Chapter Five Hundred and Twenty Eight: The Empress Dowager's Decree
Xuanfu City, General Military Mansion.
After these days, Zhu Qizhen's life has finally become more comfortable.
Although the Mongolian guards still couldn't get out of bed, Shu Liang's eyesore was gone, and the entire guard duty of the General Military Mansion was handed over to the veteran Ren Li.
Speaking of which, Ren Li was first promoted to earl, and it was he who granted him the title. In addition, with Empress Dowager Sun's family letters as a basis, he finally had someone he could trust.
And more importantly, Ren had a high official position and was a serious official, unlike Liu Yongcheng, who was a eunuch and had almost no power to resist in the face of imperial power.
Thinking of Liu Yongcheng, Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but recall Liu Yongcheng's deep bow before leaving, with a meaning of farewell.
A strong feeling of powerlessness arose in my heart again. The delicious food that I had been thinking about day and night in the north suddenly became boring.
At this time, Yuan Bin hurried in from outside, cupped his hands.
"Your Majesty, Wang Jin, the eunuch in charge of Cining Palace, has arrived. He said that he brought the Holy Mother's decree and asked to see him outside."
"Wang Jin?"
Zhu Qizhen frowned, of course he knew this person.
After all, he had grown up in the palace since childhood and had been the emperor for more than ten years. Naturally, he knew all the eunuchs in the inner palace who had some qualifications.
He had promoted Wang Jin before, and he was a capable person. However, his relationship with Wang Zhen didn't seem to be particularly good, but it was just like water in a well.
What makes Zhu Qizhen confused is...
"The queen mother has changed the eunuch in charge of Cining Palace? Where is Li Yongchang?"
Although Zhu Qizhen has learned a lot about various things that happened in the imperial court since he arrived at Xuanfu, not many people know about the things in the inner palace.
Li Yongchang was killed at that time, and the reason was somewhat sensitive, so it was not publicized to the outside world. The only people who knew the inside story were the Empress Dowager Sun and several empresses in the palace, and the outer dynasty, that is, the few who were summoned after Zuo Shunmen at that time.
Just an important minister.
Externally, the Holy Mother is still deeply aware of the righteousness, and the Supreme Emperor is worried about the country. One of them advocates that the eldest king should be established, and the other takes the initiative to take the Zen position to protect the capital. The emperor sticks to his duty, speaks repeatedly, and finally plans for the ancestral temple to inherit the throne as king.
.
This is the situation seen by civil and military officials, the government and the public. The lights and shadows of swords and swords are never known to outsiders, let alone the life and death of a small person like Li Yongchang.
However, Yuan Bin was also confused about Zhu Qizhen's issue.
He was originally a small imperial guard in imperial robes. If it weren't for chance, the big men in the inner palace wouldn't even look at him. How could he know such a palace secret?
Even before today, he didn't know that the name of Da Yun who was with the Queen Mother in the Wuying Hall at that time was Wang Jin.
Seeing Yuan Bin's confused look, Zhu Qizhen's mood became more and more complicated.
He originally asked casually, but Yuan Bin's current behavior reminded him again invisibly.
It’s been a whole year!
In the capital, we don’t know how many changes have taken place.
Everything is no longer what he was familiar with before...
Impatiently, he slapped the chopsticks in his hand on the table. Zhu Qizhen leaned on the couch and waved his hand: "That's it, let him come in and talk for himself!"
Therefore, Yuan Bin was pardoned and hurriedly retreated. When he came back, there was already a white-faced and beardless eunuch behind him.
"Slave Wang Jin, please pay your respects to the emperor."
Generally speaking, the term "Emperor" is what the eunuchs in the palace call the emperor, so Zhu Qizhen had not heard it for a long time.
Both Yuan Bin and Ha Ming called him "Your Majesty" or "The Supreme Emperor". Although Liu Yongcheng was a eunuch, he was a warrior and was undoubtedly loyal.
Yuan Bin called him "Your Majesty".
The name "Vicissitudes of Life" brought countless emotions to Zhu Qizhen's heart.
