I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 127: The End of the White Deer Chronicle ( Words)
From ancient times to the present, leaders will never let their subordinates see them quarreling.

As soon as Lin Shisan entered the room, Chang Qingyun and Yan Shifan immediately stopped arguing.

Lin Shisan started the traditional art of "bowing his head": "I pay my respects to the young minister and the captain of the Chang family. I wish you two a long life and everything goes well."

Yan Shifan laughed and said, "The New Year is still four months away. Why are you talking about the New Year so early?"

Chang Qingyun asked: "When did we become your benefactors?"

Lin Shisan was unequivocal and kowtowed three times: "Without your support, there would be no Shisan today. Your support is like giving birth to a parent, so you are naturally a benefactor."

Yan Shifan said, "Brother Chang, your subordinate must love eating honey very much. His words are so sweet that they make me sick."

Chang Qingyun said, "He has now been transferred to the Northern Pacification Division and is no longer my subordinate."

Lin Shisan raised his head and looked at Chang Qingyun with a pair of innocent eyes: "Once a superior, always a superior. When you were at the elephant training center, your teachings to me will benefit me for the rest of my life."

"I want to set up a longevity tablet for you at home. I will burn incense every day and pray every night. I pray that God will bless you with smooth sailing and happiness, and a bright future."

Chang Qingyun hurriedly said, "Stop, stop. Your flattery is giving me goosebumps."

Yan Shifan asked, "Lin Shisan, how about you go to the Ministry of Rites and be a director? On the day when we welcomed the White Deer Fairy into the city, I realized that it would be a waste of your talent if you didn't join the Ministry of Rites and become a magpie spirit."

It’s no wonder that if Lin Shisan really went to the Ministry of Rites, all the officials and officials in the ancestral temples would have to go home and take care of their children.

Chang Qingyun said, "Forget it. I'm hungry, let's eat. Lin Shisan, today's banquet is not invited by me, but by your young elder. The cook is also from the Yan Mansion. You should thank him."

Lin Shisan said, "Before I came to pay my respects to you two benefactors, I moved two jars of aged daughter's red wine from your kitchen. I brought them back from my trip to the south, specifically to honor you two benefactors."

People do not blame.

As far as gifts are concerned, Chang Qingyun doesn't like money. His grandfather Chang Feng left him a considerable inheritance before he died.

Yan Shifan loves money, but if Lin Shisan gave him that little money, Yan Shifan would not even look at it.

Bringing some local specialties as gifts can show filial piety and loyalty. It is a good choice.

The three of them sat down at the table.

This banquet was a bit strange. Usually, when the Yan family entertained guests, they would serve delicacies from the mountains and seas, and the eight delicacies from the sea.

Today's dishes include fried cicada, candied lotus root slices, sweet and sour pork bones, soft fried prawns, etc. They are either sweet or fried, and children love them the most.

When wealthy families hold grand banquets, these are the dishes on the children’s table.

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "Brother Chang, these were made by Aunt Chang when we were little. I asked the cook to make them the same way, but I don't know if they can taste like Aunt Chang's. Let's just make do with what we have."

The "Aunt Chang" mentioned by Yan Shifan is Li Ping'er, the daughter-in-law of Chang Feng, the old manager of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the wife of Chang Po Nu, the former assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the biological mother of Chang Qingyun, and the daughter of Li Dongyang, the chief minister of the cabinet.

Chang Qingyun didn't move his chopsticks, but directly grabbed a fried cicada and threw it into his mouth. It made a "crunching" sound and was very delicious.

Yan Shifan picked up a soft-fried prawn, peeled it, and put it in his mouth to chew.

When eating at home, there is no need for those outside etiquette and rules.

After swallowing the prawn, Yan Shifan suddenly said, "Lin Shisan, don't underestimate your Master Chang, who is only a small elephant trainer. If the late emperor had not died young and inexplicably, he would be the Prime Minister now."

Talking about such a sensitive matter as the death of the previous emperor, Lin Shisan did not dare to flatter him anymore. He stood up silently and poured wine for Yan Shifan and Chang Qingyun.

