"Go to Fang Mansion quickly! Enter the palace with the cabinet ministers and go with me!"
Zhu Youxiao immediately ordered.
After saying that, Zhu Youxiao's brain went blank again.
The news that Fang Congzhe might pass away left him at a loss.
After a while, Zhu Youxiao said: "Let Wei Zhongxian come to see me."
"yes!"
Wang Chengen replied and made arrangements according to Zhu Youxiao's will.
Zhu Youxiao walked out of the palace gate. He obviously forgot to ask for the dragon chariot.
Looking at the white jade pillars that kept retreating, Zhu Youxiao became more and more irritable as he walked.
He had to admit that the Forbidden City was really big, with many white marble pillars and many gates.
Because no matter how fast he walked, he seemed to be unable to finish.
However, while walking, the scenes between him and Fang Congzhe, the chief minister of the three dynasties since he took the throne, appeared in his mind like a fountain.
"I beg your Majesty to allow me to resign and give me a chance to live!"
"I believe that the first step is to open up the land for the husband's family and put an end to the gentry's behavior of cheating and scattering!"
"I request your Majesty to strengthen your guidance to His Majesty the Fifth Highness! In my opinion, it is not appropriate to establish a vassal state before His Majesty the Fifth Highness's will is determined. Also, Your Majesty should strengthen the control of the harem and the education of the emperor's heirs."
"Your Majesty is the sage of the Holy Dynasty. Anyone who is not loyal to Your Majesty should be punished!"
…
"Your Majesty is the ruler of the Ming Dynasty, and all decrees must reflect His Majesty's will!"
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but his eyes grew hot when he thought of Fang Congzhe's words.
He remembered that Congzhe did not exist during this time period in history.
But he didn't expect this unexpected incident to occur at this time.
A chief minister of the cabinet who has served for fifteen years from the 41st year of Wanli to the present, not to mention how outstanding he is, but he does have his own merits.
Otherwise, Zhu Youxiao would not continue to use him after he ascended the throne.
Fang Congzhe was not a very strong chief minister, but as a person who was enabled by Wanli, a homely but not stupid emperor who was personally raised by Zhang Juzheng since childhood, he was undoubtedly the most suitable for the emperor who was unwilling to delegate power.
Zhu Youxiao also had to admit that Fang Congzhe was indeed very easy to use.
After all, he is a good chief assistant who understands the thoughts of a time traveler, and is willing to take the blame for him. He also knows how to measure, and is several levels higher than others in scheming. He is a good chief assistant who can coordinate both inside and outside and execute it well. Not that often.
Zhu Youxiao thought to himself, if Fang Congzhe no longer serves as the first assistant, who else can be more suitable than Fang Congzhe?
"Your Majesty, your servant is here!"
At this time, Wei Zhongxian appeared in front of Zhu Youxiao.
"Fang Congzhe suddenly fainted and can no longer get out of bed. Do you know about this?"
Zhu Youxiao asked.
Wei Zhongxian hurriedly replied: "I dare not lie to the emperor. Dongchang only knows that Yuan Fu has been feeling unwell recently, but since he did not report to ask for leave to recuperate, Dongchang didn't pay much attention to it."
Zhu Youxiao nodded after hearing this and said nothing.
"I will see you, Your Majesty!"
Then, Zhu Youxiao met the ministers of the Political Affairs Hall outside the palace gate.
That is, people like Han Xu, Xu Guangqi, Yuan Keli, Wei Guangwei, and Bi Ziyan.
These are all potential candidates for the first assistant.
Zhu Youxiao took them to Fang Mansion to visit Fang Congzhe, and naturally he also wanted some of them to meet Fang Congzhe.
However, at this time, these people were all in high spirits because of this incident, and when they greeted Zhu Youxiao, their voices were louder than before.
Of course, these cabinet ministers also remember the scene in which His Majesty the Emperor personally killed the ministers in the Daming Garden this afternoon, and they are still frightened even now.
