Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

Lu Ci and Liu Qi talked all the way, and soon came to the Xuande Gate, which was closely guarded by the imperial army.

Going forward, you can't enter without calling.

Liu Qi winked at his friend playfully, turned his horse around neatly, and said teasingly: "I don't know if brother Yu wants to prepare a banquet for Yu Yu to cleanse the dust, should it be tonight or tomorrow night?"

Lu Ci didn't know that Liu Qibei's banquet was fake, but he didn't want to tease the officials' way of always catching him, so he smiled softly and replied in a low voice: "Madam don't have to worry about trivial matters. If I return late, Madam You might as well choose a pillow to put in your arms, and temporarily act as your husband, so as not to be alone and sleepless."

The corners of Liu Qi's mouth twitched slightly, and after the little Taotie on the Snake Swing Pole rolled his eyes, he urged the horse and walked away gracefully.

Lu Ci got off his horse in front of the palace gate, led by the guards of the Imperial Army, and walked in the direction of Da Nei along the green brick road that he had been familiar with for many years.

Just when the palace was close in front of him, a thin and familiar figure walked out of it, and the other party raised his eyes and recognized Lu Ci easily.

This person is none other than Wang Zeng, who was promoted to the last chancellor at the age of 45 by the government just ten days ago.

Wang Zeng and Lu Ci looked at each other tacitly, and nodded slightly at the same time, which was regarded as a greeting, that is, to save those cumbersome formalities, and calmly entered and exited.

When the two passed by, Wang Zeng, who deliberately slowed down his pace, smiled slightly, and quickly said: "... Congratulations first."

If it were someone else, they would have been unable to suppress their emotions, and couldn't wait to ask for details.

Lu Ci didn't seem to have even the slightest bit of curiosity. Facing Wang Zeng's unreasonable congratulations, he only bent the corners of his lips and replied with a smile: "Congratulations."

Seeing his reaction like this, Wang Zeng deepened the smile in his eyes, nodded slightly at him again, quickened his pace without a trace, and left quickly.

As soon as Lu Cifu entered the palace, he received a warm greeting from the little emperor who had been looking forward to his arrival for a long time.

Zhao Zhen, who had been staring at the direction of the door absent-mindedly, saw the expectant figure entering, stood up from the desk without thinking, walked up quickly under the watchful eyes of a group of servants, held Lu Ci's hands, and said kindly : "It can be regarded as looking forward to the return of the little master! Come, sit down quickly."

Next, Zhao Zhen relied on his height to grow a little more, and with the strength that Lu Ci could not obviously break free, he dragged him to the seat beside him and sat down, asking for warmth.

Lu Ci was both moved and helpless, so he could only let Zhao Zhen still hold his hand and not let go, and changed the topic: "What I have seen and heard this time has been recorded in the secret letter, and I ordered someone to send it back immediately along with the letter of the state. , has the official received it?"

"It has been delivered." Zhao Zhen nodded. He has never been stingy with compliments to his beloved little master, and immediately praised him endlessly: "Fortunately, Yu Yu is clever and clever, full of talent and learning, Courageous, undaunted by hardships..."

"It's a matter of being loyal to the emperor." Lu Ci's eyelids twitched, and he had to take the risk of interrupting the ex-disciple's excessive praise: "Your Majesty is too famous."

Zhao Zhen stopped the conversation politely, stared happily at the young master who had not lost his charm even if he just sat quietly, and said cunningly: "In the past year, Yu has traveled back and forth between Tubo and the capital many times. You should have tasted the Four Seasons Appreciation, so you won’t be thinking about going out again, right?”

Lu Ci heard the strings and knew the elegant meaning, and said gently: "Everything is ordered by His Majesty."

"Very good."

Although he had already made up his mind, Zhao Zhen, who could not be completely relieved until he got a word from the "scheming" master, was completely at ease now.

Satisfied, he picked up the teacup, took a symbolic sip, and after he had done his best, he said seriously: "Since Yu Yu obeys all orders, then he needs to worry about the important position of being a political advisor. .”

Rao Lu Ci had expected it as early as when he learned that Wang Zeng, who was formerly a political adviser, was recently promoted to the last assistant, just like a "vacation seat". After it fell on my head, I was still unavoidably surprised.

