At the beginning of the new year, the Lin Mansion was more lively than in previous years.

New Year's greetings follow the temple to worship the Buddha: the sooner the more respectful. When the porter opened the door, he saw a procession from the door to the entrance of the alley, each carrying a prayer note and gifts.

In addition to the subordinate officials of the Thirteen Divisions of the Ministry of Households, there are also the former subordinates of the Shuntian Mansion and the Ministry of Rites, as well as a group of protégés in Beijing, and a large group of low-level officials who purely brush up their sense of existence.

However, they are all officials who know how to measure, and the vast majority of New Year's worshippers express their New Year's greetings to the housekeeper and leave gifts and leave, only some officials with good identities and relationships go inside to have tea, and go in to meet the high-ranking household Shangshu Lin Haoran.

Lin Haoran got up earlier than usual, came to the living room in a new set of clothes, and accepted the New Year's greetings who came to the door.

The first batch to come in were his protégés, including Wang Honghai, Meng Zhao and Wang Jun, who had formed a teacher-student relationship in Guangdong Township, as well as Chen Jingbang, Fan Yingqi and Wang Shiju, who had formed a teacher-student relationship in the Guangdong Township Examination.

No matter what kind of camp there is in the officialdom, officials usually give priority to the teacher-student relationship, and the high-ranking and powerful Lin Haoran has become a banner in the court.

Among the follow-up New Year's greeters, there are those who came from the Huaishu Hutong next door, and there are also the former subordinates of the Shuntian Mansion and the Ministry of Rites, but more are some officials who do not have a deep friendship.

On this day, it seems that there is no clear faction between each other, even if many officials of the Xu Party and the Jin Party came to the Lin Mansion to pay New Year's greetings, the two sides also talked happily.

This is the case in officialdom, where many officials wear a false mask, and whether or not there really is a revolutionary friendship is often not known until the end.

It is said that Xu Jie is good at forbearance, but it is better to say that he is a master of masking, so that when Yan Song's father and son lost their vigilance, they gave him a fierce position.

But not only the Lin Mansion, but also the mansions of various high-ranking officials in the court, a group of officials came to pay New Year's greetings, and at the same time sent red see money to the children of some bigwigs.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Haoran took his wife Wu Qiuyu to visit Wushan.

According to custom, relatives will choose this day to climb the gate of Wu Mountain, Wu Huashou brought his wife to Wu Mansion to pay New Year's greetings, and Wu's mother's relatives also came.

"Uncle, Miss, please here! The lord is meeting the guests, and the lady is waiting for you in the house! The butler greeted him with great enthusiasm and explained the situation.

The two of them arrived at the warm pavilion inside, where several tables were set up, and the guests were arranged to sit here.

Mother Wu is a lively character, and she was talking about things with Wu Huashou's wife, and when she saw Wu Qiuyu, she didn't forget to stretch out her hand to greet her.

Lin Haoran followed Wu Qiuqi over to greet his mother-in-law, and then followed the housekeeper's arrangement and sat down directly with his eldest brother and a few others.

Although he is considered a junior? But is it impossible for Wu Qiushou to call himself an elder? On the contrary, the shrewdness of businessmen is revealed everywhere, and he is respectful to Lin Haoran.

Wu Kang is Wu Shan's stepson? Serving as a brocade guard in the North Town Fusi? is a very calm character, and he nods to Lin Haoran in a friendly manner.

"Lord Lin? There is something that has been hidden in my heart for a long time, please don't blame me if I say something wrong! "Wu Huashou's sharp speech? personally poured tea for Lin Haoran.

Lin Haoran knows that Wu Huashou is a very measured person? He also responded gently: "I can blame, but it doesn't hurt to say!" ”

"Okay, then I'll say it! Lord Lin, our rice is sold to the Japanese people at such a low price? Is there really no problem? Wu Huashou asked seriously.

Lin Haoran didn't interfere with the United Business Group much? It was his strategy to exchange low-priced grain for Japanese ginger, raw silk, and cotton, and the United Merchant Group continued to implement it.

He didn't expect Wu Huashou to talk about this matter, so he also suppressed his voice slightly: "We are not selling grain at a low price, but exchanging ginger and other things at a low price, and this business will not lose money, right?" ”

"Definitely not! Can the Japanese ginger be sold to the Portuguese at a high price? And the raw silk and cotton are transported back for weaving, and we can sell them to the Japanese people at a high price! "Wu Huashou calculates the accounts very clearly? Immediately shook his head again and again.

