Chapter 11

The craze brought about by the extermination of the sect quickly passed, but occasionally I could hear some familiar names from the storytellers in the teahouse and the restaurant.

The mysterious woman who peeked at me in the dark never appeared again. The Dajiang League and the Murong family seemed to be discussing and no longer bothered me. The only reason why Qi Gong came to me was that he was jealous of Zhuang Qingyan and Tang Tianwei, who was a pseudonym Song Nance.

The rivers and lakes are so calm that there is no trace of turmoil, as if all the evil people have been transformed by this clear spring and turned back to justice

This sudden tranquility made me feel at a loss for a while. I spent a few days idle and felt that I should do something, so I suddenly became the busiest official in Suzhou City.

The constables who had been leisurely for a long time seemed to have returned to the era when Lu Wei was in power, and their diligent figures began to appear on the streets and alleys.

Although I complain from time to time that Lu Wei did not leave me any major case for accumulating me, so that I could show my talents, it was also extremely happy to repair those who cried and thieves. The people of Suzhou became familiar with their officials from countless trivial matters.

The young students also found their new leader. Of course, the inspirational beauty has a payer from then on. More than a dozen talented and intelligent poor scholars have received funding, and two of them have more red sleeves of Tianxiang.

The beautiful night made me seem to return to the time when the master was still there, and I was still a carefree and happy boy who only knew how to walk on the horses and climb flowers and willows. Although the bamboo garden was not as good as the spring scenery of Yangzhou, the Chuqing Tower, the Yunmeng Pavilion could not be as good as the incense courtyard, and the singing and dancing of Bitaotai, the beautiful wife and concubine who were crying gently under my crotch, always made me intoxicated.

Is it because there is nothing wrong in the world and people are disturbing themselves?

Lu Wei set up a simple banquet in his backyard to celebrate his goddaughter, my daughter's full moon. At the table, I asked Lu Wei like this, but before he could answer, I saw a tall and elegant scholar Shi Shi Ran walk into the yard.

Mr. Bai..., Brother Xiaosheng..., Bai Xiaosheng..., Bai Lan! According to your way of walking, we can only arrive in the capital in the year of the monkey and horse in the month?!

Standing at the bow of the boat, staring at Bai Lan, who was staring at the fire in the river, seemed to have not heard me at all, and I was immediately deflated. From the beginning of coming out of Suzhou, he looked like this. The scenery on the road, whether it was the small bridge and flowing water or the green willow house, was extremely attractive to him, as if he had not lived in the misty rain in Jiangnan for more than ten years.

I ignored Bai Lan and drank with the old shipkeeper. Although the old man forgot his old name, he still remembered Yang Shen and I

That young man is so handsome and knowledgeable. I have been on the river for decades and haven't seen many... Why, he is the top scholar? No wonder, he is the star Wenqu came down to earth! Young man, I think you are quite knowledgeable, what kind of Yuan are you?

The old man passed by Yang Sheng'an? Bai Lan turned around at some point, picked up his father-in-law's wine and took a sip, but he coughed with choking.

It's Ah, it's just last winter. Mr. Lu Mei escorted Mr. Sheng'an to Jiangnan. Without Mr. Lu Mei, will there be so many stories happening between Bai Lan and me?

I told the interesting story of crossing the river, and naturally the song "Linjiang Xian". Bai Lan was a little confused after hearing it. She chanted it several times. The green mountains were still there, and the sunset was red several times, and she suddenly laughed.

It turned out that Sheng'an also knew that he didn't have much chance to see the setting sun on the green mountains on the river.

The doubts in my heart were answered at this moment. It turned out that Bai Lan was so reluctant to see the scenery of Jiangnan, and was afraid that he would not come back. He suddenly felt confused. He didn't know whether it was a blessing or a disaster to go to the capital.

Don't love, you are different from me. After all, I have a close connection with the royal family. To put it in the best way, it will bring you many unexpected benefits, but the same goes for suspicion, especially since I have been in charge of the world for more than ten years and have the secrets of many people in my hand.

He snorted softly and then continued: No need to say that I would ask myself to stay in Beijing, and I would never leave the capital again, so I will not be in love with you, you must suppress your romantic temperament in the capital, and don’t call anyone who likes you, and he is happy in pain.

So, I never urged him on the way. It was a journey of more than ten days, but the two of them walked for a full month before they arrived in Beijing.

Don't worry, you're late!

Gui'e's current style is completely different from Yingtianshi. This mansion, which is very different from the style of the small bridge and flowing water in the south of the Yangtze River, has given me the feeling of being deep as the sea when I entered the marquis gate. Then look at the officials waiting for Gui'e to meet in the doorman. The one with the lowest rank is also embroidered with a egret on her chest, which is two levels higher than me, the seventh-rank promoter.

Everyone saw that it was Wang Tai, the butler of Gui Mansion, who brought me into the mansion in person, and they immediately started to whisper and inquire about who I was.

