Time flies by very quickly, and in a blink of an eye, it’s August. The weather has become extremely hot, and the scene after noon makes people drowsy.
Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.
At this time, the temperature in the Qianqing Palace was still as cool as spring. Jiajing was sitting cross-legged on the futon, his eyes seemed to be closed.
At this moment, Lu Fang was seen entering Qianqing Palace with silent steps.
Because the weather was so hot and unbearable, there were many fine beads of sweat on Lu Fang's forehead, and he kept wiping them with his sleeves.
The moment he stepped into Qianqing Palace, an unimaginable sense of coolness instantly enveloped his whole body. At this moment, every pore of his body could not help but relax.
"Phew, it's so cool!"
After Lu Fang entered the Qianqing Palace, she couldn't help but sigh.
Lu Fang knew very well that just relying on ice cubes to cool down would never achieve such a good effect!
Therefore, His Majesty must have used some immortal method to keep the Qianqing Palace at such a comfortable temperature.
Just as Lu Fang was daydreaming, Jiajing's ancient well-free voice sounded in his ears.
"Lu Fang, what's the matter?"
When Lu Fang heard what Jiajing said, she quickly came to Jiajing's side and reported respectfully.
"Your Majesty, I have already completed the matter you ordered earlier. The people from Dongchang have returned from De'an, the fiefdom of His Highness Prince Jing!"
After listening to Lu Fang's report, Jiajing nodded, stood up from the futon, and said lightly.
"Well, good job Lu Fang!"
"No, it's your duty as a servant to share your Majesty's worries!"
When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, a look of humility suddenly appeared on her face, and she said respectfully.
Afterwards, Jiajing went straight to the door of Qianqing Palace and looked at the situation outside. At this time, it was the hottest time of the day.
The scorching sunlight passed through the gaps between the leaves, forming mottled light and shadow, which were projected on the ground. If you listen carefully, you can also hear a little chirping of cicadas. Because the weather was too hot, there was not even half a human figure anywhere Jiajing could see. None can be seen.
Jiajing stopped to watch for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and spoke with emotion.
"Lu Fang, the weather this year is really abnormal. It's extremely cold in winter and extremely hot in summer!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, the weather this year is indeed abnormal!"
When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, she quickly spoke in agreement without any hesitation.
After that, Jiajing changed the topic and asked lightly.
"By the way, Lu Fang, it rained heavily not long ago. Have any of the dams in various places collapsed?"
Lu Fang couldn't help but feel a thump in her heart when she heard what Jiajing said. She thought about it for a moment before giving her response.
"Your Majesty, as far as I know, there is currently no news in this regard from the Ministry of Works. Presumably there has been no dam collapse yet!"
"Hmph, if the dam cannot withstand the impact of the heavy rain and collapses, causing disaster to the people, I can't spare them two!"
After listening to Lu Fang's report, Jiajing snorted coldly and said to himself.
Then, Jiajing turned his gaze to Lu Fang and asked.
"Lu Fang, the weather is so hot that officials can't concentrate on their work at all. I plan to give them a day off to let them have a rest. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I think this is feasible. In this way, the officials will be grateful to you!"
When Lu Fang saw Jiajing asking for her opinion, she responded immediately without any hesitation.
Seeing this situation, Jiajing nodded slightly and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, in that case, after it cools down later, you can go to the cabinet!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Lu Fang noticed the concern in Jiajing's words, and couldn't help but feel a warm feeling in her heart. She leaned down and responded respectfully.
Jiajing took in the expression on Lu Fang's face, nodded, and then spoke.
"I haven't played chess for a long time. Come and play two games with me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
During the game between Jiajing and Lu Fang, the hottest time of the day passed quietly without even realizing it.
"Your Majesty, your chess skills are unmatched by anyone in the Ming Dynasty. I am so convinced that you lost!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he looked at the situation on the chessboard and, in desperation, chose to surrender.
On the chessboard, the black chess piece held by Jiajing has cut off the "big dragon" that Lu Fang worked so hard to form. Even the last breath of the "big dragon" has been completely blocked, and there is no way out.
Jiajing seemed to take advantage of Lu Fang's compliment. He picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.
"It's natural. I've read so many chess records in vain!"
Then, Lu Fang looked at the sky outside and asked Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, it's almost time. It's time for me to go to the cabinet!"
"Um."
When Jiajing heard what Lu Fang said, he just responded in a subtle way.
Afterwards, Lu Fang did not hesitate at all. After bowing to Jiajing, he took steps towards the direction of the cabinet.
