Zhu Houcong only farmed for more than four months, but unexpectedly he fell behind his father-in-law.
Sun Jiao only went south after his wedding, and it would take several months to reach Guangdong.
Cabinet ministers, abbots, marquises... seventy-year-old people, is this how they are activated?
There is no need to hide this kind of thing from people in high positions - who wouldn't praise someone for being strong and feel envious?
It was Sun Ming who was panicking and her eyes were red. Her mother came into the palace and cried with her. How she scolded her husband is unknown.
"Sowing in spring and harvesting in autumn, we can't fall behind. Let's wash the fragrance tonight."
Zhu Houcong felt that Sun Jiao was using a strange trick to urge Sun: Can it work? It’s been several months! I have prepared a brother-in-law or aunt for the emperor's grandson.
So after the young queen experienced several months of development and was able to relax a little after receiving some "punishment" exercises, she also began to experience more selfless happiness in the already higher sexual level during the "ovulation period" .
In the Forbidden Palace, major national events are gradually reaching a climax - if not unexpectedly, perhaps in April or May, the news that the Concubine Xian will give birth and the Queen is pregnant will be confirmed.
The former emperor already had his own son.
In March of Yangchun, the ceremonial procedures for Zhu Houzhao's heir were completed. Queen Xia recovered again after another illness. Zhu Houzhao sent her and the heir to Hengzhou to join the vassal state.
Queen Xia's eyes were evasive and her posture was frightened.
Since the founding of the country, there has never been a queen with such a status who would become the mother of a certain vassal king many years later.
After all, after being in the palace for so many years, she knew what kind of dangers she might face if she left the palace now - were she and Prince Rui just bait?
But the emperor only nodded to the three-year-old child kneeling in front of him, and then said to Mrs. Xia: "The emperor's sister-in-law must not worry too much. I know that this has not happened since the founding of the country, but as long as the emperor's sister-in-law lives in the palace and teaches with heart My child, be kind and loving to the people, and you will never cause any other troubles. The emperor's wife is still young, so it is important to take care of yourself."
"...Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, I will definitely keep it in my heart."
"I always do things clearly. I know what the emperor's sister-in-law is afraid of." Zhu Houcong sighed, "The emperor's sister-in-law, please remember that I will never think of betraying the emperor's brother. When I succeed to the throne, I hope The whole family lives in harmony. After Empress Dowager Cishou went to recuperate, the queen often visited the emperor's sister-in-law, and she must have said a lot of things. If anyone wants to cause trouble with Prince Rui, the emperor's sister-in-law should trust me."
After hearing what he said clearly, Xia immediately replied: "I will guard the palace carefully. If there is any abnormality, I will report it to Your Majesty immediately."
Zhu Houcong smiled and nodded: "I haven't been able to make the decision properly for half my life. When I go to the palace, it is the emperor's sister-in-law who makes the decision. Raise your children well and enjoy the happiness of family."
Empress Xia left Beijing with her son in a complicated mood. After Zhu Houcong pointed out the key to her, she no longer felt burdened.
He only did what he thought he should do, and now he is worthy of Zhu Houzhao.
As for what will happen in the future, that is everyone's choice.
Zhu Houcong continued to think about the questions for the palace examination in the second year of Jiajing.
In March of Yangchun, several of the king's fathers were in Guangdong. After two years of massacres, the gentry became increasingly timid. This year, corvee work has been greatly reduced. Even if there is any, it will be done by the merchants.
In order for the new law to go smoothly, the "New Party" does not allow apportionment to the people. Anyway, Guangdong gained from "property raids" last year, and the finances can temporarily afford it.
The people of Guangdong can have a spring full of expectations.
In Nanjing, after Jiang Mian returned to Beijing, the officials in Jiangnan felt a lot more relaxed.
Regarding Guangdong's new law, most of them dare not discuss it much first - how it develops in the future will always depend on the decision of the Jiajing Five Years.
What's more, in today's southeast, who knows how many people Jinyiwei and Neichang have spread here?
The imperial examination questions reached Jiangnan in early April: the previous year they asked how to make a country rich, this year they asked about official governance and education.
The reason why the new party has set off the trend of new laws is that the officials and gentry in the world are corrupt and are harming the country more and more.
The emperor wanted to enrich the country, but also seemed to be asking for other solutions to these problems. After all, government administration and education are inseparable from scholars. If both officials and gentry could be considerate of the difficult national affairs, wouldn't there be no need for such drastic new laws?
The center is a mystery, and the world is adjusting to prepare for the huge changes in the future, but currently everything seems calm.
