The husband is the future chief [infrastructure]

The year is coming soon, and the Ministry of Officials has started to conduct the triennial official performance evaluation, and those who are outstanding in the evaluation will naturally be promoted.

Cheng Xu just took advantage of this wave of evaluations and was transferred back to the capital from Tongzhou.

However, Lin Zhaocai has only been transferred to the Ministry of Industry for half a year, and even if he is excellent in the evaluation at the end of the year, he will not be moved again.

The heavy snow in the middle of winter came as promised, and the weather was as cold as ice shards piercing into the heart. Everything was covered by the heavy snow, waiting for the next spring to reappear in front of the world after the snow melted, as if welcoming it was a new life.

Jiang Ziyan wrapped himself in a thick and fluffy cloak again, and when it was cold, he seldom went out.

Today is the last court meeting that Lin Zhao participated in this year. Most of the discussions at the court meeting were the performance appraisal of the year summarized by the Six Departments.

After Lin Zhao was promoted to be the minister of the Ministry of Industry, his position in the upper court changed. He is now standing in the front row, looking at the faces of several rows of officials around him. changed.

The emperor's methods were swift and resolute, and once he grasped a little bit of the empress dowager's faction, he would cling to it. In the past six months, the empress dowager's vitality has been severely damaged, and there is a faint trend of decline.

As soon as the court was over, the officials who were traveling with Lin Zhao came up and said, "Master Lin, the mansion has added a baby recently, and a banquet is about to be held. I hope Master Lin will honor you and come here!"

It was Mr. Guo from the Ministry of Rites who said this, and also Chen Mian's immediate superior.

Lin Zhao replied: "Congratulations, Mr. Guo. If Mr. Guo posts an invitation, Lin will definitely go to enjoy the joy when he has time."

Just finished talking in this room, another official came up and said: "Master Lin, I just got an ancient painting a few days ago. I have heard that Master Lin is very talented. I wonder if I can ask Master Lin to help me to see if this painting is true or not... "

……

Lin Zhao has been the hottest figure in the court recently. Not to mention his promotion, he is very favored by the emperor, and he seems to be a new favorite besides the old cabinet ministers.

At a young age, he has already achieved the position of minister of the Ministry of Industry, and his future is limitless.Moreover, I heard that Cheng Xu, who had just been transferred back to the capital, was recommended by him. You must know that the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment was always unsuccessful when discussing politics in the court because of the problem of candidates.

What does this mean?It shows that the development of this man in the court will be smooth in the future. Judging from his original entry into Hanlin Garden, the emperor intends to let him enter the cabinet in the future.

This kind of person is naturally eager to curry favor, so during this period of time Lin Zhao received more than four times the number of invitations than usual. Win him over.

The queen mother is a person who is very aware of current affairs. She knows when to draw a sharp knife and when to avoid the edge temporarily. She is very good at judging the situation.

Lin Zhao paid Jiang Ziyan a big gift in return for burning down Jiang Ziyan's winery, but she never thought that it seemed like nothing had happened to her. Now, should the officials be wooed or wooed, as if the previous unhappiness never happened.

As an official in the court, you can't be too rigid and upright, like receiving an invitation post from others, if you reject it bluntly, it is easy to offend others, just like Cheng Xu, it is because he is too upright and will not be flexible at all, that attracts people. Others are unhappy.

Jiang Ziyan sifted through these posts for him, and picked some that he couldn't evade, and went to the banquet one by one.And the rest are tactful rejections, so at least it is not easy to offend people.

But having said that, Lin Zhao has the title of the son of the Rong Palace, and the entire Rong Palace is behind him. Even if he explicitly rejects others, others can't do anything to him.

It's just that Jiang Ziyan felt that this was a human relationship after all, and that he had to establish a good relationship with his colleagues who were officials in the same dynasty. He couldn't tell if he would need help when he encountered something.

As the son of Prince Rong, Lin Zhao has been stamped with the emperor's mark since he entered the imperial examination hall, and all the things he has done in the past few years have proved to others that he is on the emperor's side. people.

Lin Zhao has become very famous in court recently, and Yang Su and Chen Mian have also heard about it.The two of them stood in the back row when they went to court, and after the court was over, they looked for Lin Zhao in the crowd. The three of them hadn't spoken for a long time, and they planned to find a place to eat and catch up.

