In the eunuch system of the Ming Dynasty, the ceremonial eunuch was the most powerful person in the most powerful department. In name, he was the head of the eunuchs.
The reason why it is said to be in name only is that the real head of the eunuchs actually depends on who the emperor trusts the most.
There is no way, eunuchs are born to rely on imperial power. Therefore, in the current Ming Dynasty, the nominal head of the eunuchs is Chen Hong and Eunuch Chen, but the actual head of the eunuchs is Eunuch Huang, Jin and Huang.
But even if he is only the head of eunuchs in name only, he is still the head of eunuchs. It is hard for anyone to imagine that he would live such a life outside the court.
In the second courtyard, there were not many servants, eating homely meals with their wives, and there were no maids around to wait on them.
The only thing that shows his status is that there are no neighbors on both sides of the yard, and it is a single house. When Yan Niang entered this courtyard for the first time, she only felt awkward and strange. It was a feeling of identity dislocation, just like the first time people saw Jiajing wearing Taoist robes to go to court.
But the moment Xiao Feng walked into the courtyard, especially the house, he understood that this was a eunuch who longed to live an ordinary life.
He hopes he is a normal man and has a normal family, rich but not luxurious, warm but not complicated.
Even though he has stood at the top of the Ming Dynasty eunuchs, all of this is still out of reach for him.
When he invited Xiao Feng to eat with him like a farmer, Xiao Feng already understood the way to deal with him-respect.
It's not fear, it's not looking up, it's not discrimination, it's respect from the heart. Unfortunately, many people cannot do this simplest request, or in other words, they can't even pretend to do it.
But this is too simple for Xiao Feng, and there is no need to perform, because Xiao Feng believes from the bottom of his heart that this wish itself is worthy of respect, and anyone who has this wish deserves respect.
Therefore, Eunuch Chen could not see any awkwardness or ridicule in Xiao Feng's eyes, but only sincerity.
He didn't care much about the glass of wine Xiao Feng offered him, but Xiao Feng sincerely respected his wife and shouted without any reluctance.
"Sister-in-law", he was really happy. He had already guessed what Xiao Feng was here for, otherwise he wouldn't have said so many words to Yan Niang.
Now that it is confirmed that Xiao Feng is a person who can date, he will put forward his own conditions. After the two put down their wine glasses, Eunuch Chen smiled and asked Yan Niang to eat. It was like suddenly that Yan Niang was no longer his subordinate, but the daughter-in-law of a distant cousin who came to visit with Xiao Feng.
Yan Niang was flattered, but she was a smart person after all. What Eunuch Chen said just now was not in vain. She also tried to eat as naturally as possible. Although she was still a little stiff, it was much better than at the beginning.
Seeing that Yan Niang was still a little reluctant to let go, the woman personally used her chopsticks to pick up dishes for Yan Niang twice. Yan Niang smiled gratefully.
"Brother, I brought Yan Niang here because I have something to ask of you." Xiao Feng knew that he had to express his position first.
Eunuch Chen nodded, smiled and motioned for Xiao Feng to continue.
"I want to take Yan Niang into the palace to test the characters for the nobles. I need a helper. Yan Niang has seen a little bit of the world, and I have no one else to use." This doesn't mean that there is no woman around me, but that there is no woman around me. There is no one who is trustworthy and capable. He also said that although Yan Niang is your Eunuch Chen's person, I can trust her. This is also a statement.
"This is not a big deal. Since I want to use Yan Niang, it is her blessing, so I will not stop it. Brother, you have a good relationship with Mr. Huang. As a small matter, he, as the Supervisor of Ceremonies, can do it himself. It’s decided, why bother asking me.” This is a test. Although Eunuch Chen has judgment and information about the relationship between Xiao Feng and Huang Jin, he needs Xiao Feng’s confirmation, because among the conditions he wants to open, This is the key!
Xiao Feng understood: "To tell you the truth, I mentioned this matter to Eunuch Huang first. It was Eunuch Huang who pointed me to come to my eldest brother. He said that although it is not a big matter, I still need to get eldest brother's consent. Eunuch Huang I have always been cautious and polite, so of course I have to follow suit." That was enough. Eunuch Chen smiled with satisfaction, took the initiative to raise his wine, and had a drink with Xiao Feng.
Just as the woman was about to take the wine flask, Yan Niang quickly took it and filled it for both of them.
"Eunuch Huang thinks too much about this little thing. I'm old and can't work for a few more years. He has to take care of all these things as soon as possible so that I can retire with peace of mind." Here it comes!
Xiao Feng knew that he had to express his position first. This was the rule. He came to find others, not others.