Xia Yan was not calm. He had been promoted to Caojiang Yushi. With Yan Song's reminder, he now knew that this was tantamount to His Majesty training his troops all the time in Nanjing.
And Nanjing garrison Xu Pengju did not dare to refuse any more after returning from attending His Majesty's wedding in Beijing last year. Although the Nanjing guards were still under the old system, there was no further delay in their construction.
The most powerful Xiaoling Guards are obviously gradually replacing their weapons with new ones.
King Rui's guard of honor was heading south, and on the East China Sea, there was also a fleet heading west.
One south and one north.
There are three ships in the northern fleet.
There were more than 150 people on the largest ship. Now, most of the people were wearing swords and talking, laughing and having fun on the deck.
The vessel had a deep draft and was undoubtedly laden with cargo.
These people are all from Japan and are "tribute" missions sent by the Ouchi clan who is entrenched in Kyushu Island, Japan.
In the cabin, the chief envoy of the Ouchi clan, Sosuke Kenmichi, was talking with his deputy, Yue Nagisa Nagajo.
This Zongshe Kendo was a monk, and the deputy envoy Yue Nagisa Yongcheng was actually the real retainer of the Ouchi clan. He held the three kanhe issued by the Zhengde Dynasty in his hand and asked Zong Sheqian: "Zong Shesang, I heard that the Ming Dynasty has changed to a new emperor. If we hold the kanhe, the Ship Bureau will not deny it, right?"
Zong Sheqiandao was actually from the Ming Dynasty himself, and his surname was Xu. Naturally, he was able to serve as this envoy because he was entrusted with the important task after he became famous in Japan based on his understanding of Buddhism.
"Yuezhu Sang, don't worry. Didn't you use these kanhe in the past three times? The kanhe sent out by the Ming Dynasty will definitely be recognized. As long as you maintain good tribute etiquette, you will get many rewards according to the kanhe. There is a new emperor this year. In addition to the regular tribute goods, Ouchi-sama, the imported goods and five geisha dancers have been specially donated to the new emperor. The officials of the Shipping Department will definitely pay a high price to make the emperor happy."
"Since Zong Shesang said this, it must be right. When we get to the Ming Dynasty, we will have to negotiate a good price with Zong Shesang."
Among them, tribute items are stipulated. For Japan, it includes horse helmets, armors, swords, waist knives, guns, gold-painted makeup, colorful screens, gold-sprinkled cooks, wine-gold desks, gold-sprinkled hand boxes, gold-painted powder cases, gold-painted pen cases, gold-painted handles, and bronze hammers. , gold-sprinkled wood horn toilet stickers, gold fans, agates, water essences, beads, sulfur, hematoxylin, cowhide and other items.
Regardless of the price of these tribute items, there are corresponding rewards given according to regulations.
But in actual operation, because of what else is given, there are naturally many ways.
In addition, there are self-importing objects. These self-imported items are bought according to the rules and at negotiated prices. This price is often several times higher than the market price.
According to Zong Sheqiandao's understanding, although it was necessary to go through a procedure to present a memorial to the emperor for the honor of all nations coming to court, the new emperor must have needed this honor to declare his legal authority and status.
The Ouchi clan's mission, which set off first, did not know that the Hosokawa clan near Kyoto had also sent a mission.
Under the pressure of the Hosokawa clan, Japan's Ashikaga shogunate could only dig out the old Kanai issued by the Koji Dynasty and give it to the Hosokawa clan. Now, the Hosokawa clan tribute mission on the sea is much poorer, with only one ship.
In the cabin, Luangang Ruizuo was even more worried about whether the old Kanhe of the Hongzhi Dynasty could be used, and the key issue was that they knew that the Ouchi clan's tribute mission had set off earlier.
"Song Sang, is there really no problem?" Luangang Ruizuo was worried, "Since Kanhe, who was trading with the Ming Dynasty, was kidnapped by the Ouchi family, they have controlled Kanhe in the past few years. Both of them. If all the missions are here, can we really succeed with the old ones?"
The deputy envoy of the Hosokawa family was originally from the Ming Dynasty, named Song Suqing.
Now he said with a smile on his face: "Don't worry, Luangang-san. Twelve years ago, I helped Lord Hosokawa on his mission to the Ming Dynasty. I know many officials in the Shipping Department. Over the years, I have traveled a lot between the Ming Dynasty and Japan. . And don’t forget, I once received the Flying Fish Suit as a reward from the Emperor of Ming Dynasty. This is a very great honor. Even officials from the Municipal Shipping Department may not have such an opportunity."
