Minister

181 [The second year of Zhenglong]

Since Wang Yunyi entered Beijing, he has not met Wei Chi.Occasionally, the two of them saw it from a distance, and walked away in a tacit understanding.Wei Chi felt uncomfortable when he thought of all the incidents.He knew that Yu Mian must have mentioned himself in the letter to the Wang family, but in fact he didn't know what kind of role he was in Wang Yunyi's heart.Why did the Wang family come here?Wei Chi didn't know, but what he knew Wang Yunyi was not a man without ambition. This ambition included not only his personal ambition, but also contempt and disrespect for imperial power.

Ambition, these two words became Wei Chi's most feared word.As an official, I have read so many books, and what these books taught him is the heart of a courtier.So when he realized that some people's thoughts in their hearts exceeded their duty as a courtier, he was afraid of being at a loss.At this moment, he was grateful for Wang Yunyi's kindness, but he was afraid of him and wanted to stay away as much as possible.

In the gradually calm court situation, Wei Chi fled behind Yu Mian, seeking only a moment of peace.

However, Wang Yunyi seemed to have made arrangements long ago to visit in person.

When Wang Yunyi's adjutant knocked on the gate of Wei's house, Wei Chi was not at home, because there was only Mama Liu in this house, so Wang Yunyi's sedan chair stayed at the gate of Wei's house until Wei Chi came back from the yamen.

"Long time no see," Wang Yunyi greeted Wei Chi like an old friend.

Wei Chi was a little ashamed and a little trembling: "Master Wang, please come in, please come in."

Sitting in the main hall, Wei Chi quickly poured out a cup of tea: "I'm neglecting you."

Wang Yunyi looked around: "I heard you took a concubine?"

Wei Chi's face flushed red.

Wang Yunyi took a sip of tea: "Sit down, sit down."

Wei Chi sat aside cautiously, while the adjutant walked out by himself and closed the door.

"Very good, very good, it's my first time here." Wang Yunyi said, took out a small bag from his arms and handed it to Wei Chi.

Wei Chi took it and saw that it was the small seal that Wang Yunyi gave him when he left Beijing many years ago. This time the capital was in danger, so he asked Yu Mian to send it to Wang Yunyi along with the letter.

"I'm old," Wang Yunyi touched his forehead: "I'm really old, and I feel very relieved to see you young people. This seal is still for you, just take it," Wang Yunyi sighed: "You've changed a lot, you're not as casual as you were when you ate Chaos with me."

Wei Chi lowered his head.

"Actually, I knew early on that you were from King Yan, Wei Chi, but you still sent me the seal I gave you at a time of crisis. I was actually very moved when I saw that letter."

"Ah?" Wei Chi couldn't help being taken aback.

"In your eyes, I must be an unfathomable old man. I know what you are worried about now. You are afraid that I will be disadvantageous to the emperor's heir." Wang Yunyi said jokingly: "To be honest, sometimes you are very similar to me, but sometimes you are very similar to me. Time is very different from me. Do you know where it is like and where it is not?"

Wei Chi shook his head.

"We are all arrogant," Wang Yunyi pointed to himself, and then to Wei Chi: "But you are very loyal."

Wei Chi thought about the meaning behind this sentence, and his heart couldn't help beating wildly.

"When the Northern Expedition returned to Beijing, I sent people to check your background." Wang Yunyi: "I even sent people to your academy to find out the letter."

Wei Chi raised his head again in surprise.

"Don't you want to know your parents?"

Wei Chi shook his head: "I don't want to."

"You're such a weirdo."

"I haven't thought about what they are like. Mr. Wang, although I have no relatives, I am doted on by someone, so I never thought that I lacked these things." Wei Chi talked about this topic with others for the first time, and his heart A little awkward: "Even if I really found it, I didn't think about how to face it."

Wang Yunyi pouted: "Xiao Wei Chi, I envy your father very much. Having a son like you, every time I look at my idiot and think about you, I am very envious. But then I understood, I am not as good as your unrelated teacher to my son and daughter. I deserve it."

"My lord, don't say that. Your lord Wang is very accomplished in government affairs, and your daughter is even more valuable as a queen. How can you be considered a low-ranking official?"

When Wei Chi said this, he looked up at Wang Yunyi. Wang Yunyi was really old these years, showing an old state, and his face seemed to be much clouded.Wei Chi knew that Wang Yunyi had a preference for him, if not for his preference, he would have died when he was transferred to the Imperial College.If it weren't for preference, his own unique attitude of putting aside his relationship with him would have brought disaster to him long ago.But Wang Yunyi didn't. Instead, he endured it and even gave him back his trust when he left Beijing.Although Wei Chi knew that this time the Wang family led troops here, it was definitely not because of the seal he sent, but Wang Yunyi not only handed over the seal to him again this time, but also never mentioned the matter of Minister Gu Ming. friendship.

