Qianqing Palace, East Warm Pavilion.

Kangxi was wearing regular clothes, sitting on the kang, looking at Cao Hao who was kneeling on the ground, with an unpredictable expression on his face. After a long while, Fang opened his mouth and asked, "Your father doesn't know about the release, right?" ”

Because Kangxi didn't call up, Cao Hao could only kneel and reply: "If you go back to the Long Live Lord, it is the minister's own opinion, and the minister's father ...... If the courtier's father had known, he would have disobeyed it! ”

It was silent again, Cao Hao felt that his legs were going numb on his knees, and Fang heard Kangxi shout.

Although Cao Hao has also met Kangxi several times in the past two years, the atmosphere this time is very different from before.

"I want to train you when I transfer you to the household department, thinking that you are still young, so I will let you study for a few years first. In the past year, I have seen what you have done, although you have not achieved great achievements, but you are practical and cautious, and you have not disgraced me and your father! Kangxi's voice was a little lonely.

Cao Hao listened sadly, Kangxi's current look was haggard, and Cao Yin's situation in the first two years was generally the same, they were all tired, not only tired, but also tired. Thinking of Cao Yin, who is also old, Cao Hao can't help but feel a little sympathy for Kangxi.

After a pause, Kangxi said again: "The fourth elder brother has carefully reported the epidemic to me this summer, but you have made a great contribution!" This merit is not rewarded, have you ever felt wronged and complained in your heart? ”

Although Kangxi asked gently, Cao Hao trembled in his heart when he heard it, this old man was uneasy because of the prince's affairs, and he couldn't commit the taboo of "resentment". At this time, the emphasis is on "thunder and rain and dew, all are gentle", even if you really make some great contributions, if you dare to "resent", it will not be good, but it will be a catastrophe.

Cao Hao hurriedly bowed his head and said that those things were all within his own responsibility, and he didn't dare to take credit.

"Oh, don't you dare to take credit?" Kangxi groaned, and looked at Cao Hao's eyes with a little more inquiry: "Then according to what you say, this credit belongs to the fourth elder brother?" ”

Cao Hao just thought about "yes", his heart moved, and he replied: "Lord Yong is indeed hardworking, but according to the ministers, the adults in the Shuntian Mansion, the Bujun Yamen, the Internal Affairs Mansion and other places are also dedicated to their duties and hard work; The soldiers of the Yamen are all loyal to the monarch and patriotic, regardless of their own safety, rushing to prevent the epidemic, which is admirable. ”

Kangxi nodded and asked Cao Hao: "There is no one else?" ”

Cao Hao's mind suddenly flashed a few heads hanging in front of Desheng's door, and without thinking, he said: "There is another person ......" As soon as he said this, he felt that something was wrong, this was not something he could interject! But thinking of the thirteenth elder brother's current downfall and depression, Cao Hao still couldn't help but continue: "His thunderous means to control the crisis and make the epidemic contained in Beijing at this time are really meritorious to the imperial court and the community!" ”

After Cao Hao finished speaking, his heart was a lot more comfortable, although he thought that he would inevitably receive a few reprimands next, and even Kangxi's anger, but he did not regret it. In his heart, he greatly admires the righteousness of the Thirteenth Elder Brother, who does not use power and scheming, and being able to express his heart like this is also a pleasure that he has not had for a long time.

"Huh!" Kangxi didn't pull down his face to reprimand as he imagined, but laughed out loud: "In the past two years, you have never been willing to take one more step or say a word, I still have no sharpness when you are not sharp, and now I listen to your outspoken statement, I really don't know whether to praise you for your growth or reprimand you for being troublesome!" ”

Cao Hao's forehead was oozing with sweat slightly, I don't know if this old man meant it literally, or if he meant something else, and he was speechless for a while.

Kangxi saw his uneasiness and embarrassment, thinking that he was not worried about the thirteenth elder brother, and he still had to intercede for the thirteenth elder brother, so he waved his hand and said, "The matter of the thirteenth elder brother, there is no need to say more." I am the emperor's father, and I have my own thoughts! Speaking of this, his tone became more and more solemn: "You are not an outsider, I am also relieved to see that you are close to the princes, but you must remember your duty, don't think about which elder brother to go to the party, and give birth to some other thoughts!" ”

The word "party attached" was clearly spoken, Cao Hao already knew in his heart, this old man is now stimulated by the prince's party, some cups and bows, suspicious and suspicious, he can't let him sit in the right seat, busy bowing his head and saying that he was frightened, and said that he was taught by his father since he was a child, and he only had the words "loyal to the monarch and patriotism" in his heart, and he would never learn from those disloyal and unrighteous people and live up to the grace of God.

