Chapter 360 Urgent News from Xuanfu Town
When Yan Shaoting helped Yan Song walk out of the Wanshou Palace.

The moon is already shining brightly outside.

Perhaps it was because Yan Song was old and could not drink much, so after everyone had left Wanshou Palace, Yan Song took Yan Shaoting and was escorted to the outside of the palace by Lu Fang.

Lu Fang stood at the bottom of the stairs and glanced at the moonlight.

He said with a smile: "The night is bright and clear, and there is no wind or snow. Lord Yan, please walk slowly and go back to your residence to rest early. I would like to wish you a happy new year in advance."

Yan Song narrowed his eyes, his face full of joy. He grabbed the arm of his eldest grandson with one hand and waved at Lu Fang with the other hand: "Eunuch Lu, have fun together. Next year, I will ask this kid to come to pay New Year's greetings to you."

Lu Fang glanced at Yan Shaoting cheerfully and nodded with a smile.

Yan Song did not stay long. He grabbed Yan Shaoting's arm and walked slowly out of the palace.

Yan Shaoting looked back and saw Lu Fang giving two instructions in front of the palace gate. Then, Lieutenant General Guo Yuchuang of the Beijing Camp, who led 3,000 Beijing troops into the palace to guard the emperor's safety, silently held the knife at his waist and followed behind to protect the grandfather and grandson.

Yan Shaoting and Guo Yuchuang looked at each other and smiled.

Look back.

Yan Shaoting glanced at Old Yan and whispered, "Grandpa, Eunuch Lu asked Lieutenant General Guo to escort us out of the palace."

Yan Song looked back.

After confirming that it was indeed Guo Yuchuang, he didn't say anything.

Just a long sigh.

"Once today is over, this year will truly be over."

The sigh fell.

Yan Song seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief and felt relaxed all over.

According to the past rules of the court.

In fact, when the Cabinet and the six ministries and nine officials stayed in the palace for a drink today, the various departments and offices outside the palace began to close their doors one after another.

Wait until tomorrow.

Except for the Wucheng Bingmasi, Shuntianfu and county government officials, officials from other government offices will no longer handle government affairs.

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "Yesterday Wen Yan sent a letter back from Changping saying that everything for the New Year has been arranged in Changping and now they are just waiting for Grandpa and Father to come over. Our family will still celebrate the New Year in Changping this year."

Hear this.

Yan Song was obviously more interested.

He immediately tilted his head and squinted his eyes: "Oh? I wonder if those three old men can still celebrate the New Year in Changping this year? Or have their families already taken them back home?"

Seeing Old Yan asking this, Yan Shaoting knew the answer.

This old man is waiting to play mahjong on New Year's Eve.

He smiled and said, "This year, Mr. Nie's family came to Beijing to spend the New Year with him. The families of the other two old masters wrote to me before the twelfth lunar month, hoping that the two old men could return to Zhejiang to celebrate the New Year, but they refused, saying that either their younger generations had to come to Beijing, or they could forget about going back to celebrate the New Year."

According to the original history.

Now, the three old masters staying in Changping Academy have basically reached the end of their lives.

But fortunately, now Changping Academy has another Li Shizhen.

When Li Shizhen joined Changping Academy, his first task was to ensure the health of the three old masters, and he had to make sure to take care of the three old masters every day.

Think of this.

Yan Shaoting suddenly smiled and said, "I heard that when Doctor Li heard the letter from Master Wang and Master Qian's family, he got angry on the spot, saying that the two old masters were so old, how could they travel in such a cold season? It seems that he also wrote a separate letter to Zhejiang, wanting to scold the younger generations of the Wang and Qian families."

Yan Song, however, laughed cheerfully and agreed, "You must scold them well! They are already old, how can they travel easily? I will write a letter tonight and ask the young people of these two families to come to Beijing after the new year to serve those two old men!"

Yan Shaoting immediately raised his eyebrows.

Although Old Yan seems to be concerned about his mahjong addiction and whether the game can be formed.

But in fact, he is still worried about the health of his elderly friends.

By the way.

Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes and tilted his head to look at Old Yan.

He smiled and said, "Grandpa, are you planning to help the three old masters' families find a job in the court?"

otherwise.

Just talking about writing a letter to scold the younger generations of those old masters seems like he has nothing better to do.

But the three young people were invited to Beijing, apparently to take care of the three elderly old family members, but in fact it was a way to make the relationship between the Yan family and these three families closer.

And once the descendants of the three families help the Yan family to get jobs in the court.

Then this relationship will be unbreakable.

Yan Song smiled but did not answer his eldest grandson's question. Instead, he raised his other hand and gently patted Yan Shaoting on the head.

"You! You better be careful!"

Yan Shaoting shrank his head and chuckled, "Are you talking about Xu Jie's suppression of Zhang Juzheng today?"

Yan Song nodded, and then his expression became a little more serious.

