The conflict between the queen and the imperial concubine is a well-known thing. If it evolves into a dispute over the crown prince, if it is not handled well, it may intensify into a civil war between the north and the south.
The Southern Court had much fewer soldiers and horses than the Northern Court, and half of its troops were stationed in Burma, which was unable to resist the Northern Court's army moving south.
If Emperor Chongzhen could go back on his own, it would be considered a success. Qu Xuanpin hoped that he would give up the idea of establishing King Mian as his heir as soon as possible.
As for the people in Nanting, including him, the chief assistant, it is unlikely that they will be accepted by Beiting.
If he continues to maintain two imperial courts, the worst he can do is resign with the cabinet.
Nandu continued to maintain the six ministries and no cabinet as before the separation.
Otherwise, he could continue to maintain it with officials like Nanting.
Moreover, after Emperor Chongzhen returned to the north, the expenses of the Southern Court could be reduced.
However, the imperial concubine Tian was caught in the middle, and it was quite a headache whether to leave or stay...
It's better to do less than to do more. Emperor Chongzhen didn't open his mouth, and Qu Xuanpin couldn't comment on the emperor's family affairs.
"Ai Qing, do you think I can bring the imperial concubine with me this time?"
Concubine Tian was also one of Chongzhen's concerns, perhaps more troublesome than the matter of establishing a crown prince. The establishment of a crown prince was just an idea, but this beauty was a real living person, and the conflict with the queen was not small.
"...If Your Majesty agrees to the queen's appointment of a heir, it will be feasible!"
Qu Xuanpin couldn't say what would happen after "otherwise". The emperor might not be able to enter the city, let alone Concubine Tian.
If the emperor and his concubine were rejected in Beidu, it would be too embarrassing and would definitely be on the front page of the newspaper.
"Um!"
Chongzhen was thoughtful and thought carefully for several days before sending someone to report to Beidu that he wanted to return.
Then he ordered the people around him to pack their bags and prepare to set off, and at the same time, they had to settle down in Nanting.
He has already reached his sixtieth year, and Chongzhen is no longer so high-spirited, let alone burning the boat at this time.
I still feel that I have to leave a way out for myself. If I really can't stay in Beidu, I have to go back to Nandu to continue living.
There was no other reason. The officials and the army in Beidu were all trained by the traitor, and they did not agree with him psychologically.
Chongzhen knew exactly what he was thinking while respecting himself in words.
The last time I went back to Beidu was on the occasion of my second son’s wedding, so it was quite a few years ago.
Now that the second son is traveling in the West, Chongzhen is a little worried...
As for the murderer of his eldest son, Nan Ting naturally had to vigorously arrest him, even if it was as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.
If something happens in Beidu and the murderer escapes to the area under the jurisdiction of Nanting, it means that the factory guards in Beiting are useless.
But Nanting failed to catch him, causing the murderer to go overseas from a certain port in the south. Nanting must be half responsible.
After receiving information about the suspect from the Beiting, Chongzhen ordered all places under the jurisdiction of the Nanting to start interrogating the passing people, followed by locals, mainly people from the north,
Although the telegram can only describe the suspect's identity information, height, weight, general appearance, etc., it can also provide certain clues for the arrest.
Soon, Beiting sent someone to bring a bunch of photos of the suspects and wanted warrants.
The printing house in Nandu also started rushing to produce it, because it involved a reward worth 10 million silver coins.
Based on the suspect's whereabouts, the factory guards in Beiting roughly guessed that he was most likely to escape into Nanzhili.
Because all land passes in Beizhili have been closed, they will not be open to Ming people coming out of the customs in a short period of time.
The Menggu people can pass through, but the entry personnel of each tribe must be registered.
All the tribal chiefs are eagerly waiting for the suspect to come to their territory so that they can collect the huge reward!
They definitely had no grudge against Chengche Qian, and they followed Emperor Haojing to live a life of winning without hesitation.
Being able to apprehend the murderer, avenge Emperor Haojing, and earn a huge sum of money is something that no one would be happy about.
As long as there is no movement in the north, the suspect will probably not escape from there.
Escape from Shanhaiguan is even more impossible. Until now, people inside the pass have not been opened or closed.
Without the help of a powerful person or a wealthy person behind the suspect, it is impossible for the defenders to let the suspect go without earning a reward.
Factory guards suspected that the suspect had either run to the south or was hiding in a ravine in the north.
But now that we have the suspect's photos and fingerprints, as long as he has not escaped from the Ming Dynasty, there is always a chance to bring him to justice.
After fifteen days, Chongzhen finally decided to set off, and the chamberlains and maids had packed up many belongings.
Jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings are secondary, and the main thing is the silver from the internal funds, which Chongzhen has worked hard to save over the years.
After excluding the portion given to the King of Burma, there is only about six million taels left, but you have to carry it with you.
On the way, Chongzhen felt that if he could get the hundreds of millions in savings from the traitor, he was determined to make himself rich.
