The news of the emperor's sudden return to the palace was known to the courtiers after just one night.
When he entered the city yesterday, although Zhu Youxiao was not very high-profile, he was still very pompous.
Not to mention anything else, the group of elite cavalry wearing fine armor is different from other armies, and each one is wearing a red robe. Anyone who has been to the inner city knows that this is the uniform of the Royal Forest Army.
As the Imperial City Guards, the Royal Forest Army would not be dispatched easily, but anyone with some knowledge would have already guessed it.
Not to mention, Zhu Youxiao still rode all the way into the city, even though there were no emperor's honor guards and attire, and no one had seen the emperor.
But the famous British Duke Zhang Weixian is well-known in the capital, and there are not a few people who know him.
And all this was seen by a court official who was having fun with people outside. At that time, he was still angry in front of everyone, who didn't know death, and dared to show off in such a big way in the capital.
Just when he was on his way to the imperial city and wanted to complain to the Prime Minister's Yamen for meritorious service, the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. Finally, he asked his superior officer, and then he secretly congratulated himself on his quick wit.
As a result, the news that the emperor might have returned to the capital quickly spread among the officialdom of the capital.
Early in the morning, four ministers from the Prime Minister's Yamen, Wang Xiangqian, Xu Guangqi, Cheng Guoxiang, and Song Yingxing, entered the palace and asked the eunuch in charge of rites to confirm whether the rumors were true.
But they didn't even enter the duty room of the Supervisor of Ceremonies in the former palace. A young eunuch of the Supervisor of Ceremonies blocked them from the Qianqing Gate.
"Dear elders, Long Live the Lord has indeed returned to the palace. However, riding a horse all the way has consumed a lot of energy. He is resting now. You should go back to check in and handle the affairs of the country first!"
"After Long Live the Lord wakes up, he will let us notify you to enter the palace to meet the Holy Spirit!"
Several ministers also realized that their behavior was too abrupt. His Majesty must have been physically and mentally exhausted after marching thousands of miles, so they immediately withdrew, returned to the duty room of the Prime Minister's Yamen, and began their daily work.
But two days have passed, and the palace is still very calm. Several ministers are very anxious now. Didn't they agree to summon them?
Why is there still no response at all?
What is even more urgent is the civil and military officials below. They basically ask questions three times a day, once in the morning, noon and evening.
Every time, different people come to the Prime Minister's room and ask, "Has His Majesty summoned you, or does His Majesty have any will?"
How could the already anxious ministers endure such endless inquiries like flies? They yelled and cursed at the top of their lungs every time, and then kicked them out.
But they are not afraid at all. You scold you and I ask mine, without interfering with each other.
The reason why they were so anxious and eager to see the emperor was because of taxation and money.
The national treasury has received so much "goods" that people like them can say their eyes are straight.
The Ministry of Industry asked for money to build ordnance and armor for the border troops, as well as wages for craftsmen.
For the Ministry of Personnel, the official salaries owed in previous years and the welfare benefits promised by the court need to be paid out.
Among them, the Ministry of War is the most ruthless in asking for money.
The officials of the Ministry of War drew up a military expenditure, as well as the armament plan to be implemented next year, as well as the funds to quell the slave trouble in Liaodong, and the food supply for various military stations.
For the budget alone, Cheng Guoxiang almost died of anger when he asked for five million taels of silver.
Wang Zaijin also knew that this was indeed a sign of some lions opening their mouths, but there was no other way. He had to reach out and order more, leaving some room to go out and bargain with the Ministry of Finance.
The emperor had long discussed with him the future direction of the Ming Dynasty's army and its reform plan. He knew and approved of the emperor's idea of replacing the garrison system with military towns.
In fact, it was not just the officials who wanted to see the emperor, but also the nobles.
They already knew the news that Qin Liangyu was conferred the title of earl, which caused an uproar among the noble circles.
Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, in addition to the founding heroes who followed Taizu to conquer the country, and the heroes who followed Chengzu to provide peace and stability.
In the remaining two hundred years, those fathers and uncles who ascended to power through their daughters and sisters will be eliminated.
How many people have been knighted? How many people are truly hereditary? I can count them on one hand.
They were naturally dissatisfied with Qin Liangyu being made a hereditary and replaceable earl. The interests of their circle would no longer allow others to take a share of the pie.
And what made them envious and jealous the most was that Qin Liangyu was deeply trusted by the emperor. He was also the right general of Guoyin and the chief military officer in charge of Sichuan's military affairs. How could he not make them jealous.
This kind of treatment is almost as good as that of a British public servant. If things continue like this, it will only be a matter of time before Qin Liangyu rises to the top. Will they still be able to succeed by then?
Therefore, they must unite to resist the emperor's decree to confer earldom on Qin Liangyu. Even if it doesn't work, they have to say bad things about her and give up this hereditary throne.
It's just that they are not as bold as the civil servants and dare to go inside the imperial city to inquire.
They also do not have the authority of civil servants and can enter and leave the imperial city at will. They need the emperor, concubine, and queen's orders to enter and exit the imperial city.
They went to the British government to find Zhang Weixian, but Zhang Weixian didn't see them at all, which made them anxious and worried all day long.
The civil servants were more dissatisfied than the nobles about the emperor's arbitrary title, but it was not as important as asking for money.
Now the entire capital, both civil servants and officials, as well as noble military officers, are waiting for the emperor's appearance.
People in the outside world are restless, but Emperor Zhu, as the protagonist, has not stepped out of the Qianqing Gate for two days.
At this time, he was quietly waiting for Ma Xianglin's good news.
In the past two days, he went back and forth several times to discuss specific matters with Wei Zhongxian and Yang Huan.
Develop a more comprehensive and secure arrest plan for businessmen in Shanxi.
Shanxi is so big and there are so many businessmen who need to be arrested. Even with the help of the army, it may not be possible to go smoothly.
Although their main locations are in Xuanzhen and Datong, there are still some scattered among the people.
None of these large landowners who have been inherited for decades or hundreds of years does not have their own manor house.
There are many generals in Datong Town who have interests in exchange with officials from Shanxi and local prefectures and counties, as well as the surrounding guard generals. They are tied together.
If the imperial army suddenly appears in Shanxi, they will definitely be noticed.
As soon as possible, they would send people to notify each other to guard against any actions by the court.
Therefore, you have to be more cautious and never act rashly.
If we are really alert, then the efforts and planning of the past six months will be in vain.
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