In the main hall of the Lin Mansion, Lin Tang frowned. As a degraded Xiaojing official, because he is out of place, his career is hopeless.

What else can he do, he can't do anything. And Chen Jing, who suddenly appeared in front of him, seemed to give him a trace of life.

"Listen to you, is there a way?" Lin Tang hesitated, picked up the teapot on the table, and helped Chen Jing pour another one.

"Brother Chen, you may not know that even in the capital, my Lin Tang rarely pours tea for people, and there are never more than three in the world."

This sentence undoubtedly praised Chen Jing.

But Chen Jing was at ease, picked up the teacup, and took a sip calmly.

"Let me ask more, what kind of official did you serve in the capital before?"

Putting down the teacup, Lin Tang laughed helplessly, "The order of the city division in the north of the capital, the six-grade official, if I am not mistaken, I have two taels and four coins, and there are some Lu Su and cloth." ”

Chen Jing was not surprised, the middle-aged man in front of him, on the side of the capital, was also depressed.

Lin Tang was silent for a while, and continued to speak, "Ten years of hard work, once you enter the office. Chen Jing, let me talk about one more thing. Have you heard of Mr. Big? ”

"Yes." Chen Jing's complexion remained unchanged.

"He and I ...... He was the one who ascended the temple in the same year. After ascending the palace, Zhao Sheng was surprised by his outstanding talent in the palace examination, and was given the title by the first emperor. ”

Hearing Lin Tang's words, Chen Jing also raised his head in surprise, "What do you mean, you and Mr. Big ascended the palace in the same year?" ”

Lin Tang nodded, "Naturally, I am the leader of the palace examination." ”

"The age of the adult seems to be a bit exaggerated......

"I was born in poverty, far away from Beijing, and I have been planning to enter Beijing for several years."

Chen Jing gave up. If there was no demon like Mr. Big, I wouldn't be able to say that the champion of the palace test that year would be this Lin Tang.

"You asked me earlier, which faction do you belong to? I'll tell you, I'm not standing anywhere. The people of the eight families in the capital also came to woo me, but I Lin Tang...... I didn't want to be a pawn, so I politely declined. ”

"Therefore, it was also relegated to the six southern states."

"Exactly." Lin Tang laughed, and there was a sense of helplessness hidden in his laughter. A small Beijing official with no background and no connections, relying on the ten-year cold window to ascend to the position, the hardships can be imagined.

But Chen Jing was very satisfied with Lin Tang's original choice. Now in these six southern states, what is lacking is a neutral person.

"Even in the South, I don't stand on factions."

"If you stand, it's not good." Chen Jing said with a smile, "Now whether it is in the capital or in the six southern states, according to my guess, almost everyone inside and outside the court has chosen a faction. This is a great joy for adults. ”

"Why?"

"In the six southern states, who is the person in charge on the surface?"

"Hu Zun, the second-rank governor, he is the person left behind by Mr. Big, and supervises the southern states on his behalf. Of course, on the side of the old school, there are also many officials who are-for-tat with Hu Zun. ”

"This is your chance for me." Chen Jing raised his head calmly, "The situation in the six southern states is already an undercurrent. For example, if he is promoted, Hu Zun, as a reformist, will definitely not let the old-fashioned people take the position. In the same way, the conservative side will also do everything possible to obstruct the rise of the reformers. ”

Lin Tang's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he vaguely understood what Chen Jing meant.

"But if it is a neutral Beijing official, the people of these two factions will not obstruct it, but will only look for opportunities to win it over later. That's why I said, now is the time for adults. ”

Chen Jing picked up the teacup and drank it all at once. Lin Tang, who was beside him, hurriedly helped him fill it again.

"If you guess correctly, your Excellency is now nameless?"

"Exactly." Lin Tang frowned slightly, "I entered Taowei County, and there are not many squires who come to visit the mansion. Chen Jing, you have a way. ”

"Naturally, what adults have to do now is to make a name for themselves first."

"How to Young?"

"How many catchers are there in Taowei County?"

"Nearly a hundred."

"That's enough." Chen Jing's tone was serious, "Between the two factions, there are often private fights. On weekdays, I guess adults don't pay much attention to it. But next time, if there is another private fight, regardless of faction, immediately send someone to arrest him. ”

"Arrest."

"Exactly, after the arrest, it was immediately filed and reported to Hu Zun. And the old-fashioned people will also soon know. When the time comes, no matter who comes to intercede, adults need to remember that they will not be tolerated. At least...... The people of these two gangs were all locked up for one or two months. ”

"In this way, the reputation of the adults being neutral and not taking sides with the faction will spread quickly."

After listening to this, Lin Tang tilted his head comfortably. For the first time, he suddenly had a feeling of enlightenment. Chen Jing in front of him was not wrong, and he could indeed help him rise to the top.

"You need to remember that the capital that can be promoted is neutrality. I guess there will be intimidation and even assassination in the future, but this time, it was the last chance for adults. ”

"Chen Jing, I understand. In the prosperous era, you may be able to improve your political performance, but in such a stormy world, you can only find another shortcut. ”

"After doing this thing, you also need an opportunity to be promoted. At present, the credit for the suppression of the rebels must be the greatest. But the rebels are old-fashioned, and there are nearly 10,000 of them, so it's hard to start—"

"Chen Jing, I understand what you mean, after becoming famous, I need a credit to be promoted."

Chen nodded his head.

"You and I will discuss the specific matters. But no matter what, in the future, you and I should see each other less. In my opinion, it is most appropriate to communicate by secret letter. ”

"No problem."

Until this moment, Lin Tang finally recognized Chen Jing's ability. As Chen Jing said, this is a matter of mutual support.

In the main hall, the two were silent for a while. Both sides understood that what they had just said was only a verbal covenant, and at most of all, a means of forming an alliance was needed.

"It's a pity that I don't have a daughter under my knees...... Chen Jing, how about you and I swear by skin together? ”

Chen Jing knew that in ancient times, people paid the most attention to filial piety, and it was almost a very heavy ritual to swear by their parents.

He understood better that it was Lin Tang who was afraid that he would worry, such as not being trustworthy after being promoted...... Chen Jing exhaled and agreed to Lin Tang's suggestion.

"My lord, it's me Chen Jinggao."

Lin Tang smiled, "Look at me, now I'm just a small county governor of Jiupin." ”

Chen Jing also smiled, "Adults also look at me, but a small owner of the horse farm who has left his hometown." ”

The two looked at each other and laughed. But I am looking forward to it in my heart, this somewhat abrupt friendship, I can't say, can make both sides have a future in the future.

"Chen Jing, don't call me an adult, what's the matter if you call me brother."

"Thank you, brother." Chen Jing arched his hand and continued to speak, "In the future, the contact between you and me should not be too frequent, so as not to be noticed. Preferably, for the time being, communicate by secret message. ”

Chen Jing turned his head and called Xing Xiaojiu outside in. Similarly, Lin Tang also summoned the bearded guard into the main hall.

"This is my brother, his name is Xing Xiaojiu, and my secret letter will be sent by him in the future."

Lin Tang nodded and pointed to the bearded man next to him, "His name is Lin Xiao, he is my clan brother, and he is quite brave." In the future, my secret letter will also be sent by him. ”

"Xiao Jiu, let's see Brother Lin."

"Lin Xiao, don't neglect your old friend."

In the main hall, Xing Xiaojiu and Lin Xiao stared at each other for a while, and then the two of them reluctantly hugged one.