When they entered Chengguo's residence, a full set of greeting etiquette had been set up inside the door, and they wanted to kowtow to express their gratitude.
Zhu Yijun had ulterior motives and said in front of a bunch of ministers as soon as he entered the door: "Is this a medical treatment or a torment? I don't even need to pass the order!".
Zhu Shitai, the eldest son of Duke Cheng Guo, was in trouble and looked at Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng's face remained calm and there was no reaction at all. Wang Xilie, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is sympathetic to the Duke. You and Zhu Du can just bow five times and kowtow three times to express gratitude on behalf of Duke Cheng."
Zhu Xixiao gave Zhu Shitai a hand, and the uncle and nephew kowtowed in thanks. Zhu Yijun said: "Everyone should do what they should do. The patient is heavy and can't bear to see people. The accompanying person is waiting here. Mr. Zhang will go in with me."
All the ministers who accompanied Chengguo to visit him had status, either as marquis or uncle. Seeing the emperor acting like this, they felt that they were right and they all nodded secretly. All the civil servants looked at each other in confusion. Although they felt that the etiquette was inconsistent, the emperor's visual illness was unusual, so they all remained silent.
Zhang Juzheng remained silent and just bowed to receive orders. The two of them walked in tandem, led by Zhu Shitai and Zhu Xixiao, into the inner room.
At this time, Cheng Guogong was already kneeling on the bed in his python robe, with two old servants on one side and one on the right. When Zhu Yijun saw it, his eyes were red and he said, "What are you doing? Aren't you exempted from delivering orders?"
Chengguo Gong Zhu Xizhong was half awake and half dazed, his body was trembling, and his words were difficult to speak. Zhu Shitai knelt down and replied: "Your Majesty, who has a body of thousands of gold, came to my house to treat his illness. I, Zhu Xizhong, cannot do all the courtesy. I can only kowtow and thank God for his kindness. I am so ashamed and horrified."
Zhu Yijun's eyes were red and he said: "If you are a filial son, quickly listen to me and let the Duke lie down."
Zhu Xizhong's lips trembled, and two tears fell down his face. Zhu Shitai kowtowed and replied: "How dare the emperor call me such a humble person like me? I beg the emperor to take back this statement." After saying this, he burst into tears.
Zhu Yijun heard in the palace that Zhu Shitai was a playboy with no talent. At this time, I heard him answer fluently. When I looked carefully, I saw that he was nearly forty years old, with a look of loyalty and sincerity on his fat face, and I murmured to myself.
Nai Wenyan said: "I made a mistake, please ask Duke Cheng to lie down." Zhu Xixiao, who was accompanying him, said: "The emperor cares so much, please ask Duke Cheng to lie down." The two old servants did as they said. After serving Duke Cheng, he lay down and covered himself with a quilt.
Zhang Juzheng said nothing and only watched Zhu Yijun interact with the Zhu family. When Zhu Yijun saw that Duke Cheng was settled, he sat beside the bed, held Duke Cheng's hand and said, "Master Cheng, take good care of yourself. When you are well, I will still need you to help protect you." Zhu Xixiao looked at him, The eye circles are red again.
Duke Cheng Guo was fifty-eight years old. He turned out to be a fat man. He had been in bed for more than twenty days and his body became thin. At this time, her lips were trembling, but she could only shed tears. Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhu Yijun stood up and said, "I know your family is not lacking anything, but I have ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare some good medicine and send it over soon. Your Majesty can rest in peace and recover."
Zhu Shitai kowtowed and replied: "The emperor has sent medicines and imperial doctors many times before. I am so grateful that I can't express my gratitude."
Duke Cheng Guo looked at Zhu Yijun with wide eyes, his lips were trembling, his cheeks were flushed, and his breathing was rapid. Zhu Yijun quickly comforted him and came out with Zhang Juzheng.
Zhang Juzheng accompanied him throughout the whole process and did not say a single word. He only said one sentence at the end: "The old man can rest in peace and recover from his illness. He will definitely be cured without medicine."
