As night fell, the north wind blew even harder.

Pedestrians on the blue brick streets in the north of the city are almost nowhere to be seen, but the lights of every house are quietly lit up, and many houses are noisy.

With the return of Lin Haoran, the Lin Mansion has become a crowded city again. In addition to Yang Futian's group of friends of the same year, there were also proud protégés such as Wang Honghai, Wang Jun, Liu Fushan and Shen Tao, and a large group of officials who had no relationship with each other visited one after another.

Naturally, different officials are treated differently.

In the same year, Yang Futian was directly led to the banquet in the flower hall, and some important officials would be brought to the study to meet, and other inconsequential officials could only be turned away.

Lin Haoran sent away a few of the former subordinates of the Shuntian Mansion, and strode towards the warm pavilion, and from the corridor he saw Yang Futian and a group of people here in the same year.

In fact, some relationships have been settled at the beginning of entering the office, and the imperial examination is not only an admission ticket to enter the official career, but also a kind of birth certificate. In these years, the relationship between teachers and students and the same year is even higher than that of fellow villagers.

For example, Guo Pu recommended Ma Sen, Li Dengyun and Zhang Sunchen and other friends of the same year during his tenure as the servant of the Ministry of Officials and the Secretary of the Ministry of Shangshu, and Dong Fen, the current left waiter of the household department, recently recommended his friend Huang Yangmeng of the same year as the right waiter of the household.

"Senior brother is here!"

"Senior brother is now a master of the department, and he is really envious of his junior brother!"

"This is all deserved by Senior Brother, who in this court do you think has such the ability to solve the salt evil?"

……

Zhang Wei and the others watched Lin Haoran come in, so they stopped the topic just now, and greeted Lin Haoran one after another, like a plate of loose sand that had rediscovered the backbone.

When Long Chi saw Lin Haoran, his eyes were a little more complicated. He is now a member of the Ministry of Rites, and his official career was originally smooth, but Lin Haoran has now become his top boss.

Lin Haoran didn't put on a show, and returned the salute to the same year who came up, and greeted warmly: "Our senior brothers don't need to be polite, let's sit down first, and talk about something while eating!" ”

There was already a good banquet here, and everyone sat down according to the seats that had already been fixed, and Lin Fu brought a few maids to bring sumptuous dishes.

Wei Shiliang followed everyone to raise a glass and drink together, wiped the wine stains from the corners of his mouth very excitedly, raised his head and sighed loudly: "Happy, it's been a long time since I've been so happy as today!" ”

Since Lin Haoran left Beijing, although they will still have contacts and gatherings with each other, at most they will gather three or five people in a small gathering, and it is impossible to gather together like tonight.

Now that Lin Haoran has returned, it made them immediately find the happy days of the past, and they like the current atmosphere very much.

Xiao Jinian and the others were more subtle, although they also liked this kind of party in the same year, but they didn't shout as loudly as Wei Shiliang, but there was obviously a smile on the corner of their mouths.

"Not to mention the salt matter of leaving Beijing like Senior Brother, even if Brother Ning Jiang goes to the Nine Sides to inspect the military situation, it is better than staying in the capital to deal with those trivial matters every day!" Zhou Youqing swallowed three glasses of wine, and he was verbose.

Everyone laughed at Zhou Youqing's complaint. If they want to have a bright future, they can only work hard in the six departments, which can be said to be hard work and become a master.

As for Ningjiang's inspection of the military situation in Jiubian, it was actually just an occasional arrangement by the Yamen of the Ministry of War, and Ningjiang would have to obediently return to Beijing in a few days to continue to work on his qualifications like them.

For officials at the bottom, the capital is undoubtedly a boring place. Although it seems that there are a lot of important things every day, if you really want to take it seriously, it seems that there is no big deal.

Like this time, the seven-day martial law in the capital was just a group of Tartars who went outside the city to show off their might, and the soldiers of the Beijing camp hid in the city early and closed the city gate to defend the Beijing division, but neither side actually fired a single arrow.

The topic turned around a lot, and in the end, everyone's attention still fell on Lin Haoran, and they were all excited to know about Lin Haoran's various experiences in going south.

In the eyes of these people, it must be a very interesting thing to go to the local prime minister.

Lin Haoran didn't intend to talk about it deeply, but said simply: "In addition to the fact that everyone recognized that the official salt quotation price is too low, I also saw the two major drawbacks of private salt and accumulation. As you can see, I intercepted 10,000 stone of salt from a gang of smuggling salt smugglers, and then took the opportunity to introduce the Gang Salt Law, which was supported by the imperial court. After a pause, he said: "But when I returned to Tongzhou, I fought with the Tartars once!" ”

The great victory at the north gate of Tongzhou City did not spread in Beijing City. In particular, the gates of Beijing City have just opened, and some things in Tongzhou need to be verified, so they are only known to some people for the time being.

"Is there such a thing? Senior brother, what is going on, please tell me about it! Yang Futian and the others immediately became interested, and looked at Lin Haoran with curiosity.

