"Lord Xia, I haven't seen you for a few days, but what are you busy with?" Peng Yue got out of the court and rubbed beside Xia Yan. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

"Oh... Two days ago, the saint wrote two poems and gave him to me, and I went to the capital to carve a stone record, preparing to present it to the emperor, so I only came back today..."Xia Yan said, and reached out and stroked the jade belt tied around his waist.

"I see, it seems that the Holy Lord's grace to you is really increasing day by day..."Peng Yue glanced at Xia Yan's body, "This embroidered python flying fish unicorn robe is also given by the Holy Lord, right?" ”

"Huh? Ha ha... I am also very ashamed of such a gift from the saint..."Xia Yan quickened his pace as he spoke, "There are many people here, so you can go to my house to discuss matters." ”

Peng Yue nodded knowingly, followed behind Xia Yan, was silent, and walked slowly.

Xia Yan's favor is a well-known thing in the court, but no one was unconvinced at first, because Xia Yan's government affairs ability is indeed impeccable. During his tenure as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, he took on a new look of etiquette and music, which was very much in line with Zhu Houxi's wishes, which was something that the previous ministers of the Ministry of Rites had not completed.

After Xia Yan's promotion attracted everyone's attention, whether it was writing a piece or delivering a political statement, he did it in one go, and he was prepared with all his thoughts. Zhu Houxi also gave him a silver medal, asked him to seal the book, comment on political affairs, and praised him in the edict for "broad knowledge and abundant knowledge".

But gradually, Xia Yan's behavior became more and more off track. Zhu Houyu has been fond of writing poetry recently, and Xia Yan has practiced hard in private, so when he is called to write poems and fill in the lyrics, he can often complete it in an instant, so Zhu Houyu is also more and more fond of Xia Yan. Later, every time Zhu Houyu wrote a poem, he gave it to Xia Yan, and Xia Yan was grateful for it, and sang and sang it, and even carved a stone record, and finally presented it to Zhu Houyu to win Zhu Houyi's favor.

When Zhu Houxi summoned Xia Yan privately to discuss political affairs, Xia Yan figured out Zhu Houyi's intentions, and then used this as the basis for his opinion. Of course, what came one after another was the jade belt, pure gold, valuable wine glasses, and delicacies that Zhu Houxi constantly rewarded.

Peng Yue did have a lot of opinions about this, but it was inconvenient for him to say it directly. Because if you think about it carefully, Xia Yan has not done anything bad except for Quyi to welcome Zhu Houxi. He still does his best to deal with political affairs. If Zhu Houxi really made any wrong decisions, Xia Yan would still speak out.

But Peng Yue always felt weird, because the Xia Yan in front of him did not match the Xia Yan in his historical memory, and his impression of Xia Yan was "loyal and outspoken, resolute and unyielding", but compared to what Xia Yan did in front of him, it was too big a gap. At this time, Peng Yue could only complain that he only liked to read things and did not like to know people when he studied history, and the historical records were indeed very incomplete and even biased, for which Peng Yue could only express his deep regret. It seems that everyone is not so few words in the history books that can be evaluated clearly and make a final conclusion.

"Zirui, do you have any opinions about what I've done recently?" Xia Yan sat on the main seat and asked straight to the point.

"Huh? What does Lord Xia mean by this? Peng Yue didn't expect that he had just entered Xia Yan's mansion, and before he could say a few words of greeting, Xia Yan asked so bluntly.

"Zirui is a smart person, some things can be experienced by yourself, you don't have to be too straightforward by others, and I'm afraid I'm going to say it all right?" Xia Yan wiped the tea on the teacup and put it on the table, looking leisurely.

"Lord Xia has worked hard for state affairs, done his best, and won the emperor's favor, what can I say about this?" Peng Yue said it very easily, but he was trembling in his heart.

"Sure enough, the relationship between you and me is not as good as before, I wonder why you used to play dumb riddles with me like this..."Xia Yan lowered his head, showing a look of loss, "Since you are unwilling to bring it up, then let me make it clear, do you not agree with my practice of burning the poems written by the emperor on the stone to pay tribute, so as to please the emperor?" ”

When Peng Yue heard this, he lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and avoided Xia Yan's gaze, "Lord Xia is serious, I'm afraid that many ministers in the DPRK and China want to do this kind of thing, but they can't get this opportunity..."

