Early July.
On this day, Mobei army reported that Wang Zhi and Wang Yue led their cavalry in a surprise attack, killing more than a thousand enemies, capturing more than 7,000 horses, more than 5,300 camels, cattle, sheep and other livestock, as well as bows, arrows, armor, etc. More than ten thousand...
Zhu Jianshen was overjoyed.
He doesn't value these rich results too much. What he values is how difficult life will be for the forces on the Mobei Grassland after they lose these supplies.
Without these things to survive, it will either rob other forces, or be further plundered by other forces. No matter what the situation is, it is something worth celebrating for Ming Dynasty.
"Okay, okay!" Zhu Jianshen felt happy, "Wang Zhi really did not disappoint me."
~
Early morning the next day.
Zhu Jianshen made Wang Zhi's achievements public, and all officials in the court were naturally happy.
However, while congratulating them, they gave all the credit to Wang Yue and did not mention Wang Zhi at all, which made Zhu Jianshen quite annoyed.
Of course Zhu Jianshen understood that this was civilian officials trying to build momentum for intervening in the army. He was not surprised by this. What annoyed him was that these people were so tasteless and not particular at all.
Eating alone, right? Okay, then I will make it impossible for you to eat even one bite... Zhu Jianshen didn't get angry directly, because he couldn't do it and there was no need.
He gets angry at every turn and becomes extremely angry.
Zhu Jianshen just said that the soldiers should be well rewarded for their great victory, and then changed the subject...
The imperial court won a great victory, which was a happy thing for the country and the people. Even the people who did not get any benefits would have a sense of superiority.
This is a strong proof of the strength of the country, so military achievements are never covered up.
Zhu Jianshen deliberately built momentum, and the civil service group also deliberately built momentum, so that everyone in the capital knew about it before the army returned.
However, the two sides have different focuses in building momentum. Zhu Jianshen is building momentum for Wang Zhi, while the civil service group is building momentum for Wang Yue.
Judging from the reaction of public opinion, it is obvious that the civil service group is better.
There is no way, eunuchs are a group that is inherently unpopular.
In this era where filial piety is the most important thing, it is difficult for people to look down on people who have cut off their descendants.
…
Yongning Palace.
Zhen'er served tea and said as if unintentionally: "Your Majesty, Wang Zhi has made great achievements this time, how do you want to reward him?"
"Of course it's a big reward!" Zhu Jianshen said with a smile: "I would also like to reward you. If it weren't for your recommendation, I would have missed such a talent. He can be where he is today because of your good teaching. Tell me, what do you want? Whatever, I won’t allow it.”
Zhen'er shook her head in amusement: "I don't need anything, what kind of reward do I need?"
"Huh? It's a must!" Zhu Jianshen was in a good mood and said with a smile: "You can't miss this opportunity. There won't be this store after passing this village. You have to make good use of it."
"Then since the emperor said this, I am bold." Zhen'er said tentatively, "I have an unkind request. I wonder if the emperor will allow it?"
"Tell me."
"Can your Majesty agree first?"
Zhu Jianshen frowned and said, "You say it first."
Zhen'er had no choice but to say: "I want to invite the emperor, so I don't want to reward Wang Zhi."
"How can this be done?" Zhu Jianshen refused decisively, "No matter who they are, they must be rewarded for their meritorious service. Otherwise, who would be willing to sacrifice their lives for the imperial court?"
"Then reward him with some money, okay?"
Zhu Jianshen still refused: "No, if I only reward you with some money for such a great contribution, wouldn't it look like I'm being mean and ungrateful?"
Zhen'er smiled bitterly and said: "He is now the eunuch in charge of the royal horse supervisor and the admiral eunuch of the West Factory. What else can you reward him for, Your Majesty? After all, he is... just a eunuch!"
Zhen'er is very smart. She has already noticed that something is wrong. Wang Zhi's power is already overwhelming. If he continues to reward him... I am afraid that disaster will be imminent.
When a person reaches the point where he has no reward, it is usually when he is in bad luck.
This is what Wang Zhi is doing now.
His starting point is too high!
Zhen'er had true feelings for this slave who was raised as her son, but she really didn't want him to go to that point.
Although the emperor's husband had repeatedly promised not to kill Wang Zhi, Zhen'er understood clearly that one should not really expect the emperor to keep his words and not to make jokes.
The emperor's words often do not count. For example, just now he said, "Nothing is allowed," but now he refuses unceremoniously.
The little ancestor doted on her and loved her, but he would not ignore the overall situation for her.
Wang Zhi is a knife from beginning to end. When the blade is sharp and hard to the extreme, it will break.
"Your Majesty, if an eunuch has too much power, it will also endanger the country and the country." Zhen'er advised, "His power now exceeds that of Huaien, the eunuch who holds the seal of the ceremonial officer. If he continues to reward him... the inner court will be out of balance!"
Zhu Jianshen said displeasedly: "I told you not to talk too much about court affairs."
"But……"
"You are not the queen yet!" Zhu Jianshen interrupted loudly, calmed down, and hummed: "Even the queen and the queen mother cannot participate in politics. Zhen'er, don't rely on favor and become arrogant."
Zhen'er was silent, pitying and hurting herself.
Seeing this, Zhu Jianshen felt a little regretful, but did not coax him. He stood up and said:
"If you have merit, you will be rewarded, and if you make mistakes, you will be punished. This is only fair. I...I will go out to relax."
"Your Majesty, walk slowly." Zhen'er lowered her head and lowered her eyelids.