"I'm actually here to ask for something."

"My lord, please tell me." Wei Chi couldn't think of anything that Wang Yunyi couldn't do.

"I'm old, and the Wang family has no successors. You are calm and moderate, and you will naturally have your own blessings, but Qiao Yunsheng is too stubborn and unreasonable. Even if he offends you in the future, please stay with the court more. take care of him."

Although Wang Yunyi thought highly of the two of them, he knew that they were not familiar with each other.Not only is he unfamiliar, Qiao Yunsheng probably still has a crush on Wei Chi, but in the future, maybe he really has to rely on him.

"Then I'll take my leave." Wang Yunyi stood up to leave, and Wei Chi sent him out.

In the setting sun, Wang Yunyi's back was no longer straight.As he said, he was old.Also as he said, his ambition is still there.But he has no intention of letting Wei Chi realize his ambition, since each is his master, let's keep that friendship.

"Farewell."

Wei Chi returned to the main hall, thought for a moment, took up a pen and wrote the letter to Nanjing, and after writing, he picked a peach blossom in the yard and put it in the letter paper.I don't know what kind of flowers bloom in Nanjing?Is it the same as the one in the capital courtyard?How have you been these few months?Is it really as safe as I thought?Now is not the best time to return to Beijing, but it is the fastest day.I'm really tired and tired, but as I promised, I'm still alive.

The name of Wei Chi, a special little man, flashed back and forth in Zhou Ge's mind. He was seriously thinking about the list of ministers who supervised the country. In the meantime, it's hard to talk about, there are still a few places, one will be counted by myself, and who will the other ones be given to?Wei Chi is a person who is easy to control, so it is best to choose him, but he is too young and disobedient. After all, choosing Minister Gu Ming is not a reward for military merit. Although he has the title of rescuer, his qualifications are too shallow.Moreover, there are too many soldiers on this list, and there is not a single spokesperson. This is to be criticized.

Wei Chi, whom he had said on his lips, took the initiative to go to Prince Qin's mansion at this moment.Probably because he felt that he had passed Wang Yunyi's test, so he might as well go to Qin Wang on his own initiative, so as not to keep worrying and feel uncomfortable.It was already dark, King Qin was eating, when he heard Wei Chi coming to see him, he thought about it and put down his chopsticks.

Wei Chi came in to salute in casual clothes.

King Qin pointed to the table: "Let's eat together."

Wei Chi had already eaten, but he still picked up his chopsticks obediently.

"You're afraid that this king has an evil heart, aren't you?" King Qin still spoke bluntly.

The dim candlelight flickered, Wei Chi put down his chopsticks: "I dare not speculate on these meanings."

"I thought you dared to come to this king because you dared to think, but I didn't expect you to talk in circles." Qin Wang sneered: "Do you really think that a child can support the overall situation?"

"I don't know how to reply."

"Who do you think is the most suitable for this position? Chen Entropy? Wang Yunyi? Hu Runzhi? Or me?" King Qin put a bean on the table every time he said someone.

Although there was no one else in the room, Wei Chi was still shocked by these words.

"Or King Yan?" King Qin swept the beans aside, raised his head, and looked straight into Wei Chi's eyes.

"King Yan?"

"Tell me, is he still alive?"

Wei Chi frowned: "Why does King Qin think that the lower officials know?"

"You are the one who helped Master Dai bring the message to me, and you are the one who specially wrote the letter to me from Brother Wang, you should know."

Wei Chi was silent for a long time. He originally thought that the center of the conversation was about Minister Gu Ming, but he didn't expect that this person only cared about King Yan.

"The lower official really doesn't know," Wei Chi shook his head, "If the lower official can still get in touch with King Yan, it doesn't make sense for him to still be able to live in the Supreme Emperor's court."

"You can't trust me." King Qin looked away indifferently: "You can't trust me."

"Let's go." King Qin said to see off the guests: "Wait!"

Just as Wei Chi walked to the door, he stopped: "His Royal Highness, please speak."

"This king will retreat according to Master Yu's request, Wei Chi, please do it yourself."

Wei Chi left, but King Qin no longer had any appetite. Speaking of the word ambition, he couldn't help laughing.In everyone's opinion, I am the person most likely to inherit the throne, and because of myself and Chen Yuming and Anli, many officials must have speculated that they would not support Chen Entropy.

