Chapter 59: Gangfeng, you should join the Imperial Master!
The carriage was stopped by Hai Rui and immediately came to a halt.
The leading Dongchang inspector, seeing that the person who stopped the car was the magistrate of Dinghai County and was talking about the Ming Dynasty Code, had no choice but to stop. However, he glared at the small seventh-rank magistrate.
This person is really rigid and short-sighted.
The imperial teacher sympathized with the officials and had told them not to welcome them, yet they still came to block the way.
Isn't this a typical case of being shameless even though you've been given a chance?
No, more than that, in fact, this can be seen as a warning to the national teacher. Isn't this wrong?
At this time, Huang Jin and Qing Feng in the carriage naturally heard Hai Rui's voice.
Huang Jin was the first to get off the car. Under the umbrella held by the East Factory editor, he strode forward with a sullen face and saw Hai Rui.
"You are the magistrate of Dinghai County," Huang Jin raised his eyebrows when he saw the seventh-rank official robe and asked, "Hai Rui?"
He had heard of Hai Rui's name many times in the palace.
It can be said that the source of all Qingliu's affairs in the southeast was Hai Rui, and he was very curious about this person.
What he didn't expect was that he had just arrived in Dinghai County and was taught a lesson by this man, who even brought up the Ming Dynasty Code.
Has this person always been like this as an official? He is so inflexible, and he is not afraid of continuing to work in the officialdom?
However, in response to Huang Jin's question, Hai Rui didn't even look at it, his eyes were always on the other carriage.
Zhang Ziming and Wang Yongji also rushed over at this time.
"Mingshou, Ruxian," Zhang Ziming came from the capital, so he naturally knew Huang Jin, "This is the eunuch Huang Jin, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department in the palace, and he is the governor of the East Factory."
After the introduction, Wang Yongji was about to bow to greet Huang Jin, but Huang Jin waved his hand to indicate that it was not necessary and turned to walk towards Qingfeng's carriage.
At this time, the door of the carriage was pushed open, Qingfeng leaned out, and an official from the Eastern Depot immediately held an umbrella for her.
Everyone's eyes were focused on her.
He was wearing a simple dark blue Taoist robe. His bun was held up by a silver crown with a jade hairpin inserted on it. He held a whisk in his hand and looked thin and elegant.
Of course, most of the people's attention was focused on her tender oval face.
Even though they already knew that this Imperial Master was only sixteen years old, when they really saw his appearance, they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts, thinking that he was too young, just a child.
Although in the Ming Dynasty, girls of sixteen were generally old enough to get married, this was only allowed in official circles.
She is both a national teacher and an imperial envoy. Sixteen years old is really not enough and will make people look down on her from the bottom of their hearts.
"Master, the magistrate, the county magistrate, the county magistrate, the chief clerk, and the six clerks of Dinghai County are all here," Huang Jin whispered in front of Qingfeng.
"Hai Rui, the magistrate of Dinghai County, was not grateful and brought up the Great Ming Code. According to the code, the Imperial Master is an imperial envoy, and officials of all ranks in the county government must greet him according to etiquette. This is etiquette..."
Listening to Huang Jin's muttering in his ear, Qingfeng's clear and flawless eyes looked towards Hai Rui curiously.
When she was in Xuanpu Palace, Huang Jin, under the instruction of Lu Fang, taught her a lot of political affairs. She also had a general understanding of the power structure of the court and naturally heard about the things happening in the southeast.
The key figure was Hai Rui. She had also heard the story of the legendary 'Hai Pen Holder' from Huang Jin.
As they were talking, the two of them had already walked up to Hai Rui and others.
"Hai Rui, the magistrate of Dinghai County, greets the imperial envoy of the imperial teacher." Hai Rui saluted Qingfeng in a serious manner.
Behind him, the chief clerk Wang Yongji, the county magistrate Zhang Ziming and the six clerks also saluted one by one.
"Since it is a rule, we must follow it." Qingfeng didn't have any thoughts about Hai Rui's rejection of his face.
Most of the people living at the foot of the mountain have no choice.
Living in the world, they always have to do things against their will, say words against their will, and they also have to follow certain rules.
It’s just that some people are very flexible in what they say and do within the rules, while some people are not flexible, or are unwilling to be flexible.
Just follow your heart. It's normal for people living down the mountain to be willing to follow this, and it's also normal for them not to want to follow it.
It's all about survival, well, she understands.
"County Magistrate Hai, now that we have met, let's head to the county government office. It is raining and snowing heavily, so we should not let the common people and county government officials suffer with us, or they will catch a cold."
Qingfeng looked at the people around who were whispering, then looked at Hai Rui and his companions who were already soaked.
Seeing that this sixteen-year-old girl, the national teacher, had clear and flawless eyes and seemed to have a kind heart, and did not blame Hai Rui for offending her, Wang Yongji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If the other party dislikes them because of this, it will undoubtedly be a troublesome matter.
"Gangfeng, what the Imperial Master said is true. Now that we have already met, let's go back to the county government office first." As he spoke, Wang Yongji tugged at Hai Rui's sleeve and signaled with his eyes that it was enough. Everything is excessive or excessive!
As good friends of Hai Rui, they had a tacit understanding with each other and understood Hai Rui's temperament and character, and could not tolerate any sand in his eyes.
