For a moment, the atmosphere in the palace was a little subtle.
The shameless bastard standing at the door bowed silently and left, taking a few young eunuchs with him.
In the Nuan Pavilion, Zhu Yunxi, the emperor and his ministers of Linghan, sat facing each other.
"The old minister is not resigning, but becoming an official!" Ling Han said in a low voice, "Since the Yuan Dynasty, I have been in officialdom for more than fifty years. After the people were in trouble and the world was in chaos, I also watched the Ming Dynasty grow from scratch, and worked hard to govern the country and bring peace to the people."
"I first served the foolish master of the Yuan Dynasty, and then assisted the wise kings of the Ming Dynasty. It is worthwhile for me to be contented in this life. Now that I am old, my energy and physical strength are not as good as before, and I am not as high-spirited. I am old and confused.
If you are in a high position when you are waiting to die, it will not be a blessing to the country!"
Zhu Yunxi listened to him quietly and looked at him solemnly, "Ling Aiqing, you know that I have never felt that you are old in my heart. I have personally told you before that an old person in the family is like a treasure. I just took over this country not long ago.
, it’s the right time to employ people, why don’t you use your sea-fixing needle!”
"I am so grateful for the emperor's kindness! It is said that scholars should seek the welfare of their country, country, country, and the country, but how many scholars in the past and present have met a virtuous king? I asked myself that my virtue, talent, and learning are far inferior to those of the sages. I have been favored by the emperor. This gift of knowledge and encounter,
It is rare in ancient and modern times.”
"Now I am old and unfit for use. But our Ming Dynasty is like the rising sun, shining brightly on the world. It is the time to break the old and innovate, and embrace all rivers. The old and decayed people are like dead trees. If they continue to occupy high positions, I am afraid it will be counterproductive."
"If it were just the old minister's fault, that would be fine. The worst he could do would be to leave a bad name in the history books. But the old minister is a high-ranking official and is in charge of the whole world. If you are not careful, the country and the country will be delayed!"
Zhu Yunxi was still very patient and listened carefully to what Ling Han had to say.
His expression was very calm, and he sighed slightly until the other party's words came to an end.
"What you say makes sense, but...Scholar Ling, since you have thoughts of returning home, you should make it clear to me. These official rhetoric are not your strength." After saying that, Zhu Yunxi smiled and said, "Listen to me.
I feel awkward talking in such a formal way!" Then, he smiled again, "Aren't you awkward yourself?"
Ling Han's face also turned red and he was a little embarrassed.
"I can probably guess a little bit. You are afraid that I will think you are in the way in the future, or that I can't trust you and think you are holding me back. So now you want to retreat bravely and be glorious!" Zhu Yunxi said with a smile, "Really?"
"Yes and no!" Ling Han thought about it and sighed, "If the emperor wants to ask, then I will tell you everything!"
When he said this, he suddenly smiled wildly and said, "Your Majesty, this round stool hurts your butt. Can you give me a chair?"
Zhu Yunxi smiled and said, "There is one nearby, you can move it yourself!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ling Han struggled to bring an imperial chair, and then leaned on the back of the chair comfortably.
"I'm really old, I can't sit firmly without something to lean on!" Ling Han grinned, and then said with a solemn face, "But once you get used to sitting on a chair, even if you have been sitting on a stool for decades, you will never get used to it!"
"The veteran has been an official all his life. From the time he was admitted as a Jinshi, he started to think about the hat on his head. With the hat on his head, he began to think about establishing himself in the court."
"After establishing a foothold, I thought about whether I could have a stool to sit on in the court. When the old minister was old enough to sit on the stool, he also thought about whether he could have a decent chair in front of the emperor to show that he, as a minister, stood out from others.
Difference wins favor!”
"But after I got the chair, I still thought that if I had a bed, I could lie down as much as I wanted..."
"That's how people are. They have to fly to Shu!" Zhu Yunxi smiled, grabbed a pine nut in the dry fruit plate, pinched it open and said with a smile, "I also understand what you mean. Many ministers in the past and present have fallen hard because they had to fly to Shu.
The achievements of a lifetime have not been wiped out. Li Shanchang of this dynasty, Hu Weiyong is the best example!" As he said, he looked at Ling Han, "But I feel that Ling Aiqing is more than that!"
"I also feel that I am more than that, but sometimes, there are some things that I can't control!" Ling Han suddenly stood up from his chair and stood with his hands down, "When I was an official in my early years, Li Shanchang, Hu Weiyong, and later Zhan Hui were all ministers.
His sworn enemy, the kind who would fight to the death. But after being favored by the emperor and entrusted with important tasks, I suddenly realized that there are no enemies left."
"Both veterans and newcomers in the court gradually regard the veteran as their leader. Too many people inadvertently walk up to the veteran and regard themselves as his disciples."
"In the officialdom, veterans no longer need to speak out what they want to do. People will understand it with just one look. Either they will write a letter of impeachment, or they will go out in person, or they will respond from a distance."
Zhu Yunxi smiled faintly and said, "Don't be a party but be a party!" He said, nodding to Ling Han, "You have become the backbone of others and their backer invisibly!"
"At first, I was a little proud, but then I couldn't sleep or eat well!" Ling Han saluted, "If this continues, I will become a traitor to the court!" Then he raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I don't look like a young man anymore.
, and then my reputation will be ruined, my family will be ruined, and my family will be destroyed." He said with a bitter smile, "Although the old minister is nicknamed Tietou, in fact, the old minister is most afraid of death."
