As November ticked, the weather was getting colder and colder, and the rivers in the capital were already frozen. The snow had been falling since two days ago, and it had not stopped until now, and the snow on the ground was already calf deep.

The temperature in the warm pavilion of the Emperor of the Apocalypse is still good, the flowers and plants in the house are still green, and some flowers have bloomed, which makes people feel a lot better at first glance.

Looking at the snowflakes flying outside, the Emperor of the Apocalypse frowned tightly, the snow was falling, and I didn't know how many people were going to freeze to death in this winter. Glancing back at Empress Zhang, who was sitting on the edge of the charcoal fire, the Emperor of the Apocalypse had a slight smile on his face. Maybe only by her side will she feel a lot more stable.

Walking slowly to Empress Zhang's side, the Emperor of the Apocalypse took off his coat, picked up a bowl of tea and sat beside Empress Zhang, and said in a gentle tone: "The weather has been cold recently, has the prince sent something over?" ”

"Back to the emperor, the concubine has already sent some things over! Emperor Xie cares! Empress Zhang smiled gently, with a hint of joy in her eyes, because she had already received the news from the imperial doctor, and he was overjoyed.

Seeing the joy on Empress Zhang's face, the Emperor of the Apocalypse smiled helplessly, women in this era are obsessed with having children. Maybe the women in the palace are more persistent, and the smile on Queen Zhang's face has not broken since she had a child.

"Your Majesty, Zhou Jiamo, the secretary of the ministry, asks to see you!" Wang Chengen walked in quickly, although he was wearing a coat, the old eunuch was still pale from the cold, and his body was trembling.

Smiling helplessly, the Emperor of the Apocalypse took a sip of tea and said, "The weather is too cold, come over and roast the fire!" Warm up! ”

"The slave is here! The slave's body is cold, if it passes, I'm afraid that the emperor will catch a cold! Although Wang Chengen's lips were trembling, he still smiled. Apparently he didn't want to go over.

After listening to Wang Chengen's words, the Emperor of the Apocalypse nodded quite movingly, glanced at a small eunuch on the side, and said in a deep voice: "Go and bring a bowl of ginseng soup, let Mr. Wang warm up!" ”

"Slave obeys!" The little eunuch gave a salute and ran out quickly.

Wang Chengen, who was on the side, knelt on the ground with gratitude on his face, and said in a trembling voice: "Slave and maid, thank Lord Longen!" ”

"Alright. Get up! With a casual wave of his hand, the Emperor of the Apocalypse said with a smile: "Let Chen Lin go and bring Zhou Jiamo in, and you can warm up here!" ”

"Yes! Slave obeys! Wang Chengen replied respectfully, bowed his head and stood on the side.

It didn't take long for Zhou Jiamo to walk in under the leadership of Chen Lin, although he could be proud outside the palace, but he still had to walk in the palace. Zhou Jiamo's body has already fallen a lot, and the top of his head and shawl are already white. His face was also a little pale, and he was obviously choked by the cold.

looked at Zhou Jiamo, who was a little staggering. The Emperor of the Apocalypse suddenly felt a little emotionally in his heart, these officials may have such and such problems, but they still have a good mind for Daming. Nodding to the eunuch on the side, the Emperor of the Apocalypse said in a deep voice: "Take off the robe on Lord Zhou's body and roast the brazier for Lord Zhou." You glanced at another eunuch and ordered, "Move a stool for Lord Zhou!" ”

Seeing that Zhou Jiamo was about to give a salute, the Emperor of the Apocalypse waved his hand and said with a smile: "There is no need to salute at this time." Let's sit down and warm up! ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhou Jiamo sat on the chair with emotion. The wrinkles on his face seem to have stretched out a little, no matter how hard he works to get the Emperor of the Apocalypse, he can masturbate!

"On such a cold day, Aiqing still has to run for state affairs, and I am very sorry. It's the New Year, are there any difficulties at home? The Emperor of the Apocalypse looked at Zhou Jiamo. He put down the tea bowl in his hand and said softly.

wanted to stand up and salute, but seeing the Emperor of the Apocalypse motioning for him to sit down, Zhou Jiamo had no choice but to sit down and said: "This is for the minister's duty, and the minister reflects all night." I'm afraid there will be a mistake! As for one meal and one dish at home, I am buying some meat and fish for the New Year, that is! ”

Nodding slowly, the Emperor of the Apocalypse said with emotion: "Aiqing is in the official department of the Ministry of Officials, and she is in charge of the official hats of officials in the world, and she is in a high position!" ”

"The minister walks on thin ice day and night, lest he lose the grace of God!" Zhou Jiamo's heart sank slightly, didn't the Emperor of the Apocalypse have something to say?

Shaking his head with a smile, the Emperor of the Apocalypse comforted: "I didn't say anything about you, there is no need for this!" This thing was handed over by the brocade guard, take it and take a look! He took a thick account book and handed it to Wang Chengen, who was standing aside.

"Your Majesty, the concubine should go back to Kunning Palace! At night, the concubine prepares a hot pot as the emperor, does the emperor want to come? Empress Zhang gently pulled the arm of the Emperor of the Apocalypse and said with a smile.

Smiling and nodding, the Emperor of the Apocalypse promised, "Go!" I'll be over later! ”

When Empress Zhang left, the Emperor of the Apocalypse saw the little eunuch with the ginseng soup walking in, so he said, "Give the ginseng soup to Lord Zhou, and you can serve another bowl!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The little eunuch put the ginseng soup beside Zhou Jiamo, turned around and left.