Hai Rui also sighed a lot when he heard about His Majesty's mysterious cultivation, the appointment of the Imperial Master, and the private discussions on state affairs behind closed doors.
So in his opinion, Hai Rui's forcing the Imperial Master to get off the car in front of the city gate, follow the rules and etiquette, and accept the welcoming ceremony was actually a disguised test, a test of the Imperial Master!
This is Hai Rui. He seems to be rigid, pedantic and unfeeling when speaking and doing things, but only those who know him well will know that he is a person who does things in a methodical way and does not just act recklessly. For example, this time, they all realized that the imperial teacher's visit to the southeast was most likely the result of a game between the upper echelons.
So they took corresponding measures!
Knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle, so you must know what kind of person this national teacher is before you can make plans.
"Please come in, Imperial Master!" Hai Rui nodded, and made way for Qingfeng and the others to go first.
Just as Qingfeng said, the rain and snow were heavy. Since the etiquette had been followed, he didn't want to argue about it any further.
After following the formalities and performing the necessary formalities to welcome the imperial envoy, Hai Rui and his party boarded a carriage and headed for the county government office.
"Gangfeng, what do you think of this Imperial Master?" In the carriage, Hai Rui sat at the top seat, and on his left and right sat Zhang Ziming and Wang Yongji. Wang Yongji was the first to ask.
"Qingfeng Xuanling Shouzhen Huiwu Zhenren," Hai Rui said as he shook off the water stains on his sleeves and raised his eyes, "It's different from what was rumored..."
Hai Rui was dissatisfied with Qingfeng's arrival. He felt that His Majesty's actions were too absurd and frivolous!
However, he always acted in an orderly manner. This time, forcing the imperial teacher to get off the car at the city gate and following the rules was actually a test.
At least for now, this national teacher seems to be very simple, not domineering, nor as evil as rumored.
"This state teacher gives me the feeling, especially his eyes, that he is too innocent," Wang Yongji said, frowning, "like he has never been polluted and is ignorant of worldly affairs."
"What on earth did the higher-ups send her here for?" At this moment, Wang Yongji frowned, looking worried.
"There are two possibilities," Hai Rui said slowly at this time, "Either she is really a simple girl who has been practicing Taoism since she was young and has lived in seclusion from the world, and by chance, she was involved in the court."
"Either this woman is very scheming and cunning. Everything she revealed today was done for us to see."
"If this is true, then our Ming Dynasty is in danger..."
Upon hearing this, except for Zhang Ziming who seemed a little absent-minded and seemed to be worried about something, Wang Yongji was shocked.
"Gangfeng, in your opinion, does this girl belong to the former or the latter?"
"It's hard to say." Hai Rui shook his head, then looked at Zhang Ziming and said, "Wen Zhao, do you know something?"
When Hai Rui called his name, Zhang Ziming suddenly came back to his senses. He looked up and saw that Wang Yongji and Hai Rui were both looking at him.
"I..." Zhang Ziming opened his mouth, feeling very conflicted. He didn't know whether he should remind Hai Rui or not. He didn't want to take action against Hai Rui because there was no need.
The matter of Dinghai County is about to end, and everything will return to dust. This time it is a joint action of the Qingliu and Yan party. Faced with the two factions joining forces to settle the matter, who can stir up trouble?
But some people wanted Hai Rui to die. Under this general trend, the death of a few people would settle the matter along with this incident.
"Gangfeng," Zhang Ziming opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, and finally seemed to have made up his mind. He leaned his head against the wooden board of the carriage and looked at Hai Rui, "Can I call you Gangfeng?"
Hearing this, Wang Yongji was stunned and looked at Hai Rui.
Hai Rui stared at Zhang Ziming, the censor arranged by the Yan Party to be beside him.
In fact, after spending some time together, he had a very good impression of Zhang Ziming. In the officialdom, everyone had their own stance, and as long as they did not endanger the court or the people, it would be fine.
Therefore, Hai Rui had no prejudice against Zhang Ziming.
"You and I, three of us, have been together day and night, fighting side by side in the vortex of Dinghai County. We are close people..." As he spoke, Hai Rui's tone became extremely serious, and he said, "Of course!"
"Ha!" Zhang Ziming suddenly laughed when he heard Hai Rui allowed him to call him 'Gangfeng'. He had never thought that getting Hai Rui's approval would be such a happy thing.
It was also at this moment that made him more determined and convinced that his decision was not wrong.
Since Hai Rui recognized him as a friend, for the sake of his friendship, he decided to tell Hai Rui everything.
Soon the smile on Zhang Ziming's face faded, his expression became serious, and he stared at Hai Rui. The atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became heavy.
Wang Yongji opened his mouth and looked at Zhang Ziming as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he chose to shut up, but he secretly clenched his fists.
"Da, da, da." The rain suddenly got heavier, hitting the roof of the carriage, making a dense sound, and also making the atmosphere in the carriage become more solemn.
Hai Rui and Wang Yongji both realized that Zhang Ziming might know something, and they also knew what he was going to say next.
After a long time, Zhang Ziming suddenly said something that caught Hai Rui and Wang Yongji off guard.
"Gangfeng, you should join the Imperial Master!"
"..."
(End of this chapter)
