Zhang Cai and Tang Yin were waiting in the study together.
This was a place he often visited. He could usually sit calmly and wait slowly. Plus, Tang Yin was talking about some poems and articles, so time passed quickly. However, this time he couldn't sit down at all.
He stopped, pacing back and forth on the ground with his hands behind his back, and glanced towards the door from time to time, but every time the door curtain remained motionless. Until he himself felt that he was too impatient by pacing back and forth like this, so he patiently planned to sit down.
When he came down, he suddenly saw a hand lifting the door curtain.
"Sir...ah, it's the boss!"
Although Zhang Cai was disappointed, he still stepped forward to salute. Tang Yin on the side helped explain: "Sir, I just came back from Xianyuan, and I met Mr. Zhang in front of the door. Mr. Zhang said that there is
It is urgent to see him, so I will wait here with him. Now that the boss is here, I will take my leave first."
"Yeah." Xu Liang knew that Tang Yin had never cared about this kind of thing, so he nodded immediately, and when others left the room, he smiled and said, "It's not that I, an old man, am doing things for me, it's actually Xun'er who came back with Jiutian Chiyi
, I just arrived last night, and I didn’t have a good rest. Today I was summoned to the palace again. When I came out, I went to Fuqing Tower to attend the ceremony. When I came back, I couldn’t stand it anymore. Now I’m asleep and I don’t know what’s going on. Even if I barely screamed,
When he gets up, he's just afraid that his head will be confused and he won't be able to think or ponder what he's hearing. So, if Mr. Zhang has anything to do, just tell me. I'm at home today on leave and I'll tell him later."
"My lord, just call me Piaozi Shangzhi. I really can't afford this."
Seeing Zhang Cai quickly stood up and said a humble word, Xu Liang knew that Zhang Cai was a few years older than him, but he still nodded and said: "In that case, I will call you Xilu like Xun'er. I know my son better than my father, you are
I didn't see him coming back today. If I hadn't held him up, he would have collapsed and fallen asleep halfway through. So, although I usually never care about his affairs, this time I had to step in and take care of it.
"
Zhang Caiyuan wanted to go back for the time being, but after hearing Xu Liang's sincere words, he thought that he was Xu Xun's father after all. He hesitated for a moment and then said: "Since the boss said that, then I can only bother you.
To tell you the truth, I came here specifically today because of the assassination of Your Excellency on his way back this time. I heard that Your Excellency ordered to keep his mouth shut, but there are rumors about what happened yesterday in the capital today. It can be said that people’s words are terrible. At this moment
If there is no suppression, I am afraid that Eunuch Liu will definitely think that the adults are secretly instigating public opinion. The current plan is to find a scapegoat immediately, otherwise the officials who were suppressed by Lin Shangshu, Zhang Duxian and others earlier will probably
They seized this opportunity to attack Eunuch Liu violently, but they tied him into a carriage instead."
Xu Xun only had time to tell his wife last night that Xu Liang had just learned that Xu Xun was assassinated again on the way back, but in front of Zhang Cai, he still suppressed the shock and inexplicable emotion. But in his heart, Xu Xun
Xun cursed for half the time. But after Zhang Cai finished speaking, he said decisively: "Xun'er said before that Xilu is good at planning and making decisions. Then who do you think the assassin should be attributed to?"
"The pirates!"
Xu Liang was greatly surprised when he heard this. In the past few months, the bandits in Kinki have been fighting fiercely. Although important places such as counties and prefectures have not been harmed, the rumors among the people are already quite strong. He originally thought that Zhang Cai should give them the excuse.
He never expected that Zhang Cai would open his mouth and say the word pirate. However, what Zhang Cai said next convinced him.
"First of all, your Excellency went to Shaanxi this time. Although there were many small victories, compared with the suppression of the rebellion of King Anhua, those small victories were not so impressive at first glance. Therefore, there were many difficulties in the deployment of troops in the capital.
From the cabinet minister Li Dongyang down, many people hold objections, including Lin Shangshu and others. If the bandits are openly provoking, the matter will be different. And as long as it is publicized, people can win.