"That's great, as expected of Song Sang." Luangang Ruizuo was somewhat relieved, "If possible, please help Ming to hand over the new emperor's qualifications to our Hosokawa clan this time. In the future, no matter what No matter what, we must control the new Kanhe."
Song Suqing smiled confidently: "I can do this. It's just that in that case, Master Hosokawa will need to build more sea ships and recruit samurai. Otherwise, the Ouchi clan will be robbed like it was many years ago. Kill the envoys and take away the worthy ones.”
"If I get a huge reward this time, of course Lord Hosokawa will do this. Song Sang is so familiar with the Ming Dynasty, and I will ask you for more tribute trade in the future."
Both missions rushed to the Zhejiang Shipping Department with the huge profits from the tribute trade.
Lai En, the eunuch promoted by the Zhejiang Shipping Division, has been paying attention to the trends of the Guangdong Shipping Division.
He is also learning new accounting methods and is worried about his future.
The Zhejiang Shipping Department was specifically responsible for tribute trade with Japan.
Although the regulations are like this, with the increasing number of maritime trade, it is actually quite complicated. At present, the eunuchs promoted by Zhejiang's port officials usually stay in Hangzhou. He only needs to go there when the Japanese mission arrives in Ningbo.
In the civil service sequence, the promotion of the Municipal Shipping Secretary is generally held by officials from science and technology. The current promotion of the Municipal Shipping Secretary in Zhejiang is a very special figure: Xie Changjie.
Because he had accepted bribes in Guangdong, he was demoted by the emperor from Guangdong's right political participation to the right Qiandu censor of the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate after he returned to Beijing. He dropped from the third rank to the fourth rank.
However, it is considered a good match to also hold the post of Shibosi, who is supposed to be the fifth grade official.
But the Zhejiang Shipping Department still had the final say in promoting eunuchs.
Ryan didn't dare to neglect his old ministers. Although someone once impeached Xie Changjie for "bidding to choose a son-in-law" for the current eldest princess, and he committed another crime in Guangdong, but what was the result?
His Majesty did not get angry and punish him harshly. He only demoted his official position and sent him to promote him as the chief trade officer. No matter how he thought about it, he had profound meaning.
The Guangdong Shipping Department already made the final decision on promotion, and the eunuchs who were promoted were only responsible for overseeing the accounts.
A few days later, he received the news and immediately invited Xie Changjie over.
"Quietou, Ningbo reported that the Japanese mission has arrived and is waiting for the Municipal Shipping Department to arrange tribute matters. Shall we go together?"
Xie Changjie nodded: "As usual, Eunuch Lai is still in charge of the City Shipping Department. I just accompany him and learn how Eunuch Lai handles tribute matters."
Ryan was making innuendoes all the way.
The Fang Muxian case the year before last year involved Japanese pirates!
Xie Changjie came to promote the City Shipping Division. Whether it was to prepare for the Zhejiang City Shipping Division to change the rules in the future, or whether the emperor had other arrangements, Ryan wanted to know more.
He is an old member of the palace, but he has always kept a low profile, so he has not been affected for so many years.
The relationship with Wei Bin and the others is not deep, so Ryan is really at a loss at this time.
The Franji mission the year before last year turned out to be an imperial prisoner, and Ryan was frightened for a long time - what about the two women from the Western Regions left by Pillaizi? He originally wanted to donate them to the palace, but he was so frightened that he quickly sold them to a wealthy businessman's family .
Fortunately it went unnoticed.
But no matter what Laian asked, Xie Changjie would just be perfunctory and polite.
That serious and scheming look always makes Ryan tremble with fear - Are you coming to the Zhejiang Shipping Department to handle some big case?
Xie Changjie thought about what happened after returning to Beijing last year.
He complied with the secret order from His Majesty, and he made the right bet.
"When you go to the southeast this time, I will allow you to be greedy. You will be handed over to me no matter how much you are greedy." Emperor Jing said to him, "The restructuring of the Guangdong Shipping Department must have caused speculation among the Southeast maritime merchants. This is a big deal for you. This is a dangerous matter, if you handle it well, you will have made a great contribution, and I will never care about your past mistakes."
Xie Changjie wanted to cry.
Those who were corrupt in Guangdong and gave money to others later became rebels. Who in the southeast would dare to bribe him again?
You knew he was bait and you still came to bite him? Is it stupid to be a Southeast maritime merchant?
No, after coming to Zhejiang for several months, he was extremely lonely. Officials and wealthy businessmen were all afraid of him, and his smile was fake and deliberate.
But as Ryan explained to him in detail after the Japanese tribute mission arrived, Xie Changjie gradually understood where the door might be.
After arriving at the Zhejiang Bosi Yamen in Ningbo, all the subordinate officials arrived.
