Zhu Houzhao stayed in Yangzhou City for seven days.

Zhang Yuan was anxious to ask Zhu Houzhao to return to the capital, and the officials and nobles in the capital were even more anxious to ask Zhu Houzhao to return.

Even the people who accompanied Zhu Houzhao to eat, drink and have fun in Yangzhou City during this period began to get anxious.

It was noon that day, and Zhu Houzhao had not yet woken up. It was more than an hour before the noon poetry meeting. Su Tong came to visit Tang Yin and tried to ask Tang Yin to persuade Zhu Houzhao to leave earlier and return to the capital.

"...Mr. Tang, although I have not received a letter from Lord Shen in the past few days, you and I have been staying here for a long time with Your Majesty and have not returned to the capital for a long time. I am afraid that others will treat us as treacherous people, and even Lord Shen's reputation is not listened to..."

Although Su Tong likes to play, he knows the right way and understands that he has long been marked by Chen Xi. Zheng Qian and Tang Yin are the same... If there is a bad reputation about them outside, Chen Xi will basically not be able to escape.

Tang Yin sighed with a sigh: "I don't know that you should prompt Your Majesty to return to Beijing as soon as possible? But look at the current situation, does Your Majesty mean to leave?"

Su Tong leaned forward and asked softly: "I heard that Your Majesty wants to accept a concubine in Yangzhou Prefecture?"

Tang Yin nodded helplessly: "It does have this meaning... but the matter has not yet been decided. After all, His Majesty is traveling in a condom, and others do not know his identity. In the past few days, some people have doubted it, but no one dares to make the matter clear."

"Oh! What should I do?" Su Tong had no opinion on major issues and was completely confused. He needed someone to give him advice.

Tang Yin reminded kindly: "No matter what the reason why Your Majesty is stranded in Yangzhou, it is best not to break the current delicate balance now. Even if you want to persuade Your Majesty to leave, it will be the matter of Shangshu Chen or an important official in the court, and it has nothing to do with us."

Su Tong was a little confused about Tang Yin's attitude and frowned and said, "Let's just ignore it?"

Tang Yin shook his head: "It's really inconvenient for us to speak... If we want to do things in front of Your Majesty in the future, we can only try our best to keep our restraint... In fact, even Shangshu Chen turned a blind eye to His Majesty's usual playful things, but he would interfere too much... Singing opposites with Your Majesty will only destroy the good relationship between the monarch and the ministers and anger Your Majesty. Since this is not as good as a long-term flow, there will be opportunities to persuade Your Majesty in the future."

...

...

Su Tong felt that Tang Yin was not willing to advise Zhu Houzhao to return to Beijing. After returning, he thought carefully: "Tang Bohu finally had the opportunity to appreciate His Majesty. Now he meets every day and talks about the world. This is the best opportunity for him to show his talent and knowledge. How could he bear to return to Beijing and be difficult to meet the saint in the future?"

Feeling something, Su Tong wrote a letter and sent someone to Xincheng to try to get a solution from Chen Xi.

However, the day after Su Tong sent the letter, Zhu Houzhao suddenly changed her temper and hurriedly left Yangzhou and took a boat to Xuzhou Prefecture... Su Tong did not expect that things would change so much.

On the way, Su Tong vaguely heard that the emperor had embarked on a hasty journey, which was related to the unhappy marriage between local officials and gentry.

"Your Majesty finally saw the ladies of the great families praised by local scholars, but they had to be incredible, talented, and willful, and domineering... How could Your Majesty take a fancy to you and take it into the palace and ask for trouble?"

The news brought by Zheng Qian made Su Tong feel a little relieved and couldn't help asking: "In the end, Your Majesty did not reveal his true identity, right?"

Zheng Qian smiled and said, "Of course, it was not revealed. Otherwise, there would never be any incident where someone would marry his daughter whom no one wants to be... Your Majesty is very angry about this. He has not eaten anything since last night... Next, we may have problems if we meet Your Majesty. Your Majesty is in a bad mood and is afraid that he will not hold a banquet in a short period of time..."

