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

Chapter 174 The End of Pheasant
The new Zhejiang Army was formed. There was still a long way to go to train these miners who had never been to the battlefield into a brave and combat-ready elite force.

The most important thing now is training.

Fortunately, the commander of this army was Qi Jiguang, and the one who assisted Qi Jiguang in training the troops was Tang Shunzhi, a doctor of the Ministry of Personnel who inspected the defense of the southeast on behalf of the Ministry of War.

Tang Shunzhi had extraordinary talent and was recognized as "Little Yangming". With his help, Qi Jiguang's military training was even more powerful.

The work has been done, and it is time for Lin Shisan to embark on his journey back to Beijing.

Qi Jiguang had taken the new army to Shaoxing for training. Lin Shisan did not return to Hangzhou, but set out from Yiwu and returned to Beijing with two bloody generals with golden crowns and iron claws.

On February 2, the 38th year of the Jiajing reign, the dragon raised its head in the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Lin Shisan knelt down outside the green gauze curtain.

Emperor Jiajing didn't seem to be very interested in the two blood generals. He didn't let Lin Shisan bring them into the hall at all, but only let him place them in the bird room.

Emperor Jiajing said, "Lin Shisan, I ordered Qi Jiguang to recruit soldiers in Yiwu because of your secret report. In your secret report, you said a lot of good things about the miners in Yiwu."

"Remember, I can forgive you no matter what mistakes you make. But if you mislead me on military and national affairs, I will still kill you even if you have the amulet I gave you!"

"Hu Zongxian submitted a memorial to me. He said that the Zhejiang soldiers have already started training. If this new army is as weak as the garrison troops after training, it will not be able to win the battle. I will kill you first!"

Invisibly, Lin Shisan's fate has been linked to Qi's army.

Emperor Jiajing was not trying to scare Lin Shisan, he was a man of his words. If the new Zhejiang army was trained but was useless on the battlefield, Emperor Jiajing would really chop off Lin Shisan's head.

Lin Shisan knelt down and kowtowed: "I understand. What I said in the secret report was all true. If the new army is unusable, I am willing to be killed."

Emperor Jiajing said: "Whether your mission to Zhejiang this time is meritorious or not has not yet been determined. I will not reward you."

"By the way, if the Zhejiang soldiers recruited by Yiwu are useful and win the battle, you will naturally have a share of the credit. I will reward you for your contribution."

"Well, go down."

After Lin Shisan left Yongshou Palace, he planned to go to the old house in Gouqibo Hutong to visit his father Lin Youniu, and then go back to the new house in Fushou Street to hug his wives and concubines and hold his son.

Unexpectedly, Yan Shifan and Luo Longwen were waiting for him at the palace gate.

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "Third brother, you are back! This time you have really helped my Yan family again!"

At first, when Hu Zongxian suggested in a memorial to Emperor Jiajing that he should form a new army in the southeast, the father and son of the Yan family were not very happy.

Firstly, the issue of forming a new army was too sensitive, and the upright officials would gang up on Hu Zongxian's backers - the Yan family father and son.

Secondly, what is the purpose of forming a new army? If you really wipe out the Japanese pirates, can you, Hu Zongxian, still be the governor of Zhejiang? Can the southeast still belong to the Yan family?
Why do something that is thankless and difficult?

However, in the past few months, Yan Song and his son have come to their senses: Hu Zongxian is a member of the Yan family. Qi Jiguang is Hu Zongxian's man, and rounding off is also a member of the Yan family.

The New Army is the New Army of Hu Zongxian and Qi Jiguang, which is equivalent to the New Army of my Yan family.

Having a group of elite soldiers in hand is always a good thing.

As for supporting the Japanese and keeping them strong, why not just tell Hu Zongxian? Hu Zongxian was promoted by my Yan family, so he must listen to us.

The Yan family father and son thought one thing wrong.

Hu Zongxian currying favor with the Yan family is for promotion, and promotion is for the purpose of gaining power and realizing his ideal of stabilizing the southeast.

