September 15 of the eighth year of Hongzhi, Chang Feng was thirty years old.

Changfu almost became a bazaar. Among the people who came to congratulate him, in addition to the brocade clothes and guards, there were also a large number of foreign ministers and internal officials.

The four elders of the cabinet, Xu Pu, Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian, all arrived.

Twelve of the six ministers and eighteen officials came. Four of the governors of the five armies came.

There are countless noble relatives who have come.

There were nearly 300 civil and military officials and princes and uncles above the seventh rank who came to congratulate him.

The first celebrity around Emperor Hongzhi had a strong life, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty had to give face.

Even Empress Zhang sent someone to send congratulatory gifts.

Today's Changfu is a double happiness. It not only celebrates Changfeng's birthday, but also celebrates the title of his brother-in-law Huang Yuangui.

The scene was simply noisy gongs and drums, firecrackers, red silk displays, and crowds.

There are only 10 tables in the Fuchu Hall. Officials above the fourth rank sit in the hall. The remaining 30 or so tables were placed in the front yard.

There are still two moments left before the official time of the birthday celebration. The crowd began to enthusiastically display the birthday gifts they brought.

The Zhang brothers were simple and rude, and they gave gold.

Zhang Heling tore open a red cloth, and in the red cloth was a statue of Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth, who was beaten of gold.

Zhang Heling said with a smile: "I know that Brother Chang is from the family raider. Worship Zhao Gongming in the brocade guard. ”

"This God of Wealth has shared one hundred and ninety-nine taels of pure gold."

Zhang Heling's enthusiasm was difficult, and Chang Feng couldn't refuse, refuting Uncle Guo's face.

Chang Feng arched his hand: "Thank you Uncle Guo for your generous gift." ”

Zhang Heling said with a smile: "Don't worry, Brother Chang, our brothers' gifts haven't been given yet!" ”

Zhang Yanling got up and opened a delicate brocade box. There are three pens in the box.

Each pen is a jade rod and a wolf's hair.

Zhang Yanling said: "This gift is not for Brother Chang, but for our brother-in-law Huang Yuan. ”

"These three pens are the pen masters I invited from Huzhou, and they are carved into pens with Hetian jade from Hami Weigong. Then take the hair of the old weasel and make it. ”

"Wait for the spring of next year, and our brother-in-law will use it when he enters the spring and takes the Jinshi exam."

The so-called wolf pen is not wolf hair, but weasel hair.

Huang Yuan, who was sitting at the bottom of Chang Feng, hurriedly took the brocade box and thanked him a thousand times.

Chang Feng smiled: "Isn't the jade rod wolf pen my share?" I'm going to take the spring exam next year. ”

Zhang Heling said: "Cough, Brother Chang, this is a Jinshi pen." You've taken both subjects. If you want to be in the middle of the sergeant, you will already be hit. ”

"I've heard what Elder Li Ge said. Your exam paper is many, many circles less than Bagong! ”

Chang Feng smiled embarrassedly: "Today I have a strong life, Uncle Guo don't reveal my old bottom." ”

Zhang Heling directly hugged Huang Yuan's shoulders and said in a loud voice: "Today, the officials in the capital are quite complete. There's something I have to make clear in public. ”

"Huang Yuan is not only the emperor's brother-in-law, but also my brother-in-law."

"In the future, it doesn't matter if you are an official in Beijing, or if you have a knighthood. Who dares to bully Huang Yuan, I will dig his ancestral grave! ”

Zhang Yanling echoed: "Yes! Right! It's not a matter of two of us digging people's ancestral graves, who dares to bully Huang Yuan, we will do what we say! ”

Huang Yuan didn't know what to say.

Chang Feng hurriedly gave him a round game: "Why don't you thank the two uncles for taking care of you?" ”

Huang Yuan arched his hand: "Thank you for the two uncles to take care of you." ”

Ma Wensheng, the secretary of the ministry, is no less powerful than a cabinet member in the court.

Ma Wensheng and Chang Feng are New Year's friends. He smiled: "Chang Feng, I am not as rich as the two uncles. I can't afford to send gold and jade. ”

"It is said that the birthday gift cannot be given to the soldiers. But that's the rule of the literati. ”

"You are on an errand in Jinyiwei, and you are a martial artist. I will give you a good sword today. ”

After speaking, Ma Wensheng opened a box, and inside the box was a scorpion crossbow.