Lin Haoran took a sip of wine, and then smiled at everyone's attention: "When my ship first arrived in Tongzhou, the news of the Tatar entering the customs happened to come from Jizhen. It's just that there is still a trace of the Tartars, and Tongzhou City is under martial law, which made me very angry at the time......"

From the order to open the city gate to let thousands of people outside the east gate enter the city, to the thrilling situation encountered at the north gate, and finally the two sides launched a fierce battle, which was also all and out.

Lin Haoran's expression ability is very good, which makes everyone feel as if they are in the situation, and many things are empathetic to Lin Haoran, and they are even more supportive of Lin Haoran's approach.

"In fact, the same is true in the capital, it is indeed infuriating!"

"Fortunately, senior brother, if not, I don't know how many people these Tartars will slaughter!"

"Now if you want to find a soldier like Zhang Jun who dares to fight, it is even more difficult than picking up gold on the road!"

……

When Xiao Jinian and others heard what happened to Lin Haoran in Tongzhou, they immediately expressed their opinions indignantly.

Lin Haoran saw that everyone was on the rise, took a sip of wine, and simply continued: "The next day, Yang Xuan, the governor of Jiliao, came to reinforce Tongzhou with men and horses. I didn't know him well, he didn't come to see me, and I didn't bother to pay attention to him, but I didn't expect him to send me a celebration post! ”

"Huh? I remember that except for the victory at the north gate of Tongzhou, there were no other battles! Zhou Youqing was in the middle of the military department, but when he heard this, he immediately said in confusion.

Yang Futian glanced at Lin Haoran, and said affirmatively: "Naturally, there are no other military exploits, Yang Xuan has taken a fancy to the great victory at the north gate of Tongzhou, and he must want to get a piece of the pie!" ”

"Senior brother, you won't really give it to him, will you?" A flash of anger flashed in Long Chi's eyes, and he immediately asked very unwillingly.

Lin Haoran met everyone's attention, shook his head lightly and said, "Naturally not!" Seeing that everyone was very interested in this topic, I told the story of that night.

"He's really not ashamed!"

"We can't fight in the Ming Dynasty, but we are the best in the world to grab merit!"

"Senior brother is good, you can't get used to Yang Xuan's turtle bastard!"

……

When Xiao Jinian and others praised Lin Haoran, they also condemned Yang Xuan's behavior indignantly.

Zhang Wei listened to Zhou Youqing scolding Yang Xuan for being a bastard of the turtle king, and immediately warned seriously: "As far as I know, Yang Xuan is quite relied on by Yang Bo, you should be cautious when you say this!" ”

"I'm afraid of a bird! Not to mention that I'm not afraid of Yang Xuan's revenge on that turtle bastard, all of you here are my trusted friends of the same year, I don't believe this can get out!" Zhou Youqing seemed to speak quickly and authentically.

Everyone looked left and right, and shook their heads helplessly. Although it is inevitable that people will be separated from each other, in the past few years of getting along, there are really no bad words that have spread from here.

As if he had suddenly thought of something, Long Chizhong said earnestly to everyone present: "I overheard someone say that this time the Tartars can enter the customs, it is the road led by Duoyanwei!" ”

"I've heard of it, but I don't know if it's true or not!" Xiao Jinian immediately echoed the tunnel.

"If this thing is true, then Yang Xuan will definitely be finished!" Zhou Youqing seemed happy to see it.

If it was just to let the Mongol cavalry enter the pass, it would not be a big crime. After all, the defense line of the Great Wall is so long, it is inevitable that the Mongols will take advantage of a loophole.

But if the cause is Yang Xuan's strategic mistake, then the culpability is to be delineated separately, and even Yang Xuan may be beheaded.

Zhang Wei took a sip of wine, and already knew more about the inside story, so he nodded lightly and said: "I also heard this rumor, but the matter was suppressed by Yang Bo, Yang Bo should still want to keep Yang Xuan!" ”

"I think he can't hold it down!" Yang Futian put down the wine glass, looking mysterious and authentic.

Zhang Wei attached great importance to Yang Futian's opinion, and immediately asked seriously: "How can you see it?" ”

"The current relationship between Xu Jie and Yang Bo is only superficially harmonious, and the two have already had a disagreement in essence! Yang Xuan has made such a big mistake now, even if Yang Bo wants to protect him, I'm afraid Xu Jie will not agree! Yang Futian met everyone's curious eyes and said very firmly.

Hearing his analysis, everyone knew that Yang Xuan was really in big trouble.

The days seem to have returned to the past, and everyone continued to drink and chat here, but from the beginning of the serious matter, soon chatted about all kinds of gossip in the capital.

Since they will go to the government as usual tomorrow, everyone will leave one after another when they have drunk about the same. At the end of the show, only Zhang Wei and Yang Futian were left.

The three of them went from the warm pavilion to the tea room in the study to use tea, and Yang Futian followed Lin Haoran to explain the situation and said: "The capital is still as peaceful as before on the surface, but all parties are secretly wrestling!" ”

"How so?" Lin Haoran's face suddenly became solemn, and he said seriously to Yang Futian.