At the same time, his impression of Wang Jin also improved. He put away his casual look, sat up straight, and nodded.
"Get up. I remember that the previous eunuch in charge of Cining Palace was Li Yongchang. Now, my mother has promoted you. She must have great trust in you. Tell me, what can I do?"
Speaking of which, this is also the first time Wang Jin has seen the Supreme Emperor in more than a year.
Even when he was in the palace before, because he and Wang Zhen were not in the same party, he was not able to accompany him very much. There was definitely some unfamiliarity.
Therefore, he was thinking about how to win the favor of the Supreme Emperor along the way, and finally came to the conclusion that everything should remain as it is.
The biggest problem in the heart of the Supreme Emperor was the Battle of Tumu, which not only cost hundreds of thousands of officers and soldiers, but also lost his throne and forced him to camp in the north.
For the Supreme Emperor, if this experience could be erased, he would rather never remember them again.
Therefore, there is no need to be too flattering, just follow the rules. If you served the Emperor when he was still the Emperor, the Emperor will definitely be happy.
Sure enough, with just a small greeting, Wang Jin arrived immediately, and the Emperor's mood became much gentler.
At that moment, Wang Jin stood up respectfully, cupped his hands and said: "Go back to your Majesty, this servant has come and brought the Holy Mother's message and decree. This..."
As he spoke, Wang Jin glanced at Yuan Bin and several palace attendants on the side, and hesitantly did not continue.
Of course Zhu Qizhen understood what he meant, and at the same time, his previous sadness of spring and autumn was immediately swept away.
The Empress Dowager Sun had already written a letter to him before. If she had anything to say, she would have said it at that time. But it was obvious that the Empress Dowager Sun's intention at that time was to let him make his own decision and not to rush back to Beijing. Therefore,
Zhu Qizhencai has been staying leisurely in Xuanfu.
But now, Empress Dowager Sun sent people again, bringing "oral messages" and "Yi decrees".
The former means that it is inconvenient for Empress Dowager Sun to write down some words, so she can only let her confidants pass them on orally. As for the latter, the use of the form of "will" has a somewhat necessary meaning.
With double overweighting, Zhu Qizhen suddenly realized...
"What happened in the capital? What did the queen say?"
After asking anxiously, Zhu Qizhen saw Wang Jin's hesitant expression and said again.
"Don't worry, after I return from the south, all the people I use are my confidants. These palace people took care of me when I was in Oala. As for Yuan Bin, there is no need to have any doubts. What happened?"
So, Wang Jin felt relieved and said.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Holy Mother asked the servants to bring you only two words: There may be changes in the East Palace. Please, Your Majesty, please stop delaying and return to the capital as soon as possible."
As he spoke, Wang Jin took out a piece of luxurious silk from his sleeve, handed it over, and continued.
"This is an edict written in the handwriting of the Holy Mother and stamped with the seal of the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty is invited to read it."
Yuan Bin stepped forward, took Yizhi over, unfolded it and put it on the case. Zhu Qizhen looked at it carefully and saw what was written on it.
"Sun Ciyu, the empress dowager of the Supreme Saint, and Qi Zhen, the supreme emperor of Xiao."
"At the end of autumn last year, the bandits invaded the border. As the emperor, you led the six divisions to punish the thieves. Unexpectedly, you were misled by evil spirits. You hunted the bandits in the north. Both the court and the public, both inside and outside the palace, hated the bandits. I hope you, father.
Come home early."
"At that time, the country was in turmoil and the ancestral temple was in danger. He also first looked at the heroes and wanted to control our capital. Although I was a member of the harem, I had to join the foreign dynasty. I first established a prince to calm the hearts of the ministers, and then ordered King Yin to be regent and stabilize the country."
"Later, I learned that you sent an envoy from the captives to convey a message, and you wanted to take the throne, but the captives and thieves took advantage of the emperor's wishes to order the imperial court, and for the sake of the country, I and the ministers worked together to help King Tan ascend the throne. We first drove away the captives and thieves, and then
Trying to welcome the return."
