[Sorry, my daughter has just entered junior high school and left home for more than half a month for the first time. She just came back this afternoon. Her excitement does not match the mood of coding...]

When Caixia rushed to Jiao's house, Jiao Shun was in the east chamber, writing a summary of some key points of today's conversation with the emperor.

Although this conversation was a bit tinged from the beginning, Jiao Shun was always on tenterhooks, fearing that the emperor would ask to be a comrade with him - fortunately, the emperor just wanted to watch the sequel and had no intention of appearing in person.

.

But the affairs of the Mei family are actually just appetizers and desserts. Afterwards, the discussions between the monarch and his ministers became more serious, such as how to satisfy the emperor without leaving any room for the former chief minister.

Another example is when will the cost of the Beijing-Western Railway be calculated? What is the bottom line for academicians and chief engineers? Which names are more appropriate for the External Relations Department and the Ministry of Commerce?

It seems that someone in the capital is inciting the water delivery workers to gather and cause trouble. How should we be prepared to deal with it? Should we suppress it at the initial stage, or should we lure the snake out of the hole to see who is behind the scenes? Shipwrecks have been reported frequently in newspapers recently. Is there any intention?

Can this be used to overturn the policy of opening up the sea?

Some people suggest changing the mathematics subject to engineering and integrating engineering into the imperial examination system. Is there any merit in this idea?

How much is the price of the obsolete muskets? Is it set according to the level of the tribute system or according to the urgency of fighting the foreign barbarians?

Anyway, there were a lot of topics discussed throughout the whole day. Some of them Jiao Shun gave answers on the spot, some of them could only help analyze the pros and cons, and some of them could only do their best to deal with it.

Jiao Shun listed all these topics on paper and looked up the publication dates of the corresponding newspapers. He found that the emperor's grasp of external information was obviously much more detailed and faster than last time. It seemed that he was fully aware of the direction of public opinion.

importance.

He pointed with his pen, recalling one by one from bottom to top, asking if there was anything wrong with his response at the time, and if so, how to remedy it in time.

Finally, the pen tip stopped at the top line.

He took advantage of the situation and circled the words "Mei Family", and then stared at these two words with worry.

At that time, it was purely a coincidence to capture Mrs. Mei. How easy is it to renew the relationship now?

She is a woman who stays close to home, not to mention that in the midst of intense filial piety, it is extremely difficult to meet each other, let alone "continue to write a chapter."

How about just making it up out of thin air?

Anyway, I still have a lot of suitable material in my head. Just two paragraphs of it will be enough to fool the emperor.

but……

This emperor is also very ruthless. Who can guarantee that he will not seek evidence from the Mei family in the future?

It's not worth it to be accused of bullying just for a small H article.

Just as he was frowning, he heard a knock on the door from outside. Jiao Shun conveniently put the langhao pen on the shelf and said loudly: "Come in."

As soon as the door opened to the left and right, Xing Xiuyan walked in from the outside. He first looked at the pen, ink, paper and inkstone on the table, and apologized: "Did you disturb me?"

"It doesn't matter."

Jiao Shun waved his hand and asked: "Who came just now? I heard that you seemed to be entertaining guests outside."

"It's Caixia from the second wife's side. The second wife heard that I was sick and didn't go to the palace to keep my appointment, so she asked Caixia to bring some supplements. She also asked me to say hello to the wife, and asked the wife to sit in the hut in Qingtang when she had free time.

"

Jiao Shun raised his eyebrows when he heard this, thinking that this was a gift of supplements and an invitation to his mother. In addition to the pimping incident yesterday, this woman had repeatedly shown kindness. Was it for her precious son, or was she just like him?

, are you eager to renew your relationship?

No matter what, the emperor has agreed to it anyway. She will change the coupon again and have someone send it to her later.

"Master?"

Seeing that Jiao Shun was distracted, Xing Xiuyan called him softly and said: "How sure are you that I will seek an official position for Baoyu? If it is difficult, we will double the gift..."

"It shouldn't be difficult."

Jiao Shun stopped her words and said: "The most difficult part is that he and Rong Guofu are in the front. As long as he can persist and not retreat, he will be able to get some benefits in the end."

As he said that, he raised his hand slightly irritably: "Not to mention this, I have been talking about all kinds of messy things in the palace for a day, which made my head feel big - just make something light in the evening, and we can

It’s better to go to bed early.”

He suddenly remembered something again, and asked with twinkling eyes: "By the way, where is Siqi?"

"I went to see Caixia off. It's time to come back now."

Before Xing Xiuyan finished speaking, he heard Siqi outside shouting: "Master, aunt, sister Ping'er is here!"

Why is Ping'er here?

Jiao Shun was surprised at first, then looked back at the topics he listed on the paper, and he immediately guessed it.

He led Xing Xiuyan outside and before Ping'er could speak, he said first, "But Second Grandma is a little worried after seeing the news about the shipwreck?"

"That's true."

