Promotion Letter for the Chief Executive

Two days after the emperor's incognito visit, He Xiang took the book of begging for the elderly.

At his age, he should retire.What's more, it is extremely honorable to retire from the position of prime minister.

It's just that when such a note is sent, the emperor is sympathetic to the veterans and will order to retain them as a show of favor. After two or three times, both of them feel that the heat is almost ready, and the emperor is now ready to go, so everyone is happy.

However, this time, He Youjun's memorial was delivered, and the emperor approved it immediately.

This incident caused a small disturbance in the court.

Everyone knew that it was time for He Youjun to retire, but they didn't expect it to come so suddenly, let alone that the emperor didn't even try to persuade him to stay.

Those who know the machine have been able to predict in advance: The He family is going to end.

Only the Sacred Heart is enough to drive them into the abyss.He Xiang is old, and there are not enough promising people among his descendants to support the whole family. It is conceivable that he will decline.

But for the harem, the impact of this incident, apart from the He family's trouble in Lenggong, is the good mood of Concubine Zheng's mother and son in Changle Palace.How can you be unhappy that you have successfully stepped on the He family and made the emperor value yourself even more?

So towards Zhao Can who brought this opportunity, he was also very affectionate.Several times when the emperor came over, Concubine Zheng kept him here on purpose.

Although seeing other people's happy and harmonious family, it is very uncomfortable for me to insert myself into it, which is rich and redundant.But Zhao Can couldn't tell at all on the surface, he looked at the emperor with admiration the whole time, and listened quietly to what they said.In this way, the emperor took a high look.

For a man like him, rushing to show off was a downside.This is not arrogant or impetuous, but can be praised.And it won't steal Zhao Rong's limelight, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

Concubine Zheng Gui and Zhao Rong are satisfied, so they will naturally speak better words for him.

Finally, after dinner that day, the emperor asked Zhao Can to go with him.Zhao Can immediately showed a slightly nervous expression, but did not appear flattered.

The emperor nodded slightly upon seeing this.As expected of his own son, as the imperial concubine said, even if no one taught him, he still has a heavenly bearing, and his performance is remarkable.Since he behaved well, the emperor didn't mind giving him a little more favor.Left and right are his own sons.

Coming out of Changle Palace, the emperor did not go to Luanyu, but said, "Walk with me."

"Yes." Zhao Can lowered his hands and followed behind him.Wang Lixin followed the two, leaving a distance of a few steps for the father and son to talk, but if he wanted to serve, he only needed to raise his voice, and he would be able to hear him immediately.As for the others, they took another five or six steps behind him, making sure not to hear what was said in front of him.

The emperor took two steps before he said, "I heard from the noble concubine that you made longevity noodles for the queen mother?"

"Yes. Grandmother Qianqiu, my son can't give you any precious things, so I have to put more thought into it." Zhao Can said, "Besides, the longevity noodles have a good meaning. After the grandmother eats them, she will live forever forever."

"Oh? How can seeing that face make people live longer?" the emperor asked curiously.

Zhao Can said, "Father, the noodles are pulled out by hand, and there is only one noodle in a bowl, so they are called longevity noodles."

"So that's how it is, it's really a coincidence." The emperor deliberately made things difficult for him, "Then why didn't you offer it on my Longevity Day? Could it be that I can't live forever?"

"Father, forgive me." Zhao Can said.Even though he said that, he didn't kneel down to spoil the fun, nor did he try to explain, he just said, "The son will do it for the emperor from next year."

The emperor couldn't scare him anymore.After all, although he didn't have longevity noodles, Zhao Can's gift on Longevity Day was not careless.Especially the elder brother Zhao Rong was brought in, so it can be seen that brothers have a blind date, which is especially rare in the royal family.

The emperor couldn't help turning his head to look at Zhao Can.He lowered his head slightly, but he didn't hide all his face, and he could still see clearly.

