After the dispersion of the dynasty, Zongzheng Shaoqing Tan Ziwen walked out of the palace. The coachman had been waiting for a long time. Tan Ziwen got on the carriage but did not go far. He stopped under a tree not far away and secretly looked at the officials who were coming out one after another through the gap in the curtain. When everyone was almost gone, Tan Ziwen frowned and asked the driver to take him to Dingding Street.
Dingding Street is the busiest place in the imperial city. There are many shops on both sides of the street, including teahouses, wine shops, pawn shops, foot shops, butcher shops, workshops, public houses, etc.
There is an endless stream of pedestrians on the street, including those carrying burdens, those hawking along the street, those traveling in cars, and some female relatives lingering in several cosmetics shops.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines lightly on the red bricks, green tiles or the eaves of the pavilions, adding a bit of haziness and poetry to the prosperous Luoyang City in front of you.
Tan Ziwen changed into casual clothes in the car, had some food and wine at a tavern called Zuixianlou, went out and bought a few boxes of snacks from Caifangzhai, got on the carriage and drove along Dingding Street to a small alley on Zhuque Street. .
The alley is deep and quiet, with a few clumps of bamboo and neatly built houses. Tan Ziwen held the snack box and gently knocked on a black door. After a while, the door opened a crack, and a man who looked like a butler poked his head out. Tan Ziwen said something to him, and the man shook his head, took his gift, and closed the door with a bang.
This is the residence of Lord Shutong, the royal censor. Just last month, Mr. Zhong Cheng asked someone to bring a message to Tan Ziwen, expressing his appreciation for him. Soon, Tan Ziwen became a disciple of Lord Zhongcheng.
Wang Shutong came from Zhixing Academy. Today, the emperor supported the Cui family of Fanyang County in building Longmen Academy. Tan Ziwen keenly sensed something unusual and came to visit Mr. Zhongcheng, but was told by the housekeeper that Mr. Zhongcheng was not at home...
In the evening, Dingding Prime Minister's Mansion. Prime Minister Ding Fengyuan is very old and has been suffering from asthma and coughing up blood for six months. The emperor granted permission to recuperate at home without going to court, and sent the imperial doctor Hua Zhong to take care of his body at home.
Ding Fengyuan was originally the governor of Chengdu County in the previous dynasty, and the late emperor Zhao Zhen led his troops to defect when he founded the rebel army. He actively recruited and surrendered officials from the previous dynasty, trained soldiers to raise food and fodder, and took charge of military aircraft. He was hands-on in everything he did. He was upright and hardworking, and he won the late emperor's appreciation and trust. Later, when Da Chen founded the country, the late emperor appointed him prime minister, which was widely expected.
At this time, Ding Fengyuan was lying on the Arhat chair in the living room. Below him, sitting around him were general Pang Tiande, the general of the bodyguards, Huang Jiulang, the admonishment officer, Su Zan, the captain of Yihui, Pan Changzai, and Xu Panshan, the bodyguard officer. Liang Daoming, a member of the Zhongshu family, Guo Huairen, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, Jiang Mao, the Prince-in-law, Wang Shutong, the imperial censor, Yu Huazhu, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and other senior ministers. Qin Lie, the imperial censor, was also present. One of his cheeks was swollen and the swelling had not subsided. Today, all the important ministers in the court were here.
Huang Jiulang, the admonishing doctor, twirled his beard and said: "At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the late emperor ordered the imperial master to establish the Zhixing Academy to recruit talents from all over the world and select talents in an eclectic way. Not only the children of officials, but also outstanding students from the private sector. Most of them have come out of Zhixingyuan in the past ten years. Many of them have become the mainstay of the imperial court. This time the emperor established Longmen Academy...I'm afraid...it's not good!"
Su Zan, the lieutenant of Yihui, grinned and shook his big head like a rattle: "No, no, people say that once the emperor is the emperor, there are always ministers. Does the emperor hate us old ministers?"
Pang Tiande, the general of the guards, glared at him and said: "Old Su, what nonsense are you talking about? Trouble comes from your mouth, don't talk nonsense!" Su Zan smiled and said nothing.
Xu Panshan, the personal guard doctor, said with a smile: "We are just chatting. This is not a court, and everyone here is very familiar with Mr. Ding. Everyone can talk freely, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!"
After speaking, he looked around and continued: "The Cui family of Fanyang County is very wealthy. The emperor gave 800 acres of land as soon as Jinkou opened... Longmen Academy, Longmen, Academy, haha, this name is obviously the Royal Academy! I don't know the country. What are the plans of Shihe Zhixingyuan? There are some things that need to be prepared in advance..."
