Volume 1: Swan Goose Chapter 46: The Eight-Foot Body Falls to Pingyang (2)
Emperor Yu left a few old men behind, standing there looking at each other, while he retreated to the side hall with the support of Eunuch Shuangxi. Several courtiers were unwilling to accept it, and they all tried their best to work together to pull Xia Yunqing down.
Come, but unexpectedly the words ended hastily in the middle of the sentence.
But Emperor Yu had made up his mind, and although everyone was unwilling to do so, they had to disperse. Man Tingfang followed everyone out of the Zichen Palace, but Wang Su stared at his back thoughtfully.
"Lord Mandarin, please stay!"
Man Tingfang had just walked out and not taken two steps when he heard someone calling him from behind. He recognized that it was Wang Su's voice and didn't pay much attention. He just turned around slowly and smiled as he watched Wang Su approach step by step.
.
Seeing that everyone had gone away, Wang Sucai narrowed his eyes and looked at Man Tingfang, and said in a deep voice: "Sir Man, what did you mean by what you said just now? You were hinting to the emperor that someone was behind this incident to slander Xia Shou.
Auxiliary?"
Man Tingfang chuckled, cupped his hands and said, "Wang Shangshu has worried too much. The evidence for this matter is conclusive, and there is no falsification of facts at all."
Wang Su's face looked a little ugly, and he snorted coldly: "According to Man Shangshu's intention just now, is there no one else qualified to hold the position of chief assistant except him, Xia Yunqing?"
Man Tingfang quickly laughed and said: "Master Wang, this is a misunderstanding! I just said that the position of chief assistant is very important, and you must be cautious whether you move it or not. But having said that, the appointment of the chief assistant position is not a word from the emperor.
Is it about words?"
Wang Su narrowed his eyes slightly and said reluctantly: "Master Mandarin, don't blame me for not reminding you. Open your eyes and take a good look at the current situation. If you are on the wrong team, be careful you will be the next Xia Yunqing!"
Man Tingfang smiled and sighed, and said seriously: "Master Wang, you are wrong. I am not helping Xia Shoufu but I am helping you."
Wang Su looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Are you helping me? Oh, why didn't I notice it at all?"
Man Tingfang twirled his beard and said with a faint smile: "In terms of merit, qualifications and reputation in this dynasty, Wang Shangshu is naturally the most suitable position as the first assistant. If Xia Shoufu resigns and returns home, the position of first assistant is inevitable.
It will be your turn. But I am worried that there will be others in the court coveting the position of chief minister, so I will remind the emperor!"
Wang Su pondered, rolled his eyes, and said coldly: "You mean Liu Bingwen?"
Seeing Man Tingfang but smiling silently, Wang Su laughed loudly and said: "Master Mandarin, you are worried for nothing. What kind of thing is Liu Bingwen? The emperor knows better than us, let alone let him be the leader.
Assistant, I’m afraid he won’t even be allowed to join the cabinet, how can he deserve to compete with me?”
Man Tingfang looked at his triumphant and confident look, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and sighed: "Wang Shangshu's words are true. In the emperor's heart, there is indeed no one more suitable for this position than you. But Liu Bingwen and Ping Yang
Would Hou, two real relatives of the emperor, also think so?"
Wang Su was startled, looking at Liu Bingwen's back like an eagle, and asked in a deep voice: "What exactly do you want to say?"
Man Tingfang smiled and said slowly: "Master Wang, I don't know how Liu Guozhan and Pingyang Hou win over you. But as far as I know, Liu Guozhan has always been eyeing the position of chief minister. And Pingyang Hou
They have been supporting him from behind to ascend to this position. Think about it, they are pulling you to suppress Xia Yunqing now. After Xia Yunqing leaves, will they join forces to deal with you again? I know that you are the most trusted person by the emperor.
But you have also seen the emperor's attitude towards Marquis Pingyang. If Marquis Pingyang wants to support Liu Bingwen, will the emperor really not give him any face?"
Man Tingfang's words made Wang Su fall into deep thought: Man Tingfang is right! Liu Bingwen was indeed against him at every turn. Now that Liu Bingwen can temporarily put aside his pride to win over himself, I am afraid it is just a delaying tactic! This
He will not give up the position of chief assistant to others easily!
Wang Su's attitude softened a little, and he bowed his hand to him and said, "Thank you, Lord Mandarin, for your reminder today. I will never forget this kindness."
Man Tingfang quickly bowed and said, "Don't you dare! I have always admired Wang Shangshu, and I can't bear to see you being taken advantage of. That's why I said this. I don't dare to take credit!"
Wang Su smiled deeply, patted his shoulder gently, then turned around and walked away.
Full court
Fang Nianxu looked at his back and sighed inwardly: His guess was indeed correct. Liu Bingwen and Pingyang Hou had indeed won over Wang Su. If he hadn't said those words just now, which temporarily disintegrated this unreliable alliance,
Xia Yunqing is really in trouble this time!
On second thought, it was not enough to comfort Wang Su, so he immediately picked up his robe and ran outside Xuande Gate.
The sun was shining brightly at noon, the birds were chirping loudly, the flowers were shadowed, and the streets began to become lively and noisy. Big-character posters criticizing Xia Yunqing could still be seen everywhere. But the people who posted them could not be seen. People walking around in the streets
There are a few more guards than usual.
