The emperor gave banquets, which were divided into big banquets, medium banquets, regular banquets and small banquets.
The big banquet is one of the best gifts. Generally, it will only be held during major court celebrations, the Winter Solstice, Zhengdan, and the general's triumphal return. It is hosted by the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple is responsible for the specific matters.
Tonight, Emperor Hongzhi held a big banquet in Qianqing Palace to welcome Huaien.
Using such a high standard of etiquette to greet a eunuch, if the great ancestor knew about it, I am afraid that the coffin boards would not be able to hold it down.
However, Wynn deserves a big banquet!
Chang Feng attended a big banquet for the first time in his life. Tangtang is a female dependent and cannot participate.
Queen Zhang learned that her benefactor's sister had entered the palace. I simply held a banquet for the Queen at Kunning Palace. A banquet was held for Liu Xiaoyan and Tangtang.
Although Chang Feng was sitting at the end of the banquet because his rank was too low, he was very proud of himself and full of ambition.
Many high-ranking officials nodded to him from time to time.
The big banquet was just halfway through. However, the two protagonists of the banquet, Emperor Hongzhi and Wynn, left.
The two couldn't wait to go to the East Pavilion to talk.
Emperor Hongzhi gave Huaien a seat. The master and servant sat down.
Wynn said: "Now the situation has become stable. How does the emperor plan to govern the country?"
The eighteen-year-old Emperor Hongzhi had a strategy far beyond that of his peers.
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Governing a country is actually governing people."
After saying that, Emperor Hongzhi picked up the imperial pen and wrote six big characters "swish, swish, swish".
"Kill, demote, forgive, abandon, retain, enlighten".
Wynn said: "May I ask your Majesty, what are these six words?"
Emperor Hongzhi said: "The first word is kill. Such as Li Zisheng, Ji Xiao and others. They gained the favor of the late emperor by offering aphrodisiacs and elixirs."
"Not only have they brought trouble to the palace in recent years, but they have also oppressed the people. In order to build the Yongchang Temple, Jixiao forcibly demolished hundreds of people's homes."
"Province Li Zi regards the internal transportation warehouse as his own private warehouse. The cost of one elixir is only five taels of silver. He dares to ask the late emperor for five thousand taels!"
"There are countless other crimes of raping women and occupying people's fields!"
"Before my wedding, Li Zisheng and Ji Xiao actually conspired with Wanxi to kidnap my concubines and wanted to use their blood to make some longevity elixir for Concubine Wan Gui."
"If Chang Feng hadn't been so capable and found them in time, I'm afraid my current concubines would have died long ago!"
"If you don't kill this kind of person, it won't satisfy the anger of the officials, the people, and me!"
Huaien reminded Emperor Hongzhi: "It's not just about killing! Now the money is empty. They have accumulated so much wealth. It's time to return it to the official family."
"That little monkey Chang Feng is good at ransacking homes. He can be of great use."
Emperor Hongzhi nodded: "Yes. We must use thunderous means to deal with these people."
Wynn asked: "Then to whom does the emperor intend to use the word 'derogatory'?"
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Shang Ming and Liang Fang are the Supervisors of Ceremonies. These two are the favored ministers of the late emperor. Although they have serious mistakes, serving the late emperor is always hard work."
"Although that man Shang Ming is greedy and has done ridiculous things such as kidnapping rich people, more than half of the dirty money he earned was used to help the elderly, help the poor and build free schools."
"Based on his kind thoughts. I won't kill him."
"I plan to demote both Shang Ming and Liang Fang to Xiaoling."
Huaien nodded: "If Shang Ming and Liang Fangyu have conscience, they should serve the great ancestor in Xiaoling and eliminate their sins."
Emperor Hongzhi mentioned the third word "forgiveness". What he said next shocked Wynn.
Emperor Hongzhi said: "I intend to forgive the three brothers of the Wan family."
Wynn was stunned.
The three brothers of the Wan family...are the masterminds behind the murder of Emperor Hongzhi's biological mother, the Queen Mother Ji!
Many maids and eunuchs in the palace who had protected Emperor Hongzhi all died at the hands of these three brothers.
Emperor Hongzhi saw through Hua En's thoughts and explained: "I wish I could cut them into pieces!"
"It's a pity that I am now the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. I can't do anything with only selfish hatred and no public intention!"
