Feng Jianping's assessment has gone round and round and fell on the officials. The officials should list questions based on his past government affairs, let him report his political achievements according to the list, record them, and submit them to the cabinet and the emperor for review .
This list of questions made it difficult for the officials. What is difficult is not the content of the questions, but the questioners must first understand what kind of results they want to get, which determines whether to list some sharp, tricky, Sharp question, this kind of question is mainly about accountability, no matter how you answer it, someone with a heart can find some faults.
Liu An, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, was caught between the eunuchs and the gentry, and was in a dilemma. Finally, he came up with a rather wicked way, but he could protect himself and neither side would offend.
When Yan Sikong heard Liu An's order, he was stunned for a moment, and he understood everything when he turned around in his mind. He scolded Liu An in his heart, but humbly declined on the face: "The lower official is stupid, For the important matter listed by King Jingyuan, the lower officials are really exhausted."
Liu An said: "Sikong, you don't have to be so modest. You are the only one who has learned from others. In this Beijing inspection plan, you are the most meticulous and thorough in doing things. This is obvious to all. This love of talents is shared by everyone. Yan Ge The old man devoted himself to cultivating you, and I am not willing to be second. I thought about it and thought about it. You are the most suitable candidate for the title of General Feng. I intend to promote you. I hope you can become familiar with the internal and external affairs of the official department as soon as possible and be on your own. .”
"Liu Shangshu appreciates the lower official so much, the lower official is flattered and grateful, but... the lower official knows very little about the situation in Datong Mansion, and this assessment is of great importance. Neglect, the lower officials are as light as ants, but I am afraid that I will implicate the Shangshu."
Yan Sikong cursed inwardly, these old bastards are more sinister than each other. Liu An's move can be said to kill three birds with one stone. He belongs to Yan Zilian and has a complicated relationship with Feng Jianping and Feng Ye. Making things difficult will offend both the gentry and the Feng family. No matter who comes up with this list of questions, it will be two-faced, but if he comes up, he can discuss with Yan Zilian and Feng Jianping in advance, and try to make the matter as trivial as possible. Xiao, even if he is held accountable, Yan Zilian and the Feng family mediate, it is enough for Liu An to protect himself, and it is impossible for other people in the official department to achieve such a goal.
Liu An's trick is beggar-thy-neighbor, which makes it really insidious.
"You don't have to worry about the situation in Datong Mansion. We have a chronology. You can also ask Zhang Yushi. He has just returned from patrolling Datong. He must know Datong and General Feng's political career very well." Liu An smiled. looked at Yan Sikong intently.
Yan Sikong knew that he couldn't refuse, so he could only bite the bullet and accept the order.
—
"Liu An asked you to do the questions?" Yan Zilian said coldly, "He is smart and wants to get rid of the trouble."
Yan Sikong smiled wryly and said, "The student declined twice, but he persisted. It is really helpless." After he finished speaking, he looked at Feng Jianping.
Feng Jianping said: "It's not necessarily a bad thing, if Sikong comes to do the list, we can discuss it in advance."
"The content of the list of questions is not the main thing." Yan Zilian shook his head, "The problem now is that we are not sure what His Majesty is thinking. If there is no problem in General Feng's assessment, I am afraid we will not be able to pass His Majesty's test. Flaws give His Majesty a reason to reduce the armaments, and everyone is happy, but how to control this speed."
"The content of the questions is not important, but father's self-report is very important." Feng Ye said, "Those speech officials are the best at picking words out of context. If they get Xie Zhongren's instruction, I don't know how many troubles will arise."
Yan Zilian sighed, "Yes."
Feng Jianping pondered for a moment: "Sikong, what do you think?"
Yan Sikong thought for a while: "Liu An threw the problem to me because he didn't want to get angry. From this point of view, Xie Zhongren may not have gotten through with him. If Xie Zhongren had approached him, it would be impossible for me to do the list. Yes, no matter what, it’s better than Xie Zhongren’s people doing it.”
"But if your majesty is dissatisfied with the questions you made, it is mostly your responsibility." Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, "If you want to satisfy your majesty, you must make it difficult for my father. This guy is really insidious."
Yan Zilian said: "What Liu An wants to see is that we let General Feng lose his hair a little and go through the Beijing inspection. Even if His Majesty blames him, we will definitely protect the content of the title. In this way, he will not be accused by His Majesty. He will not offend us if he is held accountable, and he is thoughtful."
Feng Ye said coldly: "He has already offended me."
Feng Jianping made a comforting gesture to him: "Wolf, be steady."
Feng Ye curled his lips and glanced at Yan Sikong quietly, probably feeling a little ashamed to be scolded by his father in front of Yan Sikong.
Yan Sikong secretly blinked at him.
Feng Jianping looked at Yan Zilian, cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Ge, this matter is up to you to weigh."
