In Bianjing City, a month-long operation to clean up the imperial guards finally came to an end, and the world seemed to have returned to peace.
But those who can see clearly can see the fierce whirlpool under the gentle waves of the stagnant water!
The backyard of Chen Ke's outer house is a garden. There are sparse flowers and trees in the garden, green bamboos, exquisite rockeries, and a clear fish pond. Although the sunshine in July is still very dazzling, the thick shade in the garden makes people feel...
Feeling cool.
At this moment, Chen Ke and Zhao Zongji were sitting by the fish pond, under a grape trellis with lush vines. The floor was paved with square tiles under the trellis, and there were moss marks on the steps. There were two bamboo chairs in the middle, with a coffee table in the middle.
There is a full set of tea sets and some fresh fruits.
In such an elegant environment and such rare leisure, the two of them should be in a calm and relaxed mood, chatting comfortably, but their expressions at this moment are even more solemn than when they were inspecting the Forbidden Army...
"The gates of the Heavenly Palace are closed these days. It's very difficult to get information." Zhao Zongji looked at Chen Ke and said, "Fortunately, not all the money you gave me was thrown into the water. I finally got some information."
Chen Ke stared at the teacup intently, listening to his words, but his thoughts drifted to the scene when he and his little sister had tea here half a month ago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was rare for the two of them to be alone that day. Chen Ke originally wanted to have a tender relationship with her, but Su Xiaomei said with a pretty face and a serious face: "Third brother, I heard that you are very close to a descendant of the royal family."
"Yes." Chen Ke nodded and said with a smile: "His name is Zhao Zongji. He is the second son of the Wang family in Beihai County. We met in Hengzhou..." Then he detailed the past with Zhao Zongji to his little sister.
.
After listening carefully, the younger sister asked softly: "So, the third brother is preparing to help him fight that Zhao Zongshi to the end."
"Yes," Chen Ke nodded and said, "I have to do this for both public and private purposes."
"Then little sister has a few words," Su Xiaomei said softly, "I wonder if third brother is willing to listen."
"You and I are one husband and wife. How can I not listen?" Chen Ke laughed loudly and said: "Besides, the younger sister is the best among women. There are many things that I am not sure about. If you don't tell me, I will ask you."
After listening to Chen Ke's words, Su Xiaomei felt like she was eating honey. She smiled sweetly and said, "Third brother, I really saw the right person."
"Of course." Chen Ke said with a smile: "If you have anything to say, madam, please speak. I am all ears for my husband."
"My little sister doesn't have much experience. She just likes to read books and watch the emperors and generals of the past dynasties. We can always share adversity, but we can't share wealth and wealth. The world often says that this is a rabbit that dies and a dog is cooked, the bird is hidden in the bow, and the emperor cannot tolerate others. But Xiaoxiao
My sister secretly believes that many times, it is the ministers who bring the blame on themselves. They are proud of themselves and rely on their close friendship with the emperor, so they forget the way to serve as ministers..."
"What is the way to be a minister?" Chen Ke asked.
"The third brother is much more knowledgeable than the younger sister. This is a test to compare with me." The younger sister smiled and said: "I have never been a minister, so I can't say it well. I just read "Mencius" which says: 'If you want to be a king,
, fulfill the way of a king; if you want to be a minister, you must fulfill the way of a minister. Both of them are just like Yao and Shun.'"
"Stop beating around the bush." Chen Ke stretched out his hand and flicked her pink cheek: "I have never beaten Liu Yue'e in a fight, and I didn't say I won't marry her. Don't worry that if you are smarter than me, I won't want you.
"
"Sister-in-law Wang Fu taught me that you should save face for your husband." The younger sister smiled coyly and said, "Besides, I'm just talking nonsense. I don't know if it's right or not."
"But it's okay to talk." Chen Ke said with a smile.
"I read Xunzi's article "The Way of Ministers", and it was quite clear. The way to be a minister can be summed up in three words: 'Submission, Respect, and Loyalty'." The younger sister said softly: "Looking at those who have been ministers in the past,
Anyone who guards these three words, no matter what the emperor's temperament is, will end well. On the contrary, there will often be no good end."
After a pause, seeing Chen Ke listening attentively, she continued: "Although Zhao Zongji and his third brother are brothers now, if he really has one day in the future, the two of you will be the king and the minister... There is a saying that 'there is no father and son in the heaven.
"No brother, Third Brother, if you want to start and end well with him, you have to be on guard."
"If he really has that day, I will naturally abide by the principles of being a minister." Chen Ke said softly.
"No, we have to start now. The cause of today will be the fruit of tomorrow." The younger sister said sternly: "Now that he relies on you, everything is easy to talk about, but who knows what he feels in his heart... Even if he is not the one who settles the scores later.
, Third brother, be careful, there is nothing wrong."
Chen Ke nodded silently. He had learned a lot, so he didn't know the truth behind it. However, due to later generations' thoughts, he always felt that he was equal to everyone. In addition, Zhao Zongji had always relied on himself, so he was always unable to correct his position.
The younger sister was so right. As the saying goes, "Those who do not plan for the future will only plan for a moment." She could not let down her guard because of Zhao Zongji's current tolerance.
