Chen Xi returned to Beijing from Jiangnan again.

For the officialdom in the capital, this is not a strange thing. After all, Chen Xi has a high position and a powerful position, so the people below have no way to object to what he wants to do.

Even Xie Qian, who had always been in opposition to Chen Xi, compromised and gave way, and Yang Tinghe was driven out of the court by the emperor. The court had established a new leadership centered on Chen Xi. The emperor would cultivate his confidants next, and everyone had the opportunity to take office. Large-scale changes in civil and military affairs in the court were imminent.

On the way to the north of Chenxi, the first person to meet was Qian Ning, the commander of the Jinyiwei.

This time Qian Ning came to escort Chen Xi back to the capital... He originally went south to find Chen Xi and his family, but this time he was very excited to see the people and almost burst into tears.

"Please pay tribute to Lord Shen."

Qian Ning knelt on one knee and saluted Chen Xi, who was still on the horse's back at this time.

Outside the gate of the inn, Chen Xi turned over and got off his horse and walked to Qian Ning, "What's the matter with Commander Qian? Get up and talk."

"Yes, yes." Qian Ning responded with a smile, stood up and bowed to Chen Xi again, and then accompanied Chen Xi into the inn. At this time, a large number of guards were moving things inside and outside the inn, but it was not made by Chen Xi's arrangement, but Qian Ning came here first to set up a residence for Chen Xi.

Qian Ning smiled charmingly: "The villain came in a hurry and had no time to make arrangements. He could only clean up a few moments and change into a red sandalwood table and chairs for you so that you can live more comfortably."

Chen Xi frowned: "But just take a break for a while, why are you so tired and laborious?"

"This is the wish of the villain, but it is just something worthless... In terms of catering, the villain found the best local chef and cooked carefully. The villain knew that you had been wandering on the sea for a long time and had no time to enjoy delicious food. He specially found a chef and followed the adults all the way north and served them along the way. All the ingredients used were purchased half a day in advance to ensure freshness."

"This bedding was transported from Suhang and Hangzhou, with silk in it, which was absolutely soft. I just don't know how adults prefer beauty, so I specially found a few girls who warmed the bed to choose from..."

Qian Ning took out the trick of currying favor with the emperor before and tried his best to make Chen Xi happy.

In the past, I only needed to find food, drink and fun for Zhu Houzhao. Now, to please Chen Xi, Qian Ning did not hesitate to work hard on the quality of life. It was because the emperor's food, clothing, housing and transportation were difficult to exceed the standards in the palace, and he could not get it any more difficult. As a foreign minister, Chen Xi rarely had contact with these top-notch enjoyments in daily life, so he could make a fuss about this.

Chen Xi did not refuse directly and smiled and said, "The commander of the money is really good at taking care of people. These things cost a lot of money, right?"

"Not much, I didn't spend a penny."

Qian Ning had insisted on it, but immediately realized that Chen Xi was not so easy to fool, so he quickly changed his words, "Even if he paid for the money, he would pay it out of his own pocket. He would never involve local filial piety, and the news of keeping it will not leak out, nor will it spread to the censors."

Chen Xidao: "If someone knows that my official is so extravagant and wasteful on the way north, he will definitely impeach him... I originally had no interest in these enjoyable things, so it is really unnecessary to take risks for this."

"ah?"

Qian Ning didn't expect that his "careful arrangement" was not favored by Chen Xi, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed and panic. What he thought of was whether Chen Xi would have contact with his biggest enemy, namely Jiang Bin, and he didn't need to stay with the emperor as a traitor.

Chen Xi waved his hand: "It's fine to send tables and chairs, but only today, the chef will see them off. From tomorrow onwards, this will not be arranged again, so as not to cause criticism."

Qian Ning sighed relieved when he heard this: "It's all because of the villain's poor thoughts. If you don't know how to do it in the future, don't let the adults make things difficult. Come quickly and lead the adults upstairs..."

...

...

The second floor of the official post.

