My country, you can pinch it

Ever since Shang Jinling decided to propose marriage to Liu Ke, as a scholar, he knew very well that these rules and etiquette cannot be escaped.

Seeing that Liu Ke had transformed from a mage of a generation to an invincible saint and was on the verge of going berserk, Shang Jinling finally sent someone to send a letter to Yushan Academy in Yunzhou.

Since the Ministry of Rites is short of manpower, he should send some over.

It stands to reason that the husband's family has the final say on how to handle the marriage, right?

Although Yunzhou is far away from the capital, it is much closer than the northwest. Yushan layman received a letter from Shang Jinling and his intention, but he did not speak for a long time.

Yushan Jushi is nearly ninety years old, with a peaceful and resolute heart, and there are no storms in the world to cause him to make waves again. However, like Duke Xiling, he was finally frightened by this student who is not a student but a student.

After a long time, Yushan layman sighed softly, "It's good to be young and energetic, but it's also deviant. What should I do?"

Master Hua looked at him suspiciously.

"Forget it, since Haiyan is invited by the prosperous age, what can I do if the old man goes crazy with him?" Yushan layman said, and couldn't help laughing, "It's no regret to see such a grand event in this life, You go and prepare, gather the academy disciples, and head to the capital tomorrow."

"Huh?" Mr. Hua was very surprised, "To the capital?"

Yushan layman handed the letter to Master Hua, "Revising such rituals is no less fun than ancient books."

Master Hua was stunned when he saw it, "This..."

"Scholars of my generation have learned all their lives to sell to the emperor's family. Ling'er's move is a different way, and she is proud. How can the long river history scroll be reserved for future generations to admire."

The reputation of the Yushan layman was already very high, and he had three thousand disciples. However, during the chaos in Yunzhou that year, he forced Yang Shenxing to back down by ignoring his death, beheading corrupt officials, rewriting new laws, and seeking a chance for the common people. His prestige has reached its peak, and he can be regarded as an example of contemporary great Confucianism. It can be said that although he does not enter the imperial court, he can influence the figures of scholars.

The act of leading his disciples to the capital at the age of ninety immediately caused an uproar.

The farce of the emperor marrying the king of Beiling, not to mention the court, even the scholarly community also voiced opposition. I don’t know how many articles have been written citing scriptures and classics. Sober up instantly.

It's just that the emperor does his own thing, and the famous people who are brutal and bloodshed are out there, so it's useless to recruit tens of thousands of people to petition.As for the other party involved, Shang Jinling happily moved into Qianlong Mansion, Beiling Prince's Mansion, and there was a heavy army at the gate, not even a bird could fly in.

Gao Xueli is the only member of the Shang family who is out and about. He simply stays in the new law department. Zi is at the desk day and night, working hard, if you still disturb this matter, don't blame the gun in my hand for not agreeing!"

General Shangxi Yuntangtang, just standing there has the aura of one man guarding the gate and not opening the door, and he can't even get in the door.

Although Xinfasi is a yamen, it is also the most down-to-earth government office. The officials and officials who come in and out are so busy that they don't touch the ground. , still carrying a basket of eggs that the villagers insisted on sending, and planned to go back to the company to share a share.

This batch of junior officials of the new judiciary were all newly promoted Jinshi last year and were selected by Gao Xueli to practice. Although they have been tempered by life and work, they look disheartened, but in the past they also killed the single-plank bridge and jumped over the dragon gate. A talented student who ascended to the Golden Palace!

What these scholars who are still studying hard are thinking, they know very clearly, after all, that is how they came here at the beginning.Self-proclaimed that he has the talent to scold Fang Qiu, the unparalleled talents of the country, take the words of sages and sages as the standard, hold etiquette rules like a treasure book, and judge the words and deeds of the emperor and ministers. People, scholars who care about their homeland!

In reality, it was all empty words, clichés, and foolish words that were used as guns, mobs.

Whether the emperor marries or not, and whether he marries or not, really has little to do with the common people. Except for a new topic of conversation, the masses really don't care.On the contrary, it is the problems discovered by the new law department from the people and localities, and the revised measures to improve people's livelihood are related to them.As long as these policies develop in a good direction, and the emperor is not aggressive and extravagant, then it will be all right, so why bother?

