The days when I ransacked the house in Jinyiwei

Chapter 363 Yan Song

Chang Feng released all the officials in the imperial edict, and then went to Xiyuan Leopard Room.

Emperor Zhengde was leading Chang Qingyun to fish at Xiyuanyu Lake.

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "Qingyun, can I accept you as my adopted son?"

Chang Qingyun's kid said: "Go back to the emperor, that's not good."

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "Oh? Everyone is eager to become my adopted son, so that they can have a good promotion in the future. Why don't you want to be my adopted son?"

Chang Qingyun said in a sweet voice: "Go back to the emperor. My nephew wants to make a difference with his own abilities when he grows up. He doesn't want to be regarded as a nepotism of the royal family."

Emperor Zhengde said: "What a good boy, you have ambition. Just like my father, you are both people who are constantly striving for self-improvement. Do you know where the four words 'self-improvement' come from?"

Chang Qingyun replied: "Back to your Majesty. It comes from "The Book of Changes". When the sky moves vigorously, a gentleman strives to constantly strive for self-improvement. When the terrain is weak, a gentleman carries things with great virtue."

"Your Majesty, you are a gentleman who is constantly striving for self-improvement. You are diligent in training regiments and frontier troops, and are ready to avenge our humiliation at Tumu Fort."

"You are also a virtuous gentleman. You are considerate of the people and love them like a son."

Emperor Zhengde laughed out loud: "Who taught you these flattery words?"

Chang Qingyun said seriously: "Your Majesty is wrong. These are not flattering words. They are Qingyun's true feelings!"

In fact, these words are really not something a child can say. It was Chang Qingyun's grandfather and teacher Li Dongyang who taught him.

Emperor Zhengde beamed with joy: "Oh, those civil servants in the court who were born in the second rank of Jinshi don't understand me as well as a child!"

"They think that my training of the Beijing camp and the frontier troops is a waste of time. They think that my previous free money and food are also a waste of time. Oh, in the final analysis, they think that I have taken away the military power from their hands and cut off their financial path!"

"Qingyun, you are still young, you don't understand."

The two of them had been sitting by the lake for half an hour. There was no movement from the fishing rod.

Chang Qingyun was always a child, extremely bored and couldn't help but yawn.

Emperor Zhengde said: "Don't be impatient. The fun of fishing is that after a long wait, the fish suddenly bites the hook and the pole trembles a few times. It's like the last few shivers of a man's chills when he is having fun on the mat. "

Chang Qingyun was confused: "Your Majesty, my nephew doesn't understand."

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said, "You will understand when you grow up."

Chang Qingyun and Emperor Zhengde were sitting side by side by the lake fishing. Jiang Bin and a dozen of the emperor's adopted sons stood at a distance.

Li Cong, one of the emperor's adopted sons and the commander of the border army who was transferred to Beijing last year to assist Jiang Bin in reorganizing the Beijing camp, stroked his beard. He said to Jiang Bin, "Master Handsome, my father has been extremely gracious to this little kid from the Chang family."

"I am afraid that the only one in the world who can sit side by side with the emperor and fish in the lake is the little boy of the Chang family."

Jiang Bin glanced at Li Cong: "That is, the emperor treats the Chang family differently from ordinary ministers."

"Chang Qingyun's father, Chang Ponu, was the emperor's companion when he was young. Look, the emperor will accept Chang Qingyun as the 128th adopted son sooner or later. And this youngest adopted son is older than me. All will receive grace."

Just as he was talking, Jiang Bin saw Chang Feng walking over quickly.

Jiang Bin was stunned: "Why did he come back from Hejian?"

Chang Feng is not in Beijing, so the Jin Yiwei belong to Jiang Bin and Qian Ning. Jiang Bin looked forward to Chang Feng living in Hejian for a year and a half before coming back.

Chang Feng came to Jiang Bin. Jiang Bin cupped his hands and said, "Master Chang Shuai, you are back."

Chang Feng snorted coldly: "If I don't come back, you and Qian Ning might cause some trouble."

