The Ming Dynasty started with caution

The thundercloud came as expected and stopped after a quarter of an hour.

Yan Chengjin walked outside the Meridian Gate and saw an extremely handsome official standing in front of the dismounting monument. He was more than six feet tall and wore a scarlet robe with a cloud goose patch.

The official saw Yan Chengjin and came up with a brocade box: "I am Zhang Cai, your subordinate. I heard that Lord Yan's family is happy. I prepared some small gifts to congratulate you."

It turned out to be Zhang Cai!

No wonder he is fair and tall, with a sturdy beard.

This is the most handsome official Yan Chengjin has ever seen. Even straight men will be impressed when they see him.

Historically, Zhang Cai was Liu Jin's counselor, helping Liu Jin deal with Li Dongyang and the other two. This man had a very clever strategy and defeated Liu Jian and Xie Qian.

He and Liu Jin were an invincible combination. Later, Li Dongyang alienated Zhang Cai and said that Zhang Cai had defected to them. Liu Jin no longer valued Zhang Cai, so he ended up being tortured to death.

Most importantly, this person also has a very beautiful face.

Yan Chengjin looked at Ye Zhun who was escorting him out of the palace: "Captain Ye, go ask the emperor if I can accept this gift?"

Zhang Cai was stunned.

As expected, just as the rumors said, he was very tight-lipped and even had to ask the court for permission to accept a gift.

Giving gifts is like bribery, which is not allowed at ordinary times, but he specifically chose the time when the Yan family was happy, and it was considered a gift, and the court could not find any crime.

Ye Zhun ran back quickly, and the emperor said that the Yan family was happy, and since it was a gift, it could be accepted.

Yan Chengjin took the brocade box.

Zhang Cai showed a smile that said beauty is justice. His appearance played a great role in his promotion to this day.

Seeing his face, even the King of Hell would give him some face.

"Send it to the emperor for me, and tell him that even if the emperor allowed it, I would not accept the gift."

Zhang Cai was stunned.

There was a mutton-fat jade bracelet in the brocade box. When the emperor saw it, it was not difficult to guess his intention.

"Please return it to me, Lord Yan."

Ye Zhun looked at Yan Chengjin, and when he saw Yan Chengjin nodded slightly, he handed the brocade box to Zhang Cai.

In just a short moment, Zhang Cai was already scared out of his wits. No official could resist the charm of this official. This boy is different from other ministers!

If he didn't know Zhang Cai's background, Yan Chengjin would really accept the brocade box.

Get on the sedan chair and go to Huimin Pharmacy.

Li Qing'e has woken up, but she has sweated a lot and can't bathe yet, so there is a strange smell on her body.

He Neng brought the servants in with flowers and plants, including red Xiang, white fine, camellia, peony, peony, and hollyhock.

"Why did my husband pick all the flowers and plants in the mansion?"

"Plant more, one-color flowers have a view of Jiangnan, two-color flowers have jade tubes, and three-color flowers have cockscombs. I wonder which one my wife likes?" Yan Chengjin asked.

Li Qing'e planted Changchun, You Zibi, and Oleander in her house. Li Dongyang was proficient in flower classics, which were taught by Li Dongyang.

"Thank you, my husband, for your concern. Qing'e is ashamed."

...

Zhang Mansion,

After returning to the mansion, Zhang Cai threw the brocade box aside in annoyance.

Although Yan Chengjin was one of the six assistants and did not have much power, he was still young and would become the chief assistant sooner or later.

In addition, he was on good terms with the new emperor. He was not the emperor's teacher. If he did not get close to the new emperor, it would be difficult for him to be reused in the Zhengde Dynasty.

The housekeeper saw that he was being bullied and felt sorry for him: "You are already the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and you can call the clouds and rain in the court. Why do you still flatter Yan Chengjin?"

"I am not the emperor's teacher. Even if I can be the prince's teacher now, I have to wait until the prince ascends the throne before I can be reused. If I can be appreciated by the new emperor, I will have a bright future."

Zhang Cai did not despise the housekeeper because he was a servant, but answered very seriously.

He was only the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and could not meet the emperor at will. Even if he met the emperor once by chance, it would be useless. To get into the new emperor's sight, he had to start with Yan Chengjin.

