Chapter 1283 Untitled
September 20, 2:45 am

Zhang Juning, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who had already arrived at his work post in the Ministry of Revenue Yamen, was carefully studying the files in his hands.

After Cui Zibo's incident, Cui Shao, the Minister of Revenue, returned to work, but it was obvious that after Cui Zibo's incident, Cui Shao's energy was no longer as good as before, and he began to show signs of lack of energy.

While Hu Ming, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, followed Ye Mingsheng on his southern tour, Zhang Juning, as the left vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also took on more work of the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhang Juning was both happy and sad about this. Although he never said it, many people in the Yijing court understood that Zhang Juning coveted Cui Shao's position as the Minister of Revenue. So even though the workload increased and Zhang Juning was physically more tired from the work he undertook, he was still happy about it.

Three days ago, the news of Ye Mingsheng's splitting of Dadongsheng Company was delivered to Yijing, and the task of splitting up Dadongsheng Company was handed over to the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue also attached great importance to this, and Cui Shao personally took the lead. However, as the de facto prime minister of the cabinet, Cui Shao not only had to deal with the work of the Ministry of Revenue, but also had to consider the operation of the entire Yijing court.

Therefore, most of the specific work of splitting up the Dadongsheng Company fell into the hands of Zhang Juning, who attached great importance to this matter.

He believed that although the Dadongsheng Company was nominally a company, it was actually a huge and even somewhat deformed business system. Therefore, the splitting of the Dadongsheng Company would be a remarkable event for the entire Yijing court. If Zhang Juning could do a good job in this matter, it would definitely leave a very good impression on the Marshal...
With this idea in mind, Zhang Juning's work enthusiasm was very high. In the past few days, he would arrive at the yamen before noon and devote himself to work.

After reading a file, Zhang Juning called a clerk, handed him the file and instructed:

"This file has been sent to the Minister! Please make a comment!"

Although Zhang Juning now has the power to make decisions on some matters in the Ministry of Revenue, he does not seem to dare to overstep the line. He dares not miss any matter that should be given to Cui Shao for approval and decision. He was promoted by Cui Shao, so he knows how powerful Cui Shao is.

So Cui Shao now shows signs of being very old, but Zhang Juning doesn't dare to go beyond the line!

Of course, in addition to his respect and awe for Cui Shao, Zhang Juning also had other intentions in doing this. He wanted to do a better job in splitting up the Dadongsheng Company and satisfy the Marshal so as to secure a good future for himself.

However, as the splitting up of Dadongsheng Company was such a big matter, Zhang Juning felt uneasy while working, fearing that one of his decisions would not suit the Marshal's wishes. That was why he wanted Cui Shao's approval. In this way, as long as Cui Shao signed, if anything went wrong, Cui Shao would be the first to take the lead!
Although Zhang Juning's calculations were very precise, he did not expect that the clerk would reply:
"Mr. Minister, Minister Cui has not arrived at the government office yet..."

Zhang Juning was somewhat surprised by this. After hesitating for a moment, he asked again:
"What time is it now?"

The clerk said without hesitation:
"Your Excellency, it is almost three quarters past noon!"

Zhang Juning was somewhat skeptical when he heard this, and immediately called a clerk to ask:

"What time is it now?"

"Your Excellency, it is almost three quarters past noon!"

Although it was still a little hard to believe, but after hearing two clerks say this in succession, he also realized that the time was really almost three quarters past noon!

At the same time, Zhang Juning also realized that something might have happened in Cui Shao's family!

As an old subordinate of Cui Shao, Zhang Juning was very clear about Cui Shao's style of doing things. Cui Shao was a strict and punctual person. In Zhang Juning's impression, Cui Shao almost always came to the yamen before Chenshi. Even if he was not feeling well, he would come to the yamen on time. Except for some holidays, he basically came to the yamen rain or shine in 360 days!
It is already nearly three quarters past noon, and Cui Shao has not yet appeared at the Ministry of Revenue. This is extremely abnormal!

