Morning next day.
The day was calm except for the fire sieve attack on Dayan Khan. The incident of dog biting dog was a major event worth talking about. It was already the end of autumn, and after the autumn grain collection from various places was collected, it was also a relatively peaceful period during the winter leisure period for the imperial court.
When the three cabinet members reunited and walked to the palace, Li Dongyang informed Liu Jian and Xie Qian of the news he learned from Wang Yu yesterday.
"Who goes to the palace for treatment? What disease is being treated?" Xie Qianben was behind and couldn't hear clearly, so he stepped forward and asked.
Li Dongyang said: "Perhaps the daughter of the Ning family who was expelled from the Chengguo Mansion entered the palace to treat the third prince. The people at the Taiyuan Hospital did not explain clearly what the illness was, but it was expected to be an emergency, and the method used was unknown. , I only know that Li Rong personally escorted him out of the palace yesterday, which seemed very polite."
Liu Jiandao: "If outsiders come to the palace for diagnosis and skip the imperial hospital, then it is not the decision of the concubine Xian, but the order of His Majesty."
"Yeah." Li Dongyang nodded.
Liu Jian frowned again and said, "But why would Your Majesty leave the hospital with so many people and use someone who doesn't know medical skills? Is this woman very proficient in medical skills?"
Li Dongyang couldn't answer.
Ning Tong was not a famous figure in her own right. He was known to the cabinet ministers not because of his messy affairs with Zhu Feng, but because she had taken care of the virtuous concubine before she entered the palace.
In other words... the current third prince of the Ming Dynasty, the second in line to the throne, was born under her care.
Equivalent to stable mother-in-law.
"Haha." Xie Qian smiled and said, "This is rare. Zhu Zhijie has such a good wife, but he doesn't cherish it, but he is kicked out. What is he trying to do?"
Li Dongyang said: "After I went back yesterday, I asked someone about it. They said that this woman caused a lot of trouble when she left the Chengguo Mansion in the first year. In the end, Mrs. Chengguo Tai specifically allowed her to leave the mansion. The specific reason is unknown. .”
Xie Qian said: "She left the house on her own? What else is she planning?"
Obviously in an era when male chauvinism is prevalent, there is basically no such thing as divorce. It is all about "divorcing one's wife".
Especially the three people in the cabinet, who actually don't bother to pay attention to this kind of thing. It is only because Ning Tong is involved in the royal family that it deserves to be brought to the table.
If they knew that Ning Tong was "bewitched" by Zhang Zhou and used some vulgar reading materials, and finally made Ning Tong move forward and leave the already prosperous Zhu Feng, then they would definitely say that Zhang Zhou was destroying Confucian ethics, and even Destroy the harmony of Ming Dynasty.
However, few people really know this kind of secret. Naturally, people in high positions like them cannot find out so clearly.
…
…
Court meeting.
Zhu Youtang looked very tired, and his whole body seemed listless.
Even Liu Jian and others seemed to realize that the emperor's spirit had been getting worse recently.
The emperor had not disclosed Zhu Houxuan's illness before, but in fact, the prince's illness was a major matter related to the stability of the court. As usual, he could tell the ministers and seek countermeasures or comfort. The ministers would also understand the emperor's difficulties. I will take some trivial matters to delay the time.
Liu Jian took the initiative to come out and said: "I heard that the third prince is ill. Your Majesty must have been worried about it for the past few days. If your Majesty has been ill recently, you should take more rest. You must also pray for the prince and wish him good luck." Get well soon."
All the ministers present looked breathless and attentive.
Not to mention that no one knows that Zhu Houxuan is ill now. Even if someone knows, no one will come out like Liu Jian to persuade the emperor to rest more.
In other words, no one is more qualified than Liu Jian.
Liu Jian was expressing his concern, but not everyone can express this kind of concern... If the emperor doesn't say it, it has its own reasons. As a minister, it is best not to break this delicate balance, but to break it, Either you have enough prestige to afford the change in the emperor's mentality, or... you have the courage to bear the consequences.
Zhu Youtang was not the kind of emperor who was too harsh, at least he was actually pretty good to his civil servants.
Of course, it must be based on the fact that civil servants do not go against Zhang Zhou.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Liu Ge is always thoughtful. I have been worried about the emperor's illness recently, but since yesterday, the emperor's illness has improved a lot."
Having said this, there was a look of relief on his face.
Then I thought about it, Bingkuan was not in the capital, and I actually didn't make any mistakes when I encountered big troubles... It was no longer God's blessing for our ancestors, but Bingkuan's light was everywhere.