"The new emperor likes opera, you go find the best opera actor in the capital."

The next day, early in the morning.

Zhu Houzhao walked out of the Jiaofangsi, ready to go to the Fengtian Hall to attend the court, and stopped an official in front of him.

"What do you want?"

Zhang Cai bowed and lowered his head: "Your servant Zhang Cai, I want to discuss the affairs of Shandong and Henan."

"If you have something, go find the emperor, I'm busy."

Seeing Zhu Houzhao walking forward, Zhang Cai opened his mouth and sang a gentle and sad voice, which stopped Zhu Houzhao's steps as soon as he opened his mouth.

Zhu Houzhao turned around and walked back, "Look up."

Zhang Cai raised his head slightly, and when he saw the majestic beard, Zhu Houzhao's mind was shocked.

"It's a pity to be an official with such a pretty face."

Zhang Cai knew that he couldn't rely on his appearance to deceive the new emperor. If the emperor knew, he might punish him, and it would also give the censors a handle.

"The bandits in Shandong and Henan are in turmoil. I think sending Deng Xi is not enough to quell the rebellion. There is a shortage of military generals in the court. We should revive the military examination, which is divided into preliminary selection and opening examination.

The preliminary selection is recommended by the two capitals and fifteen provinces for those who are proficient in military strategy and martial arts.

The preliminary selection is the same as the provincial examination for civil examinations. It is also held in the year of the provincial examination. The governor, governor-general, and inspector will jointly examine and examine the candidates with the three departments, and then send them to the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War for a joint examination similar to the civil examination.

The contents of the joint examination have been listed one by one in the list."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pulled out a booklet from his sleeve.

I can't meet the emperor for no reason. I have known for a long time that the new emperor likes military tactics and horse politics. Zhang Cai thought for a long time before he thought of this.

Although there is a military examination, it has never been revitalized. He wants to rectify the military examination again.

Zhu Houzhao knew clearly that this person came to see him just to show his ambitions, so he said happily: "I can agree to your request, but you have to agree to one condition."

He leaned over to whisper a few words in Zhang Cai's ear, and Zhang Cai's face changed drastically.

Fengtian Hall,

Hundreds of officials stood in the hall, and the retired emperor Hongzhi listened to the ministers' reports calmly.

The first person to speak today was the new emperor.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Father, I want to revive the military selection like the civil selection, and test archery, policy, and archery and horsemanship. The officials will be awarded the titles of centurion, general flag, governor, and inspector, and receive a monthly salary of ten stones of rice, which can be sent to the general officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp for deployment."

Li Dongyang was slightly surprised. Usually, the new emperor rarely spoke in the court.

Hundreds of officials also became puzzled.

Yan Chengjin stared at Zhu Houzhao suspiciously. This guy didn't sleep today.

Zhang Cai showed a hint of joy on his face. The new emperor advised in the court, indicating that he agreed with this policy: "I advised the new emperor. Now that many places have started troops, military generals are just the right place to use their military skills."

If you are a military candidate, you are a member of the court and you have to work hard for the court.

The retired emperor Hongzhi pondered for a moment: "We will discuss this later."

After the court meeting, Zhang Cai followed Zhu Houzhao to the Jiaofangsi and put on rouge and powder, "New emperor, I will only play one song!"

Performing only one song is not flattery, but it can get a good reputation of being willing to become an actor for giving advice.

If the retired emperor knew, he would think that it was the new emperor's coercion.

The young man played by Zhang Cai was fascinating, and even other actors were shocked.

Yan Chengjin was also stunned, "New emperor, who is the young man on the stage?"

"It's Zhang Cai. This person is really talented. It's a pity that he is not an actor."

Yan Chengjin's eyes moved slightly, "I also think that Lord Zhang is a talent."

The Jinyiwei saw this scene and hurried to report to the retired emperor.

"I saw Lord Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel wearing a theatrical robe and singing with the women of the Jiaofangsi."

The retired emperor Hongzhi held his beard and did not say a word for a long time. Xiao Jing hurriedly lowered his head.

Liu Jian and Li Dongyang were used to it.

"Is Yan Chengjin here too?"