Thinking of this, Zhang Juning believed that the reason why Cui Shao had not come yet was most likely that something had happened to the Cui family and it was definitely a big deal, otherwise Cui Shao would definitely come to the yamen!

Realizing this, Zhang Juning couldn't help but feel moved, and a possibility emerged in his mind. Although Zhang Juning tried his best to control his expression, a hint of heat still flashed in his eyes. Could it be that his wife of many years was finally going to become his mother-in-law?

After pondering for a while, Zhang Juning couldn't help shaking his head. He had worked with Cui Shao for many years, and he knew that Cui Shao was still very self-disciplined. His only hobbies were calligraphy and painting, and he was very controlled when it came to alcohol and sex. So although Cui Shao was not young anymore, he had always maintained a good physical condition...
Although Cui Shao had fallen ill and had to rest for a while due to the recent incident involving his son Cui Zibo, he quickly returned to work thanks to his good physical condition. Yesterday, Cui Shao worked in the Ministry of Revenue until the evening. For lunch, he had a bowl of rice, a bowl of beef soup, and a few side dishes in the yamen. He still had a good appetite!

So although Zhang Juning had some expectations in his heart, rationally he still felt that it was unlikely that Lao Cui would suddenly pass away overnight!
The most important thing is that given Cui Shao’s status and position in the Yijing court, if he were really incapable, the court would definitely not be so peaceful now!
Therefore, compared to Cui Shao being in trouble, Zhang Ju Ning believed that it was more likely that something happened to Cui Shao’s son Cui Zibo!
Although the Cui family has been trying to keep the news of Cui Zibo's illness secret, the Cui family is now as prosperous as a raging fire. A big tree will attract the wind. Everyone wants to know about Cui Zibo's news, but Cui Zibo's news cannot be hidden. Everyone soon knows that Cui Zibo is terminally ill and may not survive this year!
It is already September 20th and winter is coming soon, so it is reasonable for Cui Zibo to leave at this time!

Thinking of this, Zhang Juning couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He was basically certain that Cui Zibo was in trouble, and then he called a member of the Ministry of Revenue and ordered:

"The Shangshu is not here, go to his house and see if anything has happened!"

"I humbly obey my orders!"

After such an incident, Zhang Juning's mood for work was affected. He sat in the chair and fell into deep thought... He was in his forties, which was not considered young in this era. In order to make progress in his career over the years, he had devoted himself to his work. When the Fengwu Army was fighting before, he, Zhang Juning, was Cui Shao's deputy. He was very concerned about the transportation of money and food for the army. He often did not go home for ten days or eight days, and lived and ate in the yamen.

It was this hard work and perseverance that made Zhang Juning the current Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue of the Yijing court and received a large amount of financial rewards.

Although Zhang Juning's efforts were rewarded, his health also had many problems due to the long-term and high-intensity work in the past. He often suffered from headaches and fevers, and taking Chinese medicine became a common occurrence!
At that time, Zhang Juning was just a minor official in Liaoyang. His biggest dream was to become a county magistrate. He believed that as long as he became a county magistrate, he would have achieved great success and lived up to his life. He never thought that one day he would become a high-ranking official like the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue!

Logically speaking, Zhang Juning should have been satisfied by now, but unfortunately, human desires are endless. As the Fengwu Army grew gradually over the years, Zhang Juning's horizons became broader and broader. He was no longer the petty official in Liaoyang who thought that being a county magistrate was the end of his life.

Now Zhang Juning wants to become a Shangshu. He thinks that with his ability, contribution to the court and loyalty to the Marshal, he can definitely do this. But unfortunately, there is a huge mountain above his head that is difficult to shake. This mountain is called Cui Shao...

In fact, logically speaking, Zhang Juning is almost twenty years younger than Cui Shao, so there is no need for him to be so anxious. Even if he can survive, he can outlast Cui Shao. Unfortunately, Zhang Juning does not have much confidence in his physical condition now. He feels that with Cui Shao's physical condition, he may not be able to survive Cui Shao!

