There was a strong smell of incense and candles in the West Garden, a smoky air and the rise and fall of Taoist music. This was because a fasting and offering sacrifices were being held in the West Garden.
At this time, the fasting and offering of sacrifices had ended.
On the high altar, Emperor Jiajing was wearing a wide-sleeved Taoist robe with a wide open collar. He was walking back and forth on the altar, swinging his sleeves, holding a memorial in his hand, walking like a dragon and a tiger, and laughing heartily.
It was now the coldest time of the year and there was a light snow in the morning. Huang Jin, who served Emperor Jiajing closely, was not only wearing a cotton coat, but also a fox fur cloak on the outside, and he would pull the cloak closer from time to time.
However, Emperor Jiajing was only wearing such a thin Taoist robe with the collar open, but he did not feel cold at all.
The long sleeves fluttered, as if walking in the wind in the dog days of summer.
It was not because Emperor Jiajing had made great progress in his spiritual practice and was immune to water, fire, and cold. Rather, he had just taken a pill rich in heavy metals, which caused serious endocrine disorders, just like taking the wrong medicine and causing stomach burning.
However, Emperor Jiajing did not think so. Every time at this time, he felt that there was fire in his dantian, his practice was like a god, and his Taoism was improving.
A gust of cold wind blew, and the snow on the branches fluttered down. Huang Jin couldn't help but tighten his fox fur coat again.
"Hahaha, Huang Ban, look at you. I'll reward you with a pill and you won't be cold anymore." Emperor Jiajing saw Huang Jin shivering and couldn't help laughing. He took out a jade box engraved with auspicious dragons and phoenixes from his arms, opened it, took out a bright yellow pill and threw it to Huang Jin.
"Thank you for the reward, Master."
Huang Jin, who was well versed in martial arts, caught the pill in a hurry, knelt down excitedly to thank Emperor Jiajing, and then put the pill into his mouth without hesitation.
Gudong.
His Adam's apple moved as the pill fell into his stomach.
Although Huang Jin did not believe in becoming an immortal through cultivation, and even less in elixirs, many emperors in history swallowed elixirs and not only did not become immortals, but died early. There is a saying in their hometown that nine out of ten medicines are poisonous. Have you seen Yan Ge Lao? Yan Ge Lao is favored by the emperor. The emperor often rewards Yan Ge Lao with elixirs. In fact, in addition to showing closeness and rewarding, the emperor also wants Yan Ge Lao to try the medicine. Every time a new elixir is prepared, the emperor rewards Yan Ge Lao. After taking a course of treatment, Yan Ge Lao will report his feelings about the medicine to Emperor Jiajing. Once, after taking a course of the newly prepared Dragon Tiger Heavenly Pill, Yan Ge Lao had hemorrhoids and two bowls of blood in his stool... ...
Having said that, Huang Jin still didn't dare to refuse the elixir given by Emperor Jiajing, and even pretended to be excited.
He actually swallowed the pills given by Emperor Jiajing and did not dare to cheat at all.
Emperor Jiajing was an extremely smart man. If you pretended to swallow the medicine in front of him, he would most likely be found out. If found out, you would be doomed. Do you not believe in elixirs, or do you not believe in becoming an immortal through practicing Taoism, or... ... No matter which consequence it is, he could not afford it.
It was precisely because he could not bear the consequences of being discovered that even though he knew that there was something wrong with the pill, he still swallowed it obediently and happily every time.
Sure enough, after swallowing the pill, he felt like his stomach was on fire. The effect was even stronger than the last time. He was going to suffer tonight...
"Thank you for the medicine, Immortal. I feel hot all over and not cold at all."
Huang Jin knelt down excitedly to express his gratitude. He casually took off his fox fur cape and threw it aside. He also unbuttoned his cotton coat and, imitating Emperor Jiajing, opened half of his arms, looking very hot.
“Hahahaha… Huang Ban, Huang Ban, your acting is so poor. Although the elixir will take effect as soon as it enters the stomach, in order to achieve the effect of igniting the elixir fire and surging heat, you need to practice for at least three cycles of practice to achieve it.”
