Zhang Shande raised the curtain of the south study door and quietly opened his mouth inside. The ministers immediately put down their pens and got up, bowed their heads and went out. They were lined up on both sides in the open field outside the eaves, with Mingzhu and Chen Tingjing standing in the north, and Zhang Ying and Gao Shiqi standing in the south.

It was the height of summer, and the gold bricks on the ground were sprayed with sparks. Chen Tingjing saw Gao Shiqi glancing at the Qianqing Palace in the north, burying his head lower, and knew that the emperor had come out. The fool of the imperial guard walked into the south study quickly. The two fathers-in-law trotted over and also stood outside the eaves of the south study.

The four ministers quickly knelt down and watched the shadow of the emperor's canopy move past them. They looked down at the boots and shoes that passed quietly, and they knew that there were several guards and fathers-in-law who were accompanying the emperor. Chen Tingjing happened to see ants moving on the ground, as if there were thousands of troops, and it was very lively. When the emperor didn't speak, he felt that all kinds of things were in order, but Chen Tingjing seemed to hear the noise of the ants.

The prime minister's south study is Zhang Ying, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, and Gao Shiqi is in charge of copying the text because of that good handwriting. Both of them were on duty in the South Study every day. Mingzhu and Chen Tingjing first went to the Qianqingmen early court every day, and then went back to the ministry to do business, and then went to the south study to see the excerpts. The folds in all directions were first sent to the south study by the General Political Envoy; What the south study has to do every day is to read the excerpts and draft the ticket; The tickets for the south study are drafted, and the emperor is mostly accurate; The emperor approved it, and the vote was supposed to be the will of the saints.

The emperor entered the south study, Zhang Shande turned his head and Nunu's mouth, and the four ministers stood up. They were already sweating profusely, so they wiped their faces with their sleeves. Not long after, Zhang Shande came out to deliver the decree, saying that the emperor said that you should not stay under the sun, but wait in the underworld.

The ministers thanked them and went to the shade under the eaves of the stairs. In front of the door, three imperial guards stood in the east and west directions, each of them taking a few steps back to make way for the ministers. The ministers bowed their heads to the guards and still stood with their heads bowed, but they were thinking about their own things.

Mingzhu smiles at everyone, but Chen Tingjing knows that he is always on guard against himself. It turned out that Mingzhu and the Minister of the Guard, Suo Etu, had been fighting for power for many years, calling friends and attracting classes, planting private parties, and tilting each other. The people on Mingzhu's side are called the Ming Party, and the people on Suo Etu's side are called Suo Dang. Many princes and ministers are either Ming or Suo. Mingzhu and Suo Etu both wanted to pull Chen Tingjing by their side, but he didn't want to get involved in any circle, and he would give up to everyone and be perfunctory to everyone. In the end, Mingzhu thought that Chen Tingjing was the Suo Party, and Suo Etu regarded him as the Ming Party. Offended on both sides. Chen Tingjing calmed down, just as if he was fine. Back then, he learned two words from Master Wei and his father-in-law: wait and endure. In the past ten years, Chen Tingjing has realized one word by himself, that is, stability. Guarding this stable word, you may suffer some losses for a while, but you will not be unlucky. Mingzhu can be regarded as his benefactor, but after more than ten years of vicissitudes, the two have long been inseparable. He might as well sit on his bench and not move, no matter how others change the court. Chen Tingjing wrote a small article specifically for the three words of waiting, forbearance, and stability, but it was only a hidden treasure box, and the secret was not revealed.

When Suo Etu was about to be unlucky, the whole court was falling into the well, and many Suo Party minions also defected, but Chen Tingjing didn't say anything good or bad. Mingzhu became more and more unsure of what Chen Tingjing was thinking. Gao Shiqi usually welcomes Mingzhu very much, but the Manchu Dynasty knows that he is Suo Etu's person. Although Gao Shiqi later got the status of a prisoner and entered the Hanlin, in the eyes of those jinshi, he was still half a cut shorter. Gao Shiqi was angry in his heart, and he couldn't see a person like Chen Tingjing in his eyes. Chen Tingjing and Gao Shiqi had already married when they were waiting for the emperor to study in the Hongde Hall in their early years, and they would inevitably contradict each other in the future, but they kept everything in each other's stomachs. If it is not at the end of the day, Chen Tingjing will not bother with Gao Shiqi. Chen Tingjing knew that only Zhang Ying was an old adult, but the two of them did not say a few words of self-consideration.