Therefore, instead of rushing to return to their orders, these officials of the new law department stood in front of the crowd with their eggs in their hands, looked intently, and finally found an acquaintance, "Brother Li."

The group of scholars who were still confronting Shang Xiyun suddenly heard such a shout, raised his head, let out a huff, and said with a bit of hesitation: "Master Hu..."

Hu Xiaoyan waved his hand, "Don't call me an adult, we are classmates, but I was lucky enough to be a Jinshi. With Brother Hu's ability, the next Chunwei will definitely be able to go to high school."

That Li Shusheng looked at him, "Why are you like this?" You are covered in mud and water, your shoes are still dirty, you are not wearing an official uniform, and you have a basket of eggs in your hand. It is so unpretentious. It's no different from a farmer digging in the ground.

Hu Xiaoyan said: "I stayed in Qingshan Village, Dalin Village, and Wangshi Village for two months."

"Going to the countryside."

"It won't work if you don't go to the countryside. Fang Tianping's tax law will be promulgated soon, and Mr. Gao ordered the entire department to measure and liquidate the land."

The scholars suddenly realized, "So that's the case, but the eggs..."

"A lot of fertile land that was secretly hidden was cleared out. After reporting to the adults, they will be distributed to the villagers according to law, so they have to give it to me. I am afraid that it will be damaged, so I will bring it back." Hu Xiaoyan said here, pretending I don't know, "Brother Li, what are you doing here?"

"Brother Hu, don't you know? Isn't it absurd for the emperor to marry King Beiling?"

"I know, but why are you here in the new law department?"

I only heard the Xinju official who came out to watch the excitement say: "Why else, we are so tall and approachable, easy to bully? Unlike the emperor and King Beiling, who can't even see each other."

"Yes, you see that our wife is angry. Mr. Gao has spent the past few days forgetting to eat and sleep because of Fang Tian's flat tax law. Who has the time to pay attention to the affairs of the emperor and King Beiling."

"Besides, is this what we, Mr. Gao, can persuade? Mr. Gao is just a son-in-law."

Before he finished speaking, Shang Xiyun turned his head and said: "I think you are also free, so talk nonsense to them."

As soon as this remark came out, the official of the new judicial department was shocked, thinking of the things on his desk, he no longer had the mood to chat, and hurried inside without saying a word.

"By the way, Xiao Hu, you are familiar with those villages. You just need to go through the questionnaires of the director again. If it is quick, we will integrate them and the decree will be promulgated next year!" A colleague ran out of it, Holding a large stack of papers in his hand, it looks like a pile of dangerous eggs.

Hu Xiaoyan was dumbfounded, "It's all mine?"

"We don't have enough manpower, so there's nothing we can do. You... hold on, just finish it a year ago." The colleague also felt embarrassed, handed him the trembling stack of papers, and ran away like the wind.

People in the world are quite curious about the new law department, but they never imagined that it is the toughest yamen. Not only do people from all walks of life have to deal with it, but officials from the three provinces and six ministries have to be familiar with it.

It can be said that if Gao Xueli was not the emperor's confidant, ordinary people would really not be able to secure this position.

The mud on Hu Xiaoyan's feet was still wet, and he suddenly had the urge to quit.

At this time, I heard a smiling voice, "If you feel overwhelmed, just ask someone for help."

"Lingling, why are you here?" Shang Xiyun looked in surprise at Shang Jinling who was slowly walking in under the protection of the guards, and the latter stood up elegantly and said, "I heard that the new law department is under siege, I'm coming have a look."

As soon as Shang Jinling came, the scholars finally turned their eyes on him, "King Beiling?"

"Exactly."

"Since King Beiling is willing to listen, I'll just wait..." Li Shusheng was about to speak before, but Shang Jinling opened his fan to stop him and said, "You misunderstood, I didn't come to talk to you about me It's not a personal matter, but seeing that the new law department is busy, I came to help."

