Chapter 264 Minglan's Birthday

What Wei Yuan did not expect was that Xu Changzhi and Zhang Fu, his close relatives and friends, did not want to see the Yanbian military reform happen.

Without their support and Zhao Zhen's procrastinating attitude, it would be even more difficult to do this.

After Wei Yuan returned to Zhongyong Hou Mansion alone, he saw Zhang Guifen waiting for him in the hall.

"Why don't you go and rest?"

Wei Yuan sat on the chair, feeling a little disappointed, but he still cared about Zhang Guifen.

The latter responded: "I heard that the official and the Changzhi brothers went to Guangyuntai?"

You don't need to think about it to know that it must be those servants who talk too much.

Wei Yuan nodded, "I want to say something."

Zhang Guifen saw that his expression was wrong and asked, "But the matter has not been settled?"

Wei Yuan shook his head.

Zhang Guifen said: "The day after tomorrow is Minglan's birthday, this girl came here specifically to look for you today, but it turns out you left for business early."

"Girl Ming said that she wants to invite us to the Huixian Tower to have a lively atmosphere. The Sheng family and some of her friends will go. I hope you can go too."

Wei Yuan was stunned, "Is this girl going to get hairpins soon?"

Zhang Guifen held his hand and said affectionately: "Is it possible that the officials are too busy? The girl's hairpin ceremony will be held in the coming year."

Wei Yuan shook his head and smiled, "I almost forgot, what gift does she want? Use these two days to prepare something for her."

Zhang Guifen said with a smile: "Don't worry about the gifts. I will take care of them. Don't be busy with official duties for the past two days and have a good rest at home."

Wei Yuan frowned, "Did my father-in-law ask you to persuade me?"

Zhang Guifen asked curiously: "I just think that officials have been too tired recently. What does it have to do with my father?"

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "I am worrying too much."

Zhang Guifen said: "One more thing, Mr. Bao Xiaosu's eldest son went away last night, and the Bao family reported the funeral to our family."

Wei Yuan was startled subconsciously, "This bag of ytterbium is only about twenty years old. Why did it go there?"

"Due to illness." Zhang Guifen sighed: "Master Bao's second son, Bao Shou, son-in-law of Xianggong Wen, wants to apply for the position of regimental training judge, no matter which state capital."

"Prime Minister Wen sent someone to deliver the letter. I hope the officials can accomplish this."

The final appointment of positions such as regiment envoy, deputy regiment envoy, and regiment training judge in various places cannot be bypassed by the commander-in-chief of the palace.

Bao Shou did not have the title of Jinshi, but he entered the official position because of his family background. Some serious people could obtain the official position through the imperial examination and were born with the same Jinshi. Naturally, he had no chance to get it.

Therefore, I could only look for some ways, and after searching around, I naturally found Wei Yuan.

The position of commander of the Imperial Palace is only responsible for managing and training the army. He has no say in the selection and recruitment of talents.

But if the commander of the front office recommends someone to serve as a regiment training envoy or regiment training judge, it can be said to be a matter of course.

"Master Bao and my husband have been friends for a long time. He is the only one who is practicing for the position of judge."

"Let him go to Haozhou. It is relatively close to Mr. Bao's hometown, Luzhou. It is also suitable for him to run errands as a fellow villager."

Wei Yuan's words determined most of the future of a person and a descendant of a minister.

This is the power he holds now.

The so-called Tuan Lian magistrates are actually the clerks and staff under the Tuan Lian envoy, who are responsible for drafting letters, arranging schedules, etc.

Zhang Guifen said: "I knew you would respond to this matter, but I was afraid that if you set a precedent, more people would come looking for you in the future."

Wei Yuan said: "After all, he is the descendant of Mr. Bao, so he must take care of him."

——

In the sixth year of Jiayou's reign, on the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, there was heavy snow.

Wei Yuan and his wife prepared several large boxes of heavy gifts and headed to Huixian Tower.

At first, Wei Yuan was slightly surprised when he saw the gifts she prepared.

