Chapter 65. Inside the Yangxin Hall.
After a period of busy work by the imperial doctors, including massage, medicine or acupuncture, Zhu Hejian finally stopped coughing, but his face was still frighteningly pale, as if he would fall ill again at any time. 【Read full text】
As for what happened to Zhu Hejian's body and why he suddenly coughed, the imperial doctors seemed to be unable to explain the reason. However, in such a situation, the imperial doctors naturally did not dare to explain clearly and could only use the same explanations as "physical weakness and weak qi" and "weakness of qi". need to be nursed back to health".
………
Of course, this information was obtained by Zhao Junchen and the eunuchs in the palace. As for the specific details, Zhao Junchen no longer knows. Zhao Junchen was not suitable to go deep into the forbidden area of the palace, let alone follow Emperor Deqing, so after Zhu Hejian was carried to the harem, Emperor Deqing, Prince Zhu Heyu and other princes also followed. However, Zhao Junchen was led to the side hall of Yangxin Hall, where he waited for Emperor Deqing.
"It would be fine if Zhu Hejian was really ill, but if he deliberately pretended to be ill, it would be very difficult."
In the side hall of Yangxin Hall, Zhao Junchen thought to himself as he recalled the scene in the prince's study hall.
Zhu Hejian's health is indeed not good, that's for sure, otherwise it would be impossible to hide it from the doctors at the Imperial Hospital. If he was pretending to be sick, such a deliberate violent and continuous cough would not be a joke for a person like Zhu Hejian, who is naturally weak and sick. If the fake illness is not handled well, it will turn into a real illness. Destroys vitality.
If Zhu Hejian's illness was really intentional, and his purpose was just to interrupt Prince Zhu Heyu's counterattack against Zhao Junchen and show his favor to Zhao Junchen, then this man would not only have a deep character, but also a decisive character. Zhao Junchen looked even more terrifying.
After all, in this world, most people can be cruel to others in order to achieve their goals, but there are always very few people who can be cruel to themselves.
"Master Shangshu, you'd better sit back and wait for His Majesty. Your Majesty is accompanying the Seventh Prince. I guess you will have to wait for a while longer."
While Zhao Junchen was thinking deeply, several young eunuchs brought tea and snacks. The young eunuch who was the leader also brought a stool and said flatteringly to Zhao Junchen.
Thinking that he was waiting in the side hall of Yangxin Hall, and even if Emperor Deqing came, he would only summon him in the main hall. Even if he sat and rested for a while, he would not be seen by Emperor Deqing, and it would not be a big problem, so Zhao Junchen also Instead of trying to shirk, he took out a five hundred taels of silver note and stuffed it into the hand of the eunuch. He said with a smile: "Thank you so much, father-in-law. This is a small amount of money for tea and wine. Take it and share it." .”
The eunuch glanced at the amount of the banknote in his hand, and the smile on his face became more humble and respectful: "I have heard Master say long ago that Lord Shangshu, you are the most polite to us servants, and the one who can serve you today is also ours. Blessing.”
Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded. After sitting down, he asked: "This is the first time I meet this father-in-law. How should I call him?"
The eunuch said respectfully: "My nickname is Zhang Xiu. He has just been appointed as the Supervisor of Ceremonies. Now he is working in the Hall of Yangxin. His basic qualifications are very low. I hope you will give me more support in the future, Master Shangshu."
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "My father-in-law, you are the eunuch close to His Majesty, and I am the foreign minister. Where do you get the support? But you can become the Chief of Ceremonies at a young age and become the steward of the Yangxin Palace. Eunuch, you have a bright future. Your master is Eunuch Zhang De, right? Why don't you see Eunuch Zhang De accompanying you today?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Eunuch Zhang Xiu looked even more humble: "Your Excellency is wise, Eunuch Zhang De is indeed the master of our family, and he is also the blessing our family has gained in his previous life. Not long after he entered the palace, he was taken care of by his master. Well, I am able to work in this Nourishing Heart Hall thanks to Master’s care.”
After a pause, Zhang Xiu continued: "However, His Majesty's birthday is coming soon. This is a great event. In the past few days, things have been going on inside and outside the palace. All palaces are being renovated. Master, thank you." Your Majesty trusts you and understands His Majesty's intentions. I have been helping you with things these days, so I have less time to serve Your Majesty."
"I see." As he spoke, Zhao Junchen's eyes showed a thoughtful look.
Now, as Emperor Deqing's birthday is approaching and the new year is approaching, it is the so-called "double happiness". In order to create a celebratory atmosphere, the palace is being renovated everywhere and there is a large purchase outside the palace. Zhao Junchen knows these things. He is in charge of the inner treasury. The money for renovations and purchases has been flowing out of the inner treasury these days. In just over a month, the silver in the inner treasury has been reduced by nearly two hundred thousand taels. Although it is not his own money, Zhao Junchen still feels distressed. Incessantly.
