The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

What Cheng Minzheng thought was good news was simply bad news to Li Dongyang and Liu Jian.

Since the minister could use the failure of the northern military advance to impeach Zhang Zhou, and even planned to use this as a reason to alienate the emperor and send Zhang Zhou to Nanjing to serve as minister of the Ministry of War... Now that the north is winning, the emperor can also do the opposite, In this way, Zhang Zhou was rewarded and promoted, and Zhang Zhou continued to expand his monopoly on power.

"You two, I have something to do. I have to go to the Hanlin Academy, so I won't stay with you any longer. I'll take my leave."

Cheng Minzheng probably realized that he was not welcome. There happened to be something going on at the Hanlin Academy, so he said goodbye and left.

Wait for someone to leave.

Li Dongyang gave Liu Jian a look.

Liu Jian opened a memorial that he had prepared before, in which local officials participated in the impeachment of Zhang Zhou, and fell into deep thought.

Li Dongyang said: "Fortunately we haven't gone up yet, otherwise we would have lost a few more people."

Liu Jian then closed the memorial and handed it back to Li Dongyang and said: "Next time you have something like this, don't show it to me. Even if no one knows about it, I'm afraid it will be exposed. The relationship is not harmonious, so It would be even more inappropriate for any further entanglements to arise."

Then Li Dongyang put the memorial away.

It's like it never happened.

"Zhongtang, I asked. Yu Qiao didn't suffer much in the imperial prison. He was just in a dark room all the time. He was not allowed to see guests or have contact with outsiders. If he stayed like this until the Chinese New Year, I'm afraid that His body has also collapsed. If it really doesn't work..." Li Dongyang sighed with emotion in his words.

Liu Jian asked: "Why, gave up?"

Li Dongyang shook his head and said: "What happened today may make Yu Qiao's situation even worse."

Liu Jiandao: "I don't think so. If the North wins, the pressure on His Majesty's shoulders will be lightened. There is no need to pass the burden on to these people... Do you understand what I am saying?"

"Ah."

Li Dongyang naturally knew what Liu Jian meant.

The less the North won, and the emperor and Zhang Zhou were under pressure from the courtiers, the more the emperor would use Xie Qian's affairs to make an issue. Even if he did not convict Xie Qian, he would continue to imprison him, just to strangle the civil servants. The rope was loosened, so that the civil servants could retreat.

After the victory, the emperor felt no pressure anymore, and he might let Xie Qian go as soon as he was in a good mood.

Because if he wins, Xie Qian will be an insignificant figure.

But Liu Jian was still a little worried and said: "Right now, I'm afraid that Zhang Bingkuan... will add insult to injury."

Li Dongyang said: "Yes. Your Majesty will not pursue the past, but Zhang Bingkuan may not be merciful in order to gain power. Yu Qiao has questioned him many times in court before, participating in impeachment and other matters, and there are also shadows of Yu Qiao's activities behind his back. Zhang Bingkuan If we care about each other, we will probably continue to be entangled with Yu Qiao."

Liu Jiandao: "So we can't relax. If we compromise for Yu Qiao and let him accept returning to his hometown to take care of his old age, Zhang Bingkuan will feel that Yu Qiao is being treated as an abandoned son, and he will get worse. As long as we continue to insist that Yu Qiao is not guilty. , and showed his loyalty, as well as his contribution and hard work to the court, finally forcing Zhang Bingkuan to compromise."

Li Dongyang suddenly said: "Zhongtang, you are really far-sighted."

Liu Jian stood up and said: "Don't deliberately publicize what happened this time. Just pretend that nothing happened. How to celebrate the success will have to wait until Cui Maoren and Zhu Zhijie return to Beijing. They are just emperors." They're just relatives, but that's not enough to lead the way."

"Ah."

Li Dongyang nodded, "They are not the characters on the stage, they are just Zhang Bingkuan's puppets. Alas! I also know in my heart who the opponent is now, and I also know where the source of the chaos in the court will be in the future. It's just that our situation will get better. It’s getting difficult.”

……

……

Capital, Lin Han's residence.

Lin Han was recuperating at home that day. He caught a slight cold and didn't go to the Yamen for two days. This was also because he was old and he didn't want to deal with many things personally. As a minister, he was the leader in name, but except for very big things in the Yamen If you want him to take care of it personally, you can leave other small matters to others.

But after noon that day, a bunch of people came to visit. They were basically his disciples and old friends, the kind who were too embarrassed to turn away. And they all came to congratulate Lin Han in unison.

"How many people came?"

