Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

"What did you say?" Zhu Di still seemed a little unbelievable and asked again.

"His Royal Highness the Second Prince misses you very much." Jiang Xinghuo replied affirmatively.

Zhu Di was silent for a moment. He slowly sat down and stared at the floor tile in front of the desk. He seemed to see through this floor tile the child who was thousands of miles away and was connected to him by blood.

That was the second child born by Zhu Di and Empress Xu. Although he was naive and slow to learn things since he was a child, and when he grew up, except for his superb martial arts skills and being good at fighting in battles, there was nothing that could compare with his elder brother, but Zhu Di was very I like this child who looks exactly like me, but unfortunately now that Zhu Di is the emperor, he is not the eldest son. From a patriarchal perspective, he cannot inherit the throne.

Zhu Di closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his face was already full of indifference.

"I know." He said calmly.

At this time, Zhu Di shouted loudly: "Recruit all those on duty in the cabinet."

Jiang Xinghuo seemed to vaguely guess what Zhu Di meant, but he did not move.

"I don't like these sarcastic people, but now, I don't mind listening to what they have to say."

The indifference on Zhu Di's face softened a bit, and he said: "This test to become a law is a top priority now. It must be used not only in the center of the imperial court, but also throughout the world. This year, it will be implemented on a trial basis. In the future, it will be a test to become a law." How to decide, you have to study it carefully and figure it out as soon as possible."

Jiang Xinghuo said: "Yes."

He had already determined what Zhu Di was going to do.

Sure enough, when San Yang and Hu Guang from the cabinet came to the palace, Zhu Di's opening remarks were very direct.

"The eldest prince has been thinking behind closed doors for three months. The affairs of the cabinet will be temporarily handed over to the Imperial Advisor."

Zhu Di just sat on the couch, his eyes opening and closing like a ferocious tiger.

He pointed to the pile of memorials in the open box on the desk and said: "These memorials are all secret documents submitted by qualified ministers. Look, many of these people are meritorious ministers. They They have all made great contributions to the country, and I have placed great emphasis on them, but they talk nonsense for their own selfish interests."

The cabinet members were silent. They knew that what the emperor said was true. This time the test was passed, it touched the interests of many people, and the opposition was loud. The civil servants who began to take over the temple had experienced the struggle of the Hongwu Case and had now been in control of the court for nearly twenty years. They were deeply entrenched. How easy was it to ignore the demands of these people?

As for why the emperor said these words to the cabinet members, in fact, they could roughly guess that some of the words were not only meant for them to cooperate with Jiang Xinghuo's work, but more importantly, he wanted to take advantage of them. The most important thing is to convey the message to the eldest prince Zhu Gaochi.

Yang Shiqi said cautiously: "Your Majesty means, how should our cabinet respond to the petition from the Chief Secretary?"

This is actually another way of asking "how to follow Jiang Xinghuo in doing things while Jiang Xinghuo is in charge of the cabinet." After all, Jiang Xinghuo and Zhu Gaochi definitely lead the cabinet in different ways.

And no matter what, Zhu Di's current characterization of these secrets is just "nonsense" and not of a more serious nature.

Zhu Di sneered and said: "The country has its own laws. Now, I have decided to use the method of killing chickens to scare monkeys and uproot the mediocre people one by one to set an example."

At this moment, everyone's expressions were frozen.

Several people in the cabinet looked at Jiang Xinghuo. Apparently, things had become a little subtle.

Yang Rong thought to himself: "It seems that His Highness the First Prince has been thinking behind closed doors for three months. He has some explanations. It may not be the protection His Majesty has exerted on him."

Yang Shiqi was even more convinced that the job the Imperial Master took this time was not a good job, but a completely dirty job. It was used by the emperor as a white glove to remove resistance to the reform and to operate on the personnel of various central ministries and temples. This was too much. Offended.

But Jiang Xinghuo's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he was thinking a little. Obviously, this time is an opportunity where risks and opportunities coexist. Even for him personally, it is a good opportunity to establish prestige and expand his power. If he offends others, he will be offended. , but since the law is about to change, how can we not be offended? It’s not like we went to visit the Qinhuai River in peace and harmony.

Hu Guang, who had remained silent, said weakly: "Your Majesty, please think twice."

"Think twice? I have already thought twice."

Zhu Di's eyes became sharp, and he stared at the cabinet members and said: "I used to be reluctant to touch them. I was thinking of old friendship and thinking of Emperor Taizu Gao appointing them. But now, it's time to change. If I If we continue to ignore it, Ming Dynasty will be destroyed in their hands sooner or later!"

What the emperor said to them today was somewhat unexpected.

This made the cabinet members gradually come to their senses. If they were just talking to them, why would they need to say so much?