Su Tong breathed a sigh of relief: "No matter what, as long as Your Majesty returns to the capital earlier, it would be great that we and even Lord Shen would not be criticized. This close minister's errand is not easy to do."

...

...

During the end of the year, Chenxi was surrounded by a festive atmosphere.

This is the first Spring Festival that Chen Xi has spent in Xincheng. At this time, most of the relatives of the soldiers have arrived in Xincheng. They are reunited with their families, called friends, and the sound of firecrackers. There are occasionally fireworks at night. The new city is filled with a festive atmosphere. Chen Xi will also issue bonuses to the soldiers and craftsmen at the end of the year, and everyone is happy.

At this time, Chen Xi received a letter from Su Tong.

Chen Xi didn't think it was very strange about Zhu Houzhao's stay in Yangzhou, but he was a little unexpected about Su Tong's letter.

"It seems that Su Tong is really loyal to the emperor and the country, and he is not just making a fool of himself in front of His Majesty."

Chen Xi was a little impressed with Su Tong, "If it were an ordinary person, he was so appreciated by the emperor, and he ate, drank and had fun every day. He was too late to be happy. How could he think about what to do and what not to do?"

Chen Xi did not reply to Su Tong. This kind of private message was very taboo because of the special identities of the two.

Chen Xi did not report to persuade Zhu Houzhao because it was really unnecessary in his opinion. No matter how much he was nostalgic for Yangzhou, Zhu Houzhao would eventually leave Yangzhou and head north. Chen Xi had long expected that Zhu Houzhao would not be able to rush back to the capital from Nanjing within a month, and it would be normal for three or five months to delay it.

Chen Xi took the attitude of not caring about this matter and letting it go.

As a result, on the eighth day of the first lunar month, Zhang Yong came from Nanjing to Xincheng to pay New Year's greetings to Chenxi. Chenxi was very surprised. After all, Zhang Yong was a garrison eunuch in Nanjing and could not leave the garrison without permission.

"Mr. Shen, I am just taking the opportunity to go out to patrol the naval garrison to chat with you to see if you can give me some help."

Zhang Yong acted mysteriously when he saw Chen Xi. After all, he didn't want the people in the court to know about this meeting... Although Zhang Yong was a magistrate in Nanjing, with a high position and a powerful position, he could basically say that he was ordering the party, but he felt that he was getting farther and farther away from the center, and when he saw Chen Xi, he spoke with a little discouragement.

Chen Xi met Zhang Yong in the government office, and said very directly, "Eunuch Zhang wants me to help you return to Beijing?"

Zhang Yong nodded: "When Your Majesty was in Nanjing, I tried every means to let Your Majesty know that there was a slave who worked hard for him and spared no effort, but he never got what he wanted. Now Your Majesty and Zhang Yuan were covering up the sky, and even Jiang Bin, Xu Tai and others lost their power. If Lord Shen had no help, I would be excluded and would be difficult to return to the capital in the future."

Chen Xi smiled slightly when facing Zhang Yong with an anxious look: "Eunuch Zhang, I don't want to go back to Beijing at all, so naturally I can't see Your Majesty... What do you think I can help you?"

Zhang Yongdao: "Mr. Shen doesn't return to the capital, so he probably doesn't want to collide with Mr. Xie and others head-on, right? I heard that you are now interested in resigning as two ministers, being the Duke of the State, and staying in the fiefdom of Jiangnan from now on?"

Chen Xi's face was cold: "This new city is not a fiefdom, it is a newly established acropolis by the imperial court... Eunuch Zhang must not talk nonsense."

Zhang Yong quickly said: "I understand that it is the Acropolis, but this city was created by the Lord, and it is actually similar to the fiefdom... When His Majesty returned to Beijing, Lord Shen should have been with him. After returning to the court, he led two ministries to manage the government affairs and made a famous minister of a generation."