You know, this time it was the third prince of the little prince who returned home in defeat, Balsborot, who was equivalent to the Mongolian father Khan. Out of fear, he even sent someone to assassinate the Lord. It was clear that he feared the Lord like a tiger. In this way,
Your reputation will be as high as ever.”….
Having said this, Zhang Cai paused and considered for a moment before continuing: "Secondly, although it is simple to attribute it to bandits, the court will definitely send out a large number of troops to suppress the bandits. Compared with using troops to prepare the border,
The troops were dispersed invisibly. What's more, the bandits and thieves were on guard because of this, and they lost the opportunity to calculate deliberately and unintentionally. Thirdly, Liu Eunuch's suspicion can be cleared for the time being, and I think he will be relieved.
tone."
Xu Liang suddenly understood, nodded immediately and said: "Okay, if Xun'er hears what you said, he will definitely agree. Just do what you said, Xilu, and I will tell Xun'er later."
"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Zhang!" Zhang Cai was afraid that Xu Liang would look forward and backward. At this moment, seeing the Xing'an Bo entrusting important matters to him so readily, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. When he stood up, he raised his hand again.
, said solemnly, "In addition, when you wake up, I would like to ask you to tell me... things are different from the past. One mountain can no longer accommodate two tigers!"
Seeing Zhang Cai stood up and left after saluting, Xu Liang Shao had no choice but to send the person to the door of the study. Seeing the person striding away, he stood there and pondered for a while, and then silently returned to Xu Xun's huge study.
Xun Xun sat down on the large huanghuali armrest chair where he often sat. Thinking that just a few years ago, he was a poor man with nothing under the Dazhong Bridge in Nanjing, but now he has everything. After all,
Or because of my own fate, I got a son like Xu Xun. But along with wealth and glory, the price was also considerable.
The son has traveled thousands of miles, and the mother is worried... In the Xu family, it is the son who has traveled thousands of miles, the father is worried, and the wife is worried. That boy is a restless master in the capital. When he goes out, he is also troubled. Now that he is back, he is also worried.
Is a storm brewing?
After thinking about it, Xu Liang finally stood up, went to see Shen Yue in person and gave some instructions, and then asked someone to prepare their horses and quietly go out. It took only three or five riders to leave Wu'anhou Hutong, and someone had already followed quietly.
The intelligence news quickly spread to the Liu family's private residence in Shajia Hutong.
"After Zhang Cai left, Xu Liang went to Shouning Hou Mansion?" Liu Jin, who took leave today and returned to his private residence, raised his eyebrows, and then dismissed the messenger angrily, snorting softly, "Look back.
I told you to go down and stop staring at Xu Liang. My son, the hero, is a pustule. The only people he has close contact with in the capital are some nominal military commanders, including the Marquis of Shouning. He is only polite to him because of Xu Xun's relationship. Xu Xun usually has important matters.
Never let him get his hands on him. Instead of putting our limited hands on him, we should pay more attention to Zhang Cai. Even Tang Yin is more useful than me!"
Since Wang Ning's sudden death, even though the chief ceremonial supervisor is Liu Jin's private person and can respond to every call, there are no people like Wang Ning who can figure out his thoughts and come up with ideas. If he hadn't been afraid of the imperial concubine before,
, did not dare to leave the palace for even half a step, and had returned to this private house long ago. Now that Xu Xun came back, he was determined. He simply asked for leave and came back. At this moment, he saw Zhang Wenmian and Sun Cong both looked lustful.
He hesitated and pursed his lips impatiently.
"If you have something to say, just say it. We are not the ones who wait until we don't hear our suggestions!"
Zhang Wenmian then spoke respectfully: "Father-in-law, the student feels that Xu Xun is not a man who is eager for quick success. If he was assassinated on the way back, he must know that it was not the father-in-law who was the instigator..."
Before he finished speaking, Liu Jin sneered and said: "Of course he is not stupid. This slippery boy didn't know that someone framed him. But now that this matter has been exposed, he must find someone to explain to him.
.For those guys who don't deal with our family, this explanation of our family is naturally the most ideal. Anyway, the emperor doesn't believe it, let those chattering guys who can only make noises, our family will deal with every one of them, and discipline Xu Xun.
It’s hard to put into words!”….
