Chapter 660: The imperial gift

The sun rises early in spring, and when it is Mao, the sun begins to reveal its clues, revealing the darkness of dawn.

The wind was a little cold in the morning, so those who went out specially thickened their clothes. In front of the Cai Mansion, a sedan chair had been waiting for a long time. When Cai Jing came out in a big fashion and crawled into the sedan chair, he faced the dawn in the sky and headed towards the palace.

After decades of habit, Cai Jing always arrived first. When his sedan chair stopped, then Duke Wei and Duke Qi's sedan chairs arrived one after another, as if they were seniority. After a certain amount of time, no one would come one minute earlier, nor would they come one step later.

Cai Jing came from the sedan chair, his face covered with frost. When he saw several sedan chairs in the distance, he didn't say hello, looking at the towering palace walls in a daze.

Today's court discussion is enough to make all court officials expect, some excited, some nervous, and some people. Those who have just entered the officialdom may still be ignorant, but anyone who can have a place in the class knows that today is related to the duel between a prince and a grand sage. It depends on who will win to death.

More and more sedan chairs came in groups of three or three. Everyone fell into sedan chairs, surprisingly, they didn't clamor or whisper, and they stood aside, waiting with their breath.

If the Prince of Penglai was finished, what would the Martial Arts School be? What would the old party? The maritime affairs in Quanzhou would definitely be abandoned. But if the Taishi fell, the current officials with a rough personality could find out a little clue, and they were most afraid of trouble. So who would be the candidate for the chief minister next? Shen Ao is impossible. There are a few new party, but I just don’t know what the officials think.

Everyone is thinking about it at this moment. No one can get out of here in this vortex. If you are not careful at this time, you may be ruined.

Cai Jing was thinking about his thoughts, but at this moment, a smiling man tiptoed over. The man looked handsome and as if he was bathed in spring breeze, and said to Cai Jing lightly: "The Grand Master came early."

This is the most basic greeting, but Cai Jing was not negligent about this person. He smiled at him and said, "Shimei has been in charge of the system for three years. When she returned to Bianjing, why didn't she come to me to sit there?"

This man named Shimei was called Li Bangyan. Li Bangyan's ability was that Cai Jing had to be careful when he saw him. Although this man was also a Jinshi, he was used to being obscene and despicable because he grew up in the market and was used to being despicable and despicable, and was easy to deal with. He was good at teasing and scolding, and could kick Cuju. He often used street slang as lyrics and songs. People sang it and called himself Li Langzi. Some people impeached him for misconduct and were dismissed from office. Later, for some reason, he became the proofreader. Soon after, he was appointed as the proofreader of the Ministry of Personnel. He was appointed as the Legislative Council of Heyang and was summoned to be the Living House. In the third year of Xuanhe, he was even more out of control and entered the Shangshu Province and became the Right Chief of the Shangshu Province. However, because his father died of illness, he had to leave the capital to govern the system. At this time, he happened to return to Beijing. Because the Shangshu Province had a vacancy, he directly became the Left Chief of the Shangshu Province.

If it were two years ago, Cai Jing was reluctant to take a look at the Left Chief of the Shangshu, but at this time, Cai Jing could not neglect it. Now Cai Jing is no longer the Grand Tutor who takes care of the three affairs. Quartz occupied the Secretariat, and he was only a subordinate in his hands. At this time, Li Bangyan's attitude became extremely important.

It can even be said that among the three provinces, Li Bangyan's side was enough to influence the entire court. However, Li Bangyan had nothing to do, but flattery. He was originally a subordinate of Cai Jing, but because Li Bangyan had always been incompatible with Wang Du, another former party leader, Wang Du. Although Wang Du was eliminated by Chen Ao, this grudge was still there, so Cai Jing still did not understand Li Bangyan's thoughts.

Li Bangyan is the best person to flatter others, and many people are rushing to say good things about him. Now that he has returned from observing the system, he has become one of the big bosses of Bianjing in one fell swoop and should not be underestimated.

He smiled and said to Cai Jing: "The disciples are afraid that they will disturb the purity of the Grand Master, so they never dared to take the liberty to visit."

Cai Jing smiled and said sincerely: "You and I have known each other for more than ten years, and I will be dissatisfied with you. Now you are the Minister of the Shangshu, and your future is limitless."

