Chapter 382: Tit-for-tat at the Court Meeting
How will the two ministers react?
Qin Chi probably had some guesses, but he thought their difficulties were not very clever. As long as he kept his composure and had some contact with one side, they would guess and be suspicious of each other without him having to do much.
Qin Chi was too lazy to pay attention to the two of them as he was accompanying Song Jin at home to select servants.
After delivering the invitation, Old Li brought a group of people back to his house, including old women and maids, two governesses, maids and servants.
It was sent to Song Jin for use.
Song Jin picked a nanny for Niu Niu and two maids for her to help Xiao Yu. She picked two of them to serve her, and Huang Pozi was the mother in charge, who also took care of her youngest son.
Then he selected two errand boys for Qin Chi.
The bigger the house, the more people need to clean it.
I picked a few more.
A total of more than a dozen people were selected.
Old Li said in front of the servants: "Use these people first and try them for a period of time. If they are suitable, keep them. If they are not suitable, replace them." These words were undoubtedly a warning to these people.
"Okay, thank you Uncle Li."
Song Jin accepted his kindness and said, "Uncle Li, why don't you pick some errand boys? They won't have to follow my husband around all the time and be so tired."
"Thank you for your concern, Madam Lao. I am destined to be a hard worker. I will feel uncomfortable if I don't follow you, young master." Old Li chuckled.
Can he say that this is his duty? Who doesn't want to live a comfortable life? But he was ordered to stay with the young master. If he really wanted to rest, only Qin Chi or the prince and the prince would ask.
However, Old Li also appreciated Song Jin's kindness.
He knew Song Jin meant well.
Then Old Li talked to Song Jin about the preparations for the new house. Qin Chi meant that it should not be a big event, just a simple one with a few tables and some close friends.
Song Jin has almost no contact with his relatives.
The only representative is Xing Lun.
The Qin family's relatives were not here either. The people invited were only students and colleagues Qin Chi knew. He had been an official for so long, but he didn't have any colleagues he was familiar with.
Some people who really have a relationship with him cannot contact him openly and need to avoid suspicion.
Qin Chi and Song Jin thought about it again and again, but they didn't decide on a list. They only invited Lu Yanji and Lu Bozhou, but they were worried that they would be too conspicuous. It would not be a good thing to be too close to him at this time. If they invited Yan Xianqing and others, they might be suspected of forming a clique for personal gain.
Song Jin simply suggested, "Why don't you just send a letter to your colleagues in the Hanlin Academy, the Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Works, regardless of their official rank, as long as they have worked with you before."
"Are you going to invite everyone you know?" Qin Chi raised his eyebrows and looked at Song Jin.
Song Jin smiled gently, "This way no one will report you for forming a clique for personal gain."
"Hahaha……"
Qin Chi laughed out loud, "But this isn't just a small invitation."
"My husband has not been an official for long. I calculated that we don't need many tables." Song Jin estimated that more than a dozen people would come.
Qin Chi said helplessly: "Madam, have you forgotten that when a person in a high position of power has a happy event at home, even if it is not publicized, someone will hear about it and send a gift."
Song Jin forgot.
He forgot that Qin Chi, who was sitting in front of him, was already a high-ranking official.
It's not that she doesn't understand.
It's because her mentality has not changed. Her nanny also taught her this.
After being stunned for a moment, Song Jin quickly adjusted his mentality and said seriously, "I'm sorry, husband, I neglected this matter. So the person who is invited is likely to bring his wife with him, and there may also be younger generations attending. I will make proper arrangements."
Men and women sit at different seats at the banquet.
A separate place should be chosen for the women's seats, and married and unmarried women should be entertained separately.
Song Jin looked at Qin Chi again, "The male guests will be entertained by my husband. If there are unmarried young men, you can also let Sanlang come out to greet them."
"My lady has considered everything very carefully."
Qin Chi just hopes that not many people come.
In the next two days, Qin Chi sent invitations to his familiar colleagues in the Hanlin Academy, Dali Temple and the Ministry of Works one by one.
In order to avoid making others spend money, in fact, to avoid being targeted by the censor and accused of taking the opportunity to accept bribes, he solemnly stated in the post that it was an ordinary banquet and he would not accept gifts. He asked the other party to come and have a simple meal, and also bring his wife and children to add some popularity to the house.
There is nothing wrong with this approach.
Many people can understand.
This is the practice of most of the clean officials among the civil servants.
This actually earned Qin Chi a good reputation. At least he did not become arrogant after he achieved success.
There is no shortage of people in the world who are humble and polite before they become famous, but become arrogant and so rampant after they become famous that they forget their own reasons.
The only thing that is puzzling, or even criticized, is that Qin Chi did not send a letter to Minister Zhang.
There is no wrong version in the 1619 book forum!
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he missed the invitation from Minister Zhang. You should know that Qin Chi even sent invitations to several heads of the Ministry of Industry and Yuheng Division, which shows that he is not a person who flatters the powerful and bullies the weak.
It was precisely because of his way of posting without caring about his position that most people did not think Qin Chi was bad. Instead, they began to speculate whether it was Minister Zhang's fault.
Because Minister Wang, who was at the same level as Minister Zhang, had received the invitation long before, and it was Qin Chi who personally delivered it to the mansion. This comparison made Minister Zhang stand out.
Minister Wang was speechless about this matter.
Minister Zhang was so angry that he smashed several sets of expensive tea sets.
Qin Chi never said anything bad about Minister Zhang in front of others. Although he didn't say a single bad word, others seemed to see his grievance.
He looked very calm, and even Qin Chi didn't know how others could tell that he was wronged? Didn't anyone think that not speaking ill of others in front of others was just because of his good upbringing?
The day before the banquet.
It happened to be a grand court meeting.
Qin Chi unexpectedly met Minister Wang and Minister Zhang who came to the court.
Even though the two pretended to be sick, they couldn't be absent from the court meeting. Otherwise, Emperor Cheng would most likely ask about it, and then they would be in trouble. They couldn't use illness as an excuse in the Ministry of Works.
If you say you are sick and don't want to attend the court meeting, you are facing the emperor, and pretending to be sick is tantamount to deceiving the emperor.
It’s okay if you don’t pursue it or hold on to it.
Anyone who pursues these two people will be punished.
Qin Chi walked over with a smile on his face and asked politely, "Minister Wang, Minister Zhang, are you feeling better?"
"Much better, much better. Thank you, Lord Qin, for your concern." Minister Wang responded awkwardly.
Minister Zhang pretended well in front of others. "I didn't expect that Lord Qin, who is so busy, would still care about our health."
"Minister Zhang, please be careful with your words. It is His Majesty who is in charge of all the affairs of state, not a mere subject like me." Qin Chi sternly corrected Minister Zhang's words.
Minister Zhang suddenly realized and slapped himself on the lips, "Oh, I said it wrong because I spoke too quickly. I hope Lord Qin won't blame me."
"I have no right to blame Minister Zhang. This is the first time I have seen you since I took office at the Ministry of Works. You are so welcoming." Qin Chi's mouth is also sharp.
Emperor Mingcheng has not come yet.
The officials standing by were watching a good show.
All the civil and military officials in the palace knew that because Qin Chi was parachuted into the Ministry of Works, the two assistant ministers had been sick and recuperating at home, which gave Qin Chi enough of a warning and prevented him from getting involved in the core affairs of the Ministry of Works.
Many people are waiting to see Qin Chi make a fool of himself.