A special banquet was held in the Forbidden City, Duanning Hall inside the Ganqing Gate.

The host of the banquet was Empress Dowager Zhang, and the guests who participated in the banquet were Xia Ru, the father of the established Empress Xia. Those who accompanied the banquet were Zhang Mao, Zhang Heling, Zhang Yanling and other nobles, as well as officials from the Ministry of Rites, Honglu Temple, Taichang Temple and Taichang Temple.

Logically speaking, it is not reasonable to treat the Empress Dowager's banquet at the palace garden. After all, the Empress Dowager is in a filial piety period and should live in simplicity.

But Empress Dowager Zhang's status is extraordinary. Hongzhi said to her that he had gathered all the emperor's favor, and he was the only one in the harem. He was completely above the court's etiquette and law, and often he did it casually.

The banquet is a dinner party, but the banquet begins at dusk.

Xia Rugang was promoted to the Governor General of the Central Army Governor's Office. He was a first-rank military position and initially planned to be awarded the title of Qingyang Bo. He had a certain status and status in the court. This time he was invited to the banquet mainly thanked him, but what he was more concerned about was when his daughter would enter the palace gate.

Although the wedding is about to come, it seems that the emperor is not so concerned about this marriage, only Empress Dowager Zhang and eunuch Gao Feng run around.

Empress Dowager Zhang was very satisfied with her elegant and gentle in-laws, and she laughed heartily from time to time. In addition to asking the ministers to toast, she asked Xia Ru about her daily life from time to time.

Xia Ru stood up and replied, "...The Empress Dowager, since I arrived in the capital, my food, clothing, housing and transportation have been well taken care of, especially my food and food. Almost all the tastes of Jiangnan, I am very satisfied... The little girl is healthy and can enter the palace to get married at any time. If I have time, the Empress Dowager is worried."

Empress Dowager Zhang nodded with satisfaction: "It seems that the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple are doing their job properly, and this marriage will definitely go smoothly!"

The ministers present nodded, and there was laughter and joy during the banquet.

Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly remembered something and asked Gao Feng who was serving the side: "Eunuch Gao, didn't you ask someone to inform the emperor before? Where are others?"

The smile on Gao Feng's face froze instantly. He couldn't help but look up at the little eunuch who was shaking his head at the door of the palace. He thought about it and came to Empress Dowager Zhang and replied in a low voice: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty is not in the palace today..."

Empress Dowager Zhang's face turned dark and she said impatiently: "Send someone to urge me to invite you. I will always ask the emperor to come back. You must meet the father-in-law today, and you will be a family in the future... Alas, the Ai family has told him that he just let go of his hands and ignores it? Who is the wedding?"

Gao Feng didn't dare to delay and quickly surrendered to someone to pass the message.

Xia Ru, who was with the banquet here, realized that Empress Dowager Zhang's face was not very good, and probably guessed what happened, but in his current identity, he did not dare to ask too much. Even if he was the father-in-law, he had not been officially summoned by the emperor. Even if his daughter was designated as the queen, there were variables before the wedding, so he could only act cautiously.

After teaching Gao Feng a lesson, Empress Dowager Zhang turned around and asked the ministers present: "What is the emperor busy with now? Why don't he even come back to the palace?"

The ministers were originally chatting and laughing, but when they heard this, they suddenly fell silent, and no one was willing to stand up.

Empress Dowager Zhang looked around and her eyes fell on Zhang Mao, who was most respected.

Zhang Mao could not escape, so he could only stand up and answer: "Return to the Empress Dowager, Minister of War Chen returned to the court, and decided to strengthen the country for two years. His Majesty is most likely working hard for this in recent days!"

No one believed Zhang Mao's words, even Empress Dowager Zhang knew that Zhang Mao was making excuses. Zhu Houzhao's addiction to eating, drinking and having fun spread throughout the court and the country. Before Xie Qian complained, Empress Dowager Zhang sent someone to investigate and finally knew what his son did. Now he said that Zhu Houzhao was diligent in military affairs, and he was absurd and unruly when he heard it.

Empress Dowager Zhang didn't want to say it out loud, frowned and asked, "National Policy? I seem to have heard someone mention that the Ming Dynasty wants to strengthen the army and strengthen the construction of the border army. Why is the capital busy? What does this matter have to do with the emperor?"

Now Zhang Mao can't answer.

Zhang Yanling, the younger brother of Empress Dowager Zhang, stood up at the right time and smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager doesn't know anything. As soon as Shangshu Chen returned to the court, he said that he would pacify the Tatars within two years. He also said that he would open a military school to cultivate elite soldiers and generals. His Majesty not only agreed, but also said that he would go to the school to study in person. He also made a promise to lead the imperial army in person in two years. No one in the court dared to disobey Your Majesty!"

