After the winter solstice, it is Zhengdan.
For older people who don’t have any serious holidays throughout the year, the winter solstice has passed and they have entered a state of semi-stagnation.
At this time, all the important government affairs that should be dealt with have been dealt with, and what is left is the year-end summary of each yamen. However, the elders started to do these things in December, and they are almost done now.
Therefore, most yamen began to become idle.
When the elders are supposed to visit friends and buy new year's goods, they just deal with local congratulatory forms and congratulatory messages when they go to the office.
In addition to some urgent matters, even local governments will not be short-sighted in looking for trouble at this time.
In short, starting from the Winter Solstice Festival, most people in the entire capital are looking forward to the annual Spring Festival with joy.
Of course, at this time of year, the Ministry of Etiquette is always busy.
The Ministry of Rites has always been noble and does not have much to do, but strangely enough, since the emperor came to the throne, the Ministry of Rites has not stopped.
The enthronement ceremony, the draft and canonization, the imperial clan's entry into Beijing, the establishment of religious schools, the return of the Supreme Emperor, and the appointment of the Eastern Palace...
I was busy finishing one thing after another, and every one of them was important. I didn't dare to make the slightest mistake. I was so busy that I was running around in circles.
Not to mention, after this year, there will be a trial at the beginning of spring.
For the bosses of the Ministry of Rites, it can be said that they work overtime until they die.
Especially after Li Xian was dismissed from the capital, the Ministry of Etiquette was left with only Wang Yining as a minister, which was even more difficult to do. Mr. Wang was forced to go to the Yatou every day to catch some daily fisherman. The eldest uncle.
I have no choice but to go a little later. After Mr. Hu finished ordering, he went back home to catch up on his sleep...
It would be fine in normal times, but today is the day of the ministry meeting. Although at the court meeting, Hu Hui said on behalf of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites could quickly come up with detailed etiquette notes regardless of whether the prince left the cabinet or not.
However, after all, there is still a big difference in the rituals between the two, especially since His Highness the Crown Prince has a dual identity, being both the heir of the Supreme Emperor and the crown prince of the Emperor.
How to perform the salute, how to perform it, and what the order is. Every detail requires a lot of consideration.
Many of these matters cannot be decided by him as a minister. Hu Hui, the minister, must be in charge.
Hu Hui, who was forced to work, was not happy. He had a dark face and sat at the table with a teapot, listening to the quarrels (crossed out) and discussions below.
Not long after, the fight started right before his eyes...
Wang Shilang, who had been working hard for a long time with several doctors and principals, looked up and saw his boss dozing off, and he suddenly became angry.
After taking two steps forward, Wang Shilang raised his voice seriously and said loudly.
"Uncle Zong, the ceremony for the prince's coming out of the palace has been basically decided, but there are still a few controversial points that require your approval. There is also a few days chosen by Qin Tian Jian. Can you take a look?"
Mr. Hu was startled by Wang Shilang's rumbling voice, and his sleepiness disappeared immediately. He blinked his confused eyes and said.
"What? It's time for lunch? Let's go then..."
After saying that, he frowned while holding the half-cold teapot, but still took a sip, then smacked his mouth, and looked down again, but no one was moving.
The doctors and principals looked at each other in confusion, looking at the Vice Minister and the Minister in front of them, with expressions of bewilderment on their faces.
At this time, Wang Shilang on the side had already made a long face, directly thrust the official document in his hand in front of Hu Hui, and said in a long voice.
"Uncle Da Zong!"
Mr. Hu looked at Wang Yining, and then at the ministers and ministers below who didn't know whether to leave or stay. He looked a little helpless, reluctantly picked up the official document and flipped it over, and said in an obviously perfunctory manner.
"Well, it's done well, but there are still a few things that need to be improved. Let's go have a meal first and come back in the afternoon to continue the discussion."
After that, he put down the official document that he had rolled his eyes at, got up and left.
However, Wang Yining, who had been busy working on this matter for several days, would not let go of this hard-won opportunity.
In the long-term struggle with the eldest uncle, Wang Shilang had accumulated rich experience in struggle. He quietly took a step to the right, blocking the way for the eldest uncle to leave.
Then he handed it over.
"Uncle Da Zong, this etiquette note has been revised three times according to your request. If there are any specific deficiencies, please tell me, Uncle Da Zong, so that I can lead others to continue revising it."
Hu Xi, whose way was blocked, looked a little resentful. He turned around helplessly and sat down in front of the desk again.
This time, the old man finally became serious. He set up his bronze and gold crystal holder, picked up the official document and read it carefully.
After about half a stick of incense, Hu Hui finally raised his head, closed his eyes and meditated for a moment, and when he opened his eyes again, he didn't feel the slightest confusion as before.
The old man picked up the brush next to him, circled a few places on the official document, and then read it again, finally smiling again on his face.
Putting down the brush and folding the official document, Mr. Hu did not hand it back, but held the paperweight in his backhand to hold the official document down, and then said to the officials below with a smile.