This scorpion crossbow is very different from what the brocade guards are usually equipped with. There are three crossbow slots with three short arrows.

Chang Feng asked, "What is this?" ”

Ma Wensheng said: "When I have nothing to do at home, I like to tinker with cannons, guns, and crossbows." ”

"This scorpion crossbow has been modified by me. Three arrows can be fired in a row. Lighter than a normal scorpion crossbow. ”

"You specialize in secret errands, and you have to have a weapon for self-defense."

Chang Feng's scorpion crossbow played with it and couldn't put it down.

Chang Feng smiled: "Ma Lao Butang, thank you very much!" This crossbow is truly a peerless weapon. ”

Ma Wensheng waved his hand: "What kind of peerless god soldier is this." My improved bowl mouth gun can be called a divine weapon. ”

"But that thing is too big, you can't carry a small cannon on a secret errand."

The crowd laughed. Chang Feng put away the scorpion crossbow.

Li Dongyang, a new cabinet member who joined the cabinet in the spring of this year, said: "I am a literati. Chang Tongzhi has a background in lifting, and he is also a literati. ”

"Birthday gifts among literati are elegant, with calligraphy and painting. I made a picture as a birthday gift. ”

Li Dongyang is a master of calligraphy and painting. His calligraphy and paintings, not to mention in later generations, are worth a lot of money even in the current dynasty.

Li Dongyang unfolded a painting, only to see that the painting was a ghost hunting story of Zhong Kui, which was lifelike.

Draw the big book "Zhong Kui Ghost Hunting Picture".

Chang Feng has many nicknames in Beijing, such as Chang Butcher, Chang Shaved Head, and Chang Hades.

It is also appropriate to send Zhong Kui to the king of Hades.

Shi Wenyi is very good at sycophancy, and he smiled: "During Chang Ye's service in Jinyiwei, he caught I don't know how many ghosts, traitors and villains. ”

"He is Zhong Kui of our Ming officialdom!"

Everyone echoed: "Shi Zhenfu said it well! ”

Chang Feng said: "Thank you Li Ge Lao for this painting." I will definitely offer it, like Zhong Kui, and I am inseparable from the evil ghosts and traitors! ”

Qian Neng said with a smile: "Father and son are one, Ning'er and I will give a gift." Come on, bring it up. ”

Qian Ning opened a long brocade box. Inside the brocade box is a scabbard. The scabbard is studded with precious stones.

Qian Neng said: "The embroidered spring knife is given by Qin, and they all look the same." The embroidered spring knife you are equipped with is the same as that of ordinary 100 households and 1,000 households, how can this work? ”

"This scabbard is specially based on the length of the embroidered spring knife, made of high-quality wood, and wrapped in skin. It is inlaid with 20 pieces of rare gemstones. ”

"A good knife with a hero, a good sheath with a good knife!"

Chang Feng took the scabbard: "It's really a gorgeous scabbard." Owner, thank you for your generous gift. ”

Qian Neng smiled and said, "Thank you." There is a shrewd and capable person like you in charge of the brocade guard. I don't know how much worry I've saved as a boss! ”

Chang Feng's best literary friend, Zhang Cai got up in the Ministry of Officials: "I'll give Brother Chang a book." ”

Zhang Heling looked disdainful: "Zhang Cai, you are one of the four fat differences in the imperial court." Brother Chang's birthday, why do you just give a book? ”

"It's too picky, isn't it? How much is a book worth? ”

Zhang Cai said with a smile: "Uncle Guo said this, and the lower officials dare not agree. There is no distinction between fat and thin official positions, and they all serve the imperial court. I have always taken Brother Chang as a model, clear as water, and as cheap as a mirror. ”

After speaking, Zhang Cai opened a bookcase.

Chang Feng took the book and flipped through it, dumbfounded: "It turned out to be the "Annotations to the Four Books and Chapters and Sentences" inscribed by the old master Zhu Xi?" My God, there are also the inscriptions of the founding fathers Liu Ji and Song Lian! ”

Zhu Xi's "Notes on the Collection of Four Books, Chapters and Sentences" is a must-have book for scholars in the Ming Dynasty to take the imperial examination. It belongs to the textbook plus the examination syllabus.

