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About half an hour later, Emperor Deqing's chariot finally arrived outside the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City. `
There, all the civil and military officials had arrived in advance and had been waiting for a long time.
Then, Emperor Deqing led the civil and military officials to the Ancestral Temple to worship the gods of heaven and earth and the previous emperors, indicating that he had returned safely, and that the Ming Dynasty had been in good weather and the world was peaceful during this period.
After the ceremony, Emperor Deqing went to the harem to take a rest and change his clothes. The officials came to the outside of Huangji Hall, waiting for Emperor Deqing to hold a court meeting.
According to the rules, after Emperor Deqing worshiped heaven, earth and ancestors, he should summon all officials to hold a court meeting.
In the Ming Dynasty, early court meetings were often held in the Jianji Hall. Only officials of the fourth rank and above, as well as officials from the major yamen in the capital, were eligible to participate. The number of people was not large, so it was called the "small court meeting". .
The scale of Huangji Hall is much larger than that of Jianji Hall, and can accommodate more officials. When a court meeting is held in Jianji Hall, it is often attended by officials of the fifth rank or above of the imperial court, as well as chief and deputy officials from major yamen in the capital. , because of the huge number of people, it was also called the "Great Court Meeting".
However, the "Great Court Meeting" is not held very often. It is usually only held on important festivals or when important matters are discussed. It can only be held three or five times a year at most.
Because of the southern tour, Emperor Deqing has not held a court meeting for more than four months, so this court meeting is naturally a rare "big court meeting" and needs to be held in the Huangji Hall. Officials, chief and deputy chiefs of all major government offices are required to participate.
During this court meeting, Emperor Deqing needed to announce to the officials the results of his southern tour, inspect the performance of the prince and left-behind ministers, inquire about the current status of the major government offices during this period, and also deal with the central affairs of the imperial court. The accumulated government affairs can be said to be a heavy task.
*****
But he said that outside the Huangji Palace, all forces gathered together and were faintly divided into several groups. They were both distinct and had different expressions.
nowadays. Not only was Huang Yourong's collapse imminent, but he also accepted his fate, decided not to resist, and transferred all his connections, power, authority, etc. to the new assistant Shen Changmao. Just in exchange for a safe retirement ending, this choice can be said to be aware of current affairs, or it can be said to be lack of ambition. Therefore, all the officials of the "Yellow Party" were a little disinterested and discouraged at this time, and their attitude towards Huang Yourong was not the same. He is as attentive as before. `There are only a few "Yellow Party" officials who are still willing to gather around Huang Yourong, and their momentum is not as strong as before.
Outside the Huangji Palace, the most popular figure at this time is undoubtedly the new Cabinet Assistant Shen Changmao. During this period, he not only took advantage of the opportunity of Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing's battle of wits to obtain the position of Cabinet Assistant, but also He has reached a deal with Huang Yourong and is about to incorporate all the forces of the "Yellow Party". If everything goes well, Shen Changmao's future power will not be much worse than Zhou Shangjing's.
so. At this time, there were the largest number of officials gathered around Shen Changmao. Among them were old people from the "Shen Party", former officials from the "Yellow Party" who were about to defect to Shen Changmao, and many political opportunists. Together, these people actually numbered There were dozens of them, and the momentum seemed quite huge!
In contrast, Zhou Shangjing is as low-key as ever. Although the "Zhou Party" members are all over the government and the public and have the largest number, there are still only three core "Zhou Party" members: Song Qiwen, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Li He, the Grand Scholar of the Baohe Palace, and Zhang Bochong, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. The members were by Zhou Shangjing's side and did not deliberately show off their momentum like Shen Changmao.
At this time, Zhou Shangjing was talking softly with three core members of the "Zhou Party". His expression was indifferent and his face was calm, as if the gain or loss of the cabinet assistant position had no impact on him.
In addition, from Prince Zhu Heyu onwards. All the members of the "Princeling Party" were also gathered together at this time. Because the previous communication between Prince Zhu Heyu and Emperor Deqing was not smooth, everyone had serious faces and continued to discuss softly together.
On the other hand, during Emperor Deqing's southern tour, the "Zhao Party" was repeatedly suppressed by the elder Huang Yourong and the prince Zhu Heyu. "Zhao Party" cadres such as Zhan Shanchang, Gu Quan, Liu Changan, etc. were all dismissed from their official positions, but there are still Zuo Lanshan, Minister of Industry, Tong Huan, Minister of General Affairs, Qin Huaiyuan, Minister of Punishment, and others surrounding Zhao Junchen. Beside him, the momentum was not weak.
