Wei Xiangshu taught Chen Tingjing the word "waiting", and his father-in-law taught him the word "forbearance". His "waiting" and "forbearance" have passed more than ten years. At this time, Chen Tingjing was already a bachelor in charge of the Hanlin Academy, a teacher and a scholar, a waiter in the Ministry of Rites, and the president of the "Qing Taizu Record". Yueyuan gave birth to two sons early, the eldest name is Yu Peng, and the second name is Zhuangshu.

Chen Tingtong was promoted early, but he failed to be promoted again, and he was too lazy to be killed, and he didn't want to end up again. Chen Tingjing had no choice but to find him an errand in Beijing and make a pen post in the Ministry of Industry. This Chen Tingtong and his brother are two personalities, and they only sigh that their lives are not good before they become famous, and they have not met nobles. He always looks at the empty house to go up and out.

One summer night, Chen Tingtong wanted to visit the Pearl Mansion. Mingzhu has long been a scholar of Wuyingdian University, a prince and a teacher, and a scholar of the Ministry of Officials. Chen Tingtong was wandering outside the Mingzhu Mansion when he suddenly saw a sedan chair coming and hurriedly dodged. It turned out to be Gao Shiqi who got off the sedan car. Gao Shiqi is still only a cabinet secretary, but he walks in the south study. He was very surprised to see someone hurrying away. When the moon was in the sky, like daylight, he actually recognized someone, so he shouted, "Isn't it the court commander?" What are you doing standing outside? ”

Chen Ting's face was embarrassed, and he walked over and said, "I want to meet Lord Ming, but I, a seven-rank little official, don't dare to enter Lord Ming's door!" ”

Gao Shiqi laughed and said, "Ah, yes, Ming Lord Lixian Corporal is known at home." Come, come with me! ”

Chen Tingtong still hesitated, and said, "But my hands are empty." ”

Gao Shiqi shook his head and said, "You might as well give it to me, I'll give you the door bag, and you can go in with me." ”

Gao Shiqi said, stepped forward and knocked on the door. The porter opened the door, saw that it was Gao Shiqi, and said with a smile: "Oh, Lord Gao, my lord is full of friends today!" You please! ”

Gao Shiqi took out a bag and handed it to the porter. The porter accepted it with a smile, but said: "The tall man is polite, and he has to reward the small one every time!" ”

Gao Shiqi also smiled, but secretly scolded this little king in his heart, if he didn't give him a door bag, Lord Bacheng Ming was inconvenient to entertain guests! Gao Shiqi was cold back then, and there were often times when he couldn't get the silver in hand, and he was not less angry with this porter in the Mingzhu Mansion!

Gao Shiqi entered the Ming Mansion and greeted the housekeeper Antu. Antu smiled: "Lord Gao, are you here?" ”

The housekeeper also wanted to collect the cash, Gao Shiqi handed over a package and said, "Butler Anda, it's been a few days." ”

Antu took the money and said, "The little one wants to be tall!" Hey, who's this? Antu looked at Chen Tingtong, and his eyes immediately turned cold.

Gao Shiqi said with a smile: "I brought, Chen Tingtong, the younger brother of Lord Chen Tingjing, who is on an errand in the Ministry of Industry. ”

Antu hurriedly arched his hand and said: "It turned out to be Lord Chen's younger brother, disrespectful and disrespectful!" ”

Chen Tingtong returned the salute and said, "I hope that the big housekeeper An will take care of it." ”

Antu led Gao Shiqi and Chen Tingtong to the Mingfu guest hall, and he heard someone shouting inside: "God counts, it's really God counts!" ”

Gao Shiqi heard this, and knew that it must be the capital's half-immortal Zu Zeshen here. Zu Zeshen's reputation is getting bigger and bigger, and even the prince and elder brother have invited him to look at him.