Sun Cong saw that Zhang Wenmian's reminder was not on point, a smile flashed in his eyes, and he immediately bent down and said: "Eunuch, Xu Xun just came back, if he really wanted to cause trouble, he would have broken his face in front of the emperor before.
Just using a few dead people to do this shows that he doesn't think he can live up to his father-in-law's favor. What matters most is the government decrees of his father-in-law!"
Although Sun Cong flattered a lot, there was no smile on Liu Jin's face. When he heard the two words of the decree, his expression suddenly turned serious. He, Liu Jin, is not a short-sighted person like Wang Zhen.
They only know how to use private individuals to desperately seize power. This history was written by those literati, so it is crucial to win over a large number of officials under their command. And those rules that have been used for hundreds of years, those rules that only civilian officials can take charge of politics and participate in politics, those rules
The decrees drafted and implemented by them are the foundation of civil service, and what he wants to do is to destroy these conventions and use the power of the emperor to become the highest supervisor.
"No need to say these frivolous words!" Liu Jin waved his hand impatiently, and then ordered in a deep voice, "Let Jiao Fang, Liu Yu, Cao Yuan and the others come here tonight!"
When Xu Xun woke up in a daze, he found that the light was already on in the room. He raised his hand and put it on his forehead thoughtfully, and then felt his stomach growling again. This time he was hungry.
But he was a little panicked. He opened his mouth to call for someone, and when he saw a head popping in to look around, he immediately retracted and shouted loudly. Then Shen Yue opened the curtain and entered the room, and he said weakly: "Mrs.
, get me some food, I can eat even a cow now!"
"Come on, who told you to have to show off last night?" Shen Yue knew that Xu Xun was helpless at the moment, so she deliberately poked Xu Xun's chin with her finger. Seeing that her husband's face was full of helplessness after being teased by her, she
Then he chuckled and said, "Dad asked me specifically before I left. I've already had the porridge for a long time in the morning. I just asked Ruyi to get it. Just lie down and I'll feed you!"
Xu Xun was about to ask his father where he had been when he saw Ruyi bringing a steaming small earthenware pot on a boxwood plate. He first placed it on the high table of crabapples aside, and then filled a small porcelain bowl with it. He couldn't help but frown. Before he could complain, Shen Yue took the bowl, picked up the spoon and took a spoonful, and stuffed it into his mouth without even blowing.
Xu Xun, who was startled, thought that this time his tongue would be burnt and numb, but as soon as he took his mouth, he felt that the porridge melted in his mouth, and he couldn't help being stunned for a moment. At this time, Shen Yue reached out and took out the spoon and came back. Just then he said with a smile: "I'm afraid that if you don't care when you're hungry, you'll get a big blister on your mouth and it won't be easy to see anyone, so I put it on the fire for a while every hour to keep it warm. Everything here ranges from scallops and sea cucumbers to There are all kinds of bird's nests, red dates, and it's a health-preserving porridge I learned from my British father-in-law. It was originally cooked to a pulp for weaning children, but as a result, I gave it to you, my father, to taste it first!"
Hearing this, Xu Xun felt dumbfounded. However, the porridge that he would never even look at on weekdays was now something he desperately needed in his empty stomach. So, he saw that Shen Yue only fed him a spoonful and then stopped moving. , he could only cough dryly and said angrily: "Hey, Madam. This is not enough to fill the gap between your teeth, continue!"
Seeing Xu Xun's eyes falling directly on the earthen pot, although he said he wanted to feed him, his eyes clearly wanted to swallow the earthen pot together. Shen Yue immediately moved her body to block his gaze, and took a spoonful She fed him one bowl and finished the bowl. When Ruyi filled another bowl and fed it all together, she stopped and then said without any doubt: "Okay, I really have to wait for an hour before eating. I'm hungry." It’s been so long and it’s been too long to make up for it!”….
He knew that when he reasoned with the lady, it was hard to explain, not to mention that he was still the one who ignored him at the moment. Therefore, Xu Xun leaned back helplessly and heard the big bed creaking. , he suddenly asked: "What time is it now? Where did dad go out?"
