The atmosphere in the flower hall was a bit awkward. Facing Chen Xun's burning eyes, Xu Youzhen nodded guiltily and said.
"Teacher Mingjian, after all, we are talking lightly. If the teacher can take action, we will naturally have greater control." Chen Yi, like Yu Qian, has a good reputation, but the difference is that although he is a master of Feng Xian Ke Dao First of all, he is not as tough as Yu Qian.
This point is reflected in many things. To put it bluntly, without Chen Yi's cooperation in suppressing Kedao, many things of the emperor would never have gone so smoothly.
Therefore, from this perspective, this Lord General Xian can be regarded as half of the emperor's party. After all, the Mining Tax Supervisor was set up by the emperor. Therefore, they alone were not very confident in persuading Chen Yi to come forward.
Chen Xun thought for a moment and said.
"In that case, I know about this matter. You just need to wait for your rights and go to the book first. Mr. Zong Xian, I will take care of it." The attitude was still ambiguous, but Xu Youzhen did not bother anymore.
This is the case above the court. It is impossible for a person of Chen Xun's status to reveal his true attitude, because doing so will easily cut off his own escape route.
For Xu Youzhen, it was enough for him to clearly explain the stakes. So, after a few more pleasantries, Xu Youzhen didn't stay any longer and quickly left.
However, after leaving Chen Xun's mansion, Mr. Xu still did not go back directly. Instead, he continued to take another route and came to the door of the British Duke's mansion.
"Xu Youzhen?" Zhang Min was sitting in the hall, looking at Xu Youzhen who had his hands in front of him as a gift, with the same confused look on his face. After a while, he frowned and asked.
"Today is New Year's Eve. Why is Mr. Xu free to come to the British government?" The implication is that he is not very welcome.
This is actually not difficult to understand. New Year’s Eve is a day for reunions. Even if we want to visit each other and connect with each other, we would not choose this time.
What's more, the British government and Xu Youzhen had never had a close relationship before. Lord Xu was able to become the emperor's party member because he was recommended by Li Xian, the former Minister of Rites, and with Zhu Jian's help.
However, he really didn't have much dealings with other nobles. Xu Youzhen naturally knew that she came at the wrong time, so she got straight to the point and spoke directly.
"Second Master, during this Chinese New Year, the British Government House is much deserted than in previous years..." Although New Year's Eve is not a suitable time to visit, for a family like the British Government House, New Year's Eve is not a busy day. Come down.
It's not the right time for people to come, but all kinds of gifts and invitations will be delivered early. Otherwise, after the New Year, if you want to visit and pay New Year's greetings, you won't be able to get in line.
Therefore, in previous years, the British government was indeed very busy these days. Of course, this year is different. Originally, with the restoration of the Duke of Chengguo, there were many more people going to the Duke of Chengguo this year to send greetings. In addition, as the New Year is approaching, Zhu Yi’s uncle Wang Qin suddenly got promoted. , the status of Duke Chengguo in the court was further improved, and everyone in the court who took advantage of the situation naturally knew where to run.
However, this also has something to do with Zhang Xi himself. Last time he impeached so many military officials in the court and took the initiative to rectify the military government, which can be regarded as offending many people.
The original intention was to intimidate, but now, I have offended people, but I have not obtained the authority. I am neither up nor down, which is very embarrassing. Naturally, it has created the cold family today.
In particular, the Duke Cheng's Mansion was very lively, but his own place was so deserted. This contrast naturally made Zhang Mi particularly uncomfortable.
If not, he would not have gone to see the Supreme Emperor in private. However, in the past two days, he received news that the Supreme Emperor had summoned Zhu Yi again, and it was said that they had a very happy conversation, which made him feel even more depressed.
I was in a bad mood at first, but I ended up encountering someone who wouldn't open or pick up any of the pots. At that moment, Zhang Xi's originally unattractive face turned even darker and he said.
"I heard before that you scholars know the etiquette best. Doesn't Mr. Xu understand the etiquette of not visiting relatives and friends on New Year's Eve?" Seeing that Zhang Shi was about to get angry, Xu Youzhen stood up quickly and cupped her hands.
"Second Master, please forgive me. Xu came here today not to see the British government's jokes, but to help you."
"Help me?" Zhang Mian frowned and said.
"Did Zhu Jian ask you to come?" It is said that a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Although the British government is on the decline, it is still a top noble family.
Xu Youzhen, a small bachelor of Youchunfang, is not worthy of Zhang Mi's attention. Those who can really be regarded by him must at least be at the level of cabinet ministers like Zhu Jian.
