Be harmonious, hello, hello, everyone, this kind of court is unhealthy, the point of the needle is against the wheat. After today's quarrel, we will continue to work tomorrow. This is the normal operation of the court officials. This is the cornerstone for the country's prosperity and the people to live and work in peace and contentment. In the monk Zhu Xiluo, who spent his childhood in the temple, has always thought so and insisted on doing so. Whether it is people's livelihood, military affairs, infrastructure or diplomacy, all the instructions to be issued by the imperial court have gone through countless scoldings and battles before finally being implemented. be implemented. For example, businessmen's tax collection, which was obviously beneficial to the country and the people, was finally implemented after half a month of quarrels. Moreover, it was mainly implemented because Zhu Xiluo's pockets were a bit deflated and he was unable to maintain his beloved concubine's high consumption. .
The merchants collected taxes, Zhu Xiluo made the decision, and the Duke of Zhen and Jin Yiwei joined hands. The matter was settled without any surprises.
The Guogong faction won the first round.
They were defeated in the first round. This was something that the civil servants were unwilling to accept. It was not just a matter of face. The key was that there were businessmen in their families who also had to pay taxes. After all, the perpetrators were their enemies. If they wanted to evade taxes, then It's also impossible.
The meeting hall was quiet for a while. Everyone was thinking in their minds. Some people wanted to get this done, while others were thinking about how to minimize the loss of their wealth. Seeing that no one spoke, Wang Shouyi trembled. He stood up majestically, then bowed his head heavily.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report to your Majesty."
"Hey, Lao Wang, if you have something to say, just sit down." Zhu Xiluo hurriedly stopped Wang Shouyi from standing up.
Wang Shouyi did not sit down, but raised his body slightly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thanks to Your Majesty for never abandoning me, I have followed Your Majesty for forty years and have gone through life and death together. I have been favored by Your Majesty and become one of the four great princes. However, I am old and my body can no longer function every time I sit for a cup of tea." "My vision is blurred and I cannot read the memorial. I am afraid that I will fail to live up to the entrustment of the Holy One and find it difficult to shoulder this important task. I sincerely ask the Holy One to allow me to resign from the cabinet and return to my hometown to support myself in my old age."
As soon as Wang Shouyi finished speaking, everyone in the meeting hall was shocked.
Wang Shouyi also greeted several of his colleagues before making this decision, but upon hearing this, the other three princes were slightly moved and unwilling to accept it.
Li Yutang and others were shocked, but then their faces turned around and they smiled.
Wang Shouyi can be said to be the person who has followed Zhu Xiluo for the longest time. It can also be said that when the Ming Empire was established and Zhu Xiluo proclaimed himself emperor, Wang Shouyi made great contributions. It is not an exaggeration to call him the first hero of the Ming Empire. In every fierce battle with civil servants, Wang Shouyi was also the leader, and could even sometimes influence Zhu Xiluo's decision. If Wang Shouyi left the court, it would be a huge loss to the military ministers.
However, where there are disadvantages, there are also those who gain. The civil servants were all secretly happy, just like going to eat at the house of one's enemy.
Zhu Xirong and Hao Liande were both caught off guard when they heard the news. Wang Shouyi rarely appeared in the court due to his health. The eldest son of Min Guogong was already depressed because he loved his wife and died in vain. It was difficult for him to hold up half of the sky of the Wang family, and the second son was also a waste. It was clear that the decline of the Wang family was inevitable, and it was only a matter of time before Wang Shouyi left the court. However, neither of them expected that Wang Shouyi would resign due to illness at this time.
The one who was most surprised was naturally Zhu Xiluo. Although he had to admit that no matter how he compared himself, he was not even a little bit worse than Wang Shouyi. To be honest, the leader of the Ming Empire really shouldn’t be named Zhu. Wang is the most suitable. This is what Zhu Xiluo is thinking.
As a king and the head of a country, people who are better than him are his biggest threat. Although Zhu Xiluo did not endure the condemnation of his conscience and kill heroes indiscriminately like his ancestor Zhu Chongba, he still needs to be on guard against those who threaten his imperial power. Must have. This is what Zhu Xiluo thought and did.