After Zhang Yanling finished speaking, he looked at the minister Yan not Empress Dowager Zhang, but Xia Ru, the new father-in-law who had been in the dark before.

Xia Ru lowered his head, and felt very strange in his heart: "Your Majesty wants to lead the army in person, what do these people think of me?"

Empress Dowager Zhang frowned: "It's really ridiculous. The emperor said he wanted to lead the army in person, but the Ai family has not even seen the emperor's grandson now, and the Ai family has only one son. If there is any deviation, who can bear it? Is he Shen Zhihou?"

While speaking, Empress Dowager Zhang was very dissatisfied with Chen Xi.

The nobles and civil officials present were quite puzzled. What happened to the Empress Dowager?

You are not ignorant of this matter. If you know, you should dissuade the emperor as soon as possible. Why did you say so until now?

Or take advantage of the banquet to play?

No one understands Empress Dowager Zhang's mentality, so no one can deal with it.

Just at this moment, Liu Jin hurried into the hall, arrived at the table of Queen Mother Zhang, knelt down and kowtowed: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty asked the old slave to come back to pass the message, saying that he would not return to the palace tonight!"

Empress Dowager Zhang invited the banquet for the father-in-law Xia Ru, but Zhu Houzhao did not attend, which made Empress Dowager Zhang feel dull.

It would be fine if Zhu Houzhao didn't attend, but he also sent Liu Jin to speak in front of the nobles, ministers and Xia Ru, which made Empress Dowager Zhang even more angry.

Empress Dowager Zhang started to be angry. She was just a willful woman. She simply stood up and shook her sleeves and left the table, as if she didn't want to care about her son's marriage anymore.

This made the nobles and ministers present very embarrassed... Even the empress dowager left, and they stayed and didn't know how to continue the banquet.

Just when Zhang Mao and others were at a loss, Liu Jin's voice came: "Everyone, now the Queen Mother and Your Majesty are not here, let's go back together!"

As the chief of seals of the Sili Supervisor, Liu Jin has a status inside and outside the palace, but in front of nobles and ministers, he should not make a decision without authorization.

However, this time he wanted to show his prestige in front of the new father-in-law. Even in front of Zhang Mao and his relatives, the Zhang brothers and other nobles, he still regarded himself as his master and decided to do whatever he wanted with the banqueting people.

Although some of the people present were dissatisfied with Liu Jin, Liu Jin was so popular that he was deeply trusted by the emperor. No one dared to fight him head-on. They all stood up, packed up and left.

Xia Ru had never been to the palace for dinner before, and she didn't know much about the situation in the palace, and she didn't even know Liu Jin. He was very curious. Who was the eunuch who stood up to speak?

Just as the nobles and ministers left Duanning Hall, Liu Jin came to Xia Ru, and bowed slightly, and said in a peaceful tone: "Bestadventure, I have long been admired, and my family is the chief ritual supervisor Liu Jin. If you want to work with the father-in-law in the future, you should get close to each other!"

Only then did Xia Ru realize that the eunuch who was extremely imposing and aggressive in his words and deeds as soon as he appeared, he couldn't help but breathe, and quickly stood up and bowed: "It turns out to be Eunuch Liu, I have long admired Daming!"

Liu Jin looked at the nobles and ministers who wanted to come over to join Xia Ru's relationship. The people immediately walked away with tactfulness, so no one disturbed him and talked to Xia Ru. Liu Jin smiled slightly and asked, "Your Majesty rarely returns to the palace these days. I wonder if the father-in-law knows the reason?"

Xia Ru was stunned for a moment, then bowed and said, "I don't know, please give me some advice."

Liu Jin said: "Your Majesty has many concerns in his heart. I am afraid that he will not be able to be harmonious with the queen. Your Majesty has plans to postpone the wedding date."

"ah!?"

Xia Ru was really surprised when she heard the news and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Liu Jin had a smirk on his face and thought to himself: "Your Majesty doesn't let me tell the Empress Dowager about his command in person, but it doesn't mean I can't tell others... I just need to reveal some content to Mr. Xia and ask him to complain to the Empress Dowager, can the Empress Dowager find out the content?"

Liu Jin was attacking the plot and had many tricks. Even though Zhang Wenmian and Sun Cong had not given any suggestions, he still thought of a solution to the problem.

Xia Ru was indeed as nervous as Liu Jin expected, and asked tremblingly: "Dare you ask Eunuch Liu, why did Your Majesty postpone the wedding date?"

Liu Jin shook his head and replied with a smile: "Many things are not something that our ministers can criticize casually. I am afraid that Mr. Xia will ask His Majesty or the Queen Mother. Mr. Xia, you should know that this matter was because you accidentally heard someone mention it and has nothing to do with our family."

Xia Ru was stunned at first, then understood and quickly saluted: "My father-in-law reminds me that I understand!"

...

...