Therefore, no matter how excited and excited they were, they could only honestly hide their excitement in front of Emperor Zhu Youxiao, and forced to show a worried look.
Naturally, they would not feel that they were not qualified to replace Fang Congzhe.
"Power is really an aphrodisiac, it can make people refreshed."
Zhu Youxiao only slandered, nodded, and then walked quickly to Fang Mansion with these cabinet ministers.
Fang Shihong, who was sitting in a wheelchair, waited outside the main entrance with his family.
As soon as he saw Zhu Youxiao coming over, Fang Shihong hurriedly shouted: "Long live your Majesty!"
"How is your father now?"
Zhu Youxiao asked.
Fang Shihong pondered for a while, glanced at Han Xu and others, and then only uttered two words: "No!"
"Lead the way! I'll go see him."
Zhu Youxiao said hurriedly.
Fang Shihong immediately ordered: "Shihui, please take His Majesty and the others there. I have limited legs and feet."
Fang Shihong's younger brother Fang Shihui replied "Yes!"
Then, Fang Shihui took Zhu Youxiao to the inner courtyard where Fang Congzhe was.
As soon as he arrived at the inner courtyard, Fang Shihui told a maid: "Go and report to the master. Your Majesty is here."
"What time has it been? He still wants to tell you that he wants a patient to come out to greet him. Take me in directly! Are you stupid or do you have no filial piety?"
Zhu Youxiao reprimanded loudly.
Fang Shihui was trained to keep his head down, fearing that the fierce-looking Emperor would order his death, so he hurriedly brought Zhu Youxiao to Fang Congzhe's place, and shouted in person: "Father, Your Majesty is here!"
Fang Congzhe was shocked, bared his teeth and tried to get up.
"Lie down!"
Zhu Youxiao shouted, walked in, and then sat casually on an official hat chair. He looked at Fang Congzhe, who had a sallow face: "Why did you faint suddenly?"
Fang Congzhe smiled bitterly: "At that time, a gust of wind happened to blow, and I fainted."
Then, Fang Congzhe gasped again and said: "Your Majesty, my days are numbered, and now I am waiting to see you again. Your Majesty ascended the throne at a young age, is determined to innovate, and is decisive in killing. He has the legacy of Taizu, and is worthy of being a great leader." The holy king who is rare to meet in the ages is not the flattery of the minister, but the words from the heart of the minister before his death!"
Fang Congzhe's chest heaved a few times as he spoke, and he smiled again: "In the past, when His Majesty ascended the throne, the old ministers also knew that the Ming Dynasty had accumulated many problems and it was difficult to recover. When it came time to innovate and eliminate the shortcomings, the old ministers cherished their lives and were worried that the king would not have perseverance and that he would not have great talents. , so I don’t dare to do such a big thing for the people of the world, I just want to be wise and protect myself. Fortunately, your majesty forces the minister to do something, and he is more tenacious than the old minister, and he can analyze the shortcomings and hit the nail on the head. Therefore, the old minister is fortunate to serve as your majesty’s assistant minister, and then it can be realized. Zhang Wenzheng's unfulfilled career has ended his life's ambition! I thank Your Majesty for completing it."
Zhu Youxiao said solemnly: "Why did Yuan Fu say this? Without you, how could I, an ignorant young man, have been able to turn the tide, so that now the national treasury is full, the soldiers are numerous, and the people are rich. Last year, there was a severe drought, and the red land was thousands of miles away. I can still urgently mobilize millions of grains and grains for relief, not to mention the old foxes in the previous court, without your checks and balances, I can't defeat them."
"Your Majesty is too modest! Throughout the past and present, there is no one who has the insight of Your Majesty! But I do have to leave. If I don't leave, I will really be hated to death."
Fang Congzhe smiled again as he spoke.
Han Xu and others lowered their heads in embarrassment.
