When Chen Xi returned home, Zhu Qi told him about Xiao Tiaozi's visit.

"...Master, that father-in-law came twice in the morning and said that his Majesty had something important. Because it was a secret, he refused to let the villain tell him, and even went to the military office. As for what happened, the villain didn't know."

Zhu Qi was afraid of delaying Chen Xi's official business, so he respectfully reported it.

Chen Xidao: "If it is an urgent matter, he will stay here and will not go back to report his life. Don't take it to heart. Remember not to tell outsiders about this."

Chen Xi did not ask in detail what was going on. In his opinion, as long as Zhu Houzhao didn't come in person, it would be easy to say anything, but Xiao Tiaozi's arrival made him a little passive.

After entering the palace, a large number of prayers were sent to Chen Xi.

After looking at it one by one, Chen Xi did not ask for permission... He was not going to meet guests before the end of the year. He did not know many of these people, and a few of them were the subordinates of the same year, and because of the delay in the assessment of officials in the capital before the New Year, and the road was blocked by heavy snow, he stayed in the capital and did not leave.

After dinner, Zhu Qi came in to spread the news and said that the deacon in the palace was coming again.

Chen Xi personally left the yard to greet him. After meeting, Xiao Tiaozi was overjoyed and said gratefully: "What is Mr. Shen doing? Your health is not well. Just let the villain come in and talk to you. How can you please welcome him in person? Please go back to the house!"

Xiao Tuozi knew the situation in the Qing Dynasty. He knew that before the battle in the northwest was completely started, Chen Xi farted for Zhu Houzhao. Of course, if the battle was over, it would be a different matter. There would be a crisis of trust in no matter the outcome. It would be necessary to say that if you lose, you might be successful.

Of course, at this time he must also curry favor with this great nobleman in the court.

Chen Xidao: "You are kind to you, father-in-law. I heard you have been here in the morning. Unfortunately, I have important matters to go out to deal with and have not waited for the trip in the mansion."

Xiao Taozi smiled and said, "It's okay, is it okay, is the villain here again? Your Majesty wants to tell you if you have something to do, the villain is just here to pass on a message."

Chen Xi took Xiao Tiaozi to the study room. Xiao Tiaozi was very happy and kept looking around. When he saw Chen Xi's desk with a thick stack of official documents, he immediately said with emotion:

"Mr. Shen's injury has just improved, and he is busy with the court affairs again. I wonder what Lord. Shen wants to report to His Majesty? Why don't you take it back to you?"

A memorial must follow the process of final decision by the General Secretary, Cabinet, Chief Lecture Supervisor and the Emperor. However, because Chen Xi's position in Zhu Houzhao's mind is too high, Chen Xi's memorials can go on an ordinary path. Xiao Jiezi said that Xiao Jiezi was not a rash person. Zhu Houzhao said before that, if Chen Xi had memorials, he could just take Xiao Jiezi to the face of the saint without going through a complicated process.

Chen Xidao: "My official's injury has indeed improved a lot, so he thought about completely closing the cases that had not been settled before, such as the eunuch party case and the foreign relative case."

Xiao Guozi became nervous when he heard this and asked, "The eunuch party case has basically ended, but the case of a relative..."

While speaking, Xiao Tiaozi looked at Chen Xi, fearing that Chen Xi would continue to entangle the case, but listened to Chen Xi: "I have found out that although the Hou of Shouning and Hou Jianchang were indeed illegal, it is difficult to confirm whether some of the matters were done by them. It would be inappropriate to convict the two of them."

"Yes, yes, it's because of His Majesty's bloodline that the Empress Dowager can't argue with him." Xiao Taozi quickly spoke to Zhang Yanling.

Chen Xi was targeting two relatives. The only one who wanted to plead with Xiao Tiaozi was Zhang Yanling, who was demoted and fined at most because Zhang Heling's crimes were at most.

Chen Xidao: "Didn't your Majesty tell me if you have something to do? Or is it the Lord's affairs tight, just talk and listen."

