Chapter seven hundred and eighty second: really strenuous
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Just when Zhu Qiyu summoned Shen Yi and others, the other corner of the palace was also brightly lit, but the difference was that the sound of silk and bamboo could be heard from time to time in this palace.
This is naturally the residence of the Supreme Emperor. Unlike Zhu Qiyu who brought few musicians and maids out of the palace, Zhu Qizhen still continued his own style. This time when he left the palace, he brought his musicians and dancers in the Nangong Palace with him. Brought them all over.
In just half a day, the originally deserted palace was decorated with grandeur, similar to the style of Nangong.
The music was gurgling and the dancers in the hall were swaying. Zhu Qizhen sat behind the case with a smile on his face, but he took the initiative to raise his cup towards his lower body.
"My uncle and I haven't seen each other for a long time. Your uncle has lost a lot of weight."
Looking down, the person sitting below was wearing a python robe and had a graceful bearing. He was none other than Prince Xiang, who had just assumed the post of Da Zongzheng.
The spring hunt is a grand ceremony of the country, and naturally there are many clan members in Beijing accompanying it.
Speaking of which, King Xiang lived a very comfortable life during this period.
Perhaps it was because the incident in the Tenth Prince's Palace last time was so violent that the emperor was so angry that he issued an edict and severely reprimanded those clan members.
Nowadays, the group of domineering juniors in the sect are as docile as sheep.
Although, from time to time, Prince Xiang could still feel the hostility they showed towards him, but no matter how fierce they were in their hearts, on the surface, they were all honest.
In fact, even Zhu Fanzhi, who had a prickly head, was able to calm down during this period of time and study with his master honestly, instead of arguing and fighting every day.
Zongxue is peaceful and peaceful, and the Min Palace is also surprisingly quiet.
King Xiang thought that after suffering such a big loss, King Zhennan, the evil-minded clan uncle, would never let it go.
But now it seems that he is still aware of current affairs.
After all, compared to the title of King Min, the position of Da Zongzheng is actually nothing.
His Majesty was in the palace that day and asked the Ministry of Rites to arrange for the conferment of the throne of Min as soon as possible, which was considered as compensation in disguise.
If we don't take advantage of this step to come down and continue to make trouble, the emperor's face will be lost, and that will be real trouble.
So in the final analysis, this King of Zhennan is just a man who seeks advantages and avoids disadvantages.
It really threatened his core interests, and he couldn't care less about filial piety or reputation.
It can be said that the current results are very satisfying for Prince Xiang.
In fact, in King Xiang's heart, the position of Da Zongzheng was not that important originally. As a nobleman of Tianhuang and the king of a clan vassal, the education he received since his childhood was to have orderly elders and younger ones, and to inherit the right way.
Therefore, from a very early age, he happily accepted his status as a free prince, and he has always done well. Among the vassal kings, he is also a virtuous king praised by everyone.
Until that time, he entered the capital, was retained as Zuo Zongzheng, and began to take charge of religious affairs.
Although there weren't many things going on, he experienced a completely different experience from his life in the past few decades.
From leading a group of officials to formulate rules and regulations one by one, to randomly checking the schoolwork of the clan's children at any time, his daily life has changed from playing chess, calligraphy and painting to becoming the headmaster of an academy. This feeling is very strange.
Seeing these arrogant clan members, who were submissive in front of him and did not dare to express their anger, King Xiang suddenly felt that his past life was extremely boring.
However, even up to that time, he was still very indifferent to official positions such as Da Zongzheng and Zuo Zongzheng.
Until that time, he submitted a memorial to advise the emperor to respect the emperor, but the memorial was intercepted before it was sent to the cabinet.
Not only was he intercepted, but even the people he sent out were severely beaten. What made it even more unbearable was that.
He, the former emperor's brother, the heir of Renzong, the majestic Prince Xiang, was beaten several times by an old guy who could not live long.
Even my father never beat him like this!
And this time, his noble status and princely title cannot help him in the slightest. Is it just because that old guy has the title of Da Zongzheng appointed by the emperor?
With such a mere official position, a high-ranking nobleman like him was subjected to such a beating, and there was no place for him to redress his grievances.
The physical pain was gone in a short time.
However, he could never let go of the humiliation of being forcibly placed on a stool and beaten hard on his back with a long log stick.
Therefore, he wants revenge, and not only does he want revenge, he also wants Da Zongzheng's position!
In this life, he will never let anyone push him to the ground and beat him again!
In order to achieve this, King Xiang worked hard in his heart and squeezed those disciples of Zongxue to the death. He wanted to show the people in the court that he was the one who really did things and he was the one who could really manage things well.
