November 18th, the winter solstice, Wang Qinruo died!
The news spread throughout the court, and the courtiers discussed it one after another. Some were filled with emotion, some were silent, some felt lost, and some raised the corners of their mouths.
What's more, they even whispered: "When the officials heard that Wang Qinruo was ill, they sent someone to visit him and gave him a thousand taels of gold. Such kindness and honor is unusual!"
"That's because the officials don't know who Wang Qinruo is. If they knew, they would definitely not treat him like this!"
Ye An was silent when he heard this. In fact, the relationship between Zhao Zhen and Wang Qinruo was still good. Not long after Zhao Zhen took the throne, he couldn't figure out the order and promotion of officials, so Wang Qinruo specially presented the "Qianxu Tu".
It was a great help to Zhao Zhen to discuss that "Every official has his own way of talking about progress in ordinary times".
Coupled with Liu E's favor for Wang Qinruo, he became a counselor in political affairs and was granted the title of Duke of Ji. With his favor growing day by day, Zhao Zhen naturally had a better relationship with him and would not easily believe those "rumours".
Ye An did not want to evaluate Wang Qinruo. You said he was a traitor, but he had done things that were beneficial to the country and the king. He had also been a local official who benefited the country. You said he was a loyal minister, but he did the same.
The dirty things of catering to one's superiors, framing others, and stealing credit from others.
The balance of merit and demerit does not exist in the court. Only the emperor will use this trick when he is in trouble. As for the evaluation of a person's style, it is black and white.
Frankly speaking, Ye An did not believe that all the courtiers in the Song Dynasty were clean, let alone that every courtier was a saint and had never done anything.
Therefore, Ye An has his own "criteria" in his mind about how to evaluate Wang Qinruo, and he is willing to praise his achievements and criticize his mistakes.
After the court was over, Ye An packed up his clothes and boarded his ox cart to go to Sifang Bridge. He didn't know how many people would come to express condolences, but he had already promised that the old man would come to see him off on his last journey.
But as soon as the oxcart left the palace gate, he was overtaken by Lan Jizong. This time he went to the Wang family to express condolences on behalf of the Tian family, and also brought a reward. When he saw Ye An leaving the palace gate and heading towards the Sifang Bridge, he boarded the
They got on the ox cart and walked together, and the honor guard representing the Tian family followed behind the ox cart. Those who didn't know it thought Ye An was an envoy sent by the Tian family.
"Sir Lan, you are on official business this time. Isn't it a bad idea to ride in my car?" Ye An leaned against the carriage and looked up and down at Lan Ji, who was taking out food from the drawer of the carriage.
Zong, with a dissatisfied tone.
Lan Jizong rolled his eyes: "Aren't you going to where Duke Yi Guo is? Even if we are traveling together, why not? I heard that you went to the Wang family last month..."
Needless to say, Chen Lin must have told him this. Ye An sighed helplessly: "Does Chen Lin have to report to the palace wherever I go? This is a bit too much, there is no personal privacy at all!"
"My queen treats you as my nephew, what kind of privacy do you want in front of my queen?!"
Lan Jizong didn't take it seriously, and Ye An also smiled helplessly: "I had an appointment with the prince before, and I'm going to keep it today!"
"I heard that you decoded the four major books from Chongwen Academy? This is not a deliberate inquiry by someone. The empress sent someone to look for "Taiping Guangji" a few days ago. The palace official on duty said that you have decoded all four major books.
Borrow it."
Ye An nodded noncommittally: "Well, I have already started to send people to return the books I borrowed. I should have returned a lot. If the queen needs it, she can send people to Chongwen Academy to pick up the books."
Lan Jizong was surprised and said: "Have you read all the books that were returned?! You have been very busy recently. Sinong Temple is responsible for winter storage, and you are also responsible for tea collection and travel between the three bureaus. How can you do it?"
Time to finish reading the book?!"
Ye An smiled: "I'm a quick reader. By the way, you went to the Wang family this time with a reward from the palace, right? What did the Tian family give you?!"
"The grace is infinite!"
After Lan Jizong sighed slightly, he whispered to Ye An: "Wang Qinruo received a great favor from the Heavenly Family and gave it to the Grand Master and Zhongshu Ling. The empress even personally chose "Wenmu" from the posthumous title given by Zhongshu Sheng.
