In the next period of time, with the help of well-intentioned people, the news that the imperial court was going to build the 'Meritorious Pavilion' soon spread throughout the capital.

What is different from the past is that this time, there are countless "highly respected" scholars who have stood up and openly supported the resolution of the imperial court.

Not only that, but there are also many officials in the government and the opposition who are grinding their fists and want to go further.

After all, in order to send your portrait to the 'Meritorious Pavilion' after death, you must first have the qualifications to be able to directly participate in national affairs.

To put it in layman's terms, you have to enter the cabinet first.

Night falls, the capital, Yanfu.

In the room, I saw Yan Shifan move his gaze away from the two design drawings of the 'Meritorious Pavilion' on the bookcase in front of him, with a hesitant look on his face.

Since Jiajing handed over the errand of building the 'Meritorious Pavilion' to the Ministry of Industry where Yan Shifan was in charge, Yan Shifan did not dare to slack off in the slightest, and immediately asked the Ministry of Industry to come up with several sets of plans.

The Ministry of Industry did not live up to Yan Shifan's expectations, and after staying up all night and forgetting to sleep and eat for nearly two weeks, he soon came up with several sets of design plans for the "Meritorious Pavilion".

In the end, after going through layers of screening, only the two design drawings left in front of Yan Shifan remained.

"Alas, just adopt this plan and build the 'Hero Pavilion' in the shape of a tower."

"In this way, each floor can be used to place portraits, and it has a wide field of vision, high structural strength, and is not easy to collapse, so it is very convenient to rebuild it in the future!"

After hesitating for a long time, I saw Yan Shifan pick up a drawing from the bookcase in front of him and said to himself.

"Now that it's decided, let's go to my father and get an idea!"

Yan Shifan thought so, then carefully put away the drawings and walked in the direction of the study.

After taking a deep breath and calming down his good mood, he saw Yan Shifan knock on the door of the study.

After a while, I only heard Yan Song's voice from the study: "Come in!" ”

When the words fell, Yan Shifan did not hesitate at all, and immediately pushed open the door of the study and entered it.

After entering the room, I saw Yan Shifan subconsciously looking in the direction where Yan Song was, bowing to him and saluting: "Father! ”

At this time, Yan Song was holding an unknown book in his hand, and when he saw Yan Shifan coming, he saw him take his eyes off the book, pointed to the vacant seat on the side at random, and then ordered: "Sit down!" ”

"Yes, Father!"

After answering, I saw Yan Shifan sitting down on the vacant seat on the side.

Immediately, I saw Yan Song glance at Yan Shifan, and asked, "Is there something wrong?" ”

When Yan Shifan heard this, he had no intention of concealing it, even if he said his intentions.

"Father, the design plan of the 'Meritorious Pavilion' has been decided!"

After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he got up from the seat, and then came to Yan Song's face, carefully taking out the design drawings from his sleeve.

"This ...... This is, a tower? ”

"Yes, father, the child thinks that it is most appropriate to build the 'Meritorious Pavilion' as a tower, so that not only can each floor be used to place portraits, but also has a wide field of vision and high structural strength, which is also very convenient if you want to rebuild it in the future!"

Facing Yan Song's slightly puzzled gaze, I saw Yan Shifan organize the language in his mind and explained.

After browsing the drawings in front of him with extra concentration, I saw Yan Song take off the reading glasses he was wearing, pick up the teacup on the table, take a sip, and then said: "I don't know much about this matter, since you have decided, then build it according to this when the time comes!" ”

"Without further ado, early tomorrow morning, I will submit this design plan to Your Majesty!"

"Yes, father, the child understands!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, his expression immediately turned grim, and he replied in a deep voice.

……

On the other side, Xu Jie is located in the mansion in the capital.

In the room, I saw Xu Jie's face full of anger, slammed the table, and said to himself: "These bastard things, they know to be in trouble for me all day long, but fortunately they found it in time, otherwise, it will definitely cause a big disaster!" ”

"If it goes on like this, how can I, Xu Jie, send the portrait to the 'Meritorious Pavilion' for future generations to admire after I die?"

Just now, Xu Jie received a report from the royal court of the right servant of the household department, saying that someone had used his crooked brains and planned to set up a clever name to collect taxes from the hands of the people under his rule.