Although there is some suspicion of taking advantage of others, if the traitor makes a mistake, it is reasonable for him to take charge of his savings!
Nearly two and a half months after the incident, probably in mid-May, Luan Jia, who was protected by the Yongwei Battalion, arrived in Tongzhou along the canal.
Li Yuanyin, the chief military officer of Tongzhou, led his troops out to meet Luan Jia twenty miles away and welcomed Luan Jia into Tongzhou City.
According to the route back to the north, Luan Jia only rested in five places: Zhenjiang, Huai'an, Jining, Tianjin and Tongzhou.
Tongzhou was the last stop. Before entering the city, Chongzhen sent people to Beidu to inform the queen that he had arrived.
Even if the empress does not come out to greet her, the chief assistant and other important officials of the Beiting will have to go out of the city to meet her, otherwise it will be tantamount to openly being hostile to herself.
Li Yuanyin naturally wanted to fulfill his duties as a landlord, and Li Chengdong, who had retired from the army, naturally also came out to pick up the driver and accompany him to the gate of Beidu.
Having learned from the past, just in case, Luan Jia's food and drinks were all cooked by the cook brought by Chongzhen, and Yongweiying also cooked the ingredients provided by Li Yuanyin himself.
Fortunately, nothing happened during the three days of rest. Such a warm reception made Chongzhen quite fond of this disciple of a certain traitor.
Li Yuanyin also wanted to ask Emperor Chongzhen to rest for a few more days to relieve his dragon body fatigue, but Chongzhen could not wait to enter Beidu.
That's where my dream started. Now that I'm sixty years old, I can finally return to my hometown!
Before Luan Jia arrived at the gate of Beidu, nearly a thousand civil and military officials from the Beiting were waiting ten miles outside the new city to welcome the emperor back from the north.
The day of arrival was sunny and windy, and the outdoor temperature was neither too cold nor too hot, which was very suitable. It was also an auspicious day.
Seeing the ministers being so respectful to him made Chongzhen feel quite comfortable.
After exchanging a few polite words with Du Yinxi, the chief minister of the Northern Court, he led the ministers to the east gate of the new city.
Queen Zhou Yufeng, the eldest son's wife Xue Wanqing, Princess Le'an, the emperor's sister-in-law Zhang Yan, and a group of emperor's grandchildren were already at the door ready to welcome him.
"Your Majesty, you are tired from the boat and the boat. It has been a hard journey!"
"Zitong is interested!"
Facing the cup of sour plum soup presented by the queen, Chongzhen moistened his lips symbolically and did not drink it at all.
Zhou Yufeng looked at Tian Xiuying, who was already the imperial concubine beside her husband, but did not make any puns in person.
"I wonder how Brother Xang is doing?"
This is the issue that Chongzhen is most concerned about. The reason why he returned to the north was that something happened to his eldest son.
"Your Majesty will find out when you go there!"
Zhou Yufeng's face was as dark as water, so Chongzhen couldn't guess a single clue from the surface.
"..."
Since there was no talk about establishing a prince, this made Chongzhen very strange, but he couldn't ask more questions in front of everyone.
Arriving in front of the new palace city, Chongzhen looked at the extremely unfamiliar buildings and gardens, feeling a little in a trance, like a dream.
Everything here, including bricks and tiles, plants and trees, is completely different from that in the old city.
She looks so strange, but when she turns to look at the queen with gray hair, she is the lover she is most familiar with.
The scenery was very contradictory compared with the people, which made Chongzhen feel that this place was not like a palace.
"Your Majesty, please come this way!"
Yang Jinchao led the way for Emperor Chongzhen, and his destination was the Immortal Palace not far away.
"Um!"
Chongzhen, who suppressed his curiosity and was eager to see the condition of his eldest son, took Concubine Tian and others into the building.
In a large room on the third floor, I saw the eldest son with his eyes closed on the bed, which seemed to be similar to his previous situation after being knocked unconscious by lightning.
This time he stopped arguing with himself, but the mixed feelings and confusion immediately made Chongzhen feel a little distressed.
Being punished by God and being harmed by villains are two completely different situations. This is the unforgivable act of regicide.
"This has always been the case? Can it be diagnosed and treated?"
"The imperial doctor has been here many times, but no results have been achieved!"
Facing the queen's answer, Chongzhen seemed very helpless. I am afraid that his imperial edict would not be able to help at all.
After watching for about a quarter of an hour, Zhou Yufeng asked the group to exit the room.
The eldest son needs to rest, and being disturbed at this time will only have side effects.
Later, Chongzhen learned that he could live in the new city, and the palace in the old city had been packed up, so he could stay at Qianqing Palace at any time.
But the queen must live in the palace in the new city so that she can take care of her son conveniently.
So Chongzhen could only try to live here for a few days. If he really didn't adapt to this place, he would move back.