Unexpectedly, when Chen Mian and Yang Su were about to talk to Lin Zhao, their colleagues saw their intentions.This colleague's official position is similar to theirs, but Ruchao has been an official earlier than them, and his heart has long been sore.

Knowing that Chen Mian, Yang Su and Lin Zhao were from the same batch of Jinshi, he said at this time: "I advise you to be a little self-aware! He is not only the minister of the Ministry of Industry, but also the son of the Rong Palace. See how far you are from others, and rush to flatter you, heck, when the time comes, people will ignore you and make your face embarrassing, don't blame me for not reminding you."

Chen Mian was about to laugh angrily after hearing this, but that was his third younger brother, the friendship of classmates for two or three years, and the friendship of colleagues in the past few years, this person said so unbearably.

He opened his mouth and wanted to curse people, but because he is currently on duty in the Ministry of Rites, he restrained himself a little and said, "We don't need you to remind, besides, it's our skill to be able to curry favor, as for you, that's your talent." I can't even curry favor if I want to."

These words hit the man's sore spot, because not long ago he also went up to talk to Lin Zhao graciously, and wanted to invite him to dinner, but Lin Zhao refused in person.

At that time, there were several officials from the same dynasty, which made him feel very uncomfortable, and he has been thinking about it until now.

Yang Su ignored him, as long as he knew the friendship between the three of them, why bother arguing with others.

The man said: "I'd like to see if that arrogant Master Lin will accept your flattery!" After speaking, he still looked like he was waiting to see a joke.

Lin Zhao, who was walking in front, was pestered and talked by his colleagues all the way, and finally sent everyone away. He stopped and stood there waiting for Chen Mian and Yang Su who were behind.

Chen Mian quickly walked up, grabbed his shoulders, and said kindly: "Third brother, you can prove it to this guy, he said, we can't curry favor with you!"

Yang Su snickered at the side, Chen Mian used the word flattery sourly.

Lin Zhao suddenly smiled, glanced at the man, ignored him, then patted Yang Su and Chen Mian on the shoulders, and said, "Don't pay attention to him, let's go, I'll treat you to dinner in Huixinlou today."

Chen Mian must go to the Huixin Building for dinner, and he followed along, not forgetting to turn his head and give the man a smug look.

On the way, Chen Mian said as he walked, "Third brother, don't say that you are the one who treats guests, this restaurant is owned by my brother-in-law, and if you want to treat guests, it is also invited by my brother-in-law!"

Lin Zhao was very happy to be coaxed by this brother-in-law. Since Chen Mian knew that he and Jiang Ziyan had made their relationship public, Chen Mian became more restrained and never called Brother Jiang again.

"Don't be poor. We're here. You can order whatever you want. Ziyan said that he has developed several new dishes recently. It's better to hurry up. Let's try it today."

The three of them walked towards the palace gate talking and laughing, and the person who made sarcastic remarks at the beginning also heard the content of what they discussed just now, and his face was red with shame.

The relationship between the three of them is indeed very good, and there is no need to curry favor at all. It looks like they have a very close friendship.

The surrounding officials who were still walking behind were all looking at him, discussing in a low voice while watching, and he went back with a blushing face and a disheartened face.

The business of Huixinlou is not so good. Jiang Ziyan has developed many dishes, and the taste is the best.

If you go late at lunch time, there will be no seats, and the private rooms upstairs must be booked in advance. If you don’t have a reservation, unless you are lucky, you can miss out whoever cancels the subscription, otherwise it is fundamental It can't be ranked in the private room.

However, there is a private room upstairs that is not open to the public. Jiang Ziyan specially asked someone to reserve it for his own use. It is convenient for him to invite people to talk about things, and it is also convenient for Lin Zhao.

As soon as Lin Zhao entered the Huixin building, the shopkeeper hurried up to greet him, but he knew that the eldest son, who was very popular among girls in Beijing nowadays, was the fiancé of their employer.

The shopkeeper personally received him and said very courteously: "My lord, the private room upstairs is empty, and I will let people prepare the dishes."

Chen Mian and Yang Su followed Lin Zhaoshu to the private room upstairs.

The elegant sound insulation here is better, and many dignitaries like to come here to discuss things.

After the dishes were served, the three of them ate and chatted, most of which were gossips in the court, like what Chen Mian complained the most was that the work of the Ministry of Rites was too leisurely, and the official palace banquets all year round were too busy. There were few other ceremonial activities, which caused him to have nothing to do in the Ritual Department.