Promotion was not Hu Zongxian's ambition, but pacifying the Japanese invasion was!

The Yan father and son underestimated Hu Zongxian.

Lin Shisan said, "Brother, are you talking about Yiwu's recruitment? I am just telling the emperor the truth. Yiwu people are indeed suitable for military service."

Yan Shifan patted Lin Shisan on the shoulder and said, "Yes, yes. You were doing your job conscientiously and accidentally helped my Yan family."

"Let's go to my house and have a drink."

Lin Shisan said, "Brother, can you allow me to go back home? After seeing my father, my wife, and my two sons, I can go to your house and ask for some wine?"

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "I have thought of this a long time ago. I have already sent people to bring your uncle, your sister-in-law, your nephew, and your adopted daughter to my house."

"Let's go. Zhao Wenhua, Yan Maoqing and the others are also in my house. Everyone is waiting to welcome Lin Chuanfeng!"

In the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Emperor Jiajing was playing with a jade-handled whisk, while Lü Fang was waiting beside him.

Emperor Jiajing asked: "Lü Fang, do you think the newly recruited 3,000 Zhejiang soldiers can turn the tide of the anti-Japanese war in the southeast?"

Lu Fang cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty, I can't say for sure."

Emperor Jiajing ignored the opposition of the censors and issued an order to recruit soldiers in Yiwu. If the new army was defeated in the southeast, it would be a slap in the face of Emperor Jiajing himself.

Not only Lin Shisan was worried about the new Zhejiang army, but Emperor Jiajing was the same.

Let’s talk about that night, at Yan’s Mansion.

Yan Shifan held Fu'er, who was just four months old, in his arms. Yan Shifan gave him the name "Lin Chuanfu".

Yan Shifan smiled and said, "Third brother, your fat son is white and plump, with a blessed face. I think he will live up to his name when he grows up."

Lin Shisan is a very talkative person: "This is the name that big brother gave him. Big brother is the one with great fortune and luck. My son is blessed by you because of the name you gave him."

Yan Maoqing joked, "Lin Chuanfeng's mouth seems to be covered with honey. No wonder he can please the emperor and rise to prominence in the past four years."

Luo Longwen spoke for Lin Shisan: "Old Yan, you have to admit that being sweet-talking is also a skill to survive in the officialdom."

As everyone was talking, Yan Song came to the welcoming banquet in person, supported by his maid.

Over the years, Yan Song rarely participated in banquets and banquets in the palace. But today, he came to welcome Lin Shisan for the first time, which shows how much he values Lin Shisan.

Lin Shisan bowed his head and said, "I am Lin Shisan, and I pay my respects to you, Lord!"

Yan Song said, "Please stand up quickly. Everyone, take your seats."

Everyone took their seats, and the table was filled with delicacies, needless to say it was extremely luxurious.

Yan Song asked: "Thirteen, how old are you this year?"

Lin Shisan replied: "In reply to the elder, it's twenty-four."

Yan Song praised him, "It's not easy for a young man of 24 to achieve what he has today. Donglou, when you were 24, you only knew how to pursue pleasure."

At this point, Yan Song turned to Luo Longwen and asked, "Have you found the person who wrote Jin Ping Mei?"

A strange book called "Jin Ping Mei" has recently appeared in the capital and has become popular in the literary world.

This book seems to be satirizing Yan Song and his son.

The protagonist of the book, Ximen Qing, is a character from the Hongwu Dynasty's "The Water Margin". But everything happens by coincidence. Yan Shifan's nickname is Donglou, which corresponds to Ximen. And Yan Shifan's childhood name is Qing'er.

This is not the only coincidence.

In the book, there is a new champion named Cai Yiquan, who got favors from Ximen Qing. Later, he was promoted to the Inspector of Salt in Lianghuai by virtue of the relationship between Grand Tutor Cai. This person corresponds to the God of Wealth of the Yan family, the Chief Salt Officer Yan Maoqing.