"I have approved the official document. I will show it to your Lord Assistant later. If there are a few things that are inappropriate, we will continue the discussion in the afternoon."
"Everyone has been busy all morning. I must be tired and hungry already. Let's go to the office now. I don't care about food."
As he spoke, Mr. Hu patted his head, seemed to suddenly remember something, and said again.
"By the way, I met with Shen Pai Xiu from the Ministry of Finance yesterday and gave him a new year's gift. I put it in the warehouse. When everyone leaves, everyone will receive one."
"These are all good things that Shen Pixiu extorted from the palace bit by bit. He has a character that only goes in and out. It took a lot of effort for me to get it back from him. You can just take what you like!"
Shen Pixiu naturally refers to Shen Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Ever since he took charge of the household department, this old man has always been known for being stingy. Especially in this year's mutual market, the treasury has obviously received a lot of money. However, this old man still has a posture of only going out but not taking in, and all kinds of expenses are stuck. Deadly.
So much so that, in private, many courtiers gave him a nickname, "Shen Pixiu".
However, as Shen Shangshu, Hu Hui was the only one in the court who really dared to tease him openly.
As a result, the atmosphere of the originally serious ministry meeting suddenly became cheerful.
"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Zong."
"Yes, uncle Zong personally asked for the new year's goods, so you have to take a good look at them before you go too late."
"Go together, go together..."
In the Ministry of Etiquette, although Hu Hui usually doesn't take care of things, he is still the undoubted leader. In other words, he always treats others with kindness and does not care about others. Therefore, the atmosphere in the entire Ministry of Etiquette is very relaxed.
However, looseness does not mean no rules.
For example, at this time, it is obvious that the boss is really driving people away.
Therefore, even if they watched helplessly, there was still an hour before the time to go to the Yamen, even if they had just had breakfast, they were not hungry at all, even if they knew that Shen Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue could not be so generous. Come up with something good and give it to the etiquette department for free...
These officials still pretended to be in high spirits, surrendered, and left one after another.
After a while, everything was gone, leaving only Hu Hui sitting on the main seat with the old spirit still present, and below him, Wang Yining stood respectfully.
Don't look at how casually he treated Hu Hui just now, even daring to stop him directly, but again, it's because he knows that Lord Shangshu treats people generously and doesn't care about these little details.
When it is time to restrain yourself, you must not exceed the rules at all. This is something Wang Shilang knows very well.
After the last principal had left the public room, Hu Hui took away the paperweight and put the official document in front of him again, but still did not hand it over, but raised his head and asked.
"Wentong, if I remember correctly, you were a Jinshi in the 16th year of Yongle, right?"
Wang Yining nodded and smiled cautiously.
"Uncle Da Zong has a good memory and lacks talent in his lower official positions. It was in the 16th year of Yongle's reign that he became an official."
Hu Xi nodded, seeming a little emotional, and said.
"A twenty-one-year-old Jinshi is considered young and promising. He was four years earlier than me when I passed the Jinshi exam!"
At this time, Wang Yining became even more frightened and quickly raised his hands.
"Uncle Da Zong is joking. How can a subordinate be so virtuous and capable as to dare to be compared with Uncle Zong?"
"There's nothing that can't be compared. We all were born as Jinshi. I just entered the officialdom a few years earlier than you and suffered a lot more."
Hu Hui waved his hand, but had no special reaction, but the emotion on his face became stronger and stronger, and he continued.
"Your talents and learning are good. Emperor Renzong once praised you when he was staying in his residence. After the emperor ascended the throne, he also praised you for your good writing and rigorous academic attitude."
"So, later on, when the late emperor became Taizong, and the two former emperors of Renzong compiled the records, they asked you to participate. Later, when the late emperor passed away, the Supreme Emperor compiled the records for the late emperor, and even asked you to serve as the vice president. Several generations of emperors, I value you very much."
Having said this, Wang Yining was still a little confused.
He didn't understand why Lord Shangshu started chatting with him about this matter for no reason.
Naturally, Shilang Wang knows his career experience better than anyone else.
In fact, it is also very simple.
Wang Yining is a relatively rare official without local experience among the six ministries today.
He entered the Hanlin Academy directly from the time he passed the Jinshi examination. He first served as a scholar for three years to observe politics, and then was awarded the title of editor, responsible for the compilation and inventory of various scriptures. He can be described as a noble but leisurely person. errand.
After that, he spent many years, from editor to editor, from servant to lecturer, and he climbed up step by step, neither fast nor slow.
As Hu Hui said, he also participated in several large projects during the period, such as the compilation of the records of the emperors Taizong, Renzong, and Xuanzong, and thus made small progress in his official career.
However, to say that he was valued by successive emperors would be an exaggeration.
You know, one year earlier than him, Chen Xun, who passed the Jinshi examination in the 13th year of Yongle, had already become a Hanlin bachelor who knows how many years ago. Later, he entered the cabinet, and now, he has entered the rank of Qiqing. ranks.