"But you chose to stay in Jiangnan. Those who know you understand that you are open-minded and do not want to involve disputes between the court. Those who don't know you think you are rejected by Your Majesty, so they are neglected in the family!"

"If Lord Shen wants to be able to speak well in the court in the future and not be excluded, will he need a political ally?"

"Um!?"

Chen Xi narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhang Yong. He knew that Zhang Yong would take the initiative to tell the truth.

Zhang Yongming understood that he would not explain clearly, Chen Xi would continue to pretend to be confused, so he said, "Let me say that, in the past, my father-in-law and Lord Shen, you mentioned that you should advance and retreat together. Now Lord Shen has gone further and has reached an indispensable point in the court. Your Majesty cannot be without you, and the court cannot be without you. Our alliance can continue..."

Chen Xidao: "Assembly? But it seems that you didn't become the boss's ceremonial seal, and the alliance was automatically cancelled, right? Isn't it too late to re-report the old things?"

Zhang Yong hurriedly said: "It's not too late, it's not too late. Lord Shen, you are facing some difficulties now... It's not easy to return to this capital. Your Majesty has a barrier against Lord Shen because of the slander of the treacherous villain. At this time, Lord Shen should not avoid it, but should also cheer up, wipe out the sluts and revive the court. I am very honored to do something for you."

Chen Xi obviously felt that this time Zhang Yong saw him, his expression and tone were humble.

In the past, Zhang Yong had the capital for negotiation in front of him, but now he is more like a stray dog, which is seriously inconsistent with the other party's current identity as the eunuch in Nanjing.

Chen Xidao: "What news did Eunuch Zhang hear? Come and see you in a hurry?"

Zhang Yong lowered his head and sighed, "I heard that Zhang Yuan slandered His Majesty and wanted to deprive me of the position of eunuch of the literati and pen, and only entrusted to the position of eunuch of the literati and steadi, and remained in Jiangnan. As for the errands in the East Factory under the leadership of the lower department, he was even lost early... I also heard that the Empress Dowager used the important civil and military officials in the capital, as well as the eunuch appointed by His Majesty to weaken the status of the Shen family in the court... It may be specifically targeted at Lord Shen."

In order to get Chen Xi to agree to cooperate, Zhang Yong did not hesitate to clarify the dispute between foreign relatives in the capital. These things were originally taboos.

Chen Xi shook his head: "The Zhang family is a relative of the foreigner, and the Empress Dowager's family. As the queen's family, my Shen family does not have to fight with them, so they avoid Jiangnan."

Zhang Yong said: "Mr. Shen, aren't you afraid that the Empress Dowager will use Empress Xia's family to suppress the Shen family? I am not sow discord, but just reminding Lord. Hua Wubai Rihong, if you don't take the initiative to fight for many things, you will be fully utilized by your opponent and frequently suppressed, and you will be defeated in the end."

"If Lord Shen feels that this is unpleasant, just pretend that I didn't say it... I am just eager to return to the capital. Even if I just continue to be a eunuch on the pen, it would be better than being exiled to the south of the Yangtze River... I still want to serve His Majesty."

Zhang Yong looked pitiful when he spoke, and Chen Xi could probably understand Zhang Yong's mentality at this time.

Chen Xi thought to himself: "As an eunuch, even if he goes to a wealthy place in Jiangnan to be a garrison eunuch in Nanjing, he is rich and powerful, but he is not in front of the emperor and is like losing favor. If he stays in front of the emperor, he will retain the hope of being promoted to the Sili Supervisor's seal... Zhang Yongzhi is not in Nanjing, but always maintains an upward heart."

Chen Xi did not keep people from thousands of miles away and said, "I can submit a memorial to Eunuch Zhang and take the initiative to mention this matter to Your Majesty. After all, Eunuch Zhang has made a lot of efforts in the rebellion of Pinghaijiang and King Ning, and is worthy of commendation. However, whether Your Majesty will recall you back to the capital depends on Your Majesty's attitude."

