In the Wuying Palace, the main hall is the most magnificent building.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, the glazed tiles on the top of the single mountain, with gorgeous yellow streamers, the eaves and golden dragon color paintings show respect, and the brightly colored heaven and earth are like fairy palaces. The upturned bucket arch shows a certain graceful and elegant temperament.

Originally, Wuying Hall and Wenhua Hall were two symmetrical building complexes, and their functions were similar. But everything is always evolving, and today's Wuying Hall has become the center of the imperial power and the courtiers to make decisions on political affairs; The Wenhua Hall is a place to read and collect books. Just like the former Zhongshu Province, now it is gone.

Most of the cabinet ministers on duty here are the heads of various yamen, and sometimes they are subordinate governors such as squires and young secretaries. When the ministers do not decide together, they do not gather in the main hall, but stay in the back corridor and have their own office and study.

Qi Tai's study is a suite, which can be used for reading, office, hospitality, and even a bedroom for rest. Even if he wants to eat, sleep, or even bathe here, it's okay. Wuyingdian has a special supply, and there are also scribes and eunuchs who take care of them, of course, everything is quite comfortable and gorgeous, and it is a public expense.

There is a golden house in the book, which refers to the situation of ranking Jiuqing.

At this time, a low-level civil official walked to the door and said, "I respectfully invite Qi Butang to move to the main hall." ”

Qi Tai held the brush in his hand, raised his head and said, "Just send the 'Paste Yellow' piece over for a trip." ”

The green-robed civil official said: "You'd better go in person, all the ministers are almost here." ”

When Qi Tai heard this, he had a premonition that something special was there. He said no more, put down the brush, and stood up.

In the main hall, sure enough, Xia Yuanji, Ru Yu and others were there. Qi Tai stepped forward to salute and took a piece of music from Ru Yu's hand. The person who wrote the recital was Liu Ming, a pedestrian who had just entered Beijing.

A sesame petty official, who has been admitted to the Jinshi for less than two years, seems to have been fortunate enough to show his face in front of the saint.

Qi Tai opened it to take a look, he first took a rough look at it, estimated that Liu Ming was talking about a change, and then took a closer look from the beginning.

After all, he was born as a Jinshi, and Liu Ming was a little particular about writing articles. He first quoted scriptures and classics, found many examples of reform and success in the history books, such as Shang Ying's reform of the law, etc., and then used the words of the sage to discuss the views that keep pace with the times. began to talk about the affairs of this dynasty, praising the constitution of the Ming Taizu, which made the country recuperate and increase the population for decades. However, today, the current situation of household registration, farmland, and other items has changed, and it is time to change the law.

It is not uncommon for this dynasty to carry out a new policy. However, it is the first one to explicitly advocate "changing the law" and "advancing with the times" in the recital. No matter how much truth Liu Ming's tirade finds, and no matter how fluent his essay is, it cannot change the proposition of this recital.

"Qi Butang thinks, how should I approve it?" Xia Yuanji's voice said.

Qi Tai handed back the chapter and glanced at Xia Yuanji. Looking at Yuan Xia's meaningful eyes, Qi Tai pondered: Dare someone think that Liu Ming wrote this article at my behest?

However, it is no wonder that Xia Yuanji, Qi Tai and several other former officials of the Han Dynasty have already been inserted into the "new party" label. Qi Tai, Gao Xianning, Hou Hai, etc., do support the implementation of the new policy by the saints, and everyone is an official in the same dynasty, and their political opinions cannot be hidden.

"Isn't the cabinet alone in charge, and everyone can't discuss it?" Qi Tai Dao.

He turned his head and asked Gao Xianning: "Have you seen this concerto?" ”

Gao Xianning said: "The saint has never left Beijing this year, and he often reviews the chapters in person. Liu Ming's unusual title book (reports on the terms of reference of various agencies and daily government affairs) was most likely sent directly to the imperial front first, and then sent to the cabinet. ”

Qi Tai said: "In this case, let's just do it according to the rules." First the cabinet of nine people to decide, and then send it to the treasure office; At the same time, a copy was transcribed, and it was sent to the six departments to be copied, and he was familiar with Zhuliao. What does Natsube think? ”

Xia Yuanji thought for a while, and said helplessly: "When I get to the cabinet, I either do it in the style of an emergency chapter, or I can only do it." ”

When the officials of the nine central yamen arrived, everyone put forward their own proposals for dealing with them, and then selected the one with the largest number of supporters, and then submitted them to the treasure office of the apse for review.

Some people advocate that Liu Ming, a pedestrian, overstepped his authority and arbitrarily discussed the government and should be severely punished; Some people advocate replying to "know", indicating that the court does not agree with the content of the request, but is too lazy to move him and let him do it himself; There is also Qian Xun, who guards the Imperial Division, who proposes to "play on the line".

The fact that the Shouyu Division was in favor of the new policy was related to the situation and funding of the entire yamen. If the new policy is denied, the existence of the Northern and Southern Administrations of the Imperial Department will be lost, and the Southern Administration will spend a lot of financial and political input, which will definitely be greatly reduced.

To people's surprise, there was no one to support the idea of the Guardian Division, and there was only one Qian Xun.

and Qi Tai and Gao Xianning, the two so-called new parties, as well as the "erhu" suspected of being the new party, Hu Hu, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and Hu Guang, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy; They actually supported "got it" together. As a result, the nine members of the cabinet reached a decision in a very short time.