Lin Hanben still enjoys raising children and grandchildren in the backyard. His son and grandson are about the same age... This is very comfortable. Old Hanlin also has some irregularities. When outsiders mention his private life, they say that he has a pear tree and a begonia. There are polite ones, and there are also harsh ones.

Lin Han cared about major matters, but on this issue, he didn't have much objection.

However, it was not uncommon for ministers in the DPRK to take concubines. Lin Han felt a little uncomfortable simply because he was the Minister of Rites.

Lin Ting came in and said: "Father, there must be more than a dozen people here. Some of them are from your old dormitories when you were an official in various places, and some of them returned to your hometown after a break. Among the old friends you know in Beijing now, it is estimated that... Everyone is here."

Lin Han frowned and said, "Just a dozen?"

"Ok?"

Lin Ting still didn't understand.

Does your father dislike him less?

But then Lin Ting realized that his father was trying to catch him for his "speech problem". He knew all kinds of old friends. I mean, you didn't think your father knew these people, right?

"Let them wait." Lin Han would not argue with his son. "The old lady is sitting at home and has to deal with this kind of thing. Any congratulations are all Bingkuan's contribution. What does it have to do with me? Besides, if they want to express their congratulations, they can just go directly to Cai Guogong's mansion, what's the point of coming here to me?"

Lin Ting smiled and said: "Father, isn't it because they can't find a way out? On the contrary, you usually receive them and meet them. One is the Minister of the Ministry of War and the other is the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. In their opinion, there is no difference. big."

"Not big yet?" Lin Han frowned.

Is this son so confused about becoming an official? You actually think there is no difference between the Minister of Rites and the Minister of War?
Lin Ting added: "They are both out of reach."

"Ahem." Lin Han was not pretending to be sick. He was really coughing, but he calmed down and said, "Don't be arrogant in dealing with people. What if you are the Minister of the Ministry of Etiquette? If apart from this official uniform, My father is also a scholar of the Qing Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty, and he has the same principles for establishing himself. And you should not consider yourself a son of the Shangshu Mansion."

Lin Ting said: "My father taught me rightly, and my son has remembered it. Then... will you see them today?"

Lin Han was originally scolding his son with a straight face. Hearing this, his face looked relieved, but he still couldn't help but smile and said: "Since it is out of goodwill, I don't want to hit the smiling person, so it's okay to meet him. But if you want to give him a gift, Yes, just refuse them all, I'm afraid some people will take the opportunity to get something from me. As an official in the court, you must always be vigilant."

"Yes."

Lin Ting smiled. It seems that my father is not that pedantic after all.

In other words, when I was serving wine in the Imperial Academy and my family was in poverty, I would have attached great importance to style, which seemed stupid.

But after becoming Zhang Zhou's father-in-law, becoming the Minister of Rites, and gaining the emperor's approval, he was now more prosperous and open-minded, and he actually didn't refuse so much to the scenes of greeting others.

Maybe this is the change in my father.

……

……

Lin Han was meeting guests at his house.

They didn't exchange greetings for long. After probably understanding the good intentions of this group of people to congratulate them, they sent them away.

But there was still one person whom he could not give away, and that was Empress Zhang's uncle, Shen Lu, who was currently the general ambassador and was usually the best friend with him.

After all, Shen Lu had also contributed to matters such as his daughter Lin Yi's marriage before, and because of Shen Lu's relationship, the Queen's faction did not have any objection to Lin Han's rise. Instead, it allowed Lin Han to have both sides.

Because Shen Lu also relied on nepotism to get to the position, he was a "ruthless person" who could move every joint in the court.

"Mr. Lin, you have really good vision. How did you discover this good young man like Cai Guogong in the first place?" Shen Lu looked complimentary, "A few days ago, I saw this Fu Jijiu. I also lamented to him that there are no such talents in either Beiyong or Nanyong."

Lin Han glared at him and said, "Are you making fun of me?"

"No, haha, Mr. Lin, please don't mind. People are saying this outside. Even if you were a little prejudiced against Cai Guogong before, you are so accurate in recognizing people. Didn't everything become settled later? This time Cai Guogong returned to Beijing, I shouldn't have time to come to your place yet, right?" Shen Lu looked concerned.

It seems that it is a great honor to meet Zhang Zhou now.

And through ordinary relationships, it is impossible to meet Zhang Zhou. Shen Lu naturally wants to use Lin Han's bridge relationship to further his relationship with Zhang Zhou.

Lin Han took a sip of tea and said: "He didn't come, and I don't want him to come. Before he comes, there are so many complicated things. If he does come, won't this threshold be crossed?"

He said this, but in fact, Lin Han still hoped that Zhang Zhou would come.