After Xu Jie learned the news, he was immediately frightened.

You must know that it has not been long since the emperor issued the edict exempting the people of the world from paying taxes for one year.

It's only been a few months, and someone has started to think crookedly, isn't this the initiative to hit the muzzle of the gun?

At that time, only Jinyiwei and Dongchang will need to take action, and a large number of people will have to be implicated.

Moreover, the news about the imperial court's exemption from paying taxes for one year had already been published everywhere in the previous issue of the Daming Daily.

It only takes a little attention to find out.

Moreover, the price of newspapers for the common people is extremely low, and a newspaper is only sold for two cents, and sometimes it is even given away for free, so there is no situation where you can't afford it.

In addition, there are also information bureaus in the two capitals and 13 provinces of Daming, which are responsible for selling newspapers.

When Xu Jie thought of this, his face was full of helplessness, and it was only at this time that he realized that unconsciously, many things seemed to be different from before.

Then, I saw him lower his eyes, look at the ground casually, and say to himself silently: "Could it be that the reason why Your Majesty vigorously promoted the newspaper and founded the Information Agency is to deal with the current situation?" ”

Just as Xu Jie was about to continue thinking in this direction, he heard a slight knock outside the door, interrupting his thoughts.

Seeing that his thoughts were interrupted, he saw Xu Jie frowning, and then ordered: "Come in!" ”

The voice fell, only to hear a 'squeak', the door of the room was pushed open, and after a while, I saw the butler step in.

After entering the room, the housekeeper did not hesitate at all, immediately leaned down, and saluted Xu Jie respectfully: "Master! ”

Hearing this, Xu Jie glanced at the housekeeper, and then asked, "It's so late, is there anything wrong?" ”

"Master, here is a reply from the eldest young master!"

After the butler finished speaking, he took out a letter from his sleeve and respectfully handed it to Xu Jie.

After receiving the letter, I saw Xu Jie withdraw his gaze from the butler's body, waved his hand, and commanded: "Well, I know, you go down first!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

Seeing that the task of his trip had been completed, the butler had no intention of staying, and after answering the call, he walked out of the room.

When leaving, the housekeeper also closed the door of the room.

After the housekeeper left the room, he saw Xu Jie eagerly open the envelope and began to browse the contents on it.

"Father, I've been in good health lately, Father, the child has received your reply and handed it over to the Patriarch."

"After reading the contents of the letter, the patriarch was greatly shocked, gathered all the clansmen, and repeatedly emphasized that no one should use the name of your father, and anyone who violates the law will be dealt with according to the family law and removed from the clan!"

"In addition, according to the child's observations, since the patriarch emphasized the above matters, there have been many fewer similar things......"

……

After reading the contents of the letter, Xu Jie's whole person breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, if you continue to let those people in the clan go around doing evil under their own signs, you will definitely be implicated.

At that time, let alone entering the 'Meritorious Pavilion' after death, whether you can be stable and prosperous, you have to put a question mark.

"Fortunately, everything is developing in a good direction, thanks to Yan Song's reminder at the banquet earlier!"

Immediately, I saw Xu Jie put the envelope in his hand aside, stroked his beard, and said with emotion.

Having said that, Xu Jie still couldn't understand why Yan Song took the risk to remind himself.

After all, the two sides have been fighting openly and secretly for so many years, and each side is eager to get rid of the other as soon as possible.

Xu Jie asked himself, if he put himself in Yan Song's position, he would definitely seize this opportunity, take advantage of the question, and beat the water dog.

Then, I saw Xu Jie supporting his chin with one hand, and thought like this: "Why did Yan Song take the risk and remind me to pay more attention at the banquet, is there any other intention?" ”

At this time, Xu Jie's brain was running rapidly, and one conjecture after another flashed in his mind, and then it was eliminated one by one.

Time passed slowly, I don't know how long it was, Xu Jie suddenly had a flash of inspiration, slapped his thigh suddenly, and said to himself: "I understand, as the saying goes, all the birds are flying, the good bow is hidden, the cunning rabbit is dead, and the lackeys are cooking!" ”

"Instead of changing to an opponent I don't understand, it's better to continue to maintain the status quo, after all, I have been fighting with Yan Song for so many years, and I already know the roots, and we both know each other's temper and temperament very well!"