"When Eunuch Chen was chatting with me, he often lamented that if it weren't for Eunuch Chen's hard work, it would be difficult for him to serve Wan Sui wholeheartedly. If Eunuch Chen gets tired one day and wants to enjoy a happy life, Eunuch Huang will never forget it. Eunuch Chen's hard work has paid off." Eunuch Chen let out a long breath, and suddenly felt a little weak. He quickly adjusted himself with the action of picking up vegetables to avoid looking awkward.
The eunuch had reached his peak when he reached his level. But being an official is like climbing a mountain. The higher you climb, the harder it is to get down.
If you are not careful, your body will be shattered into pieces. This has always been the case throughout the ages. Just look at Xia Yan and you will know that Yan Song, despite his high position and power now, is hard to say in the future.
Of course, Eunuch Chen didn't know yet that after Yan Song, there was Xu Jie, and after Xu Jie, there was Zhang Juzheng.
The one with the most power is also the one who falls the hardest. Eunuchs are no less dangerous than these officials. Moreover, because of their high position and even involving imperial power, eunuchs are even more dangerous.
Not only are the fellow eunuchs jealous and jealous, but Qingliu outside has also been sharpening his knives against the eunuch. It's okay when you have the power, but once you step back, whether you can survive in peace until your death is a big question.
Who can reach this position and say that he has never done evil things? Who dares to say that he has not offended a group of people? When you retreated, these people swarmed up and piled a lot of accusations on you. Do you still expect the emperor to protect an old eunuch who has left the palace?
Therefore, the eldest eunuch wanted to take in his adopted son and take on an apprentice, just so that he could have a safe ending, but it was difficult for Eunuch Chen to do this.
Because although Jiajing gave the late emperor face and continued to use him, it was Huang Jin who really trusted him. Therefore, people from Chen Hong's group had no chance of promotion at all, and at most they could just hang out in unimportant departments like the Jiaofang Division.
The really key power departments of the Supervisor of Ceremonies are all Huang Jin's people. Chen Hong's glory and power will be as clear as a spring dream after he retires.
If someone makes trouble against him, he has almost no power to fight back and can only be slaughtered by others. Therefore, Xiao Feng's visit today was a rare opportunity for him.
Otherwise, would he really be so afraid of Xiao Feng that he would break his servant's legs with just one word from him? Eunuch Chen looked at the young and excessive upstart in front of him with emotion, and then at his wife.
"Xiao Qin is a girl from the countryside. Her family was involved in a lawsuit and she was wronged. I happened to go to the countryside to buy a maid, and I saved her family. This child is a repaying person and insisted on following me as a maid. Later. , I said I liked her, and she wanted to marry me. I invited her parents to the capital, and married her with three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts. It’s just that it’s not easy to publicize and outsiders don’t know.” This is considered a secret. , but Eunuch Chen casually told Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng didn't care, but Yan Niang was very nervous. She knew too well the dangers of dealing with these big shots. It was best to only talk about Fengyue and not the secret.
"If something happens to me one day, I won't worry about anything else. It's just Xiaoqin. She followed me once, which is already very painful. I can't let her live a good life, and I can't let her follow me. I endure hardship." Xiao Feng knew it was time for him to express his stance. He had to be measured in everything. If he pretended to be confused, he would be looking down on others.
"Don't worry, eldest brother. I know a lot about eldest brother's character from Eunuch Huang, and I also know a little bit from Yan Niang. As for eldest brother's character, I should have more benefactors than enemies. Even if he retires one day, he will definitely be Peace and wealth. If someone really takes advantage of others' danger, I will never stand by and watch." Xiao Feng's words are not lies. He came to see Chen Hong not on a whim, but because he had a tacit understanding with Huang Jin. of.
Chen Hong is a ruthless person, but not a bad person. Huang Jin said this, Zhang Juzheng said it, and Hu Zongxian also said it. It is credible.
Eunuch Chen stood up, and Xiao Feng stood up as well. They drank three glasses together before sitting down again.
Eunuch Chen's eyes turned to Yan Niang again.
"Yanniang wants to enter the palace to meet the nobles, but her current status is too low and inappropriate. Well, let's get a teaching position in the Jiaofang Department first. Tomorrow morning I will ask the Secretary of Ceremonies to print out the documents, and first get the slave registration Take it off and talk about the rest later, take your time, Yan Niang still needs to practice." Yan Niang raised her head suddenly, the chopsticks in her hand dropped on the table in panic, and looked at Eunuch Chen in disbelief.
Eunuch Chen stopped looking at her and just drank and ate. Xiao Feng smiled and helped Yan Niang pick up the chopsticks and put them back into her hands.
"You are all people who are going to be officials. How can you be so careless? How can you show your dignity?"