"You're very good at hiding it now, but you can't hide it from me after all." Xia Yan flicked his fingers and pointed at Peng Yue.

"Don't misunderstand Lord Xia, I am only shallow in my studies, and my qualifications are not enough, and the most important thing is that I have no ambitions in Xia, and I haven't thought about entering the cabinet at all, and I hope that Lord Xia can believe in it..."

"Zirui doesn't have to be anxious, I don't mean anything else..."Xia Yan tilted his head and looked at the corner of the room, "You are too young, let alone entering the cabinet, it is the position you are holding now as the right attendant of the household, there are many people who have a lot of complaints, you are a smart person, you will not understand this truth..."

"Lord Xia is aware of..."Peng Yue lowered his head and sneered, even more unclear in his heart about what Xia Yan wanted to do.

"Zirui, the reason why I brought this matter up to you is because I am afraid that you will misunderstand me..."Xia Yan breathed a long sigh of relief, "I'm afraid that you have a grudge against me, but I really don't want to lose you... Forgetful friends, haha..."

"Where is Lord Xia, since I have been dating Lord Xia, I have learned a lot from Lord Xia, and I have always kept in mind Lord Xia's teachings to me, so how can I have a grudge against Lord Xia?" What Peng Yue said was indeed from his heart, since he and Xia Yan worked together in the Ministry of Officials, Xia Yan had taught him a lot of things. Whether it is the struggle between the government and the government or the understanding of people and things, he has benefited a lot.

"I believe what you said..."Xia Yan smiled, feeling a little relieved in his heart, "But I also hope you can understand that some of the things I do are also unavoidable, sometimes if you want to get something, you have to lose something, in fact, no one is willing to sacrifice principles to deliberately please someone, but... Sometimes you have to do it in order to get there..."

Xia Yan's words were a little unclear, but Peng Yue naturally heard them clearly. And he gradually felt that it was really understandable to do this, thinking that when he was studying history in college, didn't he also do some things like that when he took the initiative to contact the teacher, discuss some problems with the teacher, and so on? It's just that his performance at that time was not as obvious as that of the ministers of the DPRK and China to please Zhu Houxi, so he could still feel at ease. But Peng Yue understands that the main reason is that the university teacher at that time could only give him a score, but now Zhu Houxi can give people glory and wealth, and even determine your life and death.

"I wrote down what Lord Xia said, and I understand..."Peng Yue said in a low voice.

"Hmm...," Xia Yan nodded, "But that's not the point I'm going to talk about, in fact, I also despise this kind of thing, but the standard by which you measure this matter is the purpose of looking at it." If it is only for personal gain, then it is firmly opposed. If the song is for the ideals in the heart and for the people's lives, then... expedient measures are available. In short, I Xia Yan asked myself to be worthy of heaven and earth, worthy of conscience! ”

Peng Yue suddenly felt that these words were somewhat familiar, as if he had heard them somewhere: worthy of heaven and earth, worthy of his conscience! Yes, it is Lord Yang Yiqing, who is the teacher who came to this world by himself. The corners of Peng Yue's eyes were inexplicably moist, both of them were their own teachers, and their views were surprisingly consistent. Peng Yue firmly believes that this idea will be engraved in his mind and accompany him for the rest of his life. Peng Yue feels very lucky at the moment, being able to meet such two teachers, maybe it is really his own arrangement in the dark.

"I made a note of it." Peng Yue's answer was as sincere as a few years ago, and his tone was as choked up as a few years ago.

"Actually, I often think about how to be a direct minister, but also to be reused by the emperor, and to realize my ideals and ambitions..."Xia Yan got up from his seat, put his hands behind his back, and muttered to himself.

"And what about the result?" Peng Yue asked softly on the side.

