On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, before the New Year's Day was over, a lively event happened in the capital.
　　The Northern Expedition, which was a hot topic in the court and the public, was mostly reserved by the civil officials of various departments, and some were clearly opposed. The military officials who were eager to make achievements, or to serve the country, or to gain high positions and generous salaries through military exploits, were excited about this and scolded the group of people who hindered the dispatch of troops for delaying the important matter, being greedy for life and afraid of death, and not even being able to pick out people to do logistics.
　　On the day when Xu Shangshu took the overall dispatch, the decree had not yet been issued to the entire court. General Hong Haohong of the Shenwu Army was scolded in the street by a young censor, saying that he did not care about the people and was brave but not wise, and the two sides clashed outside the Xiuchun Tower in the capital.
　　Unfortunately, Zheng Yuheng came to the restaurant to discuss matters with Wen Shilang at his invitation that day, and it can be said that he watched the whole process.
　　Xiuchunlou is the best restaurant in Beijing. It is frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles, and carriages are densely packed. It is a scene of peace and prosperity. It is very rare for such a situation to happen.
　　Zheng Yuheng stood by the railing on the second floor, wearing a light blue uniform. He was slightly relieved until he saw the Qilin Guards in Beijing approach and separate the two parties fighting and intervene in the matter.
　　Wen Haolan turned to look at him and said, "See? We have looked down on this group of warriors for a long time. We all have our own ideas. One side thinks they are rude, reckless, and ignorant of the overall situation, while the other side thinks we are stubborn and cowardly. The Shenwu Army is already a very strict military unit, and a few years ago, someone even mentioned anti-poetry."
　　"Anti-poetry?"
　　"It's hard to say." Wen Haolan said, "Which dynasty has no rebels? The Great Yin is already peaceful. If one day the queen... that one makes a mistake, there will be real chaos."
　　Zheng Yuheng couldn't stand hearing this. He was pulled to sit down by Wen Haolan, and he immediately got straight to the point and said, "The Minister specially invited me here, not to watch this farce, right? Or is it that Lord Wen is so smart that he can even include this?"
　　"No, no, everyone is very angry these days, but no one wants something like this." Wen Haolan poured him a cup of tea and said in a friendly manner, "I want to tell you that the overall logistics dispatch for the Northern Expedition has been appointed to our Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
　　Zheng Yuheng looked at his face for a moment. He did not see any displeasure or envy in Wen Haolan's expression. Instead, he looked extremely calm. He must have felt that this was an extremely important and difficult task.
　　"This is a good thing." Zheng Yuheng said, "I think you all should have no objection. The Minister has rich qualifications and experience. No one will question his status in the court."
　　"Yes." Wen Haolan said, "However, in addition to selecting several capable officials from other departments, the Minister also specially picked you from the Ministry of Revenue."
　　Zheng Yuheng was stunned: "Me?"
　　With his status and age, even if he was involved in such a big affair, most of them would be marginal figures, only responsible for copying official documents and passing messages back and forth, but Wen Haolan said that he was "specially selected", which made him different from other Chengwulang - at least he could participate in the meeting and have a seat in front of everyone.
　　Zheng Yuheng said, "There are many capable ministers in the six departments, and I..."
　　"Ah..." Minister Wen held his hand, suppressing what he wanted to say, and said with a smile, "Although there are many capable ministers, there are not many who are both capable and principled. To be honest, I'm afraid that Mr. Zheng will hate me because I recommended you to Minister Xu. Firstly, I trust your ability. Secondly, Mr. Zheng was able to remain calm in the face of your majesty's rage. Naturally, he is used to stormy waves and has a calm mind."
　　"Mr. Minister has misunderstood. I am..."
　　He wanted to explain, but he paused. He didn't know where to start with the reason for this explanation. He couldn't say that he and the emperor were old enemies. It was rare for them to not quarrel when they met, right?
　　"Don't be too modest, don't be too modest. Being too modest is arrogance." Wen Haolan asked someone to change a pot of wine while speaking, wanting to pour wine for Zheng Yuheng, but he dodged a little and drank a cup of tea instead of wine.
　　"Mr. Minister," Zheng Yuheng said, "It is said in "Guan Zi" that the defense of a land lies in the city, the defense of a city lies in the soldiers, the defense of the soldiers lies in the people, and the defense of the people lies in the grain. In matters of military operations, food is always the first priority. This is a matter of great importance to the destiny of the country. Isn't it a bit hasty to choose me for this?"