Of course I would not support Chen Entropy!But it's not because I hate Chen Yan, but because this is just a child!How could he shoulder such a burden to contend with these wolves, tigers and leopards?

But no one believed that he was willing to support Chen Ang, if anyone still remembered this name.Thinking of this, he felt a little wet under his eyes, maybe he was really cowardly, that's why he was restrained by Chen Yan for many years.Chen Su seemed to be the only person in the Chen family who could contend with him, so he had been hiding behind his back for so many years, trying to survive.To this day, he feels that he has not changed. As a member of the royal family, he has seen too much blood and tears.If possible, he is willing to save the lives of the Chen family at the lowest cost.

Wei Chi, your silence has missed the best opportunity.But perhaps because of your silence, Brother Huang may still be alive today.Chen Su smiled bitterly: You can just do it yourself.

Wei Chi rode a horse on the dark street alone, upset.On this day, I finally met these two people, but it seemed that it was not someone else, but myself.

If possible, for the first time, I had the idea of ​​wanting to resign from office.This officialdom is so exhausting!But he knew that he couldn't let go, one was himself, and the other was weak girls and young children.Or give him a bystander who is wise enough to help him interpret Wang Yunyi and King Qin.But at this moment he knew that this was fantasy, and he was destined to suffer in speculation and hesitation.

According to the agreement with Yu Mian, Wei Chi went to Zhou Wenyuan to recommend himself to meet King Qin.Zhou Wenyuan really agreed, although only two days later, Qin Wang and Wei Chi became two people who only talked about business.King Qin agreed to Wei Chi's request almost without thinking: "I'll leave it to you."

But Zhou Wenyuan strengthened his determination and put Wei Chi's name on his list.Then I found Concubine Hu Gui again. Concubine Hu Gui's complexion was very bad, because the eunuch next to the little emperor fell ill.Rather than falling ill, it is better to say that he was "poisoned" and fell down.Lu Jing took a sip of the soup served to the emperor and then passed out. He still hasn't come to his senses now, because there is no one in the harem, so he is still under Hu Guifei's place for the time being, and did not make a fuss in the vestibule.Here, of course, she would not tell Zhou Wenyuan about this matter, but she has strengthened her determination to be the empress concubine and oversee the country.

Zhou Wenyuan sighed, implying that it was not his disagreement, but her brother Hu Runzhi's disagreement.It is very simple to be willing. If they are two brothers and sisters, one of them occupies the quota inside the palace and the other occupies the quota outside the palace, it seems too arrogant.

"Emperor Dowager is fine, but it's really inappropriate to supervise the country."

Zhou Wenyuan also can't trust Concubine Hu Gui. If the Qin and Wang families still have many fetters in the court, then the Hu family can have no restraint. think.

The negotiation was still at a stalemate, and Concubine Hu Gui smiled faintly: "Now that the empress is in poor health, the princess is going to marry. Even if the old man disagrees, this palace has also accepted the accusation of taking care of the emperor. There is no difference between appointing or not."

"That's wrong," Mr. Zhou Ge didn't like Hu Guifei's tricks: "The imperial concubine is in a high position and her family is prominent, but she doesn't know that the Hu family is not the only one who is more powerful in the court. The imperial concubine should be considerate of brother Ling."

Concubine Hu Guifei couldn't help but sneer when she heard the words "understand brother Ling".

"Times have changed, if the Wang family and the King of Qin join forces to counter this, will the Hu family have the will to win?"

Concubine Hu Guifei didn't answer. In fact, she didn't care whether the Hu family had the will to win. She only knew that if she couldn't become the imperial concubine at this moment, then she was just a pawn for her brother. If she could supervise the country, then the Hu family would It's just a bargaining chip in my hand.Zhou Wenyuan didn't understand her thoughts, Hu Runzhi couldn't afford it, but she could afford it. It was more energy-consuming than the cabinet, the Wang family, and the King of Qin.

Concubine Hu Gui still said calmly: "The conditions of this palace will not change, please ask Mr. Ge to persuade my elder brother."

Zhou Wenyuan, who was rejected, did not persuade too much. He knew that he was not capable of satisfying everyone. Since he was destined to offend some people, he should offend those who dared to offend.After drawing up the list, titles, and putting it in the inner bag, the cabinet will be called to sign the proposal only after the candidate for the inner palace supervisor is determined.

The next day, the candidate to supervise the country was announced by the cabinet.

