Aspirations

Chapter 116
As always, Ye Muping did not answer Cao Shujun directly, but turned to Jin Jia and said: "Mr. Jin Jia, it's time to go back, the emperor is also returning to the palace at this time."

"Yes, go back quickly. It's important to protect the emperor." Jin Jia got up and left, stopped at the door and turned around, "Miss Lian, please tell King Jing that the old man and Zhenren Ye will do their best to protect Emperor Zhouquan. If King Jing needs it At this place, the old man should help me with all my strength, bow to my best, and die."

Jin Jia only said that he would support King Jing in the palace, but did not mention Ye Muping, because he knew he could not represent Ye Muping.

After Jin Jia and Ye Muping left, they sat silently for an unknown amount of time. Lian Ruohan suddenly said, "The nearest river from Shangjing to the south is the Hutuo River. Could it be that the flood happened in Xia County? On Zun?"

"When will Mrs. Lian return to Zhending?" Cao Shuli has never been so eager to go to Zhending to see Xia Xiang as now.

Lian Ruohan thought for a moment: "No accident, we will leave in three days."

"Okay, I'll go too." Cao Shujun raised his right hand high, fearing not to let anyone step down, "I'm going to Zhending to see the Hutuo River, in case the flood really happened to Mr. Xia Lang, I have to advance Make a plan and help him turn the river into a sea."

"You... will only add to the chaos if you go." Cao Shuli glanced at Cao Shujun, "I also helped Mr. Xia to overturn the river, I'm afraid you will fall into the Hutuo River, and you won't even have the ability to protect yourself."

"How could I make trouble? Sister, don't force what you want to do on me. I'm sure that I can really help Mr. Xia Lang. If you go, you will sincerely add trouble." Cao Shujun was angry. uneven.

"I...why have I made any trouble sincerity?" Cao Shuli blushed slightly, trying to muster up her momentum, but remembered something, and her voice quickly dropped.

Cao Shujun originally wanted to tease his sister, but when he saw his sister, he felt shy at first, so he couldn't say anything more about her, so he laughed aloud: "In the imperial examination, you have to work hard to get in. The same is true for the official position, you have to fight for it. The same goes for good gentlemen, they are scarce, if you don't take the initiative or be bold, Sima Xiangru will elope with others."

"Nonsense." Cao Shuli gave Cao Shujun a blank look, panicked in her heart, and wanted to go more and more.

After chatting a few more words, she and Cao Shujun said goodbye and left together.

It was getting dark, and the Guanxin Pavilion was lit up.Accompanied by Ling'er, Lian Ruohan watched the moonlight in the courtyard for a while, and when he returned to the room, Cui He came.

Ling'er was afraid that the Patriarch would quarrel with the lady again, so he specially asked a few maids to guard the door, and if he heard the voice inside was wrong, he would call the lady out because of something.Unexpectedly, several people waited for a long time, but there was no sound of arguing inside. After half an hour, Cui He came out and left with a calm expression.

Ling'er didn't dare to ask Lian Ruohan, she helped Lian Ruohan to sleep, covered her with a quilt, and hesitated for a long time, refusing to leave.Lian Ruohan laughed aloud, and said, "Okay, don't worry, Dad didn't mention the marriage, but only mentioned the fact that Tilu Zhiyue was the real master."

Ling'er was relieved a little: "Patriarch didn't mention that if Cui Shi bet on the wrong treasure and Xing Wang becomes the emperor in the end, wouldn't Cui Shi be doomed?"

Lian Ruohan said lightly: "Daddy wants to mention it, but I don't want to hear it. The Cui family has nothing to do with me. My surname is Lian."

Ling'er shook his head and left helplessly.

It was night, Guanxin Pavilion was quiet and peaceful, with the sound of autumn insects and the cool breeze, there was no dream all night.