That face is handsome and delicate, not like a majestic man, but very much like his mother who died young.

For this reason, the emperor did not like the child very much.She was born more beautiful than a woman, but with this appearance alone, no matter what she does in the future, she will inevitably be criticized by others.Moreover, it is difficult to become a master if you pay too much attention to these external things.

So he didn't care much about this son.But he didn't think that even if he was alone, without anyone teaching him, he would unknowingly grow into a handsome young man.If he can get careful teaching, in a few years, he probably won't lose to any brother.

Pity.The emperor turned his head and sighed inwardly.

He tried his best to recall Zhao Can's biological mother, but no matter what, he couldn't remember it. There was only a shadowy face that overlapped with the son in front of him, and her gentle and gentle tone, the song he hummed in his ear, " You can pick lotus in the south of the Yangtze River, lotus leaves and He Tiantian..."

"Xiaoqi." The emperor said suddenly, "Do you want to live in Jiangnan for a few years?"

Zhao Can raised his head suddenly, and asked in a puzzled tone, "Jiangnan?"

His eyes were black and white, as if they contained divine light, pure and natural, the emperor was afraid to look at them for a while, "Yes, Jiangnan is the hometown of your mother and concubine."

Zhao Can lowered his head again, "My son is willing to go, thank you for your kindness."

Indeed, even if Concubine Zheng is so favored in the palace, she cannot visit her relatives.As the prince she gave birth to, Zhao Rong had to keep an absolute distance from the Zheng family, and dared not have any contact, for fear of being caught as a pigtail and accused of colluding with foreign relatives.

So the emperor's willingness to let Zhao Can go back to the south of the Yangtze River to visit his mother's hometown is already a great favor.Of course, this is also because Zhao Can has no so-called "mother clan".His mother was born in a small town in the south of the Yangtze River, and the family made a living by raising silkworms and weaving.One year, there was a flood in the south of the Yangtze River, and the entire town was flooded. Zhao Can's grandfather and his family were all buried in the flood, leaving only his mother, who was sold into the palace.

Three years after that beautiful and gentle woman entered the palace, she gave birth to the emperor's seventh son, who was sick in bed immediately and passed away not long after.

Both father and son are well aware of the so-called "hometown", but one takes it as a favor, and the other happily accepts it.After the play, both of them lost interest.

The emperor stopped, "Okay, you go back. Wang Lixin!"

Wang Lixin waved his hand, and immediately someone lifted his shoulders up.After the emperor sat up, he headed towards the Tiangan Palace.Zhao Can kept watching him go away before slowly showing a cold smile.

"Jiangnan..." He sighed softly, "That's fine."

After all, he was restrained in the palace, even if he wanted to do many things, he was powerless.But going to the south of the Yangtze River is different. Although it is far away from the capital, it looks like being assigned—in fact, it is—but Zhao Can feels much more free than in the palace.

If you really want to, there are some things you can do no matter where you are.

He lowered his eyes and thought for a while, then raised his feet and walked in the direction of Maoxin Hall.In the middle of the walk, he suddenly thought of someone, turned around again, and walked towards the guard's room.Ping An is on duty tonight, and there are few people at the moment, so I can just meet him.

After Pingan was called out by Zhao Can, the other party just stood there staring at him, as if he was hiding some huge secret.He looked a little uncomfortable, so he had to ask, "Your Highness, what do you want me to do?"

Zhao Can's eyes moved, as if he just came to his senses.

He didn't know what happened to him either.This matter should be top secret before the emperor announced it, but he suddenly wanted to tell Ping An.

It's just that I really saw Ping An, but I didn't know how to say it.His relationship with Ping An is actually not as deep as he thought.It might be a bit abrupt to speak rashly.

"Why don't you talk?" Ping An had no choice but to ask again.

Only then did Zhao Can say, "There is one thing that I can't make up my mind about, and I don't know who to tell, so I just came to you."

