Chen Tingjing returned to the capital in the afternoon, and he sent Zhen'er and Dashun to go home first, and he went straight to the palace. He didn't know what the situation was like for the emperor, so he went to the south study to inquire about the news. When Zhang Ying saw Chen Tingjing, he hurriedly dragged him to another room to talk, and before he finished speaking, Chen Tingjing became anxious: "What? The emperor did not take back the overall planning method of large households? ”

Zhang Ying said: "The emperor has issued an edict that the overall planning of large households is entirely voluntary, and it is strictly forbidden for large households to exploit the villagers. Don't talk about it anymore. ”

Chen Tingjing frowned tightly and shook his head: "No, no, no! If I hadn't seen them with my own eyes, I would have hardly imagined their ferocity! ”

Zhang Ying had no choice but to say bluntly: "Lord Chen, this matter has made the emperor very angry, you'd better not mention it again!" ”

Chen Tingjing had long expected that things would come to this point, he just wanted to be lucky, hoping that the emperor would be considerate of the people. But at this time, in the emperor's mind, the pacification of Yunnan was more important. Chen Tingjing sat for a long time and asked, "Lord Zhang, when did I receive my two excerpts?" When did you enter the emperor's court? ”

Zhang Ying whispered: "Don't ask this Lord Chen again." ”

Chen Tingjing was puzzled: "Is there an article in it?" ”

Zhang Ying said: "I haven't seen the two excerpts beforehand!" I later checked, and your previous excerpt arrived on the 15th, and the latter on the 17th. And your previous excerpt was presented to the emperor on the 19th. ”

Chen Tingjing was shocked, and understood in his heart: someone must be making a fuss about it, first afraid that he would make meritorious contributions, and then deliberately rectify him. Chen Tingjing shook his head with a wry smile and sighed secretly.

Zhang Ying comprehended it, but only said in his ear: "Lord Chen, don't mention it again!" ”

Zhang Ying said a few words of comfort, and then asked Fu Shan if he had come to Beijing. Chen Tingjing shook his head again and said, "This Fu Shan, who entered the capital, refused to see the emperor even if he died!" ”

Zhang Ying was dumbfounded, thinking to herself, why is Chen Tingjing so unlucky? He deliberately comforted: "Lord Chen, it's about building the Dragon Pavilion, and the emperor's tone has changed." ”

Chen Tingjing listened to it, and there was not much joy in his heart. He felt heavy and said: "Even if the construction of the Dragon Pavilion is stopped, what I am doing is still a thing against the dragon scales, plus the coordination of large households, and Fu Shan has entered Beijing but refuses to face the saint, the sin is all mine!" How much more am I already a sinner! ”

Zhang Ying knew that the situation was dangerous, so he had no choice but to impose relief: "Lord Chen doesn't have to worry too much, the emperor will make a wise decision." You only need to hand the excerpt of Yangqu Jianlong Pavilion into it first, don't play the matter coordinated by the big family, Fu Shan, you must persuade him to meet the emperor! ”

The next day, after the emperor listened to the government, Chen Tingjing was summoned to the Qianqing Palace. The father-in-law on duty all shook their heads at him, as if they wanted to tell him something. Chen Tingjing could only guess secretly, and it was inconvenient to inquire openly. After entering the hall, Zhang Shande greeted him and whispered: "The emperor is going out to pay tribute, Lord Chen, please wait here first." ”

Chen Tingjing saw the fool standing under the curtain from a distance and greeted him secretly. He nodded, and followed Zhang Shande to Xinuan Pavilion. Zhang Shande whispered again: "Lord Chen, the emperor has not been comfortable these days, you can talk a little." ”

Chen Tingjing thanked him. Only then did he understand why the fool and those kind-hearted fathers-in-law shook their heads at him. Zhang Shande said again: "Lord Chen, kowtow later, you kowtow to these gold bricks." Zhang Shande said, raising his foot and clicking on the gold bricks.

At this time, two fathers-in-law respectfully came out of it carrying the toilet, and two more fathers-in-law carefully followed behind with copper basins. Zhang Shande knew that the emperor was finished, so he only greeted Chen Tingjing with his eyes and ran in to wait for the emperor. But he didn't see the emperor come out for a long time. The self-striking bell against the wall rang loudly, which frightened Chen Tingjing and jumped.