"Stop saying this! I don't want you to leave!"
Zhu Youxiao said.
"After your Majesty came to the throne, he often had the word worry written on his face, as if the Ming Dynasty was about to fall, and he was even too worried about the Donglu. After thinking about it carefully, I found that your majesty's worries were not unreasonable. His Majesty's situation and government affairs at the beginning of his accession to the throne were With the collapse of the civil system, the war between civil and military forces, frequent disasters, and the growing number of foreign barbarians, the signs of national subjugation are indeed evident, especially for the Eastern barbarians, who are indeed on the rise step by step. Fortunately, after your majesty’s eight years of hard work, The situation has improved a long time ago. I dare to say that as long as your Majesty is here, our Ming Dynasty will prosper. Therefore, your Majesty does not need to worry too much. I only hope that your Majesty will live forever, so that the world will be peaceful for thousands of years!"
Fang Congzhe coughed excitedly as he spoke.
Zhu Youxiao was very touched and couldn't help but burst into tears. He didn't expect that Fang Congzhe would observe so carefully. He just choked up and said: "But if I really have a long life, there will be several people who can use me besides my dear wife. I am fully prepared. It’s also very rare.”
"I have thought of this for Your Majesty's sake."
As he spoke, Fang Congzhe took out a piece of music that seemed to have been prepared long ago from his pillow, and handed it to Zhu Youxiao tremblingly.
Zhu Youxiao took it personally, but saw the names of ministers on it.
"As an auxiliary minister, the first thing is to select good talents for the emperor. In my humble opinion, the one who can be superior to the ministers is Yuan Keli! The second is Bi Ziyan! There are also Wang Zaijin, Cui Jingrong, Zhu Xieyuan, Sun Chuanting, Sun Chengzong, etc., in addition , I watched indifferently for several years, and also selected a group of talents for His Majesty to try out in the future. Now they are all written on the list, including Chen Qiyu, Fan Jingwen, Chen Xinjia, Li Banghua, Jiang Dejing, Ni Yuanlu, Qi Biaojia, etc. His Majesty can inspect them in the future. Of."
Fang Congzhe grabbed the sheets with one hand, clenched his fist into a fist with the other, and said through gritted teeth.
Principal Zhu You breathed a sigh of relief. He was sure that the people listed by Fang Congzhe were all out of public motives, because these people, especially those who were recommended by Fang Congzhe before he died, later died for the Ming Dynasty. , regardless of his ability, his integrity and morality are at least reliable, so he couldn't help but force a smile and said: "Yuan Fu has good intentions!"
Fang Congzhe continued: "In addition, I have an uninvited invitation."
Zhu Youxiao thought that he wanted a talisman for the future interests of his own Fang family, so he said: "Yuan Fu, please speak! I promise you."
"I request that the Fang family's share of all government-owned properties be returned to the national treasury for the common good of the world."
Fang Congzhe said.
"this!"
"Father!"
Zhu Youxiao and Fang Shihui made their voices almost at the same time.
None of them expected Fang Congzhe to do this.
Fang Congzhe said with a smile: "Xu and Yuan, the two elders, have been trying their best to encourage your majesty to return all the benefits of the official camp to the public treasury. By doing this today, I can be regarded as fulfilling the wish of the two princes."
Neither Xu Guangqi nor Yuan Keli knew what to say.
Yuan Keli was even a little embarrassed because he didn't expect that Fang Congzhe would be the first person to recommend to the emperor.
But now, Fang Congzhe mentioned this matter, and he felt a little ashamed.
"Mr. Yuan!"
At this time, Fang Congzhe weakly called Yuan Keli again.
Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao quickly gave Yuan Keli a look.
Yuan Ke immediately came to Fang Congzhe and said, "Yuan Fu!"
"You have always been unafraid of the powerful and dared to do things. I am not as good as you in this regard. But after all, we are ministers and we must follow the king's tune. Don't be the protagonist yourself. This will be good for you and the country!"
