Asking the sixth child first actually gave the prince enough time to think, at least that's what Zhu Xianming thought.
In fact, after listening for so long, the prince understood the secret, which made him particularly confused at the moment.
Supporting change risks bringing chaos to the government, while opposing change will only lead to watching the country decline. No matter which choice you make, you will face many hardships.
"My son is stupid, this matter is of great importance, I dare not speak nonsense!" Zhu Jingyuan said what was in his heart.
These words made Zhu Xianming particularly dissatisfied: "You are the prince and have a noble status. If you don't dare to lie about anything, just tell the truth!"
To be honest, Zhu Jingyuan really has an opinion if he really wants to tell the truth.
"Your Majesty, I think... Although it is good to reform the old and reform the old, it must be implemented at the right time!"
Although this statement seemed to be repeating an old tune, it still made Zhu Xianming's eyes light up because he had low expectations for the prince.
Thinking about Gao Shuyan's previous comments, Zhu Jingyuan continued: "Nowadays, the country is troubled. The Junggar people in the northwest are unruly, the various tribes and alliances are also disrespectful, and there are others in the southwest..."
Zhu Xianming's good mood gradually faded away from the second sentence of the prince.
The Supreme Emperor just said a few days ago that the current time is when the Holy King is on the throne and the world is at peace, but when the Crown Prince said this, it seemed that the country was about to be destroyed.
Therefore, the prince is always the prince. Ordinary officials would never dare to speak like this. Even if they want to make a statement, they must tactfully foreshadow it and then lead it in the direction they point to.
Seeing that the old man's face was getting more and more ugly, Zhu Jinghong was worried about the prince, but the latter was getting more and more enthusiastic at this moment.
A few minutes later, the prince made a conclusion with great confidence and said: "There are many things going on inside and outside the imperial court at the moment. Changing the ancestral system rashly is not the right way. I hope my father will be cautious!"
No matter what the prince's original intention was, his words were tantamount to expressing his attitude. The East Palace was opposed to reform and restructuring.
There is no doubt that although these words of his have offended people, they have also gained a large number of support. Looking at the government and the opposition, the latter is much more than the former.
But at the same time, he offended the most important person, his own father, the Emperor.
The emperor has always had a desire for change. He held the Sutra feast to test the courtiers. He could tolerate Zhu Jingyuan's pretending to be stupid, but he couldn't stand the prince's clear opposition.
The air in the palace was almost stagnant, and everyone present did not even dare to breathe loudly, for fear that they would bear the emperor's wrath.
Previously, King Rui Zhu Jingyuan said something wrong, and an official was angered at that time.
Just because this person looked around in the court, the emperor convicted him of misconduct before the emperor, and then this person was dismissed from office and sent back to his hometown.
"Fourth brother, what are you still waiting for after you finish talking? Come back and sit down!"
When everyone felt solemn, Zhu Jinghong's hearty words were like a refreshing sound of nature. Someone finally broke the deadlock.
Even though he was also the legitimate son, Zhu Jingyuan on the side had to sigh that Lao Shisan was more courageous. Anyway, he did not dare to speak nonsense in this situation.
The prince was confused and uneasy at the moment. He didn't dare to move after hearing this. Instead, he glanced at the cold-faced father.
"I say Fourth Brother, come and sit down quickly. Father wants to ask other people!" Zhu Jinghong said again, and even came out to pull the prince back.
This scene made all the ministers sweat for him.
In their thinking, only the queen in the world can do this, and others who do this are just asking for trouble.
"Fourth Brother, Old Fourth Brother, how could you be so virtuous and capable that you allow your thirteenth brother to protect you like this!" Zhu Jingyuan felt jealous.
At this moment, Zhu Jingyuan could only feel endless gratitude to Zhu Jinghong, sighing secretly that he had indeed seen the thirteenth brother correctly.
Of course, the most important thing is that Zhu Jinghong's behavior of protecting his brother was recognized and appreciated by the emperor.
Although Zhu Xianming had a cold face from beginning to end.