After a few greetings, they were all plain words on the official's face. Li Bangyan said with a smile: "Then come to the door another day." After that, he turned around and went to greet Quartz not far away.

Quartz and Li Bangyan said that their relationship was not enough, but Shangshu Cheng threw out his olive branch, but he had to let him go. Li Bangyan said with a smile: "The county lord has not seen each other for three years, and he is getting more and more energetic."

Quartz had to greet him. Li Bangyan smiled bitterly like a rogue in the city: "The officials wanted to get close to the county princess for a long time, but they just took the liberty to visit him, because they were afraid that the county prince would be abrupt."

Quartz smiled and said, "Shimei wants to visit, but she can't even give up Peng Shenghui. Why are she saying this?"

Li Bangyan's eyes lit up and he immediately said, "I will visit you another day." He laughed and said, "Three years after I left Beijing, things have changed."

As he was talking, Chen Ao came over. Others had rules, but Chen Ao was different. Today is this time, and tomorrow is not sure that it will be the first to arrive. It is unpredictable. However, if Chen Ao ignores such rules in the officialdom, no one can do anything about him.

When Li Bangyan saw Chen Ao, he immediately jogged over and bowed, "Prince."

Chen Ao was stunned. He had been an official for so long, but he had never seen such a diligent person. In front of so many people, everyone nodded and showed that it was just that, as an official, you should be more reserved. This guy... what happened?

He turned over and dismounted, looked at Li Bangyan with his sword. He didn't hate this life, and he smiled gracefully and without any flattery, but he was just a little abrupt. He said, "Well, okay."

Regardless of whether he knows it or not, just say hello.

Who knew that Li Bangyan said with a smile: "The prince is so kind and great, and the scholars and beauty are remembered in their hearts. I will definitely come to my house to thank you later."

Chen Ao looked at Quartz in confusion and said slowly: "What? What kind of kindness did I give you?"

Li Bangyan said solemnly: "Wang Pu is a man who is wise and kind, and he has a rift with him. The prince ordered Wang Fu to return to his hometown in one fell swoop. Although the subordinates are in the hometown, they are very encouraged. Therefore, I came here to thank him today."

Chen Ao curled his lips and thought to himself, something flattered me and slapped me on the head. He laughed at him, ignored him and went to talk to Zhou Zheng.

At this time, the palace gate finally opened, and everyone entered one after another. Li Bangyan caught up and said to Chen Ao: "Prince, I heard that the prince is good at Cuju, and he once guided the King of Jin's Cuju team. Isn't this matter serious?"

Chen Ao said: "Just just have fun."

Li Bangyan said with a smile: "The officials know some methods of Cuju, and they will give advice to the prince next time they go."

After entering the martial arts hall, everyone stood in squad. Zhao Ji happened to be crowned with the crown garment at this time. He looked around and his eyes fell on Shen Ao without saying anything, but just pursed his lips: "Do you have something to do to report?"

"There are sometimes reports!" The minister of Rites Yang Zhen, who stood up, was beyond everyone's expectations.

Yang Zhen said with emotion: "I heard that the Prince of Penglai has handed over a letter to the Western Xia Dynasty. Is it true?"

This old guy was quite inspiring. He asked in front of the emperor if there was anything wrong. He was brave enough. Chen Ao pursed his lips and thought to himself.

Zhao Ji raised his eyebrows: "It's true. I'm going to mention it today. Why, Yang Aiqing has something to say?"

Yang Zhen said: "I still heard that the people of Xixia are greedy for this letter of nationality, and they ignore the power of the great Song Dynasty. I still have to ask, is it true?"

When asked this point, everyone's heart couldn't help but raise it. Unexpectedly, the court discussion had just begun, it was not Chen Ao and Cai Jing who picked it out first, but Yang Zhen, who has always ignored the party dispute, took the lead in mentioning it first.

Zhao Ji raised his eyebrows, obviously a little annoyed at Yang Zhen's attitude, and said in anger: "That's right, I have already approved this letter of nationality."

As soon as the words were finished, the hall was in an uproar, and a whisper came out. It was not the letter of the country that shocked everyone, but Zhao Ji's attitude towards Chen Ao. Could it be that this Chen Ao holy relative has really reached a level that has never been seen in ancient and modern times?

