Imperial Palace, Cining Palace.
"Husband, the emperor has done his best. You should be happy if you have a spirit. Others say that you are henpecked, which is why you only love me for the rest of your life. But who knows, our feelings, I want to go with you, but The emperor is still young and has not yet been married. I have selfish motives. I want the emperor to be well. He will be a good child for both of us. Husband~ Wuwu!" Empress Dowager Zhang sobbed to herself in Cining Palace and hurried The servant left.
The news of Zhu Houzhao's great victory reached the harem, making her feel happy and sad. Zhu Youtang left, leaving her orphaned and widowed. She was worried all day long. On the one hand, she had to face the ministers, and on the other hand, she had to face the gossip in the harem. She was really exhausted physically and mentally.
Fortunately, Huang Er was very upbeat, and every time when she was about to be unable to hold on any longer, Zhu Houzhao could create miracles, accomplish exciting things, and solve any problems. Just think of the rebellion by Prince Ning and his party, and the subsequent sea ban incident. There was a natural disaster in Hejian Prefecture, the earth dragon in Nanjing Prefecture was overthrown, and the imperial commander in Datong Prefecture went on a personal expedition. Each of these incidents, in her opinion, were all major events that would cause the world to collapse.
Whenever ministers have something to do, they go to the palace to see the Queen Mother to take charge of the overall situation. She is a woman, how can she know so much? On one hand, she is her own prince, and on the other hand, she is the pillar minister of the country. What can she do?
Now that she is fine, she is really relieved. If the ministers want to say anything, let them say it. Zhao'er is no longer the young and imprisoned person he used to be. He is the emperor and has his own principles of dealing with things. For the sake of his mother, it is better not to interfere, so as not to let anyone let him know. Zhao'er is in trouble.
While she was talking to herself for most of the day, Xia also entered the palace. Almost during the period when Zhu Houzhao left the palace, Xia went in and out of the palace every day. For the future mistress of the imperial city, whether she was a guard or a The eunuchs and maids all appeared extremely respectful and tried their best to please.
“Ms.
Xia's Yingying's gift of thanks followed the old maid beside the Queen Mother who entered the palace. The news about the Emperor had already spread throughout the capital. Everyone was talking about the Emperor. She was becoming more and more curious about the Emperor, but also very frightened. , this is the girl Huaichun.
That woman didn't want her husband to be an unparalleled hero and be affectionate to her, but she knew that all this was just a luxury for her. When an unparalleled hero became an emperor, it was destined that he would never be just her. It is impossible for a world-class hero to only have affection for her.
Ms. Xia has been very confused recently. The word "like" is very unfamiliar to her, and it makes her unable to help but fantasize about it. What does it feel like to like it? Will he like me? Do I like him? She was carried into Cining Palace in the sedan chair with such contradictory emotions.
"Queen Mother, Miss Xia is here."
Queen Mother Zhang gathered her emotions, walked out from behind, straightened her appearance, and said with a smile: "Please come in quickly, so that the Ai family can wait."
The next day, on the sixth day of the eleventh month of the eighteenth year of Hongzhi, the emperor won a great victory and returned to the capital in triumph. All the people were empty, burning incense and kneeling to welcome the emperor. Hundreds of officials went out of the city to welcome the emperor back to the court with a grand ceremony. The whole world celebrated and the emperor was overjoyed.
The news of His Majesty's triumphant return to the capital spread throughout the capital. Hundreds of officials went out to greet the Emperor, wearing Liang Guanlai to greet him. Civil servants and military generals, distinguished by Liang Guanlai, came forward to pay tribute in order to express their recognition and recognition of the Emperor's triumphant return to the court. attitude to show grandeur.
Zhu Houzhao remembered reading a historical record in his previous life. The two sides fought for several days. Zhu Houzhao went to the front line to fight the enemy in person. It is said that he even beheaded one of the enemies with his own hands. However, there were many dangers and he took advantage of the situation. Zhu Houzhao personally directed this battle and achieved the victory of killing the enemy. Sixteen, our side suffered 563 casualties and 25 dead. This can certainly be considered a victory, because the Tatar army was finally repulsed.
However, this battle was written in the Spring and Autumn style, which was unsightly. He was particularly vigilant, so before he went on the expedition, he warned the ministers not to talk nonsense, not in the Spring and Autumn style. Once there was a sign, he would kill it in advance. He wanted to To be a wise king, don’t accept the stained ones, but accept the wise ones.
