Wang Qiong was ecstatic after receiving the holy decree, and after more than ten years of hard work, he went from Zhejiang to Shaanxi, and the step that he tried hard but could not get closer suddenly came.

In fact, it took him a few years to understand, when today's son is very assertive, since he arranged for him in Shaanxi, he must have his intentions, just like when he was asked to go to Zhejiang.

So there is almost no other way than patience and hard work.

But this kind of waiting is very grinding, and now it is finally out of the way, and it is all of a sudden the book of the Ministry of Heavenly Officials, which is a step to the emperor's side.

People are in good spirits on happy occasions, and he rushed to the capital at full speed, just thinking that he would give this 'name' as soon as possible, and then get over the addiction of being the Jiuqing Dynasty earlier.

is to enter the palace, although he tried his best to hide it, Zhu Houzhao can still see a little joy from the corner of his eyes.

It's true that the older people get, the more greedy they become.

There is a saying called the color of juvenile precepts, the fight of middle-aged precepts, and the greed of old abstinences.

It is said that men are the most susceptible to temptation at each stage, the old man is not good, and he may be tired after fighting for a lifetime, but it is difficult to quit greed.

For example, Emperor Qianlong, in his later years, he was called greedy, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare treasures, and everything.

Wang Qiong changed into Jiuqing's round-necked red robe, privately embroidered official robe, and reckless beast crown chest, this is the glory and wealth of the world, but Zhu Houzhao himself only wore a cyan regular dress because it was not a formal occasion, which looked much more elegant.

The new secretary of the ministry, Zhu Houzhao does not plan to teach him how to be the secretary of the ministry, how to be his business, and if he is not good, he will change it.

He is mainly concerned about three things, one is the Ma Zheng of Shaanxi, the other is the local people's feelings, and the successor of the governor of Shaanxi.

Wang Qiong stood beside the emperor and said: "Shaanxi is close to the frontier, and the imperial court has newly acquired Xinjiang, although it is a pioneering move, but Jiayuguan is mostly foreigners, Yang Yiqing is to enrich the frontier and sparse immigrants, but at the same time, Shaanxi has also entered a lot of foreign people. ”

Since they are all the territory of the Ming Dynasty, people from Shaanxi can go to Xinjiang, and people from Xinjiang can naturally go to Shaanxi.

And how to manage a multi-ethnic place requires some means and wisdom.

Zhu Houzhao pondered, "What Aiqing said is that it seems that the governor of Shaanxi still has to be entrusted with talents. ”

"There is one minister, who is willing to recommend it to the emperor."

"You are now a secretary of the ministry, this is not a recommendation, this is your duty, but there is no urgency, wait a little longer."

Wang Qiong encountered obstacles here, and immediately had an epiphany in his heart, the emperor does not like people to leave and stay in the name, and he does not walk cleanly.

"Yes, the old minister will obey His Majesty's will."

Zhu Houzhao naturally knows that this kind of person has a lot of thoughts, because he has seen all the complexity of people's hearts in the world along the way, and he will inevitably not be simple.

Looking at his face, you can know that this guy has a lot of thoughts in his heart.

This is an official who is completely different from Wang Wei and other Qingliu.

However, it is unlikely that he will monopolize power, and it will only be possible to seize power, be greedy for money, and exclude dissidents......

But such people are often the most capable of doing things.

Zhang Juzheng, a generation of famous ministers, has never used the world-famous Qing official Hai Rui, because he thinks that this kind of person has a tendon to do things and does not know how to be flexible, of course, the moral standard is very high, so he can just be supplied, and he can't be pulled out to do things.

In fact, when it comes to merit, some people do compare Wang Qiong and Zhang Juzheng.

This person is also the hero who quelled the rebellion of King Ning in history, and the world knows that this credit belongs to Wang Shouren, but Wang Shouren was only the governor of Southern Jiangxi at that time, and he had to listen to the orders of the court to act.

There is no one above, no one is an official.

At that time, Wang Shouren's top person was Wang Qiong, who served as the secretary of the military department.

Many thoughts flashed through Zhu Houzhao's mind, and when he returned to the old man's body, he saw that he was wrinkled, his eyes were heavily pocketed, and his hair was grayer than the last time he saw him.

Fifty-seven years old.

In ancient times, the top intelligent politicians had an unfathomable feeling after going through the sea and reaching this age.

