He Yin paused for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean by that, Marquis Qingdong?"

As Xu Shouli walked, he said, "I don't mean anything else, I just have a feeling that Wen Hu is unpredictable and is becoming more and more like Wen Tai."

He Yin immediately understood and said, "Does Marquis Qingdong mean that Wen Hu's words and actions were all arranged by Wen Tai?"

Who knows?

Xu Shouli said indignantly, "Wen Tai is such a smart man, don't you think he fell too quickly? Don't forget, Yu Changsi is still alive and well in the Marquis's mansion."

He Yin carefully considered Xu Shouli's words, followed in Xu Shouli's footsteps, and after thinking for a while, said: "Prince Xin is still young. If the Central Secretariat becomes Prince Xin's personal fiefdom, it will inevitably be taken advantage of by bad people."

Xu Shouli stopped and bowed to He Yin, saying, "Minister He, you are wise."

He Yin asked, "Does Your Excellency have a solution?"

"No," Xu Shouli admitted frankly.

"well."

This time it was He Yin's turn to sigh and say, "Da Jing was getting better and better, but then His Majesty did this."

“I have a suggestion. If Minister He considers this to be disobedient, he may report me,” Xu Shouli said.

He Yin said solemnly, "I know Qingdong Marquis well, please speak frankly."

Xu Shouli said, "Now that the Left Prime Minister's office has fallen, if the Central Secretariat becomes a mere formality, then the Xin Prince's Party, once it grows stronger, will be even more terrifying than the Left Prime Minister's office. His Majesty trusts his brother and can disregard the state of the court, but we cannot disregard it. At this time, we need a force that can check and balance the Xin Prince's Party."

He Yin frowned and said, "Does Your Excellency intend to form a faction?"

"No."

Xu Shouli said sternly, "I don't have the ability or the will. What I can think of is that if we can no longer play a role in the Central Secretariat, we should preserve the strength that can save Dajing in the future."

He Yin asked, "Please speak frankly, Your Excellency."

Xu Shouli said, "The Southern Border Army, General Wang, and the Right Chancellor's Office."

He Yin thought for a moment and said, "I understand."

Xu Shouli said no more, but bowed deeply to He Yin with his fists clasped, and He Yin quickly returned the bow.

As the sun set, two men of high rank bowed to each other.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people.

...

In a courtyard on the outskirts of Changsui City, amidst the vibrant colors of flowers, plants, fish, and insects, Dongfang Jun, nearing sixty, reclines in the main seat, a glass of fine wine in his hand. Before him are graceful dancers, flanked by a large orchestra. His face is flushed, and he is completely absorbed in the music, his head swaying to the rhythm.

Every day of the year, Dongfang Jun repeats this kind of life, and he finds it very pleasant.

Enjoy life to the fullest when you're successful.

Just enjoy life to the fullest.

The old servant observed Dongfang Jun's expression, and when the time was right, he leaned close to Dongfang Jun's ear, looked at the dancers with a smile, and whispered, "Master, is there any you fancy? I'll send them to you tonight."

"vulgar!"

Dongfang Jun cursed, swirling his wine glass, and said carelessly, "Am I the kind of person who is tempted by appearances? Skin color is unimportant; what matters is the soul. After this song is over, I'll have a drinking game to test their quality!"

The old servant said obsequiously, "Master is indeed refined; it was this old servant who was presumptuous."

This old servant had served Dongfang Jun for decades and knew his master's temperament. Before unleashing his true nature after drinking, he always had to go through this formality. He was already used to it and skillfully arranged the next steps after stepping down.

Dongfang Jun downed the wine in his cup in one gulp. Although he still looked at the dancers with a gaze that was both admiring and greedy, his thoughts had already drifted far away.

To be precise, it drifted back to myself more than a decade ago.

At that time, he was forty years old and no longer confused. He held power and, relying on his talent and the trust of the late emperor, became one of the top court officials in the Dajing Dynasty.

However, before his death, the late emperor assigned him a position in charge of the imperial family and handed over the power in the court to Tu He and others.

He was furious.

He also knew that the late emperor's decision would bring him disaster.

Therefore, after the late emperor's death, he chose to retire in practice, not to participate in the court's struggles, and to avoid persecution by the Empress Dowager's faction and the Power Faction.

After Yuan Xiu took power, he disliked Yuan Xiu's personality and had grown accustomed to a leisurely life, so he simply stopped causing trouble.

But after living any kind of life for a long time, one's heart will inevitably be stirred by some ripples, especially when those things he had in his youth are reminding him of them.

You're not incapable, you just lack an opportunity.

After the establishment of the Central Government, Yuan Li took power, which brought hope to Dongfang Jun.

In Dongfang Jun's mind, Yuan Li was better than Yuan Xiu, so he outwardly remained the same, but secretly extended an olive branch to Yuan Li.

If Yuan Li takes a liking to him, she will naturally create opportunities for him.

He's gambling.

So while he appeared to be indulging in singing and dancing, he was actually anxiously awaiting a result.

He hoped that Yuan Li was a discerning person, so that he could have another glorious life.

After the song and dance ended, when it came time for the drinking game, three women stood out. It was clear that Dongfang Jun's old servant was familiar with his routines and preferences and had given the other dancers special training.

However, Dongfang Jun was getting old and could only choose one of the three options. Just then, a young man walked in.

Dongfang Jun immediately raised his hand, signaling the dancers to be quiet, and leaned closer to the young man, asking, "How was it?"

“Father, I couldn’t find out what the ministers of the Central Secretariat were discussing, but I asked some acquaintances in the Central Secretariat and learned a few important words.”

"Changfeng, it's already quite an achievement that you were able to get information from the central command. Tell me about it."

The young man named Changfeng was dressed as a martial artist, with a long staff tied to his back, and he was very respectful to Dongfang Jun.

“Uncle, the words I found are disaster relief, imperial examination, and Zhao Cheng.”

“Disaster relief, the imperial examination, Zhao Cheng…” Dongfang Jun muttered to himself, his brows furrowing slightly before relaxing and smiling. “Disaster relief and Zhao Cheng are none of my concern, but the imperial examination… I should have some chance.”

Changfeng asked doubtfully, "The imperial examination is for those who have never held an official position. What does it have to do with you, Father?"

Dongfang Jun laughed and said, "Don't think that with my qualifications, I'm not qualified to be the deputy examiner or the chief examiner of the imperial examination?"

Changfeng immediately said, "It is my son who is shallow."

"Just wait and see." Dongfang Jun waved his hand and said, "You don't need to investigate anymore. Whether it succeeds or not, I believe His Highness Prince Xin will give me an explanation."

Changfeng said, "That's natural. Prince Xin calls you 'Uncle' in private."

Dongfang Jun stroked his beard with satisfaction, clearly pleased with Changfeng's words. He waved to the dancers in front of him and said, "You are young. Tonight, I will make the decision for you. You can choose one first."

"This..." Changfeng clasped his hands and said, "My son is a martial artist, so it's best not to strain his body."

"That's utter nonsense!"

Dongfang Jun glanced at Changfeng with an all-knowing look and said, "The more you practice martial arts, the more energetic you become. How can you not find an outlet for your energy?"

Thousands of thousands of people