Xiao Zhuozi thought for a while and said, "What Your Majesty has given is related to the case of a foreign relative... Your Majesty said that he had not decided on the crime of Jianchang Marquis before, just to see how your injury is. If the injury is serious, it will not happen... Of course, you are very lucky and loyal, and it will not happen, but at that time, Your Majesty was indeed planning to let Jianchang Marquis give you... to be buried with you... Now you are out of danger, so Your Majesty means that you are asking you to be generous and no longer hold Jianchang Marquis accountable. Your Majesty plans to let him go back to the mansion and think about his mistakes behind closed doors and no longer contact the court affairs in the future... Just live with your salary."

Although Chen Xi was unhappy when he heard this, he was still mentally prepared for some things.

Chen Xi thought to himself: "Even if the Zhang brothers did many evil deeds in history, they were only dismissed from office and imprisonment. It was not until after the death of Empress Dowager Zhang that Emperor Jiajing killed the two of them. Now that Empress Dowager Zhang is alive, it is a bit of a dream to let Zhu Houzhao kill his two uncles."

Chen Xi nodded: "Your Majesty has handed over this case to He Shangshu for handling. This official should not have been involved in it, but... I also believe that the two uncles will not die."

When he said this, Chen Xi was a little angry. Although his assassination was only a preset case, the case had been confirmed to be done by his relatives. Although Zhu Houzhao showed great care for him, he wanted to excuse his two uncles as soon as the matter was over. Anyone would be angry.

Xiao Zhuozi praised: "Mr. Shen is so noble and honest, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people. When the villain comes back, he will explain your feelings to Your Majesty. I believe that Your Majesty will characterize the case in the past two days... Speaking of which, Marquis Jianchang has been imprisoned for a month or two... It is time to learn a lesson."

Chen Xi looked at Xiao Tuozi and did not want to mention the case of the foreign relatives again. He thought to himself: "Although Marquis of Jianchang was not removed, letting the Zhang family's foreign relatives temporarily stay away from the core of power is considered to be the goal." Thinking of this, he asked: "What else do you have to convey to you?"

Xiao Tiaozi said: "Your Majesty wants to ask about the rebellion in Zhili, Henan, Shandong and other places... Isn't the imperial court going to use troops on the grassland next year? It is better to calm down the local chaos first. We must first settle the internal situation with foreign aggression..."

Chen Xi nodded: "The city was closed due to heavy snow these days, and the news was blocked. However, according to the information I received before, the local civil unrest has been put down. There is no chaos that can threaten the local safety of the capital. Please don't worry."

"That's good, that's good..."

Xiao Tiaozi said, "That military supplies are being raised..."

Chen Xi discovered that Zhu Houzhao was not concerned about the affairs of the court at all, but he cared very much about military affairs. Even if he was living in the leopard room, he still did not forget to send someone to inquire about the situation.

Chenxidao: "It is still under construction, please don't worry."

Xiao Guozi nodded and finally said, "Your Majesty's meaning is that the ministers will be invited to the Leopard Room to attend the banquet around the Spring Festival, and the program will be prepared for you to appreciate. However, Your Majesty has not yet implemented this matter. The villain just informed you that someone will send His Majesty's imperial order in a day or two."

...

...

After listening to what Zhu Houzhao asked Xiao Tiaozi to convey, Chen Xi knew that there was nothing urgent.

This also explains why Zhu Houzhao is not busy either. Anyway, it is a trivial matter. Before it gets so angry, everything can be completed step by step.

However, this is a top priority for Xiao Tiaozi, and nothing can be careless.

Chen Xi was indifferent to entering the leopard room to attend the banquet. He had long been accustomed to Zhu Houzhao's absurd actions, so he would not care whether the banquet was given in the palace or the leopard room. Anyway, with Zhu Houzhao, the willful monarch, anything could happen.

After Xiao Guozi left, Chen Xi thought about everything about the punishment of Zhang Yanling, the Marquis of Jianchang, and he was always depressed.