Fang Congzhe said.
Yuan Keli cupped his hands and said, "Please keep this in mind."
Zhu Youxiao started talking at this time: "You don't have to give up your Fang family's share of the government-owned industry. You have to leave a share of the wealth for future generations."
"Didn't Your Majesty just agree to your ministers' promise?"
"But I didn't expect this to be your request!"
"It is better to return it to the imperial court. The children and grandchildren are incompetent and cannot be guarded. If you leave it to them, it will harm them! Your Majesty cannot protect our Fang family for a lifetime! Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings! Doing this can be regarded as my selfishness. , I don’t want the Fang family to be regarded as a thorn in the side of the world again!”
Fang Congzhe said with short breath: "Please, please, Your Majesty will do it!"
"Don't worry! I promise you."
Zhu Youxiao had to admit that Fang Congzhe was indeed better at understanding people's hearts than he was, and he knew that leaving some wealth to his descendants would only lead to disaster.
"I can't see the day when your Majesty will completely annihilate the Donglu!"
Fang Congzhe then said something more, then closed his eyes and lowered his raised hand.
"Motosuke!"
"My dear!"
…
Zhu Youxiao called several times, but Fang Congzhe didn't respond, and his face gradually turned purple.
The woman hiding behind the screen seemed to have a strong sixth sense and was already sobbing.
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but turned around and wanted to call the imperial doctor, but saw Fang Shihong sitting in a wheelchair with tears streaming down his face.
Fang Shihui, who was only kneeling on the ground, did not respond.
"Go back to the palace!"
Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao did not see the imperial doctor again. He knew that his stay here would make it difficult for the Fang family to vent their emotions, so he cooperated and left here first.
The eunuch officials who came with Zhu Youxiao also left.
Yuan Keli also looked back, full of respect.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
As soon as Zhu Youxiao walked out of the door, Fang Shihong, who had seen him off before, cried loudly: "Father!"
…
The next day.
Fang Shihong wrote this memorial to report the death of his father.
Zhu Youxiao issued an order to grant five thousand yuan of sacrificial silver, so that all dignitaries and officials below the prince in the capital could set up road sacrifices. He also gave posthumous gifts to Grand Master Fang Congzhe, Doctor Tejin Guanglu, and Shangzhu Kingdom, so that they could enjoy the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
However, Zhu Youxiao was not in a hurry to appoint a new chief assistant.
For him, Fang Congzhe's sudden death seemed to make him realize that a new era was about to begin.
You know, according to the original history, it is already the first year of Chongzhen.
Next, he needs to personally identify who is the truly suitable first assistant candidate.
Even if Fang Congzhe makes a recommendation, he, the emperor, needs to personally judge whether he is superior to Fang Congzhe or has the same rank as Fang Congzhe.
Zhu Youxiao didn't want to be like the original Chongzhen Dynasty, where the chief assistant was changed many times due to improper employment, and no one was reliable.
…
"When did Fang Congzhe look down on me? Before he died, he didn't mention my name. Instead, he talked about Yuan Liqing, who was always targeting him! It's really abominable. This old guy didn't let anyone guess him before he died. Thoughts!"
In the courtyard of a deep mansion, a big boss in a scarlet official robe said angrily.
"No one expected this, not even His Majesty, that he would take the initiative to give up the Fang family's shares in government-owned properties. Could it be that he has already guessed that we have targeted his Fang family, and we will harm him first, and then To seize other people’s property?”
Another younger man replied.
"Impossible! Even if he is sophisticated, he can't predict the future!"
"Yes, but now it's better than before without Fang Congzhe. This old cunning guy has been in the court, blocking the way of too many people!"
"Not only is he blocking the way, but without his cooperation, the man in the palace will not be able to organize the court and reform the internal affairs so smoothly. Once this guy leaves, no one will be able to rival me!"
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