Cai Jing's face changed and he looked at Chen Ao deeply. At this moment, he couldn't figure out why the ending would be this. With his understanding of Zhao Ji, Chen Ao took out this letter of nationality, which was like traitor in Zhao Ji's eyes. In his rage, even beheading his head was a common sense. Exiting back to Xixia was considered to be in full swing. Why did Zhao Ji's answer so lightly, and Chen Ao could still stand here safely?

There must be some omission, but where is it? He stood still for a moment, and he seemed to have been ten years older, but he couldn't figure it out no matter what.

At this time, I was already eager to try, and someone finally stood up and said, "Is the Prince of Penglai a minister or a minister of the Song Dynasty? Why did Xixia ask for benefits from our Song Dynasty? Your Majesty, I beg me to immediately take the punishment of Chen Ao and punish the crime of disloyalty and unfaithfulness."

"Wei Chen agreed..."

"I'm asking..."

"Your Majesty treats Chen Ao as heavy as a mountain. Now Chen Ao is for his own selfish interests, but he uses Xixia to threaten the Song Dynasty. I cannot bear it. This book of Xixia cannot be fulfilled."

...

Zhao Ji looked at His Highness deeply and said indifferently: "What do I do? I still want you to teach me? Come and recite the will."

It turns out that there is a purpose...

Everyone is breathless, let’s see what this will is.

Yang Jian stood up, took out an imperial edict, and slowly recited: "The commander said: The Prince of Penglai has made great contributions to the court. I think his hard work and great contributions can be awarded to the officials and ordinary people to inspire loyal and brave people. I will observe this, and I will give you the honor to the King of Pingxi..."

“…”

When the imperial edict was read, everyone in the palace was shocked, and those who had opposed it were stunned for a moment.

Cai Jing's face was pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Even though he had been turning around for decades, today, he was really confused. What was the flaw? What happened in this?

But the deeper I think about it, the more I can’t figure it out.

Chen Ao had already stood up and said loudly: "What kind of virtue is the empress, and I will never dare to accept this kind of gift."

Someone couldn't help but say: "Besides not being granted the title of the prince to the clan, Your Majesty must not destroy the ancestral system even if you want to reward Chen Ao."

The person who spoke was obviously a young official. The big guys in the court looked at this guy curiously, thinking in their hearts that since the order came out, it means that the palace has made a decision. If you stand up at this time, wouldn’t you be seeking death?

Seeing that no one agreed, the official was stunned for a moment. He thought that his words could lead to countless people's support, but he did not expect that this was the case.

Zhao Ji said coldly: "What's your name and what is your official position?"

The official was stunned for a moment and bowed to the real person and said, "The weak minister, Yan Sheng, is appointed as the doctor of the Ministry of Works."

Zhao Ji said indifferently: "Punishment to go to Jiaozhou and go down."

Then he said, "I have decided my intentions, so I don't have to say much." He continued to say, "Chen is a great contribution to the court, and is the pillar of the country. I rely on it very much. Whoever criticizes it anymore, I will never let it go." He did not wait for the ministers to react and left.

Everyone was stunned, but everyone knew that the outcome was decided and Cai Jing was at a disadvantage.

The smart ones have already surrounded Chen Ao and congratulated them one after another. Even the officials don’t take the ancestral system seriously. If you say more, you can’t keep the black hat or not. Why not go with the flow and care about so many things?

However, Yang Zhen was like this, but at this time he stood up with a sneer, and hurried out of the hall with a whistle.

Cai Jing woke up at this time. Although such a good opportunity was a mistake, Chen Ao was not shaken, but was more stable. The battle seemed to be over. Looking at Chen Ao deeply, he already understood in his heart that Chen Ao would definitely take action in the next moment. If he was not prepared, he was afraid that this last night would fall into his hands.

At this moment, Yang Jian said, "Your Majesty has an oral order. Chen Ao and Cai Jing stayed, and the rest of the people were scattered."

Chen Ao responded with a smile, thanked these people who came to congratulate him, looked at Cai Jing, and smiled without showing any sign of dew. At this time, Li Bangyan came over and said, "Congratulations to the prince, the prince's joy of promotion, I have to set up a table of wine to teach me to have a meal."

Chen Ao was a little disgusted with this man and hummed and said, "I'll talk about it next time."

So Cai Jing and the other two went to the back hall without saying a word.

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Chapter completed!