"Even if it's girl Ming's haircut gift, it's considered grand for you to give these gifts."

Zhang Guifen said: "Giving these common gifts is for others to see. The real gift is this."

As he said this, he ordered someone to hand a long box to him.

"Inside the box is a painting, written by Guo Xiguo. It depicts Lady Li guarding Niangziguan."

"My eldest sister gave me such a painting before. Minglan always looks at it every time she comes here. It shows that she likes it."

"But I couldn't give the painting that my eldest sister gave me to Minglan again, so I simply asked Mr. Guo to paint another one."

Wei Yuan took Zhang Guifen's hand and boarded the carriage, "You are interested."

She covered her mouth and smiled, "Minglan is not just your niece, I like this girl from the bottom of my heart."

Since Minglan came to the capital, Zhang Guifen often gave her some money, jewelry and other personal belongings.

As a result, Minglan's living standard skyrocketed.

It was like taking over the entire Huixian Tower, which was still within the acceptable range for her.

Originally, Sheng Hong didn't agree with such extravagance. After all, it was just a small birthday.

Later, when I heard that Wei Yuan was also going, he simply followed Minglan's wishes.

The purpose of her holding this birthday party was actually Zhang Guifen's hint that she wanted to find a reason to let Wei Yuan relax.

In the past few days, she knew very well that Wei Yuan had been working hard on the military reform in Yanbian and had not had a good rest since arriving in the capital.

Finally, there was an opportunity to gather everyone together, eat, drink, chat, and have a half-day of leisure.

Huixian Tower is not as big as Fan Tower, but it is also one of the largest restaurants in the capital. The owner behind it is the clan and the imperial merchants.

Many dignitaries would choose this place to hold large gatherings.

At this moment, Minglan was holding Mu Ge'er's hand and standing in front of Huixian Tower to welcome the guests.

From a distance, a voice was heard, "Minglan!"

Minglan looked up and saw that it was Yu Yanran, and then she picked up Mu Ge'er and came forward,

"Why are you so late?"

Yu Yanran apologized, "I was delayed for a while because of trivial matters at home."

Then, she held Mu Ge'er's hand and said with a giggle, "Mu Ge'er, do you still recognize me?"

Mu Ge'er smiled at her.

Seeing this, Yu Yanran said, "Mu Ge'er is not afraid of strangers."

She had been to the Sheng family several times and often teased Mu Ge'er.

But children's memory is mostly to remember today and forget yesterday.

Minglan said, "You are not a stranger."

Not far away, another carriage slowly drove over, with the "Hai family" totem on it.

"Sister Hai is here too?"

Minglan murmured, and said to Yu Yanran: "Sister Yanran, go in first."

After the latter entered Huixian Tower, Minglan went to greet the Hai family carriage.

The first person to get off the carriage was Hai Chaoyun's brother Hai Zhou.

Now, he has been promoted to the Minister of Personnel by Wang Anshi.

And the former Minister of Personnel Fan Chunren has been promoted to Shangshu You Pushe, the second in command of the Shangshu Province, and his status is only below Wen Yanbo.

Although the situation of the dispute between the two prime ministers is severe now, Fan Chunren has not clearly taken sides.

First, Fan Chunren is the descendant of Wen Zhenggong and has the strength to be independent. Second, although Wen Yanbo is a dozen years younger than Fan Zhongyan, he has a deep friendship with Fan Zhongyan.

Wen Yanbo also doesn't want his old friend to be involved in the party dispute in the future.

Some officials have privately discussed that no matter who wins or loses the dispute between the two prime ministers, the minister who will temporarily preside over the central government affairs in the future must be Fan Chunren.

Only he, with his qualifications and background, could stabilize the chaotic situation brought about by the party struggle.

So Wen and Han knew that once someone pulled Fan Chunren down, the government would be unhappy.

Moreover, how did the party struggle come about? It was caused by Zhao Zhen's manipulation.

In other words, Zhao Zhen could allow the party struggle to exist or not.

No matter how the two sides fought, they had to obey Zhao Zhen's wishes.