After leaving the inner room and re-entering the outer hall of the Duke's Mansion, Zhang Juzheng glanced at the accompanying officials who were still waiting, and said in a deep voice to Zhu Xixiao and Zhu Shitai: "I think the Duke is not good." They said. Nodding in agreement, all the dignitaries and civil servants, whether sincerely or not, were all sighing.
Zhang Juzheng suddenly said: "Your Majesty, Duke Cheng has served in three dynasties and offered sacrifices to heaven and earth on behalf of the royal family sixty-six times. Shizong sometimes rescued people, and he was no less effective than bringing captives and killing enemies. I think that if there is anything wrong with the Duke, he can be granted a posthumous title. Lord Wang!"
This shocking sentence made Zhu Yijun's head buzz, and his heart was in turmoil. Zhu Xixiao was stunned when he heard this and forgot to react. The whole courtyard was filled with nobles, nobles and civil servants, all silent.
Zhu Yijun showed the fastest reaction speed since time travel, immediately clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Okay! This old gentleman's proposal won my heart! Okay! Oh~~~ God has the virtue of good life, Duke Cheng Guo has decided to take advantage of it early." After talking about it, there was still something strange in his voice.
Wang Xilie ignored him and remonstrated sternly: "Your Majesty, this is not allowed by the ancestral system! I..." Chen Ju stopped him and said: "Young uncle! There is no need to say anything here!"
Only then did Wang Xilie realize that by opposing the title of king in Duke Cheng's house, he had offended others and was suspected of being a slap in the face. With a livid face, he snorted and said no more words.
Zhu Yijun still had a smile on his face and comforted Zhu Xixiao and Zhu Shitai a few more words. At this time, Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Chen Guogong, put on the makeup, came out from the inner door, kowtowed and started to play: "The emperor's kindness is so great, I am extremely grateful. However, the merits of the Duke are not worthy of being crowned king. I invite the emperor to invite you." I must take my life back!" After saying that, he burst into tears.
Zhu Yijun, still smiling, lowered his head and said: "The Duke's wife stood up and answered. The Duke is ill, and the two palaces are extremely worried, so they can only come to visit in person. Please ask me to come, and hope that the Lady will not be anxious or even hurt her body."
Mrs. Chen did not get up. After thanking the two palaces for their kindness, she knelt down and remained silent. At this time, Zhu Yijun was brought to a dilemma by Zhang Juzheng's words, but he could not express his position. He could only sigh and said to Zhu Shitai: "Please help the Duke and Madam get up. I'm going back." He turned and walked out, and everyone hurriedly followed him. .
.......
When he returned to the palace, Zhang Juzheng was still riding. Although Zhu Yijun was not as bright as Han Xuan, he felt a lot more uncomfortable and his throat was always itchy. The body felt more like a small stove, and I didn't feel cold at all.
After returning to the inner palace, Zhu Yijun reported back to Queen Mother Li and told him that Zhang Juzheng was going to pursue a title for Duke Cheng Guo. Empress Dowager Li didn't understand, so she asked: "According to the ancestral family law, can this duke be granted the title of prince?"
Zhang Hong was at the Empress Dowager Li's office at this time, and he replied to the Empress Dowager: "Except for Cheng Zu who granted a king with a different surname, no one with a different surname has been granted the title of king alive so far. Those who have been granted the title after death..."
He counted the numbers on his fingers and said: "I remember it is not true. It should not exceed two palms. They are all heroes who founded the country or conquered the captives. Jin Zhong, who was granted the title of Emperor Chengzu, was a Mongolian. His original name was Ye Xiantu Gan. He was granted the title at that time. It’s because he was naturalized in China.”
Queen Mother Li's face changed slightly after hearing this. Asked Zhu Yijun: "What does the emperor think?"
Zhu Yijun thought about it and still felt that he needed to talk to Zhang Juzheng. Therefore, she said, "My son thought that I should ask Mr. Zhang to see what he thinks." Empress Dowager Li nodded and said, "That's what the emperor said."
If Zhu Yijun didn't ask Zhang Juzheng today, he might not be able to sleep at all. After lunch, he sent an order to the cabinet and asked Zhang Juzheng to pay an audience at Wuying Palace.