Ping'er smiled and said: "I was relieved for a long time, but the second mistress just couldn't feel relieved and insisted that I come to the uncle to ask for an accurate answer."

"Who can determine this?"

Jiao Shun said helplessly: "How many people drown in the Yongding River every year, let alone the sea with strong winds and waves? Go back and tell her that I have signed the contract, and she is just waiting for droughts and floods to ensure the harvest."

"I'm afraid it's not enough to guarantee harvests despite droughts and floods."

Ping'er couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I don't need to hide it in front of the uncle. The second mistress's appearance has become even more grand, and people in the street eat raw food all day long. If the sea trade makes less money, I'm afraid it may not be enough to fill the hole.

"

It's strange that this woman took advantage of the opportunity to plunder her own wool.

Considering that Wang Xifeng dared to spend four to five thousand taels on a set of jewelry - even though she paid for it herself - it is evident how extravagant she was in other aspects.

"Then she shouldn't be looking for me."

Jiao Shun felt heartache when he thought of that set of jewelry, and said angrily: "Sister, go back and tell her that you have to go to the Buddha or the God of Wealth to do this. It's useless to go to me."

Since it was in front of Xing Xiuyan, the two of them could not get too intimate, so Ping'er left and went back to report to Wang Xifeng.

After she left, Jiao Shun first ran to the south room to tease his daughter for a while, and then took the opportunity to call Si Qi into the bedroom and quietly asked her about what she had seen in Ningguo Mansion yesterday.

"Master, just be at ease."

Si Qibai glared at him and sneered: "Even if my family doesn't know everything about your sneaky things, they can still make a rough guess. Everyone is just pretending to be confused - don't worry about this when you have free time."

, it’s better to go and take a look at the jade bracelet.”

"Jade bracelet? What happened to the jade bracelet?"

"I don't know how I got it yesterday. I sprained my foot on the bed for no reason. My ankle was swollen like something. I haven't dared to get off the ground for a whole day."

Sprained your foot in bed?

What the hell is this?

…………

Not to mention how Yuchai was hesitant and secretive when he saw Jiao Shun.

But after Caixia returned to Qingtang thatched cottage, Mrs. Wang made some insinuations and heard that she could not see either Mrs. Xu or Jiao Shun, and she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

After Qian'er made the oath at the Xue family, she was thinking about how to renew her relationship with Jiao Shun, but after much thought, she couldn't come up with a good idea.

As the important second wife in the Rongguo Mansion, it was difficult for her to avoid the eyes of others in her words and deeds. The most she could do was to leave the servants and walk alone in the garden, but Jiao Shun might not come in for ten and a half days.

Once you return to the garden, you may not be able to meet him even if you come.

The last time I got the chance, I took advantage of the Double Ninth Festival, when there were many people and many eyes were crowded.

But after all, if you want to find a similar festival, you will have to wait until the end of the year.

However, the Jiao family will move to Zijin Street when winter comes.

At that time, it will be Aunt Xue's turn to get the moon first, and it will be even harder for me to find opportunities.

Alas~

In the current situation, I can serve as a shield for Aunt Xue, but I can't expect Aunt Xue to protect me - at least not yet.

For the current plan, it seems that the only way to get another chance is to invite Jiao Shun into the Grand View Garden.

But first of all, Jiao Shun may not be willing to submit obediently, and secondly, there are so many people coming and going in this garden, if someone breaks it...

Unless it’s night!

But the door was tightly guarded at night, so how could he get in?

The more Mrs. Wang thought about it, the more troubled she became. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. She was anxiously scurrying around in front of the Buddhist altar like ants in a hot pot. The chime and hammer looked no longer friendly.

After much thought, she finally came up with a solution.

Not long ago, Jia Zheng invited Jiao Shun to have a drink in the courtyard, didn't he just let him stay in the guest courtyard for the night?

Waiting for Jiao Shun to send the discount, and then tricking the devil into giving him a banquet to reward him, maybe he will have a chance...

Just as I was thinking of this, I suddenly heard someone knocking on the door outside.

Mrs. Wang hurriedly went to cover her clothes, raised her hands, and realized that she had not paid attention to worshiping Buddha today, so her clothes were still in good condition.

At that moment, he straightened his mind, opened the door and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Mrs."

There was still colorful clouds outside the door, and she saw her holding the memorial in both hands and saying, "Uncle Jiao just sent someone to deliver this thing."

"Arrived so quickly?!"

Mrs. Wang's eyes flashed with joy, and she took it and flipped through it. She didn't quite understand what the Academy of Engineering, academician, or chief engineer was like in the front. Fortunately, Jiao Shun had detailed notes at the back.

She scanned it briefly and found that the official position prepared for her son was a sixth-grade official position, and she felt more and more happy.

Jia Zheng was promoted to the fifth rank, but he was already in his twenties at that time. Baoyu was only fifteen now, so it was a blessing to be promoted to the sixth rank. The main reason was that she didn't take a closer look, as will be said later.

, maybe it’s not necessarily the seventh level in the end.