Suddenly, the curtain of the door rang, and Zhang Shande came out quietly and said, "The emperor invited several ministers to come in and talk." ”

The ministers nodded and bowed in. The emperor was sitting on the yellow case on the kang and looking at the folds, and the fool was standing in front of the emperor with a knife. The Huang case was temporarily placed by the emperor when he arrived, and he had to be removed when the emperor left. The ministers knelt down in greeting, and the emperor lifted up his eyes to look at them, and told them all to get up and speak. Mingzhu waited for his thanks, and stood with his head bowed slightly, waiting for the emperor's instructions.

The royal saber on the yellow case, Xiao Shenfeng, is carried by a fool on weekdays, and the emperor takes it wherever he goes. The fool's name is Dahata, his body is thick and black, he looks simple and wooden, but he is really quick with his eyes and hands, and he is very liked by the emperor. The emperor was happy one day, and said in front of everyone, don't look at Dahata like a fool, he is clever, and his kung fu is the best in Dauchi! From then on, others only called him a fool when they saw him, but forgot his name. The name of the fool is a royal gift, and he is comfortable to listen to.

The emperor put down the fold in his hand, took a long breath, and said: "It has been seventeen years since I ascended the throne, and the days have passed so fast. It's been a tough year! I sleep with my eyes half-open! Ao worshiped the dictatorship, the three feudatories were in turmoil, and the four sides were also at war. Now the overall situation has been decided, and the country is gradually consolidated. Only Wu Sangui is still breathing in Yunnan, and it is only a matter of day and night to surrender him. ”

The emperor said that he sat alone for a long time this morning, checking and introspecting, and the past was full of emotion. The four ministers listened attentively, nodding their heads from time to time, but they all lowered their eyes. The emperor said, his eyes moved to Chen Tingjing, and said: "Chen Tingjing, you made the first contribution to cutting off the Ao worship back then!" ”

Chen Tingjing hurriedly thanked him and said, "The scholar of the minister, he has no power to tie the chicken, he is really ashamed!" They are all wise and wise of the emperor, assisted by Suo Etu's iron arm. The first work should be Suo Etu! ”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and no one would have thought that Chen Tingjing would talk about Suo Etu. Gao Shiqi glanced at Mingzhu, but Mingzhu bowed his head and said nothing. Gao Shiqi knelt down and played: "Your Majesty, Suo Etu is a party for personal gain, insatiable, and rude, just reprimanded by the emperor, Chen Tingjing actually set up a good evaluation for him, I don't know what his intentions are!" ”

Chen Tingjing also looked at Mingzhu, who still lowered his head, pretending to be deaf and dumb. Gao Shiqi wanted to put aside his relationship with Suo Etu in front of everyone. Gao Shiqi's thoughts, Chen Tingjing could see clearly, but he was in the way of the minister's body, and he could only play the emperor if he had something to say.

Chen Tingjing knelt down and played: "Your Majesty, the ministers talk about people and things, and the merits are clear!" ”

Gao Shiqi saw that the emperor was silent, and said: "Your Majesty, although Suo Etu has been reprimanded, the rest of the party is still there. The minister thought that Suo Etu had been in power for many years, and there were many people who tended to follow, some followed closely, and some secretly showed it. We should eliminate all the evil and leave no future troubles! ”

Gao Shiqi seemed to want to hint to the emperor that Chen Tingjing was probably the hidden Suo Party. The emperor was still silent, and the squeaky cicadas outside made people panic. It was very hot in the room, and the emperor didn't have a fan, so everyone could only stay up, and he didn't dare to wipe the sweat on his face.