Therefore, those who wanted to cause trouble were sent to prison, as well as the prison in Dongchang. Under the leadership of the three elders Liu Li Xie, plus Yang Tinghe, Jiao Fang, Liu Daxia and other veterans, no one Dare to feel uncomfortable, His Majesty personally conquered and returned to Beijing triumphantly, everything is going on normally.
Under the desperate propaganda of the secret guards of Jin Yiwei, the common people burned incense and worshiped along the way, hoping to catch a glimpse of the emperor's grace. For many years, since the emperor ascended the throne, the people's life has been getting better and better. There are no bullies and corrupt officials. , no one has taken care of it before.
Things are different now. After the emperor ascended the throne, he made great efforts to improve public security in the capital. People can now seek help when they have something to ask for. The poor can afford medicine. As long as the orphans and widowers get older, the court will provide money to support them, and abandoned children will wander. The imperial court took him under his wing, and the appearance of the capital was no longer what it was before.
The roads were smoothed and the street vendors were cleaned up and moved to temporary venues set up by the imperial court. The imperial court only charged a symbolic one yuan of silver per month, which was called the venue rental fee. Businesses that did not exceed ten taels per day did not need to be negotiated. Tax.
After being explained by people arranged by Jin Yiwei, the people all understood why the court did this. Every government order issued by Zhu Houzhao had a dedicated person to explain and publicize it. Government offices in various places, from the chief secretary to the petty officials, dared to misinterpret it. All of them were imprisoned. The Dongchang eunuchs who guarded various places also played an active role. Even Fan Ting behaved in a disciplined manner. They only dared to confront him unless they wanted to seek death.
Those who seek death and follow their superiors to confront them will not end well. This is common sense in the officialdom. Therefore, the storylines told by some people are just stories. The real situation is just like Liu Daxia and Jiao Jiao. Fang, just like Yang Tinghe and others, strength determines everything.
The emperor has absolute power, so naturally he has the final say. Once Chrysostom opens his mouth, those who oppose it will be idiots who will either go to jail or die, because he has an army in his hands and what the people want, and it is not a conspiracy of several ministers. , can be refuted.
The former has the usurper Ning Wang Zhu Chenhao. What is the final result? Later, there was Wang Qiong who thought he was loyal and honest, but what was the result? These people are all examples of going against His Majesty. Do you think that you are Zhu Di, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and you put up a big flag at the door to suppress Jingnan, and you succeeded in seizing the throne from your nephew?
You think that you are Wei Zheng, who would rather break than bend, and be praised by others with his name in the historical records. But after death, if you are not beaten to death, how can you, Wang Qiong, be so virtuous?
When Zhu Houzhao saw the honest ministers, he thought with pride: "Sure enough, they are still a bunch of cheap guys. They haven't put up a roof for three days. It seems that Mou Bin, Fan Ting and Zhang Zhong are thinking hard. Not bad. "
He accepted the worship of the officials on the Luanjia. After the mountain call passed, he discovered that there was an old man in the crowd who looked kind and had a curly aura. He was Kong Shangyi's father Kong Wenxun, the head of the Beizong Kong Mansion. Seeing him standing side by side with Liu, Li and Xie, the three pavilion elders, this is an honor bestowed by the imperial court and represents the courtesy to Confucianism.
Liu Jian took the lead in shouting, and then congratulated: "My ministers, I respectfully welcome the emperor to return to the dynasty with a great victory, destroy the Tatars, take Daning and return to the rule of the Ming Dynasty. The emperor's achievements are not as good as those of the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty, except for Taizu." , In addition to Chengzu, your majesty’s martial arts and military might are incomparable to none other than Taizu Chengzu. I would like to congratulate your majesty again. Long live, long live, long live my emperor.”
These words were said by that old guy Li Dongyang, who had figured out Zhu Houzhao's thoughts, and specifically told Liu Jian to say this. Otherwise, Liu Jian would not have been able to say such words. They had finally figured out Zhu Houzhao's thoughts. The emperor has the ability and means. The more you confront him, the more counterproductive it will be. The emperor returned to Beijing with great fanfare and high profile.