Yan Shifan continued, "When you were twelve years old, you, Chang Qianhu, had been accompanying the late emperor. You were allowed to sleep with the women in the Leopard Room as you pleased. When the late emperor went on a southern expedition, you, Chang Qianhu, were an experienced official accompanying the emperor on the expedition to suppress the enemy. You were only thirteen years old at that time."

Chang Qingyun waved his hand and said, "Alright, stop bragging for me. It's all just passing smoke, just like floating clouds. I am just a small elephant trainer now."

"Aren't you holding the banquet today to win over Lin Shisan? You should win him over quickly."

Yan Shifan laughed out loud: "Brother Chang, can you please not expose my secrets in front of this young man?"

"Lin Shisan, I heard that your son is four years old this year?"

Lin Shisan replied: "Young Lord really knows everything, no matter how big or small it is."

Yan Shifan said, "It's like this. My housekeeper Yan Nian has a granddaughter who is the same age as your child. She is seven years old this year. The girl is very fair and will definitely be a beauty when she grows up."

"As the saying goes, a girl three years older than her husband will bring him wealth. I'll be the matchmaker and arrange a marriage between your son and Yan Nian's granddaughter. We can get married in ten years when the children are all grown up."

As the saying goes, the prime minister is the seventh rank official, but Yan Nian, the housekeeper of the Yan Mansion, has a status far higher than the seventh rank in the capital. Even the second and third rank officials have to be respectful to him.

Relying on the power of the Yan family, he accepted bribes everywhere and did a lot of business. It is no exaggeration to say that he became extremely wealthy.

Yan Shifan guaranteed the matchmaking to give face to Lin Shisan, so he had to take responsibility.

Although Hu Er now has a child bride, Wang Xiaochuan, that was all arranged by Lin Shisan.

A three-year-old can tell a person's future. Wang Xiaochuan is eccentric and has a bad temper. Lin Shisan has long been worried that his son will be bullied for the rest of his life if he marries her when he grows up.

It would be better to let Wang Xiaochuan be Huer's sister from now on. Anyway, Wang Xiaochuan has no one at home, so there is no question of whether to regret the engagement or not.

Thinking of this, Lin Shisan bowed his head and said, "Thank you, young Lord, for granting me this good marriage."

Yan Shifan said, "The Lord and I have never treated Yan Nian as a servant, but as a family member. Your son has been engaged to a girl from our Yan family, so we will be in-laws from now on."

"Family members should not kowtow to each other at every turn. You are not born with a head of steel, so aren't you afraid that kowtow will cause your brain to vibrate?"

Lin Shisan said, "I will go back to prepare the engagement gift after dinner. I will use all the money of the Lin family and will never humiliate the girl of the Yan family."

Yan Shifan sighed: "Well, I haven't been busy with anything else these days. I've just been running around as a matchmaker and pulling boats."

Indeed. Yan Shifan first planned to let his youngest son marry Lu Bing's daughter. Then he planned to let his eldest son marry Xu Jie's granddaughter. Now he has arranged a baby marriage for Lin Shisan's son and Yan Nian's granddaughter.
The weightlifting king of the Ming Dynasty became the matchmaker king of the Ming Dynasty.

The next day, Lin Shisan arrived at the Northern Pacification Office. Sun Yue came up to him and said, "Master, the young manager is looking for you."

Lin Shisan hurried to Lu Yi's duty room.

Lu Yi got straight to the point: "It's almost autumn, it's time to play with insects. Lin Shisan, let me test you, a master of playing with pets. What kind of fighting insects does Xuan Da produce?"

Lin Shisan talked about it: "In the Xuanda area, there are large flat-headed crickets, white-whiskered double-needle crickets, and short-winged stove crickets. Among them, the short-winged stove cricket is the strongest. Its body has three characteristics: 'high, wide, and thick'."

"Its six legs are long and thick, its whiskers are thick, it is flexible when fighting, and its teeth are hard. And the best of the short-winged stove crickets can be considered the top-grade king of insects."

"But then again, top-quality short-winged stove crickets are extremely rare and can only be found by chance."