Gao Shiqi wanted to know the emperor's face, but he didn't dare to look up. He couldn't help but raise his eyes to glance up, and just when he saw the emperor's knees, he was so frightened that he lowered his head. But since he said it, he didn't want to stop there, and said: "Although the DPRK and China have complicated connections, as long as they investigate in detail, they can see themselves clearly and distinguish between loyalty and treachery. ”

The emperor suddenly spoke: "Chen Tingjing, you can talk about it." ”

Chen Tingjing was still kneeling, leaning forward slightly, bowing his head and playing: "When Suo Etu was in power, the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty had a bottom in their hearts, and most of them were just afraid of his obscenity, or to protect their lives, or to deal with it in vain, or to be forced to submit. The emperor is generous and loving, and when he worshipped such a heinous minister, he could still forgive his capital crimes with the virtue of a good life, let alone others? Therefore, the minister thought that the pattern of the claim was broken, and there was no need to branch it out, and it would only increase right and wrong. What the dynasty needs most at present is to work together from top to bottom and make every effort to govern the country! ”

The emperor nodded and smiled: "Okay!" What Chen Tingjing said is deeply in line with my intentions! The case of Suo Etu was dismissed. Tingjing, in the eyes of the world, the first work of clearing Aobai is Suo Etu, but I thought it was still you Chen Tingjing! When I was only ten years old, you told me the story of Wang Mang's usurpation. I heard it, but it was deafening! Since then, I have been angry day and night, and I dare not slack off! At that time, I secretly vowed that I would be in power at the age of fourteen! Tingjing, Shiqi, get up. ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The emperor is a god descended from heaven, which is really the blessing of the dynasty and the blessing of all the people!" ”

The emperor looked at Chen Tingjing and nodded for a moment, his eyes were very soft, and said: "Chen Tingjing has participated in the compilation of "Qing Shizu Shishilu", "Qing Taizu Hadith" and "Qing Taizong Hadith", these are all treasures of the country's governance. Today, I still order you to be the president of "Qing Taizong Records", "Imperial Opinion Table" and "History of the Ming Dynasty", and select some talented readers to revise these classics! ”

Chen Tingjing hurriedly got up and knelt down: "The minister obeys the order!" ”

The emperor looked infinitely emotional, and said: "Chen Tingjing has been preaching day and night for many years, enlightening my heart, and making great contributions!" Everyone knows the truth that there is no end to learning, but when I heard Tingjing talk about it when I was young, I was still very annoyed! Now that I am facing major events, the more I understand the importance of reading. It's a pity that Master Wei has passed away. Tingjing, I ordered you to be in addition to government affairs, and be on duty in the Hongde Hall every day, and listen to the call at any time. ”

Chen Tingjing thanked him for receiving the decree and was grateful. The emperor praised Chen Tingjing so much, which had never been done before. Mingzhu's face was a little unbearable, the emperor felt it, and said with a smile: "Mingzhu, you have worked hard, and you have to look at every ticket." ”

Mingzhu hurriedly said: "It's just the minister's duty, but I'm afraid I won't do it well." ”

The emperor said: "I have read all these tickets, and they are all approved." Why is there only Shandong Governor Fulun's book that is not available? ”

Mingzhu replied: "The ministers are discussing, and the holy car will arrive." Fu Lun reported that Shandong had a bumper harvest this year, and the people thanked the imperial court for its disaster relief in previous years, and voluntarily donated one-tenth of the harvest to the imperial court! ”

The emperor was overjoyed: "Huh? Is it? Fu Lun is a godmaster! Mingzhu, when you recommended Fulun to supplement the governor of Shandong, I was still a little hesitant. It seems that you are not looking at the wrong person. ”

Mingzhu arched his hand and said: "It's all the emperor's discernment!" Does the emperor think he can approve Fu Lun's invitation? ”

The emperor groaned a little and said: "Shandong is worthy of being the hometown of Confucius, and the people are pure!" The court is gracious and knows gratitude; Harvest of grain, know to serve the country! Okay, Quasi-Fulun please, put the food voluntarily donated by the people into the righteous warehouse on the spot, so as to prepare for the disaster year! ”

The emperor was full of joy, but Chen Tingjing stepped forward and knelt down to play: "Start the emperor, the minister thinks that this matter still needs to be considered!" ”

The emperor suddenly felt strange and looked at Chen Tingjing suspiciously: "Chen Tingjing, do you think there is anything wrong?" ”

Chen Tingjing was just about to speak, and Mingzhu secretly glanced at Gao Shiqi. Gao Shiqi understood and said first: "Your Majesty, Chen Tingjing has always had a prejudice against Fu Lun!" ”

Chen Tingjing was still kneeling and said, "Your Majesty, Chen Tingjing is not a person who sticks to prejudices. ”

The emperor's face was displeased: "I think it's a little strange, Chen Tingjing, Gao Shiqi, why do you two always screw it up?" ”

