Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 243 Commoner
Zhang Xijun is now a frequent visitor to Wei Liangqing's home. After a long period of interaction, he has become familiar with Tian Ergeng, who also comes frequently. The two of them call each other brothers and have a good relationship.

However, Zhang Xijun did not become a disciple of Wei Zhongxian like Tian Ergeng, nor did he regard Wei Zhongxian as his adoptive father. Zhang Xijun was different from Tian Ergeng. He never thought of seeking a position in the court. Although he held the title of Jinyiwei, this title was just an honorary title and was only for convenience.

Zhang Xijun had been in the capital for many days and had a clear view of the political landscape of the capital. As Wei Zhongxian's power gradually grew, two forces in the court confronted each other. One of these two forces was naturally Wei Zhongxian, and the other was the famous Donglin Party.

Zhang Xijun believed that although the two sides did not interfere with each other now, there would be a war, and the outcome would be either one of them would die or the other would be killed. In this situation, it would not be appropriate to join either side, and once you get involved you will be caught in a vortex, out of control.

However, Zhang Xijun's ability to gain a foothold in the capital had a lot to do with Wei Liangqing, and he also knew that Zhu Shenzhui was able to stay in Shanxi because of Wei Zhongxian's influence. There was no doubt about this, but taking advantage of the situation was taking advantage of the situation, and neither Zhu Shenzhui nor Zhang Xijun would completely bet on Wei Zhongxian or the Donglin Party. Compared with the former, the latter was even less trustworthy, and the risk of doing so was too great.

Making friends with Wei Liangqing but not formally surrendering to Wei Zhongxian was the positioning Zhang Xijun gave himself. This positioning enabled him to avoid some unnecessary troubles. More importantly, once there was a change, he would be able to withdraw in time and not be crushed to pieces in the vortex.

On this day, Zhang Xijun came to Wei Liangqing's house as usual. Wei Liangqing was very happy to see Zhang Xijun. He took Zhang Xijun and talked for a long time. The two of them went to the backyard to hoe the land for a while with great interest. After sweating a little and feeling relaxed, Wei Liangqing laughed out loud, took Zhang Xijun's hand and went back to the house. They drank hot tea, played the floor heating in the house, and talked about everything under the sun.

They were talking lively when a servant came to report that Tian Ergeng had arrived. Wei Liangqing asked someone to invite him in quickly. A moment later, Tian Ergeng stepped into the house. Seeing them leisurely drinking tea and chatting, he couldn't help but joked that he had come at the right time.

"Come, come, try this tea. This is a good tea sent by someone. I am a coarse person and I cannot drink it. Master Zhang said that this tea is from the best Longjing tea in Hangzhou. Old Tian, ​​you are from a noble family. How about tasting it?"

When the tea was served, Tian Ergeng picked up the teacup and first took a look at the color of the tea, then smelled the tea fragrance, and then put it to his mouth and took a sip.

He closed his eyes slightly as if he was savoring something. As his eyebrows raised, Tian Ergeng couldn't help but praise, "It's really good tea. Master Zhang is right. This is the best Longjing tea in Hangzhou. If I'm not mistaken, it's the best one before the Qingming Festival. It seems to be a tribute from the imperial palace."

"Hahaha!" Wei Liangqing burst into laughter, and Zhang Xijun beside him also nodded with a smile. Wei Liangqing then told him that the tea was indeed from the palace, because it was sent to him by Wei Zhongxian.

After chatting about tea for a while, Wei Liangqing noticed that Tian Ergeng was not wearing a Taoist robe but formal clothes today. Curious, he couldn't help but ask Tian Ergeng why he was dressed like that. Could it be that he went to the Governor's Office today?

Tian Ergeng shook his head and said with a smile that he did not go to the yamen, but went to his godfather Wei Zhongxian. Not only did he go, but Cui Chengxiu also went.

"Congratulations, Brother Tian!" At this time, Zhang Xijun smiled and bowed to Tian Ergeng to congratulate him.

Tian Ergeng was slightly surprised and asked where the joy came from.

Zhang Xijun smiled and said that when he saw Tian Ergeng coming in, he was already very happy, with purple light between his eyebrows and eyes, and his gestures were full of vigor. Zhang Xijun liked to read books, studied Zhouyi, and had some knowledge of physiognomy. If he was right, Tian Ergeng must have a big happy event today.

"Hahaha, Master Zhang actually has this ability?" Hearing what Zhang Xijun said, Tian Ergeng laughed.

Zhang Xijun stroked his beard and smiled, "Brother Tian, ​​my ability is not unusual. It's mainly because Brother Tian's aura is too strong, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see it. But Brother Tian, ​​tell me, was I right today? Or was I wrong?"

Zhang Xijun's words made Tian Ergeng even more proud. He immediately smiled and said that he, Zhang Xijun, was right. There was really a happy event today. His godfather called them to talk and mentioned the matter of the Jinyiwei. If nothing unexpected happened, the commander of the Jinyiwei would be replaced soon, and then he, Tian Ergeng, would sit on the throne.

