After Zhu Ying returned from Qianqing Palace, it could not be said that he was resting. He still had to deal with a large number of memorials.
But soon after returning, Liu He came over, bringing six eunuchs with him, each two eunuchs holding a large wooden box.
Seeing these three large wooden boxes, Zhu Ying had already guessed what was inside before Liu He could say anything.
"Grandpa is indeed a great man. He does what he says."
Zhu Ying said with a wry smile.
What he just said in Qianqing Palace, the old man immediately made arrangements for him.
This is really not particular.
"Reporting to Your Highness, Your Majesty asked your servant to bring a message to His Highness to finish it as soon as possible. Don't delay tomorrow's morning meeting. Your health is the most important thing."
Liu He bowed and bowed.
Zhu Ying nodded helplessly, asked several eunuchs to place the memorials in the box, and then let him leave.
Can this be considered self-inflicted?
Gritting his teeth, Zhu Ying thought to himself: Sooner or later, he will have to go through this kind of experience. There is not much difference if he does it sooner or later. Only by slowly reforming can he get rid of these troubles.
In terms of the Ming Dynasty's current system, there are too many things that cannot be eliminated at once. They can only be gradually reduced after Zhu Ying's various arrangements are implemented.
The sudden decentralization of power was also a big blow to the imperial power.
"It seems like tonight will be a sleepless night."
Thinking of this, Zhu Ying suddenly felt that letting Ye Yueqing leave every night seemed like a wrong choice.
If time is spent, and I review the memorials by myself, do I need to put in a little more effort?
Shaking her head slightly to get rid of these thoughts, Zhu Ying opened the first memorial and read it carefully.
There are hundreds of memorials here, which seem to be very numerous, but each memorial has a great potential to be related to people's livelihood, or even their wealth and life.
Naturally, it cannot be underestimated.
Therefore, no matter how many memorials there are, Zhu Ying will take them seriously.
Just when Zhu Ying was reading at night.
On the bank of the Qinhuai River, a two-story building with a small attic was docked on the shore.
Next to the boat, there is a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, looking forward to it.
After a long time, his face showed joy, and finally he saw a few familiar figures at the end of the alley, and he hurriedly greeted them.
He bowed in front of the three people and said: "Student Zhou Li, I have met teachers, Mr. Bai and Mr. Zhang."
The teacher Zhou Li called was naturally Liu Sanwu, and the other two were Zhang Xin and Bai Xintai.
"Have everything been arranged? Today's matter concerns the world's scholars, but there is no room for sloppiness. If it is known to others, it will be a small matter for you and me to lose our lives. If the status of the world's scholars is reduced and the Ming warriors become popular, then it will be terrible It’s a big deal.”
Liu Sanwu said in a serious tone.
Next to them, Zhang Xin and Bai Xintai also nodded seriously.
Everyone was on tenterhooks on the way to today's gathering.
After all, this is the capital, not somewhere else.
Here in the capital, things like walls having ears happen almost all the time. Even in your own mansion, there is no safety at all.
In addition, the topic discussed today is too sensitive, so we cannot be too cautious.
After hearing the teacher's question, Zhou Li quickly said: "Teacher, don't worry, this time we will go directly to the Qinhuai River. No matter how powerful those eagles and dogs are, they can't be clairvoyant or clairvoyant."
"The students here directly chartered the entire boat, and there is no one else except the boatman. You can absolutely rest assured."
After hearing this, Liu Sanwu nodded.
However, Bai Xintiao next to him asked: "Where did that boatman come from? Have you ever investigated clearly? In this capital, Jin Yiwei has too many hidden connections. Perhaps an inconspicuous figure is the work of Jin Yiwei."
"The beginning of many big things is often defeated by small things. Don't be careless."
Zhou Li heard this and quickly replied: "Mr. Bai said that the students also had some considerations in this regard. The boatman this time started making a living by rowing here in the fifth year of Hongwu."
"The student has asked many people about this matter, and it can be corroborated. There is no falsehood."
"In the fifth year of Hongwu's reign, the Imperial Guards had not yet been established, so there must be no problem."
After hearing this, Bai Xintuan shook his head and said, "Don't think so. Jin Yiwei's relationship in the capital is complicated. I'm afraid even the commander of Jin Yiwei, Jiang Qi, doesn't know how many informants he has under his command."