　　"Your official position is just a little lower, but in terms of ability, no one in the ministry has anything bad to say about you." When Minister Wen said this, he lowered his tone and was a little puzzled. "As usual, when it comes to promoting newcomers, Minister Xu always suppresses and expels them. I don't know why, but this time, Mr. Minister agreed very quickly. I guess he was also scared by you in the Shenying Palace that day."
　　Zheng Yuheng sighed softly.
　　"Why, is this really so unspeakable? How could you, a small official in charge of the Ministry of Warehouses, have a grudge against the Emperor? It's the most bizarre thing that you didn't die even though you had a grudge."
　　Wen Haolan also spared himself from beating around the bush and asked directly, "What's going on between the Saint and you?"
　　Zheng Yuheng was silent for a while, thinking about where this story came from. His subtle silence fell into the eyes of Wen Shilang, which meant that there was a big gossip secret. He couldn't help but look around and lowered the bamboo curtain to block the sunlight that came into the pavilion.
　　Zheng Yuheng considered the wording carefully, and said with a sincere and pure expression: "It is inconvenient to talk about this matter in detail. I can only say that when I was in the Ministry of Grain, I met the saint Bai Long Yu Fu, who was investigating the people's sentiments. We did not know each other and had some disputes... The saint planned for major events, and did not punish me at the time. In the Shenying Palace, he was just angry and did not really punish me. His Majesty is really a wise emperor
　　." He had never praised me like this even in front of Meng Cheng. Zheng Yuheng estimated that if he said this to Minister Wen, it would sound sincere, but if the little emperor really heard it, he would probably be disgusted.
　　"Bai Long Yu Fu, investigating the people's sentiments?" Wen Haolan was shocked. He didn't know that their young emperor actually had such thoughts and kindness. No wonder the corruption hidden so secretly in the Ministry of Revenue could be found out. "Is there such a thing?"
　　Zheng Yuheng nodded seriously.
　　Minister Wen took another sip of tea in a hurry, thinking to himself: "Although I haven't done anything corrupt enough to warrant the death penalty and confiscation of property, this kid Wen Haocheng is undisciplined. I don't know if he bullies men and women or takes advantage of the weak. If this happens and the sage in disguise encounters this, what will happen?" If
　　he is not disciplined and educated, I'm afraid something bad will happen.
　　Wen Haolan made up his mind, and after talking to Zheng Yuheng about the matter, he got up and went back home, intending to teach his useless younger brother a lesson. However, just as he stood up and took a step, he suddenly turned around, took Zheng Yuheng's hand and earnestly advised: "Mr. Zheng, although I recommended you for this position, it is not because I am afraid of death and unwilling to travel thousands of miles, but the head of the Ministry of Revenue has already left, and I can't leave Kyoto again, otherwise, there will be no one to take care of major national affairs such as taxation and expenditure?"
　　"My Lord, the Minister should stay." Zheng Yuheng said, "I understand." Wen
　　Haolan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "As long as the army sets out, money will be spent like water. You are still young. If you encounter some dangerous things, just do your own thing and don't be instigated by them. Don't do things that others don't do. Only then can you come back safely."
　　Zheng Yuheng was silent for a moment, and replied, "Thank you, Minister Wen."
　　Wen Haolan recommended him for the sake of the country, and he also really appreciated him and wanted him to gain experience. But this exhortation at this moment is enough to illustrate Wen Haolan's political philosophy of self-preservation. Not only does he do so himself, but he also sincerely warns other juniors whom he admires. It's a pity that Zheng Yuheng's character is different from what he imagined.
　　If it were someone else, an official who had learned to "get by" in the officialdom, even if he went to the bitter cold north, even if he had to endure some hardships, and did not take on those dangerous responsibilities that were related to his life, even if he could not enjoy it as well as in the capital, he would still be able to come back.
　　It was really because Zheng Yuheng's temperament and personality did not match, which made Wen Haolan think that he could really persuade him with a few words of advice. But this Zheng Langjun was actually a person who was completely insulated from the saying of "keeping himself safe". As long as it could benefit the world and help the Queen Mother, he would not even blink an eye even if he went through fire and water, or was torn to pieces, let alone just a mere "danger"?
　　Zheng Yuheng thought to himself that he might not be able to keep himself safe and watch the fire from the other side of the river. He could not get over it in his heart, so he could only thank him without making any promises to him.
　　Wen Haolan was completely unaware of this, and after nodding, he said goodbye and left.
　　It was precisely because Wen Haolan and Xu Jin, the two adults in the Ministry of Revenue, failed to grasp Zheng Yuheng's character, so this decision was contrary to Dong Lingjiu's thoughts and ideas, and the two sides had some problems.