, and Yin En recruited more than 20 of his relatives to serve as officials."
Ye An looked at Lan Jizong in surprise, which can be described as a kindness and honor: "Since the beginning of the dynasty, there has never been a prime minister who has shown more kindness than me!"
But soon he understood the reason. Wang Qinruo could have retired and left Tokyo city, but with his death, some things would be revealed. Liu E's reward was not only to cover up Wang Qinruo, but also to protect Wang Qinruo.
Cover yourself.
She used Wang Qinruo to check and balance Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng. It would be unjustifiable if she did not reward the Wang family generously. She also wanted to establish prestige in the court, use both kindness and power, and let people know that being used by her would lead to a good death.
Lan Jizong didn't understand this, and Ye An wouldn't point it out. The current situation in the court would become more intense with Wang Qinruo's death. Liu E was trying to appease some people.
The oxcart dragged the procession of honor guards to Wang's house. At this time, Wang Congyi was already at the door receiving guests who came to express their condolences. Many of them were dressed as neighbors.
But no matter who it is, Wang Congyi will kowtow three times while kneeling in the other person's mourning hall.
In fact, Wang Congyi did not have the same talent and learning as his father, and he was not very sophisticated in literature. When it came to political means, he was even less outstanding.
Ye An didn't understand why Wang Qinruo didn't train his son with his talent, but looking at the appearance of the Wang family now, he suddenly understood.
It must be said that Wang Congyi was exactly the opposite of Wang Qinruo. He had little interest in becoming an official. Instead, he was in love with landscapes, flowers and birds, and was obsessed with painting.
There is no better way to know a son than a father. With Wang Qinruo's understanding of his son, it is probably not enough for him to enter the court.
Above the court, the clouds are treacherous. Now is the time when undercurrents are surging. As Wang Congyi's son, if he holds an important position in the court, he will definitely be taken advantage of by Liu E. Given Wang Congyi's ability, I am afraid he will not use his intentions.
work.
Such people generally do not make mistakes in the court, but once they make a mistake, it may be an irreparable mistake.
Looking at the huge nanmu coffin and Wang Congyi kneeling and kowtowing next to it, Ye An stood up after three bows and sighed: "A month ago, I had a long talk with Duke Yi. I never thought that we would be separated by heaven and man without seeing each other for more than a month. How sad!"
Wang Congyi stood up and returned the greeting: "In the last few days, my father often said that Yehou is a dragon or a phoenix among men. Please take care of him."
Ye An was stunned for a moment, then said: "Take care of the Wang family? I'm afraid Ye An doesn't have such ability!"
"This is what my father left behind during his lifetime. I would like to ask Marquis Ye to take a look at it."
Ye An glanced at the equally surprised Lan Jizong beside him, then opened the envelope and felt like he was struck by lightning. Then he turned to look at the coffin and shook his head with a smile: "Gong Yi, what a great Duke Yi! Since Brother Wang is so good at fine brushwork.
, Ye An really needs your help!"
Originally I thought Wang Congyi would be dissatisfied with his attitude, but he actually nodded happily and said: "Thank you Marquis Ye!"
Lan Jizong was stunned, looked at Ye An and said, "Are you going to invite Young Master Wang to paint at your Puhui store?"
Ye An shook his head and said with a smile: "It is not an ordinary painting, but an analytical picture. It is a special painting technique in the study of objects. It can not only paint, but also benefit the people. Brother Wang is naturally willing to go."
Wang Congyi thanked Ye An politely, then took out another letter from his sleeve and said: "This is also my father's explanation. If Ye An agrees to his previous request, he will give you this letter. If he does not agree, he will just give it to you."
Just let Yehou La take away the books in his house."
"The Wang family's book collection?!"
Lan Jizong looked at Ye An with a surprised look on his face and said: "There is a Wenyi Pavilion in the Duke Yi's mansion, with a rich collection of books that even the late emperor would have envied!"
A collection of books that could make even the emperor envious was a rare, unique, and unique book! Ye An was stunned for a moment, but looking at Wang Congyi's expression next to him, he knew that this was the foreshadowing left by Wang Qinruo.
Once he takes these books, he must treat Wang Congyi kindly. This will be his back-up and care for the Wang family. Ye An secretly sighs at Wang Qinruo's clever methods...