In fact, Xu Youzhen has always been able to join the Supreme Emperor's party because of Zhu Jian's support.
Therefore, Zhang Min's first reaction when he saw him was whether Xu Youzhen came on behalf of Zhu Jian. However, what Zhang Xi didn't expect was that Xu Youzhen's expression froze for a moment, then she shook her head honestly and said.
"Second Master has misunderstood. Xu's coming here has nothing to do with Mr. Zhu Ge." After saying this, Zhang Min's brows furrowed even deeper.
Moreover, inexplicably, he felt a faint sense of being insulted. During this period, he had been troubled by the declining influence of the British government among the nobles. As a result, now, a junior like Xu Youzhen dared to come directly to see him. Well, isn't this an insult to him?
At that moment, Zhang Xi's face became angry and he said.
"Then what are you doing here, Mr. Xu?" This question was very rude and clearly showed a hint of impatience.
However, Xu Youzhen had obviously expected this. Not only was he not angry, but he spoke calmly.
"Xu knows that with Xu's identity, it is somewhat inappropriate to come to visit the second master rashly. However, big people have their uses, and little people have their uses."
"The British Duke's House of Bells and Dining Food has been repeatedly plotted against. What it lacks is actually a small figure like Xu, a consultant to help the second master make plans?" He stated his purpose of coming so straightforwardly, and, Nothing to be ashamed of.
Xu Youzhen's shameless words actually made Zhang Mi look at him with a high regard. Although he was born as a playboy, after all, he had been exposed to it since he was a child and knew how to recognize people. In this world, people who can tolerate humiliation and humiliation are not easy to deal with.
His attitude towards Xu Youzhen just now was not bad. If it had been any other civil servant, he would have walked away long ago.
However, Xu Youzhen was able to continue happily, and she could also admit frankly that this kind of character deserves some respect.
After thinking about this, Zhang Min sat up straight, his eyes flashed, and he asked.
"How do you want to advise me?" Seeing this situation, a smile flashed in Xu Youzhen's eyes. As long as he was willing to take the bait, everything would be easy.
Zhang Min inadvertently revealed his anxiety at the moment, so Xu Youzhen was not anxious anymore and said.
"If Xu's prediction is correct, the second master should be riding a tiger now."
"The original intention of impeaching the military ministers in the military government was to show favor to the emperor and take the opportunity to regain control of the military ministers. By the way, it would also serve as a deterrent to the wavering and unpredictable officials in the military government."
"But in the end, the emperor took the fruit, but backhandedly gave the power to the Wang family. The Wang family is the maternal family of Duke Cheng, and the Duke Cheng and the British Duke are related by marriage."
"In this case, if the second master interferes, then the two families will have bad blood. But if he tries his best to help, but also makes wedding clothes for others, no matter what, he will not be able to swallow it. Xu is right. ?" Of course you are right, but...
"Are you trying to sow discord between me and Duke Cheng Guo?" Zhang Mi narrowed his eyes, looked at Xu Youzhen, and said slowly.
"I don't care whether you were sent here by Zhu Jian or you have other thoughts. It's best to get rid of them as soon as possible. Impeachment of the military minister is to clarify the atmosphere of the military government and to be loyal to the court. Secondly, it is to prevent the emperor from going too far. Impulsively, the war started again. Now the border is clear and the military government is reorganizing it. Naturally, it has a happy ending."
"As for the person in charge, the British government and the Chengguo government are on the same page. If Wang Qin can take charge of the military government, I will naturally do my best to help." Well, when he said this, it was clear that he still didn't trust Xu Youzhen.
However, Xu Youzhen had already expected this. After all, if he came to the door directly to express his surrender, anyone else would doubt his motives.
But that doesn't matter. Now that he's here, he won't be unprepared. After pondering for a moment, Xu Youzhen calmed down and said.
"I guess Duke Cheng Guo must have told the Second Master that he will continue to help the Second Master regain control of the military government. However, before that, the Second Master must first help the Wang family stabilize their position, right?"
"I said, I am here because..." Zhang Xi's face became more and more unhappy, but this time, he was interrupted by Xu Youzhen just halfway through what he said.
"It doesn't matter if the second master doesn't admit it. You just think it's Xu's nonsense. It doesn't matter if you just listen to it like a dull man." This time, Zhang Shi didn't speak, but looked at Xu Youzhen coldly, as if he wanted to hear it. What tricks can he tell?
So Xu Youzhen smiled and continued.