Emperor Deqing was probably used to being poor, but now that he had made a lot of money because of soap, he became more and more extravagant. Zhao Junchen only paid for the renovation of the palace and did not know the details. He only knew that there were many old The palace was even planned to be demolished and rebuilt. As for the purchases outside the palace, the internal treasury kept detailed accounts. However, Zhao Junchen was very aware of Emperor Deqing's generosity. To put it simply, no matter what, he would only sell the most expensive, best and rarest items. And the quantity is often calculated in hundreds.
Take the charcoal used in winter as an example. Usually, due to the lack of money in the inner treasury, white charcoal is mostly used in the palace. However, only favored beauties above the concubine level can afford black charcoal, which is smokeless and resistant to burning. The wood purchased is also based on this. Ordinary wood is mainly used to make white charcoal, but the wood purchased by the palace this year is mostly expensive oak wood, and most of the wood produced is black charcoal. As a result, the eunuchs who have some status in the palace may not be able to use it this year. Black charcoal can be used.
In addition, according to the gossip Zhao Junchen received, the daily expenses of the concubines and princes in the palace have more than doubled under the decree of Emperor Deqing.
With a glimpse of the leopard, one can imagine how generously Emperor Deqing used money now.
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but secretly shake his head at Emperor Deqing's extravagant spending. Before, it was because of Emperor Deqing's extravagant spending and great success. Both the national treasury and the internal treasury had difficulties in cash flow, but now it seems that at that time, Deqing Emperor Qing may have restrained himself.
In fact, Zhao Junchen realized next that he had underestimated Emperor Deqing's ability to spend money.
………
However, Zhao Junchen was not talking to Zhang Xiu to inquire about the information that he had already known. After chatting for a few words, Zhao Junchen changed the subject and suddenly asked: "The body of this seventh prince is amazing to look at." I’m worried. I heard that he and His Highness the Crown Prince were born from the same mother. When the Seventh Prince fell ill today, His Highness the Crown Prince was also the most anxious. I guess they have a good brotherly relationship, right?"
Zhang Xiu nodded and said: "That's natural. His Highness the Seventh Prince has been weak since childhood. Whenever he gets sick, His Highness is always the first to take care of him. The Seventh Prince has also been the most supportive of His Highness over the years. The Seventh Prince has already arrived. The age when the king was granted the title of King left the capital. However, His Highness the Crown Prince cared about the brotherhood and could not bear the suffering of the Seventh Prince leaving the capital. He repeatedly advised His Majesty, so the Seventh Prince stayed in the capital to recuperate. Although he was not granted the title of King, he received all kinds of treatment. No less than those princes."
Having said this, Zhang Xiu looked around and saw that there was no one else around, then lowered his voice and said: "As far as our family knows, when His Majesty conferred the crown prince, because the princes in front of him either died in infancy or were deposed, the oldest ones were Those are the current Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince, and His Majesty doesn’t like the current Crown Prince’s temperament very much, and feels that the Seventh Prince is weak and sickly, so he was hesitating, but it was the Seventh Prince who gave up on his own initiative, and His Majesty was canonized as Crown Prince.”
Zhao Junchen looked thoughtful in his eyes and asked: "Oh? So, there were many people who supported the seventh prince to become the crown prince at that time?"
Zhang Xiu was slightly startled and said: "I have never heard of this. His Highness the Crown Prince has been smart and capable since he was a child. He has achieved a reputation early and is supported by many people. The Seventh Prince is weak and sick, and his performance is not as good as His Highness. He is also younger, so it seems that There was little support.”
"That's it." Zhao Junchen smiled half-heartedly and asked: "I wonder what the seventh prince is like? He and His Highness are brothers. I'm afraid they have similar temperaments, right?"
Zhang Xiu shook his head repeatedly and said: "That's not true. His Highness the Crown Prince is upright, and he is also quite strict with us servants in the palace. Our family is afraid of him when we see him. In comparison, the seventh prince's temperament is much more easy-going. , Although we people are born in humble circumstances, the Seventh Prince is quite polite to us. Sometimes when the eunuchs in the palace make mistakes, the Seventh Prince will intercede on his behalf."
………
After Zhang Xiu and Zhao Junchen chatted for a while, they left. In the side hall, only Zhao Junchen was left sitting there thoughtfully.
The seventh prince was not well-known before, and Zhao Junchen only knew that there was such a person. But in connection with today's show of goodwill, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian may not be that simple.
