The military department is a very lively yamen, and military attachés all over the world have to go through the military department to take up posts, be promoted, and be promoted. Just like the Ministry of Officials, every day there are a large number of military attachés waiting to be summoned outside the military department, and as for those who use money in private to make points and prepare silver to stuff dog holes, they don't know how many.

Fan Jinguan's Staffing Division, known as the Staff's Clearance Division, is in charge of the public opinion of the provinces, the military officials' merits, verification, rewards and punishments, pensions, and military reviews and tests. It's just that Fan Jin has made great achievements in the Criminal Department, and the Ministry of War will naturally no longer put him in the kind of department that can make money and do things at any time to watch the government.

After careful consideration by the pillars of the imperial court, the observation and administration department arranged for Fan Jin is the top priority of the entire yamen, and it is also the confidant of the entire military department: the map room, whose duty is to guard and keep the geographical map of the mountains and rivers of the entire Ming Dynasty, and deal with countless map picture books every day, which is also the safest place that the military bigwigs can think of.

The Ming Dynasty attached great importance to the map, and the map and map book were wars in the early stage, and more were collected, and then the world was peaceful, and that was it. Even if it's a general, no one will ask for a map here, and the biggest advantage of being on duty here is that it's clean, as long as you draw it and find a chance to sneak out, no one will find out.

No matter how noisy it is outside, it is always a pure land, except for the pictures full of ash and moth-eaten rats, and the rats that occasionally come out, there are no distractions. It can be called a wonderful place for self-cultivation and meditation zazen.

The brush moves gently on the paper, drawing lines, and as the tip of the pen moves, it doesn't take long for mountains and rivers to appear on the paper. , Fan Jin's cultivation in painting is used to draw maps, and he is also a good hand. Behind him, Zhang Guodong couldn't help but nod his head while watching intently.

"Every year of the big competition, the military department will come to a group of scholars to watch the government, literati like to talk about the army, and there are many people who like to come to the military department. There are also some people who don't just want to make a living, but also want to make a difference, and when they come, they still bring military books, and they are also very enthusiastic when they arrive in the yamen. However, even such people are mostly concerned about the situation in the surrounding areas, or talk about how to use troops outside the fortress. Some students are admitted from the border areas, and they are also military members, and they know a little about the situation in the army, and they are slightly more secure than white-faced scholars, but such people are concerned about how much silver can be distributed by the household department, how much grain and grass can be raised, and you are still the first one who is interested in the geographical map. ”

"If you don't look at the map in a war, it's like a blind man and a blind horse, and it's barely feasible to sit and guard, if you want to fight out, it's actually not much different from sending you to death." Fan Jin said while drawing: "But you can't blame them, it's hard to say how many generals of the Ming Dynasty know the map." Everyone leads the troops by experience, and then they don't just ask the guide, and they don't care much about the map. I don't blame them anymore, just look at this map, it is incomplete, damaged, and missing in many places. I compared several maps drawn in different years, and found that some places were completely different, and someone must have drawn it wrong or everyone was wrong, how can people believe such a map? ”

Zhang Guodong nodded and said, "That's a good thing." The person who draws the map himself is not necessarily a good hand, and his own thoughts are different, so it is likely that he is just a perfunctory errand mixed with a good fortune, and he can just draw casually. Especially in recent years, there have been more and more such cases, and no one looks at the map anyway, so the person who draws it doesn't care. Clever hands like Fan Chuanyu are all trying to find other ways to make a fortune, who can still endure it, complete the map in the warehouse, and look for mistakes and omissions. Not to mention asking them to speculate on the situation in the border area based on the changes in the map. ”

He paused slightly, "Some of those people outside who watch politics and enter the army like to talk about soldiers, and a group of people who have never been on the battlefield and don't know how to fight, instead of thinking of themselves as the reincarnation of Sun Wu, they are there to spend their time blowing nonsense, although they are talking about stupid things that make people laugh and cry, but as long as they are not allowed to really lead the troops, they will not make any trouble." Others are actually worse, they don't even have the interest in talking on paper, all their minds are on the pavilion selection, they have no interest in doing things, they just want to be Hanlin. With the retreat of your talent and calligraphy skills, it is inevitable to do Hanlin. Even if you don't do anything now, drink tea and chat every day, you can still be a lyricist. You have to eat gray and draw maps in the storeroom, you are such a weirdo. ”

"Zhang Siji doesn't have to talk about me, aren't you the same yourself? You can also be like those people outside, take filial piety, eat flowers and wine, lift up what is pleasing to the eye, and step on him if there is no backing and unpleasant to the eye. Wouldn't it be nice to let those military attachés obediently pay for their filial piety? If you have to watch me draw here, I'm afraid it's weirder than me. ”

Zhang Guodong smiled, "I'm different from retreat, in fact, in the department, these are the things I am responsible for." I don't care about those things, although I can speak, but I don't bother to ask. What's more, even if no one pursues me for my brother's affairs, my own conscience can't get over it, and if I do something, it will be my atonement. ”

