Wu Mansion, in the study.

A very simple temptation got Zhang Yongming's true intentions.

Wu Shan naturally heard Lin Fu's report on the side, sighed lightly in his heart, picked up the teacup and looked up at Lin Haoran and asked, "Ruoyu, why did you make this kind of temptation?" ”

"Jingcha is already imminent, but Guo Pu has a close relationship with the Xu family! I am now not only testing Zhang Yongming, but also testing Guo Pu's attitude, I want to see if Guo Pu will give us a little promise! Lin Haoran replied solemnly.

Judging from the current situation, Guo Pu's position has become extremely critical. However, although Guo Pu formed a deep friendship with them, he did not give any promises.

If things drag on like this, once Guo Pu helps Xu Jie's side deal with them, then they will be in a more passive situation at that time.

Wu Shan's hand held the lid of the tea, gently splashed the hot tea, and judged seriously: "For the sake of our friendship for so many years, although Guo Pu will not go against Xu Jie for us, he should not go too far!" ”

"It's just that officialdom talks about interests after all! If Guo Pu really attaches great importance to your friendship, and now Zhang Yongming has passed the news to him, then he should come to explain it in the afternoon! Lin Haoran raised his eyes and looked at his father-in-law and said seriously.

Wu Shan took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, shook his head with certainty and smiled bitterly: "I know what Guo Zhifu is like, he will definitely not come over to explain!" ”

Lin Haoran believed Wu Shan's judgment, after all, Wu Shan and Guo Pu have been friends for more than 20 years, and Guo Pu is actually very snobbish, and he can get a glimpse of it from his father-in-law's disaster last year.

Seeing that his father-in-law could see all this rationally, knowing that Guo Pu would not choose to face Xu Jie head-on for them, he asked with a solemn expression: "Father-in-law, what should we do now?" ”

The most optimistic result is naturally that Guo Pu firmly stands on their side. It's just that judging from the current situation, Guo Pu's strength is growing rapidly, but it is impossible to easily choose to be the enemy of Xu Jie, and even turn around to help Xu Jie's target them.

Wu Shan raised his eyes and looked at the courtyard outside, and said with a solemn expression: "A lot of things are speculation now, and Xu Jie's side has no actions against us, so let's take a look first!" ”

Lin Haoran looked up at Wu Shan and nodded lightly. He knew very well that this father-in-law did not have a strong desire for power, and he had never been keen on political struggles, and there was no good way to deal with it at the moment.

Although he knew that Xu Jie would definitely do it, he didn't know to what extent the other party wanted to do it, and what role Guo Pu would play. If they only let some personnel go out, in the current situation, it is also an acceptable result.

Lin Haoran thought for a moment, knowing that the root was still in Guo Pu, and he didn't want to sit still here, so he seriously proposed: "Father-in-law, I'll talk to Guo Pu tomorrow, what do you think?" ”

"You're going?" Wu Shan stopped pouring tea, and looked up at Lin Haoran in surprise.

Lin Haoran met Wu Shan's gaze and immediately explained: "I'll talk to Guo Pu directly first!" If I talk to him about it, you still have room to maneuver with him, so you won't let you and Guo Pu tear your face directly! ”

Wu Shan's heart moved slightly, and he took a sip of tea with a solemn expression, and nodded lightly: "That's it!" ”

The matter was settled, and at this time, another guest came to visit.

During this Spring Festival holiday, it is the period when officials move around most frequently, and some officials even spend the whole day visiting.

To Lin Haoran's surprise, Taichang Siqing and Guozi Priest Wine Gao Gong, Nanjing Hanlin Bachelor Gao Yi and others came to visit. Although Wu Shan's authority is not great, he has a great influence among the ministers, and it is no wonder that Xu Jie regards Wu Shan as the biggest threat.

Lin Haoran did not return to the north of the city, but spent the night directly in Wu's mansion, during which he also went out to visit the two servants of the ministry, Li Chunfang and Dong Fen.

The next morning, he went to Guo's house alone to visit.

Since Guo Pu presided over the Jingcha this year, Guo's mansion can be described as a city.

Although there is still some time to go before the results of Jingcha are known, it is time to start walking around now, rather than cramming at that time. In fact, many things have been finalized in this Spring Festival.

Many officials were extremely worried about their personal future, not to mention being dismissed from their posts by the imperial court and never hired, and the mere release was not an acceptable outcome.

They carried gifts early and handed over prayer notes, striving to leave some good impressions on Guo Pu, so that he would be "soft-hearted" at critical moments.

By the time Lin Haoran arrived, it was already crowded with people, but most of them were middle- and lower-level officials wearing cyan official uniforms.

"Lin Wenkui?"

Almost all officials recognized Lin Haoran at a glance, even if they didn't know Lin Haoran, they could guess his identity just from the three-grade crimson official uniform, and only Yin Lin Haoran of Shuntian Mansion was qualified to wear it in this Ming Dynasty.

People are famous, shadows of trees.

Lin Haoran came to the door and handed over the greeting notes and gifts. A middle-aged housekeeper personally greeted him and led Lin Haoran directly into the Guo Mansion, which made the officials outside envious.

Lin Haoran followed the housekeeper through the gravel road in the front yard, walked another corridor, and soon arrived at an elegant flower hall.

"Lord Lin, my lord is receiving Lord Taichang Siqing, please wait here for a while!" Steward Guo was originally a clever person, and he explained enthusiastically to a person with status like Lin Haoran.

"It doesn't matter! Steward Guo, please! ”

Lin Haoran understood that Guo Pu was extremely busy now, and it was absolutely impossible to receive him at the first time, so he responded gently.

As for Gao Gong's visit here, it is also a natural thing. Guo Pu and Gao Gong are fellow villagers in Henan, and the two have a very close relationship, and they are even a pair of natural allies.

In particular, Gao Gong is the teacher of King Yu, once King Yu can inherit the unification, he will inevitably enter the cabinet to worship the prime minister in the future. For a person like Guo Pu who is good at political speculation, Gao Gong is naturally an important object for him to woo.

As for Gao Gong, no matter how arrogant he is, in the face of Guo Pu, the secretary of the ministry, he naturally wants to make friends.

After Steward Guo asked Yahuan to bring tea, he said that he had something to do, and then he said goodbye and left.

Lin Haoran looked very leisurely, slowly drinking hot tea, while looking at the valuable furniture and vases here, but his attention was quickly attracted by a calligraphy and painting on the wall.