Zhu Jianze's coffin was originally going to be transported back to his hometown for burial, but the emperor ordered that it be buried in the imperial mausoleum. This was a great honor. In more than a hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, no vassal king had ever been so honored.
Zhu Houzhao even wanted to take this opportunity to go to Nanjing, but in the end, the ministers stopped him from leaving the capital.
King Chong's coffin walked slowly. Just after entering Guangxi, the good news that Annan returned to the Ming Dynasty and restored the Jiaozhi Chief Envoy Office had already reached the yamen of the Guangxi Chief Envoy Office, causing another sensation.
The Ming Dynasty won another beautiful battle. This was a battle to destroy the country. Wang Shouren actually only took one month. One month.
Although the victory was expected by the people, it came too quickly.
Since the new emperor came to the throne, he has never lost a battle. The news of success comes from time to time. I haven't seen this kind of weather in many years.
Beijing.
As a senior Jinyiwei spy, Yan Song has never been able to look back since he embarked on this path. He knows that as long as he shows any signs of slackness, the emperor will give up on him without hesitation.
It cannot but be said that his intuition is very accurate. Every move he makes is under the surveillance of the Jin Yiwei. If anything goes wrong, he will be killed immediately.
Yan Song was thinking about recent events in the public room of the Hanlin Academy. He always felt that the palace was too quiet. It shouldn't be like this. According to the temperament of the emperor in the palace, someone should be arrested at this moment.
"well."
He laughed at himself, shook his head and whispered to himself: "Do your own thing."
Suddenly there were hurried footsteps outside the door. Yan Song walked out of the public room in confusion. He saw Shangguan, a colleague of the Hanlin Academy, walking towards him. He smiled and raised his hands towards him even though they were far away. He smiled and said, "Wei Zhong, congratulations, congratulations."
People all over the yard smiled and greeted him.
Yan Song was confused and asked with a confused look on his face: "I don't understand, sir. Please clarify my confusion."
He was quite popular in the Hanlin Academy. In addition, he was good-looking, came from second place, and had a bright future, so he was naturally very popular among people.
"Wei Zhong, there is news from the palace that His Majesty has promoted you to serve as minister and enter the court to await the imperial edict. Congratulations, congratulations."
boom.
There was a roar in Yan Song's mind, what? Your Majesty, your Majesty has appointed me as his minister, and I will enter the court to await the imperial edict. This, this, this, is this true?
This is really great news. The emperor finally remembered me.
"Wei Zhong, Yan Shi said, congratulations, you have entered the palace to await the imperial edict. This is a blessing that many people could not have wished for. I never thought that you, Wei Zhong, would have such a holy family."
When Yan Song heard this, he responded with a smile and humbly. He repeatedly praised him for his incompetence, and it was because he was supported by his superiors and praised by his colleagues.
His words made people feel comfortable. If it were anyone else, they might be jealous, but Yan Song made them feel like that was the way it should be.
"Where is Yan Song of the Hanlin Academy? Let's take the order." The official from the Ministry of Rites who came to announce the order was actually an acquaintance, Li Chi.
He was originally promoted by His Majesty to Doctor of the Five Classics in Hanlin Academy, but Xu Qiong saw that he had some integrity and wrote a letter to transfer him to the Ministry of Rites as the director. He was promoted to the sixth rank, which was a blessing in disguise.
"Xiaguan Hanlin Editor Yan Song accepted the order."
After Li Chi read out the imperial edict, the two of them inevitably exchanged pleasantries and agreed to meet again at a time. Li Chi left, and the two of them nodded tacitly.
As a rule, a position like Yan Song's does not usually require the emperor to issue an edict. It can be seen that Yan Song caught the emperor's eye, so he sent the Ministry of Rites to announce the edict.
Since the new emperor ascended the throne, the officials in the Hanlin Academy have never been treated with such high regard. It is the first time for them to do so. Yan Song also followed the trend and agreed to treat him after he resigned.
The next day, Yan Song entered the room where he was waiting for the edict. As soon as he entered the house, he was picked up by Huang Jin.
"My humble minister, Yan Song, pays homage to my emperor, long live, long live." Yan Song saluted meticulously, even if it was not a formal meeting, he still performed the ceremony of paying homage.
Zhu Houzhaoping retreated, and even Liu Jin personally stayed outside.
"No courtesy, get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yan Song lowered his head, not daring to look at the emperor who was sitting high above. He didn't know why, but he was very afraid of Zhu Houzhao. Although he was eager for this opportunity, he was still uneasy.
Zhu Houzhao was observing Yan Song without speaking, not knowing what he was thinking, which made Yan Song feel very uncomfortable.
The back of the body was unconsciously wet with clothes.
"I have worked hard on you these days. I said that as long as you do good things for me, you will be a high-ranking official and you will be rich and generous. I have not broken my promise." Zhu Houzhao finally spoke.
Yan Song was stunned for a moment, responded quickly, and hurriedly bowed down again: "It's my honor for Yan Song to share your Majesty's worries. How dare you expect that? I don't dare."
Zhu Houzhao's words frightened Yan Song half to death, and his already uneasy mood became even more uneasy.
Haha, if I didn't know who you are, I would have been deceived by your acting skills.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yan Song couldn't figure out the emperor's thoughts, but he knew that his majesty suddenly appointed him and kept him by his side. There must be a deep meaning, but he didn't know the details.