At this time, Zhou Jiamo didn't notice this, his spirit was completely attracted by the book in front of him. In his opinion, this is more like an account book, which contains the names of officials at all levels in the capital, the property of the family, and who controls what property behind the scenes. How much to embezzle, how much to bribe, how much to bribe, all have a breakdown of it.

"Your Majesty, this, these!" Zhou Jiamo stood up tremblingly, looking at the Emperor of the Apocalypse with a face full of disbelief, and his voice became extremely hoarse.

Glancing at Zhou Jiamo, the Emperor of the Apocalypse said in a deep voice: "The people above are all insatiable, and the corpses are vegetarian. Let's take them all down this time! I really don't want Jinyiwei to do it, and the scholars still have to leave some decent. However, Aiqing remembered that the stolen money must be returned, and this year's deficit in the treasury will be made up for by this money. ”

"Your Majesty, do you think there is anything inaccurate in this? This is really a bit appalling, I think! Zhou Jiamo still didn't believe it, looked at the Emperor of the Apocalypse with a complicated expression, and said in a hesitant tone.

In fact, Zhou Jiamo knew in his heart that these things would not be fake, although Jinyiwei acted a lot inappropriately, but his loyalty to the Emperor of the Apocalypse was flawless. Compared with his own ministers of civil management, both Jinyiwei and Dongchang are much purer.

Now Jin Yiwei naturally dares to take out this thing, it is naturally true, they still have the courage to deceive the Emperor of the Apocalypse. However, Zhou Jiamo's heart really didn't want to believe it, so he had the problem just now.

The Emperor of the Apocalypse didn't speak, but just looked straight at Zhou Jiamo, and that gaze seemed to be able to see through what Zhou Jiamo was thinking!

"Your Majesty, Weichen lost his words, please forgive your Majesty!" Zhou Jiamo gave a salute respectfully and said with a bitter mouth.

Turning his head slowly, the Emperor of the Apocalypse didn't say anything, just sighed softly.

"Your Majesty, the minister came this time just for the sake of Jingcha, and the foreign inspection will wait until the beginning of spring, and Jingchachen feels that it can start. At this time of the year, the performance appraisal of the Ministry of Officials is carried out, and the minister feels that the performance appraisal of Jingcha and the Ministry of Officials can be put together. Zhou Jiamo saw that the Emperor of the Apocalypse did not speak, so he spoke, but his tone was full of temptation.

Obviously, the things that the Emperor of the Apocalypse took out just now had already made Zhou Jiamo aware of something, and he was a little more careful when he spoke, so he didn't say anything until he understood the Emperor of the Apocalypse's thoughts. Zhou Jiamo has been an official for many years, and he deeply understands how to be a courtier.

The Emperor of the Apocalypse nodded slowly, and after a deep sigh, he said: "Aiqing is indeed seeking the country, Jingcha is the leader of the ministry, Aiqing will do it himself!" I still have trust in Aiqing. ”

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the minister must be honest!" Listening to the words of the Emperor of the Apocalypse, Zhou Jiamo suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, and the expression on his face was much more relaxed.

"Zhou Aiqing, I have a word that I have to remind you!" The Emperor of the Apocalypse looked at Zhou Jiamo directly, and the expression on his face became very serious.

Zhou Jiamo, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly became nervous, and gave a respectful salute and said, "The emperor's teachings!" ”

After pondering for a long time, the Emperor of the Apocalypse softened his expression a little, and said in a gentle tone: "Aiqing's family has only a thousand hectares of land, and most of them are left by the ancestors. Aiqing has been an official for many years, and her family's land has only increased by 200 acres. Every year, except for the filial piety of his disciples, Aiqing has not had any place to collect money. When I saw Jinyiwei's report that day, I felt very comforted. The Ming Dynasty has a minister like Aiqing, which is the blessing of the Ming Dynasty, the blessing of me, and the blessing of the people in the world. ”

Every word of the Emperor of the Apocalypse hit Zhou Jiamo's heart, and his face gradually became gloomy from the original shock.

"Your Majesty, it is the duty of an official to be honest and honest, and if the courtiers can't do this, they are really disappointed by the emperor's grace. The minister should be like this, if the emperor thinks so, it will be gratifying, and the minister doesn't know what to say! Zhou Jiamo's voice was very low, his family had 800 acres in the sky, of which 600 acres were left by his father, and the remaining 200 acres were accumulated over the years.

Nodding with satisfaction, the Emperor of the Apocalypse said with emotion: "Yes! Aiqing said it well! Duty. There are very few people in the world who can do it like Aiqing, and with Aiqing's words, I am very relieved. This is exactly what I want to say to Aiqing, Aiqing should not treat others with himself, Aiqing is like this, it does not mean that others are like this. I believe that Aiqing will know more about officialdom and officials than I do. I want to tell Aiqing that you can let go of what happens, and I will make the decision for you! ”

Picking up his clothes and kneeling on the ground, Zhou Jiamo's expression was extremely excited, and his voice trembled and said, "The emperor is sage!" Ministers should be smeared with their livers and brains to repay the grace of God! ”

For many years, clarifying the rule of officials has been Zhou Jiamo's long-cherished wish, and now he has seen the light