What he said was exactly what Liu Jian wanted to test.
By the way, Liu Jian can also follow the topic.
Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, I wonder what kind of illness the third prince is suffering from? Is it related to the evil atmosphere in the palace? The old minister said that the prince was born short and should rest in good health. The cause of the disease should be found out to prevent the disease from happening again in the future. Palace In the past few years, there have been incidents at Long Live Mountain, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to consider the reasons as appropriate."
Don't mention Zhang Zhou, don't even think of Zhang Zhou.
But when it came to Li Guang's construction of Yuxiu Pavilion on Long Live Mountain, Zhu Xiurong fell ill after the construction and almost died. In the end, Li Guang was so frightened that he committed suicide.
Your Majesty, you will definitely remember that your previous son, Zhu Houwei, also died of illness not long after he was born.
We need to find the root cause.
Is the feng shui in the palace bad? Or was there a mistake somewhere?
Your Majesty, don’t you believe this the most recently? If you don't believe it, how come you used two awesome "Alchemy Masters" Li Guang and Zhang Zhou one after another? Of course, we also know that Li Guang is a dabbler, and your Bingkuan is the master you admire.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "I can't explain the cause of the disease clearly. I will find out the specific cause of the disease after Bingkuan returns to Beijing."
"ah?"
When the ministers present heard this, they instantly felt the distress of being pressed over their heads.
It's not that they think they can cure diseases, or that they can know what Zhu Houxuan's disease is.
It's because... the emperor just asks Bingkuan if he has something to do now. If he can't get Bingkuan for treatment, he can forget about it. Instead of asking the imperial doctor what kind of disease he has, he has to wait until Zhang Bingkuan returns to the capital before asking him?
It doesn't make sense.
If the little prince's condition could not be diagnosed until Zhang Bingkuan returned to Beijing, he would either be dead or the disease would have been cured long ago.
Should Zhang Bingkuan be asked to hold a fast and ask God?
Liu Jiandao: "If the third prince is ill, he should listen to the opinions of the imperial doctors in the imperial hospital, and should not just wait for Zhang Zhou who is thousands of miles away."
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "You don't understand. I don't want to tell you more."
In fact, the emperor still wanted to lose face.
In other words, he wanted to save some face for the people at Taiyuan Hospital.
After all, when his son was sick, he had to find a woman who had just studied medicine from outside the palace to come into the palace to treat the illness. If it was revealed, the emperor himself would feel disgraced.
The imperial court has so many imperial doctors, but in the end it is only Bingkuan and his people who can treat the emperor's illness. The people in the imperial hospital are disgraceful, and I also feel that the imperial court really has a bunch of useless people.
As for helping Zhang Zhou become famous, it is said that Zhang Zhou, who is thousands of miles away, can cure the prince's disease by teaching a random woman... Not to mention that the disease has no definite result yet, after all, it is still being treated... Just talking about becoming famous, Zhu Youtang didn't think it was necessary.
Zhang Zhou can even cure acne and plague, and the war in the north was all planned by Zhang Zhou... I don't even think that treating the emperor's illness will add much glory to his face.
But his words... were a bit hurtful to the minister.
What is... you don’t want to tell us more? We only deserve to hear the results of our feelings, but we don’t even deserve to hear the results?
Liu Jian stood there and was pushed back by the emperor's words. He was somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing this, Li Dongyang came out and said: "Your Majesty, I learned from the Taiyuan Hospital a few days ago that your Majesty used people from outside the palace to treat illnesses, and it seems that a woman was used. I don't know what kind of treatment this woman used." ? If His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Taiyuan Hospital, the staff should be laid off. If someone from outside the palace is allowed to enter the palace to hang the pot, I am afraid that the rules will be violated."
Zhu Youtang said with a stern face: "Those people don't have much ability to treat diseases, but they are talkative!"
In one sentence, the emperor's true inner thoughts were revealed.
Now the people in the court understood that the incident originated from the Taiyuan Hospital. It was because people from outside the palace entered the palace for treatment, which aroused the dissatisfaction of the Taiyuan Hospital, so they found the cabinet, and the cabinet raised questions.
The cabinet itself has no need to protect people from the hospital. The cabinet just wants to maintain "rules."
The so-called everyone performs his duties.
Your Majesty, if you are dissatisfied with the people at Tai Hospital, then replace them all. Don't just let them watch other people treat diseases without any shame.
