spend time

Feng Changshi stood outside the main gate of the Chen Mansion, carefully examining the glittering plaque: "This handwriting looks quite familiar, could it be written by the emperor himself?"

"That's right." Prime Minister Chen smiled and said, "You can stay here for a while. The emperor has already chosen a place for you to live. It's just two streets away from the Chen Mansion."

Feng Changshi was a little surprised and turned to look at Prime Minister Chen: "This shouldn't be Minister Zhang's house!"

Prime Minister Chen nodded: "It is the original Zhang family."

Zhang Shangshu was dismissed from office, exiled, and his property was confiscated. He died on the way, so the mansion was naturally taken back by the court. From the day the court issued an imperial decree to summon Feng Changshi to Beijing, the emperor had already chosen a mansion for Feng Changshi. Feng Changshi had been on the road for more than half a month, and the mansion had been under repair. According to the current progress of the project, it would take another two months to finish it.

So, Prime Minister Chen brought his old friend to stay at the Chen Mansion for a while.

Feng Changshi sighed: "The emperor is considerate of our old friendship and treats you and me very kindly."

Prime Minister Chen also sighed: "Yes! It is our blessing to have such a wise ruler. We can only devote all our energy and dedication to repay the emperor's kindness."

It is never easy to change the court. Implementing new policies is like walking on the edge of a cliff. Regardless of success or failure, they all bear heavy responsibilities and may fall off the cliff and be crushed to pieces at any time.

Even so, they will follow the emperor unwaveringly until the moment they close their eyes.

"This is not the place to talk. Let's go inside and talk."

Feng Changshi and Prime Minister Chen had not seen each other for five years, but there was no awkwardness at all. He reached out and pulled Prime Minister Chen into the study.

The two of them usually communicated through letters, and they knew each other's situation very well. However, no matter how frequent the letters were, it was not as pleasant as sitting face to face and talking for a long time.

"Now that you have come to the capital, the affairs of the palace will have to rely on Shen Mu and Wen An." Prime Minister Chen laughed softly, "Perhaps, in two or three years, Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Works will retire. At that time, the emperor will order Shen Mu to come to the capital to take charge of the Ministry of Works."

Feng Changshi was a straightforward person, and he was even more direct in private: "We are all the emperor's confidants. The emperor trusts us, so he will naturally use us. Minister Dong, Minister Yang, Minister Ding and the others all joined the emperor halfway through. Now they seem to be good people, but who knows what they really think in their hearts."

Prime Minister Chen was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: "Don't say that. The officials in the court are all loyal ministers to the emperor. We are not the Nanyang Party."

Feng Changshi raised his eyebrows and smiled: "I will just talk to you in private. The emperor hates the officials forming cliques for personal gain. Of course there is no Nanyang Clique. Even if there is, the leader is the emperor."

Prime Minister Chen smiled, poured tea for his old friend himself, and told him in detail the current situation in the court.

The two of them forgot about time while chatting, and it was not until midnight that they were urged by their entourage to go to bed.

The next morning, Prime Minister Chen got up early to go to the palace. He called his attendants and asked them, only to find out that Feng Changshi had already left and gone to the Ministry of Revenue to take up his post.

This Feng Changshi!
Prime Minister Chen was helpless and smiled helplessly: "Okay, if he wants to go, let him go."

Officials of the Ministry of Revenue, from today on, you will just have to fend for yourself!
……

What a coincidence.

The night before, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue held a farewell banquet for Minister Ji, and they drank until midnight. Now the rules of the Ministry of Revenue are strict, and being late is not allowed. Everyone just barely arrived on time.

However, he found that the door of the signing room of the Minister of Revenue was open, and the new Minister of Revenue had arrived. Tang Yuanwailang was in the signing room, and was being scolded by the new Minister: "...Who did these accounts? Why are they so messed up?"

"Where are this year's land tax account books? Bring them all to this minister!"

Tang Yuanwailang, who was known for his shrewdness and ability, was so angry that he dared not raise his head and kept saying yes. The officials of the Ministry of Revenue also felt their scalps tighten when they heard the roar like a dragon.

They had long heard of the great achievements of Feng Shangshu in the Nanyang Palace, and had also heard a little about Feng Changshi's violent temper. Unexpectedly, before they even met, they had already shown their power.

Before they could come to their senses, a figure appeared at the door. Minister Feng, who was of ordinary appearance and short stature, had piercing eyes and an aura that was three meters high: "What are you all standing there for? Go and do your own work! When I want to ask you questions, I will have you summoned."

The officials responded meekly, bowed, and fled.

There was a latecomer who came in at this moment.

Minister Feng's eyes wandered and he snorted coldly.

The late official was startled and stepped forward to apologize: "Sir, please calm down. I had some personal matters last night and slept late. I am a little late today. Please forgive me, Sir."

Who would have thought that Feng Changshi, who had just arrived in the capital yesterday, would come to the Ministry of Revenue early this morning. They didn't even have time to breathe!

Minister Feng said coldly: "The court has given you high positions and generous salaries, so you should do your job well. If you have private matters at home, you should arrange them yourself. What kind of logic is this? According to what you said, if you don't sleep all night, do you not need to come today?"

The late officials were so covered in dust and dirt that they dared not look up.

Minister Feng asked again, "Tell me your name and position."

Then he ordered his attendant: "Write down his name and mark him as the lowest in this month's assessment. Post it in the government office for three days so that everyone can see it."

Late official: “…”

This is simply a living devil!

In the past, they had many complaints about Minister Ji in private. Now that they think about it, Minister Ji has such a gentle temper!

Minister Feng didn't care what the unfortunate guy thought. He turned back to the signing room and began to look at the latest year's land tax account book of the Ministry of Revenue.

Tang Youyin stood aside to answer the questions from Minister Feng. Minister Feng had a strong ability in mental arithmetic and could figure out some problems with just a glance without even turning on the abacus.

Tang Youyin was asked so many questions that sweat started to form on his forehead.

Minister Feng became angrier and angrier as he read the account books. He threw the books and angrily scolded Tang Youyin: "You have been in the Ministry of Revenue for several years. Do you treat your job like this? Don't you know the problems in these account books?"

Tang Youyin did not defend himself, but quietly admitted his fault: "It's all because of my incompetence."

Minister Feng lost his temper for a moment, but soon calmed down: "It's not your fault. You are just a fifth-rank official, and there is only so much you can do. There are many officials with higher positions than you in such a large government office. It's good enough that you can be the emperor's eyes and ears and intimidate them a little."

Tang Youyin almost cried when she heard this.

Isn't it?

How did he get through these few days?

Fortunately, Feng Changshi finally arrived and became the Minister of Revenue of Daliang. All officials of the Ministry of Revenue, your good days are coming. (End of this chapter)