After the meeting, Chen Xi stood up and walked out of the palace first. Novel.

It was the Spring Festival. Chen Xi was preparing to meet with Hu merchants and figure out the other party's trade routes. If he could bypass the Arabian Peninsula, he could buy something from the West through these Hu merchants. Although land transportation was not so convenient, the Ottoman Empire blocked the maritime trade routes in this era, and it was unreliable for Ming merchants to go out to the Western Regions to communicate with the world like his predecessors Zhang Qian and Ban Chao. It would be better to use these experienced Hu merchants.

After leaving Wenyuan Pavilion, Chen Xi did not deliberately approach Xie Qian or Liang Chu and others.

The Hanlin Academy has its own system. It is not the officials who are willing to curry favor with Chen Xi, the powerful Minister of War. Today, Bai Yue, the Minister of Rites, did not come, and Xie Qian became the most respected existence in the Hanlin system.

Jin Gui, who had just received the order to preside over the exam, took the initiative to come over and wanted to talk to Chen Xi.

Chen Xi glanced at Xie Qian in the distance and said to Jin Gui who was approaching: "Brother Jin, you should not lean towards me... You also know that my relationship with Ge Lao Xie has not been so harmonious recently, don't implicate you."

Jin Gui smiled bitterly: "Zhihou, what are you saying?"

Obviously, Jin Gui didn't care much about this, and he still looked intimate. After the two talked for a few words, Chen Xi realized that Jin Gui didn't want to be the chief examiner.

Jin Gui expressed the difficulties he faced in time: "My mother's illness is hard to heal. She has been unable to afford to sit on a bed recently. She planned to wait until the first month of the rest period ended and then asked the court for leave and stay at home to take care of her mother. If she comes forward to preside over the examination, she is afraid... she will not take care of the family affairs."

Chen Xi waved his hand: "You told Mr. Xie that these things are more appropriate... I really can't help."

Jin Gui sighed: "Before today's meeting, Mr. Xie summoned me to the next meeting and told me about recommending me to preside over the exam. At that time, he meant that unless someone with a good qualification was replaced, such as Zhihou, you should be the chief examiner, otherwise... you must take on the heavy responsibility. You said this..."

Chen Xi suddenly felt the sinisterness of Xie Qian.

Even though he knew that Jin Gui's mother was in poor health, and knew that Jin Gui was still a filial son, he set up a plan to address this situation and recommended Jin Gui to preside over the examination. Then he gave him a reversible idea and asked Jin Gui to ask him...

Chen Xi said to himself: "Can you Xie Lao be more despicable? He deliberately made things difficult for others and asked someone to plead with me. If I refuse, I may not be friends with Jin Gui..."

Chen Xi shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Brother Jin, if it were the past, I would have helped you with this kind of thing... But now the problem is that I can't find time to preside over the examination. I believe you also know that in addition to raising money and food for the imperial court for the battles, I also have to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War and the Military Academy... It's better to take the initiative to resign from Mr. Xie..."

Chen Xi also explained to Jin Gui the difficulties he faced. I am the Minister of War and have temporarily left the Hanlin system. It is a bit ridiculous to let a Minister of War be the chief examiner of the examination. Since the court regards the Hanlin Academy as a cradle for cultivating senior civil servants and a place for cultivating high-level scholars, don’t find "outsiders" to manage it.

Jin Gui sighed lightly: "It seems... I am afraid that my filial piety will not be able to achieve it..."

Chen Xi felt very sympathetic to Jin Gui, but he really couldn't help. He thought to himself: "This is clearly a trick used by Mr. Xie. If I was persuaded by Mr. Jin Gui, wouldn't it let Mr. Xie's conspiracy succeed?"

After saying goodbye to Jin Gui, Chen Xi accelerated his pace and left the palace to prevent Xie Qian from using other means to threaten him. He could see that in order to prevent Zhu Houzhao from personally expedition, Xie Qian had tried his best to use all means.

When Chen Xi saw Peng Yu in a teahouse in the city, it was already afternoon when the sun began to set westward.

Peng Yu seemed very excited: "...Sir, the villain did what you ordered. Hu Shang's place of goods was indeed looted. Fortunately, he followed the adult's instructions and notified them to transfer in time. However, it seemed... two groups of people collided, appeared, and fought with each other..."

Peng Yu not only successfully completed the tasks assigned by Chen Xi, but also made new discoveries.

Chen Xi seemed to know everything: "It should be the Sili Supervisor Zhang Yuan who fought with the troops sent by Qian Ning, the commander of the Jinyiwei. Before, our spies found that two gangs of troops were carrying the crowd, so I guessed what they were going to do. How are those Hu merchants now?"

Peng Yu grinned: "Most of them have come to the city to take refuge. Maybe they want to avoid the factory guards by changing their daily habits. But sir, they may not attend this meeting today. Now those Hu merchants are like frightened birds. I am afraid they are hiding in the cave and refuse to come out, right?"