This is a man of great wisdom!
Zhu Yunxi sighed in his heart, this kind of courage is more than just retreating from the rapids!
In fact, he had vaguely discovered some signs a long time ago. Civil servants always have to have a leader, and they are always divided into factions for one reason or another. The battles among them are far more cruel and obscure than those among warriors.
It is also more destructive.
He never pointed it out. In fact, he had the intention of letting Ling Han speak for himself.
"In addition, from the Yuan Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, there have been fifty years of ups and downs in the officialdom. The old minister's life seems to be calm, but in fact he is shocked every step of the way!" Ling Han said with a bitter smile, "I'm tired, I'm really tired!"
"Rights have no boundaries. The more you become an official and the older you get, the more you feel that rights and responsibilities are contradictory!" Ling Han continued to sigh, "Actually, veteran, looking at myself now, I feel a little disgusted. After all, I have lived a successful life.
Official bully, official bug!"
"People's hearts are like this, I don't blame you!" Zhu Yunxi said with a smile, "If you are in a high position, there will always be someone to lean on you!"
"In the final analysis, I have become a very human minister!" Ling Han smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty and I honor you. I was very happy at first, but later I became trembling and terrified all day long!"
At this point, he sighed, "It's like a poison that can't be stopped! The reason why I have the courage to ask the emperor to allow me to serve as an official is that I want to ask the emperor to give me a decent consummation while my head is still clear!"
"I am really getting old. I think about falling leaves returning to their roots every day. After more than fifty years of officialdom, I am tired. It is time to take care of myself and see my children and grandchildren!"
Zhu Yunxi was silent again, and then looked at the other party for a long time.
"That's right!"
After saying that, he continued, "Don't be in a hurry to thank me. I am definitely right, but I will still keep official positions such as bachelor's degree for you. I will also keep the palace in Beijing for you. Where do you want to be in the future? You can live in it, and the necessary support and regulations will continue to be used."
This honor is absolutely rare, which means that even if Ling Han is not in the court, he still retains many privileges.
Others couldn't ask for it, but Ling Han smiled contemptuously.
"Old minister, I don't even want to be an official anymore. What are you keeping these frivolous things for?" In a happy mood, his true nature as Ling Tietou was revealed again, "When I go back to my hometown, I just want to go back to my hometown. I still keep a house in the capital and display it. Isn’t it true that being an official means occupying the latrine and not taking a shit?”
"Hahaha!" Zhu Yunxi laughed, shook his head and said, "You, you, you!"
Then he suddenly saw Ling Han take out an envelope from his sleeve.
"Don't take it out!" Zhu Yunxi knew what it was.
Ling Han was stunned for a moment, his face full of surprise.
"It's just that your family has gained some extra money over the years because of your identity. Because of your identity, your relatives have taken some land and taken advantage of the government. There are also rewards from me and Grandpa Huang over the years, right?" Zhu Yunxi smiled.
"Your Majesty..." Ling Han glared fiercely, "You have installed a royal guard at Lao Chen's house?"
Zhu Yunxi also blushed, "Well... Jinyiwei has the responsibility of supervising all officials. Your family has been keeping statistics in private these days. There is always news about it. I am also guessing!"
Facing Ling Han's question, he could only answer from the side without conscience.
"My whole life, I have been watched by guards in uniform?" Ling Hanyin was shaking wildly and was very angry.
"Sit down!" Zhu Yunxi quickly pressed the old man on the chair, "Ai Qing is old, so you can't be angry!"
Then, he changed the subject and said, "I don't want to see or know these things. You have worked hard all your life, and you deserve it. If you have any other requests, please tell me!"
Ling Han gasped several times, cursing in his heart, and simply kicked the envelope back into his arms.
"Old minister, I have nothing to ask for!"
"I promise you to serve in an official position with honors..."
"Your Majesty!" Ling Han said sternly, "I am already a Grand Scholar of Huagai Palace, the Crown Prince and Grand Master, and I have been promoted to the first rank of Guanglu Doctor. What else do I want?"
"I'll add Zuo Zhuguo to you!"
This is the best noble for civil servants. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there have only been Li Shanchang and Xu Da. Moreover, all those who have obtained him have a duke's hat on their head.
"Whether I want to add it or not... Actually, I really have something to do with you!" Ling Han hesitated for a moment, "If my eyes close in the future, the emperor will give me the posthumous title..." He said with a wry smile, "I deserve it." A veteran official from the Imperial Ancestral Temple would not dare to think about it, after all, he is not a military official."
Zhu Yunxi thought about it, "Do you want me to save you alive?"
"Your Majesty, please grant me permission! That's all I'm obsessed with!" Ling Han stood up and saluted.
"Wen..." Zhu Yunxi thought about it, "Wen Zhen!"
Ling Han was stunned on the spot and muttered, "Wenzhen? It may not be as good as it is, but the reputation will overflow. This is also the emperor's painstaking efforts to protect the old ministers!" After saying that, he kowtowed, "Thank you..."
"Get up!" Zhu Yunxi patted his shoulder and smiled, "No need to do this! You deserve it!"
"Old minister... I still have something to say to the emperor!"
"you say!"
Ling Han said sternly, "I know that the emperor is also a true-hearted person, and he loves and protects his ministers. But I am bold and ask the emperor not to value his ministers so much in the future."
After saying that, Chang bowed and said, "Not everyone is like Lao Chen. The more you give them, the faster they will change!"