Seeing Gui'e coming out of the living room in person, Wang Tai also looked at me carefully, as if he wanted to remember my face. After hearing my cry, uncle, he suddenly realized and smiled and said: I just thought, whose young master is so handsome? It turned out to be the young master of nephew.

Gui E has become a celebrity in front of the emperor. People who want to curry favor with him everywhere are like carp crossing the river. But after all, he has a new high school, his foundation is not stable, and he has a lot of hatred with the civil officials of the six ministries of the capital. Naturally, he does not dare to accept bribes, but the mansion rewarded by the emperor always needs to be managed by someone, and his demeanor of being an official must be maintained. If it depends on the meager salary of the court, the Gui Mansion will probably drink the northwest wind in 12 months a year. At present, Gui Mansion can maintain such a large show, almost entirely rely on my money. Gui E is afraid of getting out of trouble. It happened that his wife Wang was in the same hometown as me, so she simply let her recognize me as her nephew. In this way, she can finally block the leisurely mouths of those censors.

You should come to Beijing in the first month of the year. This year's exam has few outstanding people...

At the family banquet, Gui E was still regretting that I did not participate in the exam. Wang was standing by but disagreed. He said that my nephew had only learned a lot, so what could he do if there were a few outstanding people? He heard Xiang Yu standing beside Wang and pursed her lips and laughed. Her charming appearance attracted the admiration of Gui E's son Gui Jing from time to time.

Gui'e called his wife and his children to accompany him, obviously he really wanted to treat me as his family; and Xiangyu, the maid I gave to Gui'e, is still virgin, and I can't help but feel a little respect for Gui'e.

After the banquet, Gui E and I started talking in the study. Without others, Gui E's face was a little sad, but it was not as energetic as I imagined. When we looked closely, his temples were already white.

After seeing your secret letter, I realized that the emperor was going to summon you

I have guessed this long ago. After all, he and Bai Lan are not in the same system. A smarter emperor will never leave all the business to one person. Gui E is extremely smart. I think it is not because of this. As expected, he continued: I don’t care about you. Although Bai Lan has the right to report, it is not impossible to find some news. It’s just that the court has been constantly competing recently, and I feel a little exhausted and unwilling to do something.

I was shocked when I heard him say such a disheartened thing. The reason why I agreed to Bai Lan's proposal was largely because I felt that I had a strong support in the court. If Gui E was discouraged and asked for help, wouldn't my wishful thinking be lost? I hurriedly asked what big things happened in the court.

First, the Datong garrison rebelled. I said a few good words for the military, but I was attacked by civil servants in the court. It was not that I recommended that Tang Zuo quell the rebellion and kill all the rebel leaders last month. Those people still don’t know when they will attack!

Then the emperor's aunt, Empress Dowager Xiaoci, caught fire in the bedroom, but the emperor proposed to build the temple of the biological father Xian Emperor in the Taimiao. As a result, all the civil and military officials in the court opposed it in unison, except for me and Shuxian. Even Zhang Cong and Xi Shu said that the matter should be slowed down, which made Shuxian and I extremely embarrassed.

The emperor favored his biological parents all the world knows, and Yang Tinghe's retirement and Zuo Shunmen's scepter incident have already declared the emperor's victory in the case of great gifts. But in this case, the court officials actually have the courage to fight against the emperor. Even I was very surprised, but if you think about it carefully, you will know the root of the problem.

The emperor's sincere and filial piety is certainly commendable, but unfortunately the time is wrong. Although Empress Dowager Xiaoci does not respect his biological mother Empress Dowager Zhang Sheng, he has always been resentful in his heart, but he cannot propose such a proposal when Xiaoci's bedroom caught fire. If all officials do not object, what is the face?

How could Shuxian and I not know this? Gui E said helplessly: We both had persuaded the emperor, but he insisted on doing it. We could only choose to fully support his proposal in the court. Later, the Ministry of Rites compromised and proposed to build a temple for Emperor Xian next to the Taimiao. The emperor sent me to supervise the work, but the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works pushed left and right and quarreled with each other. After half a month, he didn't even dig a foundation.

Emperor Xian’s temple is very small, the cost is bound to be huge, and I dare not take a lot of money.

Gui E continued: It would be fine if I suffered some grievances. What is even more worrying is that the emperor is less than 18 years old this year and has only been three years since he was appointed as the queen. Just because he has no descendants, a close servant has introduced Fang Shi Taoist Jin to meet the emperor. Last year, Shao Yuanjie, a Taoist priest on Shangqing Palace in Longhu Mountain, said that the words of Shao Yuanjie are in line with the above wishes. He still lives in the Xianling Palace and has not left the capital. I am really afraid that the story of the previous dynasty will happen again! Then he sighed: Alas, once you enter the center, you will realize the difficulty of becoming an official!