Zhu Fuzi personally inscribed the "Notes on the Collection of Chapters and Sentences of the Four Books", as well as the inscriptions of Liu Ji and Song Lian. I am afraid that the price of this book will not be lower than one hundred and ninety-nine taels of gold cast by the God of Wealth.

All the civil officials present here relied on Cheng Zhu Lixue to get promoted. It is to them what the Bible is to the bishops of heaven.

The civil servants present carefully circulated it.

Wang Shouren, who owed Chang Feng six pot helmets, followed his father Wang Hua to celebrate his birthday, and because he had known Chang Feng for a long time, he was arranged in the hall.

The book was passed to Wang Shouren, but Wang Shouren's eyes were a little disdainful.

Nowadays, he has long ceased to regard Cheng Zhu Lixue as a guideline. For him, Cheng Zhu Lixue is just a step to the entrance examination.

Everyone took turns to offer birthday gifts. Gifts are piled up like a mountain.

Finally, it was the turn of Wang Hua's father and son to present their birthdays.

Wang Shouren got up: "Lord Chang." In the twenty-second year of Chenghua, I owe you six pot helmets. I came to pay you back today, all as a birthday gift. ”

After speaking, Wang Shouren presented a plate of pot helmets. On each pot helmet, a longevity character is drawn with rose dew.

Such a simple birthday gift is a little shabby. Chang Feng likes it very much. I took a pot helmet and took a bite: "Crunchy." It's so fragrant. ”

"Prince Wang, in the future, our accounts will be cleared!"

It's weird. Everyone knows that Chang Feng has the best relationship with Xu Guangzuo, the prince of Dingguo.

Although Xu Fatzi sat in the chief today, he didn't take out the birthday gift for a long time.

Qian Ning smiled: "Master Xu, why are you so stingy today?" Didn't prepare a birthday gift? ”

Xu Fatzi had a mysterious expression on his face: "My birthday gift is not enough for outsiders to see!" I've already sent someone to my sister-in-law in the backyard! ”

After speaking, Xu Fatzi smiled evilly and whispered a few words to Chang Feng.

Chang Feng gritted his teeth and said, "Fatty, I thank you!" ”

Xu Fatzi smiled: "I will strengthen a nephew, how can this work?" It is my duty as a brother to help you spread the leaves! ”

Everyone guessed from Xu Fatzi's obscene smile that Xu Shizi's birthday ceremony must be related to the secret art in the room.

The officialdom in the capital knows that Xu Shizi is an expert in this regard.

Li Guang was late. He said half-yin and yang: "I am ordered by the queen mother to give Chang Tongzhi a birthday gift." ”

Chang Feng hurriedly got up and knelt down in front of Li Guang: "Minister Changfeng, thank you for the grace of the queen mother." ”

Li Guang asked the two little eunuchs to unfold a cloud brocade. The cloud brocade is embroidered with gold thread with the word "longevity".

Li Guangdao: "This is what the queen asked the people of the Needlework Bureau to make." It is not an exaggeration to say that it is worth even the city. ”

Chang Feng took the Fang Yunjin and said loudly: "The queen mother treats the Chang family like a mountain. Even if the Chang family is tied to the grass, it is difficult to repay it. ”

Chang Feng's longevity is extremely beautiful.

At the same time, inside the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Hongzhi is lighting the lamp and boiling oil to approve the recital. He's a diligent emperor, and that's not to be hacked.

Xiao Jing, the master of ceremonies, walked into the main hall.

Xiao Jing is already old, and his hair has turned a lot grayer.

He is a virtuous eunuch. His merit is on a par with Wynne's. Otherwise, Emperor Hongzhi would not have used him as a celebrant and master of ceremonies.

After Emperor Hongzhi finished reading the recital, he looked up at Xiao Jing: "Isn't Qian on duty by my side tonight?" ”

Xiao Jing replied: "Chang Feng has a thirty strong life. Qian Neng went over to congratulate him, and exchanged values with the old slave. ”

Emperor Hongzhi said: "Oh? Chang Feng is thirty years old. Time is really fleeting. ”

"Don't talk about him, I'm twenty-seven."

