The Dragon Tail Jade Toad Inkstone is indeed a top-grade She inkstone, the best among inkstones. Manager Xu Da is also a man who has seen the world. He knew the price was very high after just one glance. Cao Daye dedicated this object to Feng, who always regarded himself as a scholar. The factory supervisor was indeed in line with Feng Bao's appetite, and he was very sincere in being able to spend such a large amount of money. As for the treasure banknotes, although they could not always be calculated based on their face value, a thousand taels of treasure banknotes, for him, Xu For a person in charge, this is not a small number.
But Xu Jue did not accept it immediately. Instead, he smiled and said, "I have seen Cao Guishi's sincerity, but shouldn't Cao Guishi's purpose be made clearer?"
Cao Daye pretended not to know what he meant and said: "I have admired Mr. Feng for a long time..."
"Cao Guishan should know that my master has been supervising Dongchang for several years. There are not many things that the government and the public can hide from him." Xu Jue waved his hand, interrupting Cao Daye and said: "Cao Guishan, you are here. In the second year of Longqing's reign in the Wuchen Branch, your room master was Mr. Zeng Que'an, the current Minister of Taipu Temple, and Zeng Gong was a Jinshi of Renxu Branch in the 41st year of Jiajing, and his room master was Mr. Zhang Taiyue and Zhangge."
Cao Daye's expression changed slightly, and before he could speak, Xu Jue had already continued: "Cao Gaishi has been serving as county magistrate for just two years. He was promoted back to the capital before he could serve for one term. He can also take up such an important position as the Ministry of Household Affairs. , presumably not only Zeng Gong contributed to this, but even Mr. Zhang Ge might have shown his influence. But in any case, at least Cao Jishi's position cannot be easily transferred in the near future. So even if there is something in this matter The problem is, the most that Cao Cao can do is to advise the emperor, and the rhetoric is nothing more than being close to the virtuous minister and staying away from the villain. But after all, this matter only involves the prince, and the prince is still young, so your majesty is afraid of him If you are lonely in the palace and find a few loyal and good people to play with him, how big a deal can you do? When the time comes, not only will you not be able to gain any reputation, but you will also make His Majesty unhappy, so why bother? It can be seen from this that, This is absolutely not why Cao Gaishi came here today."
Only then did Cao Daye realize that he had indeed underestimated this humble steward of the Feng family. With a look of resentment on his face, he said awkwardly: "Steward Xu is aware of the subtleties, and I admire him." After a pause, he continued: "Excuse me. The official came here, indeed, under the entrustment of his mentor, and wanted to inquire with Factory Supervisor Feng, whether His Majesty suddenly acted like this, was it a whim, or did he have other intentions? Is there anyone else involved in this? "
Xu Jue sighed and said: "The affairs of the palace should not be announced to foreign ministers, but you are so kind to Cao Cao. It would be unreasonable for me to say nothing..." He frowned. Frowning, he said: "I can only say that everything has been business as usual with Your Majesty recently, and I haven't summoned any irrelevant people on weekdays. If there is anyone who has had secret conversations with Your Majesty, it is only Mr. Gao Ge. However, Mr. Holy Majesty and Mr. Gao Ge The affection between them is known to the whole world, and the Holy Father often summons the elders alone to discuss matters, so it is difficult for my factory supervisor to determine the root cause of this matter."
Cao Daye frowned subconsciously, but still held up his hands and said: "Manager Chengxu will tell you about this situation. I am very grateful to you." Then he stood up and showed a smile that every man would understand: "Bixiang Tower is closed today. Being hired by the lower official, Manager Xu might as well enjoy the southern style here. The lower official still needs to return his orders to his mentor, so he won't stay here for long. I'll say goodbye."
Xu Jue also stood up with a smile, returned the salute, and said: "Xu is really sorry that Cao has spent so much money on Cao's affairs. If there is anything he needs to know about Cao's affairs in the future, if Xu knows, he will definitely tell everything."
