In the afternoon, the autumn rain rustled on the roof tiles, and the temperature had dropped below 10 degrees, which added a bit of early winter to the capital in early October. As the saying goes, an autumn rain is cold, and the end of late autumn is winter.

In the living room, the red clay stove on the coffee table is warming a pot of Shaoxing rice wine, Zhang Xuan and Gui Cao are sitting opposite each other, drinking and chatting leisurely.

Concubine De gave birth to a little princess a few days ago, and the emperor announced a three-day break to celebrate, so there was no need to go to court for these two days.

Zhang Xuan and Gui Cao can be said to be hardcore allies, the two met in Nanjing's "cold bench", both because of the book "discussion ceremony" and Jiajing's appreciation, since then, they have been degraded twice, and have been reinstated twice, so the relationship between Zhang Gui and the two is very iron, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a grasshopper on the same rope, and the interests are highly consistent.

"Congratulations to Brother Bingyong for being promoted to Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and the next official will give you a cup." Gui Cao raised his wine glass and said.

A hint of joy flashed on Zhang Xuan's face, and he smiled and toasted with Gui Cao, in a rather proud state.

It is said that Zhang Xuan was transferred back to Beijing by Jiajing in March this year to serve as the secretary of the Ministry of Wenxuan, the rank is the fifth grade, and the result was transferred to the Shaoqing of Dali Temple last month, the rank is the fourth grade, and he has been promoted to two ranks in half a year, a proper rocket cadre, this is the benefit of the emperor's favor.

Of course, in addition to the emperor's favor, Zhang Xuan himself also showed something, he recommended Yu Dayou to recover Annan for merit, and Jiajing also had an excuse to promote him, just right, Zhang Xuan was demoted before the position was Shaoqing of Dali Temple, so Jiajing let him reinstate the official.

And said that after Zhang Gui and the two drank a cup of each other, Gui Cao said with a little envy: "Brother Bingyong is really discerning, Yu Dayou's son is indeed a rare tiger general, after taking over Xu Jin in Kansai, he won a great victory in the first battle, and beheaded the Turpan general Yalan, and the merit of Brother Bingyong's recommendation is less, maybe the emperor will be happy, and Brother Bingyong will be promoted again, congratulations!" ”

"Hehe, Brother Zishi has said it, it is within my generation's duty to be virtuous for the country, and I dare to take credit." Zhang Xuan smiled, but his mood was quite comfortable.

It turned out that the day before yesterday, Jiajing and Xu Jin's front foot had just entered the capital, and Yu Dayou's good news was delivered to the back foot, Guazhou City flooded the three armies of Turpan, killed more than 20,000 enemies, and killed Turpan General Yalan, it was really a very beautiful victory, and Turpan's main force was hit hard, almost the whole army was wiped out, if there is no accident, Yu Dayou swept Turpan is only a matter of time, and there will be good news back to the capital before the New Year.

Once Yu Dayou swept Turpan and opened up territory for the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Xuan, as a recommender, naturally also had the merit of recommendation, and it was inevitable to go further in his official position.

Gui Cao lifted the warm wine jug and poured a book of wine for Zhang Xuan, and complimented: "It's Brother Bingyong who is too modest, come, this cup wishes Brother Bingyong a steady progress and enters the cabinet to worship the prime minister." ”

Zhang Xuan happily raised his glass and drank it all, and then glanced at Gui Cao meaningfully and said: "The emperor is going to appoint the righteous sister of the Duke of Jingguo He as a concubine, and this official wants to recommend Brother Zishi as the deputy envoy, what does Brother Zishi think?" ”

Gui Cao was overjoyed when he heard this: "That dare is good, Xie Bingyong is supported by his brother!" ”

Zhang Xuan waved his hand and said: "Come slowly, this official is just recommending to the emperor, and it is not known whether the emperor will use you or not, so Brother Zishi doesn't need to thank you first." ”

Gui Cao said happily: "Whether this matter can be done or not, Cao is grateful." ”

Zhang Xuan smiled lightly: "Brother Zishi is polite, why do you and I need to see each other, come, have another drink." With that, he lifted the flask and filled the glass.

The so-called registrar, that is, the official who is responsible for the affairs of the emperor's canonized queen's concubines, has two people, the main envoy and the deputy envoy, if it is the queen, the principal and deputy envoys must be at the level of a scholar and a monk, and the concubine is still lower, but the main envoy still has to be at the level of a servant (deputy department), Gui Cao is now only the head of the criminal department of the sixth grade, and naturally he is not qualified to be the main envoy of the book, so even if Zhang Xuan wants to promote Gui Cao, he can only recommend him to be the deputy envoy of the book, and he doesn't dare to pack the ticket, after all, Gui Cao's rank is too low, Jiajing, who loves face, may disagree.

But in any case, this is an opportunity to climb up, because according to the custom, after the canonization ceremony is successfully held, the undertaker will have a certain reward, so Gui Cao thanked Zhang Xuan again and again.

