After retiring from the dynasty, the ministers left one after another.
As for Qi Wang's party members such as Lu Chaoyang, Yang Rong, Li Xuan and others, they did not crowd around Zhu Gaojie to flatter him. After all, they were in the Jinluan Palace, and they were embarrassed to form a party so obviously. If there was something they couldn't talk about when they got home.
Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs, was not in a good mood today. His old friend Jian Yi ended his political career in the court absurdly, which made Xia Yuanji feel as miserable as a rabbit dying and a fox dying.
"Old Minister Xia, please stay."
Xia Yuanji turned around and saw that it was Prince Qi who had been silent in the court just now. He had peach-blossom eyes, red lips and white teeth. It was hard to imagine that such a handsome young man who was quiet and docile could stir up countless storms in the government.
"Prince Qi, what's wrong with you?" Xia Yuanji bowed slightly, slightly confused.
Zhu Gaojie smiled and cupped his hands and said, "I am hosting a banquet at Fudong Tower on the Qinhuai River tonight. I wonder if Mr. Xia can be kind enough to have a few cups of wine?"
Xia Yuanji waved his hand: "Forget it, the Qinhuai River is where young people go. I'm an old man and can't afford that kind of luxury. The prince's personal invitation is a great honor for me. Lao Xia, I I understand, but the household affairs department is busy, so please forgive me for not accompanying me, please take my leave."
Just as Xia Yuanji turned around and was about to leave, Zhu Gaojie suddenly said: "Isn't it true, Master Xia, that a lone sail can sink easily but a group of peaks can stump it? If a person walks at night for a long time, he will always hit the knife edge if he is blind. "
After the prince lost power, Xia Yuanji ruthlessly declined all communication with the East Palace and broke away from the princeling party.
This kind of separation method is very special. If it were used in normal times, it would definitely be targeted by gangs. However, there are many rebels in the princelings nowadays. Xia Yuanji's move is also reasonable and reasonable. Who doesn't want to have a longer political career? Well, it's just the pursuit of power and profit.
Unlike other people who broke away from the princelings, Xia Yuanji did not join any party after breaking away from the princelings, and became a lonely minister in the wind and rain.
No one knew what Xia Yuanji meant by this move, because it was too stupid to be done by the shrewd and capable Minister of the Ministry of Finance.
If he was ruthless enough, he should directly join the once hostile King Qi Party and find a backer, but Xia Yuanji did not.
If he is nostalgic enough, he should live and die with the princelings at this time, why should he become a rebel.
Therefore, Xia Yuanji has now become the most special person among the six ministers. However, he has a high position and strong qualifications. After doing such a puzzling behavior, he can still stand upright in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
However, how long can this situation last?
Being alone is very difficult.
Zhu Gaojie's words undoubtedly hinted at this.
Xia Yuanji's face turned cold when he heard this: "Lao Xia, I have a tough mouth. I won't say anything even if I bump into each other. I will hit a knife edge while walking at night. At worst, I will have a scar as big as the mouth of a bowl on my head. It doesn't matter where I die. I live my whole life without asking for anything." Do you want to do whatever you want?"
What he said didn't show any dignity at all, and it was too wild.
But this has always been Xia Yuanji's style of doing things. He is used to it alone, has a strong personality, and dares to quarrel with anyone.
So what if you, King Qi, I dare to confront the emperor! Who is afraid of whom? Kill me offline if you dare!
If you dare, you can kill me. Put the knife on my neck and blink at me!
Besides, Xia Yuanji is not easily killed offline. Despite his age, this old minister is still physically strong and his boxing skills are very powerful.
Yongle Dynasty was very fierce, and there were often fights among ministers during the morning court. Xia Yuanji's temper often offended people, but with his ancestral "Xia Ji Eight Fights" boxing technique, he once set a record of one against three with his advanced age. The record of being able to fight back is admirable.
"Old Minister Xia is overly worried. I worked with him when he was supervising the country in Wenhua Hall. Although the time was only a few months, I have some understanding of Lord Xia's temper."
Zhu Gaojie said with a smile, "If you want to overwhelm Mr. Xia with power, it is impossible. I admire Mr. Xia's noble character and integrity."
"Since the prince knows the bad temper of an old man like me, why do you need to say more?" Xia Yuanji said lightly, "It's just death, why should we be afraid of it? When the dynasty changed, Xia had already died once. He would die again. It doesn’t matter if it happens once, life is full of ups and downs, Xia is going straight in this life, and he is living a free and unrestrained life with no regrets!”