Therefore, I am afraid that these words were not just spoken to Zhu Gaochi through their mouths, but to the entire courtiers.

But why did the emperor want to send a message to them?

Everyone in the cabinet fell into a brief moment of thought, but before they could think about it, Zhu Di slammed the case. The more he thought about it, the more angry he became, and said: "How can I forgive them?"

He said word by word: "I want them to know that my country does not need moths! Not only that, but I also want to sweep all these mediocre people out of the temple to warn the world!"

This is the first time Zhu Di has said such words since he ascended the throne.

The cabinet members present, including Hu Guang, all looked horrified.

They are not afraid that the emperor will clear out a group of dead moths, but it will be beneficial to their subsequent career, because whether it is Xie Jin, Huang Huai, Jin Youzi, or Hu Yan, these people who came out after the cabinet was gilded have all been promoted step by step. They were afraid that Zhu Di would lose control.

After all, although the emperor has been on the throne for more than a year and seems to be able to control the temple with ease, his character is still as violent as a warrior in power. No one knows what crazy things he will suddenly do.

But what they were more worried about was another thing.

And this soon became a reality.

After they all realized it, Zhu Di sighed again and murmured to himself: "I have been feeling cold recently, and I feel a little unwell. I should take a good rest for a few days. If I have to leave the court in the past few days, if there are any memorials, I will pile them up first." Come on."

But looking at Zhu Di's fierce appearance, it doesn't look like he got cold and was so weak that he couldn't see things clearly. Now he probably has the strength to put on armor and fight for a day.

Everyone thought, it was over. The emperor put the eldest prince in solitary confinement, retreated to the background, and pushed the imperial master to the front.

——Things are in big trouble.

"Your Majesty, it's the end of the year now, what should we do with the country's affairs?"

The cabinet members next to Jiang Xinghuo were all panicked.

They originally thought that Zhu Di would be furious after expressing his stance, but who knew that he would disappear so calmly?

But what Zhu Di said next made the cabinet members even more surprised: "National affairs are not urgent in the past two days."

The ministers looked at each other in confusion, not knowing how to reply. This was really unacceptable.

"Your Majesty, this."

However, Yang Shiqi was the quickest to come to his senses and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, you must not do this. This is a difficult time for the country."

Zhu Di scolded and interrupted: "The country is prosperous, but it is just to clear out a group of mediocre people. How can there be so much to say?"

Zhu Di shook his head and glanced at the ministers: "I have made up my mind. There is no need for you to dissuade me. If you dare to dissuade me again, don't blame me for not caring about our feelings."

With that said, Zhu Di got off the imperial couch and walked straight out.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

All the ministers could only bow and salute and watch the emperor leave.

After the emperor left, Jiang Xinghuo looked at the cabinet members who would be working under him for a period of time with a half-smile. The hairs on these people's hair stood up when he saw them, and then he gave up.

Soon, three shocking news came out of the palace.

The eldest prince was ordered to spend three months in seclusion. The emperor occasionally felt cold and had to leave the court to rest for a few days. At the same time, the imperial advisor temporarily took over the cabinet.

"What is your Majesty doing?"

"I don't know. I guess there is some big move?"

Everyone speculated, but few could guess it.

In their eyes, the emperor seemed to be a moody person. Sometimes he was violent and murderous, sometimes irritable and irritable, and sometimes he was happy and easy to talk to.

But no matter what, Zhu Di is the emperor. Except for those who are very close to and understand him, it is difficult to guess the emperor's thoughts.

But everyone knows that the emperor will not read the memorial until he goes to court. This is obviously an opportunity for Jiang Xinghuo to promote the examination method to produce the final result.

During this short period of time, Jiang Xinghuo had power close to that of an emperor.

Just like Zhang Juzheng's words, "I am not a prime minister, but a photographer."

——————

Harem.

Empress Xu personally came over with ginger soup to ward off the cold and carefully fed it to Zhu Di.

"Chi'er didn't make such a big mistake, so why bother?"

Zhu Di was lying on the couch with his eyes closed, letting Queen Xu serve him and drink soup. He suddenly opened his eyes and said, "I heard that my wife is here to find you?"

Of course Zhu Di was talking about no one else, but Mr. Zhang.

When Queen Xu heard this, she paused slightly with the spoon in her hand and said softly: "You came to say hello to me."

After Zhu Di became emperor, although the royal family did not pay attention to evening and morning, it was still very common for members of the royal family to visit the palace to pay greetings.

Zhu Di nodded slightly, then sighed.

"It's true that Chi'er has been implicated by them, but as the saying goes, no fly will bite the egg without a bite. In the past year, Chi'er has sometimes gone too far in some things."

Zhu Di felt a headache when he thought about what happened in the court today.

