But in this passage, the emperor not only said that he had made a mistake, but also admitted it, which is really something extraordinary.
This made the old chief minister, who originally planned to ask about Li Chu, start to wonder why the emperor, who could not make mistakes or admit mistakes, was so familiar with him today that there were so many pitfalls, and now he was waiting for him to jump in?
For a moment, Teng Wuji, who wanted to think about everything he had done over the years, bent his waist a little more and said in panic: "It is a saint who, as a parent, cares about his children. Others cannot understand it, and children cannot understand it." , when His Highness Jiang and Miss Ye Er become fathers and mothers, they will naturally realize His Majesty’s good intentions.”
The words were fair and flawless. Emperor Wen Sheng chuckled and said: "It can only be said that Er Nizi and Jiang Er have no chance of fate, so I will not care about this noisy matter. Speaking of which, Ye Hongtu, the only son of the patron king's family, has long been When the late emperor was on the throne, he refused to be granted the throne. I guess he really had no intention of holding such a hereditary and irreplaceable position. According to the etiquette system, would it be necessary to enthrone the following children?"
Monk Zhang Er was confused and the old chief assistant could not imagine that the matter of title conferment was mentioned again. He carefully worded it: "According to the etiquette system, the eldest son inherits the title. If the eldest son does not accept it, he must also Only after the death of the eldest son can the descendants be canonized."
"As expected of the late Emperor's regular attendant, he is knowledgeable and talented." I don't know if he was sincerely praising him, but Emperor Wen Sheng smiled heartily and said, "I have been studying etiquette since I was a child, but Teng Chief Fu doesn't remember these rules as clearly as I did. Yes. I feel so relieved to have you by my side.”
Teng Wuji was frightened and afraid that he would prostrate himself again. Emperor Wen Sheng waved his hand and said, "Hey, hey, here we go again, what I just said, did Teng Qing forget again?"
After saying "I don't dare", Teng Wuji swallowed uncomfortably and began to complain about why he had entered the Manna Palace today. It was true that accompanying you was like accompanying a tiger, especially since this tiger didn't take a nap. Always awake.
Emperor Wen Sheng once again poured tea in person, and let the important minister who was appointed as the first assistant by the late emperor because of himself, the emperor who had been crowned with great wealth, say: "It will be spring in twenty days. Has Teng Qing made all arrangements?"
Teng Wuji sorted through some of the memorials submitted to him in the past few days regarding matters related to the Spring Festival, and said: "There are many more students this year than in previous years. There are currently 372 people. The person who proposed the official selection is the Imperial College. The wine sacrifices were made by Lord Wei Xinzi of Wei, Lord Yuan Youling and Lord Yuan of Guanglu, Master Meng Shibi and Master Meng of Xingtan Xingtan in Yanzhou Xianyuan, Lord Wang Zhiwang, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. The examiner was the Minister of Rites..."
"Okay, okay." Hearing that the old chief assistant meant to give a detailed report, Emperor Wen Sheng hurriedly interrupted, "I'll just submit a copy of the report tomorrow."
Teng Wuji said yes.
Emperor Wen Sheng asked again: "How many years has Teng Xiao, the youngest son of Teng Qing's family, served as a member of the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
Not understanding why he asked this question, Teng Wuji said: "Four years."
At this time, Emperor Wen Sheng suddenly looked astonished and discussed with the old chief assistant: "Do you want the inspector to let Teng Xiao try this time?"
Teng Wuji, who was still thinking about the emperor's thoughts, was stunned when he heard the words, and there were "boom, boom, boom" sounds in his heart that even he could hear.
Just like the Spring Festival, it is the only way for many poor people to obtain fame and gain a future. It is like a military general guarding the border and killing the enemy in exchange for military merit and climbing up the ladder. However, in today's peaceful and prosperous times, military attachés do not have many opportunities. For example, for civil servants, The government is well-connected and everything is proceeding step by step according to the path paved by the predecessors. Otherwise, how could this chief minister have stayed in the position of regular servant of Sanqi for more than ten years without having anything to say about him?
And Chunwei is one of the few ways for civil servants to accumulate achievements.