There are only four high-ranking officials in the Shibo Department: those who are promoted to the fifth rank, two deputy officials who are promoted to the sixth rank, and officials who are promoted to the ninth rank.
Now the two deputy chiefs are in charge of Lai En. After the ceremony, the deputy chief Zheng Shoujie reported: "The Japanese tributary delegation totals 327 people. The lower official has arranged for the envoys and entourage to stay at In the guest hall, the deputy envoy, other attendants, and businessmen were arranged in Tianning Temple."
Ryan nodded: "Where are his swords and weapons?"
"It's all put into the East Treasury."
Ryan explained the tribute rules to Xie Changjie: The mission ships have not yet been allowed to enter the port and are stationed outside the port. You must first submit your credentials, verify your identity, and wait for arrangements by the Municipal Shipping Department before you can enter the port to view the goods. Only by clarifying the amount of tribute and self-importance, the Ministry of Rites will report to the court how much reward should be given.
Xie Changjie just listened without saying anything and let him arrange it for now.
Ryan took a look at the certificate of credence handed over by Zheng Shoujie, and then frowned: "There are only three qualifications? Three ships?"
"Exactly. If there are three suitable paths, there will naturally be three ships."
"This..." Ryan hesitated, feeling a little unhappy at first, and then he couldn't make up his mind.
During the Zhengde period, a total of one hundred tributes were sent to Japan. This time only three ships came, which means that the tribute was not much.
Will His Majesty be unhappy about the insufficient tribute?
Just as Lai En was about to arrange for them to enter the harbor to review the goods, the official Hong Yuanjin suddenly came in and said, "Eunuch Lai, another Japanese envoy ship has arrived. Please see their chief and deputy envoys."
"Why is there another envoy?" Ryan looked at Hong Yuanjin in astonishment, "Does it qualify as having credentials?"
"I have seen it, my official." Although Hong Yuanjin was a minor official, he was a ninth-grade official after all. He replied respectfully, "The one I took is an old Kanhe from the Hongzhi period. There is only one. I don't know this Japanese king." How did they arrange two missions? But their deputy envoy Zhengde has been here four years, and you know Eunuch Lai, that Song Suqing."
Ryan felt something in his heart. He had accepted Song Suqing's favor back then. Not only that, through the matchmaking process, Song Suqing also gave Liu Jin a thousand taels of gold and a Feiyu suit.
"Our family remembers that the Ministry of Rites ordered him to stop serving as an envoy!"
Song Suqing was recognized when he arrived, and Ningbo officials even petitioned him to punish him for pretending to be an envoy to Japan. But his identity was indeed real. He was under "influence" at the time, and because Liu Jin was whispering in Emperor Zhengde's ears, he finally completed the deal and warned him.
"Eunuch Lai, since the compatibility is true, it is better to have four compatibility now than only three." Zheng Shoujie reminded.
"...That's true." Ryan said this first, then turned to look at Xie Changjie, "In Xie Qiandu, one holds Zhengde and the other holds Hongzhi. I wonder how to arrange the two missions appropriately? Afterwards, we have to enter Hong Kong to review the goods and host a banquet. The Japanese envoys have not yet gone to the palace to pay homage to the new emperor, so this matter must also be arranged."
Xie Changjie smiled slightly: "Eunuch Lai is familiar with tribute matters, you can arrange it."
Ryan thought for a while and then said: "Then please come here first and listen to what they say. When His Majesty ascended the throne, this little country of Japan immediately rushed to compete for tribute. I don't even know that this country in Japan is not decent now." , a war is going on. The King of Japan has become like the Emperor of Zhou, and the various regions are fighting endlessly..."
Two Japanese tribute missions were welcomed on the Zhejiang coast, but Wei Bin from Guangzhou hurried to Zhang Fujing: "Futai needs to prepare for war quickly! Although the sea trade fleet is accompanied by a warship from the Haiphong Road, but Encountered a Portuguese fleet in the Nanyang, and the coastal defense warships intercepted them. Life or death is unknown!"
Zhang Fujing was suddenly startled: "How many warships do the thieves have?"
"Seventeen large and small warships!"
In the Battle of Tuen Mun, Wang Hong's victory exceeded history. With the subsequent strengthening of coastal defenses, the Portuguese "recovering the ground" incident that would have occurred last year was delayed.
This time, they mobilized more troops than before, reaching nearly 2,000 people.
But Wang Hong has already gone to Fujian, and Guangdong is likely to face war immediately.
"Go to all the government offices quickly to invite all the lords to come and discuss it, including the Marquis of Jing'an!"