When Zhu Jinghong helped the prince back to his position, the emperor still did not speak, but picked up the teacup on the side, which made everyone present feel anxious again.
Fiddled with the enthusiasm emerging from the tea cup, Zhu Xianming said slowly: "Old Thirteen...seeing that you are so free and easy, do you have some real insights into what happened today?"
After hearing this, Zhu Jinghong asked: "Dad...are you testing me?"
"What do you think?"
When he heard this, Zhu Jinghong was not polite. He walked to the hall like two brothers and replied with great respect: "Dad... I listened to what all the ministers just said. I think this matter is simple!"
Hearing this, everyone laughed in their hearts.
The matter discussed just now is related to the life of the imperial court. The ministers and senior officials did not dare to say it simply. Everyone thought that Zhu Jinghong was just joking.
Only the emperor and his third assistant, Zhao Yushan, were now very interested in his words.
"Simple? Then tell me!" Zhu Xianming asked coldly.
Zhu Jinghong replied: "You have been discussing for a long time. Don't you just want to say that the court is short of money and you have to find a way to get money?"
Although it was about the politics of Shang Jun, everyone during the debate combined it with the actual situation of the imperial court, so they mentioned the means and purposes of the current changes.
“One side wants to change the system and collect more taxes, while the other side says the implications are serious and cannot be acted upon...”
"After all, we are talking about it in a small circle. It makes me sleepy!"
Seeing Zhu Jinghong's disdainful expression, all the officials present were dissatisfied, but no one came out to argue.
However, the emperor didn't have so many scruples, and immediately sneered: "A small circle? It seems that you have a very strong tone!"
"Dad, it's not that my son is loud, but that your structure is too small!"
These words were tantamount to scolding everyone present, and Zhu Jinghong was very cautious about this.
He had no choice but to start the training of the Northern Four Guards immediately. He really didn't feel at ease if he didn't make some mistakes.
After hearing his words, the courtiers were not too angry, but Zhu Xianming couldn't bear it anymore.
"Okay, you have a big plan, let's talk about it!"
Everyone could hear that the emperor was furious at this moment, and many people were worried about Zhu Jinghong.
Yes, Zhu Jinghong's words just now offended many people, but Wu Xun, a group of people, was indifferent to these words, and some of them would be worried about Zhu Jinghong.
It can be seen that Zhu Jinghong has made many efforts before and after, and has unknowingly formed influence, which will be effective at the critical moment.
"Dad, my son doesn't read much, so he's not as good at quoting scriptures as they are. Don't blame me if you don't speak well!"
Zhu Xianming said in a stern tone: "If you say one more nonsense, go and get the Twenty-Ting Staff now!"
"Yes Yes……"
"To solve the problem of lack of money, we must either increase revenue or reduce expenditure..."
“Reducing expenditures won’t last long, we have to rely on increasing sources of revenue to solve the problem!”
"You just talked a lot about how to collect taxes and how difficult it is to collect taxes. If you are just focusing on the land, can't you see other things?"
"What other things are there?" asked the emperor.
"For example, opening the sea to do business with Westerners, or developing the resources of certain vassal countries, or at the worst, collecting taxes from each vassal country..."
At this time, an official said: "Thirteenth Master, what you are saying is too far-fetched!"
"Why?"
"Take doing business with Westerners as an example. First of all, there are pirates who are causing trouble, and they are barbarians who are unfaithful. Moreover, the sea is rough and rough, and if you are not careful, the ship will be destroyed and people will die!"
"This is called a difficulty. If it is a difficulty, it can be overcome. How can it be called a fantasy!"
After rebutting this sentence, Zhu Jinghong turned to look at everyone, his expression still confident and high-spirited, which made the emperor on the throne admire his shamelessness.
"The problem you mentioned can actually be solved by doing just one thing!"
Immediately, someone else said: "Thirteenth Master, the important matters in the imperial court are complicated, so you can't play around with them!"
I only heard Zhu Jinghong say with rare seriousness: "As long as I, the Ming Dynasty, have sufficient martial virtue, none of what you said will be a problem!"
(End of chapter)