Isn’t it obvious what this means? They all knew exactly how many people had been arrested in the capital, what they had said and done, and why they were arrested. Therefore, Li Dongyang thought of a way to retreat in order to advance, and first fulfilled the emperor's plan. Only by thinking can you have the opportunity to speak and save them.
An old face is nothing, they have already seen through it. If you want an old face, the emperor wants face even more. Is it necessary to force the emperor to go to the palace again and create a gap between the emperor and them? Let's forget it. They have already seen through the emperor's mind. If the emperor likes it, then Just let the emperor be happy and we can talk about the rest later. Anyway, they can't die now.
Long live Long live Long live.
The people also congratulated in unison and shouted congratulations.
Zhu Houzhao's face glowed with praise, and he was a little embarrassed because of his thick skin. He said, "I am really happy to be praised so highly by Master Liu. This time I was able to destroy the Tatars in one fell swoop, and the three guards' counterattacks." Thief, the return of Daning to the rule of our Ming Dynasty is the result of the concerted efforts of all my dear friends and all the soldiers. You have solved my worries in the court and allowed the soldiers to fight bravely on the front line. This It's your contribution, it's the contribution of the soldiers. I want to thank you. Because of you, the Ming Dynasty can have long-term peace and stability and enjoy a peaceful and prosperous age. You have worked hard." At this time, although he was extremely excited in his heart, he still did not forget to put on a good show. The deputy sage's posture is truly shameless.
However, the effect is foreseeable. The ministers are all satisfied. Who is not happy to be praised by His Majesty? The three cabinet ministers Liu, Li and Xie nodded silently, feeling extremely comfortable. Your Majesty has indeed grown up. Their hard work and expectations have not been in vain. Only then It is the magnanimity of the wise Holy Lord.
Kong Wenxun straightened his clothes, bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty is a heroic young man, and his civil and military skills are not inferior to those of his predecessors. I think that the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty were also inferior in martial arts. Over the past hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the country has become increasingly decayed." , Fortunately, His Majesty favored the heroic young man. With his weak crown, he saved the country from difficulties, punished the rebellious traitor King Ning and his party, rescued the people from disasters in Hejian Prefecture, and natural disasters in Nanjing Prefecture. However, between saving the people and facing disaster, it is actually His Majesty's benevolent and benevolent act, with the great kindness of the world in mind. His holy heart and benevolence, his great kindness, my minister, Kong Wenxun, the 61st generation descendant of the Kong family, would like to congratulate Your Majesty again, Congratulations to all the people in the world, long live, long live, long live my emperor."
Only then did Zhu Houzhao know who the old guy standing next to Liu Lixie was. It turned out to be Kong Shangyi's father. Hey, this old guy is very interesting.
Zhu Houzhao looked at him with a smile, and Kong Wenxun looked up at him sincerely. The two exchanged looks tacitly. Zhu Houzhao motioned him to get up with a satisfied smile and said, "Get back on your feet and go back to the palace."
Long live my emperor.
Tens of thousands of troops are all stationed in Xishan outside the city. In the future, these soldiers brought back will be trained by the Iron Eagle Guards. Then, the Xishan regiment camp will be transferred to defend Datong, Xuanfu, and Jinzhou. In the future, such military deployment will become the norm. , only in this way can Ming's army become stronger and stronger until Zhu Houzhao's goal is completely achieved.
Zhu Houzhao also decreed that on an auspicious day, the heads of enemy chiefs would be sacrificed to the Ancestral Temple in memory of their ancestors, and a monument to the heroes and martyrs of the Ming Dynasty would be built in the square outside the Ancestral Temple. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, all military households who sacrificed their lives for the Ming Dynasty will be honored You can come to declare and the country will provide compensation.
When this news came out, both soldiers and civilians were deeply moved by it. The emperor really said he did it. Not only that, the monument to the heroes of the Ming Dynasty was also built in the square in front of the Ancestral Temple. This represents the sincerity of the emperor. Grace.
At the same time, state capitals must also be built. There must be a monument for everyone to see. There must be declarations for the families of those who died in the Ming Dynasty. Their names must be engraved on it, and there must be pensions. From now on, military households will no longer become military households. But for the families of martyrs, the government must give preferential treatment. Township schools and county schools must let the children of martyrs' families read and write. They cannot be treated differently. Otherwise, if they are found together, they will be punished as bullying the emperor. This is what the emperor personally promised.