If it weren't for a coincidence, he wouldn't want to push Jiang Xinghuo to the front desk and serve the country temporarily.

But now that everything has come together, Zhu Di believes that this is the best solution for him at the moment.

Since her husband had said so, Empress Xu could only nodded silently and said nothing more.

It was almost sunset, and according to custom, Zhu Di should take a rest soon.

But at this time, as soon as Empress Xu went out, Zhu Di got up and heard a burst of crying from outside. He turned and looked in the direction of the palace door, and saw Zhu Zhanji in red clothes standing there, with a look on his face. Full of tears and grievances.

"Grandpa Huang," Zhu Zhanji choked and shouted, running to Zhu Di's side with his short legs.

Zhu Di knelt down, picked up Zhu Zhanji, and said warmly: "What's wrong? Tell Grandpa Huang?"

Zhu Zhanji sniffed, raised his wet eyes, and sobbed: "Mom won't forgive me. Ugh."

This sentence shocked Zhu Di: "What did you say? Who refuses to forgive you?"

Zhu Zhanji pursed his lips and said aggrievedly and sadly: "Mom ignores me."

Zhu Di's eyebrows were furrowed: "Slowly tell Grandpa what's going on."

When Zhu Zhanji said it, Zhu Di realized that this matter really had something to do with Zhu Zhanji. Mrs. Zhang was joking at that time and asked Zhu Zhanji whether he wanted a younger brother or a younger sister. Zhu Zhanji followed her wishes and said To have a younger brother, Mrs. Zhang had just asked Zhu Gaochi to go to the temple to pray for a boy. Only then did Zhu Gaochi agree. Otherwise, he would not have allowed the pregnant Mrs. Zhang to go out to worship Buddha in the dead of winter.

But now, because the monk Zhang had taken in had caused a huge disaster, Zhu Gaochi could only shut himself up for a while and think about his mistakes. The good period of expansion of his power was suddenly interrupted. Regarding the matter of fighting for the reserve, there were some turmoil in his life, so after returning home Naturally, he didn't have a good face to show to Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Zhang knew she was in the wrong and did not dare to do anything to Zhu Gaochi, but she could not help but vent her anger on her son, complaining that if Zhu Zhanji had not said that, she would not have gone to the temple, and if she had not gone to the temple, there would have been no follow-up. This was originally a woman's unreasonable complaint, but Zhu Zhanji took advantage of the class break in the main hall and went directly to the harem to complain.

Zhu Zhanji's move was not the result of his father Zhu Gaochi's instruction, but the kid's own cleverness. However, the tricky Zhu Zhanji did not simply do it to deceive his mother, but had his own reasons for it.

"Grandpa Huang, my grandson has realized his mistake. Please ask my mother to forgive me! Please, Grandpa Huang!" Zhu Zhanji put his arms around Zhu Di's neck and shook her coquettishly.

Zhu Di didn't know how to coax the child. After all, Zhu Di's character has been so domineering since he was a child. Unless Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma beat him up, or the eldest brother Zhu Biao reprimanded him, otherwise, the second and third brothers would follow him. When he had a conflict, Zhu Di had to go up and fight before talking. Zhu Di really had no experience in how to gently coax children.

When Zhu Zhanji said this, although Zhu Di was not swayed, he was not so angry about the fuse in Zhu Gaochi's house.

"Be good, stay in the palace today, wait until tomorrow the emperor takes you to see your mother, and let her talk to you properly, okay?"

Zhu Zhanji nodded, reached out and grabbed the skirt of Zhu Di's chest, and pulled hard: "Grandpa Huang promised me that I must make my mother forgive me!"

Zhu Di smiled and touched the top of his head and said, "Okay, I promise."

Zhu Di's doting on his eldest grandson is actually a bit like Zhu Yuanzhang's love for Zhu Xiongying when he was a child.

After Zhu Xiongying passed away, Zhu Yuanzhang's love was transferred to Zhu Yunwen.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang was very proud of his grandson, so after Zhu Biao died of illness after returning from an inspection in Guanzhong, he did his best to help Zhu Yunwen clear the obstacles. From the moment Zhu Yunwen became the emperor's grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang began to pave the way for him to ascend the throne. , and Zhu Yunwen has had everything going smoothly since he was a child. Except for a few setbacks before he ascended the throne, he suffered almost no hardship.

At that time, Zhu Di was very incomprehensible and dissatisfied with his father's preference, but when it came to himself, this kind of separation of generations was particularly obvious.

When Zhu Di was King of Yan, he didn't quite understand why his father would launch large-scale temple cleanings from time to time. He felt that this was not a good thing for the entire Ming Dynasty.

