"A gentleman hides his weapons in his body and waits for the time to move." [Book of Changes]
Lu Chong and Fa Yan were both from Fufengyi and came from a wealthy family in Xizhou. Their family background was similar to that of Fa Yan, and they had good connections with each other. Therefore, after learning that Fa Yan was worshiped as Ting Wei Zheng, out of friendship, he
He came to visit him immediately.
After the two met, Lu Chong said with a smile: "Chong congratulates Ting Wei Zheng!"
Fa Yan smiled bitterly and said, "Don't be ridiculous. I'm about to go to your mansion to find you. Have you ever had a meal?"
Lu Chong thanked him and said, "I already used it when I came here. I don't need to worry about it, brother Ji Mou."
So Fa Yan invited Lu Chong to take the seat and said: "You have been in Zhongtai for a long time and you are in the position of a cardinal. You must know more than me. As for why I suddenly became Ting Wei Zheng and participated in Cai Zhonglang and other cases, if it is convenient to tell me,
Please don’t be stingy.”
"This is not surprising." Lu Chong cleared his throat and said, "His Majesty felt unhappy that Tingwei Xuanfan was blindly serving Wang Situ, and the case of Cai Zhonglang was of great importance, so he sent Zhao Shizhong to participate.
trial."
Fa Yan said: "That's true, but how can I be involved? I have never said anything surprising in front of His Majesty."
Lu Chong said: "Brother Ji Mou, didn't you arrest the guard Zhang Xi with Zhao Shizhong yesterday? Zhao Shizhong was worried that he was neglecting the law and could not resist Xuan Fan. So I think you are from Guanxi and you are a man of your duty.
For the sake of Indomitable Festival, I recommend you to His Majesty."
Fa Yan suddenly realized that he did not expect the cause of the incident to come from here. Although he knew that Zhao Wen had made great efforts to rescue Cai Yong in a short period of time, and had become famous in the court and quickly gained the emperor's trust.
But what made him wonder was, could Zhao Wen's holy family have reached the point where the emperor could appoint the recommended person without any examination based on just one-sided words?
Lu Chong was also puzzled by this. He talked about what happened this morning before he planned to worship Fa Yan as Tingweizheng: "I remember that after His Majesty knew your name, he specially asked someone to come to the Shangshu Desk to pick up your books and documents.
After asking some questions about your family background and relatives, someone came over to announce the edict."
Monk Fa Yanzhang was confused. After thinking for a long time to no avail, he simply stopped thinking about it and said something else: "In your opinion, what should I do?"
Lu Chong said: "I think your Majesty is definitely not a mediocre person. It is a God-given opportunity to ask you to participate in the trial of a major case. If brother Ji Mou wants to revitalize his family business and leave a legacy in this dynasty, I would like to advise you."
Work together with Zhao Shizhong and try your best to rescue Cai Zhonglang. If you don't have this intention, just uphold justice."
After thinking about it, Lu Chong added: "But you don't have to worry too much. Zhao Shizhong is also a self-denial and upright person. His Majesty has been calm and unhurried in dealing with the case of Cai Zhonglang. It seems that he has a plan. You only need to follow suit.
Just wait and see how it changes.”
Fa Yan nodded in agreement, but thought to himself, but in this case, whoever the emperor sends to be the third party in the interrogation is fine? Why should he give him this matter that can be easily benefited? Is it because of Zhao Wen's face?
Is it really that big?
The sky gradually dimmed, and Fazheng saw that the two of them had finished talking, so he brought Cang Tou in to light the lamp and add more tea and snacks.
Seeing Fazheng, who was only sixteen years old, saluting him without being humble or arrogant, Lu Chong suddenly asked: "What books has my nephew been reading recently?"
The elder asked a question, and Fazheng answered truthfully: "I have been watching "Gongyang Chunqiu" recently."
Lu Chong suddenly said: "Gongyang Chunqiu was originally a small talk about great meanings, but over the past hundred years, the content has become increasingly complicated, and the study of prophecies has been promoted. When studying the Spring and Autumn Period, we should focus on the Chunqiu Zuoshi."
