The number one sycophant of the Ming Dynasty

The next day, just past noon.

The sky over Beijing darkened again, and the cold wind swirled fine snowflakes that stung people's faces.

In front of the vermilion gate of Prince Yu's Mansion, two white marble stone lions appear particularly majestic under the dark clouds.

The imperial guards at the gate, holding long swords and carrying bows and arrows, stood ramrod straight, their sharp eyes sweeping over every passerby, exuding a chilling aura.

Chen Han stopped in front of the Prince's Mansion.

He was still wearing his blue eighth-rank official robes, which were clean and ironed without a single wrinkle. He wore an official hat and a pair of new black boots.

He carried nothing extra with him, only the invitation in his pocket and a wolf-hair brush he always kept with him.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the barely perceptible unease in his heart.

In his past life, he worked in the county government and had meals with his superiors; he never panicked.

But today we are going to meet the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty, as well as Xu Jie, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, three names that have left a deep mark on history, the most outstanding strategists of this era.

It would be a lie to say I'm not worried.

But he also had his reasons.

He knew what these people wanted.

This isn't some kind of mysticism; it's psychology, it's needs analysis.

What Prince Yu lacked was not advisors, but a sense of security.

A crown prince who has been neglected by his father and oppressed by the Yan faction since childhood needs someone who can protect him.

Gao Gong wanted loyalty and a headstrong, impulsive young man who dared to fight and charge ahead;

Zhang Juzheng wanted capable people, people with vision and methods who were pragmatic and efficient.

What Xu Jie wanted was a controllable pawn, one that knew the rules, knew when to advance and retreat, and wouldn't disrupt his overall strategy.

If you hit each point correctly, you can get through this level.

Just then, a blue-curtained carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Prince's Mansion.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a maid, and a woman dressed in the blue robes of a female official in the inner court stepped down from the carriage.

With an upright posture and a cool, aloof expression, it was Shen Zhiyu.

She also saw Chen Han standing in front of the door. She paused for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in her cool eyes, before she regained her composure.

Chen Han stepped forward first, bowed slightly to Shen Zhiyu, and greeted him with his hands clasped, speaking in a calm tone: "Master Shen, how have you been?"

Shen Zhiyu curtsied slightly in return, and said calmly, "Supervisor Chen, I didn't expect to run into you here."

The two stood a few steps apart in front of the Prince's mansion, looking at each other. In each other's eyes, they saw the same unease and the same certainty.

"Is Minister Shen also here to attend His Highness's banquet?" Chen Han asked knowingly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement to ease the atmosphere.

"Exactly." Shen Zhiyu nodded, looked up at the tightly closed gate of the Prince's Mansion, and said softly, "Supervisor Chen, I'm afraid today's meal won't be very good."

Chen Han smiled and said, "Whether the food is good or not is not important. What's important is what the people at the table want to hear us say."

He looked at Shen Zhiyu and said frankly, "Don't worry, Manager Shen, we'll stand together today. I'll handle what needs to be said at the banquet and won't put you in a difficult position."

Shen Zhiyu looked at him, and a faint smile finally appeared between her cool and aloof eyes.

She was used to seeing people abandon each other when disaster struck, and used to seeing others push others out to take the fall.

Unexpectedly, this young man, whom she had only met twice, would say to her at this moment that they would advance and retreat together.

"Alright." Shen Zhiyu nodded gently. "Then I'll have to trouble Supervisor Chen today."

Just then, the main gate of the Prince's Mansion opened.

Feng Bao strode out, and upon seeing Chen Han and Shen Zhiyu at the door, a warm smile immediately spread across his face. He cupped his hands and said:

"Oh dear! Supervisor Chen, Manager Shen, you two have finally arrived! His Highness and the other officials are already waiting for you inside! Please come in!"

Chen Han and Shen Zhiyu exchanged a glance.

Chen Han nodded slightly, and Shen Zhiyu took a soft breath.

The two walked side by side across the high threshold of the Prince Yu's Mansion.

The door slowly closed behind them, cutting off the wind and snow outside and all escape routes.

This step is both a perilous journey and a path to great heights.

Whether we live or die, rise or fall, it all depends on today's feast.

……

Feng Bao gently lifted the cotton curtain in the warm room.

Chen Han and Shen Zhiyu stood side by side at the door. They first bowed to Prince Yu at the head of the table. Their movements were neat and respectful but not servile, showing no trace of the fear that a lowly official would have when meeting a prince and a cabinet minister.

"This humble official, Chen Han, Supervisor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, pays his respects to His Highness Prince Yu. May His Highness live a thousand years!"

"Your subject, Shen Zhiyu, the Director of the Imperial Household Department, pays his respects to Your Highness Prince Yu. May Your Highness live a thousand years!"

Two voices, one calm and peaceful, the other clear and crisp, fell in the warm room, making the previously stagnant air feel a little more relaxed.

The two then immediately bowed to Xu, Gao, Zhang, and the other two.

Prince Yu sat at the head of the table, looking at the two people standing below. His hand unconsciously began to stroke the rim of his teacup. He quickly waved his hand and said, "Please rise, gentlemen."

"I invited you two here today for no other reason than to express my gratitude in person for your help."

"If it weren't for you two, I would have almost made a terrible mistake."

"Your Highness is too kind." Chen Han bowed slightly again. "As an official of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, it is my duty to verify the regulations for sacrifices and to correct the procedures for offering sacrifices."

"Your Highness's benevolence and filial piety are evident. I have merely acted in accordance with the rules of the Great Ming Code and dare not claim credit."

Shen Zhiyu nodded in agreement, “It is my duty to oversee the Office of Censors, verify internal and external documents, and correct any oversights in the system.”

"Your Highness's filial piety is as clear as heaven and earth. I am merely following the rules and dare not accept Your Highness's thanks."

As soon as the two of them opened their mouths, they attributed all the credit to Prince Yu, placing themselves in the position of "doing their duty," without taking any credit or taking any advantage of his favor.

Gao Gong, sitting at the lower end, brightened up.

What he hated most in his life were those opportunistic and glib bureaucrats, and what he admired most were those who got things done, knew the rules, and didn't take credit for others' work.

Just now at the banquet, he was worried that these two young men, who had been named by the Emperor, might become arrogant and haughty in front of His Highness. But after hearing these two sentences, he was already seven or eight parts convinced.

Xu Jie's smile deepened.

His fingers, which were holding the amber beads, paused for a moment. His gaze swept over Chen Han and Shen Zhiyu, and he thought to himself:

He was indeed no ordinary person.

His composure in the face of adversity and his ability to act with restraint are superior to most of the officials in the imperial court.

However, whether this clarity is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen.

Zhang Juzheng held his teacup, his gaze falling on Chen Han with a mixture of scrutiny and admiration.

He had seen too many talented scholars in the Hanlin Academy who talked about the principles of sages and saints all the time, but when it came to real problems, they didn't have the slightest ability to cope.

The young official in front of me, a mere eighth-rank official, has mastered the art of manipulating human relationships, rules, and the emperor's heart. This skill is truly extraordinary.

……