"Shun, respect, and loyalty," Chen Ke said in a low voice when he came back to his senses, "What I did was not good."
"It's not too late to make amends. He is relying on Third Brother now. Even if he was offended before, he won't take it too seriously." The younger sister smiled and said, "Third Brother has changed in the future, and there is no problem at all."
"Well," Chen Ke nodded heavily and said, "Listen to my wife and eat enough, I understand!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After that conversation between husband and wife, Chen Ke's mentality changed quietly, but he couldn't change it too obviously, otherwise it would be artificial. However, changes are actually happening. For example, Zhao Zongji and Sima Guang conspired to expose the Forbidden Army's blindness.
On this matter, Chen Ke reserved his opinion. This was impossible in the past... In the past, as long as he disagreed with something, he would definitely say it out and then force Zhao Zongji to listen to him.
Another example is when it comes to spying on the secrets of the palace. In fact, Chen Ke has a great advantage. His intelligence network reaches every corner of the capital, and it is easy to infiltrate the palace. But Chen Ke rationally keeps a low profile and poses as a threat to the palace.
It's like you don't know anything about anything.
Even if he knows, he is determined not to reveal anything in front of Zhao Zongji. Otherwise, which emperor can tolerate his ministers snooping into the secrets of the palace? Even if he spies on the information of today's officials, it will leave a bad impression on Zhao Zongji.
——What you can do to the current emperor, it is entirely possible to do to me.
Then Zhao Zongji whispered: "It is said that a thief was caught in Luoyang. He said that he had committed adultery with a certain concubine in the palace. After the officials learned about it, they ordered Xianggong Bao to conduct a thorough investigation in the palace. If you don't investigate, you won't know.
, I was shocked when I checked, and found that among the 'Ten Pavilions' accepted by the officials, there were actually several bitches like this..."
Chen Ke looked in disbelief and said: "The emperor's concubine committed adultery with outsiders, or several concubines. Do the thousands of guards inside and outside the palace have eyes just to breathe?"
"I find it incredible too. But that's the fact." Zhao Zongji spread his hands and said in a deep voice: "And it is said that Liu Meiren and Huang Meiren who were pregnant with Longzi were both found to have problems..."
Chen Ke suddenly shuddered and whispered: "How will the officials handle it?"
"The investigation hasn't been completed yet. We don't know." Zhao Zongji shook his head and whispered: "Also, the officials have recalled Marshal Di to Beijing." Di Qing first started a martial arts school in Wuchengwang Temple. He was so popular.
, so that the number of applicants was overwhelming. This caused panic among some people, who instigated the emperor to move the martial arts school out of the capital.
In the past few years, Di Qing has been teaching in Yingtian Mansion in a low-key manner, and his presence has become weaker and weaker, so that no one has mentioned him over the years. It was unexpected that the official family would suddenly recruit him back at such a time.
"It seems that the person the officials trust the most is their own General Mian Nirvana." Chen Ke sighed softly.
"Yes." Zhao Zongji nodded and said, "Zhong Fang, please analyze and analyze what will happen next?"
"I can't say for sure, but Zhao Zongshi would definitely like to see this situation." Chen Ke said lightly.
"Speaking of which, that boy is really unlucky!" Zhao Zongji sighed: "With such a commotion, I'm afraid the official's dragon will be ruined. He is still the number one favorite." He shook his head and said, "I'm still counting on the official.
Being able to give birth to a prince will definitely defeat his heart."
"Freedom is created in the dark..." Chen Ke looked at Zhao Zongshi with a strange look in his eyes, lowered his head and said, "But the official family will definitely be hit."
"Yes." Zhao Zongji nodded and said: "I got a son when I was old, but I found out that it was not mine. I am so happy and sad at the same time. I am really worried about his old man's health." He sighed and said, "But the official family didn't even see us...
…”
"Let's see. Let's see how the officials will react." Chen Ke whispered.
"what are we going to do?"
"Do nothing," Chen Ke said in a deep voice: "In this special period, the most important thing is not to be involved in cause and effect. Zhao Zongshi will do whatever you need to do for you, so why do you bother to wade into this muddy water?
"
"Yes." Zhao Zongji nodded and asked in a low voice: "Tell me, did they expose this matter?"
"I don't know." Chen Ke was confused and said, "But they have every reason to do this." He paused and said, "I'm afraid the officials will think so too."
"Haha, now that the yellow mud has fallen into the crotch, it is either feces or feces." Zhao Zongji said with some gloating.
"If the officials suspect Zhao Zongshi, you are likely to gain something." Chen Ke hesitated for a moment and whispered: "But don't be too optimistic. Maybe in the eyes of the officials, you are all the same.
.”
"This..." Zhao Zongji couldn't help but be dumbfounded. The possibility that Chen Ke mentioned was indeed the greatest. After being silent for a while, he whispered: "But in the end, one of us has to be chosen."
"Yes," Chen Ke said lightly: "This is the tragedy of the official family, but you have to be more energetic, I am afraid that in the future, the official family's thoughts will become more sensitive and unpredictable..." Pause, one word
One sentence said: "Remember not to get carried away."
"Yes." Zhao Zongji nodded and said, "I understand."
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