Bai Lan and I went to Beijing secretly. We had never lived in a museum and had never lived in an inn along the way. Naturally, we couldn't see the news of the court's residence. We didn't know that so many things had happened in just one or two months.

Seeing that Gui E was in a state of distraction, he was determined to encourage his fighting spirit. Thinking that Chen Xiyi was recommended to suppress the rebellion and return to victory, he must have been highly valued. It was also considered that Gui E had achieved some results in winning over the military, so he asked about Chen Xiyi's recent situation.

Tang Zuo has the talent of a general!

Sure enough, when Chen Xiyi was mentioned, Gui E's expression improved slightly: He has now reinstated his post and commanded the commander of the Beijing Guard. He is the master of the holy family. Speaking of which, don't love you, you are really aware of others.

That's because Tang Zuo himself has the ability. I just met by chance. It's not worth mentioning. Gui'e is already very noble now, and I don't want him to feel that I often have a kindness.

Gui E smiled and said nothing. After a while, she suddenly asked me what I did after coming to Beijing. I said that I had never gone anywhere after entering Beijing. He nodded in praise and said: Don’t love that you come to Beijing this time. You must be cautious and not speak out loud. Shuxian, don’t go there. When you return to Bailan, you can learn from someone’s daughter who doesn’t go out of the gate and the two doors will not enter.

I was stunned. Although this time I came was secretly summoned by the emperor, since I could come to Gui'e to visit you, Gui'e, why can't I meet Senior Brother Fang and Shen Xiyi?

Gui E seemed to notice my confusion, pondered for a while before explaining: The emperor is young and promising, but he often acts casually. He was repeatedly opposed by ministers because of the case of great rituals. He was quite suspicious of his subordinates. Bai Lan submitted a memorial at the end of last year and recommended you to be his successor. But because the emperor knew that you and me had a deep relationship, he put Bai Lan's memorial aside and ignored it.

I pretended to be surprised, but Gui E sighed: It's really unpredictable. You abandoned the imperial examination and went to suppress the Japanese. Shuxian and I were very dissatisfied, but unexpectedly it turned out to be a turning point. Later, Shuxian and I analyzed that your move was a three-killing victory.

I was really surprised this time, and saw Gui'e counting with her fingers: First, you gave up the opportunity to win fame and fortune to wipe out the Japanese pirates. The emperor thought that you put state affairs first, regardless of whether the matter was successful or not, and had left a good impression on the emperor; Second, the victory in the Japanese suppression made the emperor realize that you are a civil and military genius, which is much more useful than the things written in Bai Lan's memorial. At this moment, the emperor probably had intentionally activated you, but was afraid that the relationship between you and me would easily lead to a difficult situation. At this time, Chen Xiyi's memorial sent another opportunity. What happened next, you should be clear when you see my letter.

I couldn't help laughing and joked: Unfortunately, I only received a reward for one edict. Even if it was an edict, I would have made a few more edicts. The seven or eight women in my room were eagerly looking forward to it!

I thought to myself, Gui E not only did not compete for his nominal nephew but instead gave all the credit to others, but also made the emperor trust him more and more!

Don't love, when you take over Bai Lan, you will only be afraid of too many rewards. Gui E was also amused by me and said: I can't hide the relationship between you and my aunt and nephew. If you take the right path of the imperial examination, it will be fine. Unfortunately, you insist on dealing with the world. If you don't do this, it will be difficult to relieve the emperor's suspicion. When I receive your secret letter, I know that this move is right.

The two discussed the countermeasures when the emperor summoned him, and then talked about the current situation. Gui E told me that my senior brother Fang Xianfu is now working with Zhang Cong to compile the "Great Ceremony Collection" as a gift to the emperor's 18th birthday.

Speaking of the emperor's birthday, I took out the birthday gifts of the emperor and the empress dowager prepared for Gui'e and handed them to Gui'e. Gui'e thanked him and casually said that Empress Dowager Zhang Sheng's birthday was very low-key, and asked me how I learned it.

I told me about Hu Shining's entrustment to the Tang Sect to purchase birthday gifts for him. Gui E frowned slightly and sneered: Hu Yongqing is pleased with both sides!

Where did this start? I was stunned. After all, it was related to Tangmen, so I asked

Don’t love you don’t know. The one who celebrated his fifty birthday was Empress Dowager Xiaoci, not the emperor’s biological mother, Empress Dowager Zhang Sheng. This Empress Dowager is not the Empress Dowager! Hu Shining returned to his hometown and wrote a memorial to support me and Shuxian. I thought he was a comrade, but I didn’t expect that he was also filial to Empress Dowager Xiaoci, and this Empress Dowager Xiaoci is a supporter of Yang Tinghe’s faction!

I made an expression of sudden enlightenment, but I felt secretly regretful. It seems that I can't say much in this officialdom, otherwise it will harm others and yourself.