"Now that the captors have retreated, the emperor and I sent several envoys, and finally ordered you to return from the captors in the south, where you will be rewarded. Queen Duanjing and I are looking forward to our early reunion day and night. Although the prince is young, I still look at your portrait every day.
Please kowtow and show your pure filial piety."
"Unexpectedly, on your way home, you were paying homage to the dead officers and soldiers, but your mood was unstable and you lingered in the Xuan Mansion and did not return."
"As the Supreme Emperor, you should have mercy on the soldiers and civilians. However, the Ming Dynasty ruled the world with benevolence and filial piety. You are not only a brother and a father, but also a husband and a son."
"As a son of a man, you have an old mother who is looking forward to you in the palace; as a husband, you have a virtuous wife who raises her head day and night and washes her face with tears; as a father, you have a pure and filial son who still needs to be taught and raised; as a brother, you have an imperial brother.
Invite me again and again."
"The emperor should be held responsible by the state, but the son of man should be filial to his parents. Now that you are in Huanxuan Mansion, making your mother and wife worried, don't you feel guilty?"
"When you see this decree, you are ordered to set off and return quickly without any delay. This is the order!"
It should be said that the tone of this imperial edict was extremely severe and could be called a rebuke. Zhu Qi's behavior in the Panhuan Xuan Mansion was directly denounced as unfilial, unkind, and unloving.
Hidden beneath such a stern tone was the Queen Mother's eagerness to get him back to Beijing.
This attitude has shown that Zhu Qizhen must go back!
At the same time, there are also many things vaguely revealed in this imperial edict.
For example, Empress Dowager Sun deliberately emphasized that the prince should be established first, and then the general administration should be established. After obtaining a letter from the captives, he would be appointed to the throne. I and the ministers would support King Tan to ascend the throne...
These words made Zhu Qizhen immediately react to the flash of swords and swords that arose after the civil engineering work in order to secure the throne.
These things are extremely secretive and very few people know about them. At the same time, they cannot be left on paper.
Empress Dowager Sun was reminding him that staying away from the political center meant that he had no information about many things, and the asymmetry of information would lead to mistakes in decision-making, which was a taboo in politics.
Slowly closing Yizhi, Zhu Qizhen closed his eyes. After a while, when he opened his eyes again, his expression had calmed down.
These are all things for later, and I will definitely go back. However, Queen Mother Sun’s tone was quite calm when she sent the message before, but now she has changed so drastically. There must be a reason, so...
"Wang Jin, tell me, what happened to Brother Shen?"
So Wang Jin told everything that happened in the capital.
Although it is impossible to get a full picture due to his identity, what he said alone is enough.
Kaimeng came out of the cabinet and was granted the title of Third Master and Third Young Master of the Crown Prince, but he did not appoint any subordinate officials in the Crown Prince's office. He openly separated Brother Shen from his biological mother at a young age...
When Zhu Qizhen saw all these methods, he could naturally see more.
His good brother held the prince up high, but did not give him any real benefit...
Climb high and fall easily!
Seeing the Supreme Emperor's contemplative look, Wang Jin hesitated for a moment, and finally had the courage to say.
"Your Majesty, there is actually another sentence. The Holy Mother did not give any instructions, but I know that this is what the Holy Mother has been worried about, so I dare to speak more."
Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen frowned subconsciously and asked, "What else is there?"
"When the servant came, the queen in the palace was nearly nine months pregnant. The imperial doctor diagnosed that the emperor's heir should be born in less than a month at most. In addition, the emperor's newly adopted concubine Guo's delivery date is not far away.
It's okay for Concubine Guo, after all, her status is not high, but if there is a legitimate son in the middle palace..."
This kind of thing is not easy to discuss, so Wang Jin spoke very slowly, carefully considering his words, and said.
"In short, the Holy Mother has been worried about this matter, but there is no way. She does not want to put pressure on you, but I am secretly thinking that for such a big matter, you must return to Beijing in person to prevent any changes."
After listening, Zhu Qizhen's brows furrowed tightly and his fists clenched subconsciously.
East Palace...