Gao Shiqi also stepped forward and knelt down, making a sincere and frightened look: "Back to the emperor, Chen Tingjing is a second-grade important minister, and the micro-minister is just a sixth-grade small official, how dare you screw him!" The minister was only out of loyalty to the emperor, and he dared to commit a crime. ”

Chen Tingjing didn't want to answer Gao Shiqi's words, so he only said: "Your Majesty, the ministers should just talk about things." Shandong's territory is not too small, the land is divided into north and south, the mountains have east and west, and the abundance and apology in various places must be different, how can the whole province have a bumper harvest? Even though there was a good harvest, it is not credible that all the people voluntarily donated a tenth of their grain. Taking a step back, even if the people voluntarily donate grain, their patriotism is commendable, but the imperial court has to pay according to the price. Your Majesty, whatever comes up at the bottom, if the people are willing, there is always something suspicious! ”

Gao Shiqi held on: "Your Majesty, Chen Tingjing is slandering the emperor's holy rule!" Since the promulgation of the emperor's "Sixteen Sacred Decrees", officials from all over the country have gathered the squires and people every month to preach, and the emperor's benevolence and love for the people have descended like a rain, and the people's customs have become more and more simple, and the place has been stable and peaceful. Guo Yonggang, the former governor of Shandong, was ineffective in disaster relief and was investigated by the imperial court, and the people of Shandong applauded. Now Fulun has lived up to the trust, and in the first year of his arrival, the appearance of Shandong has changed greatly. Your Majesty, the dynasty needs such cadres and loyal ministers! ”

Chen Tingjing's tone was very calm, but he was soft and rigid: "Your Majesty, the minister is willing to believe that Shandong has a bumper harvest this year, but even so, it is just Fulun's luck." In less than a year after taking office, the face of the whole province has changed greatly, unless the heavens and people! ”

The emperor said coldly: "Chen Tingjing, you have been reading for more than 30 years and have never spent a day in the local area, how can you make me believe that what you said is right?" ”

Chen Tingjing replied: "Your Majesty, as long as you have a public heart and look at people and things, your eyes will not wander!" If you are afraid, you are afraid of selfishness! ”

Gao Shiqi immediately said: "Your Majesty, the ministers and Fu Lun are all ministers who serve the imperial court, and they are selfless. ”

The emperor glanced at Gao Shiqi, then looked at Chen Tingjing and said, "I see that Chen Tingjing has always been old and generous, what is going on today?" You've been working with Shiqi for almost 20 years, so you have to be considerate of each other. ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Ministers don't compete with others, but distinguish between truth and falsehood. Once Fulun's performance is not true, it will inevitably be robbed by the government and the people, and the people will complain, which may provoke a civil uprising. Your Majesty, this is not an alarmist statement! ”

The emperor looked at Mingzhu and said, "What does Mingzhu think?" ”

Mingzhu said: "Obey the Holy Judgment!" ”

The emperor asked Zhang Yingdao: "What do you say?" ”

If Zhang Ying hadn't been asked by the emperor, he would never have said much; Since the emperor asked him, he had to say, but he didn't say it too directly: "The minister thinks that this matter should indeed be considered thoroughly." ”

The emperor stood up, paced a few steps, and said, "In that case, Chen Tingjing, I ordered you to go to Shandong to see what is going on!" ”

Chen Tingjing was slightly shocked in his heart, but he had to knock and say: "The minister obeys the order!" ”

The emperor didn't say more, got up and went back to the Qianqing Palace. The emperor seemed to be a little unhappy, and his steps were a little hurried. Seeing off the emperor, Gao Shiqi looked at Chen Tingjing with a smile and said, "Lord Chen, Shiqi, you know, there is no selfishness in your stomach, and you are at odds with you, all because of official business." ”

Chen Tingjing laughed and passed perfunctorily. Mingzhu spoke beside him: "Shiqi, we are all for the imperial court, do we need your special explanation?" Do you think it's Mr. Zhang? ”

Zhang Ying just nodded and smiled, and didn't say much.

It was getting late, so they packed up and went home. Zhang Ying was on duty tonight, and he stayed. Chen Tingjing walked out of the Qianqing Gate and walked unhurriedly, feeling that the way out of the palace was much longer than usual. Walking under the eaves of the Baohe Palace, I saw that the sunset was blocked outside the high palace wall, and only the glazed tiles on the eaves of the Taihe Hall in front of me were shining with golden light. Chen Tingjing regretted it slightly, as if he should be like Zhang Ying and not say too much.