After saying that, Xia Yuanji turned around and left. The body under the official robe was weakened by years of toil, and the corners of the clothes were swaying. It looked like the wind was rustling and the water was cold, and it looked like the desolation and arrogance of a strong man who would never return once he was gone.
After all, Xia Yuanji and Zhu Gaojie are actually the same kind of people. They seem docile, but in fact they are rebellious. They won't obey anyone and will kill anyone they see unhappy. I'm risking my life to play with you. You can kill me!
Zhu Gaojie said slowly: "Mr. Xia, I admire you for your courage, but what will happen to the Department of Husbandry if you die? You probably haven't had time to train the successor of the Department of Husbandry. There is no one around, can you really leave without worries?"
Xia Yuanji paused for a moment and said disdainfully: "The Hubu is the Hubu of your Zhu family, and the Ming Dynasty is also the Ming Dynasty of your Zhu family. What does it have to do with me, Xia Yuanji?"
Zhu Gaojie pursed his lips and smiled and said: "Since Sir Xia intends to do so, I won't say much more. But I heard that Hu Guang, the cabinet bachelor, has great talents. I wonder if he can become the new generation head of the household department after Sir Xia?"
Xia Yuanji was stunned for a moment, then blurted out: "How can Hu Guang be in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs! Although this person is talented, his talents are not in the Ministry of Household Affairs. He is a smooth man. If he were the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, he would definitely let..."
At this point, Xia Yuanji's voice suddenly came.
Niang Xipi, you’re trapped!
"It seems that Mr. Xia still cares about the Ministry of Finance." The corners of Zhu Gaojie's mouth rose slightly.
Xia Yuanji's face turned dark: "King Qi, you are really good at it!"
King Qi was so treacherous. His seemingly casual words contained evil intentions, which directly aroused Xia Yuanji.
The seemingly arrogant and unruly Shangshu Xia actually has a soft spot in his heart - the world!
For Xia Yuanji, Hubu was more important than his life. He didn't care who became the emperor, but he cared about the health of the country and the country. Nowadays, the Ministry of Finance is in decline. If Xia Yuanji fails, who will lead the Ministry of Finance? The Ministry of Husbandry is the money bag of the Ming Dynasty, and the Minister is the leader of the Ministry of Husbandry. If the leader's conduct is not correct, the conduct of the Department of Husbandry will be unhealthy and bring trouble to the court. This is something that Xia Yuanji is obsessed with.
He no longer cares about the position of Minister of the Second Rank, but Xia Yuanji knows that he cannot fail now. At the very least, he must find a suitable successor before he can leave with peace of mind.
"Xia Shangshu, I invite Qin Huaihe tonight, what do you think?" Zhu Gaojie asked with a smile.
Xia Yuanji was a little helpless and replied feebly: "You win, I will go and deal with it tonight, but I have agreed in advance that just because I go to the banquet does not mean that I will be loyal to you."
Zhu Gaojiu chuckled lightly, cupped his hands and said: "Tonight, I am waiting for Mr. Xia at the Fudong Tower on the Qinhuai River. The old minister is physically strong and can beat the five tigers Huang Zhong. He will kill the dancing girl in the crotch."
Xia Yuanji's face turned dark: "Go, go, go, I'm so old, don't make fun of me."
But when he thought of the charming dancers on the Qinhuai River, Mr. Xia murmured a little in his heart: "This King Qi is so damn rich. The dancers on the Qinhuai River are notoriously expensive, and the worst ones are even better." Two more coins, I passed by several times and couldn’t find the money to order one, ahem…”
Xia Yuanji, Xia Yuanji, was the leader of the household department and was in charge of the world's money. In the thirteen years he had been in charge of his job, he had passed hundreds of millions of silver from his hands, but not even a dozen taels of silver had been left behind.
How can such an old man not be admired?
…
If you ask where is the most beautiful place in Jinling City, it is of course the Qinhuai River at night.
The smoke cage is cold, the moon is caged in the sand, and I stay in Qinhuai at night near a restaurant.
The fluorescent lights sprinkled on the river from the gaps in the willow branches, as if a layer of gold powder had condensed on the Qinhuai River, like a dream. The spring breeze wrinkled the quiet river surface, causing ripples. Occasionally passing waterbirds spread their wings leisurely, lightly skimmed the water, and flew into the distance.
The cruise boats on the Qinhuai River are different from the leisurely duck boats on Xuanwu Lake. The boats with exquisite carvings slowly sail across the river, creating ripples that seem to be coated in color under the moonlight. As we walked into the darkness, the ripples disappeared, and we could only hear the sound of the oars, the melody of the waves lapping on the shore, and the melodious singing of a singer.
