wanted to be low-key, but he couldn't get anything he wanted, because a big hand called fate controlled everything.
If Wang Hao hadn't been provocative, would he have dug a hole? If Wang Hao hadn't had bad intentions, would he have jumped into the hole? If Liu Mianhua hadn't suddenly come out to stir things up, Xie Qian would have just quarreled with him, and would have been beaten.
Are you going to leave in anger? If Wan Shoufu hadn't suddenly interrupted, the quarrel between him and Mr. Liu was just a junior quarrel, could it have aroused Liu Cifu's dissatisfaction and caused Liu Cifu to leave?
If he had known earlier, he should have only looked inside the lobby door for a few times, and then quickly left after gaining experience, instead of overestimating his ability and insisting on carrying a bag of explosives to enter the room.
Fang Yingwu thought about it carefully again. As long as he was a student of Shang Ren and Fang Qingzhi's son, he would naturally be burdened with a corresponding fate. There was necessity in chance, so he was destined to have these experiences, even if he was not today, he would be in other places.
day.
Among Wang Hao, Xie Qian, and Liu Jue, Fang Yingwu was not too worried about Wang Hao and Liu Jue. This Wang Hao was just a literary youth. Even if he could become a minister in the future, he would not be an outstanding politician.
Not too worried;
As for Liu Jue, although he is currently a bachelor of the Jinshen Palace, if nothing happens, he will be crushed by the rolling wheel of history in two years. The most unrestrained Wan An and the most unscrupulous Liu Mianhua will
They will join forces to deal with Liu Jue. It will be damned if Liu Jue can escape.
Therefore, what Fang Yingwu is most worried about is Xie Qian, who is known as a gentleman. He has a great reputation and is almost destined to join the cabinet in the future. Moreover, he is still very young, has a long political life, and is not as literary and artistic as Wang Hao. Don't underestimate this person.
A gentleman is a kind of gentleman. This kind of gentleman is generally not casual, but when he is casual, he is not a human being.
Fang Yingwu's eyes fell on his father's back in front of him, and he vaguely felt that between Xie Qian and his father... He was about to ask something, when suddenly someone behind him called to stay.
Fang Yingwu turned his head, and it turned out that he was still the slave from his hometown next to Liu Mianmian. He only saw him cupping his hands as a gift, "It's snowing late at night, why don't you have a drink? My master said that he will be waiting for you in the house tonight."
Before the marriage was decided, Fang Yingwu didn't really want to meet Liu Mianhua, and politely refused: "Today's experience has been like a revolving door. I'm still dizzy. I'll come to see Mr. Ge another day."
The servant from the Liu Mansion laughed a few times and pointed at Fang Qingzhi, "My master invited Editor Fang."
"..." Fang Yingwu was embarrassed and speechless, and took a step away to reveal his father. Fang Qingzhi thought for a moment and didn't want to get too close to Liu Mianhua, so he declined politely: "If it's inconvenient today, please forgive me.
Sir, please be understanding."
The servant from the Liu Mansion shook his head and responded to the other party: "My master also said that if editor Fang refuses to come, he will invite little brother Fang to come to my house as a guest instead."
"..." Fang Yingwu was speechless again. Liu Mianhua was worthy of being Liu Mianhua. Now he couldn't go if he didn't go. Rejecting one person would be a polite refusal, and refusing two people would be a slap in the face. Their father and son could beat Liu Mianmian right now.
Ji’s face?
Let's go then, he happened to have some doubts in his mind, maybe he could get answers from Liu Mianhua, Fang Yingwu thought.
Liu Ji, the bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, had returned to the mansion and was in the study. Fang Yingwu entered Liu's mansion and was led here by familiar people. Another maid served tea and then left.
At this time, there was no one else in the study, so Fang Yingwu deliberately complained first: "The boss is really unreasonable. I was talking to that Xie Yuyao, but you suddenly interrupted and made Xie Yuyao angry, but everyone else blamed me.
I am being blamed for everything."
Liu Ji smiled and said: "Don't be ignorant of good people's hearts. I am here to help you."
I think you just wanted to take the opportunity to repair Xie Qian and sell favors. Fang Yingwu complained a few words in his heart, but did not say it out loud. He only took the opportunity to ask: "What is going on between Xie Yuyao and my father? I was born stupid late in life, and I just feel that it is not right."
Is it so simple, or is it related to what happened back then?"
Fang Yingwu's biggest purpose in coming here is to find out what happened between Xie Qian and his father. He is not afraid of swords, guns, swords and halberds, but he is afraid of the unknown. He can't figure out the cause and effect, and always feels that there is a shadow over his head.
shrouded.
Academician Liu nodded, "When your Majesty was sent to the Heavenly Prison, Xie Qian protected himself and ignored his fellow villagers, and even ignored you. There are naturally deeper reasons for this. First, at that time Xie Qian was seeking to become an official in the East Palace.
At the critical moment, if the emperor is offended, his position as an official in the East Palace will be in vain, so he does not dare to act rashly."