Chen Tingjing went out of the noon gate, and his family Dashun and Chang Sui Liu Jing and Ma Ming were already waiting there. Dashun saw the old man come out from a distance, and hurriedly greeted the sedan chair man not far away. A four-lift green sedan chair was immediately lifted over and pressed down the sedan bar. Chen Tingjing got on the sedan chair and sat down, Dashun said "go miles", and got up and walked in the sedan chair. Liu Jing and Ma Ming only followed behind, not laughing and laughing casually.

Chen Tingjing sat in the sedan chair and closed his eyes. He was a little tired and a little distracted. Thinking that this person is in officialdom, he is always inevitably aggrieved. The minister is the most difficult to do, and he will be convicted if he is not careful.

Today, I was fortunate to be greatly praised by the emperor, but unexpectedly, the emperor was unhappy because of the excerpt of Shandong Governor Fulun. The emperor sent him to Shandong in person, which was not easy to do. Fu Lun's mother is the emperor's nurse, and since the emperor played with Fu Lun since he was a child, he was like a brother. With this section, how did Chen Tingjing go to Shandong on an errand? Moreover, Fu Lun is very close to Mingzhu. Chen Tingjing is a little envious of his in-law Zhang Wang, he went to Shandong to release his foreign post when he left the museum in his early years, and he became the prefect from the county, and now he is in office in Dezhou, so he must be much more comfortable. Chen Tingjing and Zhang Wang set a baby for their children back then, and now Zu Yan and his family Yao have tied the knot.

When Chen Tingjing returned home, it was already dark. He got off the sedan chair outside the door, and he heard the poem reciting loudly: "The peony blooms in spring, and the plum blossom blooms in spring." If you want to make everything spring, you must teach spring to hate and release! ”

I heard Yueyuan say: "This is a five-word quatrain written by your father when he was nine years old, and he was sighed as a prodigy by Mr." You two should study hard and don't play too much! At your age, Dad has long been famous in his hometown in Shanxi. ”

Chen Tingjing listened to his family and was in a much better mood. Da Shun saw the master's thoughts, and deliberately did not rush to knock on the door. Then I heard the old lady say: "Grandpa hopes that you are better than the blue!" ”

Yu Peng said: "I also want to be a twenty-one-year-old Zhongjinshi, like my father!" ”

Zhuang said: "I will go to the Jinshi next year!" ”

The old lady laughed. Chen Tingjing couldn't help laughing, and Dashun pushed the door. It turned out that it was hot, and the family was in the courtyard to cool off, waiting for Chen Tingjing to go home. Yueyuan led Yu Peng, Zhuang and a few family members to bypass the Xiao wall and welcome them to the door.

Chen Tingjing entered the house and respectfully greeted his old father-in-law. The moon had just risen and was hanging from the old plum tree inside the wall of the main entrance.

Chen Tingjing touched his head and said, "Next year, the junior sergeant? Okay, my son is ambitious! ”

The family held the lamp, and the old novel smiled, walked through the hall and went to the second courtyard. The strange flowers and stones here are more elegant than the front. Yueyuan has ordered, and tonight's dinner will be eaten outside, and the house is as hot as a steamer. Dashun's wife Cuiping has also been in the Chen family since she was a child, and she came to the capital with her, which makes Yueyuan like it very much. Cui Ping had already brought homely clothes over and changed the court clothes for the master.

Only Cuiping and the two maids were left to greet him, and Dashun went down to eat with Liu Jing, Ma Ming and the sedan chair drivers, as well as dozens of families. Yueyuan took some dishes for Chen Tingjing and said, "Tingtong has been here, sit for a while and leave." ”

Chen Tingjing asked, "Didn't he say anything?" ”

Yueyuan said: "He wanted to wait for you to come back, but when he saw that you didn't come back for half a day, he left." ”

Chen Tingjing didn't ask anymore and lowered his head to eat. He was a little annoyed with this younger brother in his heart, and Tingtong always complained that he was always doing a pen post in the Ministry of Industry, and he didn't know when he would come out. Chen Tingjing understood what his younger brother meant, that is, he wanted him, to be an elder brother, to dredge up among his colleagues. Chen Tingjing is not without protection, but if he wants to speak for his younger brother, he can't open his mouth.