Lin Haoran took a sip of tea and responded with a smile: "Since this business doesn't lose money? Then do as I instruct, but it's hard for you to raise more grain from Ningbo and send it to Jeju Island! ”

"Lord Lin? Am I naturally not hard? But we can totally earn more! Wu Huashou shook his head gently? But he threw out a question that puzzled his mind.

Lin Haoran knew that Wu Huashou was worried that his grain raising activities would not bring too much profit to the United Business Group, so he revealed that he said: "I can't explain the situation to you now, but this move is related to the overall situation, and the matter of food is very important, and this matter cannot be lost!" ”

"Huh...... If Lord Lin said so, then I can rest assured, and the matter of raising grain in the southeast will be left to me! Wu Huashou's heart completely relaxed, and he immediately patted his chest and assured.

In the past, he didn't make a lot of money through his hard work, but after getting in touch with Lin Haoran, he joined the big family of the United Business Group, which made him know what it was to make money every day.

It was precisely after seeing the crazy speed at which the United Merchants Group made money, and when he saw that the food he was responsible for failed to create too much profit for the United Merchants Group, he also felt doubts about his own value.

Listening to Lin Haoran's tone now, although he doesn't know what kind of big chessboard he is playing, he knows that what he is doing is more important than he imagined.

Lin Haoran put down the teacup gently, chatted with Wu Huashou for a few words, and talked to his eldest brother Wu Kang about the matter of Fusi in Beizhen, which was also his concern.

It was at this moment that the housekeeper suddenly came over and said softly: "Uncle, Guo Shangshu has just visited, and the master wants you to come over!" ”

"Good!" Lin Haoran nodded lightly, followed Wu Huashou and the others to say goodbye, and followed the housekeeper towards the living room.

In the living room, the fragrance of tea rises.

Wu Shan sat on the master's seat, although he was a year older, his whole person was full of energy, and his eyes were also revealing confidence, and there was no problem if he had worked for another ten years.

After three years of filial piety, Guo Pu seems to be more introverted, his eyes are no longer aggressive, and he is obviously lacking in bearing.

Three years is neither long nor short, Guo Pu has changed from the former high-spirited official secretary to the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, although the position is not too far apart, but it has missed a lot of things.

Wu Shan's temperament is relatively modest, and he has been friends with Guo Pu for many years. Although Guo Pu reversed his word back then, it has not yet reached the point of cutting off his robe and breaking off diplomatic relations, especially Guo Pu has taken the initiative to visit the New Year today.

While the two were talking, Lin Haoran came to the living room, and said respectfully to Wu Shan on the master's seat: "The son-in-law has given his father-in-law a New Year's greeting!" ”

No matter what position he holds, he always has to bow his head obediently to this one.

Wu Shan nodded lightly, and then gave Lin Haoran a look.

To say that the biggest contradiction between the two sides is the grievance between Lin Haoran and Guo Pu. Guo Pu was already doing it to them in the name of Jingcha, which made Lin Haoran very angry at that time. Then, Lin Haoran completed the "reversal of defeat into victory", but he smeared Guo Pu with the stain of "hiding and not moving" that he could not wipe clean all his life.

It is precisely because of this stain that when Jiajing intended to recall Guo Pu last year, he finally dismissed his idea. Now that he is recalled again, it is also to give him the book of the Ministry of Rites, and Hu Song has not been asked to give up his position.

Although these were all three years ago, there is certainly not a single thorn on either side.

Lin Haoran knew his father-in-law's intentions, so he turned around and smiled slightly, and said to Guo Pu Shili, who was sitting in the guest seat: "I wish Guo Shangshu a good New Year!" ”

He no longer has too deep a grudge against Guo Pu, after all, this court pays more attention to interests. If he is in his position, I am afraid that he will also choose to form an alliance with Xu Jie, rather than the so-called friendship.

Of course, he is still ashamed of Guo Pu's original reversal, after all, this kind of behavior has passed as a villain.

"Lin Shangshu, Happy New Year!" Guo Pu also looked at Lin Haoran with complicated eyes, but responded with a smile.

Lin Haoran looked at Guo Pu's eyes, but he knew that the root of the other party's heart could not be eliminated, and if he had the opportunity, he would probably take revenge for this "splashing dirty water".

But I don't have much fear in my heart, after all, the current situation is very different. Father-in-law, Yan Ne and Li Chunfang all stood in front of Guo Pu, but they had no chance with Shoufu, and Guo Pu had no political capital in the next dynasty, and the biggest reliance was on his Henan descendant Gao Gong.