Chen Tingjing was raising his hand to wipe his sweat, and suddenly saw the emperor come out, with a lovely smile, and said, "Tingjing is here?" ”

Chen Tingjing didn't expect the emperor to greet him with a smile, and his heart became even more nervous, so he was busy kneeling down and kowtowing at the place where Zhang Shande had instructed: "The minister knocks to see the emperor!" ”

Sure enough, the head only needed to be lightly knocked on the gold brick, but it rattled. The emperor had never heard Chen Tingjing knock his head so loudly, he sat down on the kang and said with a smile: "Tingjing, sit down and talk." ”

Chen Ting thanked him and knelt on his heels.

The emperor said: "Tingjing has worked hard. Since you're back in Shanxi, why don't you go home and have a look? ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The errand is here, and the minister does not dare to delay. The minister sent someone to the house to take a look, and his father and mother were fine, so he only told the minister to be on an errand and not to distract the minister. ”

The emperor nodded and sighed, "The old man's good health is the blessing of your children." When you were leaving, I forgot to tell you to go back and see the old man's house. ”

Chen Tingjing hurriedly thanked him again. The emperor's face suddenly sank, and he said: "Dai Mengxiong's pickled thing, don't you kill it in Shanxi, and bring it back to the capital to do something!" ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The minister thinks that Dai Mengxiong's case should be carefully retried and notified to all localities to set an example!" ”

The emperor shook his head and said: "Dai Mengxiong's case does not need to be retried, let alone make the world know about it, just kill it." If you are allowed to play, the dragon pavilions will be stopped in various places. ”

Chen Tingjing knew that Dai Mengxiong's case could only be like this, so he said: "The minister obeys the order!" The minister has another word! ”

The emperor asked: "Do you want me to take back the overall planning method of large households?" ”

Chen Tingjing played: "The evil officials and bad gentry only hate that there is no excuse to exploit the people, and now that the court has given an excuse, they will plunder on a large scale!" If the provinces implement the method of overall planning for large households, within three to five years, all the land in the world will belong to large households. Your Majesty, when that day comes, the people will be miserable, and a catastrophe will come! ”

The emperor said coldly: "Didn't you do a good job in Yangqu?" The big families dare to exploit the people, confiscate the family property and enter the officials, and the land of the people who have been invaded will be returned to the original owner! ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Raiding large households, although the imperial court can collect some money and grain, but after all, it is not a long-term policy for peace and stability. ”

The emperor slapped the dragon case and said angrily: "Chen Tingjing, the more you talk, the more unpleasant you become!" According to what you said, I deliberately set a trap to allow big families to do unkind and unjust things, and then find a way to raid the house and collect money? I'm not a villain anymore! ”

Chen Tingjing hurriedly knocked his head loudly: "This is definitely not the intention of the minister!" ”

The emperor said: "I plan to implement the overall planning method for large households for one to two years to ensure the military salary of the imperial court. After Yunnan is pacified, it will be canceled again, and the inferior gentry who exploit the villagers will be punished! ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The rule of the Holy Ming is to make people dare not have an unkind heart and dare not do unrighteous things!" ”

The emperor was furious: "Presumptuous! You're banging your head today! Today is not a lecture, but if you come in and say these words to me, I will listen to them. This is a recital, you have to listen to me! Don't forget, big family coordinator, you are the initiator! This matter must be mentioned again! ”

Chen Tingjing heard the emperor say this, so he had to bow his head and say nothing. Chen Tingjing waited for his retirement, but heard the emperor say: "The erudite Hongci exam is imminent, and I will summon Fu Shan as soon as possible." ”

Chen Tingjing had no choice but to tell the truth: "Playing the emperor, although Fu Shan has entered Beijing, he refuses to meet the emperor, let alone take the test for erudition!" ”

When the emperor heard this, he was stunned for a long time and said, "Chen Tingjing! You've done all the ugly things that make me ugly! ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The minister thinks that maybe he really can't force Fu Shan anymore." Everyone has his own aspirations, so let him go. ”

The emperor suddenly stood up and said, "No! I want to meet this Fu Shan, to see if he is three-headed or six-armed! Go down. ”

Chen Tingjing stood up, and thanked him for retreating.