　　...
　　On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the third year of Huining, at night, lanterns were lit in the courtyard outside the palace, and the sound of fireworks splashed in the night sky.
　　The affairs of the court had just been decided, and it was time to assign personnel to various important tasks.
　　Dong Lingjiu put down the logistics and grain transportation list in her hand, and with a snap, the memorial fell on the table. She took the tea handed by Ruixue, blew on the tea surface first, took only a sip, and did not speak for a long time.
　　Xuan Jingyun's eyelids jumped at the side. Seeing this, he knew that the content of the memorial did not quite meet the wishes of the Empress Dowager, so he sent someone to invite Doctor Zheng with some hesitation.
　　Last time, because he suspected the "new love and old love" thing, he gave Zheng Yuheng a lot of reminders and advice. After these days, Xuan Jingyun gradually came to his senses - what kind of person is our queen, how could she fall in love with everyone she meets? Doctor Zheng is in a good situation, why should a servant like him worry about it. Anyway, he just needs to serve his master well, and that's all.
　　But now his master is angry, so he has to find ways to coax her.
　　Zheng Yuheng is really not somewhere else. He is rolling up his sleeves to try the new prescription he made for Dong Lingjiu.
　　During the Lantern Festival, the court has decided to march north, but there are still some details that need to be discussed. It's none of his business, so he will take a normal vacation and doesn't have to stay in the Ministry of Households. Naturally, he will return to the Cining Palace to serve.
　　Neiren Cui prepared the medicine according to the prescription he had given her before, but the boiled medicine was not satisfactory. Zheng Yuheng had some free time, so he helped her adjust the heat and recalculate the dosage of each medicine. The two of them talked for a while, and someone from the inner hall came to invite them.
　　Cui Ling took the prescription he had revised and urged, "Go, go, you are really Xuan Duzhi's savior, let Zheng Daren take care of everything."
　　Zheng Yuheng apologized, but he felt a little satisfied that he was highly valued. He coughed lightly and said in a proper manner, "Thank you very much, I will leave you first."
　　He first went to the East Warm Pavilion to change his coat to avoid the bitter taste of herbs and the burnt smell of the medicine furnace on his sleeves. Then he entered the hall in a proper manner, glanced at Xuan Duzhi, replaced the maid who served Dong Lingjiu with ink, and went forward in person.
　　Dong Lingjiu slowly drank the tea at hand and suppressed the negative emotions in his heart. She put down the porcelain, and in a blink of an eye she saw the young doctor Zheng, who was lowering his head, grinding ink gently and delicately, with a fair complexion and a light shadow under his eyelashes.
　　He was born with a good complexion, gentle and elegant, like the gentle breeze in early spring. Dong Lingjiu looked at him for a while and thought, this child looks so well-behaved and so agreeable, but where does this stubbornness and fearlessness come from? If all the civil servants in the world had such a stubborn character, then this crisis would not have happened to him.
　　But the problem is that there are not many people with a character like Zheng Yuheng.
　　Zheng Yuheng raised his eyes and looked at her.
　　Dong Lingjiu turned the red coral beads in his hand, pressed two fingers on the list, and ordered the people around him expressionlessly: "Everyone go down, Xuan Jingyun, Ruixue, you also go down first."
　　Xuan Duzhi and Aunt Ruixue looked at each other, and their eyes met for a moment. They were both wondering how this memorial was so treasonous, but they didn't dare to say much. They followed the order to withdraw all the servants in the inner hall of Cining Palace, and waited quietly behind a screen and a dense bead curtain.
　　Silence all around.
　　Zheng Yuheng also felt an inexplicable chill rising up, and his hand that was serving ink paused and silently retracted into his sleeve.
　　Dong Lingjiu glanced at his hand and said, "You are so flexible and adaptable."
　　Zheng Yuheng pondered for a long time, but still couldn't figure out his guilt.
　　He simply admitted his mistake without any distinction, "Your Majesty..." Before he could finish his words, Dong Lingjiu threw him the list of grain transport officials, pulled out a chair, and warmed his hands by the golden furnace of beast brain. His face was calm, but his voice was cold: "Why did Minister Xu take you with him? With your qualifications, can he promote you? Yuheng, if he arranged this on his own without telling you, you can refute it yourself with the red seal. The pen is there, write it yourself." Zheng Yuheng held
　　the list and looked at it for a moment, then said softly, "It's your will."
　　Dong Lingjiu stroked the bracelet, suddenly laughed, and said, "You want to die, don't you?"