"When these people are developing craftsmanship, they are infiltrating into all walks of life. Maybe a beggar on the street who has been begging for more than ten years is the craftsman of Jin Yiwei."
Regarding Bai Xintuan's caution, Liu Sanwu and Zhang Xin agreed. Everyone was very nervous when they came here and had no sense of security at all, so they asked like this.
Zhou Li was not unhappy at all when he was questioned.
The reputation of the three people in front of him was secondary, and what he said next was the most critical preparation.
"Teacher and two gentlemen, please rest assured. The students' arrangements this time have also taken a lot of effort. The name of Jinyiwei is indeed too scary."
"So the boatman chosen by the students this time is a deaf man. When the Ming Dynasty was founded, he was already deaf and could not hear any words."
"After entering the building boat, the boatman will row the boat to the middle of the river. Just in case, the students make tea for the teacher and two gentlemen, while the boatman will stay at the bow of the boat and will not come over."
"In this case, even if he is really Jin Yiwei's informant, or can read lips, it will be of no use at all. The students will definitely keep a close eye on him."
Hearing the students' arrangement, Liu Sanwu nodded with a smile.
In this way, you won't be afraid of anyone eavesdropping.
Zhang Xin and Bai Xintuan were also very satisfied with Zhou Li's arrangements.
Under the leadership of Zhou Li, we finally boarded the building boat. The boatman also went to the bow and could not see this side at all.
The old man was wearing a raincoat, and he caught him so quietly.
Zhang Xin even called out "Boatman" several times to test the old man.
But it was obvious that the old man, who had his back turned to everyone, did not react at all.
As Zhou Li started making tea, Liu Sanwu also took the lead in opening the topic.
"Tomorrow is the morning court, and then I will be waiting to report to Your Majesty. For the past three days, I have been tossing and turning every night, worrying about the future of the Ming Dynasty."
"I called you two today, mainly to lay down the rules for tomorrow's morning meeting."
Zhang Xin heard this and said: "Sir, don't worry, I have contacted many colleagues, they all have the same idea as us, and they will definitely support us when we go to court tomorrow morning."
"I have inquired about His Majesty the Grand Sun's choice now and found that almost all the scholars are very dissatisfied with it. If it can be done, I will ask the students to submit tens of thousands of people's blood. I believe that His Majesty will know our determination.
.”
Bai Xintuan said: "Things like writing tens of thousands of people's blood must not be done unless it is absolutely necessary. If your Majesty's temper were the opposite, he would be even more irritable."
"When the time comes when it backfires, it will be completely difficult to say."
"Let's wait and see for the specific arrangements when the performance is presented to me tomorrow morning."
"Your Majesty loves His Highness the Grandson too much. Even His Highness the Crown Prince has never been treated like this. If you really insist on having your own way, there is really no need for us to lose our heads in vain."
After hearing Bai Xintuan's words, Zhang Xinzhong thought about it and said: "Mr. Bai is absolutely right. Over the years, there have been quite a few Jinshi who have died in the hands of your Majesty. The capital is not as good as the local area. With just one word from your Majesty, I might be able to do it."
Wait until all your previous efforts are in vain.”
"It's just that I've been thinking hard for the past three days, but I haven't come up with a way to get the best of both worlds. I can't get around His Highness the Grand Sun. In addition, in recent days, the people in the capital have been somewhat shocked by the day of the military parade."
"Nowadays, whether in teahouses or restaurants, one can hear the joy about His Royal Highness Taisun's military parade arrangement. In this case, if it is not a favorable statement, it may not necessarily be able to impress His Majesty."
"Coupled with the fact that the people are like this, I'm afraid His Majesty will think that our worries are unfounded."
As soon as these words came out, Bai Xintuan fell silent.
Zhou Li, who had been making tea, also had a slight tremor in his hands and even a slight tremor in his body.
When he came, the teacher never told him that the topic to be discussed today was actually this.
When it comes to His Majesty and His Highness Taisun, who is now at the height of his power, Zhou Li suddenly felt a little panicked.
This kind of thing is really fatal. If you do something wrong, you may be implicated.
At this time, Zhou Li really regretted it.