This is not a slap in their face, but a slap in the face of the court.
This is just like you using Zhang Bingkuan. Obviously, what Zhang Bingkuan did should be done by us, but you have slapped us in the face again and again.
Zhu Youtang said: "Originally, I didn't want to bother you with family affairs. The emperor is still in his infancy, and it is normal for him to be sick. But this time, the emperor's condition is more serious, so I used the medicine left by Bingkuan. Some methods, and by the way, I also called a disciple who Bingkuan had taught, and she went into the palace to diagnose the emperor's illness, and she is still taking care of him in front of the bed in the inner garden."
The ministers present originally thought they had nothing to do with Zhang Bingkuan, but after all... Zhang Bingkuan's shadow still lingers.
But Li Dongyang had revealed to Liu Jian and Xie Qian before that there was a connection between Ning Tong and Zhang Bingkuan. Since Ning Tong could enter the palace for diagnosis, she must be related to Zhang Zhou.
Li Dongyang looked very bold and said: "Zhang Zhou has excellent medical skills, which I have seen before, and he dares to do something when treating diseases, and has a benevolent style of hanging a pot to help the world. But if others are outside and use others to diagnose diseases, Your Majesty is also asked to alienate the people in the Taiyuan Hospital, and anything inappropriate caused by this will probably affect the future prestige of the Taiyuan Hospital, as well as Zhang Zhou's own position in the court."
When Zhu Youtang heard this, he almost thought he had heard it wrong.
When did the cabinet praise Zhang Zhou so publicly?
And you say he has great medical skills?
After thinking about the deeper meaning of these words, I suddenly felt that I was digging a hole for Bingkuan again.
Moreover, Zhu Youtang also heard a change, that is, today, both Liu Jian and Li Dongyang called Zhang Zhou by his first name instead of his official position or title. Although the main reason was that before Zhang Zhou returned to the court, he did not even know what Zhang Zhou did when he came back. He was determined, but he always felt that the cabinet was holding back bad intentions towards Zhang Zhou.
"Alas! For matters like medical treatment, the patient's family should decide who will treat the disease. Does everything have to be involved in family and national affairs?"
When Zhu Youtang said this, he also rolled his eyes.
That's roughly what it means.
I have really convinced you guys. Everything must be on the line. Do you have to say that if the prince's illness cannot be cured this time, it is also his responsibility?
However, Li Dongyang seemed very calm and said: "Your Majesty should set the rules according to the situation."
"Okay." Zhu Youtang said, "The disease is still being treated, let's talk about it later."
…
…
Before the court meeting was dissolved, no one mentioned the prince's illness again.
Zhu Youtang was also relieved because his son had a "female disciple" from Zhang Bingkuan who came to the palace for treatment. When his father's mood improved, he would no longer bring many negative emotions to the court.
After the court meeting.
The ministers did not talk about Zhang Zhou's affairs in front of Liu Jian and others... Now they are not as decisive as Tu Feng, Bai Ang, Min Gui and Zhou Jing when they were in court.
If they insist on holding on to Zhang Zhou's affairs, they are afraid that they will soon withdraw from the court and give up their position to others.
The three cabinet members returned to the duty room.
Xie Qian was the first to express a question: "Binzhi, something is wrong today. You clearly know that for a medical treatment, Zhang Bingkuan did not treat the patient himself. It is meaningless to mention this to His Majesty, but you seem to be stubborn and cause His Majesty's dissatisfaction." Yue, what is this for?"
"Haha." Li Dongyang smiled and did not answer.
"Playing riddles?" Xie Qian frowned.
Liu Jiandao: "You want Zhang Bingkuan to make enemies, right?"
Xie Qian was startled.
Zhang Zhou's rise in the court seemed inevitable.
In order to prevent Zhang Zhou from taking the court into his own hands in the future, more people need to be on guard against Zhang Zhou.
Today, the work of Tai Hospital was taken over by Zhang Zhou's people. Will it be the same in other yamen later? There has been a case of Qin Tian Prison before... Are the yamen not afraid that in the end all their errands will be taken over by Zhang Bingkuan alone?
When Xie Qian thought of this, he exclaimed: "Binzhi, you have long-term concerns."
Li Dongyang raised his hand to stop Xie Qian's flattering compliments and said: "I have seen Zhang Bingkuan's ability to treat diseases long ago, and I also inherit his kindness."
Xie Qian looked embarrassed.