"It's so good, I'm grateful."

Zhang Yong quickly stood up and bowed and thanked him.

Chen Xi waved his hand: "Don't be grateful, I'm just doing business... It's just that Eunuch Zhang left Jiangnan. If I encounter anything in Jiangnan, I may be alone."

Zhang Yongdao: "No, even if I return to the capital, I will try every means to assist Lord Shen."

Seeing Chen Xi's promise, Zhang Yongxin left the new city and returned to Nanjing with satisfaction.

Chen Xi sent Zhang Yong away, and Yunliu, who had been staying behind the screen in the backyard of the government office, heard Chen Xi talking with Zhang Yong, walked out and bowed and said, "Sir, if Eunuch Zhang is willing to help you, you will be able to control the situation in the court even if you don't return to Beijing in the future... In this way, you can stay in Jiangnan with peace of mind."

Chen Xi shook his head and said, "What should I do if I have nothing to do to control the situation in the court?"

One question made Yunliu not know how to answer.

Chen Xi said again: "A politician is never trustworthy when he opens his mouth. Zhang Yong said he will help me, but he will really fulfill his contract after returning to the capital? Many things are not something he can decide. He has a little twist behind his back, and even the empress dowager will hold him back. His current promise is just to ask me to help him."

Yun Liu said: "I'm talking too much."

Chen Xi shook his head again: "Actually you are right. Zhang Yong is indeed worthy of being gathered. He is different from Zhang Yuan, Li Xing and others. His factional imprint in the court is not clear. This is related to his contributions and offending too many people, and no one is willing to treat him as his own."

Yun Liu thought for a while and said, "Eunuch Zhang has a bad temper."

Chen Xi was originally serious, but after hearing Yun Liu's words, he couldn't help but smile: "You are quite accurate. In the past, he served as the Dongchang and helped the late emperor and His Majesty do a lot of things. Others fear him and will not resist unconsciously. Moreover, he has a strong temper, and he has a bottom line in life and does not follow the trend, so it is easy to provoke sinners... Although his status has soared in recent years, no one dares to get close to him."

When Yunliu heard Chen Xi's evaluation of Zhang Yong, she nodded repeatedly. After all, she was born in the Dongchang Agent and had many old Dongchang people under her.

Yunliu asked for instructions: "Do you want to use him?"

Chen Xidao: "It's not a question of whether to use it or not, it's just a combination of interests... In the troublesome autumn in the court, everything seems to be calm, but in fact it's just a surface calm. Who can tell what kind of changes will happen next? In another month or two, Your Majesty will return to the capital and the dispute will be even worse. It's not too early, so I should go back and rest, so you go back too."

...

...

A few days after the New Year, Chen Xi was not as relaxed as before the New Year, and he left very late every day in the government office.

Recently, he has gone to Huiniang's place much less and basically went home to rest. After all, the whole family has come to Xincheng, so he has to take care of his family's feelings.

When Chen Xi returned home, it was almost the second day of the day. The women and children at home were basically asleep, and only Xie Yuner and Xiaoyu were cleaning up the accounts.

"Honey husband is back?"

Xie Yuner was very happy to see Chen Xi coming back. For her, she didn't care what Chen Xi was doing outside, or whether Chen Xi had an outside house. She only knew that Chen Xi would just put her mind at home.

Chen Xi nodded and glanced at Xiaoyu. Xiaoyu quickly put the account book into a wooden box, and then took it away.

After Xiaoyu stepped down, Chen Xi asked, "I'm still working on the account so late, why don't you wait for tomorrow?"

Xie Yuner said: "Can you finish the account book earlier or complete it earlier? Are you discussing with Xiaoyu to buy some industries in the city?"

Chen Xi laughed silently and said after a while: "Why, the family is expensive now, do you have to do this?"
To be continued...