The summer of the second year of Zhengde seemed to be hotter than previous years, or maybe people just felt more noisy psychologically, because something happened every three days.
Fortunately, many people got the land, and when they drank this mouthful of cool water, even the fire under the Ming Dynasty's buttocks was mostly weakened.
Of course, this does not include Weining Bo Wang Xuan.
He was so good at this job that he was called a loser. The squires and subordinates in the county joined forces to deceive him. As a result, the matter of withdrawing from the people and herding was turned into a military activity with the theme of counterinsurgency.
Even though the civil unrest has become rootless under the increasingly real 'rumors' of dividing the land, Wei Ningbo's shockingly weak ability to do things is still highlighted.
At the critical moment when he could save his head, he put the man's dignity to the back of his mind. Although the emperor had said not to rely on others, no matter how stupid he was, he knew that what the emperor cared about most was getting things done.
Therefore, he still accepted the 'assistance' from his sister Wang Zhi. It can be said that he was only the 'actor' in the subsequent five counties' withdrawal from the people and animal husbandry.
And after he became normal, Prince Taipusi, Wang Zhen, no longer felt uncomfortable, and things became much smoother all of a sudden. It was Wang Xuan who spoke in front but would change it later. He had an idea one day and changed it the next day. Repeatedly, Wang Xuan was naturally convinced that there was someone behind the scenes.
He also said this in his memorial to the emperor.
In May of the second year of Zhengde, Wang Xuan, the uncle of Weining, returned to the palace to pay for business, and he also handed over 3,500 acres of his family's land. He did not even go to the Ming Nanyang Company to exchange shares.
This made Zhu Houzhao a little worried for him: he had obviously worked hard, but in the end he had to put himself on the line to save his life.
But then I thought about it, this Wei Ning Bo is not very good at his job, but he will always come up with strange tricks when he needs to save his life. This shows that the so-called people behind the scenes are very clever, and this kind of behavior is basically " I don't know anything, but I am extremely loyal.' These words were plastered on his face.
Taking into account Wang Yue, we really used the civil unrest to deal with him... Even Zhu Houzhao couldn't make this determination.
In the end, he had no choice but to admit that he had to get through the trap that was arranged for him.
So he suddenly became interested in Wang Yue's smart granddaughter.
"Pa, pa, pa", he held the memorial in his hand and tapped the other palm rhythmically. After pacing a few times, he said: "Uncle Weining,"
"I'm here." Wang Xuan's body trembled.
The emperor couldn't laugh or cry, "You get up first. Don't be so afraid. Although you... are a little less capable, you are loyal after all. I will still give you preferential treatment if I can use the word "loyalty".
Wang Xuan had to be comforted in this way to feel at ease. He kowtowed and said, "I thank your Majesty for your forgiveness."
"Well, get up." Zhu Houzhao waved, and then said: "There are many people in the world, some can do it, some can say it, and some people, just like you, although they can't do it or say it, but they have the ability to do it. Eyes? As long as you are loyal, your eyes will look out for me. If you think about it this way, you will be of great use."
Wei Ningbo was even more happy when he heard this and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Wei Chen is loyal to His Majesty. No matter what he sees, he will just tell His Majesty. On the other hand... Wei Chen is stupid and can't make it up, hehe."
The emperor looked at Liu Jin with a smile who was also smiling next to him.
Liu Jin smiled and said, "Uncle Weining is a considerate person."
"I am in need of such caring people. You, please don't hold any position in the court or the military. I can see that this is embarrassing you and myself. It just so happens that at the moment, Shuntian Prefecture, Beizhili, Baoding Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture and other prefectures, prefectures and counties are allocating fields, but the long-term illness is difficult to treat. Whether the fields are really divided and whether the people's livelihood difficulties are really alleviated are two things.
Just like what you said yourself about the troublesome things that happened in Gu'an County, the squires, county magistrates, and subordinate officials united to bully the officials at the top and abuse the people at the bottom. Even I, the emperor, was sometimes kept in the dark. I don't know everything about the world, and I don't dare to be ignorant of the world. Uncle Weining, in this sense, I have to rely on your eyes.
In the beginning, your grandfather Wang Yue was a general who could lead armies across thousands of miles. You cannot compare with your ancestor, but he is indeed a loyal and good man. As long as you don't forget these four words, Weiningbo's mansion will never decline. This is what I said, Keep it in mind. "
Wei Ningbo's worries about causing civil unrest in the past few days finally dissipated at this moment. Not only that, the emperor's words even meant to attract his confidant, so he couldn't hide his excitement in his heart, and he kowtowed loudly: "Your Majesty's teachings. I must remember it in my heart! I will not forget it for a moment!"
"Okay, don't kneel down all the time." The emperor sighed slightly, "If Duke Baoguo can have such thoughts as you, why should I bother him? Uncle Weining, you are also a distinguished minister, what do you think of Baoguo?" Duke?"
Zhu Hui, the Duke of Bao Guo, insisted on repaying his "unknown origins" during this turbulent land division. Even when the people who went out to investigate came to participate, he still refused to change his mind.
Just like the founding heroes who were treated harshly by Zhu Yuanzhang, they believed that they had meritorious service and deserved to enjoy the country. When the emperor was harsh on them, they not only did not think about their own faults, but also felt that the emperor was trying to kill the donkey.
Duke Baoguo really came to Qianqing Palace and cried.
Wei Ningbo also knew about this matter.
"Wei Chen believes that Duke Baoguo cannot understand the holy will and is a hopeless person."