Emperor Jiajing kicked Huang Jin on the butt with a smile and scolded him, without any intention of blaming him, but showing a sense of closeness.
Feng Bao, who was sitting in the corner of the altar, looked at Huang Jin with envy. He wondered when he could also obtain the holy scroll like Eunuch Huang.
Unfortunately, there were big eunuchs like Huang Jin and Qin Fu above him. They occupied important positions in Silijian, Dongchang, Xichang, etc., and they were all firmly established. Each of them had outstanding abilities. His space for promotion was blocked, and it was extremely difficult for him to take another step forward.
In addition, there are insidious and cunning people like Chen Hong and Meng Chong who are watching his every move and waiting for him to make a mistake. It will be difficult for him to maintain his current position, let alone get promoted.
Thanks to Lord Xiao Zhu's suggestion on how to flip the cards, he was able to get along well with the masters in the harem. Not only did he not have to offend any of the masters, he also became their favorite.
Now I have finally gained a firm foothold and will have the opportunity to appear in front of His Majesty a few times. I look forward to the future.
Just wait and see, maybe in the future I, Feng Bao, will have a chance to step up and take the top spot.
It would be great if I could be as smart and kind as Lord Xiao Zhu. If I had even a third of Lord Xiao Zhu's ability, it would be enough for me to reach the pinnacle of the eunuch.
Oh, by the way, Master Xiao Zhu is so smart and kind-hearted, it must be because he reads a lot.
Generalists need to study more seriously.
Next time I meet Mr. Xiao Zhu, I will ask him for advice and ask him to recommend a list of books.
"Get up." Emperor Jiajing was in a good mood. After scolding Huang Jin with a smile, he asked Huang Jin to stand up, handed him the memorial in his hand, and said casually, "Huang Ban, read it to me."
"As you command." Huang Jin took the memorial respectfully with both hands, unfolded it, and began to read it in a rhythmic manner.
Feng Bao, who was sitting in the corner of the altar, lowered his head and pricked up his ears to listen carefully to Huang Jin's reading.
Sea sacrifice.
This is a memorial to offer sacrifice to the sea. Some time ago, Lord Zhao Wenhua was ordered to offer sacrifice to the sea, and this is the result that has been reported back.
As he listened, he heard the three words "Zhu Ping'an", so Feng Bao's ears pricked up even higher.
Then he couldn't help but widen his eyes. He had done a great job. Sir Xiao Zhu had done a great job again. A total of two hundred and ninety heads of Japanese pirates. Sir Xiao Zhu was really amazing. He was both civil and martial. He was truly a rare talent.
It is my honor to have such a friend. I must maintain a good relationship with Lord Xiao Zhu.
"Listen, listen. The sea sacrifice was just completed during the day, and such a great achievement was achieved at night. 566 heads of Japanese pirates were captured, and more than 500 Japanese pirates were forced to jump into the sea to escape. As a result, the waves were surging, and more than 500 Japanese pirates were all swept to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish. No trace of their bodies was left. Hahaha, this is not the fulfillment of the sea sacrifice. What is the response of the Sea God and the Dragon King?!"
"If it weren't for the sea sacrifice, the Sea God and the Dragon King would have killed the sea monster. These Japanese pirates who jumped into the sea for their lives might have escaped with the help of the sea monster!"
"Hmph, let's see what those ministers who openly or secretly criticized me for wasting money and resources in the sea sacrifice have to say!"
"Sacrifice to the sea, sacrifice to the sea, am I doing this for myself?! I am doing this for my country and the people!"
"Zhao Wenhua did a good job, not hesitating to use himself as bait. Well, Zhu is also good. Apart from Zhao Wenhua, he is the second most meritorious. Not to mention the more than 500 Japanese pirates who died in the sea, he alone accounted for more than half of the heads of the Japanese pirates captured. Haha, I didn't expect that such a gentle and honest fat boy would be so fierce in a battle. Not bad, not bad..."
Emperor Jiajing walked back and forth with his sleeves fluttering, excitedly venting his long-suppressed emotions, like a chatterbox.