The only way to be righteous is to be taught.
Lu Chong thought about taking the exam and asked, "Although you are not in the court, you can still get a glimpse of the court situation with the help of your honor and salary. I won't talk about the Three Spring and Autumn Annals with you today. I just want to talk to you."
You might as well try to talk about this situation."
Talking about the world was a favorite chat style among people at that time. Fazheng organized his thoughts and said: "Now the court is under the rule of Wang Situ. Although it is not said that the officials govern the country clearly and the treasury is sufficient, at least the traitors have been eliminated and the people are stable.
.According to my humble opinion, if Wang Situ can pacify the princes externally, cooperate with the courtiers internally, and concentrate on running Guanzhong, in less than ten years, the prestige of the imperial court will be greater than before."
Lu Chong couldn't help but nodded, and asked with interest: "What you said is what if, but what about reality?"
This question was not easy to answer, and it was not impossible for Fazheng to answer. He thought about it and said: "Actually, Wang Situ has his own opinions on how to do things. The incident of Cai Zhonglang caused a great loss of people's hearts and the ministers did not agree. In addition, Li
Jue and others have gathered troops to watch the situation. The young man in Shaanxi County is very worried about the current situation. He has advised the king more than once before to go home early and stay safe and stay away from the turmoil."
Lu Chong had known for a long time that Fazheng was extraordinary since he was a child. He put his hands on his knees, leaned forward and asked, "Listen to what you said, have you changed your mind now?"
"Yes, because I didn't expect His Majesty to be smart and promising, so I thought this would be a turning point, so I just now persuaded my master and Zhao Shizhong to advocate for Cai Zhonglang to be pardoned." Fa Zheng said calmly.
Lu Chong laughed loudly and turned to look at Fa Yan: "Back then, Emperor Xiaohuan set up the Secretary's Prison to house the collection of books in the Secretary's Office. Now His Majesty has reset it. Although it still belongs to Taichang, it still belongs to the Secretary's Office, except for the Secretary's Order.
Except for the transfer of Shejian, the assistant minister of Huangmen, the remaining ministers are all selected from young talents from the famous families of public ministers. The scriptures are fake, and the accompanying books are genuine. If the children of the clan can enter the secretarial prison, they will not only be able to have a glimpse of the secret palace
Collect books, enhance knowledge, and grow up with His Majesty from childhood, cultivating the relationship between monarch and ministers. Therefore, all the noble families in the counties and counties of Gyeonggi attach great importance to it recently."
Fa Yan didn't know that Lu Chong, who had been talking to Fa Zheng for a long time, would suddenly talk to him about this. He said inexplicably: "Of course I know about this, but I don't know what it has to do with me?"
Lu Chong put his hand on his buttocks and said excitedly: "Young Master is very talented. The country is twelve years old and the Young Master is sixteen. There is not much difference. Why not take this opportunity and let the Young Master have a try?"
Fa Yan was startled, obviously he had never thought about this matter: "Well, I heard that this time the selection will be after the Gongqing family and famous ministers. I am only a mere official, so I am afraid I am not qualified."
"This is ridiculous." Lu Chong moved his seat closer to Fa Yan and said, "I heard rumors that your Majesty intends to open up the scope. Officials with six hundred stone can recommend children, and each county guard can also recommend outstanding boys.
The first selection is to ensure fairness. After five days, all the recommended disciples will participate in the examination planning together in Chengming Palace and the best will be admitted."
"I don't know that the children of famous families have the grace of their ancestors and the protection of their fathers. If your Majesty chooses only humble and unknown people, I am afraid that even the ministers will not agree." Fazheng couldn't help but muttered to himself. Unexpectedly, the voice was too loud.
Fa Yan and the other two heard it.
It is extremely rude for the elders to speak and the younger generation to comment. Legalists have attached great importance to etiquette since Fa Zheng's grandfather, Mr. Xuande, passed down Confucianism. At this time, Fa Yan stared at Fa Zheng with an unhappy expression, about to explode.
, Fazheng's face turned red, and he hurriedly apologized: "You're rude, I hope you'll forgive me."