…
In the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng was seen putting aside the completed memorial in his hand.
Even with the cooling of ice cubes, it was still unbearably hot inside the cabinet.
At present, the entire cabinet, except Zhang Juzheng, fell into a drowsy state, and Gao Gong even snored.
At this moment, there was a slight sound of footsteps coming from outside the cabinet. After a while, a subordinate staff member was seen walking in.
When the subordinate official saw the scene in the cabinet, he couldn't help but slow down his steps. He cautiously came to Zhang Juzheng and reported respectfully.
"Mr. Zhang Ge, Lu... Eunuch Lu is looking for an audience outside!"
"Well, I understand, please invite Eunuch Lu in!"
After Zhang Juzheng learned the news from the subordinate official, he nodded and gave instructions softly.
When the subordinate official heard this, he nodded slightly and left the cabinet without looking back.
After the subordinate official left, Zhang Juzheng stood up from his seat, came to Yan Song and Xu Jie, and said softly.
"Mr. Yan Ge, Mr. Xu Ge, wake up, Eunuch Lu is outside asking to see you!"
After Zhang Juzheng's words fell, Yan Song and Xu Jie opened their eyes almost at the same time. Then, Yan Song opened his cloudy eyes with great effort. After looking Zhang Juzheng up and down, he confirmed.
"What are you talking about? Eunuch Lu is out here asking for an audience?"
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge, a subordinate came just now to report that Eunuch Lu is waiting outside!"
Zhang Juzheng faced Yan Song's extremely puzzled gaze and answered unhurriedly.
"Yeah, I know!"
After getting the exact news from Zhang Juzheng, Yan Song nodded and said slowly.
Afterwards, Yan Song looked at Yan Shifan and reminded him.
"Yan Shifan, get up!"
Yan Shifan, who was sleeping, suddenly woke up after hearing Yan Song's voice.
While Yan Song woke up Yan Shifan, Xu Jie also woke up Gao Gong, who was sleeping soundly beside him.
Then, under the guidance of the former subordinate, Lu Fang stepped into the cabinet.
When everyone saw Lu Fang's arrival, they all stood up from their seats and saluted him respectfully.
"I've met Eunuch Lu!"
At this moment, Lu Fang's face still had the same warm smile as usual. After looking around, Lu Fang spoke unhurriedly.
"You don't have to be so polite. Our family is here to bring you good news!"
"His Majesty said that due to the hot weather, he plans to give you a day off!"
As soon as Lu Fang finished speaking, expressions of disbelief appeared on everyone's faces. After all, due to Emperor Taizu's childhood experience, he did not have a good impression of officials as a group.
Therefore, officials had very few holidays. During the Hongwu period, there were even only three days of leave a year, and these three days of leave were the Spring Festival, the Winter Solstice, and Zhu Yuanzhang's birthday.
After that, although officials' holidays were increased, they did not increase by a few days compared to before.
Until not long ago, the emperor personally announced that officials, regardless of rank, would have one day off every week to rest. Once this measure was promulgated, the officials were all grateful for it and shouted "Long Live Your Majesty."
But now, seeing that the weather is hot, His Majesty actually gives everyone a day off for the first time. How considerate is this!
Soon, everyone recovered from this shocking news.
Then, under the leadership of Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, he solemnly bowed three times in the direction of the Qianqing Palace and said in unison.
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
"Without further ado, everyone please announce this news immediately!"
Lu Fang took in the expressions on everyone's faces, nodded, and gave the order.
"I'm here to help Eunuch Lu!"
When Xu Jie heard this, he bowed his hand to Lu Fang and expressed his gratitude.
"Where, where? Since the words have been brought, it is not convenient for our family to stay here any longer, so we will leave first!"
"Eunuch Lu, walk slowly!"
Seeing this situation, everyone quickly bowed to Lu Fang and saluted.
…
The efficiency of the cabinet was very fast. Shortly after Lu Fang left, the news of the holiday was quickly announced.
As soon as the news came out, countless officials rushed to tell each other, and their words were full of respect for the emperor.
The Forbidden City, the Inspectorate, and the duty room where Hai Rui is.
While Hai Rui was still concentrating on processing the official documents in front of him, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
After the words fell, the door of the room was pushed open, and a subordinate staff member was seen happily walking into the duty room. He turned his attention to Hai Rui, who was sitting behind the desk, processing official documents, and reported respectfully.
"Sir, this is a great thing!"
