Chapter 2271 those years, those people, those things
In the sanatorium on the hillside of Xiangshan Mountain in Yuanmingyuan, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Hongzhi, who was about to turn 80, had gray hair, wrinkles on his face, and cloudy eyes. He was often not very clear-headed. Sometimes he would talk nonsense and say some things.
Words that no one understands.
The eunuchs and maids who served him were all very careful, for fear of upsetting the emperor. Since the death of Empress Zhang last year, Emperor Hongzhi's health has been getting worse day by day.
Emperor Hongzhi and Empress Zhang were in love all their lives. Although they were in the royal family, they lived like a couple in an ordinary family. They were very loving.
As an emperor, Emperor Hongzhi had only one woman, Empress Zhang, in his life, and he only loved Empress Zhang in his life. From ancient times to the present, he was the only one among the emperors.
The departure of Empress Zhang made Emperor Hongzhi's already poor health even worse. The longing for Empress Zhang, coupled with the fact that his own body was running out of oil, meant that Emperor Hongzhi's time was running out.
Recently, many people have come to the Old Summer Palace. Every day, people come to ask for an audience with Emperor Hongzhi. Everyone knows that Emperor Hongzhi's time is running out.
For this reason, the Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao often took a break from court and came to the Old Summer Palace to accompany Emperor Hongzhi, for fear that he would never see his father again once he left.
For the current Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao, the person who worries him the most is Emperor Hongzhi. The relationship between their father and son is very good.
Emperor Hongzhi had doted on Zhu Houzhao since he was a child. He was often like a father and son in an ordinary family. The two went shopping and played in the streets and alleys of the capital, enjoying the happy time between father and son.
Zhu Houzhao didn't have to listen to anyone, but he would definitely listen to what Emperor Hongzhi said. He would listen to whatever Emperor Hongzhi said.
Nowadays, he will do everything Emperor Hongzhi says. When he was young, he would be rebellious and disobedient. Now that he is older, he hopes that Emperor Hongzhi can give him more advice.
But Emperor Hongzhi rarely talks about Zhu Houzhao now. The only thing he says is to ask Zhu Houzhao to pay attention to restraint and not to be too indulgent, which is not good for the health.
Every time Emperor Hongzhi said that, no matter how lustful Zhu Houzhao was, he could at least wait for ten days and a half. If Emperor Hongzhi hadn't been there, Zhu Houzhao would have been in poor health long ago.
The older he got, the worse Zhu Houzhao's health became. He was also uninhibited and asked the imperial doctor of the imperial hospital to secretly prepare some medicine. This seriously harmed his body.
But except for Emperor Hongzhi, anyone else's persuasion was useless and had no effect.
At this moment, Emperor Hongzhi was lying on the old man's chair, overlooking the beautiful scenery of Xiangshan Mountain through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and at the same time looking at the prosperous and lively capital city.
The capital city has developed extremely rapidly in recent years. The area has expanded and expanded, and the area has become larger and larger. The area around Xiangshan has been developed, and there are many high-rise buildings. At night, the lights are brightly lit and it is very lively.
"The capital has changed, the changes are huge."
Emperor Hongzhi originally lost sight of his eyes due to a fall, so he passed the throne to Zhu Houzhao in advance. Later, after recuperating, his eyes slowly recovered and he could even see more clearly than before.
"Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian, Zhang Mao, Ma Wensheng, Zhou Jing, Liu Daxia~"
Emperor Hongzhi kept chanting names one after another, recalling some things and people in his youth.
It's just that these people have already left, but at this moment, Emperor Hongzhi feels as if they are by his side. Their figures and their voices echo clearly in his mind, so clearly, so clearly.
familiar.
It was as if he was sitting on the dragon chair in the Jinluan Palace, and there were hundreds of civil and military officials reporting to him on state affairs and discussing important matters related to the Ming Dynasty.
Emperor Hongzhi's life was unfortunate, but he was lucky.
Emperor Hongzhi's mother was just a maid in the palace. His mother, Ji, was the daughter of a chieftain from Guangxi. She was defeated by the Ming Empire's troops because she rebelled against the Ming Dynasty. As a result, she was implicated and became a maid in the Ming Palace.
One time, Emperor Hongzhi's father, Emperor Ming Xianzong, saw this and came to the maid directly. Who knew that she would become pregnant with Emperor Hongzhi.
But at that time, the situation in the palace was very special. Emperor Xianzong doted on Concubine Wan Gui and obeyed Concubine Wan Gui in every possible way. However, Concubine Wan Gui could not give birth to a child, so he kept a close eye on Emperor Xianzong's other concubines.
.
As long as someone was pregnant, she would immediately find a way to abort the pregnancy. This also resulted in Emperor Xianzong being childless and leaving no heirs.
In such an environment, Ji became pregnant with a dragon species, which definitely brought disaster upon herself.
But fortunately, Ji is a very nice person. The maids and eunuchs in the palace like her and have a good relationship with her. So when Concubine Wan Guifei sent someone to check, the maid said that she had a tumor in her belly, not a child.
.
After giving birth to Emperor Hongzhi, Concubine Wan Guifei sent people to drown Emperor Hongzhi. However, the eunuch Zhang Min sent was very sympathetic to the Ji family and Emperor Hongzhi's mother and son, and risked her life to hide Emperor Hongzhi in the palace.
Medium, feed with rice flour.
After Concubine Wan Gui found out, she became furious and sent people to search the palace many times, but no trace was found. Empress Wu, who was later deposed by Concubine Wan Gui, also helped Emperor Hongzhi.
In this environment, Emperor Hongzhi lived until he was six years old, until Emperor Xianzong's health failed, but he lamented that he did not even have a son, and that the Ming Dynasty did not even have an heir.
Eunuch Zhang Min then told Emperor Xianzong about Emperor Hongzhi, and Emperor Xianzong officially met Emperor Hongzhi, who was six years old but had not even shaved off his fetal hair due to long-term confinement in the palace.
Emperor Xianzong burst into tears and lamented that God was still kind to him and finally left him a child. He then formally summoned his ministers and announced this period to the world.
Emperor Hongzhi was officially crowned Crown Prince, and Ji was granted the title of Concubine