Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 490 Have you been tricked?

After Fan Ning entered the mansion, he did not go directly to the East Courtyard where he lived, but followed Zhu Yuanfeng to the lobby. He had something to ask Zhu Yuanfeng.

"Does the third grandfather still have contacts with Zhao Zongshi?"

Zhu Yuanfeng is an important supporter of Zhao Zongshi, and has provided Zhao Zongshi with a lot of financial support. The money spent on Zhao Zongshi these years is at least tens of thousands of guan, and some effects are obvious. For example, Zhao Zhongzhen spent thousands of guan to learn riding and archery. How can the royal family's monthly allowance of a hundred guan be able to afford such a big expense for their son.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanfeng was a commoner, so his relationship with Zhao Zongshi was not eye-catching. It was for this reason that Zhu Yuanfeng became a frequent visitor in Zhao Zongshi's house.

Zhu Yuanfeng didn't understand why Fan Ning asked this matter. He thought for a while and said, "The last time I saw him was two months ago. I felt that he was depressed, so I didn't visit him during this time."

"Why are you depressed?"

"Of course it's about his son!"

Zhu Yuanfeng smiled and said: "After so many years of hard work, he finally made a wedding dress for his son. He may be a little bit unwilling!"

"Grandpa sympathizes with him?"

Zhu Yuanfeng immediately shook his head like a rattle, "I can't understand his mentality. We struggle all our lives for the sake of our children, don't we? But he takes himself very seriously, and even envies his son's achievements. I don't like this kind of person at all." No sympathy, even regret supporting him."

Fan Ning was silent for a moment and said: "If the third grandfather is free these two days, go and see him and persuade him at the same time."

"Advise him what?"

"The third grandfather told him that Zhang Hongji, the imperial physician, belonged to Zhang Yaozuo. Zhang Yaozuo has kept a low profile for more than a year, but that doesn't mean he gave up. He hides by the side like a poisonous snake, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any time. I hope he won't let him down again. Zhang Yaozuo seized the opportunity."

Zhu Yuanfeng sighed, "Let me tell you, he will guess that it was your suggestion, Aning, he will hate you, that person is very narrow-minded, I am slowly seeing through him."

Fan Ning said lightly: "I know he hates me, but I still have to say, I can't let his stupidity spoil the big thing."

"Okay! I'll find a chance to visit him in these two days."

At this time, Fan Ning changed the topic and asked with a smile: "I heard that Zhu Qi went to take the Pingjiang Mansion Examination, how did he do?"

"I passed the solution test, but the results were not very satisfactory. I didn't even make it into the top 30, and only ranked No. [-]. With this result, I guess it's not enough to be a Jinshi."

"Is it not playing well?" Fanning asked.

"Nothing. He himself said that he performed well, but he can only say that his talent and learning are still not good. I am already a little disappointed that he was admitted to Jinshi."

Fan Ning said with a smile: "When he comes back, let him come to see me, and I can give him some pointers, maybe it will be effective."

Zhu Yuanfeng was overjoyed, if Fan Ning was willing to give advice, his grandson would really be lucky.

The Eastern Palace of the Song Dynasty has always existed in a low-key manner. This is also influenced by the Five Dynasties. Try to avoid the influence of the crown prince on the imperial power. Therefore, most monarchs in the Song Dynasty did not establish a crown prince, or established a crown crown as late as possible, resulting in almost all new emperors before ascending the throne. He has never been a prince, even if he became a prince, he ascended the throne directly after spending a few days in the East Palace when the emperor was critically ill.

In addition, Song Zhenzong established Zishantang, which is a special place for princes to study, and it belongs to the Secretary Department, which virtually empties the East Palace.

It is also for these reasons that although the various functional officials in the Eastern Palace are complete, most of them are part-time jobs. It is true that there is no prince in the Song Dynasty, and the Eastern Palace has nothing to do. There were scandals about individual officials sneaking away to set up shop while they were in court.

In fact, Fan Ning is also a part-time prince Zhan Shi, and his other job is the commander of the deputy capital in front of the palace, in charge of [-] Shenwu troops. Han Qi hinted to him that the prince Zhan Shi is false, and the deputy commander of the palace is real. Don't get the two upside down.

Early the next morning, Fan Ning came to the East Palace. The East Palace occupies a small area, about [-] acres. The front is the government office, and the back is the place where the prince lives. other offices.

In fact, the Eastern Palace Office is a miniature version of the imperial court structure. Zhan Shifu corresponds to Shangshu Province, Zuochunfang corresponds to Zhongshu and Menxia Provinces, Chongwenguan corresponds to University Scholars Pavilion, and Doctor Zanshan corresponds to Doctor Adviser and so on.

Due to Zhao Zhen's health, the imperial court canceled the imperial meeting a few years ago, and the imperial court required all officials to appear in their respective official offices at every moment, which is 07:30 in the morning.

