Yan Zhengsu once wrote 12 articles in three days, sprinkled nearly 50,000 words, mercilessly pointed out a series of political malpractices in the court, as well as strategies to avoid punishment, and named the names of nine high-ranking and powerful ministers in the court at that time. Those who pointed out their surnames said that they were disloyal to the king. That time, everyone in the court shook, and everyone sweated for him.

Fortunately, the emperor was generous and handled things in a very good way, skillfully mediating between them, which not only appeased the named ministers, but also did not punish the other party's actions. But since then, Fang Dunru's reputation for speaking out has been known to the world. Fang Dunru is diligent in thinking and has unique insights into things, and has written famous policy articles such as "Long-term Governance Policy", "National Security Theory", "Twelve Thoughts of the Sage", and has excellent poetry and lyrics, so he has won a good reputation. Many people wanted to worship Fang Dunru as a teacher, but Fang Dunru refused one by one. Therefore, when Fang Dunru accepted this Wu Chunlai as a disciple, it naturally caused a great sensation.

After Fang Dunru accepted Wu Chunlai as a disciple, he could be said to have taught him carefully and loved him like a son. At that time, Fang Dunru was only in his thirties, and he had no heirs, so he almost regarded Wu Chunlai as a son. Wu Chunlai lives in the Fang family and eats in the Fang family, and he is simply a member of the Fang family.

Twenty years ago, when Guo Bing, the king of Liang, and Lu Zhongtian had a bad relationship and began to fight each other, Lu Zhongtian was attacked by Guo Bing because of the case of He Yuanqing, the servant of the ministry, who privately promoted his relatives, and Lu Zhongtian asked for his resignation. Fang Dunru was praised for his fame and character, so he entered the political hall and was worshiped as the deputy minister soon after. And Wu Chunlai also won the imperial examination in one fell swoop not long after. He won the sixteenth place in the second class in the spring examination, and he jumped into the dragon gate at a young age. However, that's when everything changed.

In just one year, Feng Ziyue, an old minister who succeeded Lu Zhongtian as prime minister, died of illness, and just when everyone thought that Fang Dunru, who was then the governor of political affairs, was going to be in charge of the prime minister's seal, the emperor reactivated Lu Zhongtian. How could Lu Zhongtian and Fang Dunru reconcile, inside the political hall, the two of them became fire and water. At this time, Wu Chunlai played an extremely dishonorable role.

After Wu Chun came to the imperial examination, he wanted his mentor to help him seek the convenience of staying in the capital as an official, but Fang Dunru believed that he should go to Beijing to experience the officials, observe the people's feelings, do some practical things to improve himself, and return to Beijing in the future to make a difference for the official. Wu Chunlai appeared to be Vino, but he was very unhappy in his heart.

Lu Zhongtian was competing with Fang Dunru at that time. He really wanted to kick this stinky and hard guy out of the political hall, but he couldn't find Fang Dunru's handle, because this person really had no handle to arrest, he was not corrupt, he was not corrupt, he Lu Zhongtian had a headache. Just when he was secretly looking for Fang Dunru's handle, Lu Zhongtian learned that Fang Dunru's disciple Wu Chunlai wanted to stay in the capital but was rejected by Fang Dunru. So Lu Zhongtian ordered someone to arrange a meeting between Wu Chun and himself. After several temptations, Lu Zhongtian decided to start with Wu Chunlai. He told Wu Chunlai that he would arrange an official position for him in the political hall and follow him. But in exchange, Wu Chunlai had to tell himself something about Fang Dunru that was not known. This is actually to ask Wu Chunlai to betray his teacher and be his own undercover agent.

What is surprising is that Wu Chunlai actually agreed ecstatically, and according to Lu Zhongtian's instructions, he took advantage of the convenient opportunity to enter and exit Fang Dunru's mansion to find some poems written by Fang Dunru in private a long time ago. Those are some poems written by Fang Dunru after witnessing the case of corruption and perversion of the law by officials when he was an official in the Imperial History Tower, and there will inevitably be some disrespectful words to the court in those poems, but it is a kind of private venting, but it will not be circulated. However, when these things fell into the hands of Lu Zhongtian, it became like a bombshell.

After several months of sorting out, Lu Zhongtian presented Fang Dunru's disrespectful remarks to the first emperor, who was extremely displeased. But in fact, the former emperor did not intend to cure Fang Dunru's sin, because he knew Fang Dunru's temper. But Fang Dunru's behavior made the emperor gradually alienate him, when Fang Dunru was advocating the adoption of a reform measure for the official system, Lu Zhongtian tried his best to oppose it, the emperor was ready to agree with Fang Dunru's opinion, because as soon as this matter came out, the emperor immediately approved two words: "Not allowed!" ”

Fang Dunru wanted to see the saint to find out the reason, but the emperor avoided it, and only sent the poems and texts that reflected the imperial court to Fang Dunru, and Fang Dunru suddenly realized after seeing these poems. Wu Chunlai didn't quibble, admitting that he did it himself, because he felt that Fang Dunru was delaying his future, and he had to fight for his own future. Fang Dunru was devastated, and immediately expelled Wu Chunlai from the door wall, vowing not to accept disciples again. In terms of government affairs, because of this matter, Fang Dunru suffered repeated setbacks in the following time, all his suggestions were rejected, all ideas were not adopted, and he gradually became a loner in the political hall.