It was night, the Xingwang Mansion was brightly lit, and people were coming and going.At three o'clock, Hou Pingpan and King Yun came out from Xingwang Mansion.At four o'clock, regardless of his serious injuries, Gao Jianyuan led two entourages out of the city in the dark, and headed south at full speed.

It was night, and King Jing's Mansion was also brightly lit.In the middle of the night, King Qing and Song Chao came out of Prince Jing's mansion.

It was night, after the emperor returned to the palace, doctor Zhu delivered the medicine, the emperor took a sip and suddenly coughed loudly, and spilled the medicine on the ground.Doctor Zhu was very annoyed, and Jin Jia and Ye Muping came back when he re-boiled the medicine.Ye Muping asked a few words about the emperor's illness with concern, and then talked about the gods. The noble concubine Hou was fascinated by hearing it, and ignored the imperial doctor Zhu, and listened intently to Ye Zhenren's talk about the sky above the world in a day It has been a century-old beauty.

Jin Jia participated in the whole process of boiling the medicine, and without the support of Concubine Hou, Imperial Physician Zhu touched the jade bottle in his sleeve several times, but was terrified by Jin Jia's meaningful gaze, and never dared to take it out.

After the emperor took the medicine and fell asleep, Chang Guan quietly left the room and came to Jin Jia's residence.Jin Jia was granted by the emperor to live in the attic next to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.The attic was originally the place where a neglected concubine lived during the Taizu Dynasty, and it has been abandoned since then. After the emperor became seriously ill, Jin Jia guarded it day and night so that he could be on call. For convenience, the emperor asked someone to vacate it. Jin Jia lived in the attic and named it Jinguang Pavilion.

Jin Jia and Chang Guan had a knee-to-neck conversation for more than an hour, and it was not until the sky was bright that Chang Guan left quietly.

Early in the morning, all civil and military officials came to the court, but what they heard was the news that the emperor's condition had worsened and he would not be able to attend the court.

Three days later, the emperor came to court with a sleepy look, and almost fell asleep when he listened to the minister's letter.

First, Teng Zhengyuan wrote a letter impeaching a group of ministers for drinking together. Some people lost their morals after drinking, and some lost their manners after drinking.

When all the ministers heard this, some people didn't take it seriously, some gritted their teeth, some looked at it indifferently, and some secretly laughed. After listening to Teng Zhengyuan's generous speech, the emperor just replied lightly: "Understood." below.

Immediately, there was a burst of shameful laughter from the hall, all mocking Teng Zhengyuan for taking his own humiliation.

However, Teng Zhengyuan refused to let go, and wrote a letter to impeach Xingwang, accusing Xingwang of disregarding the sufferings of the people, throwing a large banquet, extravagant and wasteful, and losing the dignity of the emperor.The emperor's response was still three words: "Understood."

Teng Zhengyuan insisted on asking the emperor to give an explanation, but Chai Shiye, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, couldn't stand it anymore, and pulled Teng Zhengyuan's sleeve: "Teng Yushi, the emperor is not feeling well, so please don't say a few words. Your majesty, I have an instruction. "

Teng Zhengyuan wanted to say something more, but was dragged down by Fu Xianfeng.

"The position of Zhending County Chief Bo has been vacant for a long time. After the new county magistrate Xia Xiang took office, he worked hard to govern Zhending County. With each passing day, Zhending County is changing with each passing day. For the long-term plan of Zhending County, Xia Xiang recommended Fanyang scholar Lu Zhiyue as Zhending County Chief Bo After the evaluation by the Ministry of Officials, Lu Zhiyue can be appointed as the head of Zhending County. In addition, Song Chaodu, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Cao Yongguo, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, jointly recommended Li Dingshan as the Yushi Zhongcheng of Yushitai. Censor Zhongcheng."