Fu Shan lived in the Shanxi Guild Hall, and Chen Tingjing had been there several times, but he could not persuade him to meet the emperor. Zhang Ying instructed him to persuade Fu Shan to face the saint, which shows that the emperor cares too much about this matter. Maybe the emperor told Zhang Ying about Fu Shan. But Fu Shanshui couldn't enter, he said that he only promised to enter Beijing, and did not promise to see the emperor. Chen Tingjing sighed at home, not knowing what to do. Yue Yuan was very angry when she saw that the old man was so sad, and decided to go find Fu Shan to see what kind of immortal he was!

Yueyuan called Zhen'er and went to the Shanxi Hall without telling Chen Tingjing. When the steward of the guild hall saw that the carriage had stopped in front of the door, he hurriedly greeted him. Cuiping helped Yueyuan down, and Zhen'er got out of the car by herself.

The steward stepped forward and asked, "Two wives, is there something wrong?" ”

Yueyuan said: "We are from Chen Tingjing's family. ”

The steward was very respectful and said, "It turned out to be Lord Chen's two wives, disrespectful and disrespectful." ”

Yueyuan said: "I want to see Fu Shan, where does he live?" ”

The steward seemed to be very embarrassed, and said, "Mr. Fu Shan has instructed that anyone who wants to see him must first inform him." ”

Yueyuan said: "You don't need to report, you just tell me where he lives." ”

When the steward saw this, he didn't dare to say much, so he hurriedly led Yueyuan and the others inside.

The steward went to knock on the guest room and said, "Mr. Fu Shan, Mrs. Chen sees that you are here." ”

There was no response inside, and a Taoist boy came out. When the boy saw that there were three women, he was so frightened that he didn't know how to answer, so he hurriedly retreated into the door. Yueyuan didn't care about being polite, beckoned Zhen'er and Cuiping, and went in with Daotong with her head held high. Yue Yuan saw an old man sitting on the kang, and expected that this person should be Fu Shan, so she stepped forward to salute and ask for peace: "I am Chen Tingjing's wife, and I have come to visit Fu seniors today!" ”

Fu Shan hurriedly returned the salute and said, "How dare you drive Mrs. Lao!" You may be seated. ”

Yueyuan was not polite and sat down. Fu Shan and Zhen'er had met, and they said goodbye to each other. Dao Tong brought the tea and handed it one by one.

Yueyuan thanked the tea and said, "Mr. Fu Shan, I have done my best, and I won't listen to the next words." My lord is sincere to the court and the people. He respects your character and learning, so he repeatedly recommends you to the imperial court. This time, in order to prevent the construction of dragon pavilions in various places, he was demoted from the second rank to the fourth rank by the emperor; He punished the evil officials and bad gentry in Yangqu, and he was still deeply wronged after returning to Beijing. You followed my lord into Beijing but refused to see the emperor, and the emperor was even more angry, and maybe he would have to punish him. I don't understand, you read a few sentences of the sage book, why is it such a big shelf? ”

Yueyuan's words cut her head and covered her face, so that Fu Shan's eyes couldn't open, and she hurriedly said: "Madam, don't misunderstand!" Poor Dao also respected Tingjing very much, so he agreed to let him enter Beijing; But the poor Dao doesn't want to see the emperor, and he doesn't want to take the test for erudition, which is where the poor Dao is ethical! ”

Yueyuan became angry when she heard this, and said, "What a temperament!" Your ancestors were born in the Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty, and they don't want to live in the Ming Dynasty! If your ancestors were as pedantic as you, there would have been no Taoist priest like you! God let you be born in the Ming Dynasty, you will be born as a Ming Dynasty person, and die as a Ming Dynasty ghost. What if you were born in the Qing Dynasty? You just hide in your mother's belly and don't come out? ”

Cui Ping listened and couldn't help laughing. Yueyuan deliberately counted down Cuiping: "What are you laughing at?" Nothing funny! According to this old gentleman, your child cannot be born in the dynasty! ”

Fu Shan secretly sighed that he was full of poems and books, but he couldn't open his mouth in front of this woman.