Empress Dowager, of course.

Zhou Wenyuan smiled coldly, thinking of Concubine Hu Gui's distorted expression at the moment, he could only feel that this was just a girl, and she really took herself too seriously.

The last thing Hu Guifei announced was Chen Yuxiang's marriage. Even if she couldn't be the supervisor of the country, at least she would use this to get rid of a strong enemy.

Unexpectedly, the Wang family reacted fiercely. Hu Runzhi agreed with Concubine Hu Gui's decision, but after all, what he had to face was Wang Yunyi. When the two finally confronted each other, Hu Runzhi finally felt Wang Yunyi's fear.Of course, this minister who made two generations of emperors fear him has the ability to match him.

Facing Hu Runzhi's quotations, Wang Yunyi didn't seem to listen, but arrogantly knocked on the table to interrupt him: "You and Concubine Hu Gui, two juniors, don't need to worry about this matter."

After finishing speaking, he waved to the eunuch who was holding the official document, and the eunuch quickly handed over the official document. Wang Yunyi shook the piece of paper, saw the imperial concubine's seal on it, and smiled mockingly.

Hu Runzhi watched helplessly as Wang Yunyi lazily tore the piece of paper into two pieces and threw them on the ground.

Even though Hu Runzhi was quite wealthy at such a young age, even though he had kept a low profile under King Qin's nose for so many years, he still couldn't help shaking with anger.

"Stinky boy, you are just a fart in the eyes of this old man!" Wang Yunyi squeezed out every word unhurriedly: "This old man has mixed up with three generations of kings in the court and is still cautious about advancing and retreating. Going to be the emperor? What a joke!"

Looking at the back of Wang Yunyi going away, Hu Runzhi's expression was distorted and ferocious. He didn't understand that the road he was walking was a road without retreat, but he was still shocked when a person spoke out about his ambition without hesitation.Yes, the throne, the position I saw when I came to the capital for the first time, was shining golden, and everyone worshiped it.He has taken a fancy to this position early on, and he has taken a fancy to this position early on!this is mine!Everyone else must die!

Just wait, I will be one of the five Gu Ming ministers, Wang Yunyi, we have plenty of opportunities to fight, just wait and see!

The next day, at the end of the morning court, arrangements were made to announce the list of Minister Gu Ming.When the routine report was over, Zhou Wenyuan was ready to take a step forward and submit a proposal for cabinet approval.But the little emperor stood up and took a document from the eunuch at the side: "Ministers, today I will personally read out the list of Minister Gu Ming."

Zhou Wenyuan was shocked.

"Appoint Zhou Wenyuan, Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, Xun Bingchao, Secretary of the Ministry of Officials, Yu Mian, Minister of the Ministry of War, Ye Jinggao, the Right Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Zuo Xiangguang, the Censor of Zuoqin Capital, and Yang Fanji, the Censor of the Deputy Capital, as Ministers of Gu Ming. This is my honor."

Wang Yunyi was the first to stand up and bow down. Seeing this, all the officials stood up and followed. Zhou Wenyuan bowed down on the ground tremblingly.

Chen Entropy smiled gently at everyone: "Dear dears, I have another happy event here. According to the emperor's grandmother's wishes, I will marry Wang Xiuyun as my queen."

Zhou Wenyuan understood, everyone understood!

The Wang family never thought of being ministers of Gu Ming!He still wants his middle palace position!

When Hu Runzhi got up from the ground, he heard the eunuch was announcing his reward, but he knew that he had been tricked by Zhou Wenyuan.These rewards are not important!The important thing is that I have to face King Qin now!Face King Qin alone!

Chen Su was looking at Hu Runzhi with a smile, Chen Su seldom smiled, very rarely.

But Zhou Wenyuan didn't actually mean to play Hu Runzhi, that's not the case on the list signed by the cabinet!So Zhou Wenyuan eagerly took the document from the eunuch and checked the seal.

It belongs to the Empress Dowager!He, he was tricked!

But at this moment, he could only suppress the surprise and humiliation, and accept the congratulations from other officials.

Standing far away at the end of the line, Wei Chi breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Chen Entropy's confident appearance, he felt a little relieved.Across the long queue, Chen Entropy saw Wei Chi and winked mischievously at him.Wei Chi smiled, watching the eunuchs lead Chen Entropy back from the court, and as the officials poured out of the court, Wei Chi suddenly seemed to smell the smell of peach blossoms.

"Your Majesty Wei is very comfortable?" The colleagues on the side teased.

"Well, it seems that the peach blossoms in the palace are blooming."