Ping An twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling a little helpless, but more happy.He treated Zhao Can differently than others, and of course he also hoped that he would be different with Zhao Can.Zhao Can's words undoubtedly confirmed this point.

"Go ahead." He slowed down his voice, as if afraid of scaring Zhao Can.

The two of them are now sitting in a small pavilion near Tiangan Palace.But this place is remote, very few people come here, in case they are seen.At this moment, the night has fallen, and the Tiangan Palace not far away is brightly lit.Zhao Can stared at the lights, and after a while said, "Father asked me to go to Jiangnan."

"Jiangnan? Why?" Ping An was surprised.

Zhao Can laughed mockingly, "What else could it be? I probably didn't want to destroy me with my own hands, so I had no choice but to send me away."

Ping An suddenly looked up and stared at him.But Zhao Can's expression had calmed down, and he couldn't see anything.Ping An didn't know what to say for a while.He froze for a moment before asking, "What about you?"

"Me?" Zhao Can didn't quite understand what he meant.

"I mean..." Ping An pursed his lips and asked in a low voice, "What do you think?"

When he said this, he looked closely into Zhao Can's eyes.Zhao Can was a little puzzled at first, but after seeing his expression, he understood.What Ping An asked was whether he had such a heart.

Of course he has, but—can Ping An be trusted?Is it necessary to tell him?After all, what if he knew?After all, it is impossible to help.

But in the end, Zhao Can still said, "Of course I want to."

"Then go." Ping An said, "Actually, you should go whether you want to or not. If you don't want to, try to stay there all the time, no matter what the capital is like, it won't affect you. If you want to...leave at this time, maybe you can Not a bad thing."

As Zhao Rong and Zhao Xuan reached the age of marriage, rumors of the seizure of the heir apparent had begun to emerge.With the matter of choosing the prince and concubine, I don't know how many people will be drawn into this whirlpool.Although Zhao Can is still a little behind in age, it's good to be able to leave for the time being.Wait two or three years, when the power in the capital has been rebalanced, he can arrange it calmly whether he stays outside or comes back.

Zhao Can looked at Ping An, and Ping An also looked at Zhao Can.

Finally Zhao Can nodded, "You're right. I know it myself, I just lament the wonder of life." There was no such thing in his previous life, and Zhao Can almost wondered if this emperor was the father he knew. Royal.

Fortunately, the kind face only lasted for a moment, and the filth hidden underneath was eagerly exposed.

Zhao Can turned to look at Ping An, "What about you? Will you... help me?"

This is the first time that the two have specifically mentioned this matter. Both of them are vague about each other, but the meaning of each other is very obvious.Zhao Can understands that this is a very rare opportunity, and it is impossible for him to confide in vain if he confides his thoughts.Ping An must make a statement.

And he actually only accepts one outcome.

Sure enough, Ping An looked at him for a while before saying, "Can I say no?"

"Of course not." Zhao Can raised his chin, "Besides me, who else do you want to help?"

Ping An lowered his eyes, "Do you still remember my dream?"

"I remember." Zhao Can's tone was brisk, obviously not serious, "let everyone in the world be able to read."

"I heard that the printing industry in the Jiangnan area is very prosperous. Most of the books in the Great Chu Dynasty were printed in Jiangnan. If you can integrate all the printing workshops in Jiangnan and formulate a unified Standard, promote movable type printing. Then when you come back, I will give you a big gift." Ping An said.

He paused for a moment, then added, "It will definitely be a great gift that will satisfy you."

"Why not give it a try?" Zhao Can smiled.For him, this matter was hardly difficult. Anyway, he went to Jiangnan and had nothing to do for a while, so it would be good to toss about the printing press.

"Then, it's a deal." Ping An reached out to give him a high five.

Zhao Can stretched out his hand, "It's a deal."

The two slightly immature palms clapped together lightly, and there was a crisp sound in the silent night.

This is the first time that two people with different minds reached an alliance for the same thing and worked hard together.

