It has been a period of time since the imperial court issued the salaries of civil and military officials, and the time has also come to the forty-first year of Jiajing.

I saw a gust of cold wind whistling by, waking up Feng Bao, who was still asleep.

"Hey, it's been cold enough this year, and it looks like it's going to snow soon!"

After finishing his sigh, I saw Feng Bao get up from the bed, put clothes on his body in an orderly manner, and put on a big hat to keep out the cold.

The furnishings of the house were very simple, except for a few necessary pieces of furniture, and there was a stove in the corner of the room, in which the charcoal fire was burning vigorously.

This is Feng Bao's residence in the Forbidden City, and he would come here to rest when he had nothing to do, and it was the same today.

"Well, it's not early, I have to go to the celebrant duty room early, it's my turn to be on duty tonight!"

Feng Bao looked at the sky outside, then wrapped the big coat on his body to keep out the cold, and left the room without any regret.

As soon as he walked out of the room, Feng Bao felt a cold and piercing chill, and he didn't even obey his fingers, and his whole person became sluggish.

The cold wind howled, like a blunt knife, blowing on the face, blowing and making people hurt.

"Really, how can the weather be so cold this year!"

Feng Bao complained like this, subconsciously wrapped the big coat on his body to keep out the cold, and quickened the pace of his feet, and marched in the direction where the celebrant was located.

Suddenly, Feng Bao felt a chill on his face, and when he looked up, he didn't know when, the snow was falling from the sky.

With the light emanating from the lantern in the distance, Feng Bao could roughly see the outline of the snowflakes.

Then, I saw Feng Bao stop and stretch out his palm to catch it, and the moment the snowflake touched the palm, it melted, leaving only a trace of coldness.

"It's snowing, it's snowing!"

At this moment, there was a burst of cheers from not far away, Feng Bao followed the prestige, and saw a few little eunuchs in the distance, putting down the work in their hands and shouting happily.

This situation made Feng Bao feel like a world away.

After being stunned for a moment, he reacted, as if it was the same situation at this time last year.

"By the way, Ruixue Zhaofeng Nian, I have to hurry up to congratulate Your Majesty!"

Thinking of this, Feng Bao didn't care about anything else, and immediately turned around and marched in the direction where the Qianqing Palace was located.

……

At the same time, the Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this time, Jiajing and Lu Fang sat facing each other, with a chessboard in front of them.

only heard the sound of 'snap', only to see Jiajing drop the black chess in his hand into the chessboard, then raised his head, looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and said slowly: "Lu Fang, you don't have a chance, let's admit defeat quickly!" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, his whole brow frowned, and he saw that he was looking at the chess pieces on the chessboard, and seemed to be thinking about the possibility of turning the table.

After thinking about it for a long time, I saw Lu Fang pick up a white chess piece from the chess basket on the side and drop it into the chessboard, with an inexplicable smile on his face, and then spoke.

"Your Majesty, you said before that this game of chess has not been played, how can you easily admit defeat, you see, isn't this alive again?"

Hearing Lu Fang's words, Jiajing nodded, and then returned his attention to the chessboard in front of him.

Lu Fang's divine hand just now can be described as a desperate situation, not only blocking Jiajing's offensive, but also miraculously reversing the situation.

Before that, Jiajing's black pieces firmly had the upper hand, and after that, the situation reversed instantly, and Lu Fang's white pieces had the upper hand.

Subsequently, the two sides made several moves, and finally, under Lu Fang's cold offensive, Jiajing chose to throw himself into defeat.

"Well, I've lost!"

After Jiajing finished speaking, he slowly got up from his seat and looked at the scenery outside.

At this moment, under the light of the bright moonlight, the cold wind is carrying the snow all over the sky, dancing up and down, which looks extremely spectacular.

Then, I saw Lu Fang walking quietly and coming to Jiajing's face, smiling, and said softly: "Your Majesty, it's snowing." ”

When Jiajing heard this, he replied imperceptibly, and then, he retracted his gaze, turned around, looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and asked with interest: "Lu Fang, you might as well guess, who will be the first to run to report the good news to me?" ”

When Lu Fang heard this, after thinking about it for a long time, he immediately lowered his head and responded cautiously: "Your Majesty, the slave doesn't know!" ”

Jiajing was noncommittal to Lu Fang's words, and then, I saw him wave his hand and command: "Since you don't know, then wait with me to see who arrives first!" ”

After this, I saw Jiajing turn his gaze to the eunuch waiting on the side, and commanded: "Let the imperial dining room send more pastries!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

……

The Forbidden City, outside the Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Feng Bao looked at the Qianqing Palace close at hand in front of him, panting heavily, his face full of excitement that could not be concealed.