Now that she was at ease, Mrs. Wang's thoughts on the other side became even more unbearable.

At that moment, he held the fold and said, "Let's go to the front yard to meet the master!"

Caixia was stunned for a moment when she heard this, and then reminded her happily: "Madam, do you want to touch up your makeup first?"

Touch up makeup?

Mrs. Wang was also stunned, and soon realized that she had mistakenly thought that she went to see Jia Zheng all night in order to reunite.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly in my heart, not to mention that my heart was full of Jiao Shun now, and if I really wanted to get back together with Jia Zheng, I'm afraid he wouldn't agree.

Furthermore……

He doesn't have that ability, you know?

"Don't talk nonsense, I'm doing this all for Baoyu!"

Mrs. Wang scolded her and went to the front yard all night with Caixia Caiyun. She first showed the memorial to Jia Zheng, and then encouraged Jia Zheng to hold a banquet as a reward full of expectations.

If it hadn't been getting late, I would have urged Jia Zheng to post immediately, and that night would have been a good thing.

…………

It's early morning.

As soon as Jiao Shun got up from Xing Xiuyan, he sleepily called Siqi and Hongyu to help him wash up. Outside, Xiangling got an invitation from Jia Zheng. They were still in the Grand View Garden or the Lotus Champs.

This suddenly reminded him of the experience that night, and he couldn't help but secretly gnashed his teeth and thought, Tanchun and Wang Xifeng collided with each other, and he could still make peace, but what if Mrs. Wang also wanted to share a piece of the pie?

So I decided that I would not pretend to be drunk even if I was beaten to death at night. I had to go in and come out vertically.

Let’s ignore this matter for now.

When he arrived at the Yamen, he received another post, but Mei Guangyan, who had failed to do so yesterday, came to the door again with persistence.

This time Jiao Shun was not worried anymore and immediately ordered people to bring Mei Guangyan in.

Not to mention, Mei Guangyan was a very handsome person in life, so it was no wonder that the second master of the Xue family fell in love with her when he was able to coax her.

Although he was a little timid, he was still very arrogant when he entered the door, with a mighty and unyielding posture. After being looked up and down by Jiao Shun, his whole person shrank a little, and he instantly degenerated from a strong point to a strong one.

"What a coincidence."

Jiao Shun did not look at where he was seated. He picked up the tea cup and fiddled with the tea stem with the lid. He said calmly: "If Mr. Mei doesn't come here in the past two days, I should send someone to invite you over. Now the only officials in the engineering school are you and me."

"Two of you, Jiao is in charge of the General Affairs Office of the Ministry of Works and is very busy. The reconstruction project at the Engineering School will definitely require you to spend more time."

The emperor's urging was even more urgent, but Jiao Shun didn't have any good ideas at the moment, so he could only assign a "big job" to Mei Hanlin first, hoping to create opportunities to exploit every opportunity.

However, this trick may not actually work. After all, with the current officialdom habits, few officials will stay at the construction site to do it themselves. At most, they can supervise the work during the day. If they can persist until the off-duty time, they have already taken on the responsibility.

I deserve the word 'diligence'.

It would be great if there was some way to allow him to have food and accommodation at the construction site.

"this……"

When Mei Guangyan saw that Jiao Shun had assigned her a hard job as soon as they met, she thought he was deliberately giving her small shoes to wear. She subconsciously wanted to refuse, but what Jiao Shun said was indeed reasonable. Now there are only two officials in the entire engineering school.

Son, if you don’t send yourself, who else can you send?

So when the refusal came to the lips, it turned into: "Your Majesty has your destiny, and the official will not dare to disobey it. It's just that the official has been in the Hanlin Academy for a long time and has never participated in these common affairs, but he is afraid..."

"rest assured."

Jiao Shun took a sip of green tea and said: "I will tell you what to do when the time comes. Besides, we are affiliated with the Ministry of Industry. How many of the people below dare to fool us?"

In fact, the Ministry of Industry has done a lot of shoddy projects, but Mei Hanlin has always been a nerd, so how could he know the fishiness involved?

Sure enough, he breathed a sigh of relief at that moment, and then said hurriedly: "Then I can rest assured, but I was transferred because of my love affair, and my mother's coffin still needs to be sent to her hometown in Jiangsu and Zhejiang for burial. Please allow me a few days to wait for my mother to be sent to her."

After his coffin leaves Beijing, he will return to his post."

"Uh-huh?!"

Jiao Shun sat up straight suddenly. He suddenly remembered that he went to the Mei family dressed as a government servant that night. Only Mrs. Mei knew about it, and Mrs. Mei would definitely not take the initiative to expose this matter.

That is to say...

"Your father-in-law passed away?"

He pretended to be surprised and asked: "When did it happen? You and I are colleagues, so why should I come to express my condolences?"

Although I used the old lady as an excuse for both visits, it is indeed a bit...

But wasn’t this forced by Jia Yucun and the emperor?

Alas~
Chapter completed!