"It's almost time now." Seeing the shock on Xu Xun's face, Shen Yue explained with a smile. "As for dad, he went to Shouninghou Mansion. The crown prince of Shouninghou will get married at the end of the year, because Mrs. Shouninghou is in love." After seeing the daughter of the Cao family, I am very satisfied with the person. Shouning Hou is now very close to my father, and they often drink and chat with each other."
"Huh? The Cao family has entered the capital?" Xu Xun was stunned for a moment, then patted his head and said, "I have forgotten this, so let Cao Qian go back to see his mother and sister!"
"Do you even need to tell me? He came back from outside in the afternoon with a drunken look on his face, so I asked him to go back." At this point, Shen Yue just waved her hand to indicate Ruyi to go to sleep, and told about Zhang Cai's previous visit to Xu Liang. He then relayed the two important words Xu Liang had told him. Then he said with some concern, "But, will others not believe Mr. Zhang's idea?"
"Jiang is very old, Zhang Xilu's move is really clever!" When Xu Xun thought that he had tricked and deceived Zhang Cai, and after careful consideration, he realized that Zhang Cai was killing two birds with one stone. He felt even more elated because of the plan. He immediately forgot that he rarely talked about these important matters in front of his father and wife, and just half-lyed like this and said, "Firstly, the Shaanxi division is well-known for deploying troops. Secondly, it can appease Liu Jin's heart. Thirdly, as long as he rushes to connect up and down, this matter will not get into trouble. Of course, if someone wants to go against Liu Jin, then I have nothing to do with it!"
Shen Yue is not a housewife who doesn't know how to do anything. At this moment, she understood and raised her eyebrows, then said with a smile: "No wonder you trust Mr. Zhang so much. The reason for your affection is because he is just like you, he comes up with clever ideas one after another. One. Although Mr. Zhang is over fifty, he is very personable and talented. These days when you are away, the house has been a lot deserted. Mr. Lin and others come rarely, but Mr. Zhang often visits and even invites Mr. Tang to go outside the city. Outing. I heard from Mr. Tang when he came back that he met some dignitaries during the outing. Knowing that they were your people, he invited them over to have a drink with him. As a result, the singers they invited over with notes kept flirting with Mr. Zhang."
"Haha, did Bohu miss himself? Compared to Xilu, he is much younger. He should be the one who is flirting with those singers! Yes, he now has a wife and a daughter. He once faced difficulties in the sea. Did you scare people away with your pretentious words? As for Zhang Xilu, I remember that at the beginning of the year, he seemed to have only taken one beautiful concubine?"
"More than half a month before you came back, he had added another favorite in the house, and dad even sent someone a gift." Although Shen Yue was a little dissatisfied with Zhang Cai's lecherous behavior, this was someone else's private matter, so she mentioned it. The proposal was dismissed, "It's just that I heard from my father that the emperor has summoned Mr. Zhang several times and seems to have plans to recruit people into the staff department."
The Ministry of Personnel is now in charge of Lin Han, and at Zhang Cai's age and qualifications, he was promoted to the fourth rank of Youqiandu Censor last year. Naturally, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Left and Right when he was suddenly promoted to the Ministry of Personnel. Although Xu Xun had already A promotion path was planned for Zhang Cai, but when he heard about it now, he couldn't help but be a little surprised. Compared to Lin Han, who is still young and powerful, Zhang Fuhua, an old man in his eighties, is the one who needs help the most in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. One. However, going from the fourth grade to the third grade is another huge step. If he misses the emperor's intention this time, he doesn't know when he will wait for the next time. He pondered again and again, and suddenly thought of a person in his heart.
Among the Four Gentlemen of Nandu, Zhang Mao had never thought of inviting him to the court because of the pain of losing his wife and son and his poor health. However, there should be another "fish that slipped through the net" among the Four Gentlemen in Jiangnan. .I remember that when he went to invite Lin Han and Zhang Fuhua, the two of them mentioned that Lin Jun and Ding’s mother was worried about mourning at home, and they were counting the days, and now they should live their lives no matter what!….