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Xijun and Wei Liangqing hurriedly congratulated Tian Ergeng. They had long known that Tian Ergeng had always been interested in the position of Jinyiwei Commander and wanted to sit on this throne. But in the past year, although Wei Zhongxian trusted Tian Ergeng, he never agreed to help him run this position. Tian Ergeng didn't say anything, but he was very anxious. Now, it's finally over. Wei Zhongxian now clearly told Tian Ergeng that this position will soon be his. Tian Ergeng's dream is about to come true, which is indeed a great joy!

Wei Liangqing was different from his uncle Wei Zhongxian. Born in a poor family, Wei Liangqing was a down-to-earth man without any ulterior motives. Whether it was Zhang Xijun or Tian Ergeng, these two friends who had been very good to him from the beginning, Wei Liangqing had long regarded them as his most trusted friends.

Wei Liangqing was really happy for Tian Ergeng because his friend's dream had come true. He immediately said, "How can such a good thing be celebrated with just tea? It should be accompanied by fine wine and delicious food!"
This immediately attracted Zhang Xijun's approval, so Wei Liangqing asked the housekeeper to go out and order a table of food and send it to the mansion. When the wine and food arrived, the three of them sat around the table drinking and congratulating Tian Ergeng.

The three of them were eating delicious food and drinking fine wine, chatting casually. In front of them, Tian Ergeng was very relaxed and had no guard.

Among them, Wei Liangqing was the nephew of his godfather Wei Zhongxian, and also his closest relative in the world. As for Zhang Xijun, he had known him for many days, and he knew very well that although Zhang Xijun was smart, he had no ambition. He never took the initiative to squeeze into Wei Zhongxian's circle, but was just a good friend of Wei Liangqing, and usually played the role of a guest, and never posed a threat to him.

Drinking wine and with these two people, Tian Ergeng talked more casually, talking about how Wei Zhongxian met them today, and mentioned what he promised himself. As he talked, Tian Ergeng was in a very good mood, and even talked about his plans after he took control of the Jinyiwei in front of them. After a few words, he smiled and said to Zhang Xijun, if Zhang Xijun is willing, how about finding a position of Tongzhi for Zhang Xijun in the Jinyiwei after he officially takes office?

"I am a free and easy person, and a career in officialdom is not my idea. Others may not know what the title of Jinyiwei means to me, but how could you, Brother Tian, ​​not know? If I wanted to be an official, would I have waited until today? I would have come to you, Brother Tian, ​​to ask for help a long time ago." Zhang Xijun smiled and waved his hands, looking nonchalant, and was not at all tempted by the position of Tongzhi that was offered to him.

"You, why do you have to do this?" Tian Ergeng shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. To be honest, he did intend to recruit Zhang Xijun today, otherwise he would not have taken the initiative to bring up the topic of helping him get a job. Tian Ergeng and Zhang Xijun have known each other for quite some time. They are both friends of Wei Liangqing and they have a good relationship.

Although Zhang Xijun had no official title and a low status, Tian Ergeng felt that Zhang Xijun was a rare talent. Every time they met at Wei Liangqing's place, when they talked about government affairs, Zhang Xijun usually spoke very little, but once he spoke, he always hit the nail on the head, especially his opinions on some people and things, which made Tian Ergeng agree with him.

As time went by, Tian Ergeng was more and more impressed by Zhang Xijun and wanted to recruit him. But as Zhang Xijun said, Zhang Xijun had never thought of becoming an official and had no interest in being an official.

"Master Zhang, you are also a scholar. You read books of sages and sell them to the emperor. Do you plan to live like this for the rest of your life? Now is a good opportunity. Jinyiwei is different from other government offices. As long as you nod, I will do it for you. When the time comes, come to Jinyiwei, and we can work together to do something great. Isn't that good?"

"Haha, I appreciate your kindness, Brother Tian. But Brother Tian, ​​you also know that I have no intention of pursuing a career in politics, and I don't want to be content with what others have to offer. Now we are toasting and drinking like brothers. If you need my advice, I will naturally not refuse. But once I join the Jinyiwei, things will be different. I don't think Brother Tian would want our friendship to be mixed with other things, right?"

After thinking about it, Tian Ergeng sighed. Zhang Xijun's expression and answer did not seem fake, and his words made sense. In this case, he did not force it and could only nod, but he still felt a little regretful in his heart.

"That's fine, but Master Zhang, if I need your help in the future, you must not refuse!"

"Of course, a man's word is as good as gold, and Brother Tian and I are so close. Brother Wei is here today, so how about letting Brother Wei be a witness?"

"Okay!" Tian Ergeng was overjoyed when he heard this and raised his glass. Wei Liangqing was confused as he was just an ordinary person. How could he understand the twists and turns in their conversation? But he understood the last sentence as a witness. Seeing the two people raising their glasses with a smile, Wei Liangqing also laughed, picked up the glass, clinked it with the three of them, and drank it all up.

Putting down the wine glass, Tian Ergeng was in a good mood. With Zhang Xijun's promise, it would be the same even if he didn't join the Jinyiwei. In his opinion, Zhang Xijun was a very good assistant. If he could help him, things would be much smoother when he took over the post of Jinyiwei. It was a pity that Zhang Xijun refused to be his subordinate, which was a pity.

For a moment, Tian Ergeng suddenly thought of a person. He felt that Zhang Xijun was quite similar to this person, but compared with that person, Zhang Xijun was more free and easy and less utilitarian. Both of them were from common people. Thinking of this, he was actually a little absent-minded.

(End of this chapter)