He whispered, "I've always felt that he was plotting something lately, but I just can't see clearly. Even today, he suppressed Zhang Juzheng, and I still can't see clearly..."

Say it.

Yan Song sighed softly.

Yan Shaoting also had a flash of doubt in his eyes.

Because as Old Yan said, what Xu Jie did today at the last imperial meeting at the end of the year was really...

nondescript!

It didn't seem to be doing him any good.

But Xu Jie did just that.

Yan Shaoting snorted, "Apart from making his relationship with Zhang Juzheng increasingly at odds with each other, I really don't see any other possibilities at the moment..."

After muttering.

Yan Shaoting raised his head and saw that he had arrived at the gate of Xiyuan Palace.

Yan Song also stopped and looked back at Guo Yuchuang who had followed him all the way here. Unexpectedly, he waved.

Guo Yuchuang was confused, but he still walked up to the Prime Minister obediently.

With his hands clasped together, Guo Yuchuang bowed his head and said, "Prime Minister, I can only deliver you here according to Eunuch Huang's order."

Yan Song smiled and nodded: "General Guo leads the army to guard the Western Garden all year round and guard the palace. His responsibilities are as heavy as a mountain. I heard Shao Ting mention him in the past. You seem to be familiar with him?"

Guo Yuchuang was a little surprised.

It seems that the Prime Minister said a lot today.

Under normal circumstances, not to mention the Prime Minister Yan Song, even the other people in the cabinet would never have talked to these people like this.

Guo Yuchuang still clenched his fists tightly, not daring to relax, and said in a deep voice: "Guest Yan saved me in the Ministry of Revenue, which saved my face. Speaking of which, I have not been able to repay Guest Yan's kindness until now, which is really shameful."

Yan Song immediately waved his hand and said, "I don't know the details, but my Yan family is not the kind of family that would use favors to seek personal gain. You are working for the emperor, and it is possible that my Yan family will have to rely on General Guo in the future."

Guo Yuchuang was originally a military man, so he was not familiar with the twists and turns of these civilian officials.

He couldn't help but look up at Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting immediately smiled and turned to look at Old Yan: "Grandpa, the lieutenant general still has to guard the West Garden, we should leave the palace early and not delay the lieutenant general's mission."

Seeing his eldest grandson say this, Yan Song said no more.

He just reminded Guo Yuchuang twice more that if there was any problem at home, he should just ask Yan Shaoting to help.

Guo Yuchuang nodded in agreement one by one, then stood there and watched the grandfather and grandson of the Yan family walk out of the West Garden.

outside the palace.

Yan Song finally got into the carriage. The old butler, who had been waiting for a long time, hurriedly poured a cup of hot tea for the old master and the eldest son.

After drinking hot tea, it moisturizes the stomach and intestines.

Yan Song then said quietly, "If Guo Yuchuang had not been working in the West Garden, we would have had the opportunity to become close friends, but due to the rules, we cannot have too much contact with him. You must remember this."

Yan Shaoting nodded: "My grandson can tell the difference."

Yan Song hummed and said nothing more.

The tea didn't affect him as he leaned back and slowly closed his eyes.

The next few days.

There is nothing happening in the capital.

Until the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month.

It's past noon.

After the Yan family, young and old, paid tribute to their ancestors at home, they loaded their bags into the carriage and headed straight for Changping outside the city, just like they did last year.

However, the servants of the Yan family who stayed behind in Yanfu Lane would still deliver the gifts they had prepared long ago to every household in the capital on the first day of the first lunar month.

The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month.

It was evening. It was already dark.

When Yan Shaoting got off the carriage, he saw Zhang Juzheng standing in the square in front of the academy.

Lu Wenyan and Xu Wei accompanied him.

Sister Lu was in charge of taking people to deliver the things brought from the city to the villa.

Xu Wei walked forward and first glanced at Zhang Juzheng who was still standing there, and then explained: "Prefect Zhang came after noon, had a meal in the academy, and then waited until now."

Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes immediately: "So, he knew that my family was leaving the city today to celebrate the New Year, and he deliberately rushed ahead to wait for us?"

Xu Wei hummed, "But I haven't tried to tell you yet. I'm afraid the guest will have to go in person."

While the two were talking.

Zhang Juzheng had already started to move.

I saw him clasping his hands together and walking straight towards me.

Zhang Juzheng's face was all smiles and filled with joy.

It seems that the unlucky guy who was fined one year's salary and demoted one level is the same as everyone else.

"This junior has met Elder Yan."

Arrived near the carriage.

Zhang Juzheng bowed to Yan Song who got off the carriage.

Then he turned and looked aside.

"Your humble servant greets the Left Minister."

Yan Shaoting on the side narrowed his eyes.

This is two terms used.

Yan Song smiled and bowed in return, but his eyes had already entered the academy, and his heart was probably already on the mahjong table.

He smiled and said, "I think you are here to look for Shao Ting. There is no need for too much etiquette here. You can discuss it among yourselves. I am going to take a rest."

Yan Shifan glanced at Zhang Juzheng.