Under these circumstances, Fang Dunru resigned in anger. The first emperor actually just wanted to snub Fang Dunru, frustrate his spirit, and order someone to appease Fang Dunru. But Fang Dunru knew that Lu Zhongtian was in the court, and he had absolutely no room to play, so he resolutely resigned. The first emperor kept him repeatedly, but Fang Dunru just refused, and in the end, the first emperor was also displeased, so he simply approved his resignation.

Fang Dunru resigned and returned to Hangzhou to open Songshan Academy, while Wu Chunlai got his wish and entered the political hall as an official. With his participation in the planning, Lu Zhongtian's political enemies were eliminated one by one, and Lu Zhongtian also took him very seriously. Lu Zhongtian even acted as a matchmaker for Wu Chunlai, marrying the beloved daughter of the late Vice Minister Qin Ze'an to Wu Chunlai as his wife. He was promoted all the way to the high position of the head of the house, and the momentum was very strong. Some people even privately discussed that it is not impossible for Wu Chunlai to be promoted to the position of Governor of Political Affairs in the near future, to officially enter the core of power in the Political Affairs Hall, and to succeed Lu Zhongtian as Prime Minister in the future.

Wu Chunlai's betrayal of his master has gradually been forgotten as Wu Chunlai has risen to power and power, and as time goes by, few people know about Wu Chunlai's unbearable past.

……

In the lobby of the government, an official sat and chatted for a long time, but Yan Zhengsu never came out to meet the guests. They were greeted by Zhang Yi, the general judge of Hangzhou. Zhang Yi was busy flattering Wu Chunlai and Li Shiqing, the head of the Privy Council, with a disgusting smile on his face.

"Master Zhang, what's going on? It's okay for Governor Yan to snub me, Director Wu and Director Li came all the way to Hangzhou, why didn't he, the prefect, say hello? It's okay not to go to the dock to greet him last night, and he hasn't come out to meet people in his yamen, which is a bit too much. Liu Sheng, the prefect of Yangzhou, finally couldn't help but be dissatisfied.

Zhang Yi hurriedly smiled and said: "Don't worry, Lord Liu went to Qiantang County yesterday to inspect the construction of the embankment, and he only came back in the middle of the night. It's not that I deliberately neglect a few adults. A few adults sat widely, and the lower official went to urge him again. Sorry, sorry. ”

The handsome Wu Chunlai put down the tea brick in his hand and waved his hand with a smile: "No need to call, Lord Yan is very busy with official business, and he should rest for a while." We just sat here and chatted, but it was nothing serious, and in a moment we went to the pavilion to rest. It's just a matter of Mr. Zhang arranging a place to live. ”

Zhang Yi hurriedly said: "It's arranged, Xia Guan has already arranged it." I'm afraid it's not suitable to live in the pavilion. Besides, there are a lot of people coming this time, so let's let other people live at the inn. Xiaguan has vacated one of my family's mansions, and a few adults can stay in the cold house. Although the humble house is extremely shabby, it is also clean and peaceful. ”

Wu Chunlai laughed and said, "Then what's embarrassing?" How can you disturb Zhang Tong's family and be unstable? ”

"Don't bother, don't bother. Lord Wu and all the adults can settle in the Xiaguan Humble House, which is the honor of the Xiaguan family. To tell you the truth, my brother wrote a letter a few days ago, asking me to treat Lord Wu well, and if I don't entertain you well, my eldest brother will blame me. Lord Wu don't have to worry about inconvenience, it is my other garden, just in the Yongjin Gate, it is convenient to enter and exit, and the house is also elegant and quiet. ”

"Okay, okay, that's going to bother. I didn't expect Ji Xiang to be so polite, and he specially wrote to ask you to entertain me and others. After returning to Beijing, I will definitely go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to thank you. Wu Chunlai nodded with a smile.

Zhang Yi couldn't help but be happy, he vacated a big mansion a few days earlier, and today he was finally able to pat Wu Chunlai and others' sycophants, not to mention how happy he was. Although his eldest brother Zhang Jun is the third envoy, Zhang Yi understands in his heart that the power of the eldest brother is not even as good as that of this Wu Chunlai. Wu Chunlai is a popular person around Lu Zhongtian, and the eldest brother had some power disputes with Lu Zhongtian in the early years, but in fact, the current situation is very delicate. The two brothers had already discussed that they wanted to ease the relationship with Lu Zhongtian and others as much as possible.