"There is no purpose or decree, but you dare to arrest even the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Heaven. Are you crazy?"

Jiang Bin explained: "Ah, Yang Yiqing and those civil officials are very disrespectful. They kneel to remonstrate and write memorials, overtly and covertly belittling the emperor. As ministers loyal to the emperor, Qian Ning and I naturally have to vent our anger on the emperor's behalf."

Chang Feng reprimanded him: "I'm just afraid that venting anger is a lie, but trying to gain power is real! I have already let go of Yang Yiqing and the civil servants."

Jiang Bin was surprised: "Master Chang, if you let him go without permission, the emperor will not be happy if he finds out."

Chang Feng said: "What do you mean I let people go without permission? It's obviously you who arrested people without permission. I'm correcting your mistakes."

"Okay, I want to meet the saint."

Jiang Bin couldn't stop Chang Feng and didn't dare to stop him. He quickly made a "please" gesture.

Chang Feng came to Emperor Zhengde, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Chang Feng, kowtow to the Emperor."

Emperor Zhengde turned his head and looked at Chang Feng: "Uncle is back? Sit down quickly and fish with me and Qingyun."

After Chang Feng stood up, Chang Qingyun leaned over and bowed his hands towards Chang Feng: "Grandpa."

Chang Feng said: "You don't show family courtesy in front of you."

Chang Qingyun stuck out his tongue: "Yes, grandfather."

Chang Feng said: "Your Majesty, I am not in Jinyiwei during this period. Jiang Bin and Qian Ning made the decision privately and arrested Yang Yiqing and more than 200 civil servants. This is a mistake that I did not teach them strictly."

Emperor Zhengde frowned: "Did you let them go?"

Chang Feng replied: "Exactly. I think Jiang Bin and Qian Ning are arresting people indiscriminately, which is definitely not the emperor's intention."

Emperor Zhengde's face showed a slight displeasure: "Well, it is indeed not what I meant. But I want to give the adopted sons national surnames and enter them into the clan. They pushed back and forth, and actually played the game of Liu Jian and Xie Qian when they were in court. Kneel down and remonstrate. Yang Yiqing went even further and wrote a memorial saying that I was slacking off and neglecting government affairs."

Chang Feng tried hard to persuade Emperor Zhengde: "Your Majesty, I am about to admonish you. Giving your adopted son a national surname is the emperor's favor to them and is understandable."

"But it is definitely not feasible to enter the clan!"

Emperor Zhengde glanced at Chang Feng: "Oh? Why isn't it possible?"

Chang Feng answered: "When Emperor Taizu founded the country, there were only forty-nine princes, princes, and generals in the clan. So far, the clan's population has multiplied to 20,000."

"Compared to the number of 20,000, one hundred and twenty-seven people may be nothing. But has the emperor ever thought about how many clans these one hundred and twenty-seven people will breed in a hundred years?"

"How much money will the imperial court spend to support these clans with surnames?"

"The civil officials knelt down to remonstrate with the emperor, asking him to give up the idea of ​​​​giving the adopted son a surname and entering the clan. They are by no means unreasonable."

Emperor Zhengde glared at Chang Feng: "Are you standing with the civil servants this time?"

Chang Feng replied: "I have always stood up for others."

Emperor Zhengde said: "Even you don't understand me."

Chang Feng said: "Go back to the emperor. I know your original intention of giving the adopted sons national surnames and inclusion in the clan."

"Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the four dynasties of Hongwu, Yongle, Hongxi, and Xuande have all been led by honorable nobles."

"However, during the Tumubao Incident, the nobles who led the Ming Dynasty were almost killed by the Oara people."

"Since then, Ming Dynasty has been led by civilian officials, using civil servants to control military forces."

"Most of your adopted sons are military generals. You gave them national surnames and enrolled them in the clan to raise the status of military generals. Let them stand tall in front of civil servants."

"You want to take back the military power that should belong to the emperor from the hands of civilian officials."

"But everything is too much and too little is too much. It is feasible to give the country a surname. If the military generals all become clans, it will lead to excessive power and no one can restrain it."