Once a year, spring brings a small number of talents to the court. The test takers and examiners will all be played by high-ranking officials in the court. These people do not seek any promotion at this age. , that is, doing "one's job" step by step.
As for the twelve inspectors below, they are those fifth and sixth grade minor officials.
This is the way to promotion.
The officialdom is deep, and it pays attention to four words: disciples and old officials.
Just like the so-called friends in the world, it is easier to travel when they have more friends, and the same is true in the officialdom. Only when the power is greater, the foundation will be the most stable, and it will naturally attract the favor of the powerful and dignitaries.
Every spring, those poor families from all over the world who want to jump to the dragon gate have a poor family background. Now they will naturally not let go of the opportunity of direct contact with the high officials of the DPRK. They will definitely think of ways to meet with the officials in the capital. , called Qianye.
It is true that first- and second-grade officials should not think about it. These feudal officials are very proud. Not to mention these candidates who come to Beijing every year to take the exam, I am afraid that even those with lower official ranks will not look down on them.
And most of these people who are trying to make a comeback and have no way out are officials of the fourth and fifth grades who are not looked down upon by the great eunuchs.
The fourth and fifth grade officials are slowly accumulating disciples and developing their own power and strength, in the same way, they are also trying to gain the favor of their immediate superiors.
This is just like the big fish eating the small fish and the small fish eating the shrimp, layer by layer, and interconnected.
Naturally, with such a well-known good thing, none of the fifth- and sixth-grade officials would go out of their way to grab it, but how could it be so simple? At the end of the day, why don't we still have to be the emperor's ink pen group?
The so-called recommendation by Pao Ze is nothing more than a formality.
Obviously, the underlying meaning of Emperor Wen Sheng's words was to promote the son of the old chief minister. If you can't hear the inner meaning, your life will be in vain.
Teng Wuji knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your promotion."
This time he bowed down sincerely and without any delay. If his son became an examiner, wouldn't it mean that the network behind him would expand even more. This time he would be an examiner. Who can be sure that he will become an examiner in a few years? Not going to be an examiner? At that time, his son will be on a meteoric rise to the top, and that will be a few years, no, decades of detours.
It can be said that the Lord Chief Assistant shouted long live. Why didn't he want to arrange the people under him to this position? He was just in his position for fear of others saying behind his back. You must know that with their status, in this vanity fair Among them, reputation is the most important. Who knows if there will be any excuses to fall into the hands of those good people, and I hope someone will kick me out of this position.
Teng Wuji, who has been an official all his life, may not be considered very honest, but he can still be regarded as clean and self-sufficient. He has been walking on thin ice with others for decades, but he does not want to fall behind because of such a trivial matter.
Naturally, he also knew the potential impact of his words on the important minister in front of him. Emperor Wen Sheng also deliberately slowed down his movements before standing up and helping the old chief minister up, saying: "What is Teng Qing doing? Teng Xiao is an official." But it’s up to you to be self-denial, dedicated to the public, and conscientious. I see it in my eyes. This is what he got through his hard work, and he didn’t get such an opportunity just because of your face.”
Teng Wuji agreed and said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the Holy Master for cultivating me on behalf of the dog."
Emperor Wen Sheng was still smiling, but suddenly the conversation changed again, and he poured the tea in the same nonchalant manner, "How old is Mr. Teng this year?"
The mention of his own family affairs made Teng Wuji feel nervous again. It was nothing more than a possibility to talk about family affairs with the emperor, and there was something in his words.
There are so many ministers in the court, and there are countless who can be called close ministers. How can it be so easy for the first person in the world to talk to me about family matters?
The chief assistant, whose mind was spinning, said cautiously: "There are six out of twenty this year."
Emperor Wen Sheng suddenly realized, looked at the chief eunuch of the inner palace who had been standing quietly over there, and asked: "How old is the second daughter of the Wang family who is the patron?"
Cai Donglai, who had a clean face and just lowered his head as if not paying attention to the conversation, said immediately, "Twenty to five."
Obviously, Teng Wuji, who had lived for more than fifty years, could guess what the questions and answers between the master and servant meant even if he did not have the status of chief minister of the cabinet.