Chen Xi smiled and said, "Just bring the words over. Now they have escaped by chance through the information we convey. Do you have the confidence to escape further pursuit of the court? Since they have been targeted by the real power faction in the court, they should know a little about it and know who to cooperate with is the best choice."

Peng Yu nodded: "The villain is going now. Even if they refuse to come tonight, the villain will try to find the person out and tie him to you."

...

...

On the Lantern Festival, the Leopard Room arranged a lantern festival at night in full swing.

According to Zhu Houzhao's instructions, the Leopard House Palace City officially opened since the Shangyuan Festival. The previously connected courtyards used to train wild animals were all flattened and used to create the palace city.

Because the palace city needs a large number of private buildings, especially streets, houses, etc., the project volume is huge, which has caused a lot of trouble for Zhang Yuan.

Zhu Houzhao only gave the construction period half a month, so Zhang Yuan could only let the workers work day and night, but he was stingy by nature and refused to give rewards. If he could, he would deduct it. The final result was that the project was not completed as scheduled on the day of the Shangyuan Festival.

Zhang Yuan went to the Leopard Room in the morning and saw the unfinished building complex. He couldn't help but get angry: "Your Majesty will attend the lantern festival tonight. You haven't built it yet. How many of them have enough brains to cut off?"

Zhang Yuan didn't want to give the reward, so he could only deal with it by intimidation.

However, the people in charge of supervising the work are not good. Except for the officials of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, the rest are basically eunuchs who are ranked first in the 24th Supervisor. They are very thick-skinned and disobey their habits.

Dai Yi walked up to Zhang Yuan and looked embarrassed: "Eunuch Zhang, you see that it's almost noon, and the matter has not been completed yet. It's too difficult to complete the work in the afternoon... If it doesn't work, don't hold a lantern party today. Please ask Your Majesty to spend the night there?"

Zhang Yuan sneered: "Eunuch Dai, what do you mean? Don't want the job? You dare to disobey His Majesty's decree. Do you want our family to seize your post?"

Dai Yi was very distressed because he had the most experienced eunuchs among the Sili Supervisors, but Zhang Yuan was completely a novice, so he became Zhang Yuan's opponent for no reason, and Zhang Yuan kept looking for opportunities to suppress him.

After Zhu Houzhao was assassinated, Zhang Yuan rose strongly with his achievements in saving the car. Not only did Xiao Tiaozi suffer, but Dai Yi was also sent to the Leopard Room to supervise the construction of the palace. Now, he was frightened when he saw Zhang Yuan.

Dai Yi said in embarrassment: "Eunuch Zhang, you always understand people. You should know that the construction period is too fast. How is it possible to build so many houses in just half a month? And even if the built houses are basically built, they are basically built with wooden stakes, and the foundation is not solid. If... accidentally collapses, it threatens His Majesty's safety, we will not have enough to fill it!"

When Zhang Yuan heard Dai Yi's tone, he clearly used his threatening words to defeat him. He became more and more annoyed and said angrily: "Dare you dare to scare our family? If something happens, it is your responsibility. You are only allowed to arrange everything before dark. If it is not completed, our family will come first to question people and do what they say!"

After Zhang Yuan finished speaking, he left angrily.

Dai Yi and others had no choice but to continue working.

At this time, Zhu Houzhao was still sleeping with his head covering. Zhang Yuan originally wanted to see if the emperor woke up and was going to give this difficult master a vaccination first in order to clear his relationship. However, when he arrived at the place, he found out that Zhu Houzhao had fallen asleep after the sun rose. He probably wouldn't get up if the sunset was not up.

"Isn't this Eunuch Zhang?"

A pleasant voice came, which scared Zhang Yuan. He turned his head and saw a woman walking out from behind the curtain.

The woman has a beautiful appearance, a quiet expression, and a graceful and luxurious demeanor. Most people will definitely feel pleasing to the eye when they see it, but Zhang Yuan was angry because this woman was Concubine Li who was sent to Zhu Houzhao by Qian Ning.

Usually, all the resources on hand of Concubine Li was provided by Qian Ning. In this way, Concubine Li was like Zhang Yuan's enemy in the Leopard Room.

Zhang Yuan suppressed the displeasure in his heart and bowed with a forced smile: "Empress Li, I have saluted you."

"I dare not take it."

Concubine Li said, "I am just an ordinary woman in the leopard room. The court has not officially enthroned me, so I should be asking Eunuch Zhang for my concern."

As he said that, Concubine Li did salute Zhang Yuan, which made Zhang Yuan feel very proud and thought to himself: "No matter how favored the woman around His Majesty, she still deliberately flatters her when she sees me, the Secretariat Seal Seal. Some people don't know each other and always jump out and go against me!"