Antu asked Gao Shiqi and Chen Tingtong to wait outside the door and go in first. After a while, Antu came out and said, "Lord Ming, please!" ”

As soon as Gao Shiqi bowed down and entered the door, he heard Mingzhu laugh loudly and said, "Ah, Shiqi is here!" Take your seats! ”

Gao Shiqi hurriedly walked in front of Mingzhu, and asked for peace: "Shiqi meets Lord Ming!" ”

Mingzhu laughed again and said, "Shiqi is too polite, you and I are in one place all day, why bother with this extra gift?" Hey, who's this? ”

Gao Shiqi hurriedly turned around and beckoned Chen Tingtong to come forward, and said: "Chen Tingjing's younger brother Chen Tingtong is doing a pen post in the Ministry of Industry, and he wants to come to meet Master Ming, so I will bring him here." ”

Mingzhu hurriedly stood up, pulled Chen Tingtong to sit beside him, and said, "Ah, yes, it turned out to be Tingtong!" I've heard others talk about it a long time ago, and I've asked your brother about you! Hurry up, please take a seat! ”

Chen Tingtong's face was red, and he said: "Tingtong's pen post style, how can it be remembered by Lord Ming!" ”

Mingzhu shook his head and said: "You can't say that, everyone here today, many of you started from the pen post style." This Lord Samuha, the head of the household, he is in the hands of Lord Shunzhi, it is a pen post! ”

Chen Tingtong hurriedly got up and said goodbye: "Tingtong has seen Lord Samuha!" ”

Samuha put the pipe in his hand and smoked, laughed, coughed a few times, and said: "We are full of people, we are not as good as you Han people in reading, and we don't have so many flowery intestines in our stomachs, and our hearts are straightforward!" ”

Mingzhu was half disgusted, half joking: "Samuha, you are a scholar now, and you can't change this character!" ”

Gao Shiqi also smiled: "Lord Samuha has a good temperament, and there is no need for others to think about him." ”

As Gao Shiqi spoke, he nodded to all the adults present. He only knew that the room was full of guests, but his eyes were blank. It wasn't until I finished asking Mingzhu to say goodbye that I couldn't see anyone else. Sure enough, I saw that Zu Zeshen was also here, and the others were all old acquaintances, nodding to each other. At this time, the two maids bowed their heads and came in and fanned Gao Shiqi and Chen Tingtong. Chen Tingtong saw that there was a fan behind each adult.

Mingzhu pointed to a guest and introduced: "Speaking of the pen post style, there are really many people here who have become big officials from the pen post style!" This Lord Colkun was originally the seven-grade pen post style of the old man's ministry, and now he is the household department. ”

Chen Tingtong asked for peace again: "I've seen Lord Colkouen." ”

Mingzhu pointed to a hand-cranked fan again, and just wanted to open his mouth to introduce, Zu Zeshen interrupted him: "Lord Ming, you might as well introduce it later, and then talk about it after reading the next one." ”

Mingzhu smiled: "Ahhhh Tingtong, this is the ancestor Zeshen of the capital god, he faces, you don't need to report your birthday, you just need to point to one thing at will, you can say accurately, known as the iron mouth straight break! ”

Zu Zeshen nodded to Chen Tingtong: "Buyi Zu Zeshen!" I had a relationship with Brother Chen! ”

Chen Tingtong sat down, only to see the person with the fan in his hand pointing to the inkstone on the table, and said, "I look at this inkstone, what do you say?" ”

Zu Zeshen looked at the inkstone, and then looked at the fan shaker, and said: "This inkstone is thick and heavy, and the shape is octagonal, and this is the image of eight seats. The world calls the six departments eight, which shows that your official position is extremely respectful! ”

Everyone was amazed and sighed. This person's face is colorful, and he shakes the fan to be more elegant. Zu Zeshen turned his eyes and looked at Mingzhu: "Ming Xiang, since it is a face, can Zu say it bluntly?" ”

Mingzhu looked at the man and said, "Naturally, you want to speak up, what do you say?" ”

The man heard that Zu Zeshen seemed to have something to say, and his face changed, but he stubbornly said, "But it's okay to say it!" ”

Zu Zeshen nodded and said: "If Zu Mou said something straightforward, I hope you will forgive me!" Although the inkstone is the treasure of the reader, after all, it is an object in the study, not a material for the frontier! If you want to be a governor or governor in this life, I'm afraid that there will be no play! ”

Hearing Zu Zeshen say this, everyone was embarrassed, embarrassed to look at the man's face. The face of the person who shook the fan was embarrassed, but it was not easy to attack. Mingzhu suddenly burst out laughing, and everyone laughed too.