The more Xu Jie thought about it, the more he felt that it was possible, after all, only in this way could everything be explained.

After this, I saw Xu Jie shaking his head imperceptibly, and secretly sighed: "It seems that this Yan Song is planning to sit in the position of the first assistant of the cabinet until death!" ”

When Xu Jie said this, he paused, his face was full of inexplicable expressions, and he continued: "Yan Song, Yan Song, no one can sit in this position of the first assistant of the cabinet until death, or get acquainted, give up the position as soon as possible!" ”

"If you get to know each other, maybe I can spare your life and save the last shred of dignity for each other!"

……

The night passed in the blink of an eye, in the Forbidden City, outside the cabinet.

After the sedan chair stopped, I saw Yan Shifan step forward and carefully help Yan Song down from the sedan chair.

"Father, slow down!"

"Hmm."

At this time, Yan Song was still looking like an old dragon clock, and with the support of Yan Shifan, he walked slowly in the direction of the cabinet.

The father and son hadn't walked out a few steps, only to hear the voice of Xu Jie's greeting from behind them: "Old Yan Ge!" ”

When Yan Song heard this, he stopped suddenly, turned around, and looked Xu Jie up and down with cloudy eyes, before he said unhurriedly: "Oh, it's Xu Ge Lao!" ”

When the words fell, I saw Xu Jie's three steps and two steps to keep up with Yan Song's pace, and walk side by side with Yan Song.

Seeing this, Yan Shifan, who was on the side, slowed down quite interestingly, and fell far behind the two.

Then, I saw Xu Jie retract his gaze from a distance and take the lead in provoking the topic: "The weather has been really good recently, and it's not so cold anymore!" ”

When Yan Song heard Xu Jie's words, he nodded, and said with a smile: "Yes, the winter has finally passed, otherwise, my old bones can't support it!" ”

When Xu Jie heard this, his face was full of warm smiles, and he followed up and said: "Where, where, Yan Ge Lao said and laughed, in my opinion, your body is still strong!" ”

After that, I saw Xu Jie retract his gaze from Yan Song's body, pretending to be inadvertent, and asked Yan Song: "Anyway, why did Yan Ge come so early today, is there anything that needs to be dealt with?" ”

When Yan Song heard this, he had no intention of concealing it, and even when he told Xu Jie that the design plan of the 'Meritorious Pavilion' had been decided, he unreservedly recounted it to Xu Jie.

After learning the news from Yan Song's mouth, Xu Jie's face was full of curiosity that could not be concealed.

Then, I saw him stop, turned around, and looked at Yan Shifan, who was following the two of them far behind at the moment, and confirmed to him: "Little Pavilion Elder, is the Ministry of Industry planning to build the 'Meritorious Pavilion' into a tower?" ”

Facing Xu Jie's curious gaze, I saw Yan Shifan speak without thinking: "Yes, Xu Ge Lao, the Ministry of Industry plans to build the 'Meritorious Pavilion' into a tower!" ”

"When completed, each floor can be used to store portraits, which not only maximizes the use of the space inside, but also has a wide view and high structural strength, which is very convenient even if you want to renovate it in the future!"

After listening to Yan Shifan's words, he saw Xu Jie's thoughtful look, and at this moment, the general style of the 'Meritorious Pavilion' had been sketched in Xu Jie's mind.

Immediately, I saw Xu Jie lower his head and said in a voice that only he could hear: "If you build the 'Meritorious Pavilion' into a tower, it seems that you can accept it!" ”

After this, I saw Xu Jie come back to his senses, looked in the direction where Yan Shifan was, nodded, and said encouragingly: "Well, this idea is very subtle, not bad, not bad!" ”

"Where, Xu Ge's old words are serious!"

When Yan Shifan heard Xu Jie's words, his face was full of self-humility, he leaned down and responded respectfully.

Subsequently, everyone exchanged a few more words on this matter, and then tacitly ended the topic.

"Alright, it's not too early, we should go in and get busy, there are a lot of things that need to be dealt with recently!"

"Well, let's go!"

After Yan Song answered, and then with the support of Xu Jie, he climbed the stairs and stepped onto the cabinet ladder. (End of chapter)