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In Cining Palace, Zhu Youxiao rarely found time to come here tonight to meet the elderly Concubine Liu and have dinner here.
"I heard that the emperor went on a killing spree two days ago. Many court ministers were arrested by the emperor's order and sent to Jinyiwei prison."
Although he was eating, Zhu Youxiao was more easy-going and didn't have so many rules and regulations, so he could chat casually at the dinner table.
This can be regarded as his mandatory requirement. In the past, it was relatively rare to eat at the same dining table, let alone chatting.
It's hard for the family to get together for a meal, so they can't be as restrained as strangers. He still likes to be lively.
Chatting at the dinner table and talking about household matters will make the atmosphere less deserted and more harmonious, and it will also help increase feelings.
But Zhu Youxiao obviously didn't want to talk too much about the topic of today's chat.
He put down the bowls and chopsticks in his hands, wiped his mouth and said calmly:
"This is a matter of government affairs. The concubine will know it if she knows it. However, the concubine should not interfere. Don't forget the Taizu's instructions."
"How could I forget the teachings of my ancestors? I didn't want to bother the emperor, but I really can't bear the emperor's misdeeds."
"The reason why I asked the emperor was not to interfere in political affairs, but to tell the emperor that a king should be generous and kind to others and be tolerant of his ministers."
"Even if my subordinates make mistakes, they should be forgiven in a reduced manner and try not to use torture. Only in this way can I make my subordinates respect and surrender from the bottom of their hearts."
"Just like the Han Emperor and Tang Taizong, the emperor should learn from them. Only in this way can we revive the Ming Dynasty and live up to the expectations of the temple!"
The temple naturally refers to the late Emperor Wanli. In the feudal era, people were very particular about titles.
When the emperor dies, the most respected title among his officials is the temple, followed by the posthumous title, and finally the temple title.
Concubine Liu unexpectedly discussed such a sensitive topic with herself today, which really shocked Zhu Youxiao.
You know, in the past, she never said a word no matter what happened. Even if she crossed the line, she would immediately realize it and stop.
Judging from today's situation, she must have thought deeply and been prepared.
"The concubine means that I am just like Sun Hao and Yang Guang?"
Upon hearing this, Queen Zhang Yan, who had been silent beside her, could no longer calm down.
The emperor's words were full of gunpowder, and he was obviously dissatisfied with what the concubine had just said.
Seeing the emperor's behavior, Concubine Liu changed the subject and said:
"I have always been indifferent to worldly affairs in this palace, but the emperor's methods are too harsh, which is not a good thing, so I dare to speak out today."
"Too many evildoers have been killed, which will be extremely detrimental to the emperor's reputation and prestige in the future. Does the emperor want all the subjects in the world to criticize him behind his back?"
In this case, Mrs. Liu would never say it herself, and she didn't know how to say it. Based on Zhu Youxiao's understanding of her, she basically made a conclusion.
It seems that there is something fishy behind this. I am afraid that someone is doing something secretly and wants to instigate Mrs. Liu to put pressure on herself.
But he couldn't figure out who could pass through the outer palace, the inner palace, and the factory guards' eyes to pass the news to Mrs. Liu.
"The concubine doesn't understand politics, doesn't know how to govern a country, and doesn't know much about the affairs of the court. Why do you say this today?"
"In my opinion, there are probably some people who are guilty of committing crimes. They are afraid that I will find out something. The concubine does not want them to be beguiled by their few words."
Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.
Concubine Liu did not reply after hearing this, and Zhu Youjian became even more sure after seeing this.
"I still have political matters to deal with, so I can't continue to accompany the concubine to relieve her boredom."
Zhu Youxiao just finished speaking and stood up to leave. Concubine Liu didn't feel like saying anything more and just sent him out of Cining Palace.
"Why was your Majesty so angry at the concubine just now? The concubine is doing it for your majesty's own good."
On the way back to Qianqing Palace, Zhang Yan asked her doubts.
Zhu Youxiao stopped after hearing this, looked at the queen who came from a commoner family and said:
"I just knew that, so I just interrupted the topic. If it were someone else, he would be in Jinyiwei Prison at this time."
Looking at the emperor's serious expression and the firm eyes, Zhang Yan was sure that he had heard correctly. At this point, he did not dare to continue asking.
Zhu Youxiao held her hand and said softly:
"Baozhu, you and I are husband and wife. You must stand with me at all times. Only in this way can we stabilize the palace and I can concentrate on dealing with things outside."
"Concubine, please remember this."
Seeing the helpless look on Zhang Yan's face, Zhu Youxiao didn't want to explain too much because it didn't make any sense.
What he did is destined not to be understood by people of this era. After all, the status of scholars has always been too high.
It was so high that even the emperor was afraid, otherwise he wouldn't be sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats.
"Send the queen back to the palace."
After Zhang Yan left, Zhu Youxiao glanced in the direction of Cining Palace, and then said calmly:
"Call Liu Ruoyu and Wei Zhongxian to see me immediately."
…
…
late at night
The cold wind in the grassland whistling, coupled with the snowflakes falling from the sky, made people not want to stay outside at all.
Inside the yurt, there were voices everywhere shouting about drinking wine and eating meat.
In this severe winter season, only drinking wine and warming yourself up by the fire can bring enough warmth to people.
However, a relatively remote ger group is completely different.
Even though it was so cold, the guards of the Royal Forest Army still stood on sentry duty, guarding the surroundings.
In a large tent in the center, Wang Chaofu's discriminating voice sounded again.
"All the leaders are your own people. If you come here in the wind and snow, you don't need to be so polite. Just sit down and keep warm."
When several Mongolians heard this, they immediately thanked them and then took off their hats and cloaks stained with snowflakes, breathing heavily.
"Thank you, father-in-law."
These Mongolians were all Mongolian leaders who Wang Chaofu and Ahailai had observed and understood after this period of time and thought they could be drawn into and exploited.
They are Wu Yun, the leader of the Aohan tribe, Bayar, the leader of the Naiman tribe, and the three thousand household heads of the Bahrain tribe and the Asut tribe.
Ahailai and his son are naturally among them, but their role is mainly to bridge the gap and try to bring the two sides into closer contact.
After a few glasses of wine, Wang Chaofu didn't mince words and got straight to the point.
He told them all about Zhu Youxiao's plan to establish an internal alliance.
But Wang Chaofu didn't mention a word about the reason. When they asked, he was vague and refused to explain clearly.
It's all up to these people to think and experience it, and give them enough room to guess. This is what Long Live Lord told him before leaving.
If it were said directly, the meaning would be completely different.
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