When the Ming Empire was first established, Zhu Xiluo relieved several princes from their military power and stipulated the scope of their activities. In addition to wandering around the capital, they would most often go back to their hometowns to sweep tombs. Without Zhu Xiluo's permission, the princes could not mess around unless needed for work. He wanted to run away, but Wang Shouyi's requirements were even stricter. He could just find someone to do things like sweeping tombs and worshiping ancestors in his hometown. Duke Min was in poor health and could just stay in the capital. This was not a kind of house arrest.
Zhu Xiluo, who had paranoia about being persecuted, never expected that Wang Shouyi would retire and return to his hometown at this time, and would also resign from his official position. You must know that without your official status, you are nothing, others will not care about your friendship, and no one will give you face again if they are of no use to you.
Zhu Xiluo looked at Wang Shouyi with too much confusion and suspicion in his eyes: "Mr. Min, I just need to take care of myself. I can't live without you. Don't mention resignation in the future."
"Your Majesty, I am old and may not be around for long. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Wang Shouyi continued to bow and request.
Several princes also wanted to persuade him, and they did not want Wang Shouyi to withdraw so early, but because of their status, the princes were unable to speak.
Not belonging to any faction, and not having to think about the consequences, Zhu Xirong didn't have so many scruples, and hurriedly said, "My lord, you have assisted the Holy Father for forty years. You have conquered east and west along the way, and saved the Holy King countless times between dangers. For the sake of His Majesty’s eternal cause, no less than a hundred members of your Wang family have died, and countless family fortunes have been invested in the struggle to overthrow Nishun. Your Majesty cannot do without you, and neither can the millions of people in the Ming Empire do without you.”
Hearing this, a certain string in Zhu Xiluo's heart trembled slightly, remembering that Wang Shouyi sold off his family's property for him, let the children of his clan join his rebel army, snatched him out of death again and again, and sacrificed his own life for himself again and again. With life outside, Zhu Xiluo's eyes turned red unconsciously. Although they had not gone whoring together, they had carried guns together, and their relationship was very strong.
"Old Wang, I have known you for more than forty years. I understand everything you have done. Now that the Ming Empire is in trouble internally and externally, I still need you to sit in and help me stabilize the country." Zhu Xiluo said emotionally, as if he had let down his guard at this moment.
How can a forty-year friendship last forever? This kind of friendship is also the most genuine, without any impurities. But for the future, Wang Busheng has to do this. He is already old, and the future belongs to young people. "Holy Lord , Now the people of the Ming Empire live and work in peace and contentment, and the world is ups and downs. There is nothing to be afraid of some clowns. These are all the achievements of the Holy Sage. The Holy Sage has been renowned for his wisdom for five years. The mere talents of the old ministers are really of no use to the Sage. The broken body is of no benefit to the king and the people. ".
"Old Wang,"
"Please give me your permission, please." Wang Shouyi interrupted Zhu Xiluo for the first time.
Wang Shouyi has made a decision, maybe he will follow the old path of Lao Wang in the near future. Several princes have also given up and no longer insist on what they want in their hearts.
"Your Majesty, Duke Min has dedicated forty years to the Ming Empire. He is working hard for the Ming Empire every moment. He only has a few years left in his life. Please allow him to rest for a few years." Qian Song, the Duke of Zhenguo, clasped his fists and begged.
Then the two princes also clasped their fists and begged.
The old man in his twilight years has long since lost the courage to point his sword at the battlefield, the fighting spirit, the slender body, and the gray hair on the temples. Fame and wealth have flown away with him, and I will only be myself for the rest of my life.
Zhu Xirong stood up and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, a new generation replaces the old. Our Ming Empire is a huge country with hundreds of millions of people. Those who are capable of governing the world are like crucian carp crossing the river. If Wang Shouyi has left, there will still be Sun Shouyi. , Li Shouyi, Duke Min is really old."
Zhu Xiluo fell into deep thought, and in the end he could only nod his head, "Old Wang, I'm OK for the time being. You go back and take good care of yourself. I will still need you in the future."