Mingzhu said with a smile: "Mr. Zu, this is a cabinet bachelor, a waiter in the Ministry of Works, a teacher of Shu Jishi, and the president of "Guwen Yuanlan" Xu Qianxue. Mr. Zu is really accurate, Lord Xu is the object in the study, the literary attendant in front of the emperor! The official position is extremely honorable! ”

Xu Qianxue laughed at himself: "After all, it's not the material of the territory!" ”

Zu Zeshen hurriedly apologized: "Lord Xu, offended, offended!" ”

Gao Shiqi saw that everyone was a little embarrassed, so he came up to play a round and diverted the conversation: "Mr. Zu, twenty years ago, Gao sold words in front of Baiyun Temple to make a living, and you saw my future at a glance. How about you take a look at it today? ”

Zu Zeshen shook his head and said: "Master Gao, you and I are old, we know the details, and I can't count them!" ”

Mingzhu was very interested and said, "Just for fun, let's take a look." ”

Gao Shiqi took out a handkerchief to wipe his face and said, "Just take my handkerchief and take a look." ”

Zu Zeshen nodded for a moment and said, "If you want to say that this hand towel, the silk is innocent, and it is a high-quality Yutang." The world called the Hanlin Academy as the jade hall, the tall man was favored by the emperor, and entered the Hanlin as a prisoner, which was very glorious. ”

Gao Shiqi hurriedly bowed his hand to the north: "Shiqi is grateful to the emperor, I am very grateful!" ”

Zu Zeshen smiled and said, "Zu is going to speak straight again." Although silk is used by elegant and wealthy people, it is too small after all. ”

Mingzhu asked with a smile: "Mr. Zu means that Shiqi can't do much?" ”

Zu Zeshen also felt embarrassed and said: "Zu is straightforward based on things, without thinking, not credible, not credible!" ”

Gao Shiqi didn't feel embarrassed, and said, "It's okay, it's okay." Shiqi was on an errand in front of the emperor, but he was just copying and writing, which was very trivial. As a courtier, no matter how useful it is, it is just a small minister, and only our emperor is the one who is in heaven and earth. ”

Mingzhu said: "Shiqi is not a small use! He is now on an errand in the south study, listening to the oracles all day long! At this time, Samuha tapped the pipe in his hand and said, "Mr. Zu, show me this pipe!" ”

Zu Ze looked at the cigarette pipe deeply, condensed slightly, and said with a smile: "The cigarette pipe in the hand of Lord Samuha is made of three sections, and the adult is also an official. I don't know if Zu is right? ”

Mingzhu clapped his hands and smiled: "Mr. Zu, you are really a god!" ”

Samuha hurriedly grabbed the conversation: "I have been worshipping in the court for more than 30 years, and it is indeed three ups and downs!" ”

There was a man next to Xu Qianxue who couldn't sit still for a long time, stood up and said, "I will also take this pipe to look at the face, see what you say." ”

Zu Zeshen no longer looked at the pipe, only looked at the man and said, "Congratulations, my lord, you are about to let go of your foreign position as a school administrator!" ”

The man looked at Mingzhu in surprise, and then turned back to Zu Zeshen and asked, "How can I say it?" ”

Zu Ze said with a deep smile: "Cigarettes can't fill your stomach, just like this political envoy, not an official who makes a fortune." And the pipe breathes for people all day long, just like the school politician who puffs for the hard students all year round. Isn't this going to be a school politician? ”

Mingzhu asked, "This is God!" This is Lord Ashan, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites. The emperor ordered a few scholars this time, and Lord Ahsan was among them. There are really not many Manchu officials who do academic politics, but Ah Shan is highly valued by the emperor. But this matter has not been talked about outside! ”

Ah Shan said: "It is exactly what Mr. Zu said, Xuezheng is an official who can't make a fortune in the end." It's like Lord Samuha, although it is said that there are three ups and downs, but the governor and the governor have done it, and now he is the secretary of the household department. ”

Zu Zeshen said again: "Don't worry, Lord Ahsan will be the governor and governor after all!" ”

Ahsan asked, "How do you say that?" ”

Zu Zeshen said: "Isn't the smoke more and more red you smoke? Your future is getting more and more prosperous! ”