After three glasses of Shaoxing rice wine, I felt that my whole body was warm, Zhang Xuan put down the wine glass, tapped the coffee table with his middle finger, looked at the autumn rain falling outside the window and said leisurely: "Yu Zhifu (Yu Dayou's cousin) really didn't disappoint the official, very good!" ”

Gui Cao stroked the short beard on his chin and said with a smile: "The Duke of Yasukuni finally has a successor, and he can also be a grandfather of the Anle Kingdom with peace of mind." ”

The corners of Zhang Zhang's mouth flashed a faint smile, the reason why he recommended Yu Dayou was to weaken Xu Jin's growing influence in the army, until now, this plan is undoubtedly successful, Yu Dayou did a better job than he imagined, if Yu Dayou successfully swept Turpan this time, then he will be a newly rising mountain in the Ming army, a mountain comparable to Xu Jin.

As the saying goes, one mountain can't hide two tigers, even if Yu Dayou has been promoted by Xu Jin, but after a long time, as the foundation continues to deepen, Yu Dayou will definitely not be willing to succumb to Xu Jin again, so that Yu Dayou will become a force to balance Xu Jin.

Gui Cao glanced at Zhang Xuan, who had a leisurely expression, his upper body leaned forward slightly, and he lowered his voice and said: "According to Qiu Luan's letter, Yu Dayou was given a cold reception when he first arrived in Guazhou, and he also had a conflict with Xu Jin's descendant, Yu Linsheng, the general soldier of Datong, and later Xu Jin transferred Yu Linsheng and the Shenji Battalion away before returning to Beijing. Fortunately, Yu Dayou's son does have the ability, not only established a firm foothold in Kansai, but also won a big victory. Xu Jin is narrow-minded and communiqués personal vendettas, why don't we take this opportunity to read a book to him? In addition, with Qiu Luan to testify, it is bound to be hit with one blow. ”

Zhang Xuan's face sank and said: "Don't do it, if you don't get it right, you will burn yourself." ”

Gui Cao was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly asked, "How do you say this?" ”

Zhang Xuan said coldly: "There are three reasons. First, Xu Jin has just made such a great contribution, his prestige is in full swing, and the emperor is about to reward him, at this time, impeaching Xu Jin has no possibility of success, not to mention that the emperor is about to accept Xu Jin's righteous sister as a concubine, and impeaching Xu Jin at this time is to embarrass the emperor.

Second, since Xu Jin dared to transfer the Shenji Battalion and the Datong Army, it must have been agreed by Yu Dayou, and it is estimated that he has also consulted the emperor, and it is useless to impeach.

Third, the emperor knows that we are at odds with Xu Jin, if we find someone to impeach Xu Jin at this time, the emperor will definitely know with a guess, and I am afraid that I will not be able to participate in Xu Jin at that time, but we will be unlucky. ”

Gui Cao couldn't help but feel a chill in his back when he heard this, the emperor is true of his feelings, but compared with Xu Jin, he and Zhang Xuan combined, I am afraid that they are not as heavy as Xu Jin in the emperor's mind, Lu Bing is the best proof.

"Brother Bingyong, it is indeed a poor consideration of calyx, and the matter of impeachment is stopped!" Gui Cao arched his hand awe.

Zhang Xuan said in a deep voice: "With the emperor's favor and trust in Xu Jin, as long as it is not the crime of stealing the country and plotting rebellion, it is impossible to overthrow him, so don't do those useless works anymore, it's just in vain!" ”

Gui Cao's eyes flashed and said, "What does Brother Bingyong mean?" ”

Zhang Xuan said lightly: "Try not to provoke Xu Jin, the well water does not interfere with the river water, wait for the opportunity." ”

Gui Cao couldn't help muttering in his heart, isn't this just pretending to be a grandson, in the future, Xu Jin will be one day, everyone will have to be pressed by him, it's boring!

Zhang Xuan obviously saw Gui Cao's thoughts, and said with a light smile: "Brother Zishi, don't worry, now that Yu Dayou has taken over Xu Jin's class, Xu Jin's influence in the army will only get smaller and smaller, without military power, no matter how high Xu Jin's status is, he is just a rich idler, and there is nothing to worry about!" ”

Gui Cao frowned and said, "What if the emperor seals Xu Jin's real position?" ”

"Xu Jin is a national prince, and there is no precedent for a national prince to serve as a civil official in our dynasty." Zhang Xuan said calmly: "And ......"

Zhang Xuan paused as he spoke, a trace of jealousy flashed in his eyes, and he continued: "And there are rumors in the court that the emperor intends to crown Xu Jin as the king of the county in recognition of his great achievements this year." ”

"What!" Gui Cao was shocked, almost broke the teacup, and asked anxiously, "Is the news true?" ”

"With the emperor's temperament, it is estimated that eight or nine will not leave ten!" Zhang Xuan said lightly.

Gui Cao's beard trembled for a while, and he said angrily: "Ridiculous, I have been a country for one hundred and fifty years, and there is no one with a different surname who is crowned a king, the emperor is messing around, and the hundred officials will not agree...... Brother Bingyong, you ......! ”

Gui Cao was righteous and indignant, and suddenly saw Zhang Xuan looking at him with a strange expression, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and said deliciously: "Brother Bingyong, could it be that you support it?" ”

Zhang Xuan smiled and said: "Yes, of course I do, this move can not only allow Xu Jin to go home and be a rich idler, but also obey the emperor's wishes?" Why not? ”

Gui Cao's eyes flashed, and he fell into deep thought.