Hearing Chai Shiye's memorabilia, Hou Pingpan's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the real contest was coming, and immediately came out: "Your Majesty, Cui Xiang, the prefect of Zhending, and Xu Heguang, the magistrate of Zhending County, jointly elected Li Chi, a scholar of Taiyuan He is the Boss of Zhending County. The minister believes that Li Chi is qualified to be the Boss of Zhending County in terms of talent and character, and he is far above Lu Zhiyue. Li Dingshan is unruly, self-willed, narrow-minded, and public revenge , I believe that he is not qualified for the post of Yushi Zhongcheng."

"The minister opposes Li Dingshan's appointment as Yushi Zhongcheng." Shen Fuming, Minister of the Ministry of punishment, came out.

"The minister opposes Li Dingshan's appointment as Yushi Zhongcheng." Li Shi, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, came out.

"The minister opposes Li Dingshan's appointment as Yushi Zhongcheng." Fu Xianfeng, Minister of the Ministry of War, came out.

"The ministers also oppose Li Dingshan's appointment as Yushi Zhongcheng." All Jiuqing came out with one voice.

Such momentum was indeed astonishing. Someone who wanted to speak for Li Dingshan shrank his neck in fright, and dared not stand up again.

Chai Shiye seemed to have expected such a scene a long time ago, so he quietly smiled a few times, turned around and asked Zhang Yinong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry: "Shangshu Zhang, do you agree or not?"

Zhang Yinong was originally standing in front of Song Chaodu, but with the voice of opposition, he immediately hid behind Song Chaodu.Called by Chai Shiye, he reluctantly showed his head from behind Song Chaodu, then quickly shrank back, and said in a low voice: "The selection and appointment of officials is the business of the Ministry of Officials. What's the matter with the Ministry of Industry and the official? It's not about choosing to dredge An official for the construction of river channels. A small master book in Zhending County was also brought to the court meeting for the emperor to decide. As a courtier, he is so ignorant that he doesn't know how to cherish the emperor's body! Also, Li Dingshan was elected as Yushitai Yushi Zhongcheng, Yushitai Why don't Shi Dafu Xu Dequan, Yushi Zhongcheng Lu Yuanyuan and Qian Jingsong not come out to speak?"

What Zhang Yinong said seemed to be mild-mannered, but in fact it was not his duty to ridicule everyone's indiscriminate speech with a gun and a stick in secret.

It's not that Xu Dequan didn't want to appear on the list, but that there were too many people appearing just now, and he didn't have time. Now that Zhang Yinong called his name, he took advantage of the opportunity to appear on the list: "Qizou the emperor, I think Li Dingshan is mean, cunning by nature, ungrateful, It is not suitable to serve as Yushi Zhongcheng..."

"The joint office of ministers recommended Li Dingshan as Yushi Zhongcheng." Teng Zhengyuan broke free from Fu Xianfeng's hand and came out again. He knew Li Dingshan, but he knew in his heart that so many people opposed Li Dingshan's appointment as Yushi Zhongcheng, which just showed that Li Dingshan was not afraid of power. , outspoken.Responsibility and iron bones are exactly the bearing that a censor should have.

"The joint office of ministers elected Li Dingshan as the imperial censor."

Yushi Zhongcheng Lu Yuanyuan and Qian Jingsong came out at the same time, and they spoke in unison.

"Cough cough..." Chai Shiye coughed a few times, with an embarrassed face, and smiled coyly, "Everyone, everyone, today the official recommended a Zhending county master and a Yushi Zhongcheng. Lu Zhiyue and Li Dingshan are very knowledgeable about people and talents, which makes me feel ashamed. I have been in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for many years, and I have checked the resumes of officials from all over the country for many years. I know the temperament and conduct of every available person. This official is old and dim-sighted. I don’t know people well. I don’t know the good from the bad. It’s better to resign and go home. Your Majesty, I’m not qualified for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials. I hope the Emperor will allow the old minister to return home. For the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials, I will invite Gao Ming to take up the post. .”

no?It was just a normal court dispute, why did Chai Shiye sue his old man and return home?This is simply playing a rogue, taking retreat as an advance, and forcing the emperor to submit.