"This official went to live in the Yamen of the Ning Navy, this was explained by the Yang Shukou envoy before the trip, and I can't go." One said in a deep voice.

It was Li Shiqing, the head of the southeast house of the Privy Council with a bearded face, who spoke. The subordinate of the Privy Council is also divided into more than a dozen rooms, such as the north room, which is responsible for Liao affairs and border affairs in the north, the Hexi room in the west, the Guangxi room in the south, and the southeast room in the southeast. There are also other errand rooms, rooms in Beijing, school rooms, military registration rooms, militia rooms, officials' rooms, etc., a total of fifteen rooms.

Each room has its own piece and its own affairs. Li Shiqing is the head of the southeast room, in fact, he is the chief officer of the various affairs of the southeast garrison, and he is a middle-level official in the Privy Council, and he does practical things. In terms of official rank, Li Shiqing and Wu Chunlai are at the same level, but in terms of power, Wu Chunlai is much bigger than Li Shiqing. Wu Chunlai is the head of the government affairs hall, and it can be said that the appointment and dismissal of most officials have to go through his hands, which is not an ordinary power. Therefore, although the two arrived in the same boat, the level of welcome they received was not the same. Wu Chunlai was surrounded by a large number of people, flattering and praising endlessly, and to Li Shiqing, everyone maintained due courtesy.

"Isn't Lord Li going to stay in the cold house? Oops, that's a shame. However, the humble house is indeed small, and the Yamen of the Ning Navy is wide, so it is understandable that Lord Li will also go to see the officers and men of the Ning Navy during this trip. The lower officials did not force it. Zhang Yi arched his hand and smiled.

Everyone could hear that Zhang Yi's words were insincere, as if they were glad that Li Shiqing did not go to his master's stay. Wu Chunlai smiled silently, and his heart was actually quite happy. In fact, he didn't want Li Shiqing to go to the place arranged by Zhang Yi with him, which was really inconvenient. In the imperial court, there was no harmony between Lu Xiang and Yang Shu's envoys, and there was occasional friction between the two governments, and the officials below were also divided into factions. This time in Hangzhou, Wu Chunlai and Li Shiqing came on the same boat, except for a few polite words, there was basically no communication, in fact, the two belonged to two factions, and they disdained to talk to each other. Li Shiqing didn't go, which was exactly what Wu Chun wanted, and saved trouble.

Zhang Yi knows this very well. His goal is to please Wu Chunlai, although the Privy Council represented by Li Shiqing cannot be offended, but he cares more about Wu Chunlai's feelings. Therefore, as soon as Li Shiqing said this, Zhang Yi expressed his understanding when he got off the donkey, and even saved the polite words of persuasion.

Everyone chatted a few words, and seeing that Yan Zhengsu didn't seem to have any intention of coming out to meet the guests, Wu Chunlai was a little embarrassed on his face, but he didn't show it. In fact, he came to Hangzhou this time with a mission. He already knew the inside story, Yan Zhengsu was about to be transferred to the capital, and this time he shouldered Lu Xiang's advice to touch the bottom of Yan Zhengsu in advance. Yan Zhengsu has a very important position in the heart of the saint, and many people understand this in their hearts. What will happen after Yan Zhengsu enters Beijing is what Lu Xiang is concerned about. Therefore, this trip is said to be to observe the people's feelings, but in fact, it is to make contact with Yan Zhengsu and prepare for the future. The best result is that after Yan Zhengsu enters Beijing, he becomes Lu Xiang's person, so Lu Xiang has Yan Zhengsu's help, and his words will have more weight.

"I think we're all going to disperse. The official was also a little sleepy. Tonight's Oiran Contest is going to be exciting, so let's get some rest. so as not to doze off at night. Wu Chunlai stood up and said to everyone.

"Okay, well, lead the way in front of the lower officials, and the adults will come with me. Let's stay first, and then have an early lunch and then have a good rest, and then go to see the Oiran Contest in the evening. Zhang Yi rubbed his hands and smiled.

The officials nodded again and again, and Yawn stood up. They were also really tired, they arrived last night, and although they also slept on the boat, the boat was bumpy and they always slept unwell. At this moment, it would be best if you could take a hot bath, eat something delicious and sleep beautifully. I knew that this Yan Governor's Mansion was so arranged, and I didn't have to come to see him just now.

When everyone was getting up and walking out, someone suddenly shouted, "Lord Yan has arrived." ”

Wu Chunlai was stunned, and said in his heart: This solemn fear is deliberate, and he only came out when he saw that we were leaving.