If it were in the past, he would definitely ridicule Zhang Juzheng who had just been punished.

but now?

I'm busy.

Yan Shifan bowed and looked at Zhang Juzheng, then said, "The New Year is coming, I would like to wish you a happy New Year."

There was no surprise on Zhang Juzheng's face.

He smiled and said, "Happy New Year. I came to Changping today. As the elder said, I am here to discuss something with you..."

Yan Shifan immediately glanced at his son and said with a smile: "He has a pot of aged Da Hong Pao hidden there. Now is the best time to taste it."

Done.

Yan Shifan bowed to Zhang Juzheng and followed Yan Song into the academy.

This time.

Zhang Juzheng was actually a little surprised and turned to look at Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting looked helpless.

I asked Zhu Shitai to find that can of Da Hong Pao in Fujian, and I was going to keep it. I was counting the days until my eldest sister gave birth to the baby next year, and then I would open the can and taste it.

Unexpectedly, I was sold out by the old guy.

Not long after.

The top floor of the library in the other courtyard.

The aroma of tea overflows.

There was a brazier lit in the building and the windows all around were open, but it didn't feel cold.

Xu Wei acted as a tea master and served two cups of red tea to Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng.

Yan Shaoting took a sip cautiously, then looked at Zhang Juzheng with a puzzled look.

at this time.

Night has fallen.

Logically speaking, Zhang Juzheng's family was also in Beijing, but at this time he did not return to the city, but stayed in Changping. Obviously, it was not for some trivial matters.

Even though the aroma of tea was everywhere, Zhang Juzheng had no intention of tasting it.

He held the teacup between two fingers.

Zhang Juzheng slowly said, "Actually, I have been waiting in Changping for a long time today because I have something to ask. I hope Runwu can help me..."

……

Half an hour later.

Yan Shaoting and Xu Wei stood side by side at the gate of the academy, silently watching Zhang Juzheng leave in his carriage.

Xu Wei frowned.

"Does the guest really want to agree to Zhang Juzheng's request?"

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "It's not a bad thing to calculate. Since Zhang Juzheng wants to do it, then just give him a hand..."

Xu Wei took a deep look at the carriage that disappeared into the darkness.

He sighed softly, then bowed and said, "Then I will arrange it now."

Yan Shaoting had already reached out and grabbed Xu Wei's wrist.

Under Xu Wei's puzzled gaze, Yan Shaoting said, "Today is New Year's Eve, and the New Year will begin at midnight. Mr. Wenchang should have the New Year's Eve dinner with us first, and then stay up until midnight to celebrate the New Year."

Xu Wei was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

He has been alone in recent years. Although he has a wife, he has never sent a letter to invite her to come to Beijing after he got an official position in Beijing.

Seeing Yan Shaoting say this, Xu Wei no longer refused, and the two turned around and went to the other courtyard.

I do not know how long it has been.

Following the sound of firecrackers.

The firecrackers and fireworks in the whole Changping never stopped.

Especially the sound of firecrackers, which started from the New Year’s Eve dinner and lasted until the early morning of the first day of the first lunar month.

No one can sleep peacefully on New Year’s Eve!

And nothing major happened in the following days.

There were no more disputes over money at the imperial court meetings in the first month of the year. The first imperial court meeting mainly discussed accounting issues, deciding what the court would do this year and how much silver to reserve in case of unexpected events.

There are successful examples for all of these.

The court has been living a better life since last year, and there have been fewer disputes over accounts.

Just when the Lantern Festival is over.

After the various ministries and government offices of the imperial court began to become really busy.

In the direction of the Badaling Great Wall, there is an official road leading from Wanquandusi to the capital.

A general wearing purple flowered armor, with six soldiers wearing green velvet waist-length armor, rode straight into the city without stopping, and arrived at Juyong Pass. When the officers and soldiers at the pass saw who was coming, they immediately opened the gate.

That’s an express delivery from Xuanfu!
Who would dare to stop them when they are led by a general wearing purple flowered armor?

If you stop him, you will die!
And this day.

When the general wearing purple flowered armor, accompanied by six personal soldiers, was escorting the urgent delivery from Xuanfu Town to the capital, they passed through Changping.

Yan Shaoting was riding a horse, leisurely heading towards the city with Xu Wei.

And this express delivery team rushed past us, raising a cloud of dust.

Xu Wei was so stunned that he couldn't help but spit out dust twice.

"Where did this urgent message come from? It didn't even slow down its speed when it reached the capital."

Yan Shaoting squinted his eyes and looked at the team that had already disappeared on the official road covered in dust.

Xu Wei couldn't help but glance over.

"Does my lord know where the urgent delivery came from?"

Yan Shaoting shook his head, but still spoke with some uncertainty.

"The leader wearing purple armor..."

"It seems like I know him."

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
　It was confirmed yesterday that I tested positive, but I forgot to ask for leave. I'm sorry, and I apologize to all the gentlemen...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)