The next day, on New Year's Eve, Chen Xi arrived at the Ministry of War early in the morning, which announced that he had officially returned to work in the North Korea. Two experienced Ministers of War Lu Wan and Wang Chang were there. In fact, Chen Xi was not worried about the daily affairs of the Ministry of War, and his arrival was just a form.

After all, the yamen will be in a period of rest for a long time after the New Year. If he does not come to the Ministry of War today, it means that he will not be able to handle affairs as the Minister of War after the New Year.

Because Chenxi arrived, Wang Chang, who was going to rest on the same day, rushed back to the yamen after hearing the news.

Originally, the first half-day shift was held on New Year's Eve, and the Ministry of War affairs had basically been processed. The duty schedule was also completed after the New Year. There was no such thing as the Secretary of the Shangxi, which means that Chenxi could rest at home for a month after the New Year.

Lu Wan said: "Shangshu Chen was rushing to go back to the court to work as soon as he recovered from his illness. His loyalty to the king and the country can be seen in the sun and the moon. It is really respectable and admirable! However, Shangshu Chen did not need to be so strict with himself. At the end of the year, both the nine sides and the local provinces were still stable. Even if there were some small wars around the capital, they would have basically subsided. You can rest at home during this period of the New Year."

Confucianism emphasizes the doctrine of the mean. Even if something big happens in the court, officials will try to make things smaller. It is their nature to turn big things into small things.

Regardless of whether the person has the ability or whether he has made achievements in the court, he will use this attitude intentionally or unintentionally to treat the court affairs.

Chen Xi did not go to ask Lu Wan in detail. During the period when he was recuperating, the Ministry of War had been informed of all matters even if he had not personally criticized him. He did not close his eyes and listened. Chen Xi said: "Although my official's injuries have not been cured, they are basically cured. When I come back to see it, I want to leave no mistakes in the affairs of the dynasty before the New Year."

Wang Chang followed in, greeted Chen Xi and said, "Shangshu Chen has been at ease in his mansion to recuperate from his injuries these days. Recently, Sanbian and Xuanda places have been peaceful. In fact, the Ministry of War does not have much official duties to do."

Chen Xi asked, "Has Wang Qiong never been to the Ministry of War?"

Wang Chang and Lu Wan couldn't help but look at each other. The two said it was okay, but in fact, there was still something wrong in the northwest. The most important thing was that Wang Qiong came to the capital to ask for money and food.

Lu Wan said: "The food shortage in the northwest is not a day or two. This time Dehua just returned to Beijing to report his work. There is no need for Secretary Chen to worry. He had submitted a memorial before, and it is estimated that the court will have instructions after the New Year."

Chen Xi shook his head: "As far as I know, Wang Qiong may not wait until the next year to open the yamen before leaving for the Sanbian. If he doesn't deal with it now, who will care about this after the New Year?"

Lu Wan and Wang Chang were both embarrassed.

It was already the end of the year, and big and small things could be solved, and delayed things could be delayed. No one was willing to cause trouble on New Year's Eve. On the first day of Chen Xi returned to the yamen, he was eager to solve the problem of Wang Qiong asking for food, which made the two of them feel very difficult.

Chen Xidao: "If you two find it difficult to handle, I will deal with it. Today I may take Dehua to meet the saint."

"Well!?"

Lu Wan asked in surprise, "Is it too hasty to say that I want to meet the saint? It's not easy for the saint to see..."

Before he finished speaking, Wang Chang pulled him behind his back. Lu Wan suddenly realized that it was not good to give up. Chen Xi was also the boss. Now that he didn't order the two of them to obey, it was considered as giving face. If he continued to shirk his words, Chen Xi would easily be misunderstood by the two of them and Xie Qian to get angry.

But in fact, the Ministry of War has a certain rift with Xie Qian, mainly because Xie Qian doesn’t like the Ministry of War. In addition, Wang Chang and Lu Wan were both included in the eunuch party list, which was hated by Xie Qian.

Xie Qian didn't like him, so naturally the two would not look down on their faces to please him.