"Oh, what's the big deal?"
Upon hearing this, Hai Rui put the brush aside, looked at the subordinate, and asked.
Seeing this, the subordinate official suppressed his excitement and reported the matter in a deep voice.
"Sir, just now, news came from the cabinet that His Majesty saw the hot weather and decided to give officials a day off to rest!"
"Well, I know, please go down!"
After hearing the subordinate's report, Hai Rui's expression did not change much. Instead, he nodded and gave instructions.
"As you command, my lord!"
When the subordinate official saw that he had successfully brought the news, he did not stay in the room for too long and left directly.
After the subordinate officer left, Hai Rui looked at the official documents that had been mostly processed on the desk and murmured to himself.
"Well, these official documents are almost done, so let's take this opportunity to have a good rest!"
After Hai Rui finished speaking, he began to sort out the unfinished official documents on the desk. He planned to take the remaining official documents home to process.
Soon, the news that the emperor gave everyone a day off spread throughout the Forbidden City at a viral speed. Officials of all sizes, as well as the officials of the Six Departments, were extremely happy about this.
Some officials have even begun to invite friends and plan to have a good banquet. Of course, more officials still want to stay at home.
At this moment, outside the cabinet, Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son were seen walking one after another towards the place where the sedan chair was parked.
"Father, do we really need to bring so many official documents home to process?"
At this moment, Yan Shifan was holding an official document and asked Yan Song who was walking in front.
Hearing this, Yan Song stopped, turned around, glanced at Yan Shifan, and said coldly.
"It's natural. His Majesty gave us a day off because of the hot weather!"
When Yan Song said this, he looked at Yan Shifan with a look that hated iron, and then continued.
"It's not just us. Look at Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng. Didn't they each go home with a large pile of official documents in their arms?"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he had no room for argument anymore, so he had to lower his head and nod in agreement.
"Yes, father, the child knows!"
Soon, the father and son walked to the place where the sedan was parked. Before Yan Song got on the sedan, as if he suddenly remembered something, he turned his eyes to Yan Shifan and asked.
"By the way, Yan Shifan, it rained heavily not long ago. Has the Ministry of Works received any reports of dam collapse?"
"Replying to my father, I have not received any reports of dam collapse so far. The dams near the Yellow River have also withstood the impact of heavy rains!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he responded decisively after recalling it for a long time.
After learning the news from Yan Shifan, Yan Song relaxed and sighed to himself.
"Well, this way, I feel relieved!"
In late July, the rainy season came and there was a heavy rain. Since then, Yan Song has often worried that the reinforced and repaired embankments would collapse because they could not withstand the impact of the heavy rain!
After all, Jiajing had allocated a total of 9.65 million taels of silver to strengthen and repair the dam, and he and Xu Jie were also responsible for this matter.
If the reinforced and repaired embankment collapses because it cannot withstand the impact of heavy rain, then neither he nor Xu Jie will be able to survive!
Therefore, after Yan Song learned from Yan Shifan that the Ministry of Works had not yet received any news about the collapse of the dam, his worries that had been hanging around him finally came to an end.
Once something like a dam collapse happens, it will be reported to the court immediately. Not many people dare to do anything about it!
And after so long, the Ministry of Industry has not received news of the dam collapse, which means that the reinforced and repaired dam has passed the quality standard and withstood the impact of heavy rains, and Yan Song no longer has to worry about it.
Afterwards, without any hesitation, Yan Song got on the sedan chair and headed in the direction of Yan's mansion.
…
De'an, Prince Jing's Mansion.
At this moment, Zhu Zaizhen was pacing in the room, with a look of panic on his face.
Ever since he came to the fiefdom of De'an to become a vassal, his life had become much more leisurely. Many affairs of Prince Jing's Palace were handled by the Chief Secretary of the Prince's Palace, who were all members of the imperial court.
Therefore, theoretically speaking, Zhu Zaizhen does not need to do anything, he only needs to live in a dream every day!
But Zhu Zaizhen did not do this. On the contrary, he was very motivated. In addition to his daily life, he often stayed at home and studied hard.
When I got tired of studying, I would occasionally go fishing and go sightseeing in the fiefdom, and my life was quite nourishing.
Not long ago, Zhu Zaizhen accidentally went to Xuanguang Temple to worship Buddha, and under the guidance of a Zen master, he had a deeper understanding of his current situation.
From then on, whenever Zhu Zaizhen had time, he would go to Xuanguang Temple and listen to the Zen master's instructions. In the process, Zhu Zaizhen's increasingly extinguished desire to seize the direct descendant began to burn again.