But Yang Su was talking about the affairs of their Ministry of Criminal Justice. It will be three years at the end of this year, and he will also participate in the evaluation.If it is excellent, the official position is expected to be raised by half at that time, and the sixth rank may also be promoted to the fifth rank.

Moreover, the officials of the Ministry of Punishment have changed a lot this year, and the leading Minister of the Ministry of Punishment has already been replaced. It is still unknown what the situation of the Ministry of Punishment will be like.

After drinking for three rounds, Yang Su remembered the last time Lin Zhao asked him to help check the file, so he asked, "How did you check that matter? Do you have any clues?"

Lin Zhao didn't want to say more, nodded and said, "It's okay, it's almost over."

Chen Mian drank half a jar of Jiannanchun, and asked in a daze, "What are you playing dumb? Why can't I understand what you are talking about?"

Seeing that he was getting dizzy from drinking, Lin Zhao tapped the plate in front of him and counted: "One, two, three."

As soon as San finished speaking, Chen Mian was so drunk that he passed out.

Yang Su shook his head, "Ah Mian is still so greedy, he still likes to drink if he can't handle alcohol."

"It's okay. Anyway, the court will be closed tomorrow. You don't have to get up early to go to the court. You can sleep more."

In the end, Chen Mian was sent back by his own carriage, lying on the carriage and sleeping soundly.

He fell asleep in a daze, and always felt that there was something he forgot to tell his two good brothers.But I drank too much, the alcohol paralyzed my brain, I couldn't remember what I wanted to say at all, I just didn't want to, and then fell asleep.

Zhou Xing came back just before the end of the year.

Zhou Xing has been away for the past few months, busy opening a branch of the tavern, and returned directly to Jiang's Mansion after returning.

When Jiang Ziyan saw him, his lips were chapped by the wind, but his eyes were bright, and he looked in good spirits.

Zhou Xing said happily: "Mr. Lang, now in Yucheng, Jiangcheng, and Xuecheng, we all have the property of our Jiangji firm!"

"It's all thanks to your tireless work outside. I'm going to give you a big red envelope at the end of this year. Don't refuse it. This is my year-end bonus for you!"

Zhou Xing said: "Thank you, Mr. Lang!"

"Why are you being polite to me?"

"By the way, sir, when I was in Yucheng not long ago, I heard some merchants who came back from the capital praise the cement road that was just repaired, saying that it was a hype. I came back this time to go to the official Dao, I walked steadily and quickly, and it was a month's journey, but it took half a month to arrive. Your husband is so powerful, you can think of such a way!"

Jiang Ziyan blushed from the compliment, and said as if changing the subject: "Zhou Xing, you are old enough to think about starting a family. Is there any girl in the picture? Do you want me to help you look at each other?"

Unexpectedly, Zhou Xing blushed suddenly, "Lang Jun was joking, but I did meet a nice girl outside these few months, I thought about looking around, if it is suitable, I will get married, and I may need Lang Jun's help to propose a marriage gone."

Zhou Xing's family was far away in Linzhou, and they were meaner to each other. Later, after Zhou Xing started business with Lin Zhao, life gradually got better, and the family came to the door again, saying that they had treated him badly before, and wanted to make up with him again.

Little did he know that these were a group of blood-sucking leeches, Zhou Xing had to deal with them because of the word filial piety.

But they intensified their efforts and ruined his reputation if he didn't pay him. In the years after Jiang Ziyan left Linzhou, Zhou Xing had been in charge of the Linzhou Paper Mill. As the leader there, his monthly salary was higher than anyone else in the factory.

This made his family jealous, and they began to ask him frequently for money. Zhou Xing made up his mind to come to the capital to work with Jiang Ziyan, on the one hand, because of his ambition, to make the business bigger and stronger, and to become an outstanding merchant.

On the other hand, he wants to get rid of this shameless family. Now that he is far away in the capital, the family members don't know where he has gone. Now he is finally clean.

Zhou Xing felt that what Jiang Ziyan said was right, he was indeed a grown man, and now in his mid-twenties, it was time to consider starting a family.

These years by Jiang Ziyan's side, he has already saved a lot of money, which is enough to marry a wife.

But every time he saw Lin Zhao and Jiang Ziyan's relationship was so good, he couldn't help being envious.So he wandered outside for the past few months, also wanting to find someone he likes to spend the rest of his life with.