Chen Xi buried her head in writing, Hui Niang was wearing men's clothes, and her red sleeves were filled with fragrance.

Hui Niang looked at the luxurious decorations around her and couldn't help but sigh: "Qian would rather be good at doing things. If the master likes to enjoy it, he can take this person to his subordinates to listen to it."

Chen Xi put down his pen and looked up at Hui Niang: "I heard what you mean, let me a few slandered ministers, so I can rest assured to be happy?"

Hui Niang said, "Otherwise, what will the master do as an official? He just devotes himself to the country and the people, so he doesn't want to enjoy it safely for a few days?"

Chen Xi didn't know how to answer this question for a moment.

He began to think that since he became an official, he had lived a life like an ascetic, as if he was too harsh on himself. Sometimes when he was free, he felt that it was not worth it.

"well!"

Chen Xi sighed lightly, "If you can be a idle minister like before, you can be considered sick at home at any time. It would be a good thing to be led by Mr. Xie in the court."

Hui Niang gave Chen Xi a blank look: "But the master has never really been idle. Even if he is idle, his heart will not be idle."

Chen Xi smiled bitterly. Hui Niang saw this matter better than anyone else.

Hui Niang said, "Qian Ning is not a good person. The master is too risky to use him. He is used to being distorted by strange thoughts. The master believes so much?"

Chen Xi smiled and said, "Hui Niang, what are your suggestions? For example, drive it away? Or make good use of it?"

"When will it be my turn to give me some advice when is the master's turn to do things?"

Hui Niang glanced at Chen Xi, "But if you want to use it, you must not be entrusted with important tasks. It is more difficult to persuade him to do good than to ascend to heaven, unless the master wants to use his inferior character to do something about the court."

Chen Xi smiled without saying a word.

Hui Niang realized that she had made a mistake and remedy: "However, this matter has nothing to do with me."

Chen Xi smiled and said, "But the gossip, why should Hui Niang care? Qian Ning is a good person, but it's a pity... He is a treacherous villain, and has been affecting the political trend of the Ming Dynasty. He has also subtly changed His Majesty. It is still useful to keep him by his side."

"What to do?"

Hui Niang asked curiously again.

Chen Xi stood up and said seriously: "As Hui Niang said, a gentleman may not be able to solve all problems. Sometimes villains need to do things in the court to form checks and balances."

Hui Niang has been struggling in the fame and fortune for many years and has taken such a low opinion of such matters. She has seen many collusion between power and money, and does not value the honest officials. She immediately said: "As for this, there are few people in the court who are more conscientious than Qian Ning. At least he will be dedicated to making people happy... There are many people in the court who are corrupt and abused the law, so it is hard to say who is a slander."

"Ha ha."

Chen Xi smiled and said, "It's meaningless to care about good, evil, loyal and treacherous. Since Qian Ning has entered the court, there is a reason for his existence. At least he can help me with things now. Isn't it?"

Hui Niang thought about it, nodded silently, and put down the inkstone in her hand: "It's not too early, it's time for me to rest, I'll leave."

Originally, Chen Xi could live with Hui Niang and Li Jin, but he only met Qian Ning. The Jinyiwei had a strong ability to investigate information. He needed to avoid some things, after all, Qian Ning was not completely under his control.

"Stay early."

Chenxidao, "I've handled the matters at hand and went to bed."

...

...

After Chen Xi met Qian Ning, he went north as usual.

However, the journey back is not by the canal, but mainly by land to speed up the speed.

Qian Ning was thinking about how to make Chen Xi happy all the way, but he was repeatedly frustrated, which made him increasingly nervous. But he didn't hear that Chen Xi had had contact with Jiang Bin, so he breathed a little relieved, but he still secretly sent someone to investigate the relationship between Jiang Bin and Shen Xi... After experiencing many ups and downs in the officialdom, Qian Ning had already begun to be cautious and could not be completely relieved about his backer Chen Xi.

But it was safe and sound until the capital.

