In the mansion of Ma Minwen, the governor of Li Nei, the lights are brightly lit.
Although the door of Ma's Mansion was closed at this time, everyone in the mansion, even the servants in the courtyard and outside the mansion, couldn't hide the joy on their faces.
The servants in the mansion and the female family members in the backyard do not know much about court struggles. But the fact that Ma Minwen was awarded the title of Marquis of Neiting is obviously a good thing that will bring glory to the family. Although under Ma Minwen's restraint, the whole family did not make any big deal,
But it is still necessary to celebrate behind closed doors in the mansion and to reward servants.
Compared with his family members who were in high spirits, Ma Minwen's expression was a bit abnormal. It was not to say he was unhappy, but he just didn't feel the joy after being knighted.
Ma Minwen's four sons gathered in the hall, looking at their father who seemed to be worried, and they winked at each other. Finally, the most favored youngest son, Ma Yu, was pushed out, looked at Ma Minwen, and said cautiously:
"Father, you seem to have something on your mind? You might as well talk to the children."
Hearing this, Ma Minwen looked around at his four sons and suddenly said:
"What do you think of the current government affairs?"
The sons of the Ma family are all very young now, and they are all preparing to seek official positions in the court. However, they are often tested like this by their father, and they are used to it.
Several sons spoke one after another:
"Your Majesty, your methods are indeed forbearing and powerful!"
"Yes, he took control of the Forbidden Army without saying a word, and then made a comeback in one fell swoop. Before now, who would have dared to believe that the Grand Master was defeated like this?"
"My father did not submit the memorial to persuade the emperor to enter the country, but now he has achieved great success. Your Majesty has little control over the government affairs, so he will definitely rely on his many fathers in the future."
Among the four sons, Ma Yu, who is recognized as the most intelligent, has not spoken for a long time. He remembered his father's worried look just now, his eyes moved slightly, and he said cautiously:
"Father, are you worried that the Grand Master's confidants among the border troops are unwilling to sit back and wait for death and commit disrespectful acts?"
As soon as these words came out, the other people were stunned and all looked at Ma Minwen.
Ma Minwen shook his head and said:
"The army of hundreds of thousands is only maintained by the supply of food and grass materials from the court. And the confidants may not be die-hard loyalists. The Grand Master has not been punished. How many generals do you think will be lucky? Just based on His Majesty's current methods,
There should be nothing to worry about.”
"Then father, what are you worried about?"
Ma Minwen looked at his youngest son Ma Yu and said:
"Your two brothers-in-law, the Qu family is the Shaofu Order, and together with my father is in charge of the country's money and food revenue and expenditure. The Tao family is now in charge of most of the troops inside and outside Beijing. The troops, money and food are all in the hands of our three families. Now His Majesty is in the hands of your two brothers-in-law.
No one can care too much, but just in case in the future..."
When the sons heard this, they were stunned and said uncertainly:
"Father, are you worrying too much?"
"We have not had a close relationship with the Qu family and the Tao family before. His Majesty probably won't think about that..."
"It's not impossible. Your Majesty is now hiding from the Grand Master by pretending to be stupid. The scheming of such an ambitious person must be unfathomable. It's better to be careful!"
When Ma Minwen heard this, he had a sullen face and said nothing.
Ma Minwen was actually extremely afraid of Xiao Cheng.
There were many things that his sons didn't know, but Xiao Cheng's ability to make a comeback was not just due to pretending to be stupid and defecting from the Forbidden Army.
Previously, when he opened Yang Xuanyan's letter and saw the Emperor's Seal on it, he knew that his Majesty had extended his tentacles outside the palace under Wang Xiao's surveillance.
Such a shocking and impossible-to-prevent method really made him feel in awe of Xiao Cheng.
Someone thought for a moment and said:
"Since my father is so worried, he might as well resign due to physical reasons to appease His Majesty."
Ma Yu shook his head and said:
"My father has received a knighthood. This is clearly done by your majesty for the officials to see. It is also the time when you are employing people. It is impossible for your majesty to agree to my father's appointment."
"Well, how about fourth brother, you and your younger siblings break up? Then we have no contact with the other two families!" Someone said hesitantly.
"Second brother, what nonsense are you talking about!" Ma Yu suddenly glared, showing a rare gaffe.
When Ma Minwen heard this, he also raised his head suddenly, lowered his voice, and said coldly:
"Shut up! If you dare to say such things again, get out of the capital and stay studying in Zhuangzi outside the city for the rest of your life!"
After hearing this, several people immediately shut up.
They only thought that their father was angry because of their fourth brother, but in fact Ma Minwen knew that the reason why he was being reused now was mainly because of his relationship with the Yang family.
Although I don’t know how Yang Xuanyan got in touch with His Majesty, I certainly can’t afford to offend him.
But at this time, Ma Minwen seemed to hear something suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said:
"Yu'er, I remember that you also have a wife and sister who you keep in your boudoir?"
Hearing this, Ma Yu nodded quickly and said:
"There is a younger sister...Why does father ask this?"
Ma Minwen clapped his hands suddenly, stood up, walked a few steps, felt cruel in his heart, and gritted his teeth and said:
"Starting tomorrow, except for the necessary things at home, exchange all the other things for me into gold and silver."
When the brothers heard this, they were stunned.
"Father, what are you doing... Well, what are you doing? Now, it's not like selling off the family property!"
Ma Minwen glared and scolded:
"What do you know? This is related to whether we can take this opportunity to truly live together with the country! Yu'er, go and send a message to Tao and Qu Mansion... Oh, forget it, the Tao family is all dead
I will send a letter to Qu Mansion and ask Qu Cheng to go with me to your father-in-law's house tomorrow to meet him."
The sons looked at each other in confusion. Seeing that Ma Minwen's face became more and more serious, they turned around and left with a hint of reluctance.
Ma Minwen stood there, tightening his palms and looking more determined.
-----------------------
At this time, in the remote streets of Zhongqing City, a figure covered with scars was lying on the wall in the night.
The Imperial Guards who were temporarily in charge of patrolling the city held open fire and walked through the street in front, causing this man to subconsciously hold his breath for fear of making any noise.
After a while, the movement disappeared. The man waited for a few more breaths, then held on to his injuries, jumped off the wall, walked quietly through the streets and alleys, and came to a shop fronting the street and patted it a few times.
Down.
After a while, someone muttered from inside the door.
"Who is it? You stay up late at night and go to a teahouse to drink tea?"
"Uncle Master, it's me!" the man whispered.
At this time, a rustling sound suddenly came from the store.
The store door opened, and a man dressed as a young man looked at the injured man and frowned:
"What's wrong with you? Oh, come in first!"
The waiter helped the person in, then subconsciously looked outside the door, and then closed the store door.
It's just that this young man has little experience. He never noticed a figure flashing past him at the corner of the street when he was closing the door.