Chen Xidao: "I have greeted Wang Qiong before, so don't worry, you two may have to help you go to the Ministry of Revenue. As for whether Yang Shangshu will obey my opinion, there is no need to force you. You just give me a routine notice."

Lu Wan glanced at Wang Chang and asked, "There are those of Xie Zhongtang..."

Chen Xi smiled and said, "As long as the news reaches the Ministry of Revenue, Xie Zhongtang will not know, so you don't have to worry, just do the work well and you can go home for the New Year before noon."

...

...

Chen Xi returned to the yamen and did things in a prosperous manner.

Lu Wan and Wang Chang were completely unable to resist. Even if they were experienced as officials, they could only obey unconditionally in front of Shen Xi, the boss, and they had no temper at all.

Who said that the prestige and ability to do things in the court are all very different from that in Chen Xi?

When Chen Xi was writing something, Wang Chang and Lu Wan left the yard. Wang Chang said anxiously: "Why don't you talk to Chen Shangshu and let him drag the matter until after the New Year?"

"Why don't you say it? Actually, this is good. This matter has been delayed for no reason before the New Year. Dehua asked people everywhere for nothing. Even Ying Ning didn't speak for the Northwest. Today is such a special day, if Shangshu Chen can finish the work, wouldn't I worry about it after the New Year?"

Lu Wan supports Chen Xi very much in this regard.

Wang Chang said: "The shortage of food in the northwest is clearly because the officials in the court want to stop the war in the coming year. It is not unreasonable for Xie Zhongtang to act like this, but it will only make the soldiers of the border army... Alas! It is best to ask someone to inform Xie Zhongtang about this matter, so as not to turn back and I will be criticized again."

Lu Wan glanced at Wang Chang, as if dissatisfied with the other party's attitude.

But Lu Wan did not directly criticize him. When the two returned to the office, Chen Xi had already written what they wanted to write.

Chen Xi handed a manuscript to Lu Wan: "Please go to the Ministry of Revenue. Yang Yingning, the Minister of Revenue, once served on three sides. He should understand that the soldiers of the border army are suffering. If there is no food in the northwest after the New Year, the soldiers can still be beaten, but the people cannot delay. Please ask him to apply for this matter to the court."

Lu Wan didn't say anything and came out with Wang Chang.

Wang Chang said: "If the Ministry of Revenue and the court had applied for it usefully, Yang Yingning would have applied long ago. Now it is clear that the cabinet and the rank of the rank supervisor are stuck. Without His Majesty's approval, this matter could not be completed at all."

Lu Wan gave Wang Chang a blank look: "Have you heard from Mr. Chen? I just routinely notified the Ministry of Revenue. In your words, if it was useful to tell the Ministry of Revenue, Chen had already sent a letter to the Ministry of Revenue. Why did he take Wang Dehua to meet the saint on the last day before the New Year? As long as he told His Majesty, everything would be solved."

As soon as Lu Wan and Wang Chang left, Chen Xi asked someone to notify Wang Qiong and asked him to prepare for the meeting.

Wang Qiong was notified suddenly and quickly put on his court uniform. When he went to the Ministry of War, he saw Chen Xi, and was a little surprised: "Shangshu Chen is going back to court now?"

Chen Xi said solemnly: "I won't go back to the yamen, how can I help Brother Dehua and His Majesty apply for military rations? Today I will go to meet the saint... But in the front, the saint only needs to talk about the specific matters. You don't have to say much about your encounter in the capital. As for the amount of money and grain allocated in the final court, you don't have to pay too much attention. Even if the saint is insufficient, I will use the donation from the people to send you a batch of grain."

Wang Qiong was confused at this time and could not understand what Chen Xi said at all.

But he understood one thing, and he could see the emperor immediately, so he asked, "I'm going to enter the palace?"

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty is in the leopard room. Today is New Year's Eve. It is hard to say whether Your Majesty has rested at this moment. If things don't go well, you may have to wait until dusk to meet the Holy Holy."
To be continued...