Changfu dining room.
Liu Jin, Wang Hua and his son took their seats.
Chang Feng said: "Shouren often comes to my house. But Wang Butang is a rare guest."
Wang Hua said half-jokingly: "If I come to your house often, my colleagues in the civil service will not be able to say, 'Look, this bitch Wang Hua is ingratiating himself with the factory guard.'"
Wang Hua is a straightforward person.
Liu Jin took the initiative to pour wine for Wang Hua. At the wine table, pouring wine for others can either show submission or respect.
Liu Jin actually respects knowledgeable people deep down.
He understands this truth. If I really gain power in the future, I will need a group of knowledgeable and capable people to work for me and help me govern the country.
After pouring the wine, Liu Jin began to develop a relationship with Wang Hua: "I was lucky enough to get acquainted with Wang Butang in the first year of Hongzhi. All in all, we have been friends for nineteen years!"
Liu Jin was full of confidence in taking down Wang Hua for his own use.
Over the years, civil servants have been on the same page as Liu Jin. Their eyebrows are not eyebrows, and their eyes are not eyes. Only Wang Hua saw Liu Jin and he was friendly.
Moreover, Wang Hua looked down upon Liu Jian and Xie Qian's single-handed approach, and showed dissatisfaction from time to time.
Wang Hua smiled and said: "I have been friends with Governor Chang for nineteen years. Quanzi and Governor Chang have been friends for even longer. They have known each other since the 22nd year of Chenghua."
Wang Hua was deliberately changing the topic and making it about Wang Shouren.
The No. 1 Scholar is a very smart man. He knows the purpose of tonight's banquet, and it is likely that Liu Jin has roped him into joining the gang.
Chang Feng interjected: "In the 22nd year of Chenghua, Brother Shouren ate six pot helmets of mine. I was afraid that he would die from exhaustion."
Wang Shouren lamented: "Life is like a dream. I was only a teenager at that time, and in the blink of an eye I was already thirty-four years old."
Liu Jin took up the conversation: "When Grandpa Yue Feiyue was thirty-four years old, he served as the Xuanfu envoy of Jinghu North Road and Jingxi South Road and the Yingtian ambassador! He is equivalent to the Xuanda Governor of the Ming Dynasty."
"I know that although Brother Shouren is a scholar, he has the ambition to gallop on the battlefield and make achievements. Unfortunately, this is the Taiping Dynasty, and official promotion mainly depends on years and seniority."
"For you to be the head of a small martial arts selection department in the Ministry of War is really undermining your talents!"
"As far as I know, there is a vacancy in the military preparedness of Xuanfu. Xuanfu is an important defense town on the nine sides of the Ming Dynasty, and there are often wars. I plan to suggest to the emperor that Brother Shouren fill this gap."
Liu Jin is well versed in the principle of winning over people to their liking.
If you want to deal with me, you must first deal with your son. You, Wang Shouren, are not greedy for money, lustful, striving for fame, or seeking profit. His only hobby is studying military affairs. Well, I'll give you a fight!
Not only did I upgrade you from the sixth rank to the fourth rank, I also made you serve as a military officer in an important frontier town, so that you can use the art of war you have learned and give you the opportunity to realize your ideals in life.
I don't believe you are not tempted!
Unexpectedly, Wang Shouren actually said: "Eunuch Liu, I am not very capable and have never had the experience of leading troops on the frontier. It is really difficult for me to be qualified for the position of military preparation in the Xuanfu."
Wang Shouren knew in his heart that accepting Liu Jin's help would be tantamount to joining the Eight Tigers Eunuch Party.
Who is Wang Shouren? The only true saint of the Ming Dynasty. I have long ceased to be happy with things and sad with myself. How could such a small temptation make him commit to the Eight Tigers?
Liu Jin was a little anxious: "It depends on whether the emperor recognizes your ability or not. If the emperor says you have this ability, you have this ability."
"And the Emperor always values my suggestions."