Sure enough, Emperor Wen Sheng smiled and leaned sideways on the low table decorated with dragons and phoenixes. He looked at Teng Wuji, who was a little uncomfortable after meeting his gaze, and said, "I remember many years ago, these two children were discussing marriage. At your age, did Mr. Teng hand over your horoscope?"
Teng Wuji looked a little embarrassed. This matter was causing quite a stir in the capital at that time. It must be said that it was more than ten years ago, when the late emperor was in power, and the two of them were seventeen and sixteen.
At that time, these young people from Beijing were very easy to play together, especially in the middle of the night who were restless. There was no senior member of Beijing who had not been to any family. Coupled with his carefree temper, he was always surrounded by some people. The official's son brother.
When the time comes, Teng Xiao is one of the many dudes following behind in the middle of the night.
Naturally, a group of teenagers are bound to cause trouble. They don't dare to engage in illegal activities and bully the market, but they are often criticized. The back garden of any house was "ransacked" and the mess was messed up. Whose carriage A pulley was missing, and a bucket of stones was brought up from the well. There was no need to look for anyone else, it must have been done by this group of people.
As a regular servant of Sanqi, Teng Wuji served the emperor all year round, so he naturally paid attention to his reputation. After a long time, he couldn't bear it anymore, so he went to Panshan to scold him at midnight.
The person who came forward was naturally the hostess who was responsible for all matters in the patron's palace at that time, the mother of midnight, Jiang Shan.
Next to her was Miss Ye Xie Yue, who was famous all over the capital at that time.
Naturally, everyone ended happily, and Teng Xiao, the boy from the Teng family who was just in love at that time, also fell in love with the second young lady of the Ye family at first sight.
Naturally, it developed to the point where Teng Xiao took it upon himself to run to Panshan Mountain and hand over his horoscope, which made Jiang Shan, the mistress of the royal wife, joke for a while. But the late night watch was a bit unpalatable. After all, he regarded people as brothers, but Teng Xiao wanted to be his brother-in-law. This was absolutely intolerable.
So in the middle of the night, he chose a suitable place and time, directly put the person in a sack and beat him with a sap. The beating caused the current chief assistant to curse at the gate of the patron palace for a whole day.
Naturally, no one from the Ye family dared to come forward, knowing that they were in the wrong. Teng Wuji, tired of scolding, returned home, and the matter was finally settled.
Knowing that his words had caused Teng Wuji's thoughts to wander, Emperor Wen Sheng chuckled and said, "Remember, Teng Xiao is not married yet. Let's see if he is still interested and I will step in to help match him up?"
This sentence frightened Teng Wuji so much that he even knelt down on the ground and didn't dare to say anything. This time he really didn't dare. Naturally, he knew the true meaning of these words. The chief assistant said in fear: "I don't dare." Your Majesty, please be patient. I already offended the king of my patron because I got the dog. I definitely don’t dare to have this marriage again, and I don’t dare to seek it out again. I beg your Majesty..."
"What is this for?"
Emperor Wen Sheng helped Teng Wuji up with a smile again, "If you don't mean it, you don't mean it. What are you doing?"
Having received a satisfactory answer in his heart, Emperor Wen Sheng winked at Cai Donglai, who was definitely paying attention to the diners over there although he had never looked at it. The latter said in time: "Your Majesty, it's time for lunch. , should we inform the imperial kitchen to add a pair of bowls and chopsticks?"
After understanding this, he issued an eviction order and would never stay here to accompany the Emperor to eat. Teng Wuji hurriedly refused this good thing, which must be a great thing for others, and said: "I still have something to deal with, please." Farewell."
No one knew whether he really wanted to keep this important minister to eat with him. Emperor Wen Sheng said: "Eat before leaving?"
Teng Wuji still refused.
Emperor Wen Sheng no longer wanted to stay and allowed the chief assistant to leave.
Outside the Manlu Palace, Teng Wuji, who finally learned the true intention of the emperor's paternalistic "inner words", was trembling, and his back was soaked with cold sweat.
