It started to snow again, like a handful of fine salt, and the ground that had just been cleaned was covered with a thin layer of white. The palace maids and eunuchs did not have time to rest, and began to sweep the snow again, so that the stage would not be slippery. If the nobles in the palace fell, they would be punished.
"Godfather, it's snowing and the steps are slippery. Please walk slowly." Zhao Wenhua attentively helped Yan Song out of Wuyi Palace. His attentiveness and carefulness were so great that even the eunuchs cleaning nearby felt ashamed of themselves.
"Yeah." Yan Song nodded with satisfaction and walked forward with the support of Zhao Wenhua.
"Foster father, please be careful. This step is made of white marble. It's fine on normal days, but it's most slippery after snowing. Please wait for a moment." Zhao Wenhua said, taking off his fox fur cape, and without saying a word, he threw himself on the white marble step and stepped on it. When it felt smooth, he stood up and supported Yan Song again, saying, "It's not slippery now, foster father, please walk slowly."
"Meicun is thoughtful." After walking up the stairs, Yan Song patted Zhao Wenhua's hand and said with genuine satisfaction.
"Thank you for the compliment, foster father. This is what I should do. I am where I am today because of your kindness."
When Zhao Wenhua heard Yan Song's praise, a smile suddenly appeared on his face, like a child who has been praised by an elder.
Yan Song was very pleased.
"Pooh."
From a distance, Li Mo saw Zhao Wenhua taking off his cloak to pave the way for Yan Song, and he spat in disdain.
"Oh, Minister Li, some people are born spineless and willing to be a son of a bitch. What can you do to them?"
Nie Bao slowly approached Li Mo, curled his lips, and echoed what Li Mo said. He was also extremely disgusted with Zhao Wenhua's dog-licking behavior.
"Minister Nie, do you have time today to discuss some of the issues that will be discussed in court today?"
When Li Mo saw Nie Bao, his eyes lit up slightly. He admired Nie Bao for daring to confront the Yan Party and could not help but invite him softly.
"Haha, Minister Li, I have the same idea. I heard that Minister Li has a collection of good tea. I wonder if I can have the pleasure of tasting it today?" Nie Bao said with a smile.
"As long as Minister Nie doesn't mind, there will be enough tea." Li Mo replied with a smile, and extended his hand to make a gesture of invitation, "Minister Nie, please."
"Minister Li, please."
After Nie Bao extended his hand to make way, the two of them walked side by side towards the outside of the West Garden, talking in low voices all the way.
In the distance, Zhao Wenhua was already supporting Yan Song and walking slowly out of the West Garden.
"Umemura, the 'Seven Things to Defend against the Japanese' you presented to the court today was really good and insightful, which surprised me. It can be seen that the emperor is also very satisfied with your 'Seven Things to Defend against the Japanese'."
Yan Song mentioned Zhao Wenhua's "Seven Things to Defend against the Japanese" and couldn't help but praise it in a low voice with satisfaction.
"It's all thanks to my adoptive father's teaching." Zhao Wenhua replied with a shy smile.
"Haha, Meicun, you don't have to be so modest. I can see that you are working hard. Good, keep up the hard work. The more capable you are, the happier I am. I am old now, and I need someone to help me solve my problems."
Yan Song patted Zhao Wenhua's shoulder gently to show encouragement, and said with a very gentle smile.
"Thank you for your encouragement, foster father. I will work hard to help you solve your problems as soon as possible." Zhao Wenhua took the opportunity to show his loyalty, then sighed and said with regret, "Foster father, the only flaw is that during the court discussion today, Mr. Li and Mr. Nie criticized the first, fourth, and sixth strategies in my Seven Things to Defend against the Japanese. If I hadn't reacted quickly and prepared in advance, I would have been stumped by them."
"Haha, this is a good thing. I was originally worried about how to deal with them, but now they have become the boss themselves. Of the seven things you mentioned, the first and sixth are the ones that His Majesty likes the most. Li Mo is so conceited that he actually opposes the sea sacrifice. Haha, don't you see what happens to those who oppose His Majesty's cultivation?! He is asking His Majesty to hate him. At least half of the goodwill he has in His Majesty's heart has been consumed. When his goodwill in His Majesty's heart is exhausted, it will be his time to leave."