As for who the most corrupt official in the court, Grand Tutor Cai, corresponds to in the book, it goes without saying.

There are many such coincidences in "Jin Ping Mei". However, the author of the book, "Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng", is quite mysterious. The Yan family urged the police to find this person several times but to no avail. Luo Longwen bowed and said, "My godfather, I am incompetent and have not yet found the author of this evil book. But I have been urging the people below to investigate this person's identity."

Yan Song nodded: "Well, if you look carefully, you will find it. Well, let's not talk about those bad things. Today is the thirteenth day of the lunar year and it is the day when the dragon rises. Let's have some fun."

"I am old and I feel sleepy at this hour. I will go back first. You guys just sit down and have a drink."

Yan Song stood up and was helped out of the dining room by the maid. At eighty years old, he looked old and frail.

The high officials began to talk freely. Luo Longwen smiled and said, "Since Lü Ben was in mourning, there are only the first and second assistants in the cabinet, and no cabinet members."

"Logically speaking, my eldest brother has been called the 'little cabinet minister' for so many years, so he should join the cabinet and become a real cabinet minister."

"But my adoptive father said, 'Father and son cannot both be cabinet members.' I think the cabinet position must belong to Zhao Butang."

Zhao Wenhua was now the Minister of Industry, and nominally even Yan Shifan's superior. If Yan Song, the chief minister, recommended him to Emperor Jiajing, he would almost certainly be able to join the cabinet.

Zhao Wenhua said, "Oh, I have little experience, how can I be qualified to join the cabinet?"

In fact, he had been drooling all over the floor over the chancellor's seat.

After the banquet, Lin Shisan helped his old father onto a donkey cart. Zhao Wenhua came over in a hurry.

Zhao Wenhua said, "Brother Lin, can you please spare me a moment to talk?"

Lin Shisan followed Zhao Wenhua to a secluded place.

Zhao Wenhua said, "Brother Lin, I have something to ask of you. Have you ever heard of 'Hundred Flowers Fairy Wine'?"

Lin Shisan nodded: "That is probably the rarest wine in the world. Hundred-year-old wine is common, but Hundred Flowers Fairy Wine is rare."

The "Hundred Flowers Fairy Wine" mentioned by the two people almost only exists in ancient books.

Zhao Wenhua said, "I also know that this wine is hard to find. If it wasn't hard, I wouldn't have asked you, Brother Lin. June is the Lord's 80th birthday. I want to find a whole jar of Baihua Xian wine and present it to the Lord."

"Can you help me?"

Obviously, Zhao Wenhua wanted to use the Hundred Flowers Fairy Wine to please Yan Song and take the opportunity to let Yan Song recommend him to join the cabinet.

Lin Shisan took a deep breath and said, "You want me to go to Liaodong to grab wine from the bear?"

There are more people in this world who can make wine.

Monkeys can make "hundred-fruit wine", and black bears in Liaodong can make hundred-flower wine.

Zhao Wenhua said: "I also know that this is difficult. I am willing to pay 50,000 taels of silver!"

Lin Shisan politely declined: "Zhao Bu Tang, I am currently working in Xiyuan. It will take at least several months to go to Liaodong to look for Baihua Xianjiu."

"I have been away from Xiyuan for several months, and the Emperor is asking about my whereabouts. Please don't make it difficult for me."

Zhao Wenhua was a little disappointed: "Okay. I'm forcing you."

Lin Shisan didn't want to offend Zhao Wenhua: "Zhao Bu Tang, let me advise you that the story of Liaodong black bear brewing Baihuaxian wine is just a legend recorded in ancient books."

"Instead of going to such great lengths to find that useless wine as a birthday gift, you might as well prepare another gift."

Zhao Wenhua said, "Well, that's all I can do. I'll just look for another gift."

Lin Shisan returned to his new home on Fulu Street with his father and wife.