Lu Yi gave a thumbs up and said, "Well, you are worthy of being the messenger in charge of the affairs of the Western Garden. It's almost autumn, and my father wants to present a king-quality northern insect to the emperor. How about you go to the north?"

"I've heard before that the best short-winged crickets are mostly found in Xuanfu. You can go to Xuanfu."

Lin Shisan was stunned. He was now a centurion of the Jinyiwei and had the authority to review the military reports of the Ministry of War. The military reports of the Ministry of War said that recently a large group of Tatar cavalry first invaded Yingzhou, broke through 40 forts, and then turned to wander north of Xuanfu, seemingly intending to invade Xuanfu.

That place is not peaceful now.

Lu Yi asked: "Why, you don't want to go?"

Lin Shisan said quickly, "Finding good insects to present to His Majesty is one of my duties. I am willing to go."

Lu Yi said, "Okay. Go home and make arrangements, and leave in ten days. Take the thirty or so new recruits with you."

Lin Shisan said, "I will go and prepare all the tools for catching insects."

Lu Yi waved his hand. Lin Shisan turned to leave, and just as he was about to walk out of the door, Lu Yi stopped him, "Slow down."

Lin Shisan asked, "Young Shopkeeper, do you have any other instructions?"

Lu Yi said meaningfully: "It's not an order. Shen Lian, the former officer of the Jinyiwei, is now in Xuanfu and Baoan Prefecture, right?"

Lu Yi's words made Lin Shisan a little confused. The young shopkeeper never talked nonsense. What he said must have a meaning.

What is the connection between the search for the top-quality short-winged stove cricket and Shen Lian who was demoted to Bao'an Prefecture?
Could it be that the matter of seeking favor is related to the important affairs of the court?
It's impossible? Shen Lian was demoted to a farmer, digging the land in Baoan Prefecture. He has nothing to do with the court affairs.

Inside the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Lu Bing knelt down in front of Emperor Jiajing.

Emperor Jiajing asked, "Do you know about the memorial submitted by Lu Kai, the imperial censor of Xuanda Circuit?"

Lu Bing replied: "I have heard that Lu Kai reported that the evil man Yan Hao from Weizhou went in and out of Mobei and leaked border information to the Tatars. And Yan Hao actually worshipped Shen Lian as his master and obeyed Shen Lian's command."

Emperor Jiajing said, "It's really strange. Shen Lian wrote a memorial and asked a good eunuch to pass it to me, impeaching the Yan family's Xuanda Governor Yang Shun for being cowardly in battle and losing forty forts in Yingzhou."

"Xuan Da, the inspector of the Yan family, has submitted another memorial, accusing Shen Lian of colluding with evil people and betraying the country."

"How strange! Could it be that the Yan family must kill the person I want to protect?" Emperor Jiajing kept calling the Yan family "the governor" and "the inspector of the Yan family", as if he was dissatisfied with the Yan family, which was so powerful and well-established.

Lu Bing was silent.

Emperor Jiajing added: "I am the Son of Heaven. Do I have to look at the mood of my subjects to save someone's life?"

Lu Bing said: "I have sent Lin Shisan to Xuanfu to catch the fighting bug and present it to the emperor and father. I will order him to investigate the matter secretly, arrest Yan Hao, and clear Shen Lian's name."

Emperor Jiajing stopped talking.

Lu Fang said at the side: "Yan Hao is the key to this matter. The Jinyiwei must keep him in their hands."

At the same time, at the residence of Yang Bo, the Minister of War.

Yang Bo and his son Yang Junmin were looking at a "Nine Frontier Situation Map".

Yang Junmin was only a juren now, and had no official position. But he had been influenced by his father since he was a child, and was quite familiar with the border military affairs.

Yang Bo cursed: "How did Yang Shun become the governor of Xuanda? Idiot! Coward! When Emperor Wuzong won a great victory in Yingzhou, he built many castles in Yingzhou. The defense is impregnable!"

"If Yang Shun had led the Datong border troops to rescue the Tatars during their invasion, why would they have lost forty forts?"

"The great reputation that Emperor Wuzong gained in the battle of Yingzhou was completely ruined by this pig Yang Shun!"