"Huh~ I finally caught up, and I don't know if I, Feng Bao, am the first person to come and say hello to Your Majesty?"

Taking advantage of the gap between guiding the eunuch to go in and report, he saw Feng Bao retract his gaze and thought so.

Soon, the figure of the guiding eunuch appeared in front of Feng Bao: "Gonggong Feng, you can go in, Your Majesty is waiting for you inside!" ”

"Well, I'm tired!"

After learning the news from the mouth of the guide eunuch, I saw Feng Bao forcibly suppress the excitement in his heart, leaned down, and the guide led the eunuch to arch his hand and said respectfully.

After this, I saw Feng Bao take a deep breath, and after calming down his good mood, he climbed the stairs and stepped onto the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, Feng Bao subconsciously looked at Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair at the moment, leaned down, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, it is snowing from the sky, and I will be happy in the coming year, and the slave and maid will come to say hello to Your Majesty!" ”

Hearing this, Jiajing nodded after looking Feng Bao up and down, and commanded: "Well, yes, Feng Bao, this year is the first time you have come to report the good news to me!" ”

When Feng Bao heard Jiajing's words, his face was full of excitement that he couldn't hide, and he secretly said: "Haha, this year is the first time that I, Feng Bao, have come to report the good news to Your Majesty!" ”

Then, I only heard Jiajing's voice sound: "Feng Bao, you have a meritorious report and a reward of three thousand taels of silver, in addition, I will give you an additional five hundred pieces of silk, and on the table next to you, there are also pastries sent from the imperial dining room not long ago, you can take some!" ”

When Jiajing's words fell, I saw Feng Bao's face full of gratitude, and he didn't hesitate at all, and immediately knelt on the ground with a 'plop', kowtowing to Jiajing to thank him: "Slave and maid, thank you for your grace, long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live!" ”

Although a few plates of pastries are nothing, in Feng Bao's opinion, this is a symbol of His Majesty's grace, in the Ming Dynasty, few people can have this kind of treatment.

……

On the other side, the capital, Yanfu study.

At this moment, in the study, Yan Song was looking at the "Spring and Autumn" in his hand with great concentration, and at this moment, he only heard a rush of footsteps outside the door.

Then, only to hear a 'squeak', the door of the study was pushed open suddenly, and Yan Shifan walked in eagerly.

Seeing this, Yan Song took his eyes off the book in front of him and asked, "What's the matter, is something wrong?" ”

"Father...... Father, it's snowing outside, and the child has just gotten the news that Xu Jie has gone to the Forbidden City in a sedan chair, and it seems that he is going to congratulate His Majesty! ”

"Well, we'll go too!"

After learning the news from Yan Shifan's mouth, he saw Yan Song get up from his seat abruptly and commanded.

"Yes, father, let the child prepare a sedan chair!"

After Yan Shifan responded, he did not hesitate at all, and quickly left.

After a while, I saw two sedan chairs of different colors, braving the wind and snow, out of Yanfu, and marching in the direction where the Forbidden City was located.

And similar scenes are constantly staged in many clans and noble homes in the capital.

After all, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the emperor will vigorously support the clan and nobles next, and it is good to be able to take this opportunity to congratulate the emperor and become familiar.

With such a thought, after discussion, the British Duke Zhang Rong, the Duke of Chengguo Zhu Xizhong, and the Duke of Dingguo Xu Yande took a sedan chair and embarked on the road to the Forbidden City.

This time, they will represent the clan and nobles of the Ming Dynasty to congratulate the emperor and bring them closer to each other.

……

The Forbidden City, outside the Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, I saw Xu Jie withdraw his gaze from a distance, then turned around, looked in the direction where Yan Song and Yan Shifan were, and took the lead in provoking the topic.

"Ahem, Elder Yan Ge, what a coincidence!"

"Yes, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet Xu Ge Lao here, and Xu Ge Lao also came to congratulate His Majesty?"

When Yan Song heard this, he squinted his eyes, his face was full of inexplicable smiles, and he asked.

Seeing this, Xu Jie's face couldn't help but flash a gloomy color, and he unconsciously clenched his fists, and said secretly: "I would have set off earlier, if it hadn't been snowing and the road was slippery, I wouldn't have let Yan Song catch up!" ”

Then, I saw Xu Jie come back to his senses, and said with a smile: "Yes! ”

Just as the two were talking happily, they only heard Gao Gong's slightly puzzled voice behind him: "Yan Ge Lao, Xu Ge Lao, you are ...... this"

When Yan Song and Xu Jie heard this, they immediately stopped talking and followed the prestige, but suddenly found that in addition to Gao Gong, there were also Zhang Juzheng and Hu Zongxian behind them.