These clan members are capable of being the most upright people in the clan!
He waited for a long time, and finally heard the news about Zhu Chu's old guy Bintian. The farce in front of Prince Min's Mansion was not only to drive away Prince Zhennan and his son, but also to make him feel bad.
Although the process was a bit tortuous and his arm has not fully recovered to this day, at least the result is good.
This spring hunting, the civil and military ministers of the imperial court, the powerful relatives, and the descendants of the clan all came over. However, Prince Zhennan and his son were inconvenient to come because they were still in the period of filial piety.
This made King Xiang even more happy. He didn't want to see these two annoying guys again.
Everything seems to be developing towards a situation that satisfies him. Prince Xiang is naturally living a very comfortable life these days.
But as the saying goes, when people are proud of themselves, they easily get carried away.
King Min's beating did not make Zhu Zhanxing remember it. After arriving at Nanyuan today, an eunuch came to tell him that the Emperor invited him to a banquet.
Prince Xiang agreed without any hesitation.
Looking at the polite Supreme Emperor, Zhu Zhanchen was filled with emotion, but he couldn't help but frown and said.
"The Supreme Emperor seems to have lost weight. In recent days, I heard that the Supreme Emperor has been having many banquets in the Nangong Palace and has taken in many new concubines."
"Although the Supreme Emperor is young now, he should not indulge in drinking and sex. He should still pay attention to his body."
Perhaps because he had stayed in Zongxue for a long time, Zhu Zhanzhen couldn't help but give a lesson when he spoke.
However, when Zhu Qizhen heard these words, he was not angry, but for some reason, his expression was a bit strange.
But it only took a moment before he put down his glass and said.
"Thank you, uncle, for teaching me. I have indulged in these days, and I really shouldn't have. Don't worry, uncle, I will reflect on myself after returning to the palace this time."
This attitude of bowing his head and admitting his mistake made Zhu Zhanzhen stunned.
Although he didn't have much contact with his nephew, he also knew that he was a decent person. He regretted what he just said.
However, as soon as he said it, and for the sake of Zhu Qizhen's good, he did not say more. However, he had already expected that the other party might be unhappy.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Qizhen had such an attitude, so Zhu Zhanchen couldn't help but sigh again. It seemed that no matter what, in this child's heart, he still knew how to respect his elders.
So, Zhu Zhanzhen smiled and said.
"Well, this is like the emperor's child. He just lost a battle. There is no need to be depressed. Cheer up. From now on, the Ming Dynasty will depend on us, the Zhu family, to support it together!"
Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen's eyes flashed, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he swallowed it.
Immediately, his expression became slightly gloomy and he said.
"To be honest with you, uncle, I have been feeling a lot since I returned to the capital. In the civil war, although the bandits were rampant and the soldiers were arrogant and lazy, there were still many loyal ministers and good generals who suffered in the battle.
Every time I think about it, I always feel tossing and turning, unable to sleep at night, and feel that the court cannot afford them."
"When I first passed through Xuanfu, I had already paid homage to the officers and soldiers who died in the Tumu battle, which was considered as a token of my sincerity. However, to this day, Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo, Wu Kezhong, the Gongshun Marquis, and Xue Shou, the Yongshun Bo.
The people who died in the country's war are still harshly criticized in the court, which is really not the case."
These words obviously meant something, but as a vassal king with no experience in government affairs, King Xiang did not notice it.
After hearing this, he felt that Zhu Qizhen had made great progress and could truly start to reflect on the original war. He couldn't help but feel very happy and said.
"It is truly a blessing to the world that the Supreme Emperor has such a heart. I think Cheng Guogong and others are so overwhelmed that if the Supreme Emperor comments like this, they will surely end up with a smile on their face."
Zhu Qizhen was also stunned. He didn't expect that even though he spoke so clearly, the emperor's uncle still didn't understand.
After looking Zhu Zhanchen up and down, Zhu Qizhen finally made a judgment. The emperor's uncle was not pretending to be confused, but he really didn't understand.
So, he smiled bitterly, gained a more accurate understanding of Prince Xiang again, pondered for a moment, and then spoke more directly.
"To be honest, uncle, this matter has been lingering in my heart for a long time. They all died for me, but in the end, they could not get a name after their death."
"A few days ago, I met Zhu Yi from the Chengguo Palace. He is a good young man. He is very proficient in riding, archery, and writing and poetry. But now, because of his father's involvement, he is being criticized everywhere in the court.
Excluded.”
