Daju Hutong, Yang Bo’s residence.

Yang Bo's youngest son Yang Junqing and his nephew Yang Sihe were directing the servants in the mansion to go in and out and pack up all the furnishings and expenses in the house.

In the study, Yang Bo only asked Zhang Siwei to help him clean up. He didn't want to let his servants clean up his study, various cultural relics, and especially the books in the bookshelves and bookcases, many of which were rare books.

"Why should uncle do this kind of thing himself?" Zhang Siwei followed the instructions and boxed the books one by one, numbered them, and then packed them into boxes.

"Every time we move, books are lost. Most of them are the result of servants not knowing how to put things in the wrong place or throwing them away." Yang Bo, wearing reading glasses, flipped through an ancient book and said, "For example, this Song Dynasty edition of Youyang Zazu was thrown into the box of Tongjian. I thought Zhao Liben had taken it away. If it weren't for this move, how could it have been recovered?"

As he read, he was attracted by the book Youyang Zazu and said to Zhang Siwei with a smile: "This story is interesting. The little girl named Ye Xian must have been born with golden lotus. Otherwise, how could she be the only one who could wear the golden shoes?"

Zhang Siwei sighed secretly when he heard this. Seeing Yang Bo's leisurely look, it seemed as if he had already entered retirement.

He smiled bitterly and said, "Uncle, there is no need to move all your belongings away. I will have people come to clean up from time to time. After a year or so, you should be able to come back again."

"I'm not coming back." Yang Bo waved his hand, put the book aside, and prepared to read on the way. "I passed the imperial examination at the age of 20, and have been working like a slave for the royal family for 40 years. It's time for me to go home and enjoy my old age."

"Uncle, you said at the beginning that you retired temporarily in order to give Gao Xinzheng a great gift!" Zhang Siwei couldn't help but asked in surprise: "How could Gao Xinzheng not reinstate you in the future? Is he still a human being then?"

"I have already made an appointment to meet him in Zhengding Prefecture and have a good talk with him, asking him to let me go under the forest and not to catch an old sheep and pluck its wool again." Yang Bo shook his head and said in a very firm attitude.

"This..." Zhang Siwei was stunned. The big tree that had provided shade for many years was suddenly gone. He couldn't help but feel panic. "Can your uncle just abandon us?"

"Hey, isn't it like this from generation to generation?" Yang Bo smiled and comforted him, "Young Master Zhao once wrote in a poem that 'Each generation has its own talents, and each leads the country for hundreds of years.' You must have this kind of courage as well. Besides, there are Old Wang, Old Huo and your uncle. If you are really unsure, you can always ask them for advice."

After a pause, he added earnestly: "But their careers are almost over, so the final decision is up to you. You have to hold up this piece of sky for us Shanxi people!"

"Yes, uncle." Zhang Siwei gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Don't be too nervous. This old man's departure will be of great benefit to you." Yang Bo said with a smile, "I helped you get back the favor that Zhao kid had taken away before. Whether it's the emperor or Gao Xinzheng, you have to accept my kindness and cultivate you well."

"Uncle..." Zhang Siwei's eyes were slightly red. Yang Bo was more like a father to him than a father. "I really can't repay this kindness."

"You don't need to repay me, just repay your successor. Isn't this how our Shanxi Gang has survived for generations? In our poor and remote place, how can we not unite and conquer the world?" Yang Bo refused to accept his kindness and whispered:

"I didn't inform Zhang Taiyue about my retirement this time, and even Gao Xinzheng was kept in the dark."

"Ah?" Zhang Siwei was so surprised that his mouth couldn't close. "Why?" Do good deeds without leaving a name? That's not the style of Shanxi people.

"Don't worry about Gao Xinzheng. I didn't make any conditions for him. He will definitely appreciate this gift. Besides, your majesty knows everything and will tell him the truth in person. If Gao Xinzheng wants to turn against us Shanxi people in the future, he will have to consider whether he will appear to be ruthless and ungrateful in your majesty's eyes."

Yang Bo stood up with his hands on his knees and said, "Besides, Zhang Taiyue will definitely have a thorn in his heart. Not only will he be very dissatisfied with us, but also with Gao Xinzheng."

As he said this, he smiled faintly and said, "Zhang Taiyue is extremely smart, but he wants to go to the Nine Heavens and Nine Nights, and he can't understand why I would give up my position as a celestial official and pave the way for Gao Xinzheng."

Then Yang Bo whispered, "He is too conceited. This kind of person will only trust his own judgment and will never ask the parties involved for confirmation. Gao Xinzheng is too careless and will not take the initiative to explain to him. The two of them will definitely have a rift in their hearts."

He laughed at himself, revealing a desolate look of "every generation has its own talents" and said, "In fact, they are both capable men. Even if I didn't do this, things would have ended badly sooner or later."

"Nephew understands..." Zhang Siwei said suddenly:

"Uncle's move caused Gao Xinzheng and Zhang Taiyue to feel resentful. On our side, uncle sacrificed himself without asking for anything in return. It goes without saying that Gao Xinzheng relies on whom he is close to and who is far away from."

"That's right." Yang Bo nodded approvingly and said, "Gao Gong will treat you as his own people. With him protecting you from the wind and rain, your life will be very good."

As he said this, he looked at Zhang Siwei with expectation and said, "Gao Xinzheng will return the favor to you. Add to that the future contributions to the peace talks, and in a few years, we Shanxi people will finally have a cabinet minister."