"I think of Wei Zheng, I think of Bao Zheng, I think of Kou Zhun, I think of Wang Anshi, I think of Yu Qian..."Xia Yan shook his head with a smile, "But I found that things are not as simple as I imagined, they are not as upright as described in the official history, they all have their own ideas, they all have their own skills... And most importantly... The reason for the emperor. Forget it, there are some things that can't be said, but in short, you have to understand that you can't learn from them when you do things in front of the saints today..."

Peng Yue also felt speechless when he heard this, not because what Xia Yan said was unreasonable, but because what Xia Yan said was too reasonable. Indeed, although they are direct ministers, they all know how to pay attention to methods. And except for Wei Zheng, none of them were because they often spoke against the emperor and won the emperor's favor with their integrity and unyieldingness, on the contrary, that was the reason why they were framed and hated and suspected by the emperor. And Wei Zheng may not have his own calculations, of course, the most important thing is that he met Li Shimin. If he met the current Zhu Houxi, it is estimated that he would have died without a place to bury.

"How's your Weaving Bureau and Arsenal going?" Xia Yan saw that the atmosphere was a little awkward, so he changed the topic.

"It's okay, it's relatively smooth..."Peng Yue twisted his fingers, "After all, it's just started, and the specific results will depend on the future, if adults have time, they can go to the Ordnance Institute and the Weaving Bureau to take a look." ”

"I haven't been to the armory yet, after all, I don't know anything about this matter, although I manage it in name, but you are still in charge." After Xia Yan finished speaking, he glanced at Peng Yue with deep meaning, "I've been in the Weaving Bureau, but there... It's not just a textile vessel, is it? ”

"Huh? Haha..."Peng Yue did use his jurisdictional duties to order the power plant to be studied here, and he understood that just improving the loom would not be fruitful. Only by developing a power plant like the steam engine can society truly progress.

"Although this weaving bureau is managed by you, don't do anything too excessive..."Xia Yan sighed, "There are still officials impeaching you about the reform of Caoyun, and even the problem is transferred to you personally, saying that you are too junior and abuse power... In short, that's what those officials do, and the words they say are naturally ugly, so you don't have to care too much, the emperor won't take it too seriously. But you don't make any more trouble, so as not to give people the truth. ”

"Well, I'll pay attention..."Peng Yue replied, and began to scold the officials who had nothing to do.

In fact, Peng Yue had a bad impression of the Ming Dynasty's officials before, but felt that they dared to speak up after all, and even disregarded their personal safety. But now I really understand their essence, a large part of these people have been brainwashed by Zhu Xi's thoughts, and they fantasize about being able to leave a name in history every day. If one day he was beaten by the emperor because of his words, he was very happy, as if he felt that the value of his life had been completely realized. There are also some people who fantasize that they will one day be able to scold the minister, scold the level, and get a chance to be promoted and reused.

Moreover, they impeach indiscriminately every day, and I don't know how many times I have to be scolded by those officials every day for these reforms. Fortunately, he is indeed too junior and has a deep foundation in the DPRK, which did not arouse Zhu Houxi's suspicion and suspicion. Moreover, his own Cao Yun reform has indeed achieved remarkable results, even if he only contributes more taxes to the national treasury every year based on his own reform, Zhu Houxi is reluctant to abolish them. Of course, the most important thing is the strong support of Xia Yan, the minister in power, who maneuvered between Zhu Houxi and other ministers, so that he and those reforms that have not yet achieved significant results can be preserved.

At this time, Peng Yue suddenly realized the importance of Xia Yan, and also understood that Xia Yan's choice was really right. If Xia Yan does not win Zhu Houxi's trust and favor by flattering him, then his reform will really not be able to continue.

Peng Yue believes that Xia Yan is an upright person, because he also has a heart for the country and the people, he has indeed fulfilled his promise, he is worthy of heaven and earth, and worthy of his heart.

Peng Yue also realized more of Xia Yan and Yang Yiqing's teachings to him at this moment: If you want to gain something, you must first lose something, sometimes principle, or even dignity...

Is it true that everyone who has climbed to the top of politics after countless political struggles and all kinds of deceptions has experienced such an inner struggle and has to go through such a difficult choice? Peng Yue's mind began to recall one by one, sifting through them one by one, he didn't know whether his conclusion was right or wrong...