What Chang Feng said was reasonable. Emperor Zhengde had no choice but to say: "That's all, it's as you say. They will only be given the national surname and not be included in the clan register." Chang Feng shouted: "Your Majesty, you are wise!"

Chang Qingyun imitated Chang Feng's tone and shouted: "Your Majesty, Holy Ming!" His funny look made Emperor Zhengde laugh.

Emperor Zhengde said: "Qingyun, your grandfather is an old fox. Don't imitate him and be a little fox. You must serve the king with sincerity."

Chang Qingyun said: "My nephew will remember the emperor's teachings and serve you with sincerity."

While he was talking, Emperor Zhengde's fishing rod suddenly bent.

Emperor Zhengde lifted the rod hard and caught a big koi weighing three or four kilograms.

Chang Feng took the opportunity to flatter him: "The carp jumped out of the imperial lake, and the Ming Dynasty will be auspicious for millions of years!"

Emperor Zhengde said: "Stop talking nonsense and flattering me. Quickly help me pick off the hook! This carp is so powerful!"

Chang Feng stepped forward, and after much fussing with Emperor Zhengde, he finally put the koi into the fish basket.

Emperor Zhengde said: "I gave this fish to Qingyun. Let the imperial aunt cook steamed carp for him in the evening."

Chang Qingyun Tong Yan Wuji said: "Ah, Your Majesty, my nephew dare not eat this fish. Doesn't that mean that he has swallowed the good fortune of the Ming Dynasty in his stomach?"

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "Listen to your grandfather's nonsense. If you catch a big carp, the Ming Dynasty will last for thousands of years. Then I don't have to train soldiers and horses. Isn't it just squatting by the Yuhu Lake to fish every day?"

After saying that, Emperor Zhengde suppressed his smile: "Chang Feng, I'm telling you seriously. You can let Jiang Bin and Qian Ning do the work of Jinyiwei's internal supervision of officials."

"You have to do another thing specifically for me - to investigate the affairs of the Tatar army."

"Wang Miaoxin has been running the hidden stake network in the grassland for many years. He is your best friend in Jinyiwei. The two of you must work together to conduct military intelligence investigations on the Tatars for me."

"I want to know clearly the strength and mobilization status of the various Tatar ministries. Only by knowing ourselves and the enemy can we win every battle!"

Chang Feng cupped his hands and said, "I obey your order."

Chang Feng led Chang Qingyun back home. Nowadays, Changfu is much deserted. Chang Ponu and Li Pinger were in the river. You Jingwu and Yan Jiao live in a military camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

Liu Xiaoyan hadn't seen her eldest grandson for two months, so she naturally thought about him very much. She hugged him and kissed him again and again.

After kissing her eldest grandson, Liu Xiaoyan said: "My second daughter-in-law, her eldest brother Yan Song has returned to Beijing. I just handed over my name card and said that he will come to see you this afternoon."

Chang Feng was surprised: "Yan Song has returned to Beijing? He has returned to his hometown to recuperate for many years. He is finally willing to return to the court and resume his official duties."

In the afternoon, Yan Song came to Chang's Mansion to meet Chang Feng as promised.

Chang Feng smiled and said: "Ah, my nephew. We haven't seen each other for many years!"

Yan Song cupped his hands and said, "My nephew pays homage to Uncle Chang."

Chang Feng asked: "You said you were recuperating back then. But there was no news about this recuperation."

Yan Song said sternly: "The traitorous eunuch is in power. If my nephew returns to Beijing, he will either work with him and become the lackey of the eunuch. Or he will become his enemy and end up in an unexpected place."

"My nephew doesn't have the courage of his uncle and Mr. Shouren. He has no choice but to live in his hometown and be a wild crane."

Chang Feng said: "You won the second place in the second class at the age of twenty. You are a rare young talent. Alas, it is a pity that you have delayed your official career for so many years."

"It's fine now. When Xian Xiang comes to court, there will be an opportunity for you to show off your great ambitions."

"When you return to Beijing this time, which government office do you work for?"

Yan Song replied: "My nephew was a concubine of the Hanlin Academy before he fell ill. Now that he returns to Beijing, he will continue to serve in the Hanlin Academy."

Chang Feng said: "The Hanlin Academy is a pile of rotten scholars. According to my opinion, you should go to the Sixth Ministry to find a real job and realize your ambition."

"I'm going to say hello to Yang Yiqing, the official."

At this time, Yan Songshang was an upright young man who despised the bad habits of back-door officialdom.

Yan Song handed over his hand: "I don't need to worry about it, uncle. My nephew still wants to make a difference with his own abilities."

Chang Feng smiled and said: "I am being abrupt. You are a talented person, and a talented person always shines like gold. Then you should settle down in the Hanlin Academy first."

"He has always been a shujishi with the status of second-level Jinshi. Even according to the court's rules, he will be transferred out to serve as a real servant in a year or two."

Yan Song said: "When I return to Beijing this time, I brought a gift to my uncle."

Chang Feng asked: "Oh? What gift?"

Yan Song replied: "My nephew has only done one thing during these years of living in his hometown. He helped his hometown compile the "General Chronicles of Yuanzhou Prefecture"."

Literary men like to give away their works as gifts. At this moment, Yan Song is still a scholar.

Chang Feng praised: "When the officials are in power, you can't benefit the people of the world, so you go back to your hometown to benefit your country. Good, good!"

Yan Song asked: "Oh, by the way, why haven't you seen my sister?"

Chang Feng smiled and said, "Your brother-in-law was promoted to the commander of the Xianwu Camp and was given a special reward of the second rank. Yan Jiao and he are now living in the Xianwu Camp on the outskirts of Beijing."

Yan Song said: "So that's it. My brother-in-law is no longer working in Jinyiweigong?"

Chang Feng smiled bitterly: "Some people think that there are too many Chang family members in Jinyiwei. Let's forget it. Let's not talk about it. Come on, come to my study and let's drink tea."

Chang Feng likes Yan Song, an upright young man. He chatted with him until the evening, and then forced him to have dinner at his house. It wasn't until the moonlight rose above the willow branches that he reluctantly sent Yan Song to the door of his house.

Chang Feng also said to Chang Qingyun: "When you grow up, you have to be like your uncle Yan. He is talented, knowledgeable, upright, and noble."

Chang Qingyun nodded: "Remember!"

How could Chang Feng have imagined that when Chang Qingyun reached middle age, he fought with Yan Song for more than twenty years, and fought until his hair turned gray before he managed to win with Xu Jie's strength.

Of course, this is another story.

Late at night. Chang Feng came to Biyun's bedroom.

The little girl Biyun is good at understanding people's clothes. She has washed them white and is pure, waiting for the constant wind to love her.

After the tenderness, Biyun asked casually: "Why did Yan Shuji, who came to the house today, claim to be ill at home for six years?"

Chang Feng said perfunctorily: "Ah, he had a serious illness that was difficult to cure. He could only recover slowly. It took six years of medicine to cure him."

Biyun was the eyes and ears of Emperor Zhengde. Chang Feng had to be careful when talking to her.

Biyun said to himself: "Ah, then this disease is indeed quite serious."

Chang Feng smiled and said: "Sickness comes like a mountain, and sickness goes away like a thread. It took him six years to draw the thread. Alas. It's really pitiful."

In fact, a smart woman like Biyun also knew that six or seven of the ten words Chang Feng said to her were false. Although both parties sleep on the same bed, they are wary of each other.

I'm afraid this is what they call different bedfellows.

The days passed. With the support of Emperor Zhengde, Jiang Bin and Qian Ning became increasingly powerful in the court. Fortunately, there was constant wind suppressing these two people, so they would not go out of their way like Liu Jin.

Time is like water, years are like a shuttle. Six years passed in the blink of an eye.

In the twelfth year of Zhengde, summer. The Tatars are coming!

(End of this chapter)