Facing the puzzled eyes of several people, I saw Yan Song stand up, face everyone, and explained: "As you can see, isn't it just snowing, we are here to congratulate Your Majesty!" ”

After listening to Yan Song's explanation, I saw a look of surprise appear on Gao Gong's face, nodded, and said with emotion: "What a coincidence, I didn't expect the cabinet to get together in this way!" ”

At this moment, I saw the guiding eunuch walking quietly in front of Yan Song and Xu Jie, and when he saw Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Hu Zongxian behind him, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

Immediately, I saw him come back to his senses, face everyone, and then speak: "Your Majesty said, you can go in!" ”

"I'm tired of my father-in-law!"

Seeing this, everyone hurriedly guided the eunuch to bow and salute.

After that, everyone did not hesitate at all, and immediately stepped on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, everyone felt an inexplicable warmth, which dispelled the chill on their bodies.

Subsequently, under the leadership of Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet, everyone knelt on the ground in unison, and said in unison: "Weichen knocks to see Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he responded imperceptibly, then glanced over the people present, waved his hand quite casually, and commanded: "Well, get up!" ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's consent, everyone slowly got up from the ground.

After everyone got up from the ground one after another, they only heard Jiajing's voice sound: "You are also here to congratulate me?" ”

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Xu Jie stand up and respond without thinking: "Yes, Your Majesty, the ministers and others have come to congratulate Your Majesty on purpose, there is a way to be a good year for Ruixue, with this Ruixue, the coming year must be a year of good weather and rain, and the people will have enough food and clothing......

After this, Xu Jie seemed to suddenly realize something, and he was stuck: "No, why did Your Majesty say it, is it difficult, aren't we the first to come to congratulate Your Majesty?" ”

Subsequently, Jiajing seemed to see what Xu Jie was thinking, and took the initiative to explain: "Elder Xu Ge, you guessed right, before this, Feng Bao had already congratulated me!" ”

After Jiajing's reminder, everyone also suddenly remembered: "It seems that Feng Bao was the first to come to congratulate His Majesty last year, right?" ”

Just as the thoughts of everyone present were flying, I saw Jiajing's words turn, his face was full of relief, facing everyone, and he continued to add: "You can have this heart and brave the wind and snow to congratulate me, I am very pleased!" ”

When Jiajing said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "You have made good news, each person will be rewarded with 1,500 taels of silver, 200 horses of silk, and in addition, these pastries on the table have just been sent from the imperial dining room, so you can bring some back later!" ”

Although the reward is not very rich, it is a reward given by the emperor himself after all!

Not to mention that the emperor also asked them to bring back some extra pastries from the imperial dining room, looking at the Ming Dynasty, there are only a handful of people who can obtain such a gift.

……

Then, I saw that everyone's faces were full of gratitude, and they knelt on the ground one after another, thanking Jiajing: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he gently rubbed the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, and then ordered: "Well, get up!" ”

After that, I saw Jiajing with emotion on his face, looked in the direction where everyone was, and commanded.

"My Ming can have today's good situation, all because of your solid work, so I decided to hold a banquet in the Emperor's Palace a year ago to invite the ministers, and when the time comes, I and the queen will be present in person!"

Jiajing's voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of everyone present.

At this time, even Yan Song, who was excellent at qi cultivation and kung fu, was full of horror that could not be concealed.

After all, this is the first time since Shen was canonized as the empress that he has attended such a major occasion with the emperor, how important it is!

Zhang Juzheng's eyes on the side were full of expectation, and he saw him subconsciously clenching his fists and saying secretly.

"Sure enough, the queen mother is deeply favored by Your Majesty, and the child she gave birth to with Your Majesty, if nothing else, will have a great possibility of becoming the prince of my Ming Dynasty!"

Just as Zhang Juzheng was still thinking about how to deal with it next, he only heard Yan Song's voice sound, pulling him back to reality.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Seeing this, everyone also came back to their senses one after another, followed Yan Song's steps, and responded respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" ”

Soon after this, I saw the guide eunuch walking quietly and entering the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, the guiding eunuch did not hesitate at all, immediately lowered his head, and respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, the Duke of England, the Duke of Chengguo, and the Duke of Dingguo are asking to see you outside!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, a trace of surprise flashed on his face, and immediately, he nodded and commanded: "Well, I know, let them in!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's specific instructions, the guide eunuch did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long, and immediately left.

At this time, the hearts of Yan Song and the others were not as calm as they seemed on the surface.

You must know that since the emperor took the initiative to release the signal that he would support the clan and nobles, and held an exam specifically for the clan and nobles.