He walked up to Hu Xiaoyan, looked at the stack of questionnaires, smiled and said, "I remember your surname is Hu."

Hu Xiaoyan was surprised when he heard the words: "My lord actually remembers me?"

"Last year, Mr. Gao was transferred to the new law department. Not many Jinshi can stay. You are one of them. I heard that you can bear hardships and stand hard work. You are a malleable talent."

Hu Xiaoyan had a paper in his hand, so it was not easy to salute, but his expression was very excited, "Your Highness has won the award, and the next official comes from a poor family, so he is relatively familiar with farming."

"It has nothing to do with birth, but it has a lot to do with xinxing. It is very rare to be able to calm down your impetuous heart and complete the task conscientiously. You should know that everything you do is the result of Master Gao formulating new laws to seek the well-being of the people. According to it, it’s not useless work, the new law has your share of credit.”

"This is what a subordinate official should do, and should not be praised by the prince."

"Go deep into the people, know their opinions, and understand their needs. In the future, even if you leave the new judiciary, you can take up any position. The future is boundless."

Shang Jinling's light and light words made his original idea of ​​handing over the paperwork to the Ministry of Officials to change positions disappeared in an instant, and he said excitedly: "My lord, don't worry, I will definitely keep it in mind and work harder!"

Shang Jinling said with emotion: "Good job, it would be great if Dashun had more down-to-earth officials like you." Then, he looked at the scholars surrounding the gate of Xinfasi, and said casually, "By the way , the emperor is getting married, and plans to open Enke next year."

The word Enke instantly entered the ears of these scholars, and they looked at each other in blank dismay.

Chunwei is held every three years, and each time a small number of people are admitted, and if one more subject is offered, the chance will be higher. Every scholar subconsciously shows a pleasant smile on his face.

"However, there will be some changes in the content of the scientific examination. The emperor has always been pragmatic. He will pay more attention to people's livelihood and the new law. You can pay more attention to it."

Shang Jinling's light words immediately diverted the attention of these scholars.Then I saw Shang Jinling take down a stack of Hu Xiaoyan's papers that were almost up to his neck, and put them directly in the hands of these scholars. Under the surprised eyes of the latter, he smiled slightly and said, "Since you are so concerned about state affairs, why don't you have time?" If you don’t want to go to Xinfasi’s yamen to express your opinions, why don’t you share some with Mr. Hu and get in touch with the affairs earlier, okay?”

All the scholars looked at the questionnaire in their hands and remained silent for a long while. Finally, the Li scholar carefully asked: "This... can we do it?"

Shang Jinling brushed off his sleeves, and said affirmatively: "There are not so many so-called family and country affairs in the world, only countless trivial matters, would you like it?"

This is a rare opportunity. They looked at the questionnaires in Li Shusheng's hands one by one, afraid that Shang Jinling would regret it, and nodded repeatedly, "Students are willing!"

Is it important for the emperor to marry or not compared with his own imperial examination and future?

Not important at all.

Shang Xiyun originally thought that Shang Jinling would be scolded bloody, but he didn't expect those scholars to surround Hu Xiaoyan, and he was a little dazed for a while.

Shang Jinling asked, "Brother-in-law hasn't been home for how many days?"

Shang Xiyun rolled his eyes at him, and said with distress: "You should ask this month, how many times has he been back." It's true that he's hiding, but it's also true that Xinfa is busy.

At this moment, Gao Xueli heard the letter and came out. He didn't want to deal with it at first, but since Shang Jinling came, he came out to meet him, for fear that these sharp scholars would eat King Beiling.

Shang Jinling looked at Gao Xueli's tired eyes, and said, "Brother-in-law has worked hard."

"It should be, but you, why did you come out?"

"Can I still hide?" Shang Jinling smiled, glanced back at the scholars who surrounded Hu Xiaoyan and said, "If the new law department is short of manpower, it is better to recruit interns."

"Intern?" Gao Xueli heard it, and then asked, "What are you talking about?"