"Are you...... Shanxi people? ”

Wang Qiong was slightly stunned, "Yes, the old minister is from Taiyuan, Shanxi." ”

"Twenty years of Chenghua?"

How did this start to be nostalgic for the ancients.

"The experience of the old minister is not worth mentioning, let alone His Majesty's memory."

Zhu Houzhao crossed his hands and hugged him to his chest, he was straight, and the courtiers on the side were a little rickety, but this guy was getting older, and Jiajing had seen any account of him in ten years.

It seems that he has returned to the court as an official.

I can't remember exactly, but there should be such a thing.

"In this way, you are also a veteran of the Three Dynasties."

"The old minister didn't think about this, the old minister is just His Majesty's courtier."

"Yes, no, no, why not? You Wang Qiong is the patriarch of the Three Dynasties, even if I am the emperor, I can't forcibly change you to the patriarch of the Two Dynasties, right? ”

Wang Qiong chuckled, the emperor's tone was calm, and he was still happy in his heart.

"You don't have to think about it, just think of it as me chatting with you, sometimes it's quite boring in the palace." Zhu Houzhao continued to recount his past, "You have been the head of the Ministry of Industry, you have been the Langzhong of Dushui, you have been the prefect of Hangzhou, Xuzhou and other places, you have been a political envoy in Shandong and Henan, and you have been a governor in Zhejiang and Shaanxi. You should be very familiar with civil and military affairs. After so many years, you have finally reached the step of the Ministry of Justice, but you are almost the year of deafness. ”

Wang Qiong said with a smile: "Your Majesty is well-read and knowledgeable, what he said is not bad at all, the old minister is fifty and seven years old this year, but looking back on the past, I always feel that my time has been wasted, and I have not made any contributions for Your Majesty, and I feel deeply guilty in my heart." ”

Zhu Houzhao knew that this guy's 'hypocrisy' couldn't be changed for a while, so let him talk nonsense like this, but he wanted to say something very true, "I sometimes think about whether I can live to fifty-seven...... Or, let's put it this way, what would you think if you think you don't have a few years left? Aiqing, I'm not cursing you, you are indeed getting bigger and bigger, but at the same time, the days are getting fewer and fewer. ”

Wang Qiong nodded, "What Your Majesty said is true. Especially after the Mandate of Heaven, Lao Chen felt that his teeth were loose and his energy was declining, and he was no longer as good as he was back then. ”

Zhu Houzhao's eyelids jumped, "That's it?" Can you still do a good job in this position of secretary of the ministry? ”

Wang Qiong's heart trembled, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the emperor's order is in his body, and Weichen will definitely do his best, and there will never be any mistakes or omissions." ”

Really, this kind of person will continue to behave here if he is not scared.

Zhu Houzhao looked at him with a kind of 'you know' look, and made an expression that was not smiling.

Wang Qiong's eyes glanced up and fell quickly like a knee-jerk reaction, estimating whether he knew that his mind was being seen through, and it was in front of the emperor, or 'hehe' chuckled twice.

Never mind

As an emperor, you are not afraid that ministers love to be officials, but you are afraid that ministers do not like to be officials.

"I definitely believe that Aiqing will not make mistakes. What I said just now meant to remind Aiqing that as a person and as an official, you have been wonderful for most of your life, and don't make a mistake in the last two or three steps. ”

Wang Qiong immediately became colorful.

The emperor said meaningfully: "Since I ascended the throne, I have also gone through many officials who have gone down from high positions, they are either old and weak, or they have made mistakes, and everyone must take such a step, although as a bystander, sometimes I can't help but feel sad. The affection of the monarch and the minister is easy to say, but it is not easy to be true. Wang Qiong, I hope you and I can have this kind of gentlemanly affection. It will be passed on to future generations, and it will also be a good story. ”

Wang Qiong no longer hesitated, and immediately lifted his official robe and knelt on the ground, "The emperor knows the grace of the encounter, and the old minister feels five guilty, as the emperor said, the old minister is already a person who has half a body into the ground, and his life is short, except for being loyal and serving the emperor, the old minister has nothing else to think about!" ”

"Get up."

"Your Majesty."

"Let's make three chapters of the law, right?"

Wang Qiong was slightly puzzled, "Chapter 3 of the Law?" ”

"Hmm." Zhu Houzhao nodded, turned around and pointed at You Address, "After you go to Beijing to become a secretary of the Ministry of Justice, don't send any more money to You Address." ”

You Ji didn't react to this, but Wang Qiong was terrified, so she just got up and immediately knelt down again.