Thinking that Li Zhaoxian had saved his life because of Zhang Zhou, Xie Qian seemed to understand that if Li Dongyang insisted on attacking Zhang Zhou for his treatment, it would be a bit of "repaying kindness with hatred".
Li Dongyang said: "Actually, I feel that when it comes to treating diseases, the people at Tai Hospital are too pedantic and follow the rules."
"Haha." Xie Qian said with a smile, "You are really hard to figure out."
Meaning, we thought you were stepping on Zhang Bingkuan, but emotionally you were looking up to him?
Li Dongyang sighed: "This is what the rules are. In fact, I also want to remind Your Majesty that if Zhang Bingkuan gets too involved in things other than his responsibilities, I am afraid that it will attract criticism from others. I am doing this out of goodwill and don't think of it in other places. "
"Okay, I'm a villain." Xie Qian went to the inner room angrily, probably to draw up the votes.
The three cabinet members also have emotions, and Li Dongyang is not surprised.
…
…
Wait until Xie moves away.
Liu Jian called Li Dongyang into the west hall. After closing the door, Liu Jian asked: "I also think that your Majesty is a little paranoid about treatment."
Li Dongyang said: "As far as I know, His Majesty followed the Imperial Hospital's diagnostic prescriptions in the first few days, but with little effect. However, after using Ning's daughter's method yesterday, the condition of the prince of the day improved."
Liu Jian frowned and said, "Did you also listen to the people from Taiyuan Hospital?"
Li Dongyang nodded and said, "It came from Eunuch Li's mouth."
Liu Jiandao: "Aren't the people at Tai Hospital in trouble?"
Li Dongyang said: "The Taiyuan Hospital is a special yamen in the imperial court. It has a close relationship with the inner government and has little contact with us in what we do. I am afraid that your majesty will use Zhang Bingkuan's people in the imperial court." Every aspect.”
"Oh." Liu Jian nodded knowingly, "You are still on guard against Zhang Bingkuan."
Having said that, Liu Jian is also very "satisfied" with Li Dongyang.
You Li Binzhi are good at everything you do, just don't praise Zhang Bingkuan's bad feet. What you said to Xie Yuqiao earlier made me very sad.
But Li Dongyang has a bright mind, how could he not see Liu Jian's attitude?
Who knew that this was what he really meant? Or are you prevaricating and perfunctory Liu Jian?
Liu Jiandao: "When will Zhang Bingkuan return to Beijing? I asked you to ask before. Do you have any news?"
Li Dongyang shook his head and said: "The journey is too far to know, but since we are going north with the prince, I estimate that the journey will not be too public. Your Majesty has made it clear that after he returns to Beijing, he will be appointed Minister of the Ministry of War. We will only focus on military and political matters. Just be prepared. If you care too much, you will only be distracted."
"Yeah." Liu Jian nodded again.
This was equivalent to his "inspection" of Li Dongyang.
Obviously Li Dongyang's answer satisfied him.
Not only has he maintained his inner guard against Zhang Bingkuan, he also likes to "pretend" in front of others, and can even hide his "real thoughts" in front of Xie Qian, and he already has the potential to "do big things".
Liu Jian seemed to realize that no one could be his successor except Li Dongyang.
After all, even Xie Qian seemed "immature" when it came to dealing with Zhang Zhou.
Neither hostility nor harmony is a sign of maturity. Instead, it is the inconsistency of emotions that is the potential that a first assistant should have.
"Bin Zhi, I have been in the cabinet department for so many years, these two years have been the hardest, but I have survived, and I may have to rely on you more in the future." Liu Jian said with emotion.
Li Dongyang nodded helplessly.
Liu Jian succeeded Xu Pu as the first assistant in the eleventh year of Hongzhi. It was during these two years of his first assistant career, and also the two years of Zhang Zhou's rise, that Liu Jian truly saw the dilemma of "why should he be born if I am born?" .
If I don't become the chief assistant, you still don't stand out. When I become the chief assistant, you will show up everywhere?
"But it cannot be said that Zhang Bingkuan has no intention of doing anything for the imperial court."
Liu Jian said as if he was explaining his affairs, "In the past, I hoped that he would take the right path, but now it seems that even he has no choice. Since Your Majesty wants to use him, he must be in a line of his own. In order to balance the situation between the DPRK and the DPRK. I think that in the future, whether it is the cabinet or the people in the DPRK, they should be more willing to accept the consequences. Excessive paranoia will not have good results. If you understand the meaning, I can feel more at ease. Leave the cabinet to you!”
(End of chapter)