Zhao Zhen secretly squinted his eyes, and became even more proud after successfully appreciating Lu Ci's rare surprised expression.

Seeing that Lu Ci frowned, looking hesitant to speak, he hurriedly put down the teacup, and made a special statement: "In order to prevent the young master from opening his mouth again, I need to clarify that when this appointment is made, I will I have consulted the important ministers of the Central Committee of the Secretary-General, and I never insisted on going my own way... just because of the secret of the job, with your talent and courage, you will definitely be able to do it."

It has been nearly thirteen years since Lu Ci became an official.

Regardless of the fact that he is not yet in his thirties, he is no longer the "underachiever" that everyone can bully when it comes to ranking seniority.

The reason why the courtiers either choose to support or choose to remain silent, and few people really jump out and oppose the re-promotion of Lu Ci by the officials, is that apart from the impressive and solid resume that Lu Ci has steadily accumulated over the years, What's more, it's the ending of those 'old rivals' who once fought against Lu Ci.

Whether it is the treacherous and cunning Wang Qinruo, or the narrow-minded Han Jiang, or even Liu E, who was once favored by the late emperors and had the power for a while... Whether it is indirect or direct, looking at their miserable endings, which one is from Lu Ci? What benefits did you get?

Moreover, after watching it for so many years, even though it is inevitable that I feel a little sour in my heart, I gradually got used to it.

To put it bluntly, the emperor is a body of flesh and blood, and his heart is destined to be partial, and there will always be courtiers who favor him.

The first emperor favored Wang Dan the most, and his trust in him cannot be overemphasized, and Wang Dan also reciprocated with utter loyalty.

Such a match between the monarch and his ministers, Wang Dan stood still in the position of chief assistant, sitting for many years.

Now, Lu Ci, who only had such a short period of 'teacher-student friendship', has won the respect and admiration of the little emperor like smoke from the ancestral grave... They have seen too much, and they have no choice but to accept it.

Fortunately, the little emperor still knew a little bit of propriety, although the promotion was bold, after all, he did not forget to consult the courtiers, and he did not send Lu Ci to some poor mountains and rivers where most people would not want to go.

Relying on this great contribution of making many trips to Tubo and promoting Zong Ke's alliance and establishment of diplomatic relations, the promotion of the original official position from the second-rank Lu Ci to the second-rank Shen Zhizhengshi, in addition to attracting people's attention as always, is also very important. Count 'in line with the rules'.

Seeing Lu Ci's unstoppable momentum, not to mention that now he is just one of the two politicians who can be promoted to the capital to discuss political affairs like the prime minister.

Lu Ci opened his mouth, and when he looked at the little emperor full of apprehension and expectation, he couldn't help but think that he was about the same age as the other party, but in order to walk with him, he had to fight at the distant border and have to rectify at any time. A little lover who pretends to go to war, good or bad.

——It is also inevitable to think that many civil servants who are actually pedantic and incompetent have been appointed to the town due to their seniority.

Lu Ci's eyes changed for a while, and finally he chose to swallow the words of refusal, and bowed solemnly.

Whether it is to protect Di Qing who fought bloody battles on the front line, for the people who love them in the border towns, or for the little emperor who has trusted him for many years...

He can't even retreat.

Since the people he loves so much are willing to guard the solid barrier of the Great Song Dynasty, let him be the one who guards this barrier.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mighty grace." Lu Ci lowered his eyes and said forcefully, "I will never disgrace my life."

Although according to the general 'rules', when an official gets a major appointment that he likes, especially a promotion, even if his heart is full of enthusiasm, he has to put on a show and refuse it a little bit.

But right now there were no outsiders, and Lu Ci's straightforward agreement made Zhao Zhen feel more comfortable.

"Lu Canzheng, get up soon." Even though the official appointment would take three or four days to pass, Zhao Zhen called out with uncontrollable joy, and said sincerely: "I may doubt others, but I will never doubt you."

Lu Ci smiled, and said meaningfully: "I just hope that your Majesty will talk too much in the future, and Mo Xianchen will be bothered."

The little master speaks funny and lovable, how can he have something to do with "annoying and disturbing God"?