"Your Majesty...... The Emperor ......"

When he was about to 'talk nonsense', Zhu Houzhao leaned over to help him up again, and lowered his voice a few degrees, "I didn't mean to investigate you, and you shouldn't make up any lies to deceive me." Bribery and bullying are not the same crimes. ”

Wang Qiong only felt that the whole person was thrown into the air, and fell rapidly, and under the great fear, the train of thought was directly broken.

After the emperor finished speaking, he actually nodded his head like this, which was regarded as a tacit acquiescence.

But Zhu Houzhao really didn't intend to pursue him, let alone You Ji, he had befriended Liu Jin when Liu Jin was there.

Boom, Wang Qiongsheng swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and when he looked at the emperor again, he couldn't help but feel more fear.

This is Emperor Zhengde.

"The second point of my covenant with you is a bit difficult for you, but I must ask you that you must not deceive the king."

Wang Qiongxin said what this is called, "Your Majesty is so kind to the old minister, how can the old minister bully the king?" ”

"I'll listen to you. But I still want to explain this to you first, you are not a person like Wang Wei, and I will not ask you with his set, otherwise I will be able to clean you up by virtue of your friendship. All in all, I found out that you had deceived the king...... You have to understand for yourselves,"

"The old minister understands, there is no need for the emperor to say more, the old minister will come to see him."

Zhu Houzhao didn't know whether it would work or not, but he should explain to him that it was okay to play a role of six or seven percent, "The third point is that I will grant you the right to fold secretly, and you don't have to say much about this matter." In fact...... In my opinion, with your ability, this official is very good, because you understand my holy will, so you will not make a big mistake in the matter in your hands, I really don't know how to solve it, a note into the palace, just say it truthfully. Upload and distribute, tell the truth, and don't do it yourself too complicated. Do you understand? ”

Such an old man is not easy to accept, Zhu Houzhao is just a combination of grace and power in the final analysis.

"You are here."

"The slave is here."

"Return the silver you have taken from others over the years to the old heavenly officials of the Ming Dynasty." Zhu Houzhao squinted at Wang Qiong sideways, "Wang Qiong, You Ji has saved a lot of money for you, and he is not related to you, and he has worked hard to save a lot of belongings for you." You have to invite You Yi to a good drink and explain this kindness well. Besides, with this silver, you will take less in the future, and you really want to take it, and explain the reason to me clearly. ”

Even if Wang Qiong has rich experience as an official, he has never seen an emperor who acts like this in the history books, and he has long admired the five-body body in his heart, and said to him abruptly: "Old minister, thank you for your majesty's forgiveness!" ”

"Alright, you two go."

Wang Qiong has given You Ji a lot of silver over the years, after all, he is the eunuch who is the master of ceremonies, so he can't be stingy.

However, he didn't expect that You Ji would tell the emperor everything.

Now that I think about it, some of the things he did when he was patrolling Shaanxi seemed to be the meaning of the celebrant You Ji, but in fact, it was just the emperor saying it through You Ji's mouth.

When he accompanied You Ji on the way out of the palace, his mood gradually stabilized after a long time.

When he looked at You Ji again, he had a feeling that he wanted to scold but didn't dare to scold, after all, this old eunuch sold him thoroughly, "Father-in-law You!" ”

You Ji also understood, he bowed down, "Don't blame the heavenly official, our family's qualifications are dull, and we can't deceive the emperor in any way." As for the silver of all these years, it was twelve hundred and eighty-eight thousand taels, and it was delivered later. ”

This is the silver that the Holy Decree will give him, and although Wang Qiong is uncomfortable receiving it, he still has to take it.

Moreover, the emperor asked him to invite You Di to drink in return for his kindness, don't be stupid to listen to the original meaning.

The money is all clear, and it will not be allowed to be sent in the future, which is clearly a meal of 'breaking off wine', and there is no need to worry about them continuing to pay after drinking.

There's a bad saying that it's easy to break trust between people, but it's hard to build.

From today onwards, Wang Qiong will no longer trust You Di, why do you keep keeping it?

Wang Qiong had a complicated mood, as soon as she arrived in Beijing, she already felt how deep the water here was after a trip to the Forbidden City.

Alas, this righteous son of heaven, the old man looked back deeply again, and finally went out of the palace.