"Lord Zhu is too modest. This Cabinet Sizhilang is different from other Sizhilangs. He holds a confidential position and is close to the emperor. Many people cannot even dream of such a good thing." Feng Bao looked at Zhu Ping'an, smiled slightly and said.
"I'm worried precisely because it's a confidential place. I lack the ability and experience, and my personality is not likable. If I offend some important person, I'll be in big trouble." Zhu Ping'an shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"I don't know about others, but Lord Zhu is definitely qualified for this position." Feng Bao has full confidence in Zhu Ping'an.
After finishing speaking, Feng Bao smiled again and continued, "Besides, Master Xiao Zhu's Si Zhi Lang was personally appointed by His Majesty. Master Xiao Zhu doesn't believe in himself, but does he not believe in His Majesty's vision?"
"How dare I, how dare I..." Zhu Ping'an bowed his hands and apologized. Even if he had ten times the courage, he would not dare to question Emperor Jiajing.
"Don't worry, Master Zhu. I am just talking." Feng Bao smiled slightly and bowed to Zhu Ping'an. "Master Zhu is in charge of the cabinet. I will consult Master Zhu if I have any questions in the future."
"Eunuch Feng, you are too polite. I don't deserve your advice. We are just communicating with each other." Zhu Ping'an shook his head and smiled, then continued, "Besides, I will have to trouble you to take care of me in the future."
"Of course. Thanks to Master Xiao Zhu's guidance last time, I have benefited a lot and have gotten rid of the shackles that bound me back then."
As soon as Zhu Ping'an finished speaking, Feng Bao nodded vigorously, and then implicitly thanked Zhu Ping'an for his advice on the system of turning over the cards for sleeping with concubines in the harem.
Because there were two other young eunuchs, Steward Li and others present, it was not convenient to talk about the affairs of the palace.
"I just provided an idea. It was mainly because of Eunuch Feng's hard work and practiced diligently and practically." Zhu Ping'an smiled and shook his head, not intending to take credit for it at all.
Feng Bao is a person worth investing in. Although he is greedy for money, he is a very loyal person. This can be seen from the fact that he has never betrayed Zhang Juzheng since they met.
A helping hand in times of need is better than icing on the cake.
Now Feng Bao is not well-known, has not risen yet, and has encountered difficulties. It is a good time to invest, just like Lü Buwei's rare goods can be used to occupy Qin Yiren. The benefits in the future are naturally incalculable. That's why Zhu Ping'an was so eager to help Feng Bao when he encountered problems.
"Master Xiao Zhu is truly a gentleman of the time, even the miscellaneous scholars are not as good as him."
Feng Bao was full of emotion and praise for Zhu Ping'an's humble attitude. If he knew that Zhu Ping'an treated him as a commodity, he probably wouldn't think so.
Steward Li, who was standing in the main hall, was shocked when he saw Zhu Ping'an chatting and laughing with the nobles from the palace, and they seemed quite familiar with each other. He never thought that Zhu Ping'an's connections even reached the palace.
After Feng Bao and Zhu Ping'an exchanged greetings for a moment, they got down to business.
Feng Bao was here on behalf of Emperor Jiajing to convey the imperial edict, so naturally he could not be negligent, especially in terms of etiquette.
The so-called oral order, in layman's terms, is a verbal imperial decree. You will not go wrong if you prepare according to the etiquette.
Zhu Ping'an asked housekeeper Li to place the incense table in the center of the main hall, then he washed his hands and burned incense, completing all preparations.
After Zhu Ping'an was ready, Feng Bao officially began to convey the oral order.
Zhu Ping'an knelt at the door and listened attentively to the oral order. Steward Li and other servants of Linhuai Marquis' Mansion all knelt outside the door, not daring to move.
"The Imperial Edict..."
After the similar opening words of the oral order, the actual content of the oral order began.
"An official should be diligent and loyal to his duties. I order Zhu Ping'an to be in charge of the cabinet the next day. Don't disappoint me."
Zhu Pingan was very angry when he heard this. He had several days left for his family visit, but the Emperor Jiajing cancelled his vacation with just one sentence. And this was considered overtime, but he was fined a year's salary.
Emperor Jiajing was the boss. He didn't pay wages and made people work overtime...
However, Zhu Ping'an only complained in his heart, and naturally put on an expression that showed that the emperor was wise.
"Today I bestow upon you a crown of fragrant leaves..."
At the end, Feng Bao conveyed Emperor Jiajing's reward to Zhu Ping'an, yes, a hat.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but complain in his heart again.
The Jiajing Emperor was really stingy. He only gave a hat as a reward. A hat can feed people...
Of course, the thunder and rain situation is a blessing from the king.
"Your servant Zhu Ping'an obeys your order and thanks the Lord for his grace." Zhu Ping'an knelt on the ground and bowed deeply, with a look of gratitude on his face.
Feng Bao stepped forward and helped Zhu Ping'an up, "Little Master Zhu, please stand up quickly."
"Thank you, Eunuch Feng." Zhu Ping'an stood up and thanked him.
"Master Zhu, you are too polite. This is the scented leaf crown bestowed upon you by the Emperor. Please keep it." Feng Bao said as he took the scented leaf crown covered with red silk from the eunuch beside him and handed it to Zhu Ping'an with both hands.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace." Zhu Ping'an took it respectfully with both hands.
"This crown was specially made by His Majesty. Sir Zhu, you must wear this crown when you go to the cabinet tomorrow." Feng Bao reminded Zhu Ping'an.
"Thank you for the reminder, sir. I'll take note of it." Zhu Ping'an thanked Feng Bao.
Zhu Ping'an had heard of the name of Xiangyeguan in modern times. The Xiangyeguan incident was also recorded in history.
It was around the 20th year of the Jiajing reign. The Jiajing Emperor was a Taoist who was not only obsessed with alchemy but also made five Taoist scented leaf crowns in his spare time. He gave them to the five ministers closest to him at the time. It is estimated that the Jiajing Emperor wanted to attract some Taoist friends. These five ministers included the then Prime Minister Xia Yan and the current Prime Minister Yan Song.
Xia Yan was disgusted with Emperor Jiajing's alchemy and didn't believe in the superstition of alchemy and immortality. He even disdained the Taoist incense leaf crown given by Emperor Jiajing. He never wore it once and left it at home to infest with insects. But Yan Song was different. Every time Yan Song met Emperor Jiajing, he wore the incense leaf crown. In order to show his respect for the incense leaf crown, Yan Song also put a gauze on the incense leaf crown for fear of dirtying it. As a result, Emperor Jiajing became more and more dissatisfied with Xia Yan and more and more satisfied with Yan Song. Gradually, Emperor Jiajing alienated Xia Yan and got close to Yan Song, which gave Yan Song the opportunity to join forces with Lu Bing to defeat Xia Yan.
"It's time to leave, and I still have to report to the emperor, so I'll take my leave now. When Lord Zhu takes up his post in the cabinet tomorrow and has time, I'll have a drink with you again." Feng Bao handed the scented leaf crown to Zhu Ping'an, gave him some instructions, and then took his leave.
Zhu Ping'an tried to persuade Feng Bao to stay, but Feng Bao declined and said he wanted to return to Xiyuan to report.
Business was more important, so Zhu Ping'an expressed his understanding and sent Feng Bao to the gate of Linhuai Marquis' Mansion, and watched Feng Bao and his party get into the sedan chair and leave for Xiyuan.