Man Tingfang sat on the carriage and closed her eyes slightly to rest, but her mind was full of thoughts:
Even if his words just now could temporarily stop Wang Su from continuing to act, they could not take back their previous deployment. Wang Su could think of posting big-character posters all over the street, so it was conceivable that in front of Xia Yunqing's mansion,
What a scene it would be!
The carriage rushed along, and the dust raised was fragrant. He opened the curtains and leaned out to look around, and found a carriage following not far behind him. The carriage looked very luxurious, and the owner must be either rich or noble.
Man Tingfang sighed secretly: It was indeed the mantis stalking the cicada and the oriole behind him! However, he decided to keep his cool and use his tricks to see who was following him.
As soon as Man Tingfang's carriage arrived at the street corner where Xia's Mansion was located, she saw from a distance that the street leading to Xia's Mansion was already packed with people.
Man Tingfang ordered the carriage to find a private place to stop, and then he opened the curtains and peeked out. After a closer look, he discovered that the people who surrounded the Xia Mansion were all the little sesame people in the court.
official.
Man Tingfang sneered and cursed secretly: What a despicable trick to find someone to block someone's door and make a big fuss! I don't know if I am thinking that the emperor is stupid or that Xia Yunqing is stupid. Such a low-level official dares to do something to the chief minister.
If there is trouble in front of the door and no one is behind it, who will believe it?
After pondering for a while, he didn't want to be entangled anymore, so he asked the driver to turn around immediately, go back to the previous intersection and then turn in. In this way, he could go around the path to the back door of Xia Mansion.
As expected, no one was guarding the back door of Xia Mansion. But it's no wonder that people who are not familiar with Xia Mansion don't know this path.
Man Tingfang got off the carriage and ordered the driver to stop a little further away. After he looked around and confirmed that no one was following her, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.
After knocking for a while, the door slowly opened a crack, revealing half of a man's face. The man's brows were sad and his eyes were drooping. He was none other than Xia Ren, the housekeeper of the Xia Mansion.
He opened the door and saw Man Tingfang coming. He breathed a sigh of relief and asked in a low voice, "Man Tingfang, what can I do for you?"
Man Tingfang looked around, leaned over and asked in a low voice: "Is the Chief Assistant at home?"
Xia Ren frowned slightly and said with some embarrassment: "Yes, yes, but... the master has given orders, and no one can be seen now..."
Man Tingfang smiled and reassured: "Master Chief Assistant, you don't have to see anyone, but you must see me. Don't worry, if you let me in, he won't blame you!"
Xia Ren pondered for a moment, then nodded, and immediately opened the door a little further, turning sideways to let Man Tingfang in. The door was then locked behind him.
After entering, Xia Ren led Man Tingfang all the way to the door of Xia Yunqing's study, but stopped outside the door.
Xia Ren looked troubled and said hesitantly: "Master Mandarin, I think you already know what happened. I can only inform you, but if I don't want to see you, please don't embarrass me."
Man Tingfang smiled and said softly: "Don't worry, Xia Shoufu doesn't want to see me, I will turn around and leave immediately."
Xia Ren let out a long breath, then raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door, but after knocking for a long time, no one answered. Xia Ren had no choice but to lie on the crack of the door and shouted softly: "Master, the Mandarin wants to see you.
Do you want to let him in?"
After a long time, a vicissitudes of voice came from the door: "Let him come in."
Xia Ren breathed a sigh of relief and quickly opened the door a crack, allowing Man Tingfang to walk in.
In this medium-sized, simple and elegant study, the candlelight is dim and the air is filled with
Smells of lilac.
Man Tingfang looked around and saw a tall figure sitting alone on a futon, holding a copy of "The Book of Filial Piety" and reading it carefully. The candlelight dancing on the desk reflected on his resolute face.
, there is a hint of loneliness and sadness.
Man Tingfang sighed slightly, walked over lightly, bowed deeply, and said sadly: "Master Chief Assistant, please forgive me and take care of yourself!"
Xia Yunqing didn't answer him or turn around. He just slowly put down the book in his hand and let out an inaudible sigh.
Man Tingfang knew why he was sighing, so he said softly: "Master Chief Assistant, don't worry, I, Man Tingfang, am definitely not the one who adds insult to injury. I am only here to worry about you, not to force you. You and I have known each other for so many years.
, you should understand what kind of person I am..."
Hearing this, Xia Yunqing slowly turned around, her face brightened slightly, and raised her hand to invite him to sit opposite her. Man Tingfang quickly came over and sat down on the futon opposite him. Xia Yunqing didn't say anything, but just raised the stove.
He made a cup of tea for him from the tin pot, then picked up the book and flipped through a few pages.
Seeing the haggard look on his face, Man Tingfang sighed and couldn't help but want to say a few words of comfort:...
"Hey! As the saying goes, people over seventy are rare in ancient times. Your father was already over ninety when he passed away. This is his end of life. It is his blessing and the blessing of the chief minister! Mr. chief minister, there is no need to be too sad! Your health is important.
The affairs of the DPRK are still waiting for you to handle."
Xia Yunqing put down the book again, sighed heavily, and said calmly: "The Mandarin came here at this time, not to persuade me to resign and go home to Dingyou, but because he was worried about my health. I think there must be someone as humane as you in this court."
The ministers are gone. Even if I don’t go to court, I can still think of how those people in the court scolded me! They can say anything about not observing filial piety, being greedy for power, violating the ancestral precepts, or even worse things...