Chen Mian's head still hurts after waking up from the wine, and it will be better after drinking a bowl of hangover soup.

Recalling what happened at the wine table, he finally remembered what he wanted to say but forgot not to say it in the end.

Chen Mian has always been very nervous. He patted his thigh and sighed, "How did I forget such an important thing?"

At this time, the door of the bedroom opened, and a slim woman walked in, followed by a maid, who brought a basin of water.

"A Mian, are you awake? Get up, wash your face and eat." The woman's voice was gentle, and her appearance was dignified and generous. Judging by her words and deeds, she was also a lady of a big family.

Chen Mian blushed suddenly, and stammered, "My mother, why are you here? I, I haven't gotten up yet."

Every time Xu Yao saw Chen Mian blushing, she thought he was so cute, so she held a handkerchief, covered her mouth and smiled, and signaled to the washing water beside her, "Well, the water is ready for you. , get up quickly. We are already a fiancée, and my father has allowed me to come and visit you, so you don't have to be shy."

Chen Mian nodded in a daze, only to think that my mother's smile is so pretty.

Yesterday he wanted to tell his two good brothers about his marriage, but because of drinking, he could only go to their house alone to inform him about the marriage.

Xu Yao's father was an official in the Ministry of Rites, his official position was several levels higher than Chen Mian's, and he was a very Buddhist official.

He fell in love with Chen Mian's temperament. Although he was careless, he had a sincere heart. He was in the officialdom and was not affected by the bad atmosphere in the officialdom. He was a rare husband-in-law candidate.

Father Xu found out that Chen Mian was still single now, not to mention he didn't have a wife, and there was not even a servant girl in the room. He usually went out to drink with others, never went to flower houses, and kept himself clean.

Father Xu was even more satisfied.

He was reluctant to let his daughter suffer after marriage, so he specially chose Chen Mian as his son-in-law.

It's just that it's not enough for him to be satisfied, only his own daughter likes it.So Xu's father invited Chen Mian, a student, to his home for dinner in the name of a teacher and a student, and he got acquainted with Xu Yao after coming and going.

Probably this is a marriage bestowed by God. Xu Yao has a gentle appearance, a good temper, and a gentle and gentle speech, looking like a lady of every family.

Chen Mian fell in love with him immediately, and later every time he came to Master Xu's house, he would secretly bring some small gifts to my mother. He thought that other people didn't know, but he didn't know that Xu's father had already noticed him.

So this is a marriage made by the father-in-law. The folk customs of the Wei Dynasty are civilized, and the masculinity prevails. There is no saying that a man and a woman cannot meet before they get married. Therefore, since the two got married, Xu Yao often came to Chen Mian. Come and tidy up his house.

Xu's father usually keeps a low profile when he is an official and a person. The daughter's marriage has not been notified to relatives and friends, so few people know about it.

Chen Mian was very happy. He wanted to share the good news with his two brothers, but he forgot because he drank too much.

So Han Yuxiu and Jiang Ziyan were a little surprised when Chen Mian came to Prince Rong's Mansion with presents in person. It stands to reason that they usually visit after New Year's Eve. This year, why did they come here before the New Year's Eve?

Lin Zhao was also a little surprised, because they only had dinner at the Huixin Building a few days ago, and it was only two days ago, so why did they come here in person?

"Second brother, what's the matter?" Lin Zhao asked.

Chen Mian smiled naively, and was a little embarrassed, and said: "Actually, it's not a big deal, just, I'm getting married soon, so I came here to tell you."

"marriage?!"

Jiang Ziyan didn't expect that Chen Mian came today to send them wedding invitations. He said happily, "The news that your boy is going to get married is too sudden, isn't it? I haven't heard that you are engaged. You are going to get married soon? Which one is it?" Girlfriend? Do we all know each other?"

Chen Mian chuckled and said, "You don't know her. She is Xu Yao, the daughter of Mr. Xu, the Minister of Rites. We hit it off quite well, and Mr. Xu is relatively low-key, so we didn't make it public."

Lin Zhao was also happy for him, stepped forward and gave him a hammer on the chest, and said, "Second brother Chen, you are not righteous, you have kept such a big event like marriage so well, and we are going to get married after the New Year, and now it's time to get married." Tell me, is it not kind?"