Like other factions, Zhao Junchen was also discussing with his party members how to deal with the great court meeting when it was about to begin.
Zhao Junchen said with a serious expression: "Time is running out, the court meeting is about to begin. I have just returned to Beijing, and we don't have time to discuss it in detail, so we will make a long story short... This court meeting is extremely important." It is related to the future changes in the structure of the temple, so we must be prepared and fight with all our strength!"
Then, Zhao Junchen began to explain in detail: "Once the court meeting begins, His Majesty will ask about the current situation of the temple center. Taking this opportunity, we will help Zhan Shanchang, Gu Quan, and Liu Changan clear their names and restore their official positions. We will take the opportunity Impeach Huang Yourong for suppressing dissidents and forming cliques to disrupt government! After all, Huang Yourong is going to collapse because of the commercial and tax rectification, so he is not afraid of being charged with one more crime."
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, all members of the Zhao party nodded in agreement and agreed. `
Then, Zhao Junchen said again: "After we take the lead in impeaching Huang Yourong, Huang Yourong will inevitably face a situation where everyone is pushing him down. However, after all, Huang Yourong is an old official in the court, his prestige is still there, and with Shen Changmao's help, he will not He is about to collapse, but we still have to continue to impeach him and make him even more embarrassed! After all, during His Majesty's southern tour, Huang Yourong repeatedly made things difficult for us. If we don't take the opportunity to retaliate against him, I'm afraid we will let him suffer in the future. Others look down upon us.”
Following Zhao Junchen's instructions, Zuo Lanshan immediately replied: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, we will never let Huang Yourong have an easy time! Of course, we have to pay back to Huang Yourong with profits for the suppression he has put on us during this period! "
Ever since Zhao Junchen deliberately showed his scheming methods yesterday, Zuo Lanshan has become more and more in awe of Zhao Junchen. At this time, his assurances seemed solemn and firm, but in fact they were only Zhao Junchen's. Just a yes man.
Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded to show his appreciation for Zuo Lanshan, and then continued: "As the officials continue to criticize Huang Yourong, the business tax issue will also come to the surface... You may have heard that Well, His Majesty has decided that I will take over the business tax affairs. If nothing unexpected happens, we will also encounter opposition from the prince's party. Everyone must be careful what they say and don't let others seize the loopholes. As long as Just let me express my position. Under the current situation, it is impossible for the prince's party to stop me... Also, let me tell you in advance that when His Majesty asks me to take over the rectification of business and taxation, he will also take back the Xichang and Xichang in my hands. The authority of the internal transportation warehouse. There is no need for you to object when the time comes. If I don’t hand over these two powers, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get the right to rectify commercial taxes..."
Originally, Zhao Junchen planned to tell everyone in the "Zhao Party" all the situation before the big court meeting began.
However, just when Zhao Junchen was halfway through his instructions, someone suddenly came to disrupt the situation.
*****
When Zhao Junchen was speaking, everyone in the "Zhao Party" was still listening carefully, but suddenly everyone's expressions changed, revealing a look of surprise. They looked past Zhao Junchen and looked behind Zhao Junchen.
Obviously, something surprising happened behind Zhao Junchen.
Seeing the change in everyone's expressions, Zhao Junchen also turned around to watch, only to find that Prince Zhu Heyu had left the crowd of "princelings" at some point and walked straight towards his position with a serious expression.
Could it be that before the big court meeting began, Prince Zhu Heyu actually planned to have a few words with him?
For a moment, Zhao Junchen felt incredible.
To know. Prince Zhu Heyu has always been dismissive of Zhao Junchen. Except when he was impeaching Zhao Junchen, he would never take the initiative to talk to Zhao Junchen.
After Zhao Junchen was surprised for a moment, he quickly confirmed his suspicion—Prince Zhu Heyu did come to talk to him.
Nothing else. Prince Zhu Heyu kept his eyes on Zhao Junchen as he stepped forward.
Seeing this situation, Zhao Junchen frowned and sighed softly, knowing that he might not be able to explain everything in detail to the "Zhao Party".
So, before Prince Zhu Heyu approached. Zhao Junchen said to everyone in the Zhao party: "It seems that our Crown Prince has something to do with me, so let's all disperse for the time being. The Crown Prince came alone, and I'm afraid he doesn't want others to hear the conversation... As for what's next There are still many things that need to be paid attention to during the great court meeting. There is no time to explain clearly now, so everyone can just follow me and express my position."