There was no one else in the palace, even Liu Jin was guarding outside, something must have happened.
Soon, Zhu Houzhao got down to the topic, which was the matter he asked Yang Shen. He wanted to hear what this famous minister in history had to say about his views.
"Does the Qing family know why I leave you alone in the palace?"
Come, come, Yan Song smiled bitterly in his heart.
"I don't know." He shook his head and lowered his head.
Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "Actually, I have a question and I want you to help me solve it. However, once this matter is leaked, the sky will fall and the earth will fall. Do you understand?"
When Yan Song heard this, he smiled bitterly in his heart again, Your Majesty, why is it me.
But he said on his face: "Wei Chen understands, Wei Chen is waiting for the emperor's instructions."
Zhu Houzhao was very satisfied with Yan Song's attitude. To be honest, if he hadn't known Yan Song's life story earlier, his attitude would have been worthy of praise.
"Okay, I won't beat around the bush anymore. Just listen to what I have to say. Then, speak out your thoughts and opinions boldly. Don't hide anything. Speak out and tell me the truth. Do you understand?"
Yan Song nodded with a serious expression.
Zhu Houzhao once again raised what he had said to Yang Shen and told it to Yan Song.
At first, Yan Song just frowned, but then his face gradually changed, his body couldn't help trembling, and he broke out in cold sweat.
My God, Your Majesty, what do you want to do?
thump.
Yan Song lay on the ground, his body shaking violently.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I, I dare not speak."
Zhu Houzhao had been mentally prepared for a long time. He knew it would be like this, but he knew that he still wanted to hear Yan Song's opinion.
"Ai Qing, what's going on? Get up and talk."
Yan Song was frightened and frightened at the moment. He was panic-stricken and felt weak all over. What the emperor said made him feel as if the world was falling apart. He really didn't have the courage to say it.
However, he also understood that since His Majesty had rejected everyone and left him alone, he had no choice.
After thinking about it, Yan Song gritted his teeth and said, "Just die. Your Majesty, since you want to hear it, I will risk my life." ,
Yan Song obeyed the order, got up, and said with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, since I entered the official position, I have been valued by the Emperor and shared the Emperor's worries. This minister is lucky. Now that the Emperor has questions, I should know that I have to say everything. It's just that The emperor's question is too difficult to answer, so I can only try my best to answer it."
Zhu Houzhao looked at him calmly and said seriously: "If it comes out of your mouth and into my ears, no third person will know."
When Yan Song heard the words, he had no choice but to obey. Looking at the posture, he was afraid that he would not be able to get out of the palace if he didn't say anything.
However, he quickly thought, why is this not an opportunity?
If he speaks well, he might actually become a close minister of the emperor from now on, just like Yang Shen.
He took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, during the former Tang and Song Dynasties, there was the Two Tax Law, and Wang Anshi and Xining reformed the law. Does your Majesty know the reason for the failure?" Yan Song had already given up, so naturally he would be more ruthless.
It goes without saying that Yan Song's knowledge is great. He was able to rule and assist the Ming Dynasty for more than 20 years. If he didn't have the corresponding ability, no one would believe him.
After Zhu Houzhao heard this, he thought for a long time and said: "The common people don't recognize it, what everyone else says, the officials line their own pockets, and the gentry and wealthy families resist?"
When Yan Song heard this, he laughed boldly.
Although Zhu Houzhao had eight lifetimes of life experience, he couldn't understand the reason for Yan Song's smile at this moment, and he couldn't help but feel a little unconfident.
Yan Song first complimented him. After all, the emperor's face is important. Then he shook his head and denied Zhu Houzhao's remarks. He pointed out Zhu Houzhao's mistakes one by one: "The emperor said that the people did not recognize it, which is wrong. Ordinary people are illiterate, but they really Don’t you understand anything? I don’t think so. The main thing is that the superiors and inferiors are bullying each other, and the people are helpless.”
Zhu Houzhao suddenly realized that it was right and reasonable. He had to re-examine Yan Song. This person hit the nail on the head.
Yan Song continued: "Let's talk about officials. In the former Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, there were only a few Enyin, and the gentry and gentry were unknown. Innovation is of course good, but in this environment, the Two Taxes Law and the Xining Reform chose to avoid the gentry as much as possible. Since they are determined Innovation, when a strong man cuts off his arms and presses forward without courage, it is inevitable that innovation will fail."
Zhu Houzhao was shocked by Yan Song's words again. Yes, in that kind of environment, thinking about compromising with the gentry and wealthy families during innovation would only encourage their arrogance.
Yan Song slowly let go. He had not finished speaking, and continued: "Officials enrich their own pockets. Your Majesty, please forgive me for my innocence."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "You have nothing to say but I forgive you for not being guilty."
Yan Songcai continued: "The treatment of officials in the previous dynasty was more than ten times that of this dynasty. It is true that they enriched their own pockets, but when it comes to corruption, this dynasty is ten times as rich as the previous dynasty."
These words are very bold, even audacious.
Zhu Houzhao frowned when he heard this, but he knew that this was the truth.
Yan Song secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He just said these words with fear, but in fact he was risking his life. He bet that the emperor wanted to hear the truth.
It's clear he made the right bet.
When Zhu Houzhao signaled him to continue, Yan Song continued: "With such good treatment, why do officials still focus on the people's three-acre land? Your Majesty, the fundamental reason is that land is necessary for the reproduction of a family. .”