"The emperor's uncle is a member of the family, so I won't hide it. The East Palace has now been enthroned, but there has been no news about leaving the cabinet. Zhu Yi inherited his father's character of being loyal and upright for the country, and brought several nobles to this country.
He asked to report, but in the end, he was fined and suspended pending investigation. If his father-in-law hadn't been Hu Hui, he might still be banned in the mansion to this day."
"I often think, if Duke Cheng Guo hadn't died in battle to protect me, and now he is sitting in the mansion, how could the majestic Duke's mansion be reduced to this place because of a memorial?"
As he spoke, Zhu Qizhen's face flashed with a heavy look, and there was a trace of guilt in it. Anyone who saw it would have to say something sincere.
In this situation, even the sound of silk and bamboo on the side stopped without knowing when.
After Zhu Zhanzhen heard this, he felt quite unhappy.
Although he is in the capital, he still maintains his previous habits and does not pay attention to the "trivial matters" of the court. Therefore, he probably only knows that the date for the East Palace to leave the cabinet has been set, but the twists and turns are
unknown.
After hearing this, he felt that the court's treatment of Zhu Yi was quite unfair. After pondering for a moment, Zhu Zhanchen frowned and asked.
"The Emperor is saying that Zhu Yi has not inherited the title of Duke Cheng Guo until now?"
Finally got to the point of asking!
Zhu Qizhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded with a heavy face, and said.
"After the Battle of Tumu, there was endless debate in the court over the merits and demerits of Duke Cheng Guo Zhu Yong. Many ministers felt that he underestimated the enemy in the battle at Yao'erling and rushed forward, so the army was surrounded by bandits. Because of this section, the court
Everyone, from the emperor to the ministers, was unwilling to let the title of Duke Cheng be passed on, so the matter was shelved."
"But in the end, I should be the clearest about the true nature of this battle. Although Zhu Yong made mistakes, he was sincere and loyal and could not be wiped out. Zhu Yi was even more loyal to me. Earlier when I was in Yibei, he had done something for me.
I traveled back to Beijing non-stop, and after my return, I tried my best to get the prince to leave the palace to study as soon as possible, and to consolidate his foundation early. This is indeed a loyal and good man."
"It's a pity that I have retired to Nangong and have already made it clear that I cannot interfere in government affairs. Otherwise, I will definitely let Zhu Yi inherit the title of Duke Cheng as soon as possible. This can be regarded as my repayment of the friendship of Duke Cheng."
Having said this, even the most obtuse person should understand.
What's more, King Xiang just lacked experience in court affairs, but he was able to gain the reputation of a wise king among the clan. In fact, he was not particularly clumsy in his dealings with the world.
After hearing Zhu Qizhen's words, he looked a little embarrassed, hesitated for a moment, and then said.
"What the Supreme Emperor said is reasonable. It is really unfair that such a loyal and good minister is in such a situation in the court. However, this matter is a court matter after all. Although the minister is in the capital, he is the vassal king after all. If it is a family matter of the Zhu family, it can still be said
The last two sentences, but if you interfere in government affairs rashly, there may be something wrong."
"However, your Majesty, please rest assured. Now that I know about this matter today, I will naturally stand up for this child in Chengguo Palace in the future, and will not teach him to be bullied by the civil and military forces of the DPRK because of the loss of his father."
It should be said that King Xiang has not been dazzled by the recent favorable conditions. Since Emperor Taizong, vassal kings have not been involved in court affairs. Although there is no explicit edict, it has become an unbreakable rule.
Prince Xiang was self-aware of this, not because he was afraid of anything, but because this rule itself was part of the education he had received since childhood.
This is not the same as fighting for Da Zongzheng's official position. After all, Da Zongzheng essentially manages clan affairs. To put it bluntly, it is the Zhu family's family affairs.
Since it is a family matter, then, as the former emperor's brother, the descendant of Renzong, and the longest current Taizong lineage, Prince Xiang naturally has to do his part.
But when it comes to government affairs, he is much more cautious.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qizhen also hesitated a little, thought about it, and said.
"The emperor's uncle is right to be worried. Anyway, this matter should not trouble the emperor's uncle. However, I always feel guilty about Chengguo Duke's mansion in my heart. I have prepared a pair of bows and armor for the hunt tomorrow. If the emperor's uncle doesn't mind,
Please, please give it to Zhu Yi for me. It can be considered as a token of appreciation. If there is a chance later, if the emperor uncle can help him, he will also help a bunch. It can also be considered as a thank you for the Zhu family for their fathers' bloody battles."
This is not a difficult task, so Zhu Zhanzhen just hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will handle this matter well."
