Promotion Letter for the Chief Executive

Of course, no matter how much the emperor valued safety, he was still too young after all. Within a few years, he jumped a few steps and became the Imperial City Secretary, which was already very eye-catching.Too much grace may not be a good thing.So he came to be the supervisor of ceremonies, and he can only be a eunuch at present.

Speaking of being able to show his face in front of the imperial court, his authority is far less than when he was the governor of the imperial city.

It wasn't because the emperor was dissatisfied with Ping An, it was because he was so satisfied that he wanted to suppress him.

Although there is no clear statement, when the sons grow up, the emperors will inevitably start to think about their own affairs-such words as long live can only be used to fool others. In fact, although the occupation of the emperor is lifelong, But the vast majority of people can't do it for long. If they can have 30 years, it can be regarded as a long time in office.

It has been Xiping's 17th year now, and the emperor himself is approaching his age, so it is not too early to start thinking about what will happen after his death.

No matter who the throne is finally passed on to, every emperor hopes that his country will last forever, so sometimes, he feels that he is getting older, and time may not be much longer. After the emperor finds a talent, he will not reuse him immediately, but will Deliberately polish, create many obstacles for him, let him grow slowly.

Then keep it for your son.

In the heart of the current emperor Zhao Qi, Ping An is the one he intends to leave to his son in the future.Similarly, there is Gu Wenheng who is still on the outside. At that time, everyone speculated that he would return to Beijing, but the result was that he continued to be on the outside, which surprised many people.In fact, this is also a kind of polishing by the emperor.

——You can't put them in a high position, otherwise, even if your son wants to be kind, he will have no choice.On the contrary, temper their temperament now, and at the same time give them the opportunity to learn more things. When the new emperor ascends the throne in the future, as long as they are reused, they will naturally be grateful and loyal.

The emperor's mind is nothing more than that.

Originally, it would be good for Ping An to continue to grind in the Imperial City Division, but he grew up too fast. Since the emperor wants him to be useful, he cannot be made a traitor that everyone shouts and beats. After Cheng Si, he hurriedly transferred the person away.Stay for another three to five years, who knows what big things Ping An will do?

In fact, for the emperor, the position of the eunuch, the supervisor of rites, and the eunuch is too high.But he has no choice, Ping An is really capable and talented, too much suppression may make him alienate from the court.Besides, the emperor himself liked peace very much, and he couldn't bear to let his ambitions fail to be fulfilled.

But in the emperor's heart, this position is just a transition for Ping An.When the Wenhui is over, he may be assigned another errand, one with a higher position but less power.

Ping An didn't know the emperor's plans, let alone that he had decided to suppress himself because he valued himself.After he returned to the Imperial City Division, he began to arrange all the things in his hands.

Wang Congyi followed him from the beginning, but his talent was obviously not as good as that of Shi Shiwen. Ping An was afraid that he would not be able to suppress Shi Shiwen, so he did not promote him to do the lifting.In addition, the chief of staff needs more patience and hard work, which is more suitable for Wang Congyi.This guy looks like a big and three rough, but in fact he can bear his temper.

He explained his thoughts to Wang Congyi, fearing that he might misunderstand.But Wang Congyi was overjoyed.After all, in terms of rank, the chief of staff is actually on the same level as Lord Tiju. Although he is also under his jurisdiction, he is faintly independent.This has far exceeded Wang Congyi's imagination.

After Wang Congyi and Shi Shiwen were promoted, two command positions were naturally vacant. Wang Congyi's was filled by Qian Cheng, and Shi Shiwen's was naturally filled by his trusted subordinates.Everyone else remains unchanged to ensure that the Imperial City Division remains stable during the transfer of power.As for what Shi Shiwen will do in the future, it is not a matter of safety.

The only thing that made him feel troublesome was Feng Yutang.In terms of ability, he would have no problem competing with Shi Shiwen.But he is too young, just like Ping An himself, it is difficult to convince the public.

So he used to be in charge of everyone in Gyeonggi Road on behalf of Ping'an, but his position was still the captain.At that time, with the pressure of peace, naturally there would be no problems.

But can Shi Shiwen give him the same trust now?Obviously impossible.And let Feng Yutang really go back to be a small team leader, slowly gaining qualifications, Ping An felt that he couldn't bear it.

Ping An directly called the man over and asked him, "What are your plans for your future?"

Feng Yutang was slightly taken aback, after all, he is a smart person, he quickly realized what Ping An meant, and immediately said, "But according to my lord's orders." He was discovered by Ping An and taught bit by bit, so he is what he is today.For him, the object of his loyalty is not the emperor, not the Imperial City Secretary, but peace.