Yueyuan said again: "According to Mr. Fu Shan's loyalty and filial piety, we are all in harmony with the Qing Dynasty, and the people have gone underground?" All moved to Peach Blossom Spring? Besides, if the people all go to be monks and Taoist priests, it is also unfilial to their ancestors! Without filial piety, where does loyalty come from? I don't know any big truths, I only know that all nonsense that goes against human nature is hypocrisy! ”

Fu Shan was speechless, so he had to keep shaking his head. Yueyuan was very pressing: "You want to talk about your integrity, but you have harmed such a good official as my lord and my family, where is your benevolence and righteousness?" ”

Fu Shan looked up to the sky and sighed, and said to Yueyuan: "Madam, please stop your anger!" Poor Dao enters the palace with the court! ”

Chen Tingjing came back from the yamen, and when he entered the house, he heard Dashun say that his wife had found Fu Shan, and Fu Shan agreed to enter the palace. Chen Tingjing was taken aback and asked, "Really?" Why did Madame convince Fu Shan? ”

Dashun said: "I heard Cuiping say that Madam scolded Fu Shan fiercely, and he admitted defeat. ”

Chen Tingjing listened and hurriedly said, "How can you be rude to Mr. Fu Shan!" ”

Yue Yuan came out early, and when she heard the old man speak, she said, "Where am I being rude to him!" I just broke the great truth that you scholars made supernatural in the words of the people! If you don't believe it, ask Zhen'er's sister and Cuiping. Zhen'er and Cuiping just pursed their lips and smiled.

On the second day, the emperor drove to the south study, and Chen Tingjing played the matter of Ming Fu Mountain. The emperor was overjoyed and said, "Good! Conquering one Fu Shan is better than ten champions! ”

Mingzhu, Zhang Ying, Gao Shiqi and others all congratulated the emperor. The emperor suddenly asked again: "Tingjing, will Fu Shan be a minister in front of me?" ”

Chen Tingjing replied: "Fu Shan is just a cloth cloth, and he is a Taoist, so you don't have to pay too much attention to the title. ”

The emperor thought about it, but his heart was not very comfortable. Chen Tingjing saw the emperor's thoughts, so he said: "No matter what he calls him, the emperor is the emperor!" Etiquette in the palace, the minister will talk to him. ”

The emperor said: "I remember that he is old, and he can be exempted from the erudite Hongzi test and directly teach him the six-grade Chinese book, but the courtesy of the monarch and the minister must be exquisite!" ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The minister understands! ”

Gao Shiqi has been serving the inner court for so many years, and he is only a six-grade middle book, and his face is a little unbearable, but he can't say anything. Mingzhu arched his hand and said: "The emperor cherishes his talents so much, and the scholars in the world will be able to work with the court with one heart and one mind." ”

The emperor nodded and gave an edict: "From among the scholars who are erudite and knowledgeable in the examination, you will select dozens of famous people who are indeed talented and learned, and I will meet them together." This is a great event, and all the kings, Baylor, Beizi, and civil and military officials will participate in the pilgrimage! "Mingzhu and the others are grateful, and the emperor returns to the palace.

Soon at the end of the year, there were many auspicious events in the imperial court. It was not until March of the following year that the emperor summoned the erudite Hongzi for the examination. On that day, the weather was fine, and the emperor sat on the dragon chair in the Taihe Palace, and the princes and ministers, civil and military officials, and hundreds of civil and military officials lined up in front of the palace. Fu Shan and other erudite people who responded to the call were already waiting outside the Taihe Gate, silent. Suddenly, the sound of ceremonial music began, and the praise officer sang loudly: "Xuanfu Mountain is here!" ”

After waiting for a long time, I didn't see Fu Shan's figure. The princes and ministers in the palace are lined up according to the class, and the passage is exposed in the middle, facing the palace gate. Looking from the palace gate, it is empty and far away, and you can see the sky above the Taihe Gate. The emperor has never felt that the Taihe Hall is so far away from the Taihe Gate. After a long silence, he finally saw Fu Shan's head slowly emerging from the stone steps outside the hall. The emperor seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his face.