Xu Xun unknowingly fell into deep thought until his ears hurt. He suddenly came to his senses and saw Shen Yue quickly retracting her hand. He was so angry that he was about to reach out and grab the person back, but saw that his wife had already moved out of the way quickly. He stood up, and then smiled sweetly at him and said: "It's late at night, husband, please have a good rest. If you are hungry, call me again. There are still people to see tomorrow, so please take good care of yourself and don't be so embarrassed like today." !”
What is treacherous and cunning? Xu Xun thought that he was the best example. However, at this moment, seeing that Shen Yue had already rushed to the door, a silver bell-like laughter came from outside, as well as a lowered voice and He couldn't help but feel angry at the sound of Ruyi's voice. He wanted to continue sleeping with his head on the pillow, but he had a solid sleep in the afternoon. After eating two bowls of porridge, he felt uncomfortable in his lower abdomen after a while, so He had to pull his shoes and get out of bed. He thought that when he went outside, he would be caught off guard, but in the end, after he solved it, he quietly left the house, only to find that the outside was empty, so he had to turn around and lie back down.
Let’s have a good night’s rest. Such peaceful days are probably few and far between!
That night, Liu Jin's private house was brightly lit. Jiao Fang, Liu Yu, Cao Yuan and other high-ranking officials didn't say anything. Li Xian, Zhang Long and others who had always followed Liu Jin's lead were all present.
After a long talk and an expression of loyalty, Liu Jin smiled and looked at the people waiting to bow and leave, but the hall was empty, so he asked coldly and with a gloomy face: "Qian Ning didn't come?
"
Since Xu Xun, Pingbei Bo Bo, was deeply trusted by the emperor, most of the generals were willing to make friends with him, and even Shenying, who had been friends with Liu Jin earlier, joined him. Therefore, Liu Jin was naturally attracted to someone like Qian Ning who had managed to win him over.
At this moment, no one on the left or right dared to answer, and Zhang Wenmian and Sun Cong also avoided his gaze. He couldn't help but punched the armrest, and gritted his teeth and asked again: "Is this guy going to see you?"
Xu Xun?"
"Probably not yet." Sun Cong personally gave Qian Ning Xiaolou Mingyue Shang Fenfen, and Qian Ning later gave him many benefits. Therefore, although he knew that Liu Jin was angry, he still tried to give it to him.
Qian Ning said a few words of kindness, "Sir, please calm down. Maybe there is something in the factory that has blocked you, and you won't be able to leave for a while..."
Sun Cong and Qian Ning were on good terms, but Zhang Wenmian looked down upon such a man who had both ends. Before Sun Cong could finish his words, he sneered and said: "This guy has always been following people's influence. My father-in-law recommended him to a high position. Naturally, he
I am a little friendly to you, but if Xu Xun shows dissatisfaction, he will definitely run faster than anyone else. Father-in-law, I am not a student who is an alarmist, Qian Ning is not trustworthy..."
Before he could finish his words, a shrill voice from a small fireman came from outside the door: "Father-in-law, Mr. Qian is here."
Seeing that he was indeed right, Sun Cong immediately glanced at Zhang Wenmian triumphantly. However, Liu Jin's expression did not improve much. When he saw Qian Ning entering the room in a hurry, he didn't even wait for her to salute.
He smiled and said, "Master Qian is such a busy man. Our family has sent someone to deliver a letter to you a long time ago, but you actually waited until everyone else had left before coming?"
"How dare you take such a lowly position!" Qian Ning was keenly aware of Liu Jin's gloomy expression, and it was obvious that he was really angry. He rolled his eyes and simply knelt down, then raised his hands and said sincerely, "Father, father-in-law,
Beizi happened to be caught up in an important matter. It was the unresolved case of imperial documents left in March. After pursuing it for so long, Beizi finally got some clues. Although there is no conclusive evidence yet, this time
It shouldn’t be the civil servants who complained, but the internal officials in the palace!”
Liu Jin originally planned to teach Qian Ning a lesson and completely stop him from trying to have both sides. But after hearing these words, he couldn't help but stand up suddenly. After a while, he realized that he had lost his composure and repeated his mistake.
He sat down on the armrest, but still asked sternly: "Who is so bold?"
"That's Eunuch Juqiu of Dongchangqiu!"
ps: I will try to update more tomorrow, the number of words is not guaranteed... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation.)