Fan Jin didn't know until he was assigned to the map room of the Ministry of War that Zhang Guowei's backer was the Zhang Guodong in front of him. The two are cousins, and Zhang Guowei's ability to sit firmly in the position of the Soldiers and Horses Division has a lot to do with Zhang Guodong's care. This time, Zhang Guowei made a big mess, and the disposal can be big or small, if he investigates his crime carefully, even if he is beheaded, it is possible. Even if he doesn't die, there is a lot to say about where the distribution is, Fan Jin has a favor with Feng Bao because of the preservation of Feng Bangning, and he has the face of Mrs. Li, and through this relationship, Zhang Guowei's distribution place is set in Guangzhou.

The geographical environment there is always much stronger than that of Jiubian, and Fan Jin has a relationship with the local area, so Zhang Guowei will not be offended there. It is a care to send him there, Zhang Guodong also sees Fan Jin's affection very much, and within the scope of his authority, he also gives great care to Fan Jin. Fan Jin wanted to leave the post early, if it weren't for that, he couldn't accompany Zheng Chan to watch Zhu Guochen or visit the Fire Temple.

Zhang Guodong's grade is not high, but his authority is not small. Fan Jin had an intuition that this person could not be regarded as an ordinary official, and he did not look strange, but there was always something like a fog shrouded in his body, and he always felt that there was something else hidden in him that he couldn't see through. And he has a transcendent status in the Ministry of War, even if the main hall of the Ministry of War doesn't ask him, he has worked in this position for more than 20 years, neither promoted nor deposed, and probably has to work in this position for a lifetime, if this kind of person says that there is no hidden secret, Fan Jin is the first to believe it.

Fan Jin said: "Commander Zhang's matter has nothing to do with the halberd, everyone has their own calculations, and even the court has not asked the halberd to blame, so why should you blame yourself?" If you are not in your position, you don't want to be in politics, and the halberd doesn't care about the civil punishment, this matter has nothing to do with you. ”

"That's not what I said, the court can only control the name of the sentence, but not the hearts of the people, especially my own conscience, which is not something that the court can control. If it's wrong, it's wrong, three innocent lives, who didn't have to die, just because of Guowei's arbitrariness, they died in vain. If I hadn't kept him in that position, I wouldn't have caused all this, and I am naturally responsible for this matter, even if the court doesn't pursue it, I can't act as if nothing happened. Don't talk about me, talk about yourself. ”

Zhang Guowei looked at Fan Jin, "It's really hard for you to draw a map here, people outside are discussing, when to go to Lu Xiang's mansion to congratulate you." There are also people who pull me to mix a foot, I actually don't care, no matter who is the first assistant, I am the way I am now, there will be no change, you are different. If you want to go back and prepare a gift or change clothes, just leave, I won't let anyone go. ”

Fan Jin shook his head, "No need, I won't go to Lu Mansion to join in the fun." ”

"What? This is a big deal, don't show your head at this time, beware of being regarded as dissatisfied with Lu Xiang, it won't be good for you in the future. ”

"Go with him, love what you think, I don't have any holidays with Lu Xiang, let alone any dissatisfaction. But if you want me to congratulate you, it can't be done. I'm still staying here to draw my map, which is more interesting than the official clothes. ”

Zhang Guodong said: "This time is the key, don't think that you are a second-class passer, and you are the current branch of the Yuan, you will definitely be able to enter the Hanlin Academy." There are no rules for this kind of thing, there are only a few places in Hanlin, squeeze you out, and others will have one more chance. At this time, it is necessary for the eight immortals to cross the sea to show their magical powers, even if they are friends who have been friends for many years, they can't believe it. If you don't go, you have to be careful what the person who goes says in Lu Ge's ear, and you can't do anything if you really brush you down when the time comes. ”

"Then it's not bad to draw a map here for the rest of your life." Fan Jin blew the ink on the paper, put the drawn map aside, and began to draw on the new paper. "I am a person with great ability, I can't stay in the military department for a few years, I can be promoted to the position of a foreigner, and if I work for a few more years, I can also be a langzhong. When the time comes, I will accept the filial piety you don't receive, and I will drink the flower wine you don't drink, isn't life very comfortable? Compared with being a Hanlin, I think this kind of day is more leisurely. ”

Zhang Guodong looked at Fan Jin, "I have to remind you, Zeng Sima is also going to Lu Mansion today to congratulate him." ”

"I understand that Zhang Xiang wants Ding Wei, it is impossible for the Jiangling Party to follow Ding Wei, everyone still has to do things in the imperial court, and it is also an attitude to go to the future Shoufu Gate to go to the dock at this time. If none of the Jiangling Party go, it will not be easy for Lu Xiang to do a good job as the first assistant. But they are them, I am me, I am such a political scholar, I can't help if I want to, and I can't do anything bad for Lu Xiang, an insignificant little person, I don't think Lu Xiang will care, right? ”

Zhang Guodong pondered for a moment and said to Fan Jin:

"Zhang Jiangling has a good way to seek the country, and he has no skills to know people, but you are such a loyal general, but he can't use it, which makes me a little disappointed in him. Since you have made up your mind, I don't need to say anything, you decide the matter yourself, I just want to say one thing, if you want to work in the department, I can still say something. After finishing speaking, he stretched out his hand and took the map drawn by Fan Jin to bind it, and put it on the corresponding shelf according to the index of provinces and years.