Colcoin became interested, and said, "Since the two adults are looking at this pipe, and it is accurate, I will also take the pipe." ”

Zu Ze looked at Colcoin deeply, and hurriedly arched his hand: "Congratulations, my lord, you are about to become a wealthy official." ”

Colcoin asked, "It's really strange, Lord Ahsan is a cold official with a cigarette pipe fortune telling, how can I get rich?" ”

Zu Ze smiled deeply: "This pipe was originally made of old roots, but it was inlaid with silver. Root to wood and add gold, it's a silver word, presumably Lord Colquin is going to take care of the money law. ”

Kolkun looked at the pearl and then at Samuha, and was stunned. Mingzhu laughed early and said, "God, what a god!" Lord Samuha has promoted Colkun to be the overseer of the Baoquan Bureau, and the emperor has approved it! ”

Samuha hurriedly said: "It's all made by the Ming Xiangguo!" ”

Colkun bowed his hand to the two adults and said, "Ming Xiangguo and Lord Samuha, I am extremely grateful!" ”

"Since it's so accurate, I'll also count this pipe." It was Fu Lun, the servant of the ministry, who spoke.

Before Zu Zeshen could speak, Mingzhu laughed first and said, "Today, this pipe has eaten up the fireworks in the world, and everyone has done it." ”

Zu Ze looked at Fu Lun deeply and said, "Congratulations, my lord, you have to go down to be the governor immediately." ”

Mingzhu was taken aback first and asked, "How do you say this?" ”

Zu Zeshen said: "I have calculated where Lord Fulun will be the governor. You're going to Shandong! ”

Fu Lun bowed deeply to Zu Ze and said, "I really obey you." But what can I say about that? ”

Zu Zeshen said: "The cigarette pipe was originally a hole pipe, Shandong is the hometown of Confucius, where are you going if you don't go to Shandong?" ”

At this time, Chen Tingtong quietly pulled Gao Shiqi's sleeve. Gao Shiqi understood what he meant, so he said, "Mr. Zu, can you show Tingtong as well?" ”

Zu Ze looked at Chen Tingtong deeply and said, "It's better not to look at it." ”

Chen Tingtong said: "Please take a look at Mr. Zu, and let Tingtong eat this bowl of rice with a bottom in his heart!" I'll take this pipe too. ”

Zu Zeshen said: "Since you insist on watching, Zu will cut it off." The pipe is the most snobbish thing, when it can be used, it is hot, and when it is not needed, it is cold in an instant. If that's the case with a pipe, it's okay, it's a pipe anyway. If that's the case, it's going to be terrible! ”

Chen Tingtong was suddenly ashamed and sweating. Mingzhu was busy playing the round and asked: "Mr. Zu, why do you look at the same cigarette pipe, how can you conjure up so many words?" ”

Zu Zeshen smiled mysteriously: "There is a mystery in it, and I can't say it in one or two sentences." Ming Xiangguo, let me tell you something interesting. When Suo Etu hadn't had an accident yet, he looked for me. There are many opinions on Xiangyuan, Suo Etu took out the knife on his waist and said that he would take this knife to see. I knelt down as I listened, terrified. ”

Mingzhu was also frightened and asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Zu Zeshen said: "I don't dare to count, if you say it, Master Suo, you will definitely kill me." Suo Etu said, you just say it's okay, I can't blame you for my life. I said, "I dare to say it if you spare me not to die." Suo Etu said, the old man spares you from dying. I just said, the knife is broken, my lord, there is a word in your name, you have been worried about your life recently! ”

Mingzhu's eyes straightened when she listened, and she asked, "What did he say?" ”

Zu Zeshen said: "Suo Etu's face turned white with fright at that time, but he immediately laughed, and only said that as an adult in the guard, a first-class uncle, the emperor's grace is vast, how can he worry about his life!" I said that God can bless you, and it is your blessing. But according to the calculations, you are a little difficult, it is better to be careful. Suo Etu just didn't believe it. The result? Everybody saw it. ”

It turned out that Suo Etu had fought with Mingzhu for many years, and finally lost, and now he was idle at home. Mingzhu sighed: "Suo Etu was supposed to die according to his crimes, and I protected him in front of the emperor!" ”