Cao Daye said a few more casual polite words and left in a hurry. After going downstairs, he did not forget to tell Zhou Xiangyun that he must serve Manager Xu well.
Not to mention how Steward Xu, who looked like a human-shaped toad, enjoyed the swan meat, Cao Daye just hurried towards Xuanwumen.
Cao Daye's mentor, Taipusiqing Zeng Shengwu, did not live in that direction, but Zhang Juzheng lived there.
Not long after, Cao Daye hurried to Zhang Juzheng's house and was taken in from the side door by the doorman. He was asked to go to the front flower hall. When he entered, it turned out that both Mr. Zhang Ge and his mentor Zeng Shengwu were there.
"I have met Mr. Ge and the teacher."
Zhang Juzheng relied on his status and just nodded and said: "Zhong Ping is here, sit down."
Zeng Shengwu asked, "Can you see that person?"
Cao Daye hurriedly leaned over and said, "Report to the teacher, I'll see you."
Zeng Shengwu waved his hand: "Sit down and talk nicely, no need to be polite." Seeing Cao Daye sitting on his buttocks in fear, he said again: "Did that person take the things away? What did he say again?"
Cao Daye did not dare to be negligent and told the whole story about the situation at that time. Zeng Shengwu turned his head and looked at Zhang Juzheng and said hesitantly: "Master, with the conduct of a high-ranking elder, he should not do such a useless thing. Could this matter really be a whim of His Majesty?" "
Zhang Juzheng looked indifferent and said: "Gao Xuan is a person who does big things. He is upright and disdains small plots. Moreover, those who benefit from this matter are all noble military officials. Gao Xuan has always been proud, how can he be willing to conspire with the military officials?" This matter should have nothing to do with him."
Zeng Shengwu nodded, but still frowned: "But since no one has met Your Majesty, the military minister, and the prime minister also said that no military minister has mentioned this matter, then this matter can only be caused by the will of the emperor." ?” But he immediately remembered something and said: “Brother Cheng Guogong has always been favored by the Holy Spirit, especially Zhu Xixiao who is now the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard. It stands to reason that he has the right to pay a secret visit to His Majesty. Could it be him..."
Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said: "It is true that the Commander-in-Chief of the Jinyi Guards has the right to directly enter the inner court to meet His Majesty, but Dongchang has been bullying the Jinyi Guards for a long time, and Feng Bao is not a mediocre person. How can he not monitor Zhu Xixiao's actions? If Zhu Xixiao can quietly face the Emperor, he will Feng Bao kept it a secret, so what he did as a factory supervisor was too cowardly."
"Of course this is the truth." Zeng Shengwu thought for a while and said: "But Dongchang Weiling Jinyiwei relies on His Majesty's favor, not authority. The reason why Dongchang has always been able to suppress Jinyiwei is because Admiral Dongchang is an eunuch, and he gets to know His Majesty more than the Governor of Jinyiwei, so he is closer to him. However, Feng Baozhi's foundation is also clear to the teacher, but he relies not on His Majesty's favor, but on Concubine Li's favor. Moreover, Mr. Gao Ge seems to have always been unhappy with Feng Bao. According to his qualifications, Feng Bao could have been the chief of ceremony, but Mr. Gao Ge recommended Chen Hong first and Meng Chong later..."
"You mean, because Gao Xuan doesn't like Feng Bao, His Majesty doesn't have much favor and trust in Feng Bao, so Zhu Xixiao's position in His Majesty's heart is even higher than Feng Bao?" Zhang Juzheng asked with a slight smile.
Zeng Shengwu hesitated and said: "Whether it is higher or not, I don't know, but Feng Bao's current situation shouldn't be that great, right?"
Zhang Juzheng said noncommittally: "Since his position in the palace is not very secure, wouldn't he take advantage of the opportunity of holding the power of Dongchang to monitor the dangers that may threaten him more carefully?"