At least, he and Crown Prince Zhu Heyu seemed to have a deep brotherly relationship, but he was also frail and sickly, and even voluntarily gave up the position of crown prince when the situation was unfavorable. In this way, if he had any small tricks, he might be the emperor of Emperor Deqing. It is difficult to doubt Zhu Hejian's scheming and suspicious temperament, let alone the prince Zhu Heyu.
The purpose of the Ming Dynasty's system of conferring princes on the throne was not only to consolidate the country, but also to protect the prince. When the princes were conferred queens and left the capital, they were subject to various restrictions. It was extremely difficult to even return to the capital, as they were far away from the central temple. , there is no possibility of fighting for the throne. However, because of his frailty and illness, the seventh prince delayed leaving the capital without being crowned king. This made it easier to communicate with both internal and external parties, which may not have been intentional.
It seems like all kinds of accidents, but if Zhu Hejian really has the intention to compete with Zhu Heyu for the throne, all the basic conditions have been met.
However, all this is just Zhao Junchen's conjecture, and such conjecture is full of malice and villainy. Zhao Junchen is not sure whether it is indeed the case.
However, Zhao Junchen believes that if Zhu Hejian really wants to compete for the throne, his fox tail will be exposed sooner or later, and there will be follow-up actions. Just wait and see what happens.
"If Zhu Hejian really wants to fight for the throne, we can secretly support him, but I am afraid that this kind of person is difficult to control and is not the most suitable candidate..."
While Zhao Junchen was thinking secretly, Zhang Xiu came to the side hall in a panic and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty is here, go and greet him quickly."
Zhao Junchen nodded, stood up, and under the leadership of Zhang Xiu, walked towards the main hall of Yangxin Hall.
After entering the Yangxin Hall, before Zhao Junchen could salute, Emperor Deqing waved his hand and said: "That's all, no need to salute."
Seeing Emperor Deqing's frown, Zhao Junchen asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, how is the seventh prince's health?"
Emperor Deqing shook his head and said: "What else can we do? This child is weak and sick, and will get sick every few days. This time the prince is taking the school exam. I thought that Lao Qi would be more energetic these days, so I called him here. Unexpectedly, …”
As he spoke, Emperor Deqing sighed and said softly: "It's my fault too. At that time, Concubine Hui had just given birth to the prince, and before her body's vitality had been replenished, she became pregnant again with the seventh child. As a result, she had a difficult delivery. He was born with a congenital deficiency, and it’s hard for him to feel so uncomfortable all day long.”
As he spoke, Emperor Deqing sighed again, but it was rare that he showed his fatherly heart.
Zhao Junchen was just about to say a few words of relief when Emperor Deqing seemed not to want to show such an expression in front of Zhao Junchen. He had already returned to his usual majestic appearance and asked: "Forget it, let's not talk about it. What do you want to see me for today?" ?”
Zhao Junchen took out Wen Guanliang's 9.25 million taels of silver from his arms and handed it to Emperor Deqing by the young eunuch waiting at the side. At the same time, he said: "Mr. Wen Ge intends to return to his hometown as an official, but he feels that these I have not done anything for the king or the country in the past years, and I feel ashamed of Your Majesty, so before returning to my hometown, I sold all my property and presented the money to Your Majesty to make up for the guilt in my heart."
Emperor Deqing received a thick stack of silver notes in his hand, without counting them, and just asked: "How much silver is there?"
"Nine million two hundred and fifty thousand taels."
Zhao Junchen replied respectfully, while secretly glancing at Emperor Deqing's expression.
But Emperor Deqing looked calm, as if he didn't know that an honest official could not accumulate so much money in ten lifetimes. He just said: "Mr. Wen Ge is loyal, that's all, let him enjoy his old age in peace."
Seeing Emperor Deqing's behavior, Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "Your Majesty is merciful. Mr. Wen Ge will definitely be grateful to Your Majesty when he finds out."
Although there was a smile on his face, Zhao Junchen was thoughtful in his heart.
Zhao Junchen still clearly remembers how happy Emperor Deqing was when Zhao Junchen handed over the more than 1.4 million taels of silver obtained from the auction of the pancakes.
But now, when faced with 9.25 million taels of silver, Emperor Deqing looked normal. Although the former was a flowing stream of silver that continued to come out every year, and there would be more and more, the latter was only a one-time thing, but the amount was After all, it was six or seven times the former, but Emperor Deqing's expression was dull. Comparing the two, the conclusion was obvious.
Emperor Deqing had not only regarded Wen Guanliang's family wealth as his own, but had also been eyeing it for a long time.
In his heart, he sighed secretly for Wen Guanliang. Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Junchen planned to resign.
However, just as Zhao Junchen was about to resign, Emperor Deqing suddenly spoke.
"Zhao Aiqing, I still have something to explain to you."
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