Yang Junmin hurriedly comforted him: "The number of Tatar invaders this time is not large. Although Yingzhou was defeated, it has nothing to do with the overall situation of the Nine Frontiers."

Yang Bo said: "I have worked hard to build the defense line of Xuanda for so many years. But the court sent a pig to guard Xuanda. I am afraid that small failures will accumulate into a big failure."

"It doesn't matter if my hard work goes to waste. If Xuanda is managed by that pig and becomes a paper defense, the Ming Dynasty will be destroyed!"

"During the Gengshu Rebellion, Altan Khan defeated Xuanda and marched straight to the capital!"

Over the years, the Xuanda defense line has changed hands back and forth between the Yan Party and the Jiangchen Party.

First, Qiu Luan, who was promoted by the Yan Party, took control of Xuanda. That bastard directly caused the Gengxu Incident.

After the Gengxu Incident, Emperor Jiajing handed Xuanda over to the Jiangchen Party. Yang Bo worked hard to build Xuanda into a solid defense line against the invaders.

But after Yang Bo was transferred to the capital and appointed as the Minister of War, Emperor Jiajing was afraid that the frontier officials would have too much military power. You know, it took Emperor Wuzong more than ten years to finally take back the military power from the civil officials.

So Emperor Jiajing played the balancing act and handed Xuan Da over to Yang Shun of the Yan Party.

The more Yang Bo spoke, the angrier he became. Yang Junmin could only keep persuading his father: "Dad, calm down!"

Yang Junmin changed the subject: "However, if my uncle Wang Chonggu could serve as the governor-general of Xuanda or the governor of Xuanfu, the situation in Xuanda would never be like this."

Yang Bo said, "I'm afraid it will be difficult. Your uncle-in-law was promoted to Ningxia Censor last year. It is not in accordance with the rules for frontier officials to be promoted to Governor or Governor-General this year."

Yang Junmin offered his father a cup of tea and said, "Dad, how can the court still follow rules now? At this time last year, Hu Zongxian was only a seventh-rank inspector."

"The sedan chair was carried by everyone, and now he has been promoted to the Governor of Zhejiang Province, right?"

"Why can Yan Song's people rise to prominence so quickly while our people can only follow the routine?"

Yang Bo nodded: "That's the truth. But the important positions of frontier officials are different. If you want to plant our radishes, you have to pull out their radishes."

Yang Junmin was a little Zhuge Liang. He said, "I heard that Shen Lian recently wrote a memorial and asked someone to pass it to the emperor, severely criticizing Yang Shun."

Yang Bo's eyes lit up.

A battle of wits on the border is brewing in the Ming Dynasty court, but Lin Shisan is still unaware of it.

An old house in Gouqionghu Hutong.

Lin Shisan gathered the whole family together.

Lin Shisan said, "Today we have two important things to do. First, in ten days, I will go to Xuanfu to catch fighting bugs."

Biyun was a little worried: "Will it be like going to Jiangnan to find the white deer, where I have to survive a near-death experience?"

Lin Shisan comforted his wife: "Don't worry. The Tatars haven't crossed the Great Wall and attacked Xuanfu. It's peaceful there. It's just catching bugs, and it doesn't involve any political affairs."

Lin Youniu asked: "As an official in charge of the imperial court, you are leaving the capital. Aren't you going to make a fortune?"

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "We will definitely collect some of the old rules and regulations. But the north can't catch up with the south, so we will definitely not collect as much as we would if we were to go to the south on business."

Lin Youniu said, "That's fine! I have missions outside the capital every now and then, so I have income every now and then. By the way, what about the second important thing you mentioned?"

Lin Shisan said, "Young Lord, please be the matchmaker. Let our Hu'er marry the granddaughter of Yan Nian, the housekeeper of the Yan Mansion."

Lin Youniu was overjoyed when he heard this: "I've heard of this Steward Yan. I'm afraid his family has more money than those second- and third-rank officials."

Biyun interrupted, "A few days ago, the wife of the doctor of the Guangxi Qingli Division of the Ministry of Revenue said that her husband wanted to be transferred to a prefecture, and he used the connections of Steward Yan. Steward Yan is a man with connections all over the place."