"Uncle is so smart, really smart!" Zhang Siwei couldn't help but give him a thumbs up and sighed in his heart, wondering when he could cultivate to Yang Bo's level.

"By the way, uncle, will that kid named Zhao interfere?" he asked again with some concern.

"No." Yang Bo shook his head and said, "Haven't you figured it out yet? That guy is obsessed with maritime trade, making a fortune, and managing his little piece of land in Jiangnan. At least in the short term, he won't conflict with us."

"What about the future?" Zhang Siwei asked.

"In the future?" Yang Bo hesitated, then shook his head slowly and said, "Who knows what will happen in the future?"

~~

On the first day of July, the imperial edict was held as scheduled in the East Pavilion of the Forbidden City in the capital.

The result was no surprise. Gao Gong finally got enough votes and was also recommended by both the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and the Minister of Personnel.

In addition, Zhao Zhenji, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was also nominated as a candidate for the Grand Secretary. It is said that Li Gelao and Chen Gelao made great efforts in this matter.

Li Chunfang and Zhao Zhenji belong to the same school of mind, and Chen Ge Lao and Zhao Zhenji are even more hometown friends. The two had long wanted to recommend him to the cabinet, but the matter needed to be approved by Buzz.

If my Master Gao doesn't come back, none of you will be able to join the cabinet...

Therefore, the matter of Zhao Zhenji joining the cabinet was delayed again and again, but this time it could finally be resolved together with Gao Gong.

At least there will be more people in the cabinet.

"If a fight breaks out, I won't suffer any loss..." Lord Li said self-deprecatingly to Lord Chen.

What the two never expected was that this joke would actually come true. Although they were not the ones fighting, it was right to fight against Gao Huzi...

~~

Palace of Heavenly Purity.

After coming down from the morning court session, Emperor Longqing did not even bother to take off his leather cap and robe for court attendance. He paced back and forth in the east warm room, anxiously waiting for the result of the court recommendation.

Although he was very confident, he was afraid of the hassle. If the final result was not known, who knew what would happen?

Teng Xiang, who served beside him, was also urged by him to go out and inquire again and again so that the news could be delivered in as soon as possible.

In fact, there was no need for Teng Xiang to go out and check, as Chen Hong, who was not on duty, was guarding at the Qianqing Gate with his neck stretched out.

He waited and waited, until the Western clock in the Qianqing Palace rang ten times in a row. Chen Hong, who was guarding the Qianqing Gate, finally saw the young eunuch who was sent to be on duty in the cabinet running towards him.

"Your Majesty, great joy!" As soon as the young eunuch ran into the Qianqing Gate, he shouted excitedly towards the Qianqing Palace.

"What are you yelling about? Are there any rules?" But a sinister voice was heard beside him.

The young eunuch froze there as if he had been licked by a poisonous snake. He then turned his head with great effort and forced out a smile that was uglier than crying, saying, "Third, Third Ancestor, long live you..."

"When can you stand and talk to me?" Chen Hong snorted coldly, "I think you still didn't hear what I said clearly."

The young eunuch was startled, and quickly knelt on his knees, holding up the memorial with a stamp on it in his hand and saying, "Please present this to our Third Ancestor, His Majesty, for His Majesty's long life!"

"Hmph." Chen Hong then reached out his hand, took the memorial, and without letting him get up, he went straight into the Qianqing Palace.

Just as he was about to walk towards the east warm room, he heard the teasing voice of the eunuch Teng Xiang from behind the curtain.

"Eunuch Chen is very angry, but even if you beat a dog, you have to look at its owner first."

Chen Hong cursed inwardly, then quickly put on a smile and said, "I didn't know that boy was my brother's man."

"The godson I just adopted." Teng Xiang walked out slowly, his eyes fixed on the memorial in his hand.

Chen Hong had no choice but to hand it to him. But he cursed in his heart, you took away the opportunity to announce the good news, but you can't take away my credit!

~~

Hearing the hurried footsteps, Long Qing held his breath, turned to look at the door, and saw Teng Xiang rushing in panting.

In fact, from the place where he ambushed Chen Hong to the door of the warm room, there were only ten steps. It was hard for Eunuch Chen to breathe so hard.

"How is it?" Longqing's mind was on the memorial, so how could he notice his little trick?

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty. Master Gao has achieved the success that everyone expected and will be able to make a comeback!" Eunuch Teng cried with joy.

"Good!" Longqing took a step forward, picked up the memorial and saw that it was what he wanted. He was so happy that his eyes turned red.

"Okay, okay, I can finally see Master Gao again!"

He immediately took the memorial to the imperial desk, picked up the red brush and wrote in red:

'Gao Gong was appointed as the Minister of Personnel and concurrently the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace.

Zhao Zhenji was appointed as the Minister of Rites and concurrently the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion.

In order to prevent the six ministries from interfering, after approving the document and using its seal, Longqing immediately sent an envoy to leave Beijing to convey his imperial edict.

The urgent message from the Ministry of Personnel was sent out of Beijing over 800 miles away, and finally reached the Six Ministries Corridor.

Sure enough, Zheng Dajing, the Minister of Personnel, immediately expressed his intention to return the imperial edict on the grounds that it violated the rules.

However, the eunuch who came to deliver the memorial told them sarcastically that it was too late, as the decree had already been issued hundreds of miles away!

The Sixth Department Store was struck by lightning. Many people burst into tears and resigned on the spot.

ps. Chapter 3, please give me your monthly vote!