In fact, the person Ping An trusts most here is also him, so he is hesitant about his whereabouts.

Because Ping An wanted Feng Yutang to stay in the Imperial City Division.This is a very terrible department. Although he let go of this power, he must have his own people here.Otherwise, at the critical moment, maybe the Imperial City Division established by one hand will turn out to be a knife against him.

However, the Imperial City Division does not have Feng Yutang's position now.Wang Congyi was full of internal servants, and he couldn't get in. Shi Shiwen obviously couldn't trust him as much as he did. Even if he got seniority, he might not be able to get through.

So Ping An had to ask him what he meant first. Feng Yutang must be very clear about the situation in front of him. If he wanted to leave, Ping An would not stop him.But if he is willing to stay, Ping An will also plan for him.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yutang asked him to arrange without hesitation.

Pingan was silent for a moment before saying, "Now there are two paths for you to choose. One is that I will open up the joints for you and let you join the Imperial Guard, which can be regarded as a glorious ancestor. But what is the future path, you have to go it yourself. I can no longer interfere. Two... I want you to go to the Northwest Road and set up a branch of the Imperial City Division, which is dedicated to spying on the military."

Because he was facing Feng Yutang, he said very bluntly, "Your Majesty is interested in going to the west. I don't expect that there will be wars in two or three years. So I ask you, not only to deploy people on the Northwest Road, but also on Qizhou on the Southwest Road. And Liangzhou can't be let go. Besides, if possible, let our spies go deep into the grasslands, and the more information we can gather, the better."

"The first road is Jinxiu Avenue, but the second road is full of thorns. If you are not careful, you may even lose yourself. Which one do you choose?"

"I choose two." Feng Yutang said immediately.

Ping An took a deep breath, "Yutang, this is no joke, do you need more time to think about it?"

"My lord needs me to choose the second one, isn't it?" Feng Yutang said firmly, "Although this road is difficult, as long as we walk through it, there will be a smooth road ahead."

"That's right." Ping An admitted, "I need you to do this, but I don't want you to." He is still so young, he has too many choices, and he doesn't have to limit himself to this road .

Ping An often feels that he can see his shadow in Feng Yutang.So he hoped that the other party would have a better life, as if he had also obtained some kind of satisfaction.

Feng Yutang said again, "This subordinate chooses two."

"Okay. I will discuss this matter with Master Shi. You go back and make preparations. I will give you something later." He stood up while speaking, walked up to Feng Yutang, raised his hand and patted him on the cheek Shoulder, "I'll wait for your triumphant return here."

"I will live up to my lord's entrustment!" Feng Yutang knelt on one knee and gave a military salute.

After seeing him off, Ping An felt very complicated.

But there were too many things to do, and he didn't have more time to be sad, so Ping An quickly pulled out his thoughts and devoted himself to seemingly endless affairs.

A few days later, he finally completely completed the handover of the Imperial City Division's affairs, and at the same time sorted out a document and handed it to Feng Yutang.It contains various analysis of the situation in the west, the forces of the army, the local aristocratic families, and the officials sent by the imperial court. The intricate relationship among them is impossible to discover without careful study.It may take a year or more for Feng Yutang to do it himself.But Ping An was already ready.

In addition, there are some preparations needed to dormant on the enemy's territory. These are all sorted out by Ping An based on what later generations have seen. They are ambiguous and can only be judged by Feng Yutang based on the situation.

After completing these arrangements, he returned to the palace with ease and reported to the Supervisor of Rituals.

There is one eunuch with palm seal, four eunuchs who hold pens, and eight eunuchs who follow the hall.Most of the people who follow the emperor on a daily basis are these people, and a rotation system is implemented.In addition to this, of course there are some little eunuchs who run errands and do odd jobs, but they are not included.

Of course, Ping An's main job at present is to arrange the literary conference, so he doesn't have to accompany the emperor for the time being, but stays in his room and draws up the proposal for the literary conference.

It is said that Ping An will be responsible, but as a eunuch, he can neither receive nor command courtiers. All he can do is write a plan and use his own whimsy.As for other things, the emperor will naturally arrange for the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple to do them.

When writing a plan, Ping An always has a lot of experience.After looking through the records of similar grand events in the past, he generally knew what he knew, and then began to think deeply and write hard.Zhang Dongyuan came to visit him several times, and saw that he was stupefied, chanting words, and moving his brush like flying, so he couldn't help being startled, and went back and said a few words in front of the emperor.

After the emperor heard about it, the expression on his face was very complicated.Facts have proved that Ping An can achieve today's achievements because of this almost desperate hard work.It's not that God favors him, but that he makes up for what may be lacking with his own efforts.