"Now that Marquis Ningyuan has fallen, the British government has lost its most powerful control over the military government. Therefore, the second master has to take action personally. It is for this reason that he is willing to take the risk of offending so many noble families and write this memorial. .”
"With this memorial, it can be said that you will injure the enemy by one thousand and injure yourself by eight hundred. No matter whether you can regain control of the military government in the end, you will definitely offend many people, so the second master has made a strong determination."
"But now, the British government pays the price, but the benefits go to the Chengguo government. If it had been someone else, I'm afraid the second master would have turned his back."
"But Xu just mentioned this matter to the second master, and the second master still defended the Chengguo Palace in his words. Why?" The words were in a questioning tone, but Xu Youzhen obviously had no intention of letting Zhang Mi In reply, he paused only for a moment before continuing.
"Xu is not talented and made wild speculations. He thinks there is only one possibility, that is, Cheng Guogong must have come up with a reasonable explanation and promised to continue to help the second master get what he should get."
"If nothing else, Duke Cheng Guo must have come up with a very feasible solution. Of course, as an apology, this solution will be handled by Duke Cheng's office. The second master only needs to watch the fire from the other side and reap the benefits."
"Only in this way can the second master be so calm until now. Is Xu right?" Zhang Min's face looked a little ugly.
I have to say that everything Xu Youzhen said was correct, but his straightforward statement undoubtedly made Mr. Zhang feel a little embarrassed.
Narrowing his eyes, Zhang Min said coldly.
"Master Xu came here today just to show off how resourceful he is to me? These words were somewhat sarcastic, but what people didn't expect was that Xu Youzhen nodded seriously. road.
"Second Master is smart, that's right!"
"You!" Zhang Xi almost slapped the table with one sentence. However, Xu Youzhen said as if she had anticipated Zhang Xi's reaction.
"Second Master, don't be anxious. Since the words have come to this point, you might as well listen to what Xu has to say before issuing an eviction order." Zhang Min looked ugly, but in the end, he still suppressed the anger in his heart.
What Xu Youzhen said just now was indeed irritating, but it also aroused his curiosity to hear what Xu Youzhen wanted to say next.
Seeing no further reaction from Zhang Min, Xu Youzhen knew that her strategy was already effective. Nowadays, the power of the Supreme Emperor is not particularly strong, but it is also divided into several factions internally.
One is the Queen Mother Party headed by Jiao Jing. This group is mainly composed of foreign relatives and mainly relies on the Holy Mother in the palace. However, with the return of the Supreme Emperor, the Holy Mother gradually no longer pays attention to matters outside the court, and their sense of existence is also low. A lot.
The other one is the old nobles headed by the British Duke. Zhang Xian, Chen Mao and others all belong to this group. They have been friends for many years, and their relationships are very complicated. However, because the British Duke themselves are not up to par, Therefore, whether in the court or in front of the Supreme Emperor, his influence is declining day by day.
The last one is naturally the newly promoted Chengguo Duke's lineage who was 'supported' by the Supreme Emperor. Zhu Yi's disadvantage is that he is young and has no prestige, but his advantage is that he has the means and dares to take risks. You know, in the Spring Hunting Ground It is not something ordinary people would dare to support the Supreme Emperor so blatantly. At that time, Zhu Yi had not even gotten back his title, and was just a small escort general. This courage must be said to be worthy of admiration. .
Nowadays, if Xu Youzhen wants to gain Zhang Shi's trust, she can't do any step-by-step tricks, she has to poke his heart.
Because now for Zhang Shi, face and other things are secondary. Maintaining the influence of the British government is the most important thing.
Don't think that you can rest easy just by holding the title of the Duke of Guogong. If your influence continues to be weakened in this way, let alone having the face to see your ancestors, brothers, and brothers in the future, even the title may not be guaranteed.
If the emperor does not liquidate the matter now, it does not mean that he will not liquidate it in the future. If the British government is really weakened step by step and becomes a dispensable existence in the court, then it will really become a matter of one sentence for people to clean up the British government. thing.
So, a little offense doesn't matter. Of course, this was also a helpless move. As I said before, if Xu Youzhen came to the door so rashly and said that he wanted to work for him, normal people would doubt his motives.
Maybe he was more suspicious, so he didn't even listen to what he said and just issued an eviction order. Therefore, Xu Youzhen can only show her own value first, abandon those meandering styles, and speak straightforwardly.
As long as it can arouse Zhang Xi's curiosity, then half of the problem will be solved...