Zhang Wei continued to drink tea very calmly, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at Yang Futian.

Yang Futian took a sip of tea, and said seriously: "Xu Jie's position is far from being as unbreakable as Yan Ge Lao, and on Xu Ge Lao's birthday last month, the emperor didn't say anything about it. From what I've observed over the years, a lot of people are already getting ready to move! ”

"If this alone, the position of Xu Ge's old first assistant is probably unshakeable!" After listening to Yang Futian's judgment, Lin Haoran shook his head lightly.

Xu Jie's favor naturally cannot be compared with Yan Song, but he undoubtedly still has considerable trust from the emperor, plus Yan Ne, the secretary of the household department, and Yang Chunfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, two fellow townsmen, so that the Xu Party is still a well-deserved first township party.

Neither the Zhejiang Party with Yuan Wei and Dong Fen as the core, nor the Jin Party with Yang Bo, the secretary of the Ministry of War, as the core, or the New Jiangxi Party with his father-in-law as the core, were unable to challenge Xu Jie's position.

Unless Xu Jie's work is really wrong, or he loses his imperial heart, Xu Jie's may be brought down by others.

Zhang Wei is now a member of the right council of the General Administration Department, and he also looks at the problem very thoroughly. Listening to the conversation between the two, he picked up the teacup with a wry smile, and was even more inclined to Lin Haoran's judgment.

"Senior brother, in this way, don't our teachers have a chance now?" Yang Futian's eyes flashed with disappointment, and he asked seriously.

Lin Haoran pondered for a moment, and then responded: "Since Xu Jie can pull Yan Ge Lao off the horse, then we can naturally pull Xu Jie off the horse, but now that the teacher wants to get the position of the first assistant, I'm afraid he has to solve Yuan Wei in front!" ”

The world is impermanent, Wu Shan was Yuan Wei's roadblock in the past, but now Yuan Wei has become Wushan's roadblock. If Xu Jie is pulled off the horse, then the biggest beneficiary is Yuan Wei.

With the return of Lin Haoran, Yang Futian's mind seems to be active, and he already hopes to put Wu Shan on the throne of Shousuke, so that their reformists can replace the old school with Xu Jie.

The three of them chatted about the situation in the court for a while, and talked about some secret things in the capital, and then Lin Haoran asked Lin Fu to arrange the two to live in the house, and then returned to the back house to take a bath and rest.

The two haven't seen each other for nearly a year, and Wu Qiuyu is waiting for Lin Haoran like a bride. As the candle flame was blown out, after a strange sound of inferior wooden beds, the two had turned from rusty to the most honest confidants.

But I don't know if it's a new environment, or I'm afraid that I'm dreaming, Wu Qiuyu seemed very excited tonight, and kept talking all kinds of whispers with Lin Haoran.

Although she is still the lady of the third grade, the treatment is already different. For example, on the day of Xu Jie's birthday banquet, she was arranged at the table of Mrs. Erpin, and no one at the table felt inappropriate.

As Lin Haoran's identity became more and more noble, she was already a wife and a husband, and quietly stood in the top circle of Mrs. Command.

The next day, the sky had just cleared, and a touch of fish belly white was revealed in the east.

Lin Haoran got up to wash, changed into a new set of official clothes, and rode in a carriage towards the south of the city. However, he did not go to the Yamen of the Ministry of Rites, but to the gate of Xiyuan Palace.

According to the rules of the Ming officialdom, whether high-ranking officials in Beijing are promoted or demoted, they need to enter the palace to face St. Shaneen.

Jiajing's temperament is relatively lazy, even Xu Jie's will not see him every day, but not to mention some courtiers who are not on the sidelines. For the courtiers who came to thank him, Jiajing usually gave them a closed door.

It's just that the emperor can give his courtiers a closed-door soup, but the courtiers have to understand the rules, the process that should be followed has to be gone, and the closed-door soup that should be eaten has to be eaten obediently.

When Lin Haoran opened the palace gate, he came to the palace gate early. Although he knew that Jiajing could not get up so early, some things could not be tricked, and an improper one would become the focus of attacks by political opponents.

Especially before he officially took office, he was pushed to the volcano to roast, so that Lin Haoran knew the sinister nature of the capital, and he had countless pairs of eyes staring at him, ready to kill him all the time.

After he made his intention known, he was led to a small Hou Zhao duty room next to the palace gate to wait, and handed a request to the little eunuch on duty.

Normally, more than ninety percent of this request will be returned, even if many Shangshu have to be closed, like the current Shangshu Huang Guangsheng of the Criminal Department is not received by the emperor.

It's just that the emperor hasn't gotten up early yet, so it's naturally impossible to wake up the emperor because of such a trivial matter, so Lin Haoran can only wait obediently in this simple duty room.

To his slight surprise, not long after this butt sat down, a little old man wearing a three-grade official uniform also came here, with a smug smile on his face.