Xue Chongxun and Zhang Shuo spent a little time alone in the name of having fun in the Qinglou between the water clouds, Xue Chongxun took the opportunity to remind Zhang Shuo of some things, and he took great pains to promote Zhang Shuo to make a Zhongshu order, and his power was above several other prime ministers, of course, not only because of his friendship with Zhang Shuo or his appreciation of his talent. From the day Zhang Shuo was promoted, Xue Chongxun and his staff group had already formed a complete set of arrangements.

After the two finished talking, it was noon, so they ordered some wine and food to eat in the water and clouds, and after lunch, they drank tea and prepared to leave.

Xue Chongxun just walked to the door of the house, turned his head and said to Meng Xiaoyu, who was saying goodbye: "A few months ago, the house bought some new slaves and maids, and the women who were convicted of the official eunuchs were still passable, and they didn't come in handy for a while. If you wish, you can come to my house and teach them singing and dancing instruments, so that when there is a banquet for guests in the future, you can let them sing and dance. ”

Suddenly put forward the invitation without warning, Meng Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, and muttered: "Mom, I'm afraid I won't be willing to leave......"

Xue Chongxun said: "You don't have to worry about this, as long as you are willing, I will send someone to talk to Sister Du about other things." But you don't have to force it, if you feel happy in the water and clouds, I don't force it. You think about it first, and after thinking about it, just go to the Jin Palace, and tell Xue Liu. ”

"Xue Lang...... Is this to buy me? Meng Xiaoyu showed a reluctant smile.

Xue Chongxun nodded in acknowledgement, and she said again: "How long can I buy it, and who will I sell it to in the future?" ”

Xue Chongxun was stunned, beckoned Meng Xiaoyu to come over, and whispered in her ear: "Forever." ”

Meng Xiaoyu suddenly "giggled" and laughed, leaning forward and backward with laughter, and her tears almost burst out of her eyes. Zhang Shuo, who was provoked on the side, was also curious, I don't know what words Xue Chongxun said to achieve such an effect.

Meng Xiaoyu said a little breathlessly: "Xue Lang is really good at laughing." ”

Xue Chongxun's face was expressionless, and he said to Zhang: "Zhang Xianggong, please." Then he hugged his fist to Meng Xiaoyu and said goodbye.

Sister Du personally sent them to the gate, saw them go away before turning back, came back to the pavilion, and saw that Meng Xiaoyu's room was still hanging a sign, so she took down the wooden sign casually. Hearing the chatter inside and the voice of Yun Niang next door, Sister Du shouted: "In broad daylight, you chew your tongue, you all drink the northwest wind!" ”

Yun Niang's voice said: "It's only been like this, I'll go over immediately." ”

When Sister Du left to be busy with other things, Yun Niang inside excitedly said to Meng Xiaoyu again: "I really envy my sister, I have climbed the high branches." ”

Meng Xiaoyu sighed: "What kind of high branches to climb, where is it not the same, he wants to buy me in the past just to teach the singers in their house, it's not singing and dancing like this, but we can only do this." ”

"How is that person to people, we are sisters to kindly remind you, don't be disobedient...... In case their family sells you again in two years, my sister won't be worth what she is now. If that's the case, it's better to stay in the water and clouds, Sister Meng is quite popular, and she will definitely be able to save some money to buy an industry while she is young, and she will have a way to eat and drink in the future. ”

Meng Xiaoyu remembered that at the beginning they were talking about national affairs in this room, and Prime Minister Zhang Cheng's worried look was also seen by her, thinking that it was a more important matter. At this time, Meng Xiaoyu's face was slightly red, and he said in a low voice: "It's okay with people." ”

Yun Niang smiled: "Then my sister wants to congratulate you, in fact, it's a good thing, although it's still a slave, but there is a stable dìng to rely on, isn't it?" You didn't look at the Haonu dog on North Street, how powerful it is. If Sister Meng is out in the future, don't forget about our sisters, hum, so that others don't dare to bully us! ”

This little lady talked a lot, chattering non-stop, and then said, "Sister also has to think more, don't be deceived like last time, there are few good things for men...... Yo, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned that, you're not angry, are you? ”

Meng Xiaoyu shook his head and said gloomily: "It's been so long, why are you angry?" But I can't blame others, just blame me for not being very sensible before, in this land of fireworks, we are a woman in the dust, what is the meaning of saying anything else just on the spot? ”

"Oh, sister, don't be too despised about yourself, didn't you hear those men say that the little lady in the water and clouds is better at understanding than the lady in the family?"

Meng Xiaoyu smiled and was noncommittal. At this time, Yun Niang said: "I have to pass, let's talk again when I have to be empty." ”

After Xue Chongxun returned home, he summoned Wang Changling and Yu Wenxiao to the inner house to discuss matters. Both of them are on duty in the pro-kingdom to the west of the palace, and it is not too far to go to the inner mansion, so Xue Chongxun is waiting for them to drink tea in the grass hall on the shore of the "Listening to the Rain Lake" in the inner mansion.

They are Xue Chongxun's most confidants, otherwise they would not have had the opportunity to come to the inner house, Wang Changling also sat at a table with Xue Chongxun's relatives and had dinner, and they are all very familiar and reliable people. When the two came to the cottage, Xue Chongxun told the two of them the content of the conversation he had with Zhang in the morning, so that they could understand the movements of the court as soon as possible.