After the Concubine Li saluted, she asked, "Eunuch Zhang is here to find Your Majesty? Your Majesty has just fallen asleep. If there is nothing important, Eunuch Zhang can keep the words and go back to the palace to deal with the court affairs... When Your Majesty wakes up, I will personally inform Your Majesty."

Zhang Yuan would not tell Concubine Li about the palace. In his opinion, although Concubine Li had some status around Zhu Houzhao, she was still in a state of shutting her eyes. In his eyes, the women around Zhu Houzhao had the same status except Empress Xia, who had never been lucky enough to Zhu Houzhao, and the rest of the people had the same status. They would always go from favor to losing favor, which was not afraid at all.

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Since Your Majesty is still resting, the old slave will take his leave first. When His Majesty wakes up, the old slave will report to His Majesty."

After saying that, Zhang Yuangong stepped down and did a lot of face and effort.

This is also the norm for eunuchs in the palace. No matter whether the women around the emperor are favored or not, they will not publicly show dissatisfaction. These women are always qualified to blow the pillow wind beside the emperor.

...

...

Concubine Li watched Zhang Yuan leave, with a smile on her face, but her eyes were slightly closed, as if she was thinking about her thoughts.

"This Eunuch Zhang is becoming more and more rude. The Empress is so modest to him, but he is arrogant and rude. If His Majesty had not valued him, the villain would have let him know the consequences of offending the Empress!"

A middle-aged eunuch next to Concubine Li said, "I'm a sissy and angry, as if Zhang Yuan was so unbearable in his eyes."

Concubine Li first glanced at the house where Zhu Houzhao lived, then sighed, shook her head, as if she was a little unwilling to accept it. Concubine Li laughed at the middle-aged eunuch:

"Don't be heard by Eunuch Yuan's words. Now Eunuch Zhang can say that he is powerful all over the world. If he lets him know that you say these words, you will feel better."

Eunuch Yuan smiled and said, "The villain is someone around the Empress. Even if he talks to the Empress, why would he dare to deal with the villain? The villain will definitely protect you, and will not let the Zhang surname be rude to the Empress again."

"I hope you can show it well next time I see him."

Concubine Li didn't take what the eunuch named Yuan said to her. She knew very well that the eunuchs around her were all from the lower class of the Forbidden City. Before following her, these people might just be inconspicuous errand eunuchs and had no knowledge at all. Naturally, they didn't know how much power Zhang Yuan had.

Concubine Li thought to herself: "Don't say you are just an ordinary eunuch. Even if you are a woman who has been fortunate by Your Majesty, as long as you are not in power, Zhang Yuan wants to kill anyone, there are countless methods... There is no need to offend Zhang Yuan."

Concubine Li said: "Mr. Qian has been here before, but I was still there to accompany His Majesty. Let him come here now."

"yes!"

Eunuch Yuan hurried to summon people, while Concubine Li entered the flower hall.

When she accompanied Zhu Houzhao, she was full of energy and charm, but after saying goodbye to Zhu Houzhao, she looked exhausted. Obviously, she did not show so enthusiasm for serving the king.

When Qian Ning came, Concubine Li had been drinking tea for a while.

Qian Ning said angrily as soon as he came up: "Empress, the big thing is not good. I just got the news that our people were killed and did not catch anyone, but only found some unknown private women."

"What kind of civilian woman?"

Concubine Li frowned and said, "Mr. Qian, what are you talking about?"

Qian Ning said with a dark face: "I'm afraid the incident of the beautiful women in the Western Regions... has leaked the news and was taken first!"

Concubine Li looked at Qian Ning and asked, "Is it because she is suspicious of what I did?"

Qian Ning smiled bitterly and said, "It doesn't mean that humble oneself. Don't be too careful, but the problem is really difficult now. If you can't find the beauty of the Western Regions that Your Majesty needs, humble oneself may... be questioned."

Li Fei said angrily: "I told you not to ask Your Majesty for credit in advance. You just don't listen. Now you know the consequences are serious?"

Although Qian Ning didn't want to admit that he had made a mistake, he didn't have much temper when facing Concubine Li. The problem was that he gradually realized Concubine Li's ability was extraordinary. Everything he reminded him was fulfilled. Over time, he no longer dared to regard himself as a hero in front of Concubine Li, but instead obeyed Concubine Li's instructions in everything.

Qian Ning said: "I will go to the Jiafangsi now, find some women to come back, and put on makeup to be beautiful women in the Western Regions. The darkness should not make any mistakes!"

"You are causing trouble for yourself!"

Concubine Li stood up and shouted, "You want to die, don't drag others down. Do you think Your Majesty is so easy to fool? I think this time is mostly done by Eunuch Zhang. I have seen him once before, and his expression is full of pride, as if he is sure to win."

"What? Is it a good thing that Eunuch Zhang ruined me?"

Qian Ning was startled and hesitated, "If it were someone else, it might be easy to deal with. If it were Eunuch Zhang, he would have a lot of power."
Chapter completed!