Wang Shouren handed over his hand: "I'm sorry, Eunuch Liu. I'm afraid of harming the frontier soldiers of Xuanfu. I dare not accept the post of military preparation."
Liu Jin looked displeased: "Brother Shouren, why do you think so little of yourself?"
Wang Shouren said: "The most important thing for a person is to have self-awareness."
Chang Feng quickly smoothed things over: "Since Brother Shouren doesn't want to go to Xuan Mansion, Eunuch Liu shouldn't force him."
Liu Jin still wanted to make a last-ditch effort: "Let's do this. If you don't go to the Xuanfu, then stay in the capital. I heard that the Gao Langzhong in your Martial Arts Department is old and sick. I will advise the emperor to order Gao Langzhong to become an official."
"You have been serving as the director of the Martial Arts Department for several years, and you have a good reputation as a secretary. At the same time, I will suggest to the emperor that you be promoted two levels to the position of doctor-in-command."
Don't want to go to the frontier to fight? Would you be happy if I promoted you on the spot?
From the principal to the outsider and then to the chief among the doctors. Ordinary civil servants have to endure more than ten years of hard work.
I will let you upgrade two levels in a row with just one sentence. Is that fair enough?
Liu Jin has a wrong view: anyone in this world can be bribed.
Wang Shouren is not a person who can be bribed.
Wanting to bribe the true saints in the future is like the author Fat Coke wanting to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. It is just a daydream.
Wang Shouren still said the same thing as before: "I am not capable enough. If I serve as the officer of the martial arts selection department, I may miss the imperial court's military selection plan. Eunuch Liu should find another good man."
Liu Jin's original plan was to deal with his son first and then me.
But after some conversation, he realized that his son was like a stone in a latrine, smelly and hard.
Then just don't bribe your son, just bribe me directly.
Liu Jin no longer ignored Wang Shouren, but turned to look at Wang Hua: "Wang Butang, since Xu Pu became an official in the twelfth year of Hongzhi, the cabinet has been composed of Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian."
"The emperor intends to recruit one or two people to serve as cabinet members this year. I wonder if Wang Butang is interested? As long as you nod, I will go and tell the emperor."
The highest pursuit of civil servants in Chinese history is to worship the prime minister.
The highest pursuit of civil servants in the Ming Dynasty was to enter the cabinet.
Although the Ming Dynasty had no prime minister since the Hu Weiyong case, joining the cabinet was equivalent to worshiping the prime minister.
I, Liu Jin, have spent a lot of money this time. As long as you Wang Hua nod, I will let you enter the cabinet to pay homage to the prime minister. Are you generous enough?
Ordinary officials want to ask me to help them join the cabinet. No matter how much money they give me, I will not look at them twice.
It's a pity that as long as there is a noble son, there is also a noble father. This is the family tradition of the Wang family.
You, Liu Jin, want to grant me a high position as a cabinet member and make me, Wang Hua, submit to you and join the eunuch party?
This is really like the author Fat Coke trying to package and sell the entire copyright of "The Days I Was Responsible for Copying Houses in Jinyiwei" for 100 million - there is no way!
Wang Hua handed over his hand: "Eunuch Liu's good intentions are appreciated by the subordinates. However, the subordinates are not capable enough. If they serve as cabinet members, they may miss the country, the country, and the people. You'd better find another candidate!"
The words spoken by the father and son seemed to be drawn from a template.
Liu Jin frowned: "Does Wang Butang think that the position of cabinet member is not high enough? Do you want to be the second assistant or even the first assistant? I'm afraid the first assistant can't do it. We can make plans for the second assistant."
Wang Hua waved his hands repeatedly: "Eunuch Liu has misunderstood. I don't have the ability to even serve as a cabinet member. How can I serve as the second assistant or the first assistant! The talent is not worthy of his position, which will inevitably lead to harming the country, the people, and himself."
"Xiaoguan is a man who cherishes his life. He doesn't want to end up making a mistake and ending up with his reputation ruined and his life at the hands of others."
