The drizzle continued for several days, and the capital was wet at the end of March in late spring, with a cold and a delicate wind. On March 20, on the 20th, two inconspicuous carriages were driving slowly in the drizzle. The sound of chess pieces falling from the plate and laughter came from inside the car.

At this time, the carriage finally drove to the straight road into the city outside Guangqu Gate. The groom who was chasing the car reminded: "Two masters, we are about to enter the city."

The curtain of the carriage was lifted up, revealing two middle-aged scholars cross-legged in the carriage. One of them was Zhang Cong, the head of the Nanjing Ministry of Justice, and the other was Gui E, who was also the head of the Nanjing Ministry of Justice.

Gui'e's name is Zishi. He was a Jinshi in the sixth year of Zhengde. He was about the same age as Zhang Cong. He was in his forties and was different from Zhang Cong's square and thick face. Gui'e's face was long and long, with a pointed chin and a cloudy and dull eyes. It was probably because of his health and strength.

Zhang Cong looked at the tall city gate in front of him, feeling indescribable and blurted out: "Two years have passed in a flash!"

Gui E laughed and said, "It's been two years since Zhang Lang came again before!"

Zhang Cong also smiled happily. In the 16th year of Zhengde, he, a Jinshi of the State of Political Affairs, published a book called "The Great Ceremony", which kicked off the dispute over "The Great Ceremony" and caused a storm in the city. Since then, Zhang Sheng, who was silently accused of the unfair reputation, became famous.

Although he was finally suppressed by the prime minister Yang Tinghe and threw him to the Nanjing Ministry of Justice to sit on the bench, Zhang Cong was not depressed at all because he knew that he had successfully left an impression in the little emperor's heart, so he went to Nanjing to take office with peace of mind, waiting silently, waiting for the day when the little emperor appointed him.

Zhang Cong was very confident that once the little emperor held the throne, he would soon as he appointed himself. As expected, in less than two years, the little emperor issued an order to summon him back to Beijing to serve.

Of course, the reason why Zhang Cong was transferred so quickly was naturally due to Xu Jin's secret efforts. If Xu Jin hadn't wanted to use his hands to deal with Yang Ting and his party, according to the real historical trend, Zhang Cong would have to wait another one or two years to rise.

Gui E is undoubtedly a political speculator. When Zhang Cong came to Nanjing to serve in the Ministry of Justice, the two speculators naturally got together. Now, this invincible combination of the early Jiajing Dynasty finally returned to the capital early. There is no doubt that the second round of the "Great Ceremony" war is about to begin.

Zhang Cong had just put down the curtain when an official holding an oil-paper umbrella walked over and asked loudly: "Do you dare to ask if Gui Zishi and Zhang Bingyong are in the car?"

Zhang Cong hurriedly lifted the curtain of the car again and said happily: "It turns out to be Brother Weixian!"

The person who came was Huo Tao, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, and Xu Jin's direct subordinate in the Ministry of Revenue. This guy is also a representative figure of the speculative faction. He was the one who handed Xu Jin the memorials of Zhang Cong and Gui E to "correct" him.

Huo Tao laughed and said, "Brother Bingyong, Brother Zishi, Huo is looking forward to the stars and the moon, and finally he looks forward to you."

Huo Tao said this "really sincere", no wonder. Since Xu Jin was transferred from the Beijing Office, Huo Tao, the first person who reprimanded the "big ritual discussion" dispute, has become a thorn in the Yang Party's side. He has repeatedly impeached him. Mao Cheng, the Minister of Rites, scolded him in person, which scared him to sleep and eat. If the young emperor had not suppressed all the impeachment memorials, Huo Tao would have been cut into pieces.

Therefore, Huo Tao was waiting for Zhang Cong and Gui E to return to Beijing day and night, so that he could at least share the firepower of the Yang Party's attack. Now that Zhang Gui and the other two have finally arrived in Beijing, the head of Huo who found the organization almost "cryed with joy".

Zhang Cong and Gui E got off the carriage, and the latter quipped with a smile: "Brother Weixian probably won't be able to get over these days."

Huo Tao smiled bitterly and said, "No, you don't know anything. The emperor's impeachment memorials are probably all available."

Zhang Cong and Gui E smiled at each other. The emperor protected Huo Tao so much. It seemed that he was determined to respect his biological father as the emperor's examination. Since that is the case, why worry about the big thing not being done?

Zhang Cong smiled and said, "Brother Weixian, don't be busy complaining, let's find a place to sit and then discuss in detail."

Huo Taoyi stroked his hands and said, "Just that's what it should be. I have booked a banquet at Xingchun Restaurant in front to welcome the two of you. Let's go, brother Bingyong, brother Zishi, please follow me."

The three of them got back into the carriage and entered the city. After about two cups of tea, they arrived at the Xingchun Restaurant. The three of them entered the restaurant and went straight to the private room on the second floor. However, as soon as the door opened, Zhang Cong and Gui E were stunned.

It turned out that there was a man sitting in the elegant room. He was dressed in luxurious clothes and looked over with a pair of triangular eyes. Huo Tao quickly introduced: "Brother Bingyong, brother Zishi, this is Wu Ding's uncle Guo Xun and Guo Bo."

Zhang Cong's heart skipped a beat. Guo Xun had a grudge against Xu Jin. Even his title of Marquis was demoted because of Xu Jin. Why was Huo Tao so confused that he got involved with this guy?

"You have met Mr. Guo!" Zhang Cong and Gui E both bowed quietly.

Guo Xun actually stood up and returned the favor, and smiled and said, "Master Zhang, Master Gui doesn't have to be too polite, just sit down!"

When the crowd sat in the seat, Huo Tao said angrily: "Now the Yang Party in the court is the dominant family. It is against the will of the emperor by taking advantage of the Han Dynasty, Dingtao Han and King Pu of the Song Dynasty, and forcing the emperor to follow the lineage of Xiaozong and use his uncle as the emperor's imperial examination. Fortunately, Wu Dingbo understood the righteousness and fought with the Yang Party, so that we would not be alone and unable to speak out."

Zhang Cong and Gui E couldn't help but realize that Guo Xun was a fellow disciple, so that would be easy to deal with.

Speaking of which, Guo Xun used to fight against Xu Jin, but he was beaten everywhere. Not only did his son Guo Shougan get broken, but he himself was demoted to the first level by the emperor. In the end, the land occupied by the family could not be saved.

After being hit hard, Guo Xun was actually enlightened. He understood that if he wanted to be prosperous and wealthy, he had to hold the new king's thigh. So when Huo Tao re-started the "Great Etiquette" battle, this guy immediately jumped out to submit a memorial to support Huo Tao and persuaded other nobles to come forward to support him.

It was precisely because of the support of the nobles that the young emperor Zhu Houcong withstood the pressure from Yang Tinghe and other court officials and issued an order to recall Zhang Cong and Gui E from Jinling to Beijing for office.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere quickly became warmer after the dishes. The four of them chatted and laughed.

This is true for politics. As long as the political views and interests are in harmony, the enemy will become allies, and on the contrary, friends will become enemies. As the saying goes, one chicken dies and one chicken crows, and the party’s common struggle against differences will always be the main theme of political struggle.
Chapter completed!