Everyone had to return to their seats, and sure enough, Yan Zheng, who was dressed in a black robe, walked out of the side curtain with his sleeves flicked his sleeves.

"Lord Yan, Wu Chunlai has seen Governor Yan's mansion." Wu Chunlai stepped forward to salute, but he was also very humble.

Yan Zhengsu bowed his hand and said: "Lord Wu has arrived, and this official has lost his welcome, and it is rude." ”

Li Shiqing also stepped forward to salute, and solemnly returned the salute.

"Lord Yan, you are also putting up a fight, Lord Wu, Lord Li and I have been in your hall for half an hour, but you don't come to see people, what is the reason? This is on your territory, when you go to Jiangning Mansion, Lord Shen takes good care of you. Oh yes, isn't Lord Yan going to be promoted, so he looks down on us? ”

When he saluted in front of Liu Sheng Shen Fang, Liu Sheng half-jokingly blamed.

Yan Zhengsu frowned and said, "What are these words?" The official has just learned of your arrival, so why is he deliberately neglecting? Furthermore, what is the territory of the official? This is the territory of the Great Zhou, the territory of the Holy One, is it you and mine? Could it be that you became the prefect of Yangzhou, so you regarded Yangzhou as your own home? ”

Liu Sheng opened his mouth and rolled his eyes when he was choked by Yan Zheng.

"It's boring, I'm kidding you, and you take your hat down. Come on, we don't dare to talk to you, your mouth is too strong, when I didn't say it. ”

Yan Zhengsu smiled and said, "It's good that you understand, you can't please me here." But what you said is that Director Wu and Director Li arrived in Hangzhou, and the lower officials should go to greet them. Don't slack off. When the people below saw that I had slept late last night, they did not call me, and the magistrate punished them. ”

Wu Chunlai said with a smile: "It's serious, what punishment do you say?" This official has heard the name of Lord Yan for a long time, and the first thing he did when he came to Hangzhou was to come to meet Lord Yan. ”

Yan Zhengsu smiled and said, "This official has also admired the name of Lord Wu for a long time." However, the first thing you did when you came to Hangzhou was why you shouldn't have come to see the official, you should have gone to see another person. ”

Wu Chunlai's color changed, Zhang Yi didn't know whether he was alive or dead, and joked with a smile: "Who is that?" Could it be that Director Wu still has an old man in my Hangzhou? Isn't it an old love that gets along? ”

Wu Chunlai frowned and glared at Zhang Yi fiercely, Zhang Yi was startled, and suddenly felt that he was a little too frivolous, and he didn't seem to have the qualifications to intervene on such occasions.

"Judge Zhang Tong, don't you know that Master Wu's mentor is Fang Dunru of Songshan Academy? In the past, Director Wu joined Fang Dunru as a student when he was a teenager, and Fang Dunru treated Master Wu as if he were his own. As the saying goes, a teacher for one day and a father for life, the first thing Lord Wu did when he came to Hangzhou should be to meet his teacher. Lord Wu, do you say yes or no? ”

In fact, there are not many people on the table who know about Wu Chunlai's past years, and many years have passed since Fang Dunru was betrayed by Wu Chunlai, and there are very few people in the court who know about it. What's more, Fang Dunru didn't publicize this matter at that time, it wasn't Fang Dunru's doing. At that time, there were indeed friends of Fang Dunru in the DPRK who knew about this and wanted to publicize Wu Chunlai's despicable behavior, but Fang Dunru stopped him. Fang Dunru didn't want to ruin Wu Chunlai, and he didn't want to be laughed at, but Fang Dunru thought that this matter was because he didn't know anyone, and he actually had no face when he said it. Nearly 20 years later, very few people know about it.

But Wu Chunlai had a ghost in his heart, and Yan Zheng solemnly spoke, and he sensitively realized that Yan Zheng was going to talk about it, and he wanted to cover it up, but Zhang Yi asked without knowing it, and he glared at Zhang Yi fiercely with hatred.

"Lord Yan, this official is going to visit his teacher, but there is no need to remind him. The official was planning to go to Matsuyama Academy to meet his teacher. Wu Chunlai said busily.

Yan Zhengsu smiled and said, "Lord Wu doesn't seem to have forgotten the old kindness, which is very good." In his life, the official hates the person who takes revenge on the inside, and this kind of person is like a pig, a dog, a beast in the eyes of the official, and the official doesn't even bother to talk to him. Lord Wu, do you think this kind of person is shameful? ”

Wu Chunlai finally couldn't bear the humiliation of Yan Zhengsu in front of him, and he was not mentally prepared for this. It turned out that Yan Zhengsu didn't come out to see him for a long time, I'm afraid it was deliberate. Yan Zhengsu must have known all about his own affairs back then, and his negligence was his disdain for himself.