Liu Jin had nothing to do with the father and son. Are there any civil servants in this world who don’t like high positions?
Liu Jin's mood was very complicated at the moment. He hated Wang Hua and his son for not giving him face. But at the same time, he had a hint of admiration for Wang Hua and his son.
After a while, Liu Jin made up his mind: Well, the position of cabinet member will be cheaper for Jiao Fang. Although I can't let Wang Hua and his son become my confidants. At least, I can't let them become my enemies.
You need to know that the enemy who has no desires and needs is the most terrifying.
Thinking of this, Liu Jin raised his wine glass and praised Wang Hua and his son: "You two are not obsessed with high positions and are not greedy for fame and fortune. You are truly gentlemen!"
"Every civil servant in the imperial court calls themselves a gentleman. But there are not many true gentlemen. Ma Wensheng counts one, Wang Butang counts one, and Brother Shouren counts one."
If you don’t want to be in a high position, why don’t I, Liu Jin, put a high hat on you?
Elevating Wang Hua and his son to the same level as Ma Wensheng is indeed a big hat.
Wang Hua had a fearful expression on his face: "Ma Laobu Tang is a veteran of the Five Dynasties. During the Jingtai period, he already patrolled Shanxi and Huguang. When he went out, he led troops in the border areas, and when he came in, he served as Xiaguan and Tianguan. He is the pillar of the country. An ordinary person. How dare we, father and son, compare with him?"
Liu Jin looked embarrassed.
Chang Feng smoothed things over: "We're just talking. Let's have a drink and eat. Tonight's meal was cooked by my Xiaojiu herself. Although it's not as good as the famous chefs in Fuyunlou, it's still very delicious."
An hour later, the banquet ended.
Liu Jin failed to achieve his goal. Wang Hua and Wang Shouren and his son did not join the Eight Tigers Eunuch Party.
The Wang family father and son said goodbye and left. Only Chang Feng and Liu Jin were left at the wine table.
Liu Jin said: "This father and son are really hateful and respectable."
Chang Feng smiled and said: "I have long known that father and son are of noble character. But Wang Hua's rejection of the position of cabinet member is beyond my expectation."
Liu Jin said: "That's all. They don't want to be used by eunuchs. I won't force them. As long as they don't become enemies of me in the future, I will be good to them."
At this point, Liu Jin changed the topic: "Speaking of kindness. Today, Miss Xia from Daxing County talked about good deeds and good results in front of the Queen Mother. She made Feng Yan happy."
"My little uncle. If you want to make her the queen, why didn't you tell her earlier? I will secretly help you! Adding a monkey will also increase your strength."
Chang Feng smiled slyly: "I never thought about holding Miss Xia as the queen. I just wanted her to be a concubine and be satisfied. I never thought that she would be so ambitious and pass the third selection test."
Liu Jin took a sip of wine: "You are fooling the ghosts, and even the ghosts don't believe it. That's right, since the emperor has handed over the post-election errands to the Chang family. If I were you, I would also take the opportunity to make someone the queen. For the Chang family in the harem Find a huge backer in the middle."
"The only thing I'm dissatisfied about is that you didn't tell me in advance. You're treating me like an outsider!"
Chang Feng said quickly: "Whoever I regard as an outsider, I will not regard you as an outsider. We are all members of the old internal minister. If it were not for the old internal minister, I would die as an unknown member of the Baihu family in Jinyiwei. The best you can do is to be an unnoticed emperor in the palace."
As soon as Huaien was mentioned, the knot in Liu Jin's heart that Chang Feng had hidden from him immediately disappeared.
Liu Jin sighed: "Oh, I almost forgot. Next month is the memorial day for the old Prime Minister. Our uncle and nephew will accompany him to visit his grave."
Chang Feng nodded: "Okay. Don't worry, I will keep this in mind. If you forget anything, don't forget his old man's memorial day."
Liu Jin took a sip of wine: "It will be decided in three days. Anyway, among the three women, one is yours and two are mine. There is no one from Liu or Xie."
