The other twelve people looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what to say. Everyone in the world knew that they could make the list, and they were about to become one of the officials of the imperial court. They were all thanks to King Junlin, and the other party even made a fuss in the Ministry of Punishment for this.
Not only did he overthrow Yu Zhongwen, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and formed a deadly feud with the Yu family in Guanlong, he also lost his noble official position as a supervisory censor.
In addition, as the day when they were to become officials gradually approached, they felt more and more the hostility towards them from aristocratic families, especially the rejection of them by the Manchu officials. Even though His Majesty the Emperor had shown that he would support them, the Emperor
After all, they were so high up there that they couldn't go to the emperor for everything. The latter had to take care of everything, and he couldn't always focus on them like a nanny. At this time, they needed someone more suitable to protect them.
It is not that some of these thirteen people have never thought about secretly seeking refuge with aristocratic families or the East Palace and the eldest prince, but they are all smart people and know that the result of doing so will completely anger the emperor. You know, the emperor has to deal with aristocratic families.
Officials born in the family had various scruples, so they had to engage in intrigues with their ministers, and use the sharp sword of Wang Junlin to use means to remove or kill them for extremely legitimate reasons, otherwise it would easily cause a backlash.
But when the emperor had to deal with officials like them who came from poor families, it was just a matter of saying something. At worst, they would be beheaded, and at worst they would bring harm to their family members, and at worst, they would be beaten back to their original form.
Therefore, today these thirteen poor scholars came to see Wang Junlin, such as Fang Qiao and Wei Yunqi. Perhaps they came out of gratitude, but some of them simply wanted to find the most suitable backer, someone who would not offend the emperor.
His backer. And for this backer, in the whole world, only Wang Junlin is the most suitable.
The thirteen people lingered at the gate of Qin'anhou's Mansion for a long time, and discussed in low voices for a long time. Finally, they got rid of some of their nervousness and walked towards Qin'anhou's Mansion with various moods. A guard stepped forward to stop them politely. The concierge
Servants such as the front yard housekeeper came out from inside, and Fang Qiao quickly handed over the name sticker he had prepared.
The guards at the door and the concierge had long noticed these thirteen people dressed like scholars. They took a look at the name stickers with doubtful faces, only to find that they were the thirteen poor scholars who had been listed in the list that had been rumored for a long time in Beijing recently.
The servants of the Marquis of Qin'an all knew that their Marquis was very kind and helped thirteen scholars from poor families to win the rankings. This caused a lot of trouble. It turned out that they were the thirteen in front of them, so they looked a little complicated.
He quickly and respectfully invited him to the entrance hall and asked them to serve him tea.
The Thirteen Scholars know that this is the rule of a high-ranking family. Whenever a guest comes to the door, he must first drink tea in the concierge and wait for reports.
Not long after, a young man wearing a blue scribe's robe walked into the concierge hall, saluted the thirteen people gracefully, and said, "I have kept you waiting for a long time. Please follow me into the middle courtyard for the banquet."
"Ziming, why are you here?" The thirteen people heard the sound and went over. Those who recognized the identity of the person couldn't help but were startled and looked surprised. Fang Qiao even asked out loud.
Liu Ziming smiled slightly and said, "So that you all know that I am now the first-class staff member of the Marquis of Qin'an Mansion."
"Congratulations, Brother Liu, congratulations!" Wei Yunqi was the first to react and sincerely expressed his congratulations with his hands raised. When others saw this, they also expressed their congratulations.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!" Liu Ziming accepted everyone's congratulations carelessly.
Under the leadership of Liu Ziming, everyone came to the living room of the central courtyard.
"Everyone, today is the day of the great court meeting. The Marquis went to the palace early this morning and has not come back yet. However, the Marquis has already explained your arrival. You might as well open your hearts and have a banquet. Eat and drink well.
Wait for the Marquis to come back." Liu Ziming arranged for everyone to sit down behind the shorter ones on both sides of the living room, bowed to everyone, and said with a smile.
Everyone looked at each other and realized how little information they had. They didn't even know the date of the Great Court Meeting.
"Since it is the Marquis' arrangement, we dare not comply." Fang Qiao and Wei Yunqi looked at each other. The latter was the first to speak loudly, and the others all expressed their agreement.
Liu Ziming clapped his hands, and a group of beautiful maids came in from the side door with delicious food and wine, and placed them on the tables in front of them one by one. On behalf of Wang Junlin, Liu Ziming toasted everyone with three glasses of wine, livening up the atmosphere, and then said: "
With good food and wine in front of you, how can you not be accompanied by singing and dancing?"
Everyone came to Qin'anhou's Mansion today. Although they had not seen their benefactor yet, there were objective reasons after all. However, the benefactor had already ordered to prepare delicious food and wine to entertain them, which made them feel that they were highly valued.
Liu Ziming actually wanted to sing and dance with him, so he couldn't help but expressed his disapproval.
Liu Ziming waved his hand and said: "The Marquis has already told me that you are the most talented people in our Sui Dynasty. You can come to the house to make the house shine. You should be treated warmly. You are welcome, and there is no need to see anyone outside."
As soon as he finished speaking, and before everyone could say anything else, they clapped their hands again, and a group of dancers came in outside the door. Several musicians with musical instruments in their arms also filed out, playing the instruments gently as they walked.
By the time they arrived at the table, the nine dancers had formed a dance formation of four in front and five in back. The pipa played a crackle and the music was loud. The dancers were either flying in the sky or standing on one leg, with white silver bells tied to their white ankles.
, a raised leg, a moved step, the ringing sound was crisp and clear, and actually penetrated the tinkling pipa sound, giving rise to a bit of liveliness.
Everyone saw long trains fluttering, colorful clothes flying, and tender lotus-like arms hurriedly playing various musical instruments. They had never seen such a level of singing and dancing, and they couldn't help but be dazzled.
With singing and dancing to add to the fun, the atmosphere in the venue became more and more lively, and everyone unconsciously felt that the distance between them and the Qin'an Marquis Mansion had become much closer.
Especially after the banquet, Zhan Peng led people to bring thirteen steel crossbows and fifty crossbow arrows to each of them, and brought them to the prepared venue in advance. He taught them how to use the steel crossbow on the spot, allowing everyone to
On-site operation and aiming training.
Although the Qin'an Marquis Mansion did not say why they gave them steel, crossbows and crossbow arrows, they knew in their hearts that their official career would be dangerous every step of the way in the future, and many of them would be assassinated. However, this steel, crossbow and crossbow arrows made them
They have more or less ability to protect themselves.
The thirteen poor men did not wait for Wang Junlin to come back. When they left, Liu Ziming prepared one hundred taels of silver for each of them according to Wang Junlin's previous instructions.
The mentality of the thirteen scholars had unknowingly changed at this time, and they had subconsciously regarded themselves as members of the Qin'an Marquis Mansion, so they accepted the money calmly without too many excuses.
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PS: The third update is here, and there is a fourth update————