Yesterday, when the news came out about Liu Sanwu, Zhou Li volunteered and said that he could definitely arrange everything for the teacher.
In the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, reputation is important and involves recommendations, but if there is no one above, it is difficult to advance.
Although the teacher Liu Sanwu only served in the Hanlin Academy, when the officials of the Ming Dynasty heard about the name of the teacher, no one would give him any respect.
Moreover, Zhou Li was able to obtain a position in the Ministry of Rites, which was partly due to the care of his teacher Liu Sanwu.
In this regard, Zhou Licai is eager to express himself.
It's a pity that if he is given another chance, Zhou Li will definitely pretend to be stupid, or he will not be taken advantage of. If he is really implicated, he will lose his black hat. I am afraid that this skin will be buried near the capital.
But now that we are on the pirate ship, we have to persevere even if we have to bite the bullet.
If something happened, there was no possibility of him running away.
At this moment, the atmosphere was a bit serious, because after everyone communicated, it seemed that there was no good way to advise His Majesty.
If you can't even convince yourself, how can you convince His Majesty, or even His Highness the Grand Sun?
Just when everyone was silent, Liu Sanwu suddenly laughed, immediately attracting everyone's attention to himself.
"My efforts in these three days have not been wasted. Especially, I have learned a lot about His Highness Taisun."
"I have to admit that His Highness the Grand Sun does have a unique talent when it comes to military training. Perhaps this is why His Majesty favors him so much."
"It's just that His Highness the Grand Sun is not yet twenty years old anyway. It is already very good to be able to do what he is now, but he has forgotten the current situation."
At this point, Liu Sanwu paused for a moment and took a sip of tea before continuing: "On the second day of the military parade, I have asked someone to investigate the current situation of the Capital Guards."
"His Royal Highness Changsun made a big mistake in this regard."
"I have repeatedly confirmed that during the previous military parade, those impressive soldiers were not simple military households. In the previous sowing, these soldiers did not participate at all, but had been practicing all the time."
"Before this, even the personal guards in the Ming Dynasty did not train once a day. At most, they trained once every three days."
"And the arrangement for His Highness Taisun is to do three exercises every day."
"It's not just as simple as three drills. The soldiers in these drills can eat three meals a day, and even every meal has meat."
"So, you must understand what I mean."
Liu Sanwu felt that his throat was a little dry, so after finishing speaking, he picked up the tea cup and began to taste it.
When Bai Xindan heard this, he exclaimed: "If this is the case, then these soldiers don't need to go to the fields. They only need to practice every day and they will be able to eat meat every day."
"This, this, such a large expenditure, can the treasury's money be maintained? Besides, this makes me feel like I have provoked His Majesty."
"This is not as simple as a few guards, or even a palace guard. There are thirty-six guards, nearly 180,000 people. If this is the case, how much military pay is needed."
Zhang Xin also reacted quickly. He seemed to be in a bad mood after hearing this. He picked up the tea cup and drank it all in one gulp, as if he was drinking.
Then he said: "Wouldn't it be a militancy to act like this? It's not bad. This is completely contrary to the guard system that your Majesty once established."
"The situation has reached this point, and no one has pointed it out yet."
Zhang Xin's performance was somewhat heartbreaking.
However, Zhou Li, who had been silent all this time, said abruptly: "Zhang Xinsheng, don't be anxious. Since the military parade that day, the morning court has been suspended for three days in a row. Maybe it's because we didn't go to the morning court and everyone is waiting."
Zhang Xin replied somewhat dejectedly: "I hope so."
Liu Sanwu said at this time: "Don't be discouraged. Your Majesty must be well aware of these things. It's just that your Majesty may not have seen the expenses of those soldiers at this stage."
"With 180,000 soldiers, just to feed them, and to train to death like this, the Ministry of Revenue simply cannot afford so much military pay."
"Things like this now will be just a flash in the pan, so you can rest assured."
After listening to Liu Sanwu's words, the two of them felt confident.
Even Zhou Li felt slightly relaxed. At Liu Sanwu's signal, he got up and walked to the bow of the ship, asking the old man to turn the bow back.
At this moment, the old man seemed to be writing something on the bow of the boat.
Hearing the noise from behind, his ears twitched slightly, and he stuffed it into his sleeves skillfully.