In the early winter in the south of the Yangtze River, the fallen leaves are still drifting in the smoke and rain. Chang'an was cold and windy, and Yang Zhi's recital arrived at the emperor's imperial office on the fourth day of November, and Chang'an had already ushered in the first snow of the 26th year of Wucheng in the Xia calendar on the evening of October 30.

The emperor is still very busy, and although there are many things to deal with every day, there are also many people to deal with. This of course includes Yang Zhi.

The imperial study was baked warm like spring by the earth dragon, and the more than ten pieces piled up on the emperor's desk were all related to Yang Zhi. There are Yang Zhi's own, Jinan Governor Hu Weizhi, Jinling Governor Zhou Renjie, and a number of secret music represented by Qin Kongyun, the eldest son of the Qin family.

Among the many movements, only Yang Zhi's thick book is nearly 30 pages long, sprinkled with tens of thousands of words. The regulations, laws and regulations, the sources of funding, the establishment of the four branch offices, the appointment of officials, and ...... are all in full detail. The emperor had spent half a day yesterday, carefully reading many pieces one by one, checking and confirming each other, and determined that Yang Zhi did not say a word about it. Yang Zhi only reported in detail how he did it, and as for why he did it, he really did not give any explanation. In fact, any explanation is redundant.

Because it happened to be early in the morning, Zhao Yan and Shen Yu went to Chen Wenyuan's mansion with their two children, so only Wang Yunong was summoned to the imperial study after the early dynasty.

The reason why a secret music is a secret music is that it cannot be openly put on the table as a reference message. Yesterday, the emperor had forwarded the three recitals of Yang Zhi, Hu Weizhi, and Zhou Renjie, which had been clearly copied, to Wang Yunong's official room, and today he just wanted to hear his views.

Wang Yunong has been the first assistant for decades without falling, and the emperor values him most because of important national affairs, and he has always been upright and fair. Never biased. This time is no exception: "The emperor should know Yang Zhi's style of acting as a person." He never liked empty talk. Only focus on hard work. Sometimes it seems perverse, but in fact, there is a backhand. Your Majesty, please forgive the old minister's bluntness. The old minister read these three chapters, and admired Yang Zhi's strategic talent very much. ”

The emperor sighed, "Isn't that the case with me? To tell you the truth, when I look back, I didn't give him a penny, nor did I give him a single soldier, but only promised the official title of a third-grade governor, and I didn't even prepare an official seal or official uniform, which was indeed a bit embarrassing for him. He left Beijing on 19 July to take up his post, and traveled to Penglai, Jinan, and Jinling. It took a lot of time on the road, and it has only been more than three months. And the Governor of Customs' Yamen and the four branch offices have been structured, and they are really capable! ”

Wang Yunong was scheming, and he was telling the truth, and secondly, he was trying to find out the emperor's tone. Today, Yang Zhi's ability has long been recognized by the world, and there is no need for more proof. But selling official positions, privately issuing stern decrees, and arming the officials of each local branch office to the teeth, which is not a taboo for people? Which one can escape the attack of the courtiers and officials? If the emperor can clearly express his support, it is equivalent to blocking the arrow for Yang Zhi. That's okay to say. Otherwise, Yang Zhi has always been a master who refuses to suffer, God knows what he will do?

is to cautiously ask: "I don't know how the emperor is going to approve these movements?" ”

The emperor said without hesitation: "I plan to give a big compliment and publish it in the newspaper." Bright hair world. ”

Then he smiled bitterly: "I know Yang Zhi, and of course I also understand your thoughts. I have a five-year agreement with Yang Zhi, and the Yamen, the governor of customs, is always in Great Xia. All Yang Zhi's efforts today are, in the final analysis, making wedding dresses for others. During this period. It is better for this guy to take the opportunity to expand his power, or to act recklessly. I don't even care. Push others by yourself, don't give money, don't give people, just ask him for money, if he doesn't let him get some benefits from it, how can he be justified? Even if I want someone else to do it, would you recommend another one for me to try? ”

Wang Yunong also smiled bitterly: "Under such conditions, the preparation for the establishment of the Yamen of the Governor of the Great Xia Customs, except for Yang Zhi, really does not think about the second person." Since the emperor knows it, it is the old minister who is too worried. ”

The emperor sighed: "Yang Zhi is a person who understands! This guy never took the initiative to seek or covet military power, and I also drew an insurmountable box for him in this verse. As long as there are no soldiers in the hand, no matter how big the tail grows, what can it do? As for letting him get some money, huh! ”

Wang Yunong heard the emperor say this, and no longer spoke. The emperor's meaning is very clear, if he has no military power, he doesn't have to worry about Yang Zhiwei, and when necessary, he can transfer troops to kill him at any time. Even if Yang Zhi makes a lot of money, he is still on the ground of Great Xia after all. Once he turns his face, he only needs a holy decree to raid the family, and Yang Zhi's family property will change hands in the blink of an eye.