And what about him? From the moment he became an official, he stayed in the Hanlin Academy for thirty years!
It wasn't until the Emperor's Northern Expedition last year that he took away most of the courtiers and promoted a group of people to stay in various yamen before leaving. He was promoted out and became a minister in the idle Ministry of Rites.
To be fair, in thirty years, the pace from seventh-grade editor to third-grade minister is indeed a bit slow. However, fortunately, Wang Shilang entered the official position early, so he is quite confident in himself.
After all, he is only fifty-four years old this year, and he is still more than ten years away from becoming an official.
What's more, there is a role model in front of him who is still shining for the Ming Dynasty at the age of seventy-six. It is a problem for Wang Shilang not to have confidence.
You know, compared with this old man, Wang Shilang is definitely a young man.
Although he didn't understand in his heart, Wang Yining didn't dare to show it on his face and only said modestly.
"Uncle Da Zong has given me too much praise. I know in my heart that besides the article at hand, which is somewhat useful, there are still many things that I am not familiar with about the government affairs of the imperial court. I need Uncle Da Zong to point out more."
Obviously, Mr. Hu was satisfied with Wang Yining's modest attitude. He nodded and said.
"I can't say enough to mention that you are thorough and diligent in your work. I know this. Otherwise, I would not dare to entrust you with all the affairs of the Ministry of Etiquette during these days."
"Take this book as an example. You have actually done a very good job. There are a few omissions in the details, but it doesn't matter. If we continue to discuss it carefully, it will not be difficult to improve it."
"However, now that we have said that, after all, I entered the official position more than ten years earlier than you. I still have some insights that I can share with you."
Although Hu Hui said these words with a smile, Wang Yining did not dare to be negligent at all, and his attitude became more and more respectful as he bowed.
"Your Majesty is all ears."
So, Hu Hui put his hand on the official document he had just approved, still smiling, and said gently.
"Everyone says that the Ministry of Rites is a leisurely place, but who knows, in any yamen, government affairs are complicated, and the same goes for the Ministry of Rites. You should be able to feel this as you have been in the Ministry of Rites for more than a year."
"Right now, as the end of the year approaches, it is a big event for the prince to leave the cabinet, but in more than a month, the imperial examination will also be a big event. Furthermore, over at Zongxue, Prince Min is ill in bed, and Prince Xiang is recuperating in his mansion. The end-of-year assessment also needs to be drawn up intensively by the Ministry of Rites."
"These are major events. In addition to these, the two princes and princesses who were just born in the palace were asked to be named, and the little princess was asked to be titled. In the past few days, congratulations have come one after another from all over the country, and princes from various clans have come to pay their respects and memorials. When it's about to start, etiquette, etiquette training for officials, these things are trivial, but they can't be left behind."
Perhaps because of his age, Hu Hui's words sounded a bit garrulous, but Wang Yining did not dare to miss a single word.
At the same time, as he finished speaking, a thoughtful look slowly appeared on his face.
So, Hu Hui paused briefly and continued.
"Big or small things, as long as the word "rite" is involved, there is no unimportant matter. However, those are really important, those are not important, those are important, and those can be put aside. You have to have a certain understanding in your heart. Don’t spend all your energy on one thing. You are busy and exhausted every day, and the result is still not good, do you understand?”
Wang Yining hesitated for a moment, then Fang nodded. He finally understood that Hu Xi was saying that he had spent too much time and energy on the ceremony of leaving the palace in the East Palace.
but……
"I will keep in mind the teachings of Grand Uncle Zong. However, you made it so clear to me that day. I am worried..."
Hu Hui said a lot of words and just picked up the teapot to moisten his throat when he heard this wooden head ask such stupid words.
Therefore, Mr. Hu couldn't help but feel helpless. After thinking about it, he had to continue.
"Wentong, being diligent is a good thing, but you don't need to be overly diligent. You also said that the prince's resignation is a big deal, so if you don't carefully consider it and make a hasty decision, wouldn't it be disrespectful to the East Palace?"
"Besides, didn't the emperor also urge the Ministry of Ceremonies? You should calm down and do your job well. The emperor will blame you, so I'll take care of you!"
"oh……"
Wang Shilang seemed to understand but still nodded.
Hu Xi sighed, looked Wang Yining up and down, shook his head and said.
"You go too. In a little while, all the New Year's goods will be snatched up by those kids."
"The New Year is approaching. Although the Rites Department is busy, you don't have to be so tight. Look at your appearance. Ah, you are only in your fifties. You don't look as energetic as me. Alas... "
As he spoke, Mr. Hu sighed deeply and pushed the official document in his hand forward.
Then, he picked up the teapot, shook it, and walked out of the door of the Ministry of Etiquette.
In the public room, Wang Yining looked at the official document in front of him, frowning slightly, standing alone, not knowing what he was thinking...
