Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 73 A wake-up call
Chen Ce first asked Li Zhen about the three commanders of the Northern Pacification Office.

The Jinyiwei had one commander, two associate commanders, and three assistant commanders.

Zhu Houzhao was not the real commander of the Tongzhi. In addition to Li Zhen, there was another old Tongzhi who was old and would retire in the early spring of next year.

The three assistants below were fighting openly or secretly, as everyone wanted to move up one step.

It is obvious that Li Zhen has selfish motives and wants his own people to take the position. This deputy commander is also worthy of Li Zhen's promotion. He is down-to-earth and hard-working, has good martial arts skills, and is careful and meticulous in his work.

The three assistants each had their own responsibilities, some were responsible for supervising officials, some were responsible for reviewing prisons, and some were responsible for arresting criminals, with different divisions of labor.

The deputy commander that Li Zhen wanted to promote was in charge of arresting criminals.

It would be fine if the other two deputy commanders were not very capable, but the key point is that the other two were quite capable.

Therefore, Jinyiwei Commander Mou Bin might not necessarily promote the deputy commander that Li Zhen had chosen.

Li Zhen thought about this matter for a long time and wanted to give some advice to his confidant, but he didn't have the ability to do so, so he came to Chen Ce.

Naturally, he and Chen Ce were not very familiar with each other, and he was just asking casually today, but who knew that by chance, Zhu Houzhao also came.

Zhu Houzhao narrowed his eyes after hearing this. He didn't understand these things about promotion in officialdom, but he believed that Chen Ce would definitely understand.

So he kept silent, looking confident and mysterious, as if he already knew the solution but was not saying it.

After listening to this, Chen Ce said that this was not difficult, which inevitably surprised Li Zhen.

Li Zhen hurriedly asked for advice humbly: "Mr. Chen, thank you for your guidance. I will be grateful."

This matter had nothing to do with Chen Ce. Chen Ce reminded Li Zhen only because he had troubled Li Zhen before. He reciprocated the other party's kindness.

After a moment of silence, Chen Ce said, "Let's take a step back."

what?
Li Zhen looked puzzled while Zhu Houzhao continued to drink tea with his head down.

Chen Ce said: "Let your people take a step back and stop fighting."

"Indisputable?"

Li Zhen really couldn't understand it. Just for the position of Tongzhi, why would he go through so much trouble if he didn't fight for it? He was unwilling to give it up!

It is obvious that his influence in the Jinyiwei could be further improved.

Chen Ce smiled and explained to Li Zhen: "You said that your subordinate is very capable, even better than the other two assistants."

"So if he joins the fight, it will only make the other two join forces to deal with your subordinate."

"Take a step back. As long as he doesn't fight, the other two will have less competitors and will fight even harder for power."

"Let your subordinates do their jobs well."

"People above are watching. It's easy to tell who is really getting things done and who is just being greedy."

"As time goes by, the people above you will find that your subordinates are working diligently, while the other two will make many mistakes in their struggle for power."

"The balance will gradually tip in favor of your subordinates."

It’s not about not fighting, sometimes not fighting is the biggest fight.

Hearing this, Li Zhen suddenly had an epiphany, as if he had been hit by a slap in the face.

"What if the other two don't fight and do their jobs conscientiously?"

Li Zhen raised her doubts.

Zhu Houzhao also echoed, "Yes." Chen Ce smiled and said, "This is not up to their will."

"Let's make a bet. If your subordinate is promoted to the rank of deputy commander, ask him to give me an embroidered spring sword."

"If not, I will give him one hundred taels of silver."

Li Zhen said hurriedly: "That's no problem. If you want an embroidered spring knife, I can send one to you right away."

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "I don't need it, I just want you to be at peace."

After listening to this, Li Zhen suddenly felt some beads of sweat on his back. He was too experienced, so experienced, calm and composed as if he had been an official for a hundred years.

That kind of calmness and confidence was something Li Zhen had never seen in his own commander Mou Bin.

The only time he had seen this was when Mou Bin was swinging his knife to kill someone. He was so calm and composed. His martial arts had reached the pinnacle. With one slash of the knife, everything was silent!
The sword skills can be seen with the eyes, but Chen Ce's strategy cannot be seen with the eyes and can only be felt with the heart.

Then you will find that a person who uses a knife is no match for a person who uses his brain!
Zhu Houzhao carefully savored Chen Ce's words and secretly memorized them in his mind, but his expression remained calm. He patted Li Zhen on the shoulder and said, "Lord Li, you didn't believe me when I told you, so you had to let my little brother tell you again."

what?
Your Highness, did you say that?
No, what's with your calm and confident expression, as if everything is under control?

Li Zhen smiled awkwardly and complimented, "Master Zhu is right. I was really blind at the time, haha."

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said calmly: "Now we two people with great wisdom have both given you the same advice. You should not doubt it."

Li Zhen: “…”

Well, the wisdom of both of you combined is one hundred, and Mr. Chen’s is ninety-nine, right?

However, Li Zhen could only keep these complaints in his heart. He dared not make fun of the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, so he could only drink tea to hide his embarrassment.

"Well, do you have anything else to do? If not, get back to your work."

Li Zhen took a deep look at Chen Ce, then stood up, clasped his fists and left, not forgetting to say, "Thank you, Master Chen."

"Thank you, Lord Zhu." He did not forget to add.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, just a small matter."

Those who don’t know would think that Zhu Houzhao made a great contribution.

Li Zhen took a deep breath, left the alley, looked back at Chen Ce's courtyard, and his eyes became full of respect.

If he respected Chen Ce before because of Zhu Houzhao's status as the crown prince, now he truly respects Chen Ce as a person!

It has been like this since ancient times. Respect gained by borrowing the power of others will only make the other party look down on you. True respect is always earned by yourself.

It is a blessing for the prince to be able to make friends with such a person. His casual advice is worth a thousand gold.

An embroidered spring knife is not worth much. Li Zhen feels that it is far from enough. If it is really successful, Li Zhen will give Chen Ce a generous gift to thank him!
But Li Zhen was very confused. Why was such a talent buried in the countryside by the Crown Prince?

If the crown prince wanted to, as long as he gave the emperor a hint, he could enter the official career as a salaried official even if he did not take the imperial examination.

Moreover, Li Zhen did not think that Chen Ce did not have the ability to pass the imperial examination.

Civil servants...how many people envy their existence?
Li Zhen returned to the North Yamen and first went to remind the commander, then stopped him and said, "Wenli, go check for a man named Chen Ce in Huaihua Hutong."

Wei Wenli was the deputy commander that Li Zhen wanted to promote. He asked in confusion, "Sir, how do we investigate? Find out what he did and arrest him?"

Li Zhen angrily said, "Stop talking nonsense! He might be your benefactor! I am simply curious about him. Don't disturb him. If he encounters any trouble, help him secretly if you can. Help him with all your strength. Don't be stingy. Understand?"

(End of this chapter)