Thinking of this, Zhang Juning couldn't help but sigh silently. In fact, Cui Shao was very good to him and never made things difficult for him at work. Even when he made mistakes sometimes, Cui Shao never blamed him and even took the blame on himself. To be fair, Zhang Juning admitted that Cui Shao was a good boss, and he was also very grateful to Cui Shao for promoting and caring for him over the years!
But he also knew that as long as Cui Shao didn't leave, no matter how much Zhang Juning did, it would be of no avail. He could only rely on others and help them!
If Zhang Juning was young, he would not care and would just help others to accumulate work experience, but at his age now, he really wants to be independent!
Zhang Juning really wanted to let others know that he, the Zhang, was not only able to serve as Cui Shao's deputy, but he could also be the Minister of Revenue or even the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, and become a famous figure in history, praised by future generations as a wise prime minister!

So sometimes Zhang Juning really hoped that Cui Shao could retire like Xiao Lingyu, so that he, Zhang Juning, could naturally take over as the Minister of Revenue. As long as Cui Shao left, Zhang Juning was very confident that he would take over as the Minister of Revenue. Whether in terms of ability or qualifications, who else but him could take over the position of the Minister of Revenue?

But unfortunately, Cui Shao is not Xiao Lingyu. Cui Shao is not as easily satisfied as Xiao Lingyu. Cui Shao still wants to continue to shine in the court.

Therefore, there was a conflict in their ideals, so Zhang Juning was sometimes very conflicted. His only hope now was that Cui Zibo’s departure would make Cui Shao disheartened and make him think of retiring. Only in this way would he, Zhang Juning, have a chance to take the position...

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Yijing, Ye Mansion

"Madam, I just received news that Cui Zibo is gone!"

An Miaoyi, who was reading a newspaper, was also stunned when he heard the news. Because there had been no news about Cui Zibo recently, he had originally forgotten about this matter involving Cui Zibo.

But if you calculate carefully, Cui Zibo’s time has come!
Because she had been mentally prepared for this matter, An Miaoyi did not feel too sad and immediately asked:

"What is Mr. Cui's current situation?"

"Master Cui did not go to the Ministry of Revenue, but it is said that Master Cui's condition is still quite stable!"

As soon as the old woman finished speaking, Qiqige walked over quickly and reported to An Miaoyi:

“Madam, after hearing the news that Cui Zibo had left, the old lady wanted to go out of the house to visit Cui’s mansion!”

Upon hearing the news, An Miaoyi immediately frowned and said directly:
"Let the maids around the old lady give some advice!"

“The maids and old women tried to persuade her, but to no avail. The old lady insisted on going…”

When An Miaoyi heard what Qiqige said, she was suddenly overwhelmed. She knew that Ye Cui and Cui Shao were cousins ​​and had a good relationship, so Ye Cui was also very concerned about Cui Zibo.

Although the news that Cui Zibo had contracted syphilis spread, and although Ye Cui was very angry with Cui Zibo, she still instructed the medical school to treat Cui Zibo well, and even asked monks to pray for Cui Zibo, and even arranged for a few quack doctors!
But Qiqige really didn't expect that Ye Cui's visit to Cui Zibo at this time was really against the etiquette, and at this critical juncture Ye Mingsheng was about to become the emperor, and Ye Cui was going to become the empress dowager, and Cui Zibo was suffering from syphilis, a serious disease!
So even though An Miaoyi could more or less understand Ye Cui's current mood, she thought that Ye Cui really shouldn't go to Cui Mansion now. At most, she could send someone to Cui Mansion with some more gifts of comfort as a token of Ye Cui's thoughtfulness.

Thinking of this, An Miaoyi also understood that she must stop Ye Cui's actions and not let Ye Cui cause trouble at this critical juncture!
Taking a deep breath, An Miaoyi asked Qiqige in a deep voice:
"Madam, where are you now?"

“He should still be in the yard now…”

"Qiqige, lead the way!"

"Yes!"

(I don’t know what happened to my backend. I just uploaded it and it went wrong again. I’m so sorry. Just refresh it!)
(End of this chapter)