Fu Shan slowly entered the palace gate and calmly walked in front of the emperor. His eyes were a little indifferent, he stood in front of the hall, and said slowly: "Poor Dao suffers from foot disease and can't kneel, please forgive the emperor!" ”

The smile on the emperor's face was almost withdrawn, but he still smiled and said, "Seventy is not a court." Mr. Fu Shan is already seventy years old, and I am very happy to be able to enter Beijing by order. If you have a foot disease, you will be exempted. Sit! ”

Zhang Shande moved a chair over, Fu Shan sat down, raised his hand slightly, and said, "Thank you to the emperor!" ”

The emperor said: "Mr. Fu Shan has a square character, is well-written, hangs the pot to help the world, and is virtuous and virtuous. I've heard the emperor talk about you since I was a child! ”

Fu Shan replied: "Poor Dao is just a scholar, and he is not worthy of the emperor's concern. ”

The emperor said: "I remember that you are over 70 years old, so you don't need to take the test for erudition." With your knowledge, you don't need to take the test again. I will give you a six-grade middle book, and the magistrate will ask questions. ”

Fu Shan hurriedly bowed his head and arched his hand: "The poor road is not a person in the red dust, and the official will not die!" Fu Shan just wants to be a wanderer, treat people's diseases, read a few sentences, and write a few words! What the official has is someone to do it! ”

Gao Shiqi thought to himself that Fu Shan really didn't know the height of the sky, and he actually thought that the secretary of the sixth grade was too small. He knew that speaking at this moment would definitely displease Long Yan, so he had to endure it. Unexpectedly, the reckless man Samuha spoke: "The emperor, the imperial court, and the dignified scholars of the country, all have to serve the Hanlin Academy for three years before they can be a seven-grade county!" Fu Shan is arrogant and rude, and he refuses to serve the king, so he should be punished! Chen Tingjing knew that Fu Shan's nature was difficult to change, but he tried his best to protect it, and he was unpredictable! ”

The emperor was furious and said: "Samuha is talking nonsense! Chen Tingjing is loyal to the country, but he is the only one, and his heart is commendable. Mr. Fu Shan is a model scholar, and his name is respected all over the world. A septuagenarian, aside from the courtesy of a monarch and a minister, he is still my elder. I said today in front of the princes and ministers, civil and military officials, you are not allowed to say that Mr. Fu Shan is not a word! Announce the audience of other celebrities! ”

It didn't take long for celebrities and gentlemen to rush in. Seeing Baiguan standing on duty, and Fu Shan sitting, he was quite surprised. The celebrities knelt down and saluted: "The ministers knock to see the emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

These etiquette officials have been carefully taught in advance. The emperor asked everyone to be exempt from courtesy, and said, "You haven't passed the exam yet, so I want to see you first." I hope you will serve the court well and do things for the people! Fu Shan is already old, and I have allowed him not to take the exam, and has awarded him the Six Grades of Chinese Books. You are all very learned people, and I am waiting to read your splendid articles! ”

After the court meeting, the emperor took the shoulder and went out of the Taihe Palace. Princes and ministers, civil and military officials, and celebrities sent the holy car. When the holy car was gone, all the people went out of the temple in turn. A celebrity climbed up to Fu Shan and spoke: "Mr. Fu Shan, I admired Mr. for half my life in my later life, and today I saw the fairy face, and I died without regrets!" ”

Fu Shan said coldly: "Immortal Yan is not as good as Long Yan!" He left this sentence behind, ignored no one, and walked away.

Hundreds of officials came out of the Taihe Palace, and they all said that the emperor's love for talents is unparalleled in ancient and modern times. Fu Shan is so arrogant, the emperor is actually merciful and lenient. Only Chen Tingjing was apprehensive, and he could see that the emperor was forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart. The emperor's words were not for Fu Shan, but for the world's readers.

Sure enough, when the emperor returned to the Qianqing Palace, the thunder was furious: "I want to kill Chen Tingjing!" He knew that Fu Shan was a stone in a thatched pit, smelly and hard, why did he still have to protect it? What a shame! A poor Taoist priest, a sour scholar, put up a shelf and put it on my Taihe Palace! ”

The guards and father-in-law shrank their heads in fright, and their eyes only looked at the ground. Zhang Shande looked at the fool, and the fool shook his head quietly. Both of them knew in their hearts that the emperor had lost his temper, and the servants could only pretend not to hear it and keep everything.