The emperor was sitting in the Nuan Pavilion. It was already three o'clock in the morning, and the adults in the palace were all hungry, waiting patiently for the emperor's arrival.
"My lords, prepare to meet us. The Emperor has arrived."
The servants outside the palace quickly conveyed the order and came in. Headed by Liu Jian, they all stood up to greet the Holy Master.
"My lords, please welcome your Majesty. Long live our emperor."
Zhu Houzhao slowly walked into the hall, made a sound, and pretended to be annoyed and said, "I forgot about business for a moment. In fact, it shouldn't be the case. You are exempt from courtesy. You are exempt from courtesy."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
After Zhu Houzhao walked to the throne and sat down, with a proud smile on his lips, he motioned to Liu Jin to take out several memorials sent recently by the eunuchs and spies of the Jinyi Guards in Guizhou, circulate them to all the ministers, and said: "Everyone, please take a look. , this is a secret in Guiyang, please let me have a look, see if there is anything wrong with it."
It's been more than half a month since the victory in Guiyang, and the emperor is about to get married. Some of the vassals have set off for pilgrimage in person, and some have princes and envoys coming to pay tribute. All in all, it is good news. All of this has been authenticated. It cannot be false. Could it happen again in Guizhou? What happened, so the emperor specially summoned them to see them today just for this matter?
But looking at the emperor's demeanor, it doesn't seem to be a bad thing. Could it be that... there is some good news.
Zhu Houzhao was calm and silent, half smiling but not smiling.
Li Dongyang was thoughtful and stepped forward to look at the memorial in Liu Jian's hand.
"Since the rebels in Yanghua were executed, Guizhou was in ruins. Liu Zizhang, the then magistrate of Guiyang, took office and was loyal to the affairs of the government. Now the people of Guiyang have gradually settled down. The change of customs has been quite effective in Guiyang. Within a few days, there have been people in the surrounding villages. More than a dozen villages moved into the city..."
A thousand words of eloquence describe what Liu Zizhang, the prefect of Guiyang, did after he took office.
Liu Zizhang? Liu Zizhang, isn't that the number one scholar compiled by Hanlin last year? I didn't expect this person to have such talent and insight. How long ago did Guiyang achieve political success?
Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian looked at each other, feeling surprised and incredible.
Then, they opened the Jin Yiwei's secret folder, and their hearts were filled with shock. The two secret folders were exactly the same. Behind them were the Chief Envoy and the Yushitai.
"Your Majesty, this, this, can't be false!" Xie Qian was more direct. This was simply unbelievable. How could he believe it? It was just a unanimous statement, so he had to believe it, but he really couldn't believe it.
In fact, he also knew that what he was talking about was nonsense. If he said that the Yushitai and the Chief Envoy were cheating, or that the guard eunuchs and Jin Yiwei were ordered by the emperor to cheat, he could barely make it pass. But, but, there is still the commander-in-chief of the military and political affairs. Wang Shouren, the household registration records of Guizhou native people, are all these vivid names fake?
Why? Are these people crazy and accompanying Liu Zizhang to bully the emperor?
Xie Qian smiled bitterly and nodded with some relief. Finally, there were talents among the Confucianism they had always believed in, and they were not some weak scholars who only knew the flow and claimed to be noble.
After the three pavilion elders circulated it, Yang Tinghe was behind, as well as all the bachelor's lecturers. Everyone had a ridiculous and proud idea. Your Majesty hit them too hard, and today they finally got a win. , each of them is stroking their long beards with their hands and shaking their heads in appreciative praise.
The Qingliu in the Imperial Academy are the most excited. Liu Zizhang was born in the Hanlin. Who said we can't do things? Look, isn't this a living example of political achievement?
Zhu Houzhao watched their performance, and he wanted to curl his lips in contempt; "That's the talent I discovered, and it's none of your business." Although he thought so in his heart, he didn't say that, he just listened to him; "Everyone, love Sir, I don’t know what you think.”
"I congratulate Your Majesty on the acquisition of this great talent. There is hope for the stability of the southwest. The troubles that have plagued our country for a hundred years can be eliminated. This is all due to the emperor's sage and the blessing of our ancestors. This son is worthy of a great responsibility."
"Your Majesty, God bless you."
"This person's talent is rare. He can be appointed to serve as an official in the court, so that His Majesty can encourage him."
"I second the proposal."
Although Zhu Houzhao was proud, he was very troubled. It turns out that there are a lot of yes-men in the court who only know how to respond, which is very annoying. I ask you if you have any opinions. Do you only sing praises and have no real knowledge and insights? Why did you transfer Liu Zizhang to Beijing? Listen, Damn B, I will transfer him to Beijing, then who will rule the southwest for me, you or you?