She seemed to be crying... Zhu Jianshen felt distressed.
However, he still didn't say anything soft and turned around and left Yongning Palace. His originally good mood was now gone.
As soon as she left the palace, she met Concubine Ji Shu.
It can be seen that Concubine Ji Shu is very comfortable these days, her whole body is very relaxed, and there is a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, giving people a sense of leisure and lightness.
Zhu Jianshen stopped and asked curiously: "Are you in a good mood recently?"
"Uh...yes." Concubine Ji Shu bowed and said, "I have met the emperor."
"No need." Zhu Jianshen waved his hand and said, "Come for a walk with me."
"Yes." Concubine Ji Shu had no choice but to cancel the entertainment of playing chess with Zhen'er and go for a walk with the emperor's husband.
The two of them didn't get along much. Zhu Jianshen didn't have deep feelings for this unintentional concubine, but he didn't dislike her at all. It was only because of Ji Shufei's dull temperament.
Not to mention Zhen'er, if she had half the ability to please people as Concubine Chen, she wouldn't be in the same position as she is now.
Even though her son was the prince, she had always been a marginalized figure, but Concubine Ji Shu was enjoying it.
"Tell me, what happy events have you encountered recently?"
"It's nothing." Ji Shufei said sarcastically, "I just feel happy watching Youtang grow up day by day."
Zhu Jianshen was stunned for a moment, then he realized it and chuckled: "Is it because I said I would not change the prince that you are so happy?"
Concubine Ji Shu was stunned and said hurriedly: "Whether or not we change the prince, everything is decided by the emperor. How can I dare to feel happy, angry and sad about this?"
Zhu Jianshen smiled deeply and did not continue the topic. He said softly: "Youtang's temperament is more like yours, and he is a bit dull and weak. You will become the Queen Mother of the Holy Mother one day. This temperament needs to be changed. You also have a queen, and then There is a Queen Mother above, even if it’s for You Tang, we can’t let them act like monsters, do you understand?”
"Long live the Emperor." Concubine Ji Shu said.
Zhu Jianshen smiled bitterly and was a little angry: "I am sincerely honest with you, and I am not just listening to your superficial remarks."
"I was wrong," Concubine Ji Shu said, hurriedly apologizing, "I will remember it."
"Well..." Zhu Jianshen nodded and suddenly asked: "Did you and Wang Zhi know each other before entering the palace?"
"I don't know him." Concubine Ji Shu shook her head, "I heard Sister Wan talk about it, and then I found out that he also...entered the palace with me."
"That's it..." Zhu Jianshen seemed a little disappointed, but also seemed to feel relieved. He sighed and turned to chatting about trivial matters in life.
Walking and chatting all the way, we finally entered Concubine Shu’s bedroom...
~
Royal Garden.
Zhu Qizhen leaned down, wiped the stone steps of the retaining wall in front of the garden with his sleeves, and helped Qian sit down, "Are you tired? Let's rest for a while."
It was no longer so hot these two days, so he took his beloved wife out for a walk.
Li Qing once said that walking more would be good for Xiao Qian's health, and he always kept it in mind.
Qian smiled, his smile showing a little tiredness, but he was very interested, as if he had returned to that time decades ago.
"Husband, I have an unkind request."
"Why are you so polite to your husband?" Zhu Qizhen pretended to be displeased, "Just say it bluntly, and I won't deny anything."
Mrs. Qian nodded slowly: "After I leave, my husband may take another concubine."
"How many times have I told you not to say anything unlucky." Zhu Qizhen frowned, "Take good care of your body. It's nothing serious."
Qian smiled bitterly, she knew best what her own body looked like.
Not to mention that the oil has run out and the lamp has dried up, but the end is not far away.
"I'm saying that just in case, husband, can you agree?" Qian looked at him hopefully.
Zhu Qizhen was silent for a moment and said with a wry smile: "I am already looking for a husband in my sixties, and I have long lost interest in women."
"It's always good to have someone to accompany you." Qian said softly, "It's too lonely to be alone. Husband, you are not like Mr. Li... you still need a companion."
Zhu Qizhen pointed to the slaves in the distance and said with a smile: "With so many people in the palace, do you think my husband will be bored and lonely?"
"It's different, it's better to have someone to sleep with." Qian said.
After decades of departure, Zhu Qizhen's other two concubines were no longer there, and now only the Qian family and the Zhou family were left.
Mrs. Qian knew that her husband hated Mrs. Zhou, so she proposed to let him have a concubine.
It doesn't matter if the emperor takes a concubine or gives birth to a child, and it won't affect the affairs of the court.
For example, Emperor Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty had long been restructured, and the supplies of the vassal and royal families were cut in half, and except for the legitimate sons and princes, the rest were all reduced in sequence. Zhu Qizhen's birth of a few more sons was of no consequence, and they would not be able to bring down the Ming Dynasty's finances.
However, Zhu Qizhen no longer had such thoughts. It was not that his body did not allow it, but that he was not interested anymore.
He had been an emperor, a prisoner, a rich man, and now he was the Supreme Emperor again... His life could not be called exciting, but it was full of ups and downs.
Nowadays, his mentality is Buddhist, and he has broken away from vulgar taste.
"This... okay, I promise you." Zhu Qizhen didn't want her to be upset.
"Yes." Qian relaxed and chuckled: "Husband, let's walk for a while."
"Well, okay." Zhu Qizhen helped her up and continued walking...
~
In early August, Wang Zhi and Wang Yue returned victorious.
Zhu Jianshen, who has always been very thoughtful, started his plan again...
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