Guo Huairen, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, said: "My husband has ignored government affairs for many years, and even the disciples of Zhixingyuan rarely see him. Some people say that not long ago, my husband went to Xiliang alone..."
Oh... the mood of everyone in the audience was excited.
The late emperor Zhao Zhen always called Li Xingzhi sir, never calling him by his first name. The late emperor said that Li Xingzhi knew the past and present and had unpredictable abilities. Only by calling him sir, who was born in heaven and earth, could he express his respect. The late emperor overthrew Baoliang, established the Chen Empire, and appointed Li Xingzhi as the imperial advisor. When the two princes saw the imperial advisor, they also performed the disciple ceremony and called him sir. The disciples of Zhixingyuan often call Li Xingzhi mostly the dean or sir.
When Guo Huairen said this, everyone immediately understood that the imperial master had been away from the court for many years and was rarely seen, but his health was as good as before. I have recently been to Xiliang alone. The road to the rivers and lakes is long and dangerous. There must be something big going on for the Imperial Master...
Commander-in-law Jiang Maodao said: "If the imperial master is in Beijing, he will definitely know the news of today's court meeting. With his prestige as an old man, he can directly admonish the emperor... Maybe the emperor can change his mind and take back his life!"
Huang Jiulang squinted his eyes again and said: "How long has it been since the emperor summoned the imperial advisor to the palace? The eunuchs in the palace rumored that the emperor and the imperial advisor are not on good terms... Once your majesty opens his mouth, it will be difficult to take it back. There is something vaguely inappropriate about this matter. ah……"
Qin Lie, the imperial censor who had been silent all this time, said: "Hmph... I noticed something was wrong today when I was at court. That old guy from the Cui family in Fanyang County flattered the emperor a lot. The academy was built in the southern suburbs, only a few dozen meters away from Zhixingyuan. Miles away, in this case, where will the Imperial Master be placed? For such a big matter, the emperor made a decision so quickly without waiting for us to discuss it. This must have been colluded with someone beforehand.
In particular, Cui Yingtai, the imperial wine concubine, was extremely flattering and had ulterior motives. Hum... If I hadn't gotten into a fight with that old guy Liu Daxia at that time, I would have wanted to know more about this matter. Ouch... Why does it hurt again to say this! "After he finished speaking, he frowned and held his red and swollen cheeks, sucking in the slightest bit of cold air in his mouth.
Prime Minister Ding Fengyuan coughed violently. After a heart-breaking cough, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief and wiped it. His voice was slightly hoarse and said: "We will assist the emperor with all our heart. We should not care about personal gains and losses. We should be worthy of heaven and earth. Praise and criticism have their own time. You must refrain from such criticism of your colleagues and watch and listen attentively..." Before he could finish speaking, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief and started coughing...
Qin Lie, the royal doctor, was slightly embarrassed, lowered his head and said nothing.
Wang Shutong, the Prime Minister of the Censor, said: "The emperor has been working hard since he became emperor, and what he has never forgotten is to recover Qinzhou County. Last time, in order to send troops to Xiliang to raise food and grass, the ministers in the court argued endlessly about this matter. It is said that he sent someone to ask for instructions. The Imperial Preceptor, the Imperial Preceptor also disagreed... Later, the emperor sent people to secretly investigate. Those who opposed the matter were those people, and most of them came from Zhixingyuan. Maybe... From then on, the emperor had his thoughts …”
Pan Chang said in the middle of the matter: "Yes, this year's autumn imperial examination is about to begin. In previous years, the examiners were me and the Minister of Rites, Dong Zeju. Just a few days ago, the emperor suddenly ordered that the matter be handed over to the Imperial College. The Imperial College Cui Yingtai, who is offering sacrifices to wine, is the examiner for Qiu Wei..."
Ding Fengyuan was lying on the Arhat chair with a cotton mattress covering his body. When he heard this, he coughed violently again. A servant of the Prime Minister's Mansion came over quietly and carefully increased the size of the heater next to Ding Fengyuan. As the charcoal fire burned, the room gradually became hotter.
Ding Fengyuan listened to the officials below analyzing the various actions of the emperor today, with a flush on his face, and thought to himself: "I have been a prince for so many years, but I have always been suppressed by the late emperor, and always subordinated to the eldest prince. In the past ten years, I have been holding back... Your Majesty... I am finally going to take action...
