On the same day, Yan Li received the news that Su Xingze had moved into the Shangshu Mansion of the Ministry of Personnel. He was shocked and angry.
He called his staff and asked solemnly, "What's going on? Why did Su Xingze live in Shen Xian's mansion?"
The staff didn't know what the situation was. It was too sudden. "Your Highness, I have never heard that Shen Xian has any relationship with Su Xu, the governor of Jiangzhou. I don't know what this is about even though I am a low-level official. Shen Xian has always been independent. You also know this..."
"Go and check!" Yan Li threw a tea cup.
The staff trembled and responded quickly.
Talents from all over the country who enter Beijing are very popular, especially the big changes in Jiangzhou a while ago, and the Jiang family was punished by the Nine Clan and dismissed. Therefore, Su Xingze, a talented man from Jiangzhou, although he has kept a low profile since coming to Beijing, is still very popular. focus on.
Not only the eldest prince Yan Li is paying attention, but the second prince Yan Lin is also paying attention, as are the other ambitious fourth and fifth princes, without exception.
The same goes for the emperor.
On this day, after the morning court, the emperor called Shen Xian to the imperial study, stared at him for a moment, and asked, "Shen Aiqing, I heard that a talented person from Jiangzhou has moved into your residence?"
Shen Xian held up his hands, his face as usual, stern and unsmiling, "Back to Your Majesty, I am a student of Xie Yuan. You know that I and Xie Yuan share the same subject. He came to trust me to take care of his students. How can I do this?" Do you want to give him this face?"
"Huh?" The emperor was surprised, "He is Xie Yuan's student?"
Shen Xian nodded.
The emperor suddenly said, "I remembered that Xie Yuan has been staying in Jiangning County these years. It is said that he had a bad temper with Su Xu. Jiangning County is governed by keeping the house open at night and not picking up lost things. A large part of it is Xie Yuan's credit."
Shen appeared silent.
"Su Xingze is the son of Su Xu. It's not surprising that he worships Xie Yuan as his teacher." The emperor was originally dissatisfied with Dong Gong's recent actions and wanted to teach Dong Gong a lesson with Su Xingze, but now that Xie Yuan is The distant disciple was left in the mansion by Shen Xian. With this relationship, he naturally couldn't do anything to Su Xingze.
Although the emperor didn't think it was a big deal that such a huge Liang Dynasty lacked a talented man like Su Xingze, he didn't think having one more him could change the situation. Even if he was Xie Yuan's student, Xie Yuan was indifferent to fame and fortune. What could he teach? Careerist?
The emperor felt relieved and asked, "What is Su Xingze's talent and character?"
Shen Xian did not hesitate to praise, "In my opinion, it is extremely good. I can only say that he is worthy of being a student of Xie Yuan. He will be the number one scholar in the golden autumn scientific examination. He will enter the Hanlin Academy and train for a few years. After he comes out, he will become a leader of the country." Minister who assists the government."
The emperor didn't expect Shen Xian to speak so highly of Su Xingze. He didn't take it seriously at first, but after hearing this, he became a little interested in exploring, "Oh? If Qin Taifu heard what you said, do you think he would Don't know how to jump? Taifu Qin taught Zhou Gu that Jin Qiu wanted him to get the top prize."
Shen Xian's expression paused for a moment, as if he was stuck for a moment, "I can't say for sure."
Although Zhou Gu looks unattractive, anyone with a discerning eye will know that he is a piece of jade, otherwise he would not be thrown to the East Palace to accompany the prince to study. Back then, your majesty was not as powerful as he is now. , and has not suppressed the prince yet.
The old protector of the country, Lao Jiang La, saw clearly, took precautions, and took advantage of the situation to send Zhou Gu to the East Palace. It can be said that he was far-sighted.
At this time, Shen Xian couldn't help but admire the old Lord Protector. He and the eldest princess Sheng'an were both extraordinary people, and they knew His Majesty's temperament well.
The emperor actually smiled, "Since you said that, I want to see who will win the top prize this year."
Shen Xian also wanted to know.
After leaving the imperial study, Shen Xian strolled out of the palace and met the eldest prince Yan Li who had just come out of the Concubine Xian's palace and was about to leave the palace.
Shen Xian glanced at the eldest prince and cupped his hands, "Your Highness."
Yan Li returned the favor, "Master Shen, have you just met your father?"
Shen Xian nodded.
Yan Li knew Shen Xian's temper, and it was useless for him to talk in a roundabout way, so he simply asked directly: "I heard that Su Xingze moved into Mr. Shen's house. Can I ask if Su Xingze and Mr. Shen What’s the relationship?”
Yesterday, he asked his staff to send someone to investigate. After a long investigation, they only found out that Zhou Gu accompanied Su Xingze to the Shen Mansion, and Shen Xian left Su Xingze behind. Over the years, the Duke Protector's Mansion He had no friendship with the Shen family and did not move around normally. This time it was really strange. He guessed that the Duke Protector's family had some secret dealings with the Shen family that no one else knew about?
Since his subordinates could find out no more inside information in a short period of time, Yan Li simply stopped Shen Xian and asked.