Zhao Zhen didn't take this warning to heart at all, immersed in the joy of finally being able to tie people by his side and talk every day, took advantage of the opportunity to keep Lu Canzheng, and ate a rare extravagant royal meal prepared in advance.

When Lu Ci was full of food and tea and was reluctantly sent back to the mansion by Zhao Zhen, Liu Qi was alone guarding a table with a hot supper.

"I knew the officials wanted to keep you for dinner." As soon as Lu Ci entered the door, Liu Qi proudly swung the folding fan, unfolded it with a 'snap', and slapped it gracefully: "Let's count the time for you to talk , supper should be just right."

Looking at the table full of Lu Ci's favorite snacks and pastries, he couldn't help smiling and patted Liu Qi on the shoulder: "It's still a worry for the lady."

Liu Qi also cooperated very well, taking advantage of the situation and leaning into Lu Ci's arms softly, hushed her voice, imitating the charming tune of a singing girl and said: "If I can win the joy of my husband, I will have no regrets even if I die~"

It has to be said that Liu Qi, who used to be a frequent visitor of the Flower Street and Liuxiang, learned the charm of the singing girl acting like a baby to her benefactor.

It's a pity that Miss Liu, who is always pungent, is rarely so charming, but her happy friend Lu Sanyuan has a heart of stone, and she has already pushed "her" away calmly, bathed in resentful eyes, and gracefully enjoying the table full of supper .

Occasionally, when he had some free time, Lu Cicai turned his attention to Liu Qi, who was so bored that he rested his chin on the table and had no image, and asked, "How is your "The Legend of Yuan Yuan"?"

Liu Qi made a bitter face.

After the official's "furious rage", he thought it over and tried to rewrite a version, saying that the two had never reconciled and were still arguing.

Unexpectedly, as soon as this edition came out, not only the officials were dissatisfied with the blunt twist of the plot, but even the common people were full of complaints.

Liu Qi, who was bombarded for the first time, didn't dare to be perfunctory anymore, and only hurriedly recalled the new book that hadn't had time to be released elsewhere in the future, trying to break his head, and then thought about the early plot of Heli a few days later new ideas.

In the latest issue, after a life-and-death accident, Liu Niangzi, who sacrificed her life to save Uncle Zhao, was seriously injured, and she no longer concealed her affection for Lu Sanyuan when she was unconscious.

Liu Niangzi, who has always been stubborn, rarely shows weakness, and her pale and pitiful appearance finally melted Lu Sanyuan's cold heart.

Lu Ci only listened to Liu Qi's general narration, and he could imagine how bloody the plot was forced to be.

Even Liu Qi himself can hardly believe that such 'nonsense' has caused countless tears and thousands of fans.

Over the past few years, the sales of the story books have been getting higher and higher, many times higher than the collection of poems he is proud of, which made him earn a lot of money, making him feel dumbfounded.

"What's so strange about this?" Lu Ci smiled and said, "The poems of the Layman in Xiangshan are both elegant and vulgar, and even an illiterate old lady can understand them after listening to them. The melody is high and low, but it is not as good as the popular and interesting ones."

Liu Qi was thoughtful.

Lu Ci, who had already swept away the supper quietly, seemed to have just remembered at this time, and wrote lightly: "Yes, I need to let you know--in a few days, I should move to the street Mansion, do you want to stay in this mansion, or continue to live with me? If you wish to call your wife to the capital, you can stay in this mansion."

"It's so good, why do you want to move the house?"

The words came out suddenly, Liu Qi subconsciously asked such a sentence, and soon recalled it, and said in shock: "Wait a minute, Fu?"

Apart from the few members of the imperial clan, the residences that can be called 'mansions' are only the five important ministers in the court—either three ministers and two ministers, or two ministers and three ministers, a total of five members.

Now there are three prime ministers in the dynasty, one is a ginseng, and Wang Zeng, who was originally the other ginseng, has just been promoted to the position of last assistant, which means...

Lu Ci nodded: "The relocation needs to be prepared in advance. I don't want to hide it from you, but before the transfer order is issued, it's better not to say anything—"

"Ow!!!"

Before the words were finished, Liu Qi let out a howl of jealousy and loss of friendship.