Chapter 712 811 Watching the Performance

"Eunuch Chen, please take a seat."

After welcoming the guests into the private room, Shao Fang took the initiative to invite the guests to sit at the top, completely lowering his status.

"Haha, Master Shao is too polite. How can I take over the show?"

Chen Hong said politely with a "smile" on his face. Although he said so, he still walked over and sat down with a big horse and a golden sword.

Chen Hong's current status in the inner court is already ranked third. In the past, he could only be ranked fifth.

As for those ahead of him, in addition to Teng Xiang and Meng Chong, there are Li Fang and Feng Bao.

But now, Li Fang has fallen, and he has also been promoted to the position of the seal of the Imperial Household Department, and he also serves as the Secretary of Ceremonies and the East Factory, which has surpassed Feng Bao.

The improvement of his status has made him gradually domineering in his words and deeds, and he is not afraid even of Teng Xiang and Meng Chong.

They just entered the Secretary of Ceremonies two years earlier than him, and flattered the emperor first, so they have today's status.

Now Chen Hong is always thinking of ways to please the emperor. The emperor is favoring him, and he feels that he can compete with them.

The Imperial Household Department is not his goal. He still wants to be the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and become the first person in the inner court.

As for why he was invited by this countryman who came out of nowhere today, it was all because he saw the generous gifts this kid gave him several times. Otherwise, such a commoner would not be qualified to sit at the same table with him.

Just as the two sat down, the door of the box was pushed open again, and the restaurant had already started serving the dishes.

Shao Fang booked this place and the two side rooms just because he didn't want to be disturbed in the conversation, so he ordered the wine and food long ago, and ordered them to serve the wine and food when they came in, and then he didn't care.

And outside the box, his followers were guarding, which naturally ensured the privacy of the conversation between him and Chen Hong.

While the restaurant was serving the dishes, the two exchanged greetings again, after all, they were not familiar with each other.

Before Chen Hong came, he naturally sent someone to check Shao Fang and knew that he was from Danyang, Nanzhili, and had been very active in the capital recently. There were also signs that he was ordered by Gao Gong, the former cabinet minister, to come to the capital.

Chen Hong was naturally familiar with Gao Gong.

When Xu Jie launched the anti-gong movement, the eunuchs of the inner court liked to joke about it, thinking that it was just a group of dog officials biting each other.

Just like the civil officials regarded eunuchs as castrated dogs, in the eyes of most eunuchs, these civil officials were just a group of dog officials.

After all, how many eunuchs who would enter the palace were willing to go there, because their families could not survive, so they chose to take this path, just to leave a mouthful of food for their families.

And they would encounter such misfortune, mostly thanks to this group of dog officials.

Now is not the early Ming Dynasty, and we can still capture people through war, select young and strong eunuchs and send them to the palace to work.

Among the eunuchs, only a very small number of people who came from the inner book hall would truly admire these literati and recognize their noble character.

After the wine and food were served and everyone left, and after the door of the box was closed by Shao Fang's people, Shao Fang changed his previous relaxed smile, took out a letter from his arms, stood up and walked to Chen Hong, and respectfully handed the letter to him.

This letter was naturally given to him by Gao Gong when he left Xinzheng, and it was also the letter that Gao Gong had conceived for many days and repeatedly polished.

"What is this?"

Chen Hong pretended to be surprised and asked, but his hand did not move.

Shao Fang knew that Chen Hong was deliberately pretending to be indifferent, and said carefully: "This is a letter from Mr. Zhongxuan of Xinzheng to the father-in-law."

"Mr. Zhongxuan? Oh, it's Gao Ge Lao."

Chen Hong pretended to be surprised, and then reached out to take the letter, tore open the seal, took out the letter and read it carefully.

Shao Fang really didn't know what Gao Gong wrote in the letter to Chen Hong. In his imagination, it should be a polite greeting, then chat about the past, and finally express his feelings.

However, Shao Fang only guessed half of it. The words in Gao Gong's letter were indeed very polite, and even slightly humble. After all, the present is different from the past. Gao Gong is now just a former cabinet minister who has stepped down. He has influence but no power.

Shao Fang was waiting for Chen Hong to read the letter, and Chen Hong's heart was also turbulent at this time.

To be honest, Chen Hong really didn't expect that Gao Gong would speak to him in such a way. Until now, he has not noticed the promise Gao Gong made to him.

It was really that Gao Gong left a deep impression on people at the beginning, that is, strong.

Since the fall of Yan Song, Gao Gong has gradually revealed his character.

Although in the eyes of some people, Gao Gong is talented, a man with a keen mind to help the times, a great talent to praise the truth, and a rare talent, but his self-conceit and arrogant attitude also made many people dislike him.