Fan Ning arrived at the East Palace on time, and he showed his letter of appointment to the gatekeepers, and walked directly into the gate of the East Palace.

The building directly opposite the gate of the East Palace is Zhan Shifu, and the two buildings on the left and right are the left and right Chunfang, behind which there are Chongwen Hall and other government offices, behind which is the Qinzheng Hall where the prince handles court affairs, and behind it is the prince concubine Muchun Hall, Ganlu Hall, etc. where the concubines live.

The whole East Palace was deserted and deserted, except for the guards standing guard in the distance, there was not a single official to be seen. Now that the hour and hour had passed, other offices had already been busy, but this place was terribly deserted, almost like a holiday.

It was only when Fan Ning reached the gate of Zhan Shi's mansion that an official came out in a hurry.

"Excuse me, is it about Fan Zhan?"

The person who came was a very thin middle-aged man, wearing an old official uniform, with pickled cucumbers on his face, and a bitter look, maybe it was because Fan Ning was too young, he didn't dare to confirm.

"I am the new Zhan Shi Fanning!"

The middle-aged man hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "The next official is Zhan Shicheng Zhong Nan, please see Master Zhan Shi!"

Zhan Shicheng is the office director of Zhan Shifu. From a seventh-rank official, this position is relatively transactional, so it is not a part-time job, but a full-time job.

"The Prime Minister is free!"

Fan Ning looked behind him again, but there was still no one there, so he asked, "Where are the other officials?"

Zhong Nan smiled bitterly and said, "Other officials are working elsewhere, and I am the only one in the Zhan Shifu."

Fan Ning almost turned around and left. What a trick, there is only one official in Zhan Shifu, isn't this a joke?
"Then how many full-time officials like you are there in the entire East Palace?"

"There are seven people in total, one from each of the left and right Chunfang, and the other four are in charge of sorting out classics and books in the Chongwen Museum. These few days Zuochunfang Cheng Zhang Yuan's wife gave birth, he asked for ten days off, Youchunfang Cheng Li Ying I took two months of sick leave."

Originally, Fan Ning wanted to ask who opened the store during Shang Dynasty, but now he has lost his mind, the East Palace is almost growing grass, isn't it normal to open a store?
"Who do you ask for leave?" Fanning asked again.

"Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites, he also serves as the prince's guest. Before that, he was responsible for the chores in the East Palace. Now that Fan Zhan has taken office, he doesn't care about these things."

Fan Ning had no choice but to walk to Zhan Shi's mansion, and Zhong Nan introduced him the situation of the East Palace along the way.

"In addition to the Prince's Shaoshi, Shaofu, Shaobao, and Prince's guests, the officials of the East Palace also include Zhan Shi, the Tongzhi Zhan Shiyuan Shi, the Deputy Zhan Shi, the left and right officials, the Tongzhi left and right leaders, and the left and right leaders. The deputy envoy, Yude, and Zanshan doctor are mainly held by the old ministers. In addition, Zhan Shifu also has Zhan Shicheng, literature, Zhongshe, Zhengzi, Shizheng, Xima, Shuzi, and Zandu.

Then there are Zuo and Youchunfang officials, there are Zuochunfangling, Shuzi, Yude, Zhongyun, Fangcheng, Sizhilang, Chongwenguan also has bachelors, doctors, teaching assistants, school books, orthographic writing, etc.”

Fan Ning was dizzy, unable to wave his hands and asked, "Where are these officials?"

Zhong Nan was stunned for a moment and said: "They have official rooms, and there are signs on them."

"I'm not talking about houses, but people. Where are the officials?"

Zhong Nan twitched his lips twice, thought about his words, and said cautiously: "There are three kinds of officials in the East Palace, one is full-time officials, like Mr. Fan and low-ranking officials, and the other is Jilu officials, mainly officials above the fifth rank. , mainly the meritorious ministers who are at home and receive a monthly salary, they have nothing to do with the East Palace, and other official positions below the fifth rank are called default officials."

Fan Ning immediately asked: "What is a default officer?"

"There are only official positions, no officials, not even part-time jobs!"

Fan Ning cursed in his heart, he was cheated by Zhao Zhen, no wonder no one envied him when he was promoted to a third-rank official, it turned out that the roots were here, as the prince Zhan, it was too late to gloat, no one cared about jealousy.

Fan Ning was helpless, and asked again: "You have been doing nothing for so many years, what are you doing here?"

"You can read newspapers, drink tea, or practice calligraphy. In fact, the villain likes this job very much. He cultivates his mind and character, and he has a lot of time to practice calligraphy."

Fan Ning cursed inwardly, he was only 25 years old, did he start cultivating his mind?
"Where is my official room?" He asked helplessly.

"It's right in front, the next official will take you there."

At this moment, someone outside suddenly yelled: "Where are the officials from the Eastern Palace? Are there any survivors? Hurry up and get one out. His Royal Highness King Liang is here!"

(End of this chapter)