The eldest son's Immortal Palace is the tallest building in the palace, followed by the three-story Kunning Palace, Qianqing Palace, and the second son's palace. The other palace-level buildings are all small second floors.
There have never been many people living in the Qianqing Palace building. There are only twenty palace maids who live there permanently, and they clean it every day, and that's it.
If it weren't for the fact that so many people moved in at once, just having Chongzhen, Tian Guifei and other concubines living together would have made me a little scared.
But after sunset, every building and even every room is brightly lit, and there are no dark rooms at all.
Emperor Haojing has already spoken before. Anyone who can catch a ghost in the New Palace, regardless of size or color, will be rewarded with one million silver coins. There is no upper limit to the number.
After being widely advertised, no one is afraid anymore. Everyone's eyes are shining with gold, and they are all looking forward to the supernatural creatures appearing here in groups...
But waking up in the morning, being able to drink hot tea and see the exquisite gardens from the window of the upper room was a brand new enjoyment for Chongzhen.
But this is not the most important thing. Now the eldest son is really unconscious and he doesn't know when he will be able to open his eyes.
Then the huge debt accumulated by the eldest son must be carefully considered.
According to Chongzhen's wishes, it is best to merge it with your own internal funds, so as to facilitate management.
However, the queen said that the East Palace accounts have always been calculated by themselves, and merging them with internal funds would be inconvenient to manage.
Xue Wanqing, the wife of the eldest son, said that there are only two options now, either the East Palace continues to do its own accounting, or it divides all the property into several shares.
This is also reasonable and reasonable. As the biological mother of the eldest son, the queen naturally has one share, the younger brothers and sisters count one share, the wives and concubines count one share, and Chongzhen counts one share, which makes four shares.
"No need, just merge Zitong and me!"
Chongzhen planned to take back the queen's share first, then take back the shares of his children in the name of his father, and finally find a way to get the share of the eldest son's wives and concubines.
"Your Majesty, I used to manage the concubine with a standard that is not very similar to your Majesty's. If there is a rash merger, the salary standard of the concubine will be lowered, which is very inappropriate. If the salary of the accompanying person is increased, and it reaches the level of the concubine. The remuneration still needs to be calculated carefully, and it will take a long time. After the calculation is completed, we can discuss the matter again."
Zhou Yufeng is naturally unwilling to merge. In the future, she will have to ask her husband for money, which is a bit restrictive. It is more convenient for her to have the final say.
"Father, how about inviting Xia Wanchun, the Minister of Revenue, to come and discuss it? After all, the Minister of Revenue has signed a large sum of money from the Immortal Palace. If it involves mergers and divisions, Taicang, the Minister of Revenue, will inevitably be involved!"
Seeing her mother arguing hard, Xue Wanqing, as the chief daughter-in-law, thought of a way.
"Yeah! That's good!"
Chongzhen had no choice but to agree, because this was inevitable.
"My lord, Xia Wanchun, comes to see my emperor! Long live my emperor! Long live! Long live!"
Xia Wanchun works in the Military Aircraft Department building not far away. He can come over at any time if he is contacted by phone.
"Okay! Xia Aiqing gets free without any ceremony!"
Chongzhen knew Xia Wanchun's life experience, but he felt that the treacherous son knew how to make good use of people.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Finance still owes Immortal Palace eighty-five million taels of silver!"
"...There are so many?"
"Exactly! The money involves many projects such as railways, ports, construction, etc. According to the current annual income of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the principal and interest can be paid off in about ten years!"
"I wonder what Ai Qing thinks about the merger of his accounts with mine?"
"This is His Majesty's family matter, I dare not make any comments!"
"I forgive you, that's fine!"
"I think that if the internal funds and the accounts of the Immortal Palace are clear and properly supervised, the merger will go wrong. If there is a merger, the Ministry of Accounts can give five million taels in advance!"
"Oh? I am so relieved that my beloved has such a state of mind!"
Chongzhen was naturally very happy to be repaid five million taels of silver first.
"But we have to wait until the end of the year for accounting!"
"...Then why do you say go first?"
"I will express my position first, I am afraid that Your Majesty will be anxious!"
"..."
Isn't this tantamount to making an idle statement?
There is still more than half a year until the end of the year!
This is really unreasonable!
An, Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, dares to tease me!
"Father, money is tight?"
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded, which shocked the chambermaids and maids present.
"you're awake?"
Chongzhen was also shocked when he heard this. Looking back, he saw that he was really his eldest son.
"My father wants to touch my son's money, how can I continue to be in a coma?"
If I wake up a few days later, I will really have a layer of skin shaved off by a certain father.
Xia Wanchun dared to say this because Queen Xue Wanqing informed him in advance.
After Li Shiwen, those who could serve in the household department were basically die-hard fans of a certain new emperor.
I had been in a coma for a total of seventy-seven days. I had woken up before, and yesterday I was just lying in bed performing a show.
If a certain father had come half a month earlier, I am afraid that he might have become in bulk by now...