So, does the emperor have such a motive for letting the prince leave the cabinet at this moment?
Going out to study means that the prince's every word and deed will be supervised by the civil and military officials of foreign dynasties.
Brother Shen is just over three years old. If he has a heavy workload and is isolated from his parents, it will be impossible for him not to make mistakes.
The ministers who had high hopes for the prince were bound to be gradually disappointed.
Although etiquette and law are said to come first, people's hearts and minds are equally important!
At the same time, the emperor's legitimate son is born. If he can grow up safely, who knows who will die?
Can the status of the Crown Prince of the East Palace really remain impregnable?
The answer has long been in Zhu Qizhen's heart.
However, if you go back now, you will have to accept the rituals of offering sacrifices to heaven, offering sacrifices to temples, and issuing edicts from the Imperial Fengtian Palace, and the ritual notes handed over by the Ministry of Rites...
Zhu Qizhen's face was quite struggling. He held the Yizhi from the Queen Mother Sun in his right hand and the ceremonial note sent by the Ministry of Rites in his left hand.
After a long time, the cold wind suddenly blew open the window sill, blowing away the heat in the stove. At the same time, it also stimulated the whitened black carbon to bloom again with traces of fire...
Zhu Qizhen opened his eyes and had a decision in his heart.
"Pass on the order and leave tomorrow to return to Beijing!"
Wang Jin suddenly felt relieved and bowed his head deeply.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
At the same time, at the post station outside the General Military Mansion, Ren Li had just arranged the security of the General Military Mansion and was resting in his room.
Suddenly, a general in armor walked in from outside, walking in a hurry.
This person's name is He Hao, and he is one of his old subordinates. He has followed Ren Li since he went to the battlefield. Whether it was the expedition against Adai Khan or later the guarding of Gansu, He Hao had always stood up for him during the fight.
Less credit.
This time when he came to Xuan Mansion, Ren Li did not bring anyone else with him, but he only took him with him.
He was the only one who could break in directly without going through any notification.
"General, something happened."
As soon as he entered the door, He Hao hurriedly performed a military salute and then spoke directly.
Although it was said that Ren Li was now a marquis, He Hao still followed the old habit of calling him a general.
Hearing this, Ren Li immediately tensed up his body, stood up suddenly, and asked.
"What's wrong? Could it be that there are still thieves in Xuanfu City who dare to do anything to the Supreme Emperor?"
Now that Ren Li had taken over the responsibility of guarding Zhu Qizhen, his first reaction was naturally that something had happened to the Emperor.
Unexpectedly, He Hao shook his head, handed over a letter, and said.
"General, you might as well take a look at this first."
Ren Li frowned, took the letter, and read it attentively. After scanning it, his face suddenly became solemn, and he raised his head and asked.
"What's going on? Isn't Yu Qian investigating the case in Datong? Why did he end up in Gansu?"
He Hao shook his head and said: "I don't know yet. Externally, it is said that Luo Tong's case involves Gansu, and Yu Shaobao went to investigate the case and inspect military affairs. However, according to reports from several old subordinates of the last general, Yu Shaobao
After Shaobao arrived in Gansu, he didn't seem to be in a hurry to investigate the case, but wandered around, and seemed to be inquiring about something..."
As a result, Ren Li couldn't sit still anymore and walked around the room. After a long while, he said:
"In this case, you go to Gansu immediately, and then..."
"Report!"
Before he finished speaking, another voice sounded outside the room. This time it was Ren Li's long attendant. He walked into the room, bowed and said.
"Master Marquis, news just came from the palace, saying that you should make arrangements immediately. The Emperor will drive back to Beijing tomorrow."
"What?"
Ren Li was greatly surprised. Just yesterday, the Supreme Emperor had ordered him to arrange the defenses near the General Military Mansion, so why did he suddenly have to set off today?
But in this case, Ren Li has no reason to continue to stay in Xuan Mansion.
The capital is far from Gansu, and it takes several days to gallop.
Before receiving this letter, maybe this was nothing, but now...
After looking at the letter in my hand, I didn't know what decision to make for a moment...