The Secretariat of the Central Secretariat is the decision-making body of the court, responsible for drafting edicts for the emperor, and also involves some documentary and memorial matters.

Since the death of the Secretary of the Secretariat Wen Yanbo, there has been no prime minister in the Secretariat Province, and the specific affairs are handled by the Secretariat Minister Cen Wenben.

To a certain extent, Cen Wenben did not have the name of prime minister, but acted as prime minister. In addition, the emperor's edicts were often used, so he was a true minister of the emperor.

But his status in the court was limited after all, his official position was very high, but his title was not high, and he is still only in Jiangling County today.

He was born in the Cen family in Nanyang and was a famous local family, but he was far from the aristocratic families. The main reason for his success is that he has achieved his talent and opportunity.

In the past, Xiao Xian became emperor and hired Cen Wenben as the Minister of the Secretariat. After Li Xiaogong destroyed Xiao Liang, Cen Wenben immediately persuaded him to calm the people and entered Chang'an as a surrendered minister.

Because he was a famous scholar in Jingxiang, a talented man recognized by the southern high-ranking clans and surrendered ministers and gentry, and his outstanding talent and knowledge were quite favored, he gradually became a representative figure of the southern gentry in the court.

But the heights are so cold that there are not many noble people in the court, only him, Xiao Yu, Yu Shinan and others.

Now that Yu Shinan retires and is ill at home, Xiao Yu comes from the Nanliang royal family and is not particularly close to him. Therefore, Cen Wenben sometimes feels powerless and can't support himself.

Yu Shinan resigned and Xie Yi took office. Cen Wenben saw it all, so he naturally understood the reason. This was exactly the situation he wanted to see.

But within a few days, Xie Yi was imprisoned.

His family members are descendants of Du Fuwei and are involved in assassination, which is quite difficult.

But with his keen political sense, Cen Wenben quickly discovered some inappropriate things like Changsun Wuji and deduced the possible results of the incident.

Based on the principle of "one prosper and one prosper, one loss and one loss", he wanted to save Xie Yi, and there is no doubt about this

But how to save me? Pray for mercy, or speak directly for it like Duke Cheng Zhijie of Lu.

Others can do it, but they cannot. As a minister of the Central Secretariat, you must be careful in your words and actions. If you are slightly biased, it will only backfire.

Cen Wenben has been paying attention to court memorials these days. He hopes to find an opportunity from it. He believes that His Majesty Li Er also hopes to have such an opportunity.

Unfortunately, there is nothing but impeachment memorials from all parties.

At noon, Cen Wenben had to return disappointed.

Not long after entering the mansion, the servant came to inform him: "Alang, Madam Zheng asked for a meeting."

"Zheng Liwan"

"yes"

Cen Wenben frowned slightly. He naturally heard about the rumors in Chang'an City these days, and Zheng Liwan's purpose of this trip was easy to ponder.

"Go and tell Mrs. Zheng that I'm not here." Although they all wanted to save Xie Yi, the methods were different. Cen Wenben felt that he was not suitable to come forward directly.

"Yes," the servant replied, handed over a letter, and said softly: "Alang, someone has sent a letter."

"Who is the sender?"

"It was sent to the doorman by a child. It stated that you personally opened it, and the doorman accepted it."

"Okay, go ahead." Cen Wenben waved his hand and opened the envelope.

After a faint fragrance, several withered petals fell out, and a two-finger-wide note with a line of words written on it still remembered in late spring in Jiangling. Du Ruoxie sighed.

In an instant, Cen Wenben's whole body was shocked and his expression changed drastically.

He trembled with his hands and picked up the withered Du Ruo petals. Then he raised it to his nose and sniffed it gently. The middle-aged man in his forty-year-old eyes turned red and tears were shining.

Cen Wenben slowly closed his eyes, and his thoughts seemed to return to Jiangling that year. He saw Du Ruo in full bloom, and the fragrance was pleasant. Among the flowers, the gauze skirt ran through the flowers. The pure and lovely smile, and the silver bell-like laughter seemed to be still clearly visible.

I thought this beautiful Du Ruo had completely withered and crushed into the mud and dust. I didn't expect that I would see it today, but it had withered.

So what if you have withered, the flowers are gone, the people are still there, it’s good

Cen Wenben picked up the two-finger-wide note again, looked at the familiar and beautiful handwriting on it, and looked even more excited when he recalled the past. He felt even more regretful, his fists were clenched, and his fingernails pierced into his flesh without even notice.

After a long time, Cen Wenben slowly calmed down his mind and thoughts returned to the sentence on the paper, especially the second half of Du Ruoxie sighed.

Among them, the words "Du" and "Xie" are obviously more intense, and seem to be specifically prominent and have some meaning.

Cen Wenben is wise and has a high mindset, and he can understand the meaning after a closer look. Du, Xie means who knows it. I understand the true meaning of the paper. Don’t let Du Ruohua fade away.

He was surprised that she should have no contact with them, so why was it that Cen Wenben had some guesses in his mind suddenly.

He no longer wants to investigate the reason, but as long as it is her advice, he should do his best. I missed it once in Jiangling, how could this happen to be a pity?

This matter is no longer the level of the Southern gentry's "one prospers and one loss, one loss"; there are also the resentment buried in their hearts for many years, and there are also the regrets that they did not come before and shared the same hatred for the enemy.

For this reason, Cen Wenben did not hesitate to violate the principle he had always adhered to.

"Come"

"What's the matter with Alang?"

Cen Wenben said in a deep voice: "Send someone to catch up with Mrs. Zheng, saying that I know the purpose of my trip, so I am not inconvenient to come forward directly, but I will do my best."

"yes"

"Also, I'm going to go out for a light car." Cen Wenben added.

There is a reason why Zheng Liwan came to Cen Wenben’s mansion to visit, she was seeking help.

I have seen Xie Yi in Dali Temple. Prevention and control of smallpox may be one of the means for Xie Yi to save his life. But if you want to be safe, the most important thing is the emperor's wishes, and someone needs to advise him to protect him.

Just imagine, in the entire Chang'an City, there are only a handful of people who know the emperor's minds best and may come forward to help.

After thinking about it, Cen Wenben may be the biggest here.

Zheng Liwan, who is so kind in Lan, watched coldly and understood the role Xie Yi played in the court; whoever has the same interests as him may help.

Xiao Yu's family is too high and ordinary people cannot get in; however, Cen Wenben is usually low-key and approachable. More importantly, Cen Wenben is the Minister of the Secretariat and is close to the emperor. He speaks conveniently and has weight.

But unfortunately, when I arrived at Cen's mansion, I was turned away.

The excuse that Mr. Cen is not here is too bad. Cen Wenben just doesn’t want to see him.

This situation is not surprising, but Zheng Liwan still feels a little disappointed. Without the help of heavyweights like Cen Wenben, it is still difficult to rescue Xie Yi.

I have to find another way

Zheng Liwan sighed lightly and left in a car sadly, not wanting to walk halfway, suddenly a servant from Cen's house caught up with him, bringing Cen's original words.

Why did Mr. Cen's attitude behave differently in a moment? Zheng Liwan couldn't understand it. But it was always a good thing that Cen Wenben was willing to help.

But he couldn't say he could come forward directly, so how would he do his best?

To be continued. ~Search the basket colors and you can read the following chapters in full text

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Chapter completed!