The red sun is hanging in the west, and the moon is bright and the stars are scarce. Tonight's Jingshi, the wind is still very strong.

The howling wind carried the yellow sand brought from Mobei, crossed the majestic walls of the Prime Minister's Mansion, rushed through the courtyard, and finally scattered the sand and dust heavily on the thick window lattice paper of the Prime Minister's study, making the window paper rustle. In the sound of wind and sand, there were bursts of mourning music and cries, and there was no other movement. In the past, the lively and noisy Prime Minister's Mansion seemed a little bleak at night.

Today's Zhang Mansion is extremely deserted, and there are neither officials waiting to be summoned at the door, nor carriages, horses, and sedan chairs. In the huge study, there was only one guest, Feng Bao. Zhang Juzheng took off his regular clothes, sat opposite Feng Bao in heavy filial piety, the two looked at each other for a moment, Zhang Juzheng said: "Shuanglin, you're welcome to me, drink tea." ”

"No, I'm not too thirsty, and the tea is too hot."

"Hot? Impossible, isn't this tea about to be cold? , I'm afraid that only in Lu Yusuo's house can I drink a cup of boiling hot tea soup. ”

Feng Bao shook his head and said, "Taiyue, you are too worried. How can Lu Yu be virtuous, and what can he compare with you? It's just that his position is good, and Gao Gong has become that virtue, and a group of people decided that he wanted to borrow the position of the first assistant. In fact, they are all confused, and it is His Majesty and Cisheng who can really decide who will be the first assistant. Cisheng's words are very clear, let Taiyue recommend you, no matter who you protect, the Queen Mother will approve it, and let him temporarily protect your seal. As long as you use your hands to rest assured, you can ensure that you can hold it down, and you don't have to think about anything else, just say your name. ”

Zhang Juzheng sighed, "I originally meant to belong to Yu Institute, whether it is age or seniority, it is most suitable for him to take over the position of first assistant." I thought he was loyal and the most stable in this position, but I didn't expect that before he took office, he gave me a big dismissal. The Manchu Dynasty civil and military went to the Lu Mansion to congratulate the red-clothed people, as if they had already decided that the position of the first assistant belonged to them, did they forget that the cabinet had not yet been handed over to the seal? The most painful thing for me is that the minister I have always relied on weekdays, did not go to my mansion to mourn, but first went to Lu Mansion to congratulate and eat wine. I also understand what they mean, in order to make things easier for the future, but I have to go one by one. I thought that everyone was willing to act according to the old man's wishes, but now it seems that they recognize the identity of Yuan Weng and not me. The situation is cold and cold, and people's hearts are unpredictable. It is not difficult to change someone to be the first assistant, but if you want to ensure that this person is obedient and obedient, the old man is not sure in his heart. ”

Feng Bao hurriedly said, "Taiyue, you are also thinking too much. Those few are located in your best friends or fellow villagers, and the most disadvantaged ones are also raised by you, how can they not listen to you? Yu Suo is a good man, everyone wants him to be the first assistant, and other things have not been thought of for a while. Since you think Lu Tiaoyang is not good, then change another one. At the beginning, when the cabinet wanted to play a high arch, what happened to Yin Licheng, which was ordered to be a minister? ”

Zhang Juzheng didn't pay attention to this selection question, but said to himself: "I also know that these things are just small sections, and Yusuo is not a villain who will be rampant once he has his will." But the general trend is not that if we don't want to do something, we will definitely not do it. Three years is enough to change a lot of things, in case these people are too deeply involved with the new first assistant, and they don't want Zhang to return to the dynasty, today's high arch, how do you know that it is not tomorrow's Zhang Juzheng? ”

"Moreover, at the beginning of the new policy, the people have a lot of criticism, Lu Tiaoyang is soft-hearted, and lacks decisiveness in case of trouble, so he is afraid that he will retreat if he encounters a slight obstacle. Such a person who is a keeper is by no means suitable for the current imperial court. ”

Feng Baodao: "Then Taiyue, do you think who is worthy of the position of the first assistant will not be bad, and can he control it?" ”

"Can you guarantee that there are no bad things, do not destroy the overall situation, and can be with Shuanglin and the saints, think about it, is there anyone else besides the old man?"