"His father Zhu Yong was so brave in those days. He defended the Mongols in the north and the Jurchens in the east. Everyone in the world knew that he was serious in running the army and made many achievements wherever he conquered. The three emperors Yingzong, Xianzong and Xiaozong all respected him. . In the ninth year of Hongzhi's reign, he died of illness in Beijing, and the late emperor even stayed away from court for a day. He didn't expect that it would only take more than ten years for him to end up like this..."
"Your Majesty, although the humble minister is dull, he has been taught since he was a child that merit will be rewarded and misdeeds will be punished. Naturally, he was the Duke Baoguo who had great military exploits, but Emperor Xianzong promoted his title of Duke of Funing to Funing. In the 15th year of Chenghua, he became the duke of Baoguo. In the 17th year of Chenghua, he became a quasi-hereditary duke. In the fourth year of Hongzhi, Emperor Xiaozong named him Taishi. His position was highly respected and unparalleled. These rewards were enough to comfort him. It’s a great achievement. Looking back at today, Duke Bao Guo cannot feel your Majesty’s worries and wants to put his selfishness ahead of his public conscience. Your Majesty should punish him for his mistakes.”
Zhu Houzhao nodded, "There is some truth to what you said. Let's do this. After you go down, write a signed article and put it in Ming Pao. The article should be beautiful and make these truths clear. Take up the post of Baoguo Gong Hongzhi He just passed away in the ninth year, and the court wants to pursue his merits and give him a good reputation after his death. The famous generals of the Ming Dynasty must have such a number one figure, but it is also common for the father to be a hero and the son to be a bear."
The emperor's use of the word "bear" also shows his dislike for Baoguo Gong.
In fact, during the Hongzhi period, Zhu Houzhao didn't like him.
In the fourteenth year of Hongzhi's reign, Duke Baoguo was too timid to move forward when resisting the fire. Instead, he returned to the army and did not manage the army strictly, which caused excessive disturbance to the people. Isn't this a treasonous situation?
Therefore, the courtiers and censors impeached each other, but Emperor Xiaozong refused to pursue the matter. Mongolia later withdrew its troops anyway, and the matter passed. That was because he was lucky. If something serious happened, Zhu Houzhao, who was still the prince at the time, would punish him even if he tried his best to disobey Emperor Xiaozong.
Now in the second year of Zhengde, if he had stayed honest, Zhu Houzhao would not have bothered with him. After all, he was an honorable minister and a duke. If he only wanted to be a rich man, the emperor would not be able to punish him easily. , otherwise he would appear too mean and ungrateful, but in the midst of the general situation, he obviously boasted of his status and merit, and had to have a fight with the emperor.
It is equivalent to a kind of indulgence that you, the emperor, must also take into account the impact and cannot just deal with my indulgent attitude as a duke hastily. Zhu Houzhao would certainly not be able to spare him.
Wei Ningbo had no extra thoughts. He now understood what the emperor said and what he said. It was not easy to build the emotions and trust between the two parties to this level, so he would not destroy it easily.
"Yes, I obey the order."
"By the way, don't forget to check the distribution of fields in various places."
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I know this."
"Okay." Zhu Houzhao touched his chin. He was thinking about another thing, "Next time you enter the palace, remember to bring your sister with you."
Wang Xuan was stunned, and when he was about to say something, he saw that the emperor had already turned around and gone to the side hall, and the voice was coming from far and near,
"Don't worry, I'm just curious."
"Your Majesty, take the order."
Wang Xuan just exited.
As for the 3,500 acres of land, the emperor said nothing.
Zhu Houzhao would not accept it. Naturally, Wei Ningbo had his own considerations and wanted to show his loyalty. But accepting it in vain would make it appear that the emperor was using his power to force others to hand over his family property.
This is really unnecessary.
In Weiningbo Mansion, Wang Xuan told his sister Wang Zhi the details of entering the palace.
What concerned Wang Zhi the most was not the property, but the fact that the emperor wanted her to enter the palace. When she suddenly heard about this, her heart became confused.
"...There will come a time when Jinshang is so smart that my second brother can't hide it even if he wants to."
"Then this field..."
Wang Zhi made the decision, "There is no reason to take back the things you gave away, otherwise it would look fake? But the Lord obviously doesn't want to lose his reputation because of this. In this case, the house is still rented to tenants for farming as usual. However, the food that originally belonged to us will not go into the treasury. It should be brought to the capital and sent to private schools in Nancheng, where there are many poor children."
Wang Xuan did not expect that there was such a way, "Your Majesty will definitely like this. But the expenses in our mansion will have to be reduced."
Wang Zhi was not worried at all, "Second brother should also get to know Your Majesty better. If one day Uncle Wei Ning of the Ming Dynasty is in dire straits, Your Majesty will be the first to come to help."
"Will this happen again?"
"Yes. Look at those ministers in the court who don't strive for wealth. Instead, His Majesty found ways to give them money in the name of a special salary."
"Sister is really smarter than me, the second brother. No wonder His Majesty wants to see you."
Wang Zhi squeezed her hands. No matter how calm she was, she was the emperor after all, so she was still a little nervous. In fact, she has also imagined what Tianzi looks like today, and she has been watching him do these things over the years...
In her heart, even if this person is not as good as Emperor Wu and Tang Zong of the Han Dynasty, he is still a monarch like Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty. She has been reading history books since she was a child, and she has longed for such a wise emperor. If she were not a daughter, she would definitely fight for the title of Lord Weining. When the time comes to assist such an emperor, she will really leave her name in history.
pity.
"Second brother..."
On the attic, the beautiful figure looking into the distance turned her back to the people inside and spoke.
"ah?"
"Since we have the Holy Will, we cannot delay the matter of entering the palace. Otherwise, His Majesty will think that I don't want to see him."
Wang Xuan shook his head, the Forbidden City was really a finicky place, with too many twists and turns.
(End of chapter)