After this "loyalty" table, Cao Hao himself was about to vomit, but the effect was very good. He secretly glanced at Kangxi, although the haze on his face could not be said to be gone, but he also showed a vague smile, as if he was very pleased.

For some reason, Cao Hao suddenly had a very absurd idea, that is, the saying "old children, little children". Kangxi is getting older, and his words and actions are very different from the previous two years, isn't it a bit of an "old child"?

It's just an old man from an ordinary family, who makes trouble with the temper of this "old child", naturally his son and grandson respectfully follow it, and his wife mentions it. As the Ninth Five-Year Emperor, whether it is a harem concubine or a prince or grandson, he is his subject. Even among them, there are many people who treat him sincerely, and they are all more respectful and less close.

"This is the first time you have asked for me to open your mouth for yourself, and I will rely on you, all as a reward for your merits in the epidemic!" Kangxi Road.

Cao Hao heard the sound of heaven and hurriedly thanked him.

Kangxi got off the kang, walked to the bookcase, picked up the pen, wrote two words, and then said to Cao Hao: "It is said that when the child is older, as a parent, he should no longer be held under his wings, and he should be allowed to go out to experience and experience before he can become a talent." You have been at home since you were a child, and you have been taking care of me in the capital for the past two years, but you will have to rely more on yourself in the future! I have already thought about the words when you were crowned, and this time you are going to be a local governor, and it is more convenient to have words in communication! After speaking, he ordered Wei Zhu to hand the scroll of Fang Cai's own book to Cao Hao.

Cao Hao first thanked him, and then took it with both hands, although he was full of curiosity about what Kangxi had given him, but because of the rules in front of the emperor, he didn't call it open, so he could only endure it.

Kangxi put down his pen and said: "The will of the ministry has been made, you can prepare to take up your post with peace of mind." Speaking of this, he seemed to suddenly have a little curiosity and asked, "I ask you, have you ever thought about what you want to do first after you take office?" ”

Cao Hao was stunned for a moment, until Kangxi's face became darker and darker, and Fang said honestly in a low voice: "The minister thinks about it, first ask for half a month off, and take the county lord back to Jiangning to visit his parents!" ”

This answer was unexpected by Kangxi, he thought that Cao Hao wanted to take up a foreign post, and he chose a counterpart to the household, so he naturally wanted to make a contribution and make a great achievement. Unexpectedly, tracing back to the source, it was just such a reason.

He shook his head, faintly feeling jealous in his heart, and said to Cao Hao happily: "Because the weather is cold, I still want to keep you for two months, so that you can go to work again in the spring; Since you are homesick, then explain the errand at hand, go back to Jiangning for the New Year first, and then go to work after the New Year! ”

In addition to finding the desired shortage, this is also an extra family leave, which is really an unexpected joy. Until he left the palace gate, Cao Hao's face was still full of smiles.

Cao Hao thought in his heart, today is November 15, and the errand of the household department is easy to say, it is good to take over directly by Fu Xiangong, and it will be completed in one or two days. The affairs of the capital mansion, because he did not arrive immediately, he could entrust Mr. Zhuang and Amethyst to take care of it slowly, and he took Chu Yu to take the first step, go back to Jiangning, and then meet in Yizhou after the year. The rest are relatives and friends in the capital.

Because of his eagerness, Cao Hao was not in the mood to go to the household department, so he sent someone to take leave, and he hurried back home, wanting to tell everyone the good news.

* Cao Mansion, study.

"It's finished?" Mr. Zhuang's hand holding the cup shook slightly, and he almost couldn't hold it steadily, so he hurriedly put it on the small table, and asked again, "Is it really done?" What does Banzai say? ”

Cao Hao said with a smile: "It is said that it is the reward for the merits of the epidemic at that time!" I am also allowed to go to work after the new year, and go back to Jiangning to visit relatives before the year! ”

Mr. Zhuang's face was also full of joy, touched his beard, and said with a smile: "This is very appropriate, Hao'er is going to go abroad, and no one below will not succeed, Lord Jiangning's side, maybe he can recommend two proper staff!" ”

Cao Hao shook his head and said: "There is a gentleman, these are secondary, the key is that it is only more than forty days until the end of the year, and now the waterway is not passable, and the land road is bumpy, maybe it will take more time." In these few days, I will finish the matter in the capital and go back to Jiangning with Chu Yu first! ”

Mr. Zhuang nodded: "It's okay to go on the road early, but there are still visits to all parts of the capital, and you will finally come back, and these people can't be lightened." Besides, since you are going to go abroad, there are many places where you need them to take care of the capital! ”

Cao Hao knew that Mr. Zhuang was right, and he was about to go to visit the people who resigned one by one, and he suddenly felt a headache, and it would take ten days and a half months to go on like this. It seems that you can only go to a few mansions at a time, don't stay for a banquet, and take a rough look.

