After arriving at the Tongzhengsi, he registered and filed the memorial, and successfully submitted it. After leaving the Tongzhengsi, Zhu Pingan prepared to go to Zhuji. Since Zhuji opened, he had not been there many times. This boss was too incompetent.
So Zhu Ping'an jumped on his horse and headed towards Zhu Ji.
However, Zhu Ping'an was ultimately unable to go to Zhuji. Halfway through his journey, he was stopped by Steward Liu from Prince Yu's Mansion.
"Master Zhu, Little Master Zhu..."
When Manager Liu saw Zhu Ping'an, he couldn't help but look delighted. He called out to Zhu Ping'an loudly and walked forward to greet him.
"Oh, it's Manager Liu. I wonder if Manager Liu has any advice for you."
At first, Zhu Ping'an didn't see Manager Liu. It was only after Manager Liu called him several times that Zhu Ping'an noticed Manager Liu. When he saw Manager Liu stopping him, he dismounted and greeted Manager Liu with a smile.
"Haha, Master Zhu, you are joking. How dare I give you advice? I was ordered by His Royal Highness Prince Yu to go to your mansion to seek an audience with you. I didn't expect to meet you here." Steward Liu smiled and shook his head, explaining softly.
"Oh, I wonder what your Highness wants to say?" Zhu Ping'an asked with a bow.
"Master Xiao Zhu, this way please."
Manager Liu was rather cautious. He did not speak the story on the busy street. Instead, he led Zhu Ping'an to a secluded corner, looked around, and after making sure that no one was around, he leaned close to Zhu Ping'an and whispered the story.
A few minutes later, Zhu Ping'an learned from Manager Liu the reason why Prince Yu sent him to find him.
In fact, the story began yesterday.
Yesterday, when Mr. Chen Yiqin and I went to give gifts to Yan Shifan, an incident occurred in the middle.
In the meantime, Yan Shifan asked himself and Chen Yiqin a question. Yan Shifan said that he heard that Prince Yu seemed to have many complaints about him and Yan Song, and asked himself and Chen Yiqin to tell him what they had done wrong so that they could correct their mistakes.
Although, Chen Yiqin and I cleverly resolved the situation at that time and successfully completed the gift delivery.
However, afterwards, Gao Gong felt that Yan Shifan asked that question not just to satisfy his desire to talk. After analyzing Yan Shifan's character and personality, Gao Gong suggested that Prince Yu give Yan Shifan another generous gift to eliminate the hidden danger.
After listening to Gao Gong's analysis, Prince Yu agreed with him. He had finally lived a good life with plenty of money, and he didn't want to live a poor life with the annual gift blocked. Anyway, he had already given Yan Shifan a gift once, and the face he should have lost had already been lost. It didn't matter if he lost it this time. So, Prince Yu agreed to Gao Gong's proposal.
When it comes to delivering gifts, Zhu Ping'an and Chen Yiqun are naturally the best candidates, because Zhu Ping'an and Chen Yiqun have already delivered gifts once, they are familiar with the process and will definitely get twice the result with half the effort.
However, since today is the 70th birthday of Chen Yiqin's father, and feudal society particularly emphasizes governing the country with filial piety, Prince Yu naturally cannot let Chen Yiqin go to give gifts to Yan Shifan on someone else's father's birthday.
Then, the best person to give the gift is Zhu Pingan.
So, Prince Yu sent Manager Liu to bring the gift money (one thousand taels of silver) with him.
After listening to Manager Liu's narration, Zhu Ping'an could not help but admire Gao Gong's judgment. Zhu Ping'an pondered in his heart and thought that Gao Gong's worry was reasonable, judging from Yan Shifan's character. Gao Gong's suggestion was very feasible and could prevent future troubles.
Haha, I personally witnessed the scene of Yan Shifan’s questioning, but I didn’t realize this hidden danger. Gao Gong only listened to my and Chen Yiqin’s narration, but he was able to keenly notice this hidden danger!
Gao Gong is really amazing. He can see the big picture from the small details and has a far-sighted vision. It seems that I still have a lot to learn!
Zhu Ping'an smiled at himself in his heart, feeling deeply moved.
Manager Liu handed Zhu Ping'an a gift of 1,000 taels of silver. After Zhu Ping'an signed for it, Manager Liu solemnly clasped his fists and said, "Then, I'll leave this matter to Master Zhu."
"You are too polite, Manager Liu. It is Ping'an's job to share His Highness' worries. Please go back and report to His Highness that Ping'an will definitely live up to His Highness' trust." Zhu Ping'an bowed to Manager Liu and replied.
"Don't worry, Master Zhu, I will definitely pass on your message." Manager Liu nodded vigorously.
"Then I'll have to trouble Manager Liu. It's getting late. Ping An will go to the Yan residence to pay a visit to Yan Shifan now."
Zhu Ping'an smiled and bowed to say goodbye to Manager Liu, then mounted his horse and headed towards the Yan Mansion.
Just like last time, Zhu Ping'an went to Henian Study to buy a fan. The clerk at Henian Study recognized Zhu Ping'an, a big customer from yesterday, and his attitude today was many times more enthusiastic than yesterday.
After buying the fan, Zhu Ping'an entered the Yan Mansion smoothly.
The doorman who led Zhu Ping'an into the mansion was the same one from yesterday, and the guest room where he waited to be summoned was also the same one from yesterday. The difference was that this time, after Zhu Ping'an sat down and had not even finished his cup of tea, Yan Shifan came in with a smile.
"Hahaha... Zihou, you are really a blessed man. My banquet has just started and the dishes haven't been served yet, and you're here, Zihou."
After coming in, Yan Shifan smiled and teased Zhu Ping'an.
It can be seen that Yan Shifan is in a good mood.
Of course.
Yan Shifan was in a good mood today after receiving another generous gift from Prince Yu. The joy of conquering the imperial power arose once again, and he felt extremely comfortable and satisfied.
Within two days, the emperor sent me two expensive gifts in a row. Is there anyone in history who can surpass Yan? !
"Hehe, Ping'an meets Master Yan. I didn't have a meal at Master's house yesterday, and I regretted it so much after I went back. I couldn't eat or sleep well. So today, I specially picked the time and waited until it was time for dinner to come to see Master Yan. Hehe, Master is known as Meng Chang of the time, so I'm sure he won't turn Ping'an away."
When Zhu Ping'an saw Yan Shifan come in, he took two steps forward, bowed to Yan Shifan, and replied with a laugh.
"Haha, Zihou, you have the right temper for me." Yan Shifan laughed heartily, walked up to Zhu Ping'an, patted him on the shoulder, and praised him.
"Haha, now that your Excellency said so, doesn't it mean that Ping'an has a lunch for today? Ping'an will be in for a treat. Thank you very much, Your Excellency..." Zhu Ping'an squinted his eyes and laughed, then bowed to Yan Shifan again to express his gratitude.
"Haha, Zihou said that I am the Mengchang of that time, how can I refuse you?" Yan Shifan laughed, patted Zhu Ping'an on the shoulder, stretched out his hand and made a gesture of invitation, "Come on, Zihou, come with me to the banquet. It's not a formal banquet, just a small gathering during the holiday."
"Thank you, sir. Please, sir."
Zhu Pingan thanked him, stepped back half a step, and extended his hand to ask Yan Shifan to go first as a sign of respect. Zhu Pingan was already very familiar with the etiquette, rules and etiquette of the Ming officialdom.