After Chen Xi entered the city, he immediately went to the palace to meet Zhu Houzhao, but he waited outside the Meridian Gate for more than an hour but could not be seen.

Zhu Houzhao seemed to be deliberately angry with Chen Xi and was sleeping in the Ganqing Palace, but she didn't say when she saw Chen Xi, which made Zhu Houzhao's people around him so anxious.

Even Xiao Jing came out and met Chen Xi twice, indicating that the emperor was resting and not disturbing. Xiao Taozi and Zhang Yong even went in and out, checking whether Zhu Houzhao woke up at all times.

Seeing the sun set, Zhu Houzhao seemed to have not yet fallen asleep.

Xiao Jing came out for the third time and smiled bitterly: "Shangshu Chen doesn't have to wait. Even if His Majesty wakes up, he will probably not see you. Your merits will be declared to the world in the form of an edict... This time you have great achievements and have a hard time on the journey. Let's go back to your house to rest first."

Chen Xi nodded. He knew very well that since Xiao Jing came out to say this, it must not be his own idea, but from Zhu Houzhao's instructions. Xiao Jing was just a retelling.

Of course, Chen Xi knew why Zhu Houzhao didn't see him. Now the relationship between the king and the minister is not as harmonious as before.

"If Your Majesty wakes up, Eunuch Xiao will report it on his behalf, and he will say he has come down." Chen Xi bowed and saluted, "It's really not early, so I'm saying goodbye."

Xiao Jing hurriedly returned the gift: "Greatly send the Secretary Chen to the end."

...

...

After Chen Xi left the palace, Xiao Jing breathed a sigh of relief and went back to meet Zhu Houzhao, explaining the situation of seeing Chen Xi several times to the emperor.

Zhu Houzhao said: "It's fine, it's not much difference if you don't see each other."

Even if Zhu Houzhao was resentful, she would not show it in front of Xiao Jing. She still pretended to be like a friend of Chen Xi, but in fact the gap had already occurred, and it was not a day or two.

It was just that Chenxi disappeared for a long time, which made the gap between the king and his subjects more obvious.

Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, when will the Minister Chen enters the palace... let him come again?"

"Let me talk about it when I have time."

Zhu Houzhao paused and said, "Shangshu Chen is finally back. There will be people in the court to solve all kinds of things in the future. I don't have to worry about trivial matters anymore. It's time to do some serious things."

Xiao Jing knew very well what the emperor should do, but he didn't understand what Zhu Houzhao said about the important things. He knew that what Zhu Houzhao wanted to do was not a matter of governing the country and ensuring national stability, but was more likely to be a misconduct.

Zhu Houzhao yawned: "I'm really good at sleeping this sleep. I'll go to the palace to watch operas, listen to music, and listen to the new book... Eunuch Xiao will reply first. You are not young. If you can't hold back the energy to deal with court affairs, I won't make things difficult for you. I have to nail you to this position so that you don't have time."

...

...

Chen Xi returned to the capital, but did not see the emperor, nor did he go to the Ministry of Personnel and the cabinet to report his duties, so he went back to the courtyard directly.

The Shen family set out from Shandong and enjoyed the scenery along the way, and arrived in the capital two days later than Chenxi. In this way, the Shen family spent about nine months on the road, and of course most of the time hiding in Shandong.

After Chenxi arrived at the courtyard, visitors came uninvited.

The first person to come was Wang Shouren, the Minister of War.

Wang Shouren came to Chen Xi to inquire about Northwest military affairs, and the general meaning was to ask Zhu Houzhao to abolish the previous reform of the Xuanfu.

"Xuanfu is a military center, mainly based on stability, so it is really not suitable to change too much." Wang Shouren's words also represent the meaning of the Ministry of War. The officials of the Ministry of War headed by Wang Qiong do not support Zhu Houzhao's series of reform measures.

Chenxidao: "There are actually not many reform measures in the northwest, and His Majesty himself is doing it. I am afraid that I can do nothing about it."
To be continued...