Hou Pingpan couldn't wait to go up and kick Chai Shiye. Chai Shiye is 56 years old this year, one year younger than him, but he claims to be old and dim-sighted. Could it be that he is mocking him?This old treacherous old thing has always been slippery, and people can't grasp any handles. He always reserves one hand for many things, [-]% of the work, [-]% of the delay, and [-]% of the time.It is not for people to take him down, nor is it not for not taking him down.

Today is the opportunity, why not take him down, Hou Pingpan immediately said: "Your Majesty, since Shangshu Chai has the intention of retiring from his old age and returning to his hometown, why not allow him to go home to provide for the elderly, so that he can take care of himself for the rest of his life."

"Chai Shangshu is going to serve, who will take over as Minister of the Ministry of Officials?" The emperor's voice was very calm.

As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, all the ministers were taken aback. Why did the emperor really want to let Chai Shiye resign?No one knew who was civil and military in the Manchu dynasty. Chai Shiye seemed to be slippery, but in fact he was very loyal to the emperor and defended the emperor's authority everywhere.

Hou Pingpan was overjoyed, he didn't have time to think about it, and replied: "Cui Xiang, the prefect of Zhending, Liu Mo, the Minister of Dali Temple, and Zhang Yinong, Minister of the Ministry of Industry."

"Among the three, only Zhang Shangshu is qualified to be the official secretary, and Cui Xiang and Liu Mo are...hehe." Yu Yan, the servant of the Ministry of War, came out and gave Hou Pingpan a meaningful look, "Although Cui Xiang and Minister Hou is good, but not as good as Pei Shuozhang of Le Zhi County, the city. After all, Pei Shuozhang is a student of Minister Hou. Liu Qing of Dali Temple is an expert in judging cases, and it would be a shame to go to the Ministry of Officials. Your Majesty, I think Zhang Yinong, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, is the most suitable. "

Hou Pingpan was very annoyed: "Why did Yu Shilang say this? The Prime Minister does not avoid relatives when he is a virtuous person. Although Cui Xiang is a student of the Prime Minister, he has outstanding talents and conduct, and is qualified to be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials. Unlike some people, Only recommend people you trust or know well."

"Hou Xianggong is talking about this official?" Chai Shiye said angrily, "Your Majesty, I would rather not want this official secretary, but to clear myself up. I don't know Lu Zhiyue or Li Dingshan well. Since the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, he has appointed people on their merits and talent, and dare not be negligent, lest he will be discredited by the emperor. Please resign from the Minister of the Ministry of Officials again! Recommend Li Dingshan to be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials!"

Hou Pingpan was startled. Li Dingshan's tenure at Yushitai was already a great threat. If he became the Minister of the Ministry of Officials and took charge of the official hat of Daxia, it would be fine. He took a step forward, and when he was about to speak, Zhang Yinong came out up.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Chai Shangshu is the pillar of the country, and he must be the official secretary." Zhang Yinong didn't look sideways, neither at Pingpan nor at Chai Shiye, but at the same level, "Since Chai Shangshu is in charge Ministry of officials, it is his duty and duty to select officials. However, all the ministers express their opinions, and it is also for the sake of the emperor to share the concerns of the court. Therefore, I suggest that if Minister Chai dares to guarantee the character and talents of the people he recommends, he may as well Let Lu Zhiyue be the head of Zhending County, and Bo Li Dingshan be the censor of Yushitai. If the two make mistakes in the future, Chai Shangshu is willing to bear the responsibility. Demotion to three levels, I wonder if you would like it?"

Chai Shiye immediately said: "Your Majesty, I would like to guarantee it."

As soon as Zhang Yinong's proposal came out, those who opposed Li Dingshan's nomination just now looked at each other in blank dismay, not daring to answer.Such a method of sitting together is really unheard of before.

Fu Xianfeng sneered: "So, Zhang Shangshu is also willing to share the responsibility?"