Who would have thought that such a person would speak to him in such a tone and ask for help.

Chen Hong couldn't help but feel a little proud. If this letter was spread, I don't know how many people would be shocked.

It seems that the gang of guys investigated very well. Although I don't know how Shao Fang hooked up with Gao Gong, he came to the capital to seek Gao Gong's comeback.

He looked up at Shao Fang and continued to look down at the letter.

Shao Fang also noticed the changes in Chen Hong's expression, especially the inadvertent look up. When they looked at each other, he always felt that Chen Hong's eyes were weird.

However, at this time, Shao Fang returned to his seat and sat upright after sending the letter. In addition to being curious about the content of the letter in his heart, he didn't dare to think too much.

Now he only hopes that Chen Hong can agree to help him for the sake of his friendship with Gao Gong, so that he can save a lot of effort.

In the future, when he contacts other officials, if many parties are hesitant, he can also pull up Chen Hong's tiger skin.

At this time, Chen Hong also noticed Gao Gong's promise.

Chen Hong helped him to come back, and he helped Chen Hong to attack the eunuch who holds the seal of the Silijian, becoming the leader of the eunuchs in the inner court.

Originally, when Chen Hong knew that Shao Fang might be Gao Gong's broker, he wanted to refuse, and he didn't want Gao Gong to come back.

You know, with Gao Gong's character, knowing how these people compete for favor in front of Emperor Longqing, I'm afraid he will not only not give them a good face, but also urge the emperor to punish them.

However, now seeing the letter and knowing the conditions that Gao Gong can give, Chen Hong is still tempted.

Although he feels that he can compete with Teng Xiang and Meng Chong, he still lacks confidence. If he can really get Gao Gong's support, with Gao Gong's influence on Emperor Longqing, it seems that great things can be accomplished.

As for whether bringing Gao Gong back to the capital would offend officials in the court, haha, he was a eunuch, and the inner and outer courts naturally didn't get along.

Other people in the inner court might also isolate him, and even try to find opportunities to deal with him.

You know, how long has it been since the Li Fang incident?

Many things in it were actually conspired by Teng Xiang, Meng Chong, and him.

Last time, they were able to bring down Li Fang and left him no chance to fight back. Then Meng Chong, Teng Xiang, and others might use the same means to deal with him.

Chen Hong's face was uncertain, and he quickly calculated the gains and losses of this matter in his mind.

Although the bait thrown by Gao Gong was attractive enough, he would have to succeed before he could get what he wanted. It would take too long and he had to pay too much.

Even if he had Gao Gong's letter in his hand, who knew whether Gao Gong would fulfill his promise in the end?

Thinking of this, Chen Hong's mind moved, and he looked at the letter carefully again.

The handwriting was fine, and the final signature and seal were indeed Gao Gong's habits and things.

It doesn't look like someone else wrote it pretending to be Gao Gong.

Instantly, Chen Hong felt relieved.

Gao Gong's request for help should be true, and this letter is a token of surrender.

You know, if the content of this letter is finally spread, Gao Gong's reputation will be ruined.

As long as he holds this letter in his hand, it is equivalent to holding Gao Gong's life.

However, Gao Gong did not say in the letter how to provide help. It seems that their plan will fall into the mouth of Shao Fang.

Thinking of this, Chen Hong folded the letter and put it in his arms, and then looked at Shao Fang.

"Tell me, how do you want me to help."

Shao Fang was delighted to hear Chen Hong's words, knowing that Gao Gong's letter was effective and Chen Hong intended to provide help.

Great things can be accomplished.

This is a sentence that Shao Fang kept thinking at this moment.

No matter what his original purpose was when he left Danyang, as long as Gao Gong was sent back to the court, his trip would not be in vain.

In August, the weather in Beijing has gradually entered autumn. The temperature has begun to drop but it is still a little hot.

However, the weather today is not bad, the sky is high and the clouds are light, which is a good opportunity for a military parade.

In Beijing Anding Gate, a long line of sedan chairs and horse teams came out one after another, and they were crowded and marched towards the camp outside Beijing.

At the camp gate, after meeting Zhu Xizhong and others, everyone soon arrived in front of the large review stand built by the Ministry of Works.

For this review, all the etiquette must be used. From the emperor leaving the palace to entering the camp, the entire street and the tower must be under martial law.

However, because it is just a drill, this part of the arrangement is naturally not used, and now Wei Guangde and others have quietly stood in the position where the officials stand under the large review stand. The highest place is where the emperor stays, and they cannot overstep their authority.

Here, the highest status is undoubtedly Chengguogong Zhu Xizhong and Yingguogong Zhang Rong and others. In addition to the Duke, it is naturally Chen Yiqin and Wei Guangde from the cabinet.