Shang Jinling said lightly: "Well, find something for them to do, so as not to leave a lot of free time to stare at the matter between me and the emperor besides studying. If you can win the exam, your strength is always not bad. Focus on the people's livelihood at the grassroots level, and in the future, high school officials can also get started directly." It is normal to step by step from a non-staff person to a formal civil servant.

Gao Xueli nodded, "That's a good idea."

After Shang Jinling finished speaking, he walked out, Shang Xiyun said, "Where are you going?"

"Lady Yushan is coming soon, I'll go to the city gate to meet him."

Gao Xueli was surprised, "Master Yushan? How could he come?" After speaking, he was a little worried, "Are you also here to prevent the emperor from marrying?"

Gao Xueli stayed in Yunzhou for several years, and the entire Yushan Academy and even Yunzhou Shilin gave him a lot of help. He respected this old gentleman very much. Thinking of this, he couldn't help persuading, "Lingling, the old gentleman is old. When he grows up, you must not piss him off."

Shang Jinling smiled, and said innocently: "How is it possible, I respect him like a teacher, so naturally I dare not mess around, brother-in-law, don't worry."

There are not a few people who agree with Gao Xueli's thinking. Whether it is the court or the scholars, their eyes have fallen on Yushan Layman.

This contemporary great Confucian who advocated opposing the New Deal in the early days, but under Shang Jinling's persuasion, turned to strongly support came to Beijing. Everyone thought that he was planning to suppress Shang Jinling in the name of a teacher. .

Now, no matter if it's the scholars, or the officialdom, even the nobles and clans can't help but look forward to a confrontation between master and apprentice, among which the Ministry of Rites is the most important.

As soon as Liu Ke heard about this, he flew the booklets away, without changing his clothes, and asked someone to prepare a horse, and hurried to the city gate with a few guards, for fear that Shang Jinling would be scolded head-on and face-to-face. The kind that can't talk back.

Seeing Shang Jinling respectfully saluting in front of Yushan layman's carriage surrounded by hundreds of disciples from a distance, Liu Ke shouted, "Lingling!"

As Shang Jinling turned his head, Yushan Layman, who raised a corner of the car curtain, and Mr. Hua, who was serving at the side, saw a bright yellow figure galloping towards him, and immediately arrived in front of him. Xiaotuanzi took a step behind and roared behind him, " The emperor has arrived—"

In an instant, everyone inside and outside the city gate except Shang Jinling got off their horses and knelt down. Layman Yushan was too old and moved slowly. Li, get down quickly, you have taught Ling Ling for many years, you are like a teacher, I am grateful before it's too late."

His breath was still not steady, and the layman Yushan saw the young emperor take a step forward at a glance, blocking Shang Jinling behind him, and his protection was too obvious.

Although layman Yushan has never met Liu Ke, he has heard too much about his reputation. It can be said that the one who is the least like an emperor becomes the emperor.

Being with such an emperor, Yushan Layman was very worried about Shang Jinling, and always felt that he would suffer a loss. He originally wanted to test it out, but Liu Ke's subconscious action just now made him feel that it was unnecessary, so he cupped his hands and smiled: "The emperor greets you personally, and the old man is terrified."

"Hey, layman Yushan is like a scholar of the state, so he should have this kind of courtesy, but I don't know why you came to Beijing all of a sudden?" Liu Ke was dissatisfied that layman Yushan didn't stay in Yunzhou well, and why did he come to Beijing? , Are you going to use loyalty, filial piety and righteousness to pressure Shang Jinling to give up on him?

The meaning of blaming this made Yushan layman a little surprised, and he couldn't help saying: "Your Majesty, I was invited by King Beiling."

Liu Ke was stunned for a moment, then turned around and asked, "Lingling, did you invite me?"

"Yes." Shang Jinling nodded with a smile.

Liu Ke lowered his voice and said, "Why?" Ask a big Buddha to suppress it?In Liu Ke's view, this old man is more difficult to deal with than the civil and military of the Manchu Dynasty.

Shang Jinling said: "Don't you think the efficiency of the Ministry of Etiquette is not high? Well, can the hundreds of scholars of Yushan Academy speed up a lot?" He pursed his lips, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes, "I also I want to take my wife home as soon as possible."