Yan Song smiled sinisterly, the wrinkles on his face became more smooth, and his squinting old eyes were shining with brilliance.
"And that Nie Bao, humph. The emperor has appointed a governor-general of Jiangnan, who is in charge of the military affairs and military pay of seven provinces, including Shandong, Nanzhili, Huguang, Guangdong and Guangxi, Zhejiang, and Fujian. He holds nearly half of the military power. Haha, how can we feel at ease? The emperor holds great power and his authority is unshakable. He will certainly not ignore this hidden danger. It is inevitable that he will send ministers to inspect the military situation in Jiangnan. Nie Bao, as the Minister of War, cannot understand the emperor's deep intentions. Haha, his position as the Minister of War has ended. Just wait and see, Meicun, in a few days at the shortest and a few months at the longest, Nie Bao will have to pack up and leave..."
Yan Song said this with confidence, predicting with unshakable conviction that Nie Bao's tenure as Minister of War would come to an end.
Li Mo's offense was to criticize Xiu Xuan, while Nie Bao's offense was the biggest taboo of Emperor Jiajing - power! What was the purpose of Emperor Jiajing's cultivation of Xuan? Wasn't it to be able to control the power of the whole country forever!
"Ah? Godfather, is this true? My article "Seven Things to Defend against the Japanese" can actually have such an unexpected effect?"
Zhao Wenhua looked incredulous, unable to hide his surprise and joy on his face.
"Haha, this is also a pleasant surprise. Who would have thought that they would jump into the pit by themselves? Is it possible to stop them?!"
Yan Song laughed.
"We can't stop them. Of course we can't stop them. We have to find some rocks and smash their heads hard until they bleed."
Zhao Wenhua also laughed like a fox.
The two looked at each other and laughed for a long time.
"Godfather, I have one more thing I want to ask you." Zhao Wenhua bowed and smiled ingratiatingly when he sent Yan Song to the sedan chair.
"Haha, let me guess, is it the first thing in your "Seven Things to Defend against the Japanese", the sea sacrifice." Yan Song looked at Zhao Wenhua with a smile, his pair of dim old eyes gleaming with light, as if his eyes could see through things.
Seeing through it at a glance, my godfather is indeed worthy of being my godfather! Zhao Wenhua couldn't help but open his mouth in surprise, and quickly smiled ingratiatingly, "Hehe, my godfather is indeed worthy of being my godfather, seeing through my thoughts at a glance, it is true that no one knows a son better than his father. Please speak well of me in front of His Majesty, I want to go to Jiangnan to offer sacrifices to the sea. I am quite familiar with fasting and sacrifices, and I will definitely be able to take on this important task, share the worries of His Majesty, and not embarrass my godfather."
"Haha, it's easy to do the job of Ji Hai. Your conditions are suitable, and I still have some face in front of His Majesty. It won't be difficult for you to get the job of Ji Hai." Yan Song nodded slightly, and then looked at Zhao Wenhua meaningfully, "If you want to take on the task of inspecting the military situation in Jiangnan, you need to plan more."
"Hehe, nothing can be hidden from godfather." Zhao Wenhua shrank his neck and laughed.
"I'm not doing this for myself. We are short of manpower in the army, so we may not be able to take over the post of Governor of Jiangnan. However, if I can get the job of inspecting the military situation in Jiangnan, it will be no worse than being the Governor of Jiangnan..."
Hearing this, Yan Song narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, then nodded, "Well, you really put your heart into it. Yes, this mission of inspecting the military situation in Jiangnan is indeed extraordinary, and it must be in our hands."
"My godfather is wise." Zhao Wenhua quickly flattered him.
"Go back to my house, call Maoqing and the others, and we will make plans carefully." Yan Song said softly.
"Yes, sir." Zhao Wenhua was overjoyed.