Things get subtle and complicated. Liu Ming's recital was not instructed by Qi Tai, and such a "truth" is extremely likely; Of course, it is not ruled out that Qi Tai deliberately retreated as the possibility of advancing, and arranging the person to take the lead was just a strategy of "throwing stones and asking for directions".

Qi Tai returned to the study, and soon Gao Xianning came.

"You and I are in the cabinet, Xianning should pay attention to avoid suspicion on weekdays." Qi Tai said.

Gao Xianning said in a relaxed tone: "Colleagues in the Manchu Dynasty, who doesn't know the friendship between our teachers and students, it's useless to avoid it. ”

Qi Tai glanced at him: "There is a chance to meet, and you have to pay attention to your words and deeds in Wuying Palace." ”

Gao Xianning no longer retorted, and said: "Obey the teachings of Qi Butang." ”

He glanced at the room in the study: "Xiaguan sees that there is tea inside, and Qi Butang doesn't invite me to drink one?" ”

These tones and deaf people can also hear that the relationship between the two is very close, and they may not be able to avoid suspicion. Qi Tai got up and said, "Come in." ”

The door to the study was open, and the sun was shining outside. As long as someone enters the door, they can detect the change in light and darkness; However, the hall is some distance from the doors and windows, and as long as you pay attention to the sound of the conversation, there is a certain degree of privacy.

Gao Xianning poured the tea by himself, and said directly: "This Liu Ming and we are not all the way; and Hou Hai, Pei Youzhen, and Qian Xun are not all the way, but there are signs of alliances. ”

Qi Tai was noncommittal, but he admired Gao Xianning's clear mind in his heart, and he said it concisely and to the point.

Qi Tai nodded and said, "You and I are already ranked in the Ninth Qing, how big can we be?" Liu Mingna and others are different, and now they have no chance to succeed in the dragon's work, and if they want to be the minister of Jiuqing, they may not be able to stay up until they are old. ”

Gao Xianning said coldly: "If the Holy Lord wants to carry out a new policy, it is really a great opportunity. Liu Ming dealt with Hou Hai and others in Annan and Japan, and he was afraid that he would have a good relationship. Hou Hai and others boasted of being the former officials of the Han Dynasty, the emperor's henchmen, and the heroes of the crime, but they were weak in the court, which happened to be in line with Liu Ming. In the future, if Liu Ming competes for the banner of changing the law, it will not be difficult to attract a group of fellow classmates or like-minded scholars to gather under his command. ”

He was silent for a moment, and then said in a tangled voice: "Is it to study and become a scholar, is it to help the common people, or to be promoted to become rich, or to have some?" ”

Qi Tai said quietly: "Not all scholars are as wealthy as Xianning. Most of the officials in Beijing are still powerless, with a meager salary, and even food and clothing are tight. Scholars are not all ascetics, and it is inevitable that they will have the idea of being promoted to become rich. ”

Gao Xianning muttered: "But the vast majority of people don't have Liu Ming's guts. I see that he is doing things with his head in Annan and Japan, and he has the experience of nine deaths and a lifetime. ”

Qi Tai said worriedly: "If the person who presides over the new policy has the motive of promoting officials and making a fortune from the beginning, and the party will fight against differences, it will definitely not be a good thing for the court and the new policy." You and I can see through one or two, how can the Holy One not notice it? ”

Gao Xianning didn't say anything, and seemed a little distracted. After a long while, Gao Xianning said in a deep voice: "The Holy Lord knows. ”

His tone was very affirmative, without any suspicion, as if he had already made a conclusion.

Gao Xianning said: "But this kind of person is rare to appear, and he must be bold and look down on life and death, and have selfish desires, or can tolerate them." Xia Guan expected that the Holy Lord would really dare to use this person. ”

Qi Tai sighed inadvertently, and said with a little frustration: "I am old, and I can no longer move forward for the saint and repay the grace of the encounter." ”

Gao Xianning smiled and said, "Xia Guan feels young, but he still supports Qi Butang's proposition. The imperial court went from a pool of stagnant water to a turbulent stream, which is not the way of feng shui. After all, you have to be a powerful minister like Qi Butang to be a national soldier. ”

Qi Tai turned around abruptly and said, "I still have to go into the Holy Word, remind one or two, and fulfill the responsibility of the minister." ”

Gao Xianning thought for a while, nodded and said, "It's okay to let the saint clearly know the thoughts and opinions of Qi Butang, and save some discrepancies between speculation." The wise man has a thousand thoughts, but there is still a mistake, and if the saint is also negligent, the courtiers should check and fill in the gaps. ”

His voice was a little quieter: "The lower officials think that the one who hates Liu Ming the most is afraid that it is not us." There are people sitting in the high places, Liu Ming wants to squeeze up with a group of people, which people are most likely to be forced to give up their positions? ”

Qi Tai was next to the chair, walking slowly back and forth.

At this time, Gao Xianning's voice said: "It's time for the student to leave." ”

Qi Tai sent Gao Xianning to the door, Gao Xianning made another move, and then turned to leave. Qi Tai returned the salute while seeing the officials walking in the corridor, and they seemed to be watching the movements of the teacher and student intentionally or unintentionally. Qi Tai generously nodded to one of the officials, who hurriedly bowed and bowed away.

The shadow of the sun under the eaves was different from when he first returned to the study. The time that the teacher and student stayed in the same room just now was not for a short time, and it passed unconsciously.