I didn't think this son-in-law was very awesome before, but now when people refer to him as Lin Han, he is no longer the prince of the country, but more like "Cai Guogong's mentor" or Zhang Bingkuan's father-in-law.

Over time, Lin Han gradually accepted that if he wanted to use his spare energy in his later years and do more for the court, he would have to rely more on Zhang Zhou's relationship.

Shen Lu said: "Speaking of which, I really have something to do here, and I want to talk to that Duke Cai. There are a lot of powerful people in the capital. They are all absolutely wealthy families. Who is from the Duke's House or the Marquis' House? The rich young lady had just grown hair and was looking for someone to live in. Some of them came to me while they were drinking."

Lin Han frowned and said, "You usually talk about this when you are at the wine table with others?"

Just ask Shen Lu directly, are you a fucking matchmaker?

Shen Lu said with a smile: "I don't want to, but I can't bear it when others mention it. Maybe they know that I have a wide range of people. Some people who are making small fuss will just mention it casually. What can the young master of this family or the girl of that family do? Let me make peace with you, I am also a good person, but I dare not agree to some things."

Lin Han immediately understood what it meant. He frowned and said, "You don't even agree, why do you come to tell me?"

Shen Lu saw Lin Han's indifference and said hurriedly: "Mr. Lin misunderstood."

Of course, Lin Han did not misunderstand Shen Lu. Shen Lu just wanted to help connect people and find connections to marry Zhang Zhou.

But Lin Han's daughter is only Zhang Zhou's concubine. If you go to Zhang Zhou's concubine's father to talk about taking a concubine for Lin Han's son-in-law, isn't that an offense to you?

"Many people in Beijing are mentioning that the quality of coal produced in Beijing this year is really good, and they all want to get a share of the pie in Xishan, Yongping Prefecture, or Datong. Many people want to It’s about benefits, it doesn’t mean just establishing a relationship.”

Shen Lu successfully changed the topic.

Lin Han held the tea cup and did not drink tea. He looked a little evasive and said, "I don't understand business matters and I don't want to ask."

Shen Lu said: "It is said that Cai Guogong can't achieve such a big thing with just one person. Besides, Xishan, Yongping Mansion, Zhangjiakou, Datong, the territory is so big, is there still a little space for everyone?"

Lin Han said: "If you keep talking, I will have to see you off."

"Don't, don't. Then why don't you take a look, if Ling Qianjin's side... I'm talking about Mrs. Cai Guogong, if there are any more children... Look..."

Lin Han was stunned.

I've been thinking about this for a long time, but it actually affects my future grandson or granddaughter?

If the marriage with Zhang Zhou fails, you want to take advantage of even my unborn grandchildren?
"Can I decide this kind of thing? Bingkuan doesn't have any heirs. If he wants to propose marriage, he can just come to his door. I have never heard that Bingkuan decides on the marriage of his children. I won't mention it. Besides, I have never heard that Bingkuan decides on the marriage of his children. , I have never heard that my little girl is pregnant.”

As the Minister of Rites, Lin Han was still an old scholar. Even he felt ashamed when he mentioned whether his daughter was pregnant.

Is this something a father should be concerned about?

But this old friend just doesn't like to pick up which pot he likes.

A servant would come over to serve tea. Shen Lu immediately brought the teapot over and poured tea for Lin Han himself: "I say Mr. Lin, don't refuse. Don't think that no one cares about the young ones in Cai Guogong's family." ? But the question is, His Majesty now has children who are about the same age as Cai Guogong. What do you think is the point of proposing marriage like this? Everyone knows that Cai Guogong respects you. If there is one in the future... I will ask you to mention it... …Of course it works.”

Lin Han was startled.

He had never heard of Zhang Zhou's marriage to the emperor.

But after thinking about it, aren't the emperor's eldest son and daughter the same age as Zhang Zhou's eldest son and daughter?
"No." Lin Han said, "The marriage of the Ming Dynasty royal family is not that simple. You have been in power for so many years, don't you know it?"

Shen Lu said: "There are exceptions to everything. In the past, there were no exceptions. But with the relationship between His Majesty and Cai Guogong, it is very possible for them to get closer. Some people also say that Cai Guogong is no longer in the court and may wander around in the future. Sihai, he is the reincarnation of an immortal, how could he be attached to fame and wealth in the world of mortals? Otherwise, why is his family so rich despite his great power? So even if there is a marriage in the future, it will be a matter for the immortal family. How could it harm the royal family? What about the rules?”

Lin Han frowned.

I asked in my heart, is Zhang Zhou’s reputation so good?

He clearly wields great power, but people say that Zhang Zhouzhi is not in the court?

It seems that this identity of being both a Taoist priest and an official is very bluffing. (End of chapter)