Wu Shandong looked at the two of them like a fire, but suddenly turned his head to Guo Pu and smiled and asked, "Husband, I don't know if you have heard of the 'Diao Min Book'?" ”

"This is the strategy proposed by Lin Shangshu, I have heard of it for a long time!" Guo Pu glanced at Lin Haoran with complicated eyes, but nodded honestly.

Although he is in Henan, he has always paid attention to the affairs of the court, but he not only knows that Lin Haoran threw out this good policy for governing the country, but also knows that it has been implemented several times without success.

Wu Shan took a sip of tea, smiled and asked, "What do you think of this strategy?" ”

"Brother Jing, this strategy ...... Very good! Guo Pu hesitated, but still gave a positive answer.

Officials who were born as ministers have their own understanding of governing the country, but whether they are conservatives or enterprisingists, they already know the value of this book.

The corners of Wu Shan's mouth rose slightly, but he looked at Guo Pu and said seriously: "If I promote this policy again at the beginning of the year, can you help us?" ”

Hey?

Lin Haoran stretched out his hand to pick up the teacup, and suddenly heard this question, his brows rose slightly, and he looked at his father-in-law in surprise. It wasn't until this time that he realized that his father-in-law didn't call him to repair his relationship with Guo Pu, but to help him silently.

Although Guo Pu's future is bleak, he still receives Jiajing's favor. If he is willing to help them, then the chances of passing the "Diao Min's Book" will be greatly increased this year.

Not to mention that Xu Jie is far from Yan Song's power back then, even if he is really Yan Song, this court is still Jiajing in charge after all.

Although he smeared Guo Pu, it was Guo Pu who was unkind at the beginning, and today he wants to repair the relationship between the two sides, and he already has to show a certain amount of sincerity.

Suddenly, the pressure had all shifted to Guo Pu, and he was resolutely faced with the problem of standing in line.

"Since Brother Jing spoke, then I should do my best!" Guo Pu knew that Wu Shan at the moment was no longer as easy to fool as he was back then, so he gritted his teeth and agreed.

Wu Shan gently put down the teacup, and said meaningfully: "Hehe...... Then let's make up our minds, but don't be half-hearted! ”

"This is natural!" Guo Pu knew that Wu Shan was referring to the events of the year, and he also nodded solemnly.

Lin Haoran smiled and arched his hand: "Fortunately, Guo Shangshu helped, I thank you here in advance!" ”

"Lin Shangshu, you're welcome!" Lin Haoran responded bitterly.

The so-called plan can't catch up with the changes, he originally planned to give Wu Shan a New Year's greeting to get closer, but Wu Shan directly put pressure on him, forcing him to make a choice on the matter of "Diao Minshu".

This is both a sincere and a legitimate temptation. If he backtracks again in the next push for Diao Min's book, then the two sides will be strangers.

The New Year's holiday is a happy time for ordinary people, but for officials in high positions, it is already a moment of political diplomacy. It's not just about pulling relationships, but it's also about doing things silently.

Now, Wu Shan has quietly added a powerful bargaining chip to the "Diao Min Book", and has already prepared for what he wants to do at the beginning of the year.

Lin Haoran also understood that this holiday was not really for him to rest, and he also made some arrangements. After having lunch with Wu Shan, in the afternoon, he took his wife to visit his former boss Li Chunfang.

After the death of Li Chunfang's wife, Zong, he married Zhong and now has eight sons. The eldest son, Li Maonian, is now a member of the Zhongshu House, and the second son Li Sicheng is studying in Guozijian.

Seeing Lin Haoran's visit, Li Chunfang naturally treated him warmly. Although the two sides are in different camps, they also have a good personal relationship, and they can be described as having a good conversation.

On the third and fourth days of the Lunar New Year, Lin Haoran stayed at home to receive visits from officials, and most of the officials who came at this time were high-ranking officials.

In the afternoon of this day, Lin Haoran sent away Li Dengyun, the left waiter of the Ministry of Industry, and wanted to go back to the study to rest. Only then did he walk to the Hanging Flower Gate, but Ah Duo hurriedly ran over and told him: Princess Yu had just come to visit Wu Qiuyu, and now she wanted to see him by name.

Princess Yu is not the palace concubine of the palace after all, but she has not reached the point where she can't step out of the palace gate, and now it is not out of the ordinary to come to the Lin Mansion for a while during the Chinese New Year.

"Princess Yu wants to see me?" Lin Haoran couldn't help but be slightly stunned, but she didn't understand why Concubine Chen came to visit in person, let alone why Concubine Chen, who she had never met, wanted to see her.