While the two monarchs and ministers were talking to themselves, the chamberlain Ma Cheng came to report: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness King Ning asks to see you." ”

The emperor's heart moved, and he ordered: "Yunong, you will retire today." Later, I'll ask you what you think about this. - Ma Cheng, summoned the king of Ning to meet him. ”

Wang Yunong, Chen Wenyuan, Xu Wenhan, Yang Zhi and other important ministers, unless the emperor took the initiative to ask, they would never be involved in the matter of fighting for the crown prince, which was a very important factor for them to win the emperor's trust. The emperor had the intention of studying the prince, but Wang Yunong was afraid of avoiding it, so he immediately retired.

The original intention of the emperor to order King Ning Zhao to enter the cabinet was to let him learn how to act from the perspective of the overall situation in the central place. Although Zhao Dang does not have the authority to approve the six pieces submitted to the Cabinet Scholars, he can put forward his own opinions on how to deal with them. Zhao Dang has indeed been a good child for a few months, and he also comes to listen to the emperor's teachings every once in a while.

It is said that it is to listen to the teachings in person, but in fact it is a rather laborious chore.

Since Zhao Dang, the king of Kang, became the Yin of Chang'an Mansion, he still entered the palace twice in three days to greet him. Zhao Dang is in the center, and it is undoubtedly more convenient to meet the emperor, how can he be left behind? The Emperor was very busy, and if he was too diligent in his visits, he would probably be bored. On the grounds of listening to teachings in person, he often shows a small face in front of his old man, at least he can leave an impression of being studious. It is not only "listening to the teachings face to face", but if the question of seeking advice is too simple, it will also appear too incompetent.

Therefore, every time they meet on the topic, Zhao Dang and his confidant Ding Shiquan have to repeatedly discuss it in advance and do their homework.

Last time, the emperor consulted Zhao Dang and Zhao Dang about how to deal with Guo Huang's case and the placement of Geng Jin, and ordered them to submit their own chapters. Although the two pieces were returned as they were afterwards and were not commented, they did not hesitate to reward Zhao Kang's biological mother, Concubine Li. In Zhao Dang's opinion, the emperor was deliberately suppressing himself, and he was depressed for a long time.

Not only Zhao Dang looked at it this way, but all the ministers in the court thought that the big people on the street had won a good reputation for Zhao Kang, and the promotion of Concubine Li also showed that Zhao Dang was slightly better in government affairs, and the emperor's balance had shown signs of tilting towards Zhao Kang.

However, the heart of the emperor is the most unpredictable. Before everyone had time to come back to their senses, the emperor issued a decree to announce that Geng Jin, the general of Wuwei who returned to Beijing to report on his work, was awarded the title of Wuyingdian University Scholar and entered the cabinet as the prime minister. Geng Jin was the first person since the founding of Great Xia, and it can be said that there was no difference in the scenery for a while.

Geng Jin and Geng Chao, father and son, are two generations of generals, both of whom are loyal supporters of King Ning and are known throughout the Manchu Dynasty. King Ning and Geng Jin entered the cabinet successively, and with the addition of the original seven cabinet scholars, the number of important ministers has increased to nine. Among the nine Zaifu, King Ning's family occupies two seats, and the direction of the court has changed subtly.

What was the Emperor's intention? Is it to pave the way for the future? It's so not torturous! King Ning was both happy and worried, and the number of times he came to "listen to the teachings" in recent days has increased significantly. It doesn't matter what the emperor teaches, the most important thing is only two words: temptation.

Not wanting to invite St. Ann as usual, before he could throw out the topic of testing the direction of the wind, the emperor ordered Ma Cheng to hand over three copies of the recital: "Dang, you have come just in time." You first take a closer look at the few pieces you received yesterday, and then talk about what to do? (To be continued......)