……

The emperor's decree was issued several days later.The reason given to Zhao Can was no longer to go back to his mother's hometown, but to go to the most prestigious Tianyi Academy in the south of the Yangtze River to study.Jiangnan has always been proud of its literary name, and Tianyi Academy is the best academy in the whole of Dachu, no matter in terms of scale, teachers or other aspects, it is second to none.

Even if the prince went to study, he would not feel wronged in the slightest.Otherwise, the emperor would not use this as an excuse.

Hearing this, Ping An couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.At least the emperor didn't really want to distribute Zhao Can.

As for why the emperor sent a prince to study at Tianyi Academy, he didn't say anything, and everyone else had their own understanding.Some people think that Zhao Can was assigned, some say that the emperor valued him, and some think that the emperor is trying to integrate the Jiangnan scholars who have always been against the imperial court. There are different opinions for a while.

However, Zhao Can's marginalization from court is already an inevitable trend.No one thought that if he was not in the capital during the most critical years, there would be any changes in the future, so naturally they would no longer pay attention to him.

Even Zheng Guifei and Zhao Rong couldn't help alienating Zhao Can.Maybe Zhao Can made such a decree when he accidentally bumped into the emperor and annoyed him?Thinking of how much he praised and recommended Zhao Can in the past, the two felt uncomfortable.

When Zhao Can finally went to say goodbye, they didn't even show up to meet each other. ——Zhao Rong wanted to go out, but was held back by Concubine Zheng.

Zhao Can didn't care, kowtowed outside the door, then turned and left.

Probably only the queen mother's attitude has not changed, but she has not asked anything about this matter.When Zhao Can went to say goodbye, she just told her to be careful on the way.

In this palace with a population of tens of thousands... maybe only that little eunuch is really wholeheartedly for himself?Even if she was as strong as Zhao Can, she would still think this way at such a moment.

But Ping An couldn't send him off.Their farewell had already been done that night.Now, it depends on how hard each can go.

After Zhao Can left, Ping An also began to concentrate on his work.

The position he is in now is not as conspicuous as the East Wing Room and the Upper Room, but for him, it is actually just right.

What is he lacking the most?It is the knowledge and understanding of the various intricate interpersonal relationships in the palace, and besides the bell and drum division, he has no connections.But in the West Wing, the news in this regard was the most circulated.

Especially after Eunuch Tian valued him, he also let him know some more important matters. In Ping'an's mind, he gradually figured out the relationship between the top and bottom of the 24 yamen bit by bit.

24 Among the yamen, headed by the supervisor of ceremonies, he not only has the ability to assist the emperor in reviewing memorials and conveying imperial edicts, but also governs other yamen.The most important thing is that the supervisor of ceremonies is the eunuch in charge of printing, and usually also serves as the chief officer of the Imperial City Department.

As for the Secretary of the Imperial City, it is the emperor's eyes and ears in the capital, monitoring the movement of the entire capital for him, which is the secret agent and spy agency that Pingan Suo is familiar with, similar to the Jinyiwei and Dongxichang in history.Of course, the rules are not so strict, and the energy is not so great.Basically only concentrated in the capital.

Even so, that already made the courtiers afraid.This is the fundamental reason why the eunuch group was able to stand against the courtiers in court - to take charge of the responsibility of supervision.

In addition, the Yumajian is in charge of the soldiers, and when there is a war, people from the Yumajian will be sent to supervise the army.Shang Baojian was in charge of seals and imperial talismans, which were highly trusted by the emperor. Usually, those who could walk in front of the emperor were mostly people from these three yamen.

Below these three yamen, all the yamen are relatively independent, but also communicate with each other, and the relationship is intricate.No matter which yamen it is, in fact, each has its own advantages.

Immersed in peace, not only did not feel bitter, but gradually found a little fun.

This is the foundation for him to go up in the future. If he doesn't even know these things, the road will definitely not be smooth and he will not go far.