In the imperial city of Gyeonggi Province, Emperor Zhu Chengyuan was concentrating on painting in the royal study. A picture of the border city outside the northwest wall. Lai Si stood aside and carefully polished it. The two of them also exchanged ideas from time to time about what the northwest border city should look like. It took two

At that time, the emperor was painting, and the cabinet ministers were polishing. Qiu Sihai, the chief eunuch standing next to the desk, didn't dare to disturb him. Even if the little eunuch beside him whispered to the chief eunuch that it was time for his Majesty to eat, there was nothing he could do.

For Emperor Zhu Chengyuan, who spent his whole day apart from government affairs, it was rare that he had the leisure time to devote himself to painting. As His Majesty's personal confidant, Qiu Sihai didn't know this, so he made a resolute choice between eating and painting.

Once this matter was spread by some loose-spoken little eunuch, the officials at the Yushitai would probably have to criticize the eunuch for disturbing the government in the morning.

Emperor Zhu Chengyuan was extremely satisfied with this picture of the border town. Although the picture shows what it looked like when he was in the border town twenty or thirty years ago, for the small border town in the northwest that has been war-torn every year, the development in the past twenty years does not seem to have much impact on them.

Relationship. Half of the vast and sparsely populated border town is occupied by frontier troops guarding the city, and the other half is occupied by passing merchants and small traders doing business. There are very few local people.

"Your Majesty, your skill in copying paintings is probably unmatched by anyone in the country. Your painting of the northwest border city is really vivid, especially the expressions and mouth movements of the small merchants in the city, as if they could see what's in the painting.

They are bargaining, and the soldiers guarding the city gate have solemn expressions and uniform movements, which vividly portray the Chinese city guard." Lai Si looked at the works on the table and was full of praise.

Zhu Chengyuan was actually very satisfied with his painting. Even though he knew that Lai Si was bragging in it, he still enjoyed the feeling and hadn't been in such a relaxed mood for a long time. His Majesty the Emperor picked up the pen and wrote vigorously,

The heroic frontier poems have been passed down for centuries.

Qiu Sihai on the side saw the two important figures finished and asked: "Your Majesty, can I have a meal now?"

"It's so sad that my free time is gone so inadvertently." His Majesty the Emperor sighed and turned to Lai Si and said, "It's rare for me to have a free day today. After lunch, you can accompany me to the Guard Prison."

"Your Majesty, do you want to have a chat with that person?" Lai Si asked cautiously.

His Majesty the Emperor did not say anything and walked directly to the imperial dining room, followed closely by Lai Si. Zhu Chengyuan was not particular about eating. No matter who was around His Majesty the Emperor during meal time, they must stay and eat together.

In the words of Emperor Zhu Chengyuan, if you work in the emperor's house and you don't even get a meal, how can you talk about loyalty? The old dean Weng Shijie who often accompanied His Majesty the Emperor once saw the eunuch Qiu Sihai spending an evening with His Majesty the Emperor.

At that time, even a well-informed person like Master Shi was quite shocked by Emperor Zhu Chengyuan's approach. Zhu Chengyuan didn't take it seriously, it was just a meal.

Halfway through the meal, His Majesty the Emperor turned to Qiu Sihai, who was standing beside him, and asked: "Qiu Sihai, how many meals has Mr. Lai eaten here today?"

When Qiu Sihai heard this, he was happy and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, this is the seventy-sixth meal for Mr. Lai in the imperial kitchen."

"Yes, I understand." The emperor said with a smile.

When His Majesty the Emperor said this, Lai Si was concentrating on biting the chicken leg and almost choked. It made Zhu Chengyuan laugh. The kind smile of Qiu Sihai on the side made Lai Si panic. Now he began to doubt the words in his mouth.

If he eats the chicken legs, will His Majesty the Emperor ask him for money?

"Qiu Sihai, Mr. Lai has always liked meat. He eats more than half of the meat on the table every time. You can watch and remember a few more meals." His Majesty the Emperor continued to laugh, and the chicken drumstick Lai Si just bit into squirted.

Fortunately, he lowered his head in time, otherwise it would have been fatal if it sprayed into His Majesty's face.

Zhu Chengyuan looked at the second minister of the cabinet, who was considered his favorite, and suddenly asked: "Lai Si, I heard from the imperial doctor that Li Xianlai's health is getting worse and worse."

Lai Si: "Well, Mr. Li's health is getting worse day by day, and sometimes he can't even come to court."

Zhu Chengyuan: "He came to see me again the day before yesterday and said he wanted to take his grandchildren back to his hometown to enjoy happiness."

Raiji: "Your Majesty, it is better to find a quiet place for him to retire in the suburbs of Gyeonggi Province. In this way, everyone can take care of him if something happens, and his family is also here, so it is not that difficult to reunite. One more day

The Chinese New Year will be here in a few months, and as an old guy like him, he will still look a little cold when he returns to his hometown, so we can’t let the older generation’s hearts get cold!”

Emperor Zhu Chengyuan turned to look at Qiu Sihai and said with a smile: "Qiu Sihai, did you hear that?"

, Mr. Cisuke said that I was cold-blooded and unintentional. What kind of crime would I be guilty of openly bullying?"

Qiu Sihai on the side was very happy and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, this old slave is stupid and cannot remember the laws of Dahua."

Zhu Chengyuan waved his hand and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter. I remember that he has worked hard without any merit, so I will give him a lighter punishment and deduct one year's salary. Since it is a great disrespect to me, the money will be given directly to me."

Lai Si couldn't laugh or cry. He lost one year's salary for no reason, and the eunuchs and maids serving him couldn't help but laugh.

"Your Majesty, I can't be fined any more. If I'm fined again, the blame will really be brought to my family. Besides, you don't know about my mother-in-law. If I don't take money from my house, I won't even be able to get in." Lai Si said aggrievedly.

.

The emperor smiled and said: "After I have opened my mouth, there is no reason to take it back. Could it be that you want me to be a foolish king who breaks my promise?"

"Your Majesty, I know my mistake, and I am willing to be punished." Lai Si was about to cry, thinking that he would not feel good when he went back tonight. This is not a meal, it is obviously just money!

Emperor Zhu Chengyuan put down his bowl and chopsticks and said seriously: "Lai Si, as soon as Mr. Li comes and leaves, the seat of chief assistant will be vacant. Do you have any ideas?"

Lai Si also put down the chopsticks in his hand and wiped his mouth and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Li can actually stay for another year. It doesn't matter if I can worry more. If he leaves, our cabinet will lose a backbone."

Zhu Chengyuan knew that Lai Si was playing tricks at this time. He once mentioned to Lai Si about taking over as the first assistant, but the boy was unwilling and said that he lacked mental strength and Li Xianlai would be enough. Now that Li Xianlai, the first assistant, should devote his whole life to

Let him rest and take care of himself. Looking at the whole court, the only one who can take over the position of chief assistant is Lai Si. Therefore, Zhu Chengyuan called Lai Si over to take a precaution in advance.

Emperor: "Don't be so serious. I'm not happy to let you take over as the chief minister of the cabinet. Do you know how many pairs of eyes are staring at this position, and you will continue if you are asked. How can there be so much nonsense?"

Lai Si stood up and bowed down: "I, Lai Si, will definitely live up to your majesty and the millions of people in our country. For the prosperity of our country, I will not hesitate to do anything!"
Chapter completed!