Li Dongyang seemed to understand what His Majesty meant. The Emperor wanted to mention something about Liu Zizhang, but he didn't want to say it himself. After all, making Liu Zizhang the prefect was already a great favor from the Emperor, not to mention that he was a new official with no political experience. Xiaobai, he looked at Yang Tinghe, who was hesitant to speak, and understood more clearly that the emperor did not want his confidant to speak. In that case, it would be better for the emperor to say it himself. This is an important matter for the emperor, so that it can be cleared up. They understand that I am a wise king who only chooses talents.
"Your Majesty, I have some ideas," Li Dongyang said with a smile, deciding what to do next.
Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up. Hearing the words, he said, "Ask me, Master Li."
Li Dongyang kept saying that he didn't dare, and the emperor still respected his teachers. Liu Jian Xie Qian realized it later, glanced at Li Dongyang, and then glanced at Minister Qingliu next to him, and instantly understood His Majesty's behavior today.
"Last year, His Majesty appointed Enke to appoint an official, with the topic of current affairs in the Southwest. I once had the honor to read the papers. Liu Zizhang's article really refreshed my mind. I think about it day by day. It is indeed a high-level talk. Your Majesty is dedicated to solving the problems in the Southwest. Tired, since this person has such a great talent, and it is said that people can make the best use of their talents and things can be put to their best use, why don't Your Majesty send an emissary to hear about it and circulate these memorials to the world, so that scholars and scholars all over the world can understand His Majesty's Sacred Heart and Holy Will? Secondly, it can select more pillars of the imperial court for your Majesty in the future. Thirdly, it can put an end to some malicious rumors among the people that slander His Majesty by emphasizing military force over literature. I sincerely ask Your Majesty to issue an edict to promote Liu Zizhang, praise his political achievements, and serve as a model for all officials and scholars in the world. .”
Li Dongyang's words were very convincing, and he not only supported the emperor, but also won over Minister Qingliu and solved Zhu Houzhao's troubles. He was indeed a wise and decisive Li Gong, which made people admire him. He was so smart and capable. The ministers who have the means and ability cannot just let them go.
Yang Tinghe and Zhu Houzhao thought of going together. They looked at each other involuntarily and understood their respective meanings.
Li Dongyang didn't know that the consequence of his words was that his plan to retire and get Sun Rongyang failed. He didn't know what his expression would be like if he knew about it. Did he persist, or insist, persist?
After Liu Jian and Xie Qian thought about it for a while, they understood that His Majesty intended to resolve the recent embarrassment with Qingliu and used the topic to praise Liu Zizhang. Since Your Majesty has thought of these hidden dangers, it proves that His Majesty is not a reckless person who loves success and does things without thinking. Then you can retire with peace of mind. With the blessings of past emperors, the Ming Dynasty has this wise king, and there is hope for ZTE.
"Old minister seconded the proposal." Liu Jian took the lead and handed over.
"Old minister seconded the proposal." Xie Qian held his hand.
The rest of Qingliu also realized it later, but he was also happy and excited. Your Majesty still thinks of us scholars. Well, Ming Jun and Holy Lord, Your Majesty is wise.
"I second the proposal." The ministers bowed in submission.
Zhu Houzhao was dumbfounded and dumbfounded. He really didn't think that much. He just thought that it would be hard for him to promote Liu Zizhang. Find someone to talk to. Qingliu and the like are the most annoying people. What are you doing to join in the fun? Do you really want to steal my talents? , but he soon understood what the Qingliu people were doing, and he was troubled again: "Yes men."
He didn't want to think about all the yes-men in the court. Isn't this the result he wanted? Just like the Jiajing Dynasty later, weren't they just the yes-men of the entire dynasty?
"Since you and others have agreed, let's follow what Li Gong said." Zhu Houzhao turned to Liu Jin and said, "Liu Jin will draft the decree."
Liu Jin respectfully received the order and went down.
Zhu Houzhao ordered the ministers to retire, leaving only three pavilion elders.
"Three masters, you are the old ministers who have been left to me by my father. Fortunately, I have the assistance of three masters, so I can govern without hindrance and stabilize the government. The three masters have watched me grow up, and they are also important to me. It's not an exaggeration to say that a master is also a father...!" Before Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, one of the three pavilion elders was frightened and panicked.
I'm afraid these words are serious and treasonous. The emperor can say it, but if the ministers take it seriously, they will die. It is a serious crime of deceiving the emperor.
"I am afraid, my Majesty, please be careful what you say."
Zhu Houzhao interrupted them. He was playing the emotional card. He had already figured out the thoughts of the three of them. The emperor's majesty was of no use to these old guys. The emotional card was the most useful, which was to use the emotional card to keep them, because he I discovered that having an old man in the family is like having a treasure. This saying was so useful in the Ming Dynasty. Even in modern society a few hundred years later, you still can't offend your uncle.
