Chapter 21 The trees are beautiful in the forest, but the wind will destroy them
Your Highness's actions are actually the mouthpiece of scholars all over the world, not just for us.
Under the Spring Imperial Examination, there are hidden chronic diseases that have accumulated for a long time, decades of stereotypes and bad habits, and officials protecting each other. His Highness resolutely shouldered the heavy responsibility. The hardships can be imagined, and it was really a situation where he had no time to spare.
"How can we cause trouble to His Highness at this moment!" Hou Jichang's cheeks turned red and he looked slightly embarrassed after hearing what he was thinking.
Shi Chanli deeply agreed and nodded in agreement: "That's right! Even if you are grateful and want to express your gratitude to Mr. Xiao Fan and the second prince, you should wait until the dust of spring has settled."
Yang Wanli looked at Hou Jichang and said sincerely: "Brother Hou, don't forget your original intention.
The words of the past are still in my ears. Before becoming an official, I didn't care about worldly affairs. However, once you become a courtier and hold power and responsibility, I hope you can stick to justice and speak out bravely like the second prince. "
"We should encourage each other and devote ourselves to learning." After saying this, everyone fell into deep thought and encouraged each other.
Hou Jichang forced a smile in response.
Arriving at the residence of Prime Minister Lin, Fan Xian made a special trip not to visit Wan'er, but to visit Lin Ruofu.
Under Dabao's warm welcome, he walked into Lin Xiang's study, and saw his counselor Yuan Hongdao standing by, so he became cautious and his words were a little more reserved.
"Shibo..." Fan Xian started, but was interrupted by Lin Ruofu.
"Come on, help me pluck this beard, it's very annoying."
Lin Ruofu raised his chin slightly. Seeing this, Fan Xian had no choice but to do as he was told. The white beards fell off in response. Lin Xiang showed pain on his face and said with a smile:
"This pain can only be relieved by eradicating it, but uprooting it is not easy."
While pulling out the beard, Lin Ruofu seemed to be casually reminding his son-in-law deeply. Then he took Fan Xian to the side, picked up a bag of hawthorns, and began to select them personally in preparation for the big treasure.
Fan Xian wanted to take the opportunity to mention the purpose of his visit, but Lin Ruofu beat him to it: "I know the purpose of your visit. But before that, I want to ask you, what is spring to you?" ?”
Fan Xian replied seriously: "The Spring Imperial Examination is a way for the imperial court to select talented people and open up a wide range of talents."
Lin Ruofu shook his head and revealed the deeper truth: "Not only that, there was a secret operation behind Chun Wei.
The list has been decided before the name is revealed, and various means are used to ensure that the person is named on the gold list. This is the secret of spring. "
When Fan Xian heard this, he wondered: "If the article is not good, how can it not be questioned?"
Lin Ruofu shook his head and smiled bitterly: "There are always countermeasures in the world. Therefore, hundreds of officials and even relatives of the emperor will compete to submit the list.
I have selected one for you, and the people on it are all important people. "After that, he handed the list to Fan Xian, but the latter hesitated to accept it.
"Since Shibo knows my intentions, why did he give me this list?" Fan Xian was puzzled.
Lin Ruofu sighed earnestly: "'If the trees are beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy them.'"
I had heard about the second prince's feats in the Chunwei examination hall that day, but as a prince, he has a distinguished status and has his own freedom in doing things.
And you, as a minister, shoulder completely different responsibilities and risks..." Fan Xian's face darkened when he heard this.
Lin Ruofu continued to persuade: "Getting through the Spring Festival is a new starting point for your official career. Accept this list. The way to be an official is to be kind to others and be harmonious. The second prince can do whatever he wants, but you need to Take steps step by step and proceed with caution..."
"Besides, don't let the second prince use you as a pawn. His mind is far more complicated than it appears."
Fan Xian's hand hung in the air, and he finally pushed the list back gently: "Shibo, I know the second prince's intentions very well. Like me, he cares about the scholars in the world and longs to return the pure land of Spring. Even if he has other plans, As long as he can achieve this justice, I will fully support him.”
A flash of anger flashed across Lin Ruofu's face, but it was immediately replaced by worry: "If the ministers, officials, and relatives of the emperor feel resentment towards you because of this, they may not dare to do anything to the second prince, but what about you?
Can you withstand their anger and revenge?"
Fan Xian shook his head, but his eyes were firm:
“Although I cannot bear it alone, the Second Prince has made it clear that he will report this matter to His Majesty.
As long as His Majesty agrees, it is the holy will to correct the fraud in the Spring Palace. Who dares to object? "
After hearing this, Lin Ruofu slowly put the list back on the table, with a hint of relief on his face.
He put away the list and looked at Fan Xian again, his eyes full of tenderness and reluctance: "If the Second Prince is really what you said, then you have found a solid backing."
Fan Xian was confused, wondering what kind of inside story Lin Xiang knew, or whether he just made a judgment based on intuition. At this moment, they were all waiting for a result, an answer that related to whether they could succeed.
·······
In the palace, Eunuch Hou walked into the second prince's residence holding the imperial edict in his hand: "Your Majesty's oral order summons the second prince Li Chengze to enter the palace immediately to meet the emperor."
Xie Bian was stunned, but Li Chengze quickly straightened his clothes and followed his father-in-law into the palace. Before leaving, he did not forget to grab a few grapes and eat them while walking.
In the imperial study, Emperor Qing was lying on his side on the couch with his face covered, and what he was flipping through was Fan Xian's poetry collection. Li Chengze stepped forward and saluted, his words showing some intimacy and respect: "My son, I see you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Qing looked at him through the turban and looked at him with amusement: "Li Chengze, you have been in the limelight recently."
Li Chengze did not kneel down and stood calmly in front of Emperor Qing: "Your Majesty once praised my minister for his gentle temperament and benevolent heart. Everything he did was for the sake of the Qing Kingdom. If there is no harm in the government, my minister should be unknown."
Emperor Qing put down the collection of poems, and the sixteen lines in the book were faintly visible. It turned out that he had already noticed Li Chengze's literary talent. He chuckled: "Fan Xian is famous all over the world for his poetic talent, but you don't have to give in too much. Otherwise, how could I let you spend the spring with him?"
"All my achievements are due to His Majesty's grace." Li Chengze's answer not only expressed loyalty, but also implied a request for asylum.
Emperor Qing sneered: "You are so bold. Without my permission, you dare to go to war in the spring and threaten to clean up the accumulated abuses. Do you think that I can't do this and you can only do it?"
Eunuch Hou listened with fear, fearing that if he said something wrong, he would be killed.
However, Li Chengze just bowed slightly: "I have no such intention. I know very well that your majesty's civil and military skills have been brilliant, and the military rule of the Qing Dynasty has been extremely powerful. I just complied with your majesty's unspoken intention and looked forward to the literary world of the Qing Dynasty. More prosperity, both civil and military.”
Emperor Qing pulled off his scarf and looked directly at Li Chengze: "Okay, don't beat around the bush. Tell me, what are your plans?"
Li Chengze replied cautiously: "Of course I will cooperate with Mr. Xiao Fan and Mr. Lai to ensure that Chun Wei is fair and impartial. I dare not speak nonsense about the rest."
Emperor Qing was silent for a moment, seemingly satisfied with Li Chengze's answer, but the doubts in his heart had not completely dissipated. This dialogue is both a test and the beginning of trust.
(End of chapter)