"After the emperor successfully gets married, he will be able to take charge. Then Liu Jian and Xie Qian can be told to get out."
"I think the emperor's intention is to keep Li Dongyang as the chief assistant. When he gave the order for Li and Chang to marry, his attitude was already very clear."
Chang Feng said: "There is something strange. After the election in the palace, Liu and Xie were too calm. It stands to reason that they would jump out and point fingers at such a big event."
Liu Jin reminded Chang Feng: "I know that Jin Yiwei has planted hidden stakes in the Liu Mansion and Xie Mansion. You have to watch these two closely. Don't let them cause any trouble."
Liu Jin was full of wine and food, and stood up with a shy belly: "It's getting late. I'll go back to the palace to rest first."
Chang Feng sent Liu Jin out of the door.
After Liu Jin left, Liu Xiaoyan came to Chang Feng: "Has our old nephew noticed it?"
Chang Feng nodded: "Liu Jin is not a fool. During the three selections, you and Tangtang sang together, offered Buddhist beads, and talked about Buddhism. You can tell at a glance that our Chang family wants to make Miss Xia our queen."
Liu Xiaoyan asked: "Then what did he say?"
Chang Feng replied: "What can you say? He complained that I treated him as an outsider."
Over there at Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Zhengde was lying on the couch, holding in his hand the purse that the hero had picked up when he saved the beauty that day. All he could think about was Xia Dongyue's face.
Since meeting Xia Dongyue, Emperor Zhengde has never summoned any bed-warming maid.
Emperor Zhengde called out to the couch: "Jiang Bin."
Jiang Bin knelt down in front of the couch: "Your Majesty, I am here."
Emperor Zhengde asked: "How did you and your first wife get married?"
Jiang Bin replied: "I was originally a member of the frontier army. The commander above said that the governor of Shanxi sent a group of poor girls to be married to Weili and asked me to pick them, so I went."
"I saw the humble wife in the crowd and saw that she was pretty mature. So I took the horse back to the camp and got married that night."
Emperor Zhengde said: "This is so happy! If you like it, you can take it home directly to the bridal chamber. Why do you need so many red tapes?"
"That day when we went on patrol incognito, you also met Xia Dongyue. What do you think of this girl?"
Jiang Bin had already reached a tacit understanding with Chang Feng. If he doesn't reveal the story of a hero saving a beauty, Chang Feng will protect him from now on.
Jiang Bin said quickly: "That Miss Xia is dignified and beautiful."
Emperor Zhengde asked: "Is it over?"
Jiang Bin replied: "Ah, I have only met Miss Xia once. I can't tell you anything else."
Jiang Bin is a very smart person and will never make random comments about the future mother of the country. Accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, for misfortune comes from the mouth.
Now the emperor thinks about Xia Dongyue every day. Maybe after a few years, I will get tired of it and feel disgusted with Xia Dongyue?
Now I say a lot of nice things about Xia Dongyue, but when she falls out of favor, the Emperor will not be held responsible for what I said when he thinks of it?
Emperor Zhengde sniffed his purse again and said to himself: "I hope heaven will fulfill people's wishes. Dongyue can successfully enter the palace and become my queen."
After Jiang Bin heard this, he admired Chang Feng in his heart: What if Chang Feng was not the first favorite minister of the Hongzhi Dynasty? The way you do things is clever. With a little trick, his man became the emperor's sweetheart.
If I want to become the first favorite minister of the Zhengde Dynasty in the future, I must learn from Chang's style in everything.
Jiang Bin has recently begun to consciously stay close to Chang Feng.
For example, Jiang Bin invited Chang Feng's confidant Qian Ning to drink several times. You must first make friends with people below before you can make friends with people above you.
It was late at night, and the huge capital city was quiet. Emperor Zhengde, Liu Jin, Chang Feng, Wang Hua and his son, all have their own thoughts and are asleep.
(End of chapter)