"You three masters, please listen to what I have to say." Zhu Houzhao looked sad and his eyes were slightly red. He had to do a full set of acting. I am a ninth-generation man, and emotional acting skills are not something that can only be obtained by hand.
Liu, Li and Xie were all silent.
"My father's great death made me miserable. However, my father passed away in a hurry. I succeeded to the throne in a hurry, and I was young and inexperienced in world affairs. If it weren't for the help of several masters, how could I have made it to where I am today? The court is not yet stable, and the three If the master leaves me, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to continue." As he said this, he squeezed out two tears and raised his sleeves to cover his face.
The three pavilion elders were already in tears and their eyes were filled with tears.
Zhu Houzhao sighed and continued, "My father has always taught me to be courteous to virtuous corporals and to take care of myself. I know that I still have many shortcomings. It is inevitable that the three masters will not understand my behavior. Alas, I am useless. I am ashamed." I have high expectations for my father, and I am ashamed of the humerus minister that my father left to me. I feel so uncomfortable. How can I face my father after a hundred years? I...I..., hey!"
Xie Qian knelt down and cried bitterly: "Your Majesty is kind, and you are so kind to me. I am so ashamed. I am selfish and don't want to repay the late emperor. If anything happens, it will be a death penalty. Your Majesty, I am wrong. From now on, I am willing to serve your majesty." Saddle up front and ride behind the horse to repay God's kindness."
Liu Jian also bowed down again and again, imagining his thoughts of neglecting government during this period, thinking of the late emperor who left him alone before his death, and suddenly felt ashamed of the late emperor and the high expectations of the current emperor.
Li Dongyang believed that he was wily and cunning, but at this moment, the emperor's tears could not be faked. With tears in his eyes, he looked at the emperor behind the case, feeling sad in his heart. The emperor needs me, and the emperor still needs old bones like ours.
"Old minister is willing to share your worries for Your Majesty. From now on, I will never think of retiring and will be loyal to Your Majesty. Old minister, old minister..." Li Dongyang cried.
Zhu Houzhao looked sad and happy at the same time, but in fact he was proud in his heart: "Old guy, you still dare to play tricks with me. To see if you dare to let it go, I will cry for you. Who said you are the only one who can cry?" I can cry too, hum."
After an emotional drama of harmony between the emperor and his ministers and persuading ministers to stay in Nuan Pavilion was staged, Zhu Houzhao gave a bunch of rewards and respectfully ordered Liu Jin to send the three pavilion elders out of the palace.
The three pavilion elders were still immersed in the emotions of distress and relief. When Yang Shen, the left counselor of the General Affairs Department, entered the palace from the side door, he greeted the three pavilion elders with a high-spirited look and hurriedly entered the palace. As soon as the door closes, bang~!
Yang Shen? Originally, it was normal for him to enter the palace, so it was no big deal, but his high-spirited attitude and the things he was holding made Li Dongyang react first, he was fooled, he was fooled... ·La! ! !
If His Majesty was really hurt because of their desire to retire, why did He still summon Yang Shen to the palace for fun? Don't think that He didn't know what Yang Shen was holding. It is said to be His Majesty's new gadget, called Military chess, Your Majesty still has the heart to play chess?
Li Dongyang was speechless and suddenly grinned.
Liu Jian and Xie Qian didn't know why the guests laughed inexplicably.
"Mr. Liu, Mr. Xie, are you interested in accompanying me for a drink?"
How could Liu Jian be in the mood to drink? Besides, he was still on duty today, so he probably couldn't drink.
Xie Qian was also weak and looked worried, so he should not drink alcohol.
Li Dongyang held his arms with the two old guys regardless, and said, "It doesn't matter if I'm being a little bold today. Mr. Liu, Mr. Xie, come with me."
Liu Jian couldn't help but had to follow. Xie Qian yelled and was dragged away by Li Dongyang.
After several glasses of wine, Li Dongyang told the truth without vomiting. Liu Jian and Xie Qian were dumbfounded, and a feeling of being teased suddenly spread. Then they smiled again, raised their glasses and took a sip, laughing at themselves; "I have taken advantage of His Majesty again."
"That's all. Your Majesty is smart. You can indulge yourself for a while today. It doesn't matter if you don't go to the cabinet today. Guests, Yu Qiao, drink."
"Hahahaha...!" The three old guys looked at each other, speechless.
The three of them exchanged cups at the restaurant. Liu Gong did not go to the cabinet, but directly invited someone to give him the name "Your Majesty's Grace." The secret guards of Jin Yiwei quickly spread the news to the palace. Zhu Houzhao curled his lips and smiled and said: "The way is higher than one foot." The devil is ten feet tall, you want to leave, but I can’t bear to let you go, hehe, it’s time to play.”