Lin Shisan nodded: "Yes. Butler Yan is rich and powerful. There are more advantages than disadvantages for us to arrange a marriage with his family. But..."

Lin Shisan leaned down and said to Wang Xiaochuan, "When you grow up, you can't be Hu'er's wife. From now on, you are my adopted daughter, and Hu'er will be your adopted brother."

Wang Xiaochuan said with a smile: "I don't want to be the wife of a slug!"

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Okay, okay. From now on, you are the older sister and you have to take care of your younger brother. Act like an older sister and don't take him around to do mischief anymore."

Wang Xiaochuan nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to Daddy."

Lin Shisan instructed Biyun: "The engagement gift must be prepared in the best possible way. You should buy it for two thousand, no, three thousand taels. In addition, you must prepare a pig's head and send it to the young elder who is the matchmaker."

Giving a pig's head to the matchmaker is a wedding custom in the capital.

Biyun said: "Don't worry."

Lin Shisan said, "The marriage must be settled before I leave the capital. There are still ten days left anyway."

Biyun asked, "Should we hold a grand wedding banquet? Invite all the officials who have had contact with our family?"

Lin Shisan said, "I need to ask my relative, Steward Bo Yan, about this matter. It's best to keep a low profile."

Wang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "I can't eat slugs at this wedding? Xiaochuan loves weddings the most!"

After talking about these two important things, Lin Shisan took a jar of wine and went to Yihonglou to see his pet master Zhang Bo.

Now that Lin Shisan has been promoted to the rank of 100-household officer of the Northern Pacification Division, Liu Shouyou no longer needs to hide some things from him.

Liu Shouyou told Lin Shisan a big secret: your master, Zhang Bo, the drunkard of Yihonglou, is a hidden fish in my Northern Pacification Division.

After entering Yihong Tower, Lin Shisan was surrounded by beautiful girls.

"Hey, isn't this Master Lin? I heard from the guests that you are very popular in the court now! How come you have time to come and play with us today?"

"Master Lin, please come to my room. I have learned a few new moves that will make you feel like you are in heaven."

"You should go to my place. I have lived in Datong, Shanxi for eight years. There are many doors and windows, and winding paths lead to secluded places."

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Sisters and sisters, please forgive me. I don't want to be my master's brother-in-law. It would ruin our relationship!"

A charming head girl laughed and said, "What's the big deal? I've even had a father and son crawl into the same bed with me before!"

Lin Shisan finally pushed aside the other girls and walked into Zhang Bo's room.

Zhang Bo was drinking there. When he saw Lin Shisan, he scolded him, "You little bastard, you have no conscience. You don't come to see me, your master, after you got promoted."

Lin Shisan placed a jar of daughter's red wine on the table: "Here you are, Captain Zhang."

Zhang Bo was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "Did you get drunk and become stupid? Or did you sleep with the girl in the building before coming to my place, and the blood went into your brain? What Captain Zhang?"

Lin Shisan restrained his smile and said, "Zhang Hongde, son of former Minister of Personnel Zhang Cai. He is a captain of the Northern Pacification Division of the Jinyiwei and has been lurking in Yihong Tower as a hidden fish for forty-six years."

Uncle Zhang put down the wine glass in his hand and said, "Oh? Did your superior in the department tell you my identity?"

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Master, I've heard of great hermits hiding in the court, middle-level hermits hiding in the city, and small hermits hiding in the wild, but I've never heard of people hiding in brothels and being pimps."

Zhang Bo snorted coldly, "What do you know? There are all kinds of people in the brothel, and men will tell anything after they relieve themselves in bed. It's a good place to collect intelligence."

Lin Shisan said, "It's about Master's teaching. Oh, by the way, Governor Lu asked me to go to Xuanfu to catch short-winged stove bugs."

Zhang Bo raised his eyebrows slightly: "Xuanfu?"

(The White Deer Tale ends, and a new volume, Insect Catching, begins. There is one more chapter before midnight tonight.)
(End of this chapter)