"The three brothers of the Wan family have established deep roots in the court over the past few years, and they have gained power in both the government and the public. Their gang members are spread all over the world."
"Among their party members, there are both mediocre and corrupt officials, as well as virtuous officials. There are a large number of virtuous officials who have to bow to them in order to keep their official titles and work for the people."
"This principle is just like Wang Yue's attachment to Wang Zhi back then."
"If the three brothers of the Wan family are investigated, there will be a big prison in the court. By then, one case will implicate hundreds of cases, and one case will fly ten miles away. Too many officials will be implicated."
"You need to know that a little ink on the case is worth a thousand drops of blood in the prison! Those wise officials who once relied on them have eaten their melons, and I can't use them anymore."
"For the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty, I must put aside my personal hatred."
Wynn lamented: "Forgiveness requires more courage than revenge. The emperor can do this...it is really a wise king!"
Emperor Hongzhi said: "I intend to remove all their official positions and send them back to their places of origin. However, the money they have accumulated over the years must be handed over."
Wynn said: "This is natural. The emperor spared their lives as a mercy. They should be wiser and spit out their money."
Emperor Hongzhi also mentioned the fourth word "abandon": "Mediocre officials like Wan An, the chief minister of the cabinet, and Liu Jue, the cabinet member, who sit on their backs and eat nothing. I must abandon them."
"What other clay sculpture ministers and censors are there?"
"How can we govern the Ming Dynasty with these insects?"
"I will give them a golden step to walk on. Old Prime Minister, you need to lay this golden step."
"You have just returned to Beijing. Naturally, you should have a party and a banquet with the officials. You have to give them a hint for me and send a message to the veteran quickly."
Wynn was a little surprised: "Your Majesty, you just said that you would abandon Wan An and Liu Jue. But you didn't mention Liu Ji. Could it be that you..."
Emperor Hongzhi nodded: "Yes, this is my fifth word. Stay."
"Not only do I want to keep Liu Ji for two or three years, but I also want to promote him to the position of chief minister of the cabinet!"
Wynn was a little confused: "Dare you ask your Majesty, why?"
Emperor Hongzhi said: "There are two reasons. First, for those who have achieved great things in ancient and modern times, finding a substitute is the first priority."
"I want to carry out drastic reforms in the court, which will inevitably hurt the interests of some people."
"At that time, Liu Ji will be pushed out and scolded for me!"
"Liu Ji's nickname is Liu Mianmian. The biggest characteristic of this person is that he is not afraid of being scolded."
"He is my substitute who stays in the court and takes the blame for me!"
Wynn asked: "What about the second reason?"
Emperor Hongzhi said: "From the time Emperor Taizong established the cabinet to the end of Xuande, the power of the cabinet has become overwhelming. It has restrained the emperor."
"I have just ascended the throne. To clean up the decadence of the late Chenghua Dynasty, I must change many national policies. This requires getting rid of the shackles of the cabinet."
"Liu Ji has no ability. Let him be the chief assistant so that he will not constrain me."
Wynn looked at Emperor Hongzhi with admiration: "Your Majesty... you will definitely become a wise king."
Emperor Hongzhi said: "The most important thing is the sixth word, Qi."
"Wang Shu once told me that the foundation of a strong country lies in being close to virtuous ministers and staying away from villains."
"If I want to do great things, I must use wise ministers. I have a few candidates for the time being."
Wynn asked: "Which ones?"
Emperor Hongzhi named three people: "Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng, and Liu Daxia."
To put it bluntly, these three names will be respected by the world as the "Three Gentlemen of Hongzhi" in the future, and they will assist Emperor Hongzhi in creating the "Hongzhi Zhongxing".
Wynn said: "The old slave also recommends someone."
Emperor Hongzhi asked: "Who?"
Huaien replied: "Wang Yue. Although Wang Yue was once attached to Wang Zhi, he was the most capable minister in the Ming Dynasty. It is not an exaggeration to say that he was the first general in the Chenghua Dynasty."
"He went out of the fortress three times to collect rivers. Twice he went deep into the hinterland of the grassland and made surprise attacks on the Tatars..."
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Well, I know this person. He is a good material for a border minister. I think, let him be the governor of Ganliang and take charge of the military affairs of Gan, Liang, Yan and Ning."