The largest painting boat on the river, with three-story cornices and carved beams and painted edifices, is like a fairy palace in the sky. The melodious sounds of the harp and harp are flowing like fairy sounds. The dancers dance gracefully to the sound of the pipa. The tourists on the boat are all officials and ministers of the capital.
To dare to create such a grand ceremony at the feet of the emperor and invite so many important people to the banquet, the master behind it must have enormous power.
Xia Yuanji wore a thin long gown and walked through the crowd. Everyone around him raised their hands and called him "Xia Lao Shangshu", but Xia Yuanji just nodded slightly and said nothing.
Xia Yuanji suddenly felt disappointed at the long-awaited Qinhuai Night Banquet, and even the charming dancer felt an eyesore.
The dignitaries in the capital are so extravagant here, which shows that the people of Li have been suffering for a long time. What they eat is the people's fat and the people's blood!
Xia Yuanji was so drunk that he could only feel the disgusting rotten smell in the air, which was so oppressive that he could hardly breathe. He hurriedly walked to the deserted area of the boat fence. The lights here were dim, quiet and cold, and it was only then that the old minister could barely breathe. .
The old minister leaned on the railing, and the river was the same color as the night moon, with rolling ripples.
"While the rich wine and meat smell, the road with frozen bone."
In the quiet corner of the boat, a young man's calm voice suddenly came. Xia Yuanji followed the sound and saw that it was King Qi in white clothes.
Today, Zhu Gaojie just tied up his long black hair with a blue hairband, and his white robe was slightly blown by the wind. He was elegant and suave, looking like an immortal.
"Are you talking about your Prince Qi's Mansion?"
Xia Yuanji sneered and said, "You, King Qi, are so majestic. As soon as you hold a banquet, you will attract powerful people to gather. Just like vultures smelling the smell of rotten meat, they are attracted uncontrollably. Xia admires you."
Zhu Gaojie said lightly: "Without Zhu Gaojie, there would have been a second King Qi. Wherever there is carrion, vultures will appear. As long as someone in power holds a banquet, this extravagant scene will appear."
Xia Yuanji wanted to refute, but the words came to his lips but he couldn't say them out.
Yes, King Qi is telling the truth.
Even if there is no Zhu Gaojie, there will be other people in power. As long as there are people in power, "vultures" will definitely appear. Power breeds desire, desire breeds corruption, and the repetition is endless... Where there is light, there will be shadows.
And it is difficult for the next person in power to be as sober as King Qi.
Power is like a pot of wine that is irresistibly tempting. One sip, another sip, the last sip, a feast, and finally one soaks in the wine vat until one is as drunk as mud.
Xia Yuanji is not an innocent child, he is a powerful minister who turns his hands to make clouds and rain in the court, and he is also a rare sober person.
Even though he is used to seeing darkness, Xia Yuanji still finds it difficult to accept: "If all officials of the Ming Dynasty are like this, in the future Ming Dynasty..."
He didn't dare to say any more, but someone did.
Zhu Gaojie said calmly: "The official administration of the Ming Dynasty has long been doomed. The future Ming Dynasty will be destroyed by party struggles. Am I right, Mr. Xia?"
This was a very dangerous topic, but Zhu Gaojie could say it so calmly. Xia Yuanji took a breath and stopped talking.
"You saw the darkness but didn't dare to speak out, so what's the difference between you and those in the darkness? According to the law of the Ming Dynasty, the criminals will be protected and punished with the same crime!"
Zhu Gaojie sneered and said, "If the government does not change, the Ming Dynasty will surely perish. The corrupt dignitaries you see on the boat are just a bunch of bugs bred by the incompetent government. Now that the Ming Dynasty is prosperous, it can still be supported by national power, but the national power of the Ming Dynasty will always be limited." What will happen when it fades away? Only change can prevent the foundation of Ming Dynasty from being eroded by moths!"
Xia Yuanji's scalp went numb when he heard this: "How many reformers have died well since ancient times?"
At this moment, Xia Yuanji suddenly understood who the protagonist of tonight's banquet was.
All of this was prepared by King Qi for Xia Yuanji!
In the name of King Qi, Zhu Gaojie held a banquet in the Qinhuai River. The person in power held a banquet, attracting numerous dignitaries, both black and white, who filed into the boat. When Xia Yuanji went to the banquet, how could he accept it with his temper? At this time, King Qi took advantage of the situation and directly attacked Xia Yuanji's weakness with officialdom!