Everyone explained that Xiangguo is really the old saying, the prime minister can hold the boat in his belly. Mingzhu suddenly saw that Chen Tingtong was still embarrassed, so he arched his hand to everyone and said: "You don't have to care, in my home, it's not as good as inside the yamen, please feel free, it's okay to say anything." Tingtong, Brother Ling and I often argue in front of the emperor, but we are good friends in private. Brother Ling is knowledgeable and loyal, I admire him very much! ”

Chen Tingtong said: "Lord Ming, my brother is a little old-fashioned, don't take it to heart." ”

Gao Shiqi patted Chen Tingtong's hand and said, "Ming Xiang is a magnanimous person. ”

Colcoin has a stubborn temperament, he wanted to please Mingzhu and flatter Gao Shiqi, but what he said was very confused: "Everyone said, the prime minister is really the prime minister's belly can support the boat." Let's just say that this tall man, everyone knows that he is from Suo Etu's family, and everyone in the world also knows that Lord Ming and Suo Etu are incompatible. Look at it, isn't Lord Gao still a guest of honor in this Ming Mansion? ”

The whole audience couldn't help laughing and looked at Gao Shiqi. Gao Shiqi talked and laughed freely, and said: "So, Gao is really ashamed!" ”

Mingzhu shook his hand and said, "Where are the words." I make friends with pearls, and the sea is inclusive. As long as you can afford the old man, you can enter the door at any time. ”

Colquin asked Chen Tingtong: "Tingtong, I don't know what Brother Ling does when he goes out of the yamen every day, and he never comes out for a walk. ”

Mingzhu said: "Master Chen is a scholar, but the emperor often summons him to speak!" ”

Colquin disagreed, and said: "It is not Lord Chen who wants to speak to the emperor alone, so it is said that Ming Xiangguo, Lord Xu, and Lord Gao here are all going to be ordered to speak. ”

Mingzhu waved his hand and said, "Colquin, you are not allowed to talk about Lord Chen anymore." Tingjing and I have been friends for more than 20 years. ”

Gao Shiqi looked very emotional: "The Ming Prime Minister is kind-hearted, and he has the style of an ancient minister!" ”

Colquin is still holding on to this topic: "Chen Tingjing often works against Ming Xiangguo!" ”

Mingzhu seemed to be really angry: "Colquin, you are a scholar among our people, you understand things, you must not say that." Every time I argue with Tingjing in front of the emperor, we only have different views on things, but our hearts are the same, and we are both loyal to the emperor. ”

Chen Tingtong sat on pins and needles and said: "Master Ming is so considerate, my brother should know it in his heart." ”

Samuha said in a rough voice: "He knows a fart!" ”

Chen Tingtong blushed again. Mingzhu hurried to round the field, so that everyone could go down the steps. Talking and laughing, Mingzhu picked up the teacup and drank tea, and Chen Tingtong looked around everyone stiffly and saw that everyone was drinking tea.

Mingzhu was a person with very clear eyes, and hurriedly said: "Tingtong, the rule of officialdom is to serve tea to guests, don't see me drinking tea here, just urging you to leave." They all know it, and if I am tired, you are welcome, and I will naturally ask you to leave. ”

Chen Tingtong nodded in thanks, also picked up the teacup, and drank the tea slowly. It's chatting again, gossiping a lot. Suddenly, he heard the bell ringing, and Gao Shiqi arched: "Ming Xiangguo, it's not too early, I'll wait to say goodbye, you can rest." ”

Everyone hurriedly stood up and said goodbye. Mingzhu also stood up and returned the salute. Mingzhu deliberately took Chen Tingtong's hand and said, "Tingtong come and sit more, ask Brother Ling for the old man!" ”

Chen Tingtong's heart was warm when he listened, and his mouth couldn't stop chattering. When he retreated, he inadvertently saw the imperial plaque hanging above Mingzhu's head, with four big characters written on it: moderation and prudence. The origin of this plaque is known to the whole dynasty, it was originally the pearl and the country with the handle of the handle for many years, each planting friends and fighting for power and profit, the emperor wrote these four words to them, intended to warn. There is also such a plaque hanging on Suo Etu's house, which is exactly the same.