Chen Mian felt a little guilty, to be honest, he wanted to say what he wanted to say at the dinner table that day, but he forgot.

"How can I not be kind? Didn't he come here to tell you this? I haven't gone to Brother Yang yet, so let's not talk about it. You will bring Brother Jiang over when the time comes. I will go to Yang first." Brother is home."

Lin Zhao waved his hand, signaling for him to leave quickly, so as not to be noisy and annoying here.

When Chen Mian arrived at Yang Su's house, Yang Su was helping to dry clothes in the yard.

Yang Su married Luo Niang two years ago, and the two now have a son named He He.

Chen Mian was surprised when he came over, and said, "Brother Yang, are you still doing these jobs at home?"

Yang Su hung the last piece of clothes on the air, dried his hands, entered the room to entertain Chen Mian, and explained: "Your sister-in-law is busy making rice dumplings in the kitchen, and I can't move my hands for a while, so I put all these clothes on." It's dry. Did you come here today for something?"

Chen Mian took out a wedding invitation from his pocket and handed it over. Yang Su saw that his second brother was getting married.

He was very happy on the face, "Okay you, how long has it been? Why are you talking now?"

Chen Mian rubbed his nose, and said embarrassedly: "It didn't take long, my father-in-law is relatively low-key, so we kept it secret. Isn't this a marriage soon, and I sincerely invite you and my third brother to come over and support me. When the time comes, ask my sister-in-law to bring Hehe with me, and come over to have a wedding wine together."

As soon as he finished speaking, a white and tender little dumpling wobbled out of the room.

Yang Conghe is almost two years old, he still can't speak clearly, and he walks erratically. Luo Niang dressed him in a little padded jacket and a little tiger hat, which looked very cute.

Yang Su hugged his son in his arms, and said to Chen Mian: "You are indeed not young at this age, and it's time to get married. You see, I have been married to your sister-in-law for two years. I thought you were still procrastinating, but I didn't expect It's almost too soon, I didn't hear the news of your engagement, but I heard the news of your marriage directly."

"I didn't expect that, in fact, a matchmaker came to my house and said a few times before, but I envy the elder brother and the third younger brother. You have found someone who likes each other, so I have always wanted to find someone who likes each other to spend the rest of my life with. .In the end, I actually met him, hehe!"

"Master Xu admires you very much. Although the work of the Ministry of Rites is relatively leisurely, it is a place away from court struggles, which is very suitable for you."

"My father-in-law said the same thing, and he said that he doesn't have high demands on me. He doesn't expect me to be successful in official career and become a first-rank and second-rank official, but hopes that my mother and I can live a peaceful and beautiful life."

"It seems that you are really destined for marriage!"

The two talked for a while, and Luo Niang had already cooked the meal here, and Chen Mian was too lazy to go home to eat, so he directly had a meal at Chen Mian's place.

As for Jiang Ziyan, after Chen Mian left, he was a little unhappy.

Seeing that all the friends around him were happily getting married, he could only watch. He knew that although masculinity was prevalent in this era, there were very few weddings, which seemed to be a customary rule.

Lying on the bed after dinner at night, Lin Zhao suddenly leaned over, grabbed his waist, and discussed, "Ziyan, let's get married when the matter of overturning the case for the Lieyang Army is over!"

Jiang Ziyan was startled, turned around and lay face to face with Lin Zhao, "What did you say?"

"We've been together for so long, and everyone in the capital knows about our relationship, so let's hold a grand wedding!"

Jiang Ziyan was a little moved, "But we are all men...how can there be a wedding between a man and a man..."

"Others don't do it. That's their idea. Dawei didn't stipulate that men and men can't hold weddings. Besides, I want to give you a wedding."

Jiang Ziyan was a little happy, and suddenly leaned over and kissed him on the lips, and then buried his head in the hollow of his shoulder. After a long time, Lin Zhao heard a soft reply: "Okay."

Outside the window, the moon is bright and the stars are sparse, and tomorrow will probably be another fine weather. Jiang Ziyan's mood at this time is sweet and gentle.

So this marriage proposal is really too simple, there is nothing, but Jiang Ziyan is happy.

When Jiang Ziyan woke up the next day, the other half of the bed next to him was empty, and Lin Zhao was not there.

He propped himself up, but saw a small wooden box next to the pillow. When he opened it, it was a green jade hairpin used by men to ring their hair. The small print, Ziyan.