After receiving Zhao Junchen's instructions, everyone in the "Zhao Party" suppressed the expressions of surprise on their faces. After agreeing to Zhao Junchen's instructions, they all dispersed.
Then, a moment later, Prince Zhu Heyu arrived in front of Zhao Junchen.
In fact, the fact that Prince Zhu Heyu wanted to talk to Zhao Junchen was quite eye-catching. For a while, it was much quieter outside the Huangji Palace. Almost everyone's eyes were focused on Zhao Junchen and Prince Zhu Heyu. .
******
Zhao Junchen is not short in stature, but Prince Zhu Heyu is taller than Zhao Junchen. After he came to Zhao Junchen, he looked down at Zhao Junchen with a serious expression, quite imposing. .
However, the coercive aura of Prince Zhu Heyu could not affect Zhao Junchen's mood, so Zhao Junchen just saluted Prince Zhu Heyu with his usual expression and said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Junchen, has met His Highness the Prince. I wonder if His Highness is looking for you?" Do you have something to give me, my subordinate?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry and seeing that Zhao Junchen was not afraid of him at all, Prince Zhu Heyu frowned slightly, and a trace of undisguised disgust flashed in his eyes as he looked at Zhao Junchen. It was as if Zhao Junchen was some dirty thing.
However, after Prince Zhu Heyu was silent for a moment, he finally spoke: "I heard that a famous doctor recently came to your house. He is the world-famous Xing Linkui, named Zhang Decheng. , this man has great medical skills and can cure all kinds of diseases, and is better than the imperial doctor in the court, is this possible?"
After hearing Prince Zhu Heyu's inquiry, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be stunned.
After returning to the capital with Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen hardly had any rest. He immediately came to the Forbidden City and waited for the start of the imperial meeting. He had no time to return to the palace. Therefore, Zhao Junchen was very concerned about what Prince Zhu Heyu said. Junchen did not know.
Although Zhao Junchen had been in contact with the capital during the southern tour, they only informed each other of some more important news, and the matter of the famous doctor Zhang Decheng obviously did not fall into this category.
However, remembering that Liu Rui took the blind girl Xi'er to Shaanxi to find Zhang Decheng for medical treatment, Zhao Junchen quickly guessed the general situation, so he replied: "After Xiaguan returned to Beijing, he immediately came here to wait for the court meeting. At first, I haven’t contacted my family yet, so I don’t know anything about Zhang Decheng, but Your Highness, you have been staying in the capital, so I think the news about you is not false.”
Prince Zhu Heyu nodded and continued to say in a cold voice: "My seventh brother's health has not been good. Since Zhang Decheng's medical skills are so good, after you return home, ask him to go to the seventh brother's house immediately to provide medical services for the seventh brother. Diagnosing the body... this matter is very important, you can't neglect it. If the famous doctor you invited can cure the seventh brother's body, then I will also show my merit to my father for you!"
While speaking, Prince Zhu Heyu's expression was cold, and his disgusted eyes were still unconcealed, as if it was not him who was asking for something from Zhao Junchen, but Zhao Junchen who was asking for something from him.
Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian?
Zhao Junchen didn't care about Prince Zhu Heyu's attitude and tone, but he quickly thought of the key point of the matter!
Although I don’t know where Prince Zhu Heyu learned about the famous doctor Zhang Decheng, it is obvious that because of the rectification of business taxes, Prince Zhu Heyu’s position as crown prince is now unstable, regardless of Emperor Deqing or the court. Zhongbaiguan will start looking for a new crown prince at this time, and if the seventh prince's physical condition suddenly improves at this time...
Obviously, during this turbulent time, the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian could no longer sit still and planned to let himself surface!
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen's eyes flickered slightly.
…
ps: Under normal circumstances, this book is updated before early morning every day, and the time is relatively stable. Why is it that today’s update time has not come yet, and many old readers think that there will be no update today?
Well, let me explain again. Due to some family matters, Chongzi only has time to type after nine o'clock in the evening every day. By the time a new chapter is finished, it is often almost early the next morning. Chongzi also knows that the update time of this book is too late and will make everyone wait for a long time, but Chongzi really has no choice. Being burdened by family affairs, being able to update steadily every day is the limit.
However, in order for everyone to get a better reading experience, Chongzi will try to advance the time in the future.
above.
…(To be continued.)
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