But now that it's him, he understands it, and even wishes he could wield the butcher's knife more fiercely.

I can only say: question Zhu Yuanzhang, understand Zhu Yuanzhang, become Zhu Yuanzhang, and surpass Zhu Yuanzhang.

——————

At the same time, Zhu Gaochi's mansion.

Before thinking about it behind closed doors, Zhu Di specifically issued an order to allow everyone in the cabinet to hand over work to Zhu Gaochi. This was Zhu Gaochi's last semi-public appearance, saying everything that needed to be said, and using these people to communicate to other officials who followed him. Convey some intentions to avoid turmoil in the court.

"Your Highness, is this a big fight to succeed in the examination? Can it be accomplished?" Yang Pu asked.

When the others heard the words, they immediately pricked up their ears and listened.

Obviously, this question is also the focus of their attention.

In the past few months, they all knew that the Ministry of Civil Affairs was busy promoting the entrance examination method, but it kept it very confidential. The final list has not been announced. Is this entrance examination method a big thunder but a small rain, or is it really a thunder? It's raining again, which is hard to say.

Now, they urgently need to know Zhu Gaochi's judgment on this matter, which will affect their subsequent work.

Zhu Gaochi pondered for a moment and said, "I don't know very well, but you can ask more national teachers for advice."

When Yang Pu asked the question, his face darkened slightly.

The rest of the cabinet members, including Hu Guang, bowed their heads and remained silent.

Zhu Gaochi's attitude was a bit subtle. I don't know if he didn't trust Hu Guang who was present, or if he had other concerns. However, it was obvious that every decision he made at this moment would affect the situation of the court, so if Zhu Gaochi wanted to avoid the limelight temporarily, Not taking a stand is also a statement.

"Then we will follow the normal regulations of the cabinet from now on? Does Your Highness think this is appropriate?" After a while, Yang Shiqi raised his head and asked slowly.

Everyone looked at Zhu Gaochi, obviously wanting to know Zhu Gaochi's attitude.

The translation of this sentence is very simple. It means that I am in the Cao camp and my heart is in the Han Dynasty.

Zhu Gaochi smiled and said, "That's how it should be. Just follow your wishes and do things normally."

When he was at a low point, these confidants could still firmly support him, which undoubtedly made Zhu Gaochi feel very gratified, and all of this was brought about by his impressive charm in the past.

In fact, in the history of Jiang Xinghuo's previous life, Zhu Gaochi's charm was also the reason why he could remain standing as the prince for twenty years, and even finally ascended to the throne. There were too many outstanding civil servants who were willing to stand in his way. Shot.

For example, Yang Pu, in the history of Jiang Xinghuo's previous life, he stood clearly on Zhu Gaochi's side in the dispute over the crown prince, and was then used as a scapegoat in an incident and was imprisoned. However, Yang Pu was still diligent in prison. He never stopped reading. Within ten years, he read through the classics and history books many times. It was not until Zhu Gaochi came to the throne that Yang Pu was released from prison, which was regarded as the enlightenment.

Zhu Gaochi looked around and continued: "However, this matter is very involved. If there is anything difficult to deal with, you need to consider it carefully and be more careful."

"But overall."

Zhu Gaochi paused and said: "The imperial court has rules, but you should do whatever the imperial master asks you to do, and cooperate well with the imperial master, do you understand?"

Everyone's reactions varied, but they generally accepted it. They did not betray Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Gaochi did not make it difficult for them.

Yang Rong's expression was calm, and he raised his hands and said: "Although Jiang Xinghuo has the talent to govern the world, his qualifications in the temple are shallow after all. I am afraid that Your Majesty will quit the court. This kind of thing is really big and difficult to handle."

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and said: "This is different. The National Preceptor was appointed by His Majesty and is the most ideal candidate. He is familiar with the examination method and is good at reform. It is appropriate for him to take charge of it alone, sweep away the moths, and implement the examination method." Thoroughly promoted and implemented.”

"However, if there are really large-scale personnel changes, I'm afraid it won't be a good thing for the court."

Yang Shiqi's rebuttal caused a commotion.

Yang Shiqi's words were obviously not a good thing not only for the court, but also for Zhu Gaochi's power.

Everyone was chattering, and Zhu Gaochi waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it again!"

His eyes swept across the faces of several people and said, "Everyone, the overall situation is the most important thing."

Everyone felt a pressure.

They are the people closest to the center of power, and their future prospects are unlimited, but they still feel uneasy in the face of this storm that is about to sweep the entire temple.

"If there is nothing else, please come back. From now on, I will thank guests behind closed doors and think about it." Zhu Gaochi stood up.

"Your Highness, take care." Several people agreed in unison.

Zhu Gaochi nodded with satisfaction and left the flower hall.