He was born ten years earlier, so he must be the most important arm of the emperor, what a pity.But now I have to polish him for a while.

When Ping'an's plan was freshly released, the emperor was shocked when he saw him again.Just because Ping An looks a lot thinner again.As a result, his face became more angular, with sharp lines, and it seemed that he had lost a bit of his youthful childishness, and instead had an invisible power.

Of course, the emperor couldn't feel this kind of power, but only felt that there had been a relatively big change in Ping An's temperament.

"Then you can just rest for a while. See how much weight you have lost, let others see, and pretend that I don't give you food here." The emperor couldn't help joking.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion." Ping An had no choice but to thank him.

But the emperor's words were not casual.When the day's memorial was almost approved, he left Zhang Dongyuan behind and called Ping An instead, "Come out for a walk with me."

"Yes." Because it was only in the Tiangan Palace and there was no need for guards of honor, so no one followed except Ping An.

It has been seven years since Ping An entered the palace, and the number of times he came to Benchu ​​Hall was not infrequent, but this was the first time he entered the palace behind.

Tiangan Palace is very large. In front is the original hall where the emperor handles political affairs and receives courtiers. In addition to the main hall, there are two side halls. The Hanlin scholars on duty live in the side hall on the left. Announced, can also find people in time.The one on the right is used for the emperor's study and sutra banquet.Occasionally, the attendants and lecturers of the Imperial Academy will be announced.

Behind it is the Tai Chi Hall, the emperor's bedroom.There are also side halls and supporting halls, which are huge in scale.After all, in addition to living in the emperor, there are also dozens of people who serve the emperor.

After that is the small garden that comes with Tiangan Palace.It is said to be a "small" garden, but the scene of "three mountains and one pool" representing the emperor's supremacy is still indispensable.It is equivalent to a miniature version of the imperial garden.Among them, there are pavilions, towers and pavilions, mountains and rocks, almost one step at a time.

At first, Ping An thought that he was just strolling with the emperor, but after walking for a while, he realized that something was wrong.The emperor didn't seem to be wandering around at all, but was heading directly towards a certain goal.

But even though he was suspicious, he couldn't open his mouth to ask, so he could only follow behind honestly.

After walking for a while, a small two-story building appeared in front of it, surrounded by rustling bamboo forests, which looked very quiet.

The emperor walked all the way to the small building before he stopped, turned his head to look at Ping An, "I will take you to meet someone."

Ping An's heart suddenly jumped.

He realized who he was going to meet.There is only one person who has something to do with him, and who may be hidden here by the emperor—Master Xu Wenmei.

Back then, Ping An wanted to stay in the palace, partly because of him.It's just that later I felt that I was weak on my own, and I didn't have the ability to inquire about it for the time being, so I had no choice but to hold back.Although he had other goals later, he never forgot about it.

It's just that after Zhao Can told him about those court secrets, Ping An always thought that Xu Wenmei might be in danger, and she was dealt with by the emperor long ago, so she forced herself not to think about it.

Unexpectedly, at the most unlikely time, the most unlikely person said this sentence to him.

Seeing Ping An's stupid look, the emperor seemed very satisfied, and then he opened the door and entered the yard.

Through the door, Ping An deliberately saw a big tree planted in the yard, with stone tables and benches under the tree.The yard paved with bluestone slabs has been swept clean without any grass growing.At this moment, he almost thought that he had returned to the small courtyard behind the [-]th North and South Rows.

Mechanically followed the emperor into the courtyard, and opened the door again, Ping An finally saw the person he thought he could never see again.

Xu Wenmei seems to be still the same.Obviously, five years have passed, and Ping An has grown from a boy to a young man, but he hasn't changed in any way.Still as magnificent and radiant as ever.

"My apprentice has grown up so much." Xu Wenmei threw away the half-read book in her hand, walked over with her shoes on, and then stretched out her hand to pinch Ping An's face that had faded from the baby fat, saying regretfully , "It feels worse."

"Master." Ping An still couldn't recover, turned to look at the emperor, and then at Xu Wenmei.

what on earth is it?

"Stupid?" Xu Wenmei slapped the top of his head twice, "Seeing Master again after so many years, Xiaopingan, why aren't you excited at all?"

Fortunately, Ping An's years of training were not for nothing. He quickly calmed down, took a deep breath, and called again, "Master."

"So cute." Xu Wenmei pulled him back and sat down.

Only then did Ping An realize that the emperor had already come in and sat down.The scene in front of him still made Pingan a little helpless.The relationship between the emperor and Xu Wenmei was like... just like an ordinary husband and wife, throwing away the shackles of identity, it was very natural.