He asked Lin Youniu: "Dad, is ice storage going well this winter?"

Lin Youniu replied: "It's going well. The ice from the 1,000 mu of farmland has been stored in the ice cellar. It's enough to supply the palace and the elephant training center."

"My dear son, when summer comes, our ice cellar will be able to make a fortune again!"

Lin Shisan said with a smile: "You have been very lucky in the past two years!"

Lin Youniu said, "You are making fun of your father. How can I have any fortune? It's all thanks to you."

"I have nothing to do in the next two months. I plan to go back to my hometown in Shunde Prefecture and plant two more blessing trees behind the ancestral tomb."

Lin Shisan said with a smile: "You should go back to your hometown and see if there is anything strange about our ancestral grave in the past four or five years."

Biyun brought them some Mingqian tea. Biyun said, "Just now I saw Zhao Butang from the Ministry of Works talking to you alone. Could it be about the selection of new cabinet members?"

Lin Shisan was surprised: "How do you know?"

Biyun replied: "Who doesn't know this? The news has long been spread among the noble ladies in the capital that Zhao Butang wants to join the cabinet."

"The third wife in his family is just a big shot. She can't keep two ounces of oil in her stomach. Her husband hasn't even entered the cabinet yet, but she's already acting like a cabinet member's wife."

"I advise you not to get involved in this matter. There are too many people eyeing the cabinet chairs. If you help one, you will offend a large number of people."

Lin Shisan said, "Well, I know what's going on. The thing he just asked me for has little to do with the selection of cabinet members. I rejected it."

Lin Shisan knew very little about Zhao Wenhua's temperament.

Zhao Wenhua is a man who will do anything to achieve his goal. If you reject him, he will rack his brains to find ways to force you to submit.

However, Lin Shisan is still Yan Shifan's sworn brother, so Zhao Wenhua will not use a hard approach but only a soft approach.

The next day, Lin Shisan arrived at the Northern Pacification Office to report for duty.

After the roll call, Zhu Xixiao, the assistant commander of the Zhanbei Pacification Office, gave Lin Shisan a private lecture in the duty room.

Zhu Xixiao said: "Thirteen, you have worked hard on this trip to Yiwu. You have done a great job, the new army has been successfully established, and Concubine Li is very satisfied."

Lin Shisan said quickly: "It's all thanks to your good instructions, Zhu Weitang. I'm just doing what you told me to do."

Zhu Xixiao took out a silver ruyi from his sleeve and said, "This is a gift from Concubine Li."

It was said that it was awarded by Concubine Li, but it was actually awarded by Prince Yu. It was just that it was taboo for the crown prince to reward the Jinyiwei privately, so the reward was given in the name of Concubine Li.

Lin Shisan took the silver ruyi, turned towards the direction of Prince Yu's Mansion, knelt down respectfully, raised the silver ruyi above his head with both hands, and kowtowed three times.

Zhu Xixiao added: "As long as you serve Concubine Li well in the future, your wealth and prosperity for the next few decades will be guaranteed. You are a smart person, you should know what I mean."

Lin Shisan was unequivocal and expressed his loyalty immediately: "The Empress Li has been very kind to me. I will repay the Empress' kindness by sacrificing my life for her."

The two of them kept calling each other "Princess Li", but they were all referring to Prince Yu.

Zhu Xixiao lowered his voice and said, "If there is any movement in the Yan family in the future, you must inform me immediately."

"I know that although you are on good terms with the Yan family, you are in Cao's camp but your heart is with Han."

Lin Shisan was stunned: Wow, Governor Lu asked me to be a secret agent in Yan’s Mansion, and Prince Yu also asked me to be a secret agent in Yan’s Mansion.

He cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Zhu Weitang. I know clearly who is more important between the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, and who I should lean towards."

Zhu Xixiao smiled and said, "I knew you were a smart person. You understood everything at once."

The Pheasant Story ends, and the new volume Black Bear Story will begin tomorrow

(End of this chapter)