The battle between Shen Xi and Liu Jin has become clearer.

The court seemed calm on the surface, but secretly there were swords and swords. Zhu Houzhao ignored the government's affairs, which gave rise to many problems. The biggest problem was that the eunuch party was in power.

Xie Qian originally supported Shen Xi and Liu Jin to fight each other, but Sun Cong visited the cabinet with the certificate of entry and exit of the palace issued by Liu Jin, revealing that the Tatars in the Xuanfu invaded the border. After Shen Xi instigated the emperor to lead the army in person, he could no longer sit still and went to find Shen Xi again, preparing to correct the mistake.

Shen Xi was convening a meeting of officials at the Ministry of War to deal with Liu Jin's proposal to review bad politics. When he learned that Xie Qian had arrived, he picked up the official document at hand and said:

"I have to say so much today. All the expenses in the yamen must be paid. If there is any private deduction of special funds, I will immediately punish the crime and do not need to go to the three yamen!"

After saying that, the meeting officially ended.

Shen Xi guessed Xie Qian's purpose, calmed down a little, returned to his office, and then sent someone to ask Xie Qian to come in to speak.

As soon as the two met, Shen Xi saluted.

Xie Qian looked at Shen Xi and asked in an annoyed tone: "You have to turn the court to the earth before you can give up, right?"

In a word, Xie Shang explained the purpose of the source.

Shen Xi no longer pretended to be confused with Xie Qian and asked, "Did the Master of the Pavilion come to fight against the Tatars for Xuanfu?"

Xie Qian said: "Since you know that Your Majesty cannot command the army in person, why did you instigate again? Just for Liu Jin to take away your Ministry of War?"

As soon as they came up, Xie Qian's words became aggressive, which made Shen Xi feel that he could not reason with Xie Qian at all. At this time, the two met, not like political allies, but opponents.

Shen Xi thought to himself: "You thank the old man for not asking about it and started scolding you. He looks disgusting. It's even more tiring than fighting with Liu Jin..."

Chen Xi raised his face and said, "The Master of the Pavilion wants students to fight with the eunuch party, but he also asks for this and that, and restrains people's hands and feet everywhere. Isn't it a hard time for others to force others?"

Xie Qian said angrily: "I have asked too much for you? I don't look at the current situation. What national policy have you set up, and I have to prepare for your troops and bewitch Your Majesty into the military school, and even let Your Majesty lead the army in person. Is anyone in the court opposed you? Isn't it because of my face?"

"Shen Zhihou, you must know that you are a minister of the Ming Dynasty and should be loyal to the king and the country. Now the Ming Dynasty royal family does not even have the inheritance of their descendants. What is your intention to encourage Your Majesty to lead the army in person?"

Chen Xi was very resistant to Xie Qian. Even though he had many reasons to say, he knew that he could not convince Xie Qian at all because there was a big gap between him and Xie Qian.

This gap is mainly because the two came from different eras. Chen Xi was not tied to traditional Confucianism, but Xie Qian looked at the forefront of everything he did, and the concept of heaven, earth, king, parents and teachers was deeply rooted.

In Shen Xi's opinion, if Zhu Houzhao is not suitable to be an emperor, instead of letting him be confused in the capital and causing great harm, it is better to lead troops to fight against the Tatars in the frontier. Even if he dies in battle, it would be better to be a coward who will suffer endless harm than to be a coward who will suffer endless harm if he dies.

Chen Xi shook his head: "If Master Ge is so sensible, then the student has nothing to say. Master Ge, please come back!"

...

...

At this time, Chen Xi no longer accepts it.

Since this era, he has endured too much. From the age of six, he has felt that he is dominated by a pair of big hands.

These big hands are the times.

Everything must be bound by feudal ethics. Whether it is studying, living, being an official, leading troops, etc., there are ethics and rituals that he has no way to perform.

This time, he finally gained power and could act as he wished, but even his ally Xie Qian could not understand and support him, which made Chen Xi very depressed.

After Xie Qian was given the order to expel guests, he did not leave immediately. He stared at Chen Xi, as if he wanted to see through the young man in front of him. After a long time, he shook his head sadly: "Maybe I shouldn't have let you go back to the capital."

Chen Xi was a little embarrassed and angry: "Do I want to come back? I am at ease in Huguang and want to govern one side according to my own ideas. I will be transferred as soon as there is a improvement. When I arrive in the northwest, I will train troops and rectify border defenses. I can do a good job, but who knows I will be transferred again."

"It's time to return to the capital now, right? Who knows that being an official is not just dedicated to serving the people, but fighting with the eunuchs in power, and always preparing for gains and losses. The elder of the cabinet himself is in such an environment, and he should know that the suffering is the one!"

Xie Qian shouted sternly: "You chose to take the imperial examination yourself and became an official in the court, but now you complain in front of me?"
To be continued...