Even though Xia Yuanji has now figured out the layout of this, it still doesn't help. He saw this scene of corruption and King Qi's heart-breaking remarks forever engraved in his heart. If he can't get rid of this heartache, Xia Yuan Ji will live in regret for the rest of his life!
And how can Xia Yuanji, with his own strength, shake the interests of the civil and military interests of the dynasty? He needs allies, a strong ally, and this ally has already extended a hand to him - the sword-wielder of the Ming Dynasty, King Qi!
From the moment Xia Yuanji walked into the painting boat, he had already lost to Zhu Gaojie. All he could do was get into King Qi's trap and follow King Qi to eradicate his inner demons.
What a plan, what a plan!
"In ancient times, several reformers met a happy death. Shang Yang of Qin was torn apart by a chariot, and Anshi, the king of Song Dynasty, died in depression. I am afraid that Ming Dynasty will be no exception."
Zhu Gaojie suddenly smiled, his smile was warm and sunny, but the words he said were frightening, "So why should I want to change the law, because I think my life will be long? Even if I monopolize power, if I encounter changes, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to die well. Mr. Xia Minister, can you die for me? If you are not willing, I will not force you to do so."
Xia Yuanji was stunned: "Do you want to listen to what you are saying?"
He really...
I cried to death!
What nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean, can I die for you?
Why don't you die?
Why don't you force me to do it? In other words, do you want me to die voluntarily?
"Old Minister Xia, if you want to change the law, what you need is a powerful victim with the tacit support of the superior. I am willing to be the superior with tacit support and make suggestions behind the scenes. I just don't know if Mr. Xia is willing." Be this victim?" Zhu Gaojie asked.
Xia Yuanji smiled: "I am a good minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. With my many years of hard work and great achievements, I can have a good death even if I am dismissed from office. If nothing happens, I will be a person in history in the future. Why should I risk my life?" for you?"
"Some people are alive, but he is dead; some people are dead, but he will always live in people's hearts."
Zhu Gaojie said calmly, "There are often people in power who acquiesce in supporting changes, and there are also powerful officials who are willing to sacrifice. But if the two appear together at the same time, it is not common. After you and me, I am afraid it will be difficult for the Ming Dynasty to encounter such a situation. This is the opportunity. If Mr. Xia is unwilling, I will naturally not force it. You and I were born in the prosperous era of the Ming Dynasty. Looking at the dynasty at its peak in the Spring and Autumn Period, even if the official system collapses, it will only be a hundred or two hundred years later. Even if the official system is reformed, it will not happen. It may not be possible to continue this country."
"Look, you said it yourself, so why should I sacrifice myself?" Xia Yuanji spread his hands.
"But……"
Zhu Gaojie said quietly, "Are you really willing?"
Xia Yuanji's pupils shrank, as if his heart was pinched by a strong hand, making him unable to breathe.
Are you really willing?
I was willing to miss this opportunity and let myself live in the torture of my inner demons for the rest of my life. When I was lying on the bed, I saw this trance-like scene in front of me as soon as I closed my eyes. When I had only one breath left, I still regretted it...
Are you really willing?
Xia Yuanji!
"King Qi, you are really a madman! Madman!"
Xia Yuanji gritted his teeth, "You are crazy and your methods are disgusting!"
"Yes, I am a madman, a madman who controls everything in the dark. But being such a madman can make countless people follow me and be willing to be loyal to me, because they are all madmen!"
Zhu Gaojie laughed wildly, picked up a white porcelain wine bottle with half a bottle of spirits left next to him, raised his head and poured it into his throat. The transparent wine slid down his throat and fell on his chest, soaking the clothes in front of his heart. , vaguely revealing the well-defined and strong muscles under the robe.
After drinking heavily, Zhu Gaojie threw the bottle into the Qinhuai River with a wild posture, as if he was breathing in the sun and the moon, and the stars and the Milky Way trembled.
"In my eyes, no one's life is more noble, because everyone's life is in my hands and can be sacrificed as a sacrifice at any time, but they will not sacrifice in vain. After their death, their names will be Engraved on the merit monument of the Han people, it will be remembered by the world forever!"
"This opportunity to sacrifice is given to them by me, King Qi."
"Old Minister Xia, what do you think?"
Xia Yuanji took a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly. The strong smell of alcohol in the air made his face turn red.
Suddenly, Xia Yuanji opened his eyes, with undisguised rebelliousness in his eyes. The people in Prince Qi's Mansion were all rebellious madmen.
"Xia still said the same thing, it's just death, why should we be afraid of it?"
"What's wrong with me giving this life to you?"
(End of chapter)