"I've been thinking these days. Instead of trying to figure out the holy will, why don't I go directly to the palace and discuss with him about Datong's armaments. If I can mediate and make His Majesty feel that the general is willing to take the initiative to reduce some of the armaments, His Majesty will be satisfied. Jingcha It’s just a formality.”
Feng Jianping stroked his beautiful beard: "Before Wen You left late, did you talk to Elder Ge about Datong's military equipment?"
"No, but after Zhang Yushi returned from his tour in Datong, Wen Shangshu met him a few times to understand the situation in Datong. He is already making preparations."
"Now that he has returned to his hometown, Ding You, this matter falls into Feng Chuang's hands, but I don't know if he has discussed this matter with Xie Zhongren. Armaments can be reduced, but by how much..." Feng Jianping shook his head, "Our hearts There is no fixed number."
Yan Sikong understood Feng Jianping's meaning. If Wenyou hadn't gotten along with Xie Zhongren, then Feng Chuang had to decide how much to cut. Chi's arms reduction plan has some understanding. The number they proposed on their own initiative is too different from the number Wen Youchi investigated. Xie Zhongren must launch an attack on this.
"I'll talk to Zhang Yushi again, and I may be able to guess Wen Youchi's plan." Yan Zilian looked at Feng Jianping, "If I can get an approximate number, maybe it's better than me going to face the saint, the general asked to reduce the armament , would be better."
Feng Jianping nodded: "It makes sense."
"Sikong." Yan Zilian said, "Since you have already received your order, you should prepare a list of questions carefully. You can make a few more copies for me to see. Which one to use at the time depends on the situation."
"Students understand."
"By the way, there is another happy event." When Yan Zilian said this, his eyes drifted past Yan Sikong, glanced at Feng Ye, and then returned to Yan Sikong.
"What's the happy event?"
"A few days ago, Your Majesty told me that before the Empress Dowager died, she asked Princess Wanyang not to observe filial piety for three years. The Princess is already in her prime. If she waits for three years, she will be too old." I will do the marriage for you."
Yan Sikong froze, and Feng Ye's expression changed suddenly as if he had been struck by lightning.
"Very good." Feng Jianping looked at Yan Sikong, noticed that his expression was different, then looked at his son, and couldn't help frowning.
"Really?" Feng Ye said anxiously, "This... His Majesty said it himself?"
Yan Zilian said: "Of course His Majesty said it himself. Your Majesty is a filial son and will definitely obey the Queen Mother's will."
"No!" Feng Ye said loudly.
Feng Jianping reprimanded: "Feng Ye, what kind of 'no' are you? This is the marriage between Xi'er and Sikong, and it's a marriage bestowed by His Majesty!"
Yan Sikong's lips trembled. He wanted to persuade Feng Ye not to say any more, but he was afraid that once he opened his mouth, Feng Ye's originally suppressed emotions would explode.
Feng Ye gritted his teeth: "Sikong doesn't want to marry her."
Yan Zilian narrowed his eyes slightly, stroked his beard slowly, and did not speak.
There was already anger on Feng Jian's face: "Shut up, what nonsense are you talking about in front of the old man? Who told you that Sikong doesn't want to marry Xi'er? Xi'er is the princess of gold branches and jade leaves, and all the princes and celebrities in the world yearn for her." , Sikong." He stared at Yan Sikong, "Don't you want to marry Xi'er?"
Yan Sikong hurriedly knelt down: "Your Highness, teacher, I don't dare to be an official, but I am lucky to be married to the princess."
Yan Zilian knew what was going on in his heart, so he didn't expose it, but looked at Feng Ye with a smile: "Why is your son so opposed to this marriage? Although Sikong came from a humble family background, he has a bright future. Heroes don't ask where they came from. "
Feng Ye stood up abruptly, his fists clenched loudly.
Feng Jianping said in a low voice: "Get out of here."
Feng Ye turned his head and left, and slammed the door heavily, hearing Yan Sikong's head thump.
Feng Jianping felt that his face was dull, and he said to Yan Zilian embarrassingly: "This kid grew up outside the pass, he is wild and hard to tame, Mr. Ge can't blame him."
Yan Zilian smiled and said: "It's okay for you to be willful." He looked at Yan Sikong, "Sikong, His Majesty will probably set a wedding date for you two years ago. After the general's Beijing inspection is over, the wedding date will be set again next year. You can be promoted."
"... Thank you teacher, thank you Your Highness."
Yan Sikong was thinking about Feng Ye, but at this moment his mind was in a mess. At first they thought they would have at least three years, but the queen mother left a will to let him and Wan Yang get married as soon as possible. Now... what should I do
Feng Jianping looked at Yan Sikong, then looked at Feng Ye standing outside through the window paper, his eyebrows were slightly frowned, and there was a trace of inquiry in his eyes.