Suddenly, he remembered the words given by Kangxi, because he was so happy, he stuffed it on his waist and didn't look at it, so he hurriedly pulled it out and opened it.

"'Fu Ruo', these two words come from the Book of Changes, '盥 but not recommended, there is Fu Ruo'. Hehe, it seems that Long Live Lord is indeed an extraordinary grace to Hao'er. There is no shortage of people who are the children of the family of this dynasty, the two generations of father and son, or the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren who are officials in the same dynasty. Mr. Zhuang looked at the imperial pen handbook in front of him and said with a smile.

Cao Hao is a little crying and laughing, he has been in this world for ten years, nine of which have been studying, and this "Book of Changes" has also been read through, "I don't recommend it, there is Fu Ruo" is not a good word, literally it means that for major events such as sacrifices, although he shows piety, he only washes his hands and does not pay tribute; For those people and things that keep their promises, they seem to admire them very much, but they don't learn to do them. However, if it is the other way around, there is also the meaning of being cautious in handling things, not blindly following the trend, and following the crowd.

Nowadays, people are called by words, but now there are more words, and in the future, he will be "Brother Fu Ruo" or "Brother Fu Ruo", or "Fu Ruoxian Nephew" or something, thinking about it this way, Cao Hao is still a little strange in his heart, and he is not used to it.

In the next few days, Cao Hao kept circling around, except for the errand of handing over to the household department, he was busy visiting relatives and friends and resigning. Pingjun Wangfu, Chunjun Wangfu, Jueluo Family, Zhaojia Family, Wanyan Family, Ningchun Family, Ma Shilang Family, Sun Family, needless to say, there are also Prince Yong's Mansion, Thirteen Mansions, Fuguo Gong Efei Mansion, and Uncle Fucha's Family. The comrades of the chief of the guard battalion and the chief of the household department also had to visit a few houses.

Regarding Cao Hao's upcoming release, the governments have different reactions, such as the Seventh Elder Brother and the King of Pingjun, because they had heard Cao Hao mention it before, although they did not object, but they didn't expect it to be so soon. The seventh elder brother was mainly reluctant to marry his daughter far away, so he picked Cao Hao in Beijing, and he also expected them to stay in Beijing for a while, who knew that Cao Hao would be released so soon, he felt a little miscalculated, but in general, he was very satisfied with this son-in-law, and this release was also from above, so he didn't have more awkwardness, and only repeatedly told him to pay attention to some.

The Hongshu brothers had a very good relationship with Chu Yu in their early years, and later they were very close to Cao Hao and Cao Song.

On the side of the Pingjun Palace, Nersu is in favor of Cao Hao's departure from Beijing, firstly, he will save himself from being tied up in Beijing, and secondly, his political sense of smell is also extremely sensitive, and he is not at all aware of the upcoming turmoil.

When he heard that his brother and brother-in-law were going back to Jiangning to visit their relatives first, they immediately prepared a New Year's gift for their parents, so they thought about urging them to leave Beijing as soon as possible, so that they could stay with their parents for a while. The eldest brother Fuppen was already four years old and began to play with a small bow and arrow; The fourth elder brother Fuxiu is also more than two years old, running all over the ground, she is a mother, she knows her parents' kindness more, and she very much hopes that her brother can do more filial piety on her behalf.

Bao Ya was accused of marrying a county king of the Horqin Department of the Queen Mother's maiden home last month, and she will marry next year. Now it's easy not to come out to meet people, and those who are familiar with Cao Hao don't shy away from it, so they go to sit on my sister-in-law's side. Although she is still smiling as before, she is no longer chirping because she is older, and she is a bit of a noble girl.

In the end, Cao Yi's reaction was similar to that of Pingwang Fujin, although she was reluctant to give up her brother and sister-in-law, but she was even happier for them to return to their hometown to visit relatives. prepared a lot of New Year's gifts for everyone in Jiangning Mansion, although it is not as rich as the Pingwang Mansion, but it also took a lot of effort to prepare, among which filial piety is generally the same.

(To be continued)