The hundred officials have gradually arrived in the palace, and the prince is accustomed to such a scene, and only waits quietly, without counting the specific number of people. But when everyone stood in line, they saw that there were no more people outside the door, and they realized that one member was missing.

"Who hasn't arrived yet?" The prince asked, flicking his sleeves.

Su Zongshan swept the surroundings with his eyes, and then replied: "Your Highness, for some reason, the Ye Soldier Department has not yet arrived. ”

The prince's face was displeased: "Even if Ye Yongjia doesn't come, he should hand over the recital and state the reason, what kind of system will it be if he is absent for no reason?" Hurry up and go to the military department to ask! ”

So he summoned a little eunuch and went to the military department to inquire about the news, and after a while, he took a report back, knelt down and said: "The slave went to the military department, only to see Cai Shilang come out alone to answer, saying that Ye Shangshu was suddenly dizzy and his body was weak, and he was temporarily resting in the study. After a moment of refreshment, come and discuss. There is a report written by Cai Shilang as evidence. ”

"Your Highness, don't listen to the prevarication of the military department," Zeng Liangyi said vigorously, "Ye Yongjia has not suffered from any serious illness recently, and his body is very healthy, how could he suddenly faint?" The eunuch should be asked to come into the house to visit, and if there is no fraud, the ministers and others will be convinced. ”

The prince was about to nod his head, but when he saw that Chen was busy, he said again: "Xiang Zhi is too reckless. If you are suspicious because of this, you want to pull up the posture and tear your face to fight, which is really not conducive to the overall situation of the government. It's better to calm down and wait. ”

The prince listened to the suggestions of these two sides, his face was confused, and he became more and more undecided, who knew that the Hunan people would still disturb his emotions, and said loudly: "His Royal Highness the prince, the election cannot be delayed, if you blindly focus on the peace of the group, it will be a big mistake!" If he doesn't come, forget it, we'll discuss ours! ”

"Alright, alright," the prince rubbed his temples, then waved his hand lightly to calm the crowd, "everything you say has a point. However, Ye Yongjia is an important minister of the state after all, and he is indispensable, so he should wait patiently for a while, but he must not change the date for this matter. Once it doesn't come for a long time, it will be promoted! ”

Cui Yi rushed back to Zhongshu Province on Ye Yongjia's orders, and saw Hu Chonglian sitting in the room as usual, although he was angry, he was in no mood to fight with him now, so he hurriedly asked, "Master Hu, is that bookstore here again?" ”

"No," Hu Chonglian stroked his beard leisurely and glanced at him, "Didn't I tell him to rest?" With such good weather, I guess I slept in it. ”

"Please take a few more steps and follow me to find this person," Cui Yi shook a few times and begged bitterly, "Lord Ye has already accepted a plan from me, as long as you are willing to share my heart and move him, you will be able to complete the election!" ”

"That person is Prime Minister Su's confidant," Hu Chonglian muttered, "It's just ......"

"Don't say anything 'just'," Cui Yi pulled him up, "If this matter can't be done, and Master Ye is really dismissed, who will take care of the affairs of the year for you?" ”

Hu Chonglian had no choice but to follow him out of the guest room, all the way to the lobby of the capital province, and saw that the circle chairs on all sides were empty, so he followed into the inner room, and there was nothing. Cui Yi was anxious until he broke through the rooms, and finally looked at the book office in the inner study, and was lying in his clothes, fortunately he didn't sleep.

"The two...... What's the matter? The clerk hurriedly sat up and put the official uniform on the bedside.

"Under ...... No, it's Lord Ye," Cui Yi said in a hurry, his words were not good, and he gestured with his gestures, "Lord Ye has a 100,000 urgent matter, and I want you to tell Prime Minister Su!" ”

The secretary was a little confused: "Su, Lord Su is discussing things in the main hall, how can I tell him?" ”

"But this matter cannot be delayed!" Cui Yi gritted his teeth, "As long as you are willing to go to the main hall to report a message, I will give you as much silver as you want!" ”

The secretary got out of bed and hurriedly saluted: "The two of you are distinguished guests, and they came on the orders of the ministers in the ministry, how dare I ask for bribes arbitrarily and find awkwardness for myself." It doesn't hurt to speak! ”

"You go and say to Prime Minister Su: 'Recently, the internal servants are in urgent need of documents, and Ye Bingbu does not plan to offer them all, but is willing to help you and the Ministry of Industry to clear the matter of embezzlement of ink and silver, but you need to elect Minghuiguang as the provincial minister as a return. At present, the Ministry of Industry has sent Langzhong Hu Chonglian to persuade him, hoping that you will promise! If it can be done, Cui is grateful! ”

"If it's something that needs to be reciprocated, I don't dare to say it to the prime minister," Cui Yi's mouth said quickly, but the secretary heard it clearly, so he was a little more cautious, "If he said it, not only would he not agree, but he would also complain to me that he couldn't get off the stage." I understand the plight of both of you, and you should also think about my future. ”

Cui Yi pointed at Hu Chonglian: "Isn't this the person I just said?" If you don't know the situation and have doubts, ask him. ”

Hu Chonglian smiled and said, "Shuban, how many times have I met you, and you still don't trust me anymore?" Which of the people around Prime Minister Su is not good with Hu? At that time, Niu Yuan almost cut off my head, but it was thanks to the conspiracy between Master Su and Chen Gong that I escaped the catastrophe. If he has been gracious to me, how can I take revenge? What's more, in the ICBC case, I was involved in the same case as Cheng, and it was closely related, if I hurt him, I would harm myself! ”

Of course, the secretary knew about his relationship with Su Zongshan, and when he saw him speak so emotionally, he couldn't help but be shaken and paced. Cui Yi stared at him directly, and he was about to raise his heart to his throat.

"I'm ......" The bookstore suddenly stopped, and Cui Yi looked at him slowly, "Let's go." ”

"Thank you! Thanks a lot! Cui Yi finally breathed a long sigh of relief, and his voice couldn't help but be raised - for a moment, it was as if the sweet and sour taste had all flowed in his throat.

The secretary said 'don't dare' twice, then said goodbye to the two, put on his official uniform, and walked out, and the two sent him straight to the gate of the capital province before giving up.

"What time is it?" Cui Yi glanced up at the sky, and the sun was already on the roof of the palace in the distance, as if it was slowly about to set.

"I repaired the clock, I looked, it's almost a moment."

"Shen, Shen Shi ...... moment" Cui Yi shuddered, he thought silently in his heart, "It seems to be much later than I thought...... If four or five quarters have passed, the courtiers' wait may be the limit...... Time is running out. ”

"Shen Shi Shi two o'clock!"

When the secretary office of the Zhongshu Province walked through the temple gate, he heard the eunuch shout like this. But he was full of thoughts about what Cui Yi told him, and he didn't care about it, so he quickly climbed the steps, and only when he saw the hundred officials in the hall did he deliberately slow down.