Shen Xian said directly: "I and Xie Yuan were in the same department back then, and Su Xing was Xie Yuan's disciple."
Yan Li was stunned.
Shen Xian held up his hand and said, "I have important matters to attend to, so I will not chat with His Highness."
Shen Xian was as usual, didn't say much, turned around and left.
Yan Li looked at Shen Xian's back and gritted his teeth. He really didn't expect that Su Xingze was actually Xie Yuan's apprentice. In this case, it seemed impossible for him to take revenge on the East Palace through Su Xingze.
He felt depressed in his heart. It was nothing to deal with Su Xingze, offend Xie Yuan, or stir up trouble in the East Palace and the Protector's Palace. But Shen Xian was in charge of the staff. At the end of this year, there was the triennial official assessment. His hand I still want to arrange someone to arrange things, so naturally I can't offend Shen Xian.
It seems that if you want to deal with Donggong, you have to think of another way.
Yan Li was thinking as he walked out of the palace. He left the palace and walked halfway when he met the carriage of the second prince Yan Lin.
The two people who used to ignore each other stopped the carriage in unison. Yan Lin stuck his head out and said, "Brother, are you looking for a place to have a cup of tea?"
"Drinking tea is boring, let's drink a bar!" Yan Li said: "There is a new guest shop in Beijing that sells Drunk Flower Drink. I sent someone to buy it. It does have a different charm than other drinks."
"Okay." Yan Lin had no objection, "The drunken flower drink is indeed good, suitable for a light drink."
So, the two brothers went to the guest house together.
The shopkeeper of the Yingkefang was an old man. When he saw the distinguished guest, his face was full of regret. Unfortunately, he couldn't charge a sum of money. "I'm sorry, you two gentlemen, but the wine in the shop has been sold out today."
"The wine you supply is too little." Yan Lin didn't believe this evil, "Are you trying to make things more valuable by taking advantage of scarcity? I don't like this. I have no wine today, so you have to conjure it up for me."
The shopkeeper took a closer look at the badge around Yan Lin's waist and said "Ouch" in his heart. He thought that someone not easy to mess with is here today. He grimaced and said, "Duihuayin is really sold out. Two Your Highness, even if you kill the villain, you won’t be able to change him."
Yan Lin looked ugly and wanted to say, "The prince will kill you." But Yan Li asked, "When can we do it?"
The shopkeeper held out a finger.
"after one day?"
The shopkeeper shook his head and sighed, "It will take ten days."
Yan Li: "..."
Yan Lin glared, "How come it's so hard to get the goods, you drunk flower drinkers? Are the people who make the wine thousands of miles away?"
The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, "You guessed it right, it's really a long way, and we won't be able to reach it in a while. But..."
The shopkeeper had an idea, "A new batch of wine arrived yesterday, called Baihua Niang. It's not inferior to Zuihuayin. It's even more expensive than Zuihuayin. How about you two try it?"
Yan Lin said "Hmm", "Is it really not worse than Zuihuayin?"
"You will know after you try it. I don't dare to lie to you." The shopkeeper said quickly.
"Okay!" Yan Lin nodded in agreement.
Yan Li had no objection either.
The shopkeeper led the two of them into the private room upstairs.
Not only is Zuihuayin famous for its reputation, but its dishes are also outstanding. Therefore, although it mainly sells wine, when there is no wine to sell, there are still many customers, and many people come here for the dishes.
Yan Li and Yan Lin entered the private room and sat down, waiting for the shopkeeper to send someone to bring wine and food. They opened the wine jar, and the aroma of wine suddenly filled the air.
Yan Li loved wine and immediately said: "Good wine!"
Yan Lin had nothing to say and nodded, "Well, it smells good."
"You two take it easy." The shopkeeper was satisfied that his wallet had made money again today, and secretly praised himself for his wit. It is said that this wine was brought by the master as a gift, and he had no intention of selling it, but he didn't care about it for now. Let's talk about it after making money. Anyway
The master also said at the beginning that the world is so big that making money is the biggest.
After several cups of Baihua Brew, Yan Li and Yan Lin felt very comforted. Yan Lin took the initiative to ask Yan Li, "Brother, how about we join forces?"
Yan Li also had this intention, "If we fight alone, I'm afraid we won't be able to bring down the East Palace. If we join forces, it would be feasible." After he finished speaking, he narrowed his eyes and said, "But second brother, are you sure?"
"What's uncertain? The biggest stumbling block in front of us is the East Palace, isn't it? Everyone knows what my father is thinking. What's the purpose of supporting you and me in the past two years? It's nothing more than a check and balance between the three parties.
But brother, do you think it will be really good for you and me if we procrastinate like this? I'm afraid that the prince's status will become more and more stable in the future." Yan Lin disdainfully said, "The prince is not afraid of procrastination, but you and I are not. He will be here every day.
Sitting on the throne of the prince, you and I will be shorter than him every day."
"That's right." Yan Li nodded, "Since you also have this intention, then we have decided to pull him down first, and from now on, you and I will each rely on our own abilities."
Yan Lin raised his glass and clinked it with Yan Li, "Okay!"