Originally, above the court, the Ming clan and nobles who had gradually fallen silent began to gradually rejuvenate and become more and more active.

Although there are no clans and nobles who hold important positions in the court, everyone present knows very well that this day will come sooner or later.

When those sons and daughters of the clan and nobles who were sent by the emperor to Banzhou for training were transferred back to the capital, it was the day when the clans and noble forces returned to the court.

And those clans and noble sons naturally have an incomparable advantage over civil officials, that is, the emperor does not need to doubt their loyalty.

Because their interests are highly consistent with the emperor!

"Alas, it seems that the day when the clan and the nobles will return to the court is not far away!

I saw Yan Song suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, lowered his eyes, looked at the ground casually, and said with emotion.

After a while, I saw Zhang Rong, the British Gong, Zhu Xizhong, and Xu Yande, the Dingguo Gong, stepping into the Qianqing Palace.

After the three of them entered the Qianqing Palace, they looked in the direction where Jiajing was without squinting, knelt on the ground with a brush, and said in a deep voice: "Weichen knocks on Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

Hearing this, Jiajing nodded, glanced over the three of them, and said with a smile: "Get up, you are all my Ming clans and nobles, you don't have to be so polite to me!" ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After getting Jiajing's consent, I saw the British Duke Zhang Rong, the Duke of Chengguo Zhu Xizhong, and the Duke of Dingguo Xu Yande getting up from the ground one after another.

Then, I saw a look of interest on Jiajing's face, turned his gaze to the direction where the British Duke Zhang Rong and the others were, raised his eyebrows, and asked: "British Princess, is it difficult, you are also here to congratulate me?" ”

When the British Duke Zhang Rongyan heard this, after exchanging glances with Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, and Xu Yande, the Duke of Dingguo, he lowered his head and said respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty, we have come to congratulate Your Majesty!" ”

……

Beijing, Yanfu.

After the sedan chair stopped, I saw Yan Shifan get off the sedan chair first, and then helped Yan Song down from the sedan chair.

There were also two servants holding food boxes next to them, which contained pastries brought back from the Qianqing Palace.

I saw Yan Shifan stop, raised his head, looked at the snowflakes flying in the sky, and reminded him: "Father, this snow is getting heavier and heavier, you should pay more attention!" ”

"Hmm."

Hearing this, Yan Song nodded imperceptibly, and then, with Yan Shifan's support, walked slowly in the direction of the study.

As soon as he entered the study, Yan Shifan felt a burst of warmth coming, and the chill all over his body subsided a lot, and even his limbs, which had been frozen, were gradually regaining consciousness.

Seeing this, the maid on the side hurriedly brought a bowl of hot tea for Yan Song and Yan Shifan.

In the hand of the maid, he took the teacup and took a sip.

Yan Shifan only felt a warm current flowing down his throat, and his whole body warmed up.

After this, I saw Yan Shifan looking at Yan Song on the side, his face was full of worry, he mustered up his courage, and asked: "Father, why did the British Princesses come to congratulate this year, could it be because of ......?"

When Yan Song heard Yan Shifan's words, he glanced at him and said slowly: "Nonsense, isn't this an obvious thing?" ”

"Your Majesty has made it clear that you want to let the clan and the nobles return to the court, and when those of the clans and nobles who have passed the exam are almost trained in Banzhou, Your Majesty will transfer them back to the capital and take important positions!"

After Yan Song finished speaking, he opened the food box on the table next to him, took out a piece of pastry from it, and savored it.

When Yan Shifan heard this, he looked thoughtful, and then, after thinking about it for a long time, he put forward his own thoughts: "Father, since you already know Your Majesty's plan, why don't you stop it?" ”

"You must know that Banzhou is a place with treacherous mountains and rivers, miasma everywhere, and there are many ethnic groups that come and go, and there are constant vendettas against each other, and you only need to do a little tricks to prevent those clans and nobles from returning to the court!"

When Yan Song heard this, after looking Yan Shifan up and down, he said coldly: "Hmph, Your Majesty must have taken precautions and sent Jinyi guards to keep an eye on your back, if anyone dares to attack those clans and noble children who have been trained in Banzhou, they will definitely die without a place to be buried!" ”

After listening to Yan Song's explanation, I saw a look of awakening on Yan Shifan's face, and he responded respectfully: "Thank you father for reminding me, the child understands!" ”

Then, I saw Yan Song pointing to the food box on the table with his finger, and then ordered: "The pastries in this imperial dining room taste really good, try it!" ”

"Yes, Father!"

Yan Shifan naturally did not dare to disobey Yan Song's words, and after he responded, he immediately stepped forward, picked up a piece of pastry from the food box on the table, put it in his mouth, and savored it. (End of chapter)