"Gao Shiming? What does he want from me?" Li Ruolian asked warily.

Gao Shiming was not only the eunuch in charge of the seal, but also in charge of the East Factory during Wang Zhixin's absence from Beijing. He was Chongzhen's right-hand man.

Li Ruolian was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Chongzhen's right-hand man.

Unless there are special circumstances, the left and right arms should try not to contact each other so as not to arouse the emperor's suspicion.

This is not only the way to be an official, but also a way to protect yourself.

Li Ruo Lian is well aware of this.

The old eunuch saluted Li Ruolian again and said, "Commander Li, don't worry. This is only official business, not personal business!"

"Official business?" Li Ruo Lian smiled coldly: "I don't have much contact with the Imperial Household Department, so how can there be any official business?"

The old eunuch said respectfully, "Your Majesty has allocated a sum of money from the treasury to the Zhenfu Division. The Sili is in charge of the treasury. Isn't this an official business?"

"Ahem..." Li Ruo Lian coughed twice, "Where is Gao Shiming?"

"Supervisor of Ceremonies!"

"Lead the way!"

"Commander Li, please follow me!"

The two left the Forbidden City and walked north along the outer edge of Wansui Mountain, passing through the Imperial Wardrobe and arriving at the Imperial Household Department.

The Imperial Household Department is located inside the Imperial City, northeast of the Forbidden City.

After bringing Li Ruolian to the Imperial Household Department, the old eunuch turned around and left with the other eunuchs.

There are only two people in the entire Silijian: Gao Shiming and Li Ruolian.

Looking at the palace door closing behind him, Li Ruo Lian frowned and asked, "Eunuch Gao, do you want to talk about official business or personal matters?"

"Of course it's official business! I'm a eunuch, how could I have any private matters?" Gao Shiming said with a very experienced smile.

"Why is the office closed for official business? Is it an embarrassing official business?" Li Ruo Lian asked.

"It's cold and windy outside, so we closed the door!" Gao Shiming replied.

"Then why did you kick everyone else out?" Li Ruolian asked again.

Gao Shiming spread his hands and said, "I didn't drive anyone out! They went out voluntarily!"

"Haha, what a volunteer!" Li Ruolian shook his head helplessly, "Tell me, what's the matter!"

Gao Shiming did not respond immediately. Instead, he picked up the teapot on the table and poured a cup of tea for Li Ruolian: "Commander Li, have some tea!"

Li Ruo Lian walked closer reluctantly, picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Before he put down the teacup, Gao Shiming suddenly took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

"What is this?" Li Ruoliao became more cautious.

"You'll know when you see it."

Li Ruo Lian followed Gao Shiming's gaze and found nine lines of words written on the paper.

The first line is written by Ling Yiqu, the Dali Temple official.

The second row is the Minister of Public Administration Zhao Weiyue.

After that, there were Wang Du, the Minister of Taichang Temple, Ge Zhengqi, the Minister of Guanglu Temple, Wu Jiazhou, the Minister of Shangbao Temple, and others...

"What does Eunuch Gao want to do?" Li Ruolian asked.

Gao Shiming chuckled, moved closer to Li Ruo Lian, put his arm around his shoulders and whispered, "Commander Li, help me see who has the most promising future among these people."

"What does future mean?"

"Literally, hehe!" Gao Shiming laughed non-stop, "You also know that officials in the capital like to form cliques! I am in charge of the Imperial Household Department, so I have to find a way to win over some officials to help the Imperial Household Department speak in the court."

"The Jinyiwei has no right to interfere in matters concerning the Imperial Household Department. Eunuch Gao, you should ask someone else!" Li Ruolian turned around and wanted to leave.

"Don't go," Gao Shiming grabbed Li Ruolian's clothes, "Help me."

"I can't help you with this!" Li Ruolian refused. "Jinyiwei only does work, not politics."

The smile on Gao Shiming's face gradually disappeared: "Commander Li, you must think it over carefully!"

"Ahem," Li Ruolian coughed twice. "All the nine ministers are talented. It's hard to say who has the best future."

Li Ruo Lian relented.

It's not that he is a coward, but the Imperial Household Department has too much power.

If Gao Shiming and the Imperial Household Department were angered, one could imagine what the future would hold for the Jinyiwei.

Gao Shiming smiled again when he saw this: "Commander Li, please continue."

Keep going!

Li Ruolian cursed in his heart.

He didn't even know Gao Shiming's intentions, and if he spoke rashly, he might end up causing trouble.

"I really have no clue, Eunuch Gao, please give me a hint!" Li Ruolian looked distressed.

Gao Shiming was about to speak when he suddenly realized that this was a trap set for him by Li Ruolian.

If he revealed his true purpose, he would surely die if the news got out.

"Uh..." Gao Shiming stretched out his tone, "This is something that concerns your majesty! Commander Li, please think about it carefully!"

Troubles?

What's troubling you, Your Majesty?

Liaodong?

Conquering Liao is a major national event, and it is not something that people of their level can help solve.

Zheng Chenggong and Zheng Zhilong?

A solution had already been agreed upon before coming to the Imperial Household Department.

It's neither Liaodong nor Southeast, so what else could Your Majesty be worried about?

Four words flashed through Li Ruolian’s mind: currency reform!

The imperial court was implementing currency reform across the country, and there was basically no resistance in the north.

The situation in Jiangnan is just the opposite, with great resistance.

Especially several wealthy provinces such as Nanzhili and Zhejiang.

The wealthy gentry and landlords not only refused to exchange the silver for Ming Yuanbao, but also buried the silver underground.

Your Majesty and the court are worried about this.

Gao Shiming saw that Li Ruolian was no longer in a daze, and asked hurriedly: "Commander Li, have you found a suitable candidate?"

Li Ruolian neither nodded nor shook her head, but looked at the piece of paper on the table.

The nine lines of words above changed in his eyes.

Eight lines of words gradually became blurred, and only one line of words became clearer.

Li Ruo Lian retracted his gaze and said leisurely: "The south is the world of the Donglin Party. The Jinyiwei only knows that the leader of the Donglin Party is named Qian Qianyi."

Gao Shiming shook his head. "Although Qian Qianyi is the leader of Donglin, Your Majesty hates him the most and will never let him return to the court!"

Li Ruolian walked slowly to the door of the Imperial Household Department and opened it.

The north wind rushed into the house with a roar, blowing the piece of paper into the air.

Li Ruo Lian walked to the door and bowed to Gao Shiming who was inside the door: "Eunuch Gao, although some people are not in the court, their shadows are always there!"