Xiao Jing lowered his voice: "Your Majesty, Changfeng's birthday banquet is very beautiful. ”

"Civilian and military generals, ministers and foreign ministers. Almost all those who were in power in the capital had gone. ”

Emperor Hongzhi was stunned: "Oh? ”

Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, forgive the old slave for being blunt. Now Chang Feng is too powerful. Whether it is the governor of Dongchang, the cabinet member, or Jiuqing, they all have a lot to do with him. ”

"Too powerful, too favored, as a minister, and befriended a large group of foreign ministers. This is not a good thing for him, for the court, and for the emperor. ”

"Oh, the old slave doesn't mean that Chang Feng is a bad person. He was loyal to the emperor and capable. The old slave just talks about things. ”

"The monstrous authority will change a person and kill a person."

Xiao Jing admires Chang Feng very much. There is absolutely no intention of slandering and harming the wind in front of Emperor Hongzhi.

His words are only public, not private. It is indeed a public statement.

Emperor Hongzhi listened to Xiao Jing's words thoughtfully: "Yes." He has been too favored all these years. There is also more and more power. It's time for him to give some power to others. ”

As an emperor, he pays the most attention to balance. Emperor Hongzhi trusted Changfeng. But an emperor cannot concentrate power in the hands of one person.

Once power is concentrated in the hands of a favored minister, the result will be the emergence of the "emperor" and "nine thousand years old" category.

Emperor Hongzhi asked: "The commander of Jinyiwei, Mu Bin, also celebrates Changfeng's birthday in Changfu, right?" ”

Xiao Jing replied: "Exactly." ”

Emperor Hongzhi instructed: "You send someone to wait at the gate of Changfu." When the birthday banquet was over, as soon as Mu Bin came out, he summoned Mu Bin to Qianqing Palace. ”

Xiao Jing arched his hand: "Yes, the old slave will send someone." ”

The birthday banquet of the Chang family lasted until seven o'clock.

Chang Feng was happy, drank a few more glasses of wine, and was full of drunkenness.

As the saying goes, wine is a color medium.

After the birthday banquet, he went to his wife Liu Xiaoyan's room. With Liu Xiaoyan, who is like a wolf and a tiger, I have studied the birthday gift given by Xu Fatzi.

Mu Bin was called to the Qianqing Palace by the little eunuch.

Mu Bin knelt down in front of Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi's face was gloomy: "Mu Bin, I heard that you, the commander, have become the shopkeeper. ”

"I let you take charge of the Jinyi Guard, but I didn't let you have an empty official title and get a comfortable salary."

Mu Bin kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I."

Emperor Hongzhi interrupted him: "Your condition, Jinyiwei's condition, I know it clearly. ”

Mu Bin complained in his heart: Let me vacate the official title and let Chang Feng actually manage things, which was hinted and instructed by the emperor at the beginning. Why are you listening to the voice today, and you want to go back on your word?

Emperor Hongzhi said: "I also heard that the people in the Jinyi Guard call Chang Feng the big shopkeeper? Joke, Jinyiwei only has one big shopkeeper, and that is you Mu Bin! ”

"From tonight onwards, you will be responsible. Take the power of Jinyiwei in charge. ”

"In addition, I will issue a decree to the Jinyi Guard tomorrow. In the future, the southern and northern towns will be in charge of the commanding envoys. Both the left and the right are not allowed to interfere in the specific affairs of the Department of Suppression. ”

"This will is for your good, and for the good of Changfeng!"

Mu Bin chuckled in his heart: Isn't this decree tantamount to setting Chang Feng up in the air?

Emperor Hongzhi added: "Oh, the left and right are not without power in the future." But their authority is to be granted by you, the commander. ”

Mu Bin kowtowed: "The minister obeys the order." ”

Let's say that Chang Feng and Liu Xiaoyan have been in trouble for half a night. It wasn't until Chang Feng shouted, "Mrs. spares her life, she can't hold it" before she gave up.

The early dynasty still has to go up. Chang Feng got up sleepily and changed into court clothes. Go to the lobby first to drink tea and wake up.

He was shocked to find that last night's birthday gift had formed a mountain in the hall.

The givers were all from the highest echelons of power in the empire.

Chang Feng suddenly felt a faint chill behind his neck.

He secretly said in his heart: Am I too powerful all these years? Too much power is a good thing. It's also a bad thing.

(End of chapter)