As soon as Xie Shu returned to Beijing, many people got the news.
Now that Xie Shu is the new Minister of Works, he is naturally a different person. Moreover, he is young, has a good family background, and has achievements. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be active in the court for a long time and constitute an important part of the political core.
But most people remained on the sidelines because they were all waiting for a more definite result, which depended on Lu Shuo's attitude towards Xie Shu.
The struggle between the aristocratic families and the poor families started from the day the imperial examination system was born, and it lasted for several decades in total until the imperial examination became extremely fierce when Emperor Qing came to power.
Later, the family dispute gradually evolved into a party dispute. Today, there is also opposition over border policy, and the two sides are no longer compatible.
In essence, it is still a struggle for power.
During this period, countless people became victims, especially those from poor families, until the representative of the four noble families, the first-rank official Cui Yuan, left in disgrace, which finally brought the matter to an end.
Lu Shuo can be regarded as the first winner from a poor family in the true sense. His victory in such a bloody struggle also shows his scheming and his methods.
Now that he has gained power, he has become even more outrageous. As Emperor Qing gradually grows older, the entire court is about to become his one-man show.
Although Xie Shu was from a poor family, his identity was very sensitive. He and Lu Shuo were fellow apprentices, and there were rumors that the two had been at odds with each other before.
So everyone dares not act rashly, and we can understand the reason.
But these people did not include Xie Shu's former classmates, such as Tao Yun, Xu Shengkai and others, who came to congratulate him when they learned that Xie Shu had returned to Beijing.
The marriage between the Tao family and the Cui family was forced by Lü Shuo, and in the end the marriage failed. However, Tao Yun turned a disaster into a blessing, and had no obstacles in his official career. Now he is a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel.
After Xu Shengkai failed the exam, he took it again twice and finally passed the exam on the third try. Although he ranked last, he was awarded an eighth-rank official post, the Supervisory Censor. The Supervisory Censor was an independent agency whose main responsibility was to impeach civil and military officials and to report to the court, regardless of official rank.
Five years have passed since the end of the imperial examination. Xie Shu, who was originally the youngest, has become a second-rank official. None of them are as good as him, but no one is surprised. Xie Shu is the most talented, and he takes every step steadily. His reputation in the court and among the people is also very real.
Now that everyone is gathered together again, they can't help but feel that time flies by mercilessly and the world is unpredictable.
I wonder where the young man who was once full of vigor and vitality, dressed in fine clothes and riding a horse, has fallen in this officialdom.
After reminiscing about the past, the topic of conversation inevitably returned to the current situation in the court.
After a few years, the political environment in the court did not improve, but even became worse. Years of party struggles had caused the two sides to attack and confront each other. Everyone was like a frightened bird, and more than a hundred officials were demoted and exiled.
The consequences were obvious. Political chaos, lax administration, economic contraction, and military retreat were all seen by people of insight. After Lü Shuo came to power, the contradictions intensified. He began to amass wealth and eliminate dissidents. The people he promoted were also his eyes, ears, and confidants.
Xu Shengkai sighed and said, "With the current situation like this, how can the world be peaceful?"
Although everyone was touched after these words were spoken, no one wanted to continue talking about this dangerous topic.
As the host, Xie Shu calmly changed the subject.
The banquet was halfway through when someone outside suddenly reported, "Sir, the mansion has received a new gift, sent by...Teacher Lu's people."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present looked at him sideways.
The brush in Lu Shuo's hand moved across the Bailu Xuan paper, and the ink was dripping, which was very beautiful.
His confidant walked in quickly and flattered him, saying, "Your Excellency's handwriting is as smooth as flowing clouds and water, as beautiful as iron and silver. It is really wonderful!"
Lu Shuo has been the Ziwei Order for so many years that many people have forgotten that he was initially promoted by Emperor Qing because of his outstanding handwriting.
Many people also overlooked that Lü Shuo actually had a great talent for poetry. Every year, he wrote congratulatory messages for Emperor Qing's birthday. Emperor Qing praised his calligraphy for its vigorous, dignified and elegant style. Several buildings that were renovated today, such as the plaque on the Imperial Examination Hall, were also written by Lü Shuo.
The smile on Lu Shuo's face was fleeting: "It's just ten years of hard work, anyone can do it."
At this time, Lu Shuo changed the subject and said calmly: "Have you completed the task I asked you to do?"
The confidant said repeatedly, "All right, all right. Your Excellency is right. As soon as Xie Shu returned to the capital, many people came to visit him. I have asked someone to write down the names of the people. He has many friends, including children from aristocratic families. However, he knows the current situation very well. He not only accepted the gift from Your Excellency, but also gave one in return. I will present the gift list to Your Excellency now."