The stone in his heart finally fell to the ground, and Wang Shouyi's whole body relaxed, "Thank you, God, for your blessing."
As if something suddenly occurred to him, Zhu Xiluo asked again, "Old Wang, how are your two sons now?"
When everyone heard Zhu Xiluo suddenly mention Min Guogong's two sons, they were all filled with doubts. Wang Shouyi also didn't understand what Zhu Xiluo meant when he asked about his sons. However, he had to answer the Holy Lord's question, "Report to the Holy Lord, Quanzi has been at home all the time. , read and write every day.”
"I guess a tiger father has no sons. Lao Wang, your son's talents are naturally not inferior to yours. A few days ago, the Shanxi prefecture became vacant, so your two sons will be appointed, one in charge of the army and the other in charge of the people."
Plop, like a stone suddenly thrown into a calm lake, causing waves in the newly peaceful court.
Li Yutang was the first to stand up and object, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate. Shanxi is a frontier fortress, and military and political matters are important. Although Duke Min has always been wise, his son has no political experience. Managing such an important place is actually walking a tightrope, which is extremely dangerous." ".
Being able to hold such an important position as Minister of Civil Affairs, Li Yutang has his own way of being an official. For example, he will always stand on Zhu Xiluo's side. Even if he says that the earth is square and the sun rises from the west, Li Yutang will not have any doubts. , I approve with both hands and feet, but Li Yutang has to object to this matter. Someone in Shanxi has already targeted this gap, and the money has also entered his warehouse. He is preparing to operate this matter these days and use the money to do things. This is a principle that I insist on, and it is also an important undertaking for me to maintain the huge expenses of the Li family. If I take the money and fail to get it done, my reputation will also be affected, which will also have a very negative impact on my future career development. Influence.
Furthermore, although the prefect is not a very high official, he is the son of his opponent, and even a fool would not agree to it.
After hearing Zhu Xiluo's instructions, several Dukes were also happy. The Holy Lord still favored the Duke faction.
"Old minister, I would like to thank your majesty for your kindness. I am afraid that I am too young to take on such a big responsibility because of my lack of talent and knowledge," Wang Shouyi refused.
"Oh, Lao Wang, you said it too early. How will you know if you don't try it? I have already decided," Zhu Xiluo decided and looked at Hao Liande, "Xiao Dezi, you will draft an imperial edict and send it to the Duke of Min's Mansion later."
"My slave obeys the order." Hao Liande clasped his fists and accepted the order.
There is no hatred without reason, and there is no love without reason. Border wars are also something Zhu Xiluo worries about. Zhu Xiluo also recognized Wang Shouyi's military talents. The sons of mice can dig holes. Under the influence, his two sons should also know something about military affairs and can contribute a lot to solving border troubles. Moreover, there are many people in the Shanxi border area who are Wang Shouyi. His old subordinates will also obey the command of Wang Shouyi's two sons.
The most important point is that Wang Shouyi's two sons don't have a good relationship, and it's hard for him to control them.
One left and two came back. This was something that no one expected. The government faction was very happy, and the civil servant faction was angry, but the objection was ineffective and Zhu Xiluo refused to accept it. Helpless, a few people could only compromise temporarily.
Unable to object, and the opposition was ineffective, the civil servants could only put their grievances in their hearts and wait for the next contest.
"Okay, today is almost over, I'm going back to rest." After discussing for so long, Zhu Xiluo was a little tired and a little cold.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Zhang Songhe, the Minister of Rites, came out.
"What's the matter"?
"Your Majesty, it's like this. Recently, I have received many complaints from friends from other countries, saying that they have been treated unfairly in the Ming Empire, and their lives and property have been damaged. Our Ming Empire has been a country of etiquette since ancient times. , such bad things are happening in our capital at this moment, this is a stain on the image of our Ming Empire,"
"Oh, I understand. If you handle this matter with Mr. Liu Wenzheng, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, you will definitely maintain a good diplomatic image of the Ming Empire."
"I accept the order." Zhang Songhe and Liu Wenzheng clasped their fists and accepted the order.
The several princes looked at each other, and their meaning was self-evident.