Many nobles came, and they also knew the news and specially asked for permission to participate in this drill.

The purpose of each of them was different. Some wanted to get a sneak peek, while others wanted to watch the review and prepare to succeed Qi Jiguang.

"Duke Cheng, Minister Huo, it's your business now. Today, we'll just watch."

Everyone was sitting on the chairs that were brought over, and Chen Yiqin spoke.

Zhu Xizhong was the Grand Commander of the Five Military Commands Office and the Admiral of the Beijing Camp. He was the highest official in the Beijing Camp, so it was naturally his home field.

Huo Yi was in charge of the Ministry of War and was also the head of the Beijing Camp, so Chen Yiqin said this.

"Haha, this matter was handled by Duke Cheng, Wei Ge Lao and Minister Tan. I won't take the credit. Let Duke Cheng arrange it."

Huo Yi smiled. He knew he couldn't take the credit for this matter.

He just took the position of Minister of War, and the review was actually done by Wei Guangde, Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang from beginning to end.

Although his faction and Wei Guangde were at odds, they would never make it public. They just had conflicts of interest, not mortal enemies.

Wei Guangde smiled and said, "Duke Cheng is the commander of the Beijing Camp, so he should be the commander of the review."

Zhu Xizhong laughed when he heard what they said, "Okay, I'll arrange it."

After laughing, Zhu Xizhong stood up and stood on the edge of the review platform, shouting to the Beijing Camp generals waiting in line, "Where is Prime Minister Qi Jiguang?"

Qi Jiguang was the deputy general of the Beijing Camp, but he also served as the prime minister of the three towns' military training. He had no real power, but it was still a position.

Because the official position of Prime Minister on military training affairs is not a permanent official position, Zhu Xizhong is called "Prime Minister" according to custom, just like the so-called "Governor". In fact, the title of the position is Governor of a certain place's military affairs.

Qi Jiguang, who was in the audience, heard the admiral shouting, and immediately walked a few steps out of the queue, clasped his fists and answered loudly to the stage: "The general is here."

"The military parade has been assembled."

Although more than ten square formations could be seen in the distance, and the soldiers had already been lined up neatly waiting to be reviewed, Zhu Xizhong still asked loudly.

"I report to the Admiral, except for the border troops, all the troops from the Beijing camp and Changping and Baoding are here. Please accept your review."

Qi Jiguang still answered loudly.

In fact, in the history of the Ming Dynasty, there was no such dialogue ceremony during the Grand Parade. When Wei Guangde, Tan Lun, and Zhu Xizhong were thinking about the process, they thought that there seemed to be a military parade commander-in-chief in later generations who had such a dialogue, and they came up with it on the spur of the moment.

As the highest general in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Xizhong can naturally reprise his role as commander-in-chief.

However, in this drill, Zhu Xizhong asked questions in the name of the reviewer, while Qi Jiguang assumed the role of Zhu Xizhong to conduct the ceremony.

Later, the ceremony in which Zhu Xizhong rode on horseback to review the formations was canceled because it was a drill. He was seen standing on the edge of the grand review stage, waving his hand and shouting energetically: "The grand parade begins."

Qi Jiguang turned around and shouted to the Ming army formation in the distance: "The parade has begun."

As he shouted, several flags began to wave.

In such a large parade ground, no matter how high the volume of an individual's voice is, it is impossible to carry it very far, but with the command flag, the Ming army can easily receive the order.

As the flags were waved, the generals from the Beijing camp who were originally lined up under the stage also moved forward and stood in a line under the stage, acting as a human wall in front of the grand review stage.

Wei Guangde stood up, walked behind Zhu Xizhong, glanced at the generals in the audience, and said with a smile: "Why are their armors so new?"

"They are all getting brand new armor from the warehouse so that they can show off their energy in front of His Majesty."

Zhu Xizhong smiled.

Armor is not cheap to make these days, especially the battle armor worn by these generals. The materials are second, mainly the craftsman, which is particularly time-consuming, so it is expensive to make.

"During the parade, it's best to let them wear ancestral armor, the kind that has been on the battlefield, even if there are some signs of damage and repair, it doesn't matter."

Wei Guangde whispered to Zhu Xizhong.

"Um?"

Zhu Xizhong was a little confused, "Why?"

"The owners of those armors are the bones of the empire. Without their brave fighting, there would be no glory and wealth today.

Although the people are gone, the armor is still there. I believe that each family will preserve it well. Let them witness the military might of the Ming Dynasty army today. "

Wei Guangde replied.

"Well said."

The voice of Yang Bo, the Minister of Civil Affairs, sounded from behind.