As the confidant was busy taking out the gift list, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of joy on his face.
Lu Shuo glanced at it casually and was slightly surprised.
Speaking of which, he and Xie Shu had only met privately once six years ago, and he could still recall how audacious and shameless this man was at that time.
However, even though Xie Shu later won the top three places in the imperial examinations and was admitted to the Hanlin Academy, it was not enough to attract Lu Shuo's attention, because the Hanlin Academy did not play any responsibilities in actual politics. It was not until Xie Shu finished his "Geographical Records" and was sent to be the governor of Jiangpu River on the eve of a storm that Lu Shu realized how brilliant the move made by his "junior brother" was.
But is this Jiang Hong's arrangement, or does Xie Shu have extraordinary political vision?
The former made Lu Shuo suspicious, while the latter made him a little fearful, especially since Emperor Qing directly appointed Xie Shu without going through him.
Since when did his junior fellow apprentice win the favor of His Majesty? Did he overlook something six years ago?
Six years ago, Jiang Hong had just accepted Xie Shu for a year. Even if Jiang Hong had a plan from the beginning, it would be impossible for him to meet a disciple who met all his expectations.
Why is it that Xie Shu's past experience is so mediocre, or is it really such a coincidence that he just happened to encounter a perfectly suitable uncut jade?
Lu Shuo couldn't help but sigh: Teacher, teacher, what do you want to do?
Then, Lu Shuo sneered in his heart: Why do you have to go against me? The world's situation is in my hands!
Of course, if possible, Lu Shuo did not want to touch Xie Shu now. Xie Shu alone was not worth disrupting his entire plan, so Lu Shuo's gift was a hot potato. If Xie Shu accepted it, it would tarnish his reputation. If Xie Shu refused to accept it, he could also take the opportunity to accuse him of disrespect.
Unexpectedly, Xie Shu was so polite and gave something in return. Could he be willing to give up his good reputation?
Lu Shuo couldn't figure out what Xie Shu was thinking for a moment, but now there are fewer and fewer people in the court who dare to go against him. People who know the times are always likable. He turned his thoughts away from Xie Shu. It is too early for a Minister of Works who has not yet secured his position to participate in this chess game.
Lu Shuo is now above ten thousand people, and his sights are also set on another high place, the future position of crown prince.
Although Lu Shuo was the Grand Tutor, it was only in name only.
Even though the prince is known for his kindness, he will never keep him after he ascends the throne. How could Lu Shuo just sit there and wait for death?
However, in order to get enough chips, Lu Shuo just needs to wait patiently.
At this time, the confidant whispered a few more words, and a smile flashed across Lu Shuo's lips, "The third prince?"
The banquet that day soon ended in a bad mood.
The former friends and companions have all left.
Xie Shu sat alone for a while, and gently stroked his cheek with one hand.
The familiar warmth brought Xie Shu back to his senses. Xie Shu stretched out her hands and tightly embraced Yu Chuxi's waist. She buried her head in him and pressed her face against his body, as if absorbing his breath.
Yu Chuxi stood there without moving, and touched the top of Xie Shu's head with worry and heartache.
Xie Shu didn't raise his head, and his voice came muffled: "My dear, do you believe me? Will you leave me in the future?"
Yu Chuxi's heart couldn't help but tremble when she heard that. How could she have made the decision to part with him four years ago? Whenever she thought of Xie Shu's red eyes at that time, Yu Chuxi felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife.
After the two met again, they never mentioned this matter again, but at this moment, Yu Chuxi realized that Xie Shu had not forgotten it.
And how could Yu Chuxi not believe him? They had been together for all these years. Although they had been separated for a year, their hearts had never been separated.
In the countless years he has experienced, he has seen him working day and night, and he has seen him travel through wind and rain and sail against the current.
No one knows what kind of person he is better than Yu Chuxi.
No matter what others say, he is the hero in his mind, the best person in the world, and his husband.
Yu Chuxi said softly: "I will trust you no matter what you do. No matter what happens in the future, I will never leave you."
Xie Shu raised his head at this time and pulled Yu Chuxi to sit on his lap, but he still held Yu Chuxi's waist.
He stared into Yu Chuxi's eyes without blinking, his eyes were as bright as stars, but he sighed softly in Yu Chuxi's ears: "My dear, I have nothing else to ask for in this life, only you, I hope you will not forget what I said today."
When he spoke, his eyes were burning and his breath was caressing his earlobe.
Yu Chuxi was not ignorant, and he was used to Xie Shu's closeness. At this moment, he felt weak and limp. He couldn't help feeling a little ashamed, so he had to avoid looking at him and lowered his head.
Xie Shu's heart was so excited that she couldn't help but kiss his lips and tongue.
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