But a few days ago, something suddenly happened. More than a hundred monks in Xuanguang Temple, including the cooks and long-term workers in the temple, were all silenced overnight!
Not only that, all those who interacted with the monks of Xuanguang Temple also died in the process!
All this suddenness made Zhu Zaizhen shudder. He smelled something unusual from this incident, so he sent his housekeeper to investigate the matter secretly.
Afterwards, Zhu Zaizhen, perhaps feeling tired, sat back on the main seat, picked up the wine glass on the side, and poured himself a glass of wine.
After Zhu Zaizhen drank all the wine in his glass, his anxiety was somewhat relieved.
Later, he admonished himself in his heart: "Zhu Zaizhen, you must not mess up your position now, calm down and think about it!"
Later, Zhu Zaizhen sorted out the ins and outs of the matter in his mind based on the clues he had so far.
"First of all, Xuanguang Temple is quite popular locally, so there shouldn't be any enemies visiting!"
"In addition, even if Xuanguang Temple had enemies, they would not be able to kill more than a hundred people in the temple in one night. Not only did they not leave anyone alive, but there was also no evidence left at the scene. !”
"In addition, those who have interacted with Xuanguang Temple have also been implicated, plus the perfunctory attitude of the local officials in handling the case!"
Suddenly, an incredible idea slowly emerged in Zhu Zaizhen's mind.
"These people, couldn't they be sent by my father?"
Thinking of this, the expression on Zhu Zaizhen's face became extremely ugly, and his spine felt a little chilly. At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
Seeing that the thoughts in his mind were interrupted, Zhu Zaizhen couldn't help but frown, and immediately gave instructions.
"Come in!"
After the words fell, there was only a "squeak" sound, the door of the room was pushed open, and the housekeeper of Prince Jing's Mansion walked in quickly.
Seeing that the person coming was his housekeeper, Zhu Zaizhen's resentment due to being disturbed in his thoughts was mostly dissipated.
After all, the housekeeper has been with me for so many years, and he is capable and loyal. He has followed me all the way from the capital to the fiefdom of De'an.
Before that, Zhu Zaizhen had already secretly made up his mind to reuse this person when he inherited the throne in the future!
Then, Zhu Zaizhen calmed down, turned his eyes to the housekeeper, and asked.
"How did you go about the things you were asked to do before?"
After hearing Zhu Zaizhen's words, the housekeeper organized the words in his mind before carefully reporting the report.
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, we haven't found any valuable clues yet, but the government..."
"What happened to the government?"
When Zhu Zaizhen heard this, a look of eagerness suddenly appeared on his face, and he immediately asked.
"The government, after ordering a post-mortem examination, hastily closed the case and did not allow anyone to discuss the matter!"
After Zhu Zaizhen learned the news from the housekeeper that the government had hastily closed the case, his pupils suddenly shrank, and the previous suspicion resurfaced in his mind.
Then, Zhu Zaijing tried to calm down, looked away from the butler, and asked.
"Then have you heard any news from those gangsters?"
"Your Highness, the government officials are very secretive about this case and are unwilling to mention it!"
When the butler said this, he paused for a moment and then added.
"But I heard from those who were responsible for transporting corpses for the government that there were very few injuries on the corpses, and most of them were killed with one blow!"
"What!"
After Zhu Zaizhen learned the news from the housekeeper, his expression changed drastically.
Then, as if he had lost all his strength, he weakly fell back on the chair and muttered to himself.
"Yes, that's right, it's the Emperor. It must be the Emperor. These people are all sent by the Emperor!"
"My father must have noticed something, so he sent the royal guards here just now. The purpose is to teach me a lesson!"
"No, it's not Jin Yiwei. The methods of this group of people are even more vicious than Jin Yiwei's. It's Dongchang. Yes, that's right, it's Dongchang!"
As Zhu Zaizhen said this, his face gradually turned pale. He was so frightened that his whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Then, Zhu Zaizhen laughed miserably, with a look of despair on his face, muttering to himself silently.
"Father, are everything about my child under your control? Father..."
When the housekeeper on the side saw this situation, he immediately panicked and quickly stepped forward to help Zhu Zaizhen.
"Your Highness, what's wrong with you? Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
Then, Zhu Zaizhen fell into a coma. Seeing this, the housekeeper quickly supported Zhu Zaizhen's body and yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Come, come quickly, His Highness has fainted!" (End of Chapter)