Yu Wenxiao, who is forty or fifty years old, has a wrinkled face and ravines, dark and rough skin, and looks like he has experienced vicissitudes. He should be the result of years of traveling, but giving birth to a daughter is very good. Yuwen Xiao frowned and said, "Xue Lang is too casual to talk about this matter in that kind of place, I don't know if Zhang Shuo can understand it." ”

Wang Changling took over and said: "Zhang Xianggong is not stupid, didn't Xue Lang mention that he wanted to transfer the Shence army into Beijing to garrison, he must have understood immediately." ”

Wang Changling sat next to Yu Wenxiao, he was not yet twenty years old, and when he was compared with Yu Wenxiao's old face, he immediately looked thin and tender.

Xue Chongxun nodded: "Zhang Shuo will definitely understand, don't worry about this, I promoted him, he should know what to do in the position of prime minister." Now what I'm thinking about is, is Zhang said he is willing to do it? ”

Wang Changling lowered his head and muttered: "Zhang Xianggong has been a prime minister for many years, and his reputation is not low, such a person cares more about reputation, and it is unknown whether he is willing to be accused by the scholars." ”

"This is exactly what I can't completely determine, so I used to think about supporting Liu An to take the position, but Liu An's qualifications are really not enough, and he was suddenly pushed to the position of the prime minister to be unable to convince the public, and the traces are more obvious. After thinking about it, I still think that Zhang said that it was the most suitable candidate. Xue Chongxun said.

At this moment, Yu Wenxiao suddenly said confidently: "I dare to conclude that Zhang Shuo is definitely willing to be this prime minister." ”

Wang Changling and Xue Chongxun asked in unison, "Why?" ”

Yuwen Xiao said with a smile: "The young man is full of scriptures, and the old man is not as good as the old man in terms of strategy, but he is still more accurate in looking at people." Zhang said that this person did not have a close relationship with me, but I had a relationship with him when I was in Jingzhao Mansion, and this person thought very highly of himself. A person who thinks that the way of governing the country and the law of soldiers are all incomprehensible, he must be unwilling to do something if he doesn't want to do something, and now that he has the opportunity to preside over the overall situation by himself, he will definitely not let it go! ”

Wang Changling nodded while listening, "There is some truth", and Xue Chongxun also nodded: "When Yuwen Gong said this, it seems to be the same thing. A few years ago, Zhang said that he saw the increasing deterioration of the government and military system, and he wholeheartedly proposed the official health law, but now he looks back and verifies that his proposition is not of much help to his personal interests and career, and he just wants to do great things. ”

Yuwen Xiao said again: "Empress Dowager Gao is in the palace, and only Xue Lang has gone to win it in person, and you can see the actions of the court in a few days." As long as this thing is done, in Chang'an and even in the whole world, the general trend has been achieved. ”

At this time, Wang Changling suddenly said in a deep voice: "There is something I don't know whether to say or not. ”

Xue Chongxun said: "It's all my own people, what's not to say?" ”

"Okay, I'll have the courage to find out this joint and ask Xue Lang." Wang Changling sat up straight, and his cautious appearance made the other two look upright.

While pondering, he said slowly: "In recent years, we have been fighting for power, and if we continue like this, we will reach the situation of dictatorship. Wang had the courage to ask, what did Xue Lang want? It's time to set a goal, otherwise everyone will be tied up and won't be able to figure out what to do or not to do. Please forgive Wang's bluntness. ”

Xue Chongxun was silent after hearing this, and Yuwenxiao looked at him with expectant eyes, as if expecting Xue Chongxun to say: Lao Tzu wants to change the dynasty and become the emperor himself.

If it weren't for Wang Changling asking, Xue Chongxun himself would be avoiding this question, there is always a goal in doing things, what is his own goal? Is it seeking to become the emperor?

In fact, in Xue Chongxun's view, even in this era when the imperial system is generally recognized, it is definitely very difficult to climb to that position if it is not inherited by the crown prince. From the point of view of personal gains and losses, the bureaucratic elites seeking to usurp the throne is simply a loss-making business: the risks outweigh the benefits.

Most of the people who have this intention are careerists, not only wanting to ascend to the highest position themselves, but also thinking about their children and grandchildren, and thinking about receiving incense from all generations. Of course, if it was possible, even ambition immortalized, Qin Shi Huang's ambition swelled to that point.

But Xue Chongxun really didn't have that much ambition to ask himself, he just wanted to live well safely, in his opinion, living well when he was alive was more important than his reputation after death. If he were to sacrifice a single part of his life to chase a risky ambition, he was not ready...... This is also the reason why he often thinks that he is not qualified to be an imperial figure, and he cares too much about things besides power.

And if you really have that kind of ambition, you shouldn't say it directly in front of your staff, you can't say this kind of thing, you can only let others guess. So Xue Chongxun did not hesitate to pretend to be relaxed and said: "Young uncle, don't think too much, at the moment, we hold the authority of the country, and the most important thing is to maintain the peace of the world, avoid war, and save people from turmoil." And then everyone works together, and they also want the family around them to have a good life, right? ”

Wang Changling hugged his fists and saluted, and he didn't say much. Yu Wenxiao looked at Xue Chongxun, only to see that he was looking up at the sun in the west, and his gaze seemed to be far away...... G