But isn't the emperor's true love the Concubine Zhang who lives in Yuehua Palace?

Is there some misunderstanding, or is Zhao Can lying?Pingan felt that his brain was really going to be muddled.

But the emperor is still here, so it's not easy for him to ask.Ping An pondered, wondering how likely it was that he would sneak over to see Master in the future.or require special action.After all, this is Tiangan Palace, the palace of the emperor, and it is heavily guarded.

In the end, the emperor seemed to know what he was thinking, and after sitting for a while, he took the initiative and said, "You master and apprentice have not seen each other for many years, so you must have a lot to say. Peace, you will be able to stay here with your master during this period of time." , take some rest too."

Then he walked away by himself.

It was the first time for Ping An to see such an approachable emperor.He turned to look at Xu Wenmei with some puzzlement. The emperor left, and he didn't seem to intend to send it off?

"What are you looking at? Could it be that I haven't seen you for five years and don't even recognize your master?"

"I just feel that Master hasn't changed much." Ping An immediately became eloquent, "Could it be that Master was transformed by some kind of spirit, so he will never age or die?"

"How can there be immortality in this world?" Xu Wenmei raised her hand and touched her face, "It's just taking some beauty-reducing medicine."

His voice was indifferent, and his tone didn't fluctuate, as if this was something very common and there was no need to make a fuss at all.Ping An's heart couldn't help but jump.

There is no free lunch in the world, let alone good things for no reason. He understands this truth too well.

What methods have those women in later generations not tried to retain their youth?But the effect is a matter of opinion.Therefore, Ping An does not believe that the "beautiful medicine" will be a good thing.He frowned, quickly changed his face, and asked pretending to be surprised, "What kind of medicine is so effective, give me a try too?"

"Don't mess around." Xu Wenmei didn't even look at him, "Your face is so ugly, don't laugh if you don't want to."

Ping An then smiled, "Who told you to take the medicine?"

"Why do you ask these questions? It's all in the past." Xu Wenmei said lazily, "Besides, it's a good thing for me to stay young forever."

People who are born well don't want their appearance to grow old.There is a poem that says: Since ancient times, beauties are like famous generals, and they do not let the world see their gray hair.The general's dead bones and the beauty's twilight are both regrets in the world.From this point of view, maybe Xu Wenmei is right.

But... "What is the price of eternal youth?" Ping An asked.

Xu Wenmei squinted her eyes, and said vaguely, "It's probably just that your body has gotten worse."

"I'm afraid it will affect the life expectancy?" Ping An pointed out bluntly.He used to read ancient unofficial history. It is said that in order to prolong the time for picking up customers, some Nanfeng restaurants will give them some special medicines. After taking them, they can keep their appearance and body soft. teenager.However, taking such drugs is at the cost of life expectancy, and most of them will not live to be 20 or 40 years old.

How many years does Xu Wenmei have now?

"I know I can't lie to you." Xu Wenmei said lazily, "That's why I don't want to see you these past few years. Who knows that it's rare to see each other, and you don't understand Master's feelings at all, and say these disappointing words."

"Is it important to spoil the fun, or is life important?" Ping An couldn't help but refute, and then continued to ask, "Tell me, who asked you to eat, is it... Your Majesty?"

"It's Your Majesty." Xu Wenmei nodded, and seeing Ping'an's face suddenly changed, she sighed and said with a smile, "It's not Your Majesty today, it's the late Emperor."

Pingan gritted his teeth, remembering the rumors that Zhao Can had told him: Xu Wenmei once served the late emperor, and that's why the empress dowager was displeased.Later, Ping An knew that he had a close relationship with Zhao Qi, and thought that the rumors were wrong, but in fact, it was the emperor who had something to do with Xu Wenmei.But now it seems... the rumors are not groundless.

It goes without saying why the late emperor let Xu Wenmei take that kind of medicine.

What makes Pingan feel uncomfortable is that Xu Wenmei was not only belittled by the former emperor, but also has a close relationship with the current emperor.His magnificent master was forced to serve two emperors like a pet, which made Pingan feel disgusted.

He has long known how filthy and terrifying the imperial palace is, but now he is more clearly aware of it.

"Master, you..." He wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Xu Wenmei.

"You don't have to care about Master's affairs. Let's talk about you. Although I haven't seen you in these years, I know what you do. I am ashamed of not embarrassing your Master." Xu Wenmei praised Ping An without hesitation, "Speaking of it I’m ashamed, as a master, I can’t help you, you have today, it’s all up to you.”

"Master, don't say that." Ping An said, "I didn't know why I came to the Supervisor of Ceremonies before, and was valued by the emperor. How can I not know now?"