Fang Yingwu was thoughtful. Even though the official in the East Palace does not have real power, it is the position that every young minister dreams of. It is the final channel to the south. If you become the official in the East Palace, you will become one of the future emperor's own.
As long as you don't act stupid and can survive until the new emperor ascends the throne, it will be easy for you to become the prime minister and assistant in the cabinet.
If this is the case, no wonder Xie Qian would rather risk being criticized by Shilin than to be a coward. It is understandable...
I heard Liu Ji continue to say: "The second reason is more distressing. Now among the ministers of your province, Yao Zhongzai, Shangge Lao, and Zou Chunguan have successively become old and retired. There is no leader in the court for the time being. I see that
Xie Qian has this ambition."
He only said this, but there was no need to say anything more. Fang Yingwu could naturally understand it. However, Fang Yingwu really had not thought of this. After being prompted by Liu Mianmian, he suddenly understood!
Comparing his father Fang Qingzhi with Xie Qian, they are both from Zhejiang, they are about the same age, only one subject separates them, and they are both high-ranking Jinshi who have joined the circle of CI ministers.
It's not too different.
In the absence of strong leaders among Zhejiang officials, the starting line advantage is huge on paper. The two seemingly promising people are natural competitors. Even if they have no ideas subjectively, there is some competition objectively, which is related to their character.
It doesn't matter whether you are a gentleman or not.
Fang Yingwu recalled that his father was sent to prison for admonishing the emperor that year, and through his own advocacy and campaigning, he became famous and the limelight was unprecedented. What would Xie Qian be thinking at that time?
According to the general rules of previous similar incidents, his father's fate was probably to be demoted to another place. This was probably Xie Qian's deepest expectation. The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty emphasized internal affairs and external affairs. Once his father was demoted to other places, no matter how famous or prestige he was,
There is no point in being high. If you are not in the center, you are not qualified to compete for anything. Who can still join the cabinet after being demoted to be a state or county official?
Therefore, if Xie Qian considered his own future, he had every reason to sit back and ignore his father Fang Qingzhi's life and death. However, unexpectedly, his father was not demoted after he came out of the prison, and could continue to hang out in the Hanlin Academy and keep his job.
The competitive qualifications have been improved to a higher level.
Whether the truth of the matter is like this, no one can tell, it can only be a guess. As for whether to believe such a heart-wrenching speculation, it depends on everyone's own choice. For example, Fang Yingwu probably chose to believe it - as Fang Qing
As his son, can he have a stand and choose not to believe it?
In addition, Fang Yingwu found that Liu Mianhua was very cooperative today and told the truth so happily. What does this mean? It means that he also wants something.
At least it can be said that Liu Mianhua is very annoyed by Xie Qian, a rising star in the right way. Thinking further, if the marriage is completed in the future, Liu Mianhua will definitely be happy to see a certain in-laws take over Xie Qian's position.
After thinking about it, Fang Yingwu couldn't help but sigh. In the officialdom, the entanglements of interests are really complicated, and you can find a thread if you don't pay attention.
It really saves effort for smart people to speak, and there is a tacit understanding without having to express it explicitly...
But he said that Liu Ji was not in a hurry. He waited until Fang Yingwu raised his head again, then took a sip of tea and asked casually: "Just now at the Hanlin banquet, I heard by chance that your father once served as a doctor in the Hanlin Academy.
Are you asking for marriage? Is there anyone suitable for you?"
Fang Yingwu answered resolutely without hesitation: "No!"
Liu Mianhua smiled brightly and put on the air of an elder: "I'm afraid you are also a hot young man now. I don't know how many families are willing to get married. I have lived dozens of years longer than you, and I have indeed seen more than you in terms of human relations and sophistication.
, now I have some thoughts on marriage to share with you."
Fang Yingwu was quite curious, what kind of words would Liu Mianmian say with his pragmatic character?
Could it be that Grand Scholar Liu wants to say to himself, "I am Grand Master Zaifu. In terms of power and status, I can kill almost everyone in an instant. I will give you fame and wealth easily. Why do you have any hesitation?"
Liu Ji coughed lightly, and Dundun taught: "In this matter of marriage, the most important thing is to look at the character of the other person, pay attention to personality compatibility, and congenial temperament..."
Fang Yingwu was caught off guard and was astonished without any psychological preparation. Was it really Liu Mianhua who said such pragmatic words?
Seeing Liu Ji wave his arm again, his tone became a little more serious, "When seeking marriage, don't focus on the woman's family background, money, power, official title, reputation, appearance, etc. It's too tacky! Keep your heart in mind!"
Fang Yingwu was stunned. Did Liu Mianhua take the wrong medicine today?
According to University Scholar Liu, when you get married and find a wife, you don’t have to look at any material conditions, but you have to pay attention to the spirit and soul... If others say these words, Fang Yingwu will not be surprised, but from Liu Mianhua’s mouth, there is something wrong.
It feels like the sun is coming out of the west.
Liu Ji's expression remained as usual, nothing special. He raised his hand and said calmly: "That's all I've said. Go back and think about it carefully!" (To be continued.)