Zhang Yinong spread his hands together, with a relaxed smile on his face: "Fu Shangshu, your memory is very bad. Just now, I neither agreed nor opposed. Whether Li Dingshan and Lu Zhiyue are good or bad has nothing to do with me? It's not my responsibility." , I don’t meddle in other people’s business. Fu Shangshu is willing to meddle in other people’s business and is full of energy, so he has to be responsible for what he says. It’s based on Lao Tzu’s saying, those who know don’t speak, and those who speak don’t know. Frustrating its sharpness, resolving its confusion, harmonizing its light, and its dust are called mysteries. Therefore, if you can’t get it, you can get close, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it, you can’t get it. Cheap. That's why the world is expensive."

Fu Xianfeng's face was livid, those who know don't speak, and those who speak don't know, which means that wise people don't speak casually, and those who speak casually don't have insight. How could he not know that Zhang Yinong was mocking him?He said angrily: "What does Zhang Shangshu mean to silence everyone?"

Zhang Yinong glanced at Fu Xianfeng casually, and said loudly: "A sage should be quiet, a virtuous man should be upright, a fool cannot be upright, so he fights with others. If you work hard, you will be tortured, and if you are punished, you will worry about the people, and if you are worried about the people, you will go into exile. Up and down Uneasy life, endless life, fate is a big loss. People in the world are like flowing water, when it is obstructed, it will stop. When it is opened, it will go, and if it is quiet, it will be clear. Woohoo! God! A sage sees its beginning and knows its end ..."

Fu Xianfeng was even more furious: "Zhang Shangshu is satirizing me and arguing with you, are you a fool?"

Zhang Yinong still ignored Fu Xianfeng's soaring anger, shook his head and continued: "The sky has a constant shape, and the people have a constant life. They live together with the world and the sky is quiet. It is because of it, and then it is transformed. Husbands and people are engaged in politics. It is the virtue of the sage to accomplish things through the inaction of the sky, and the people to get rich without anything to give."

If someone argues with Fu Xianfeng head-on, Fu Xianfeng will be full of words, and he will not be able to answer for a long time. Zhang Yinong is smart because he does not confront Fu Xianfeng head-on, but takes a roundabout strategy , citing scriptures and classics, attacking Fu Xianfeng with the words of the ancients, leaving no trace and making Fu Xianfeng unable to refute.Because Zhang Yinong knew very well that Fu Xianfeng was the only one among the six books who didn't read much.

Great Xia emphasized literature over martial arts, and among the six ministers, there was not a single military officer.Although Fu Xianfeng is the Secretary of the Ministry of War, he has never had the experience of leading troops to fight.Although he knows how to punch a few times, he might not be able to beat even a personal soldier.Fu Xianfeng is also the only official among the six ministers, but although he was not born as a Jinshi, he also passed the Juren examination, but after repeated trials, the emperor favored him, first served as the head of the household department, and then transferred to the The minister of the Ministry of Industry, after being promoted many times, became the Minister of the Ministry of War.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Fu Xianfeng couldn't speak to Zhang Yinong, and in desperation, he turned to the Emperor for help, "Zhang Shangshu is out of style, he ridicules his ministers, bullies them because they don't read much, and they don't know how to quote scriptures."

"Haha, if you don't study enough, you deserve to be bullied." Teng Zhengyuan laughed loudly, and looked at Fu Xianfeng with a playful look, "Fu Shangshu can still understand that Zhang Shangshu is mocking you by citing scriptures, so I should be relieved."

Fu Xianfeng's face turned from blue to red and back to blue again, and in a rage, he rolled up his sleeves and raised his fist to hit Teng Zhengyuan.Hou Pingpan couldn't stand it anymore, coughed, and said in a cold voice: "On the court, don't be presumptuous!"

Fu Xianfeng withdrew his hand resentfully, gave Teng Zhengyuan a hard look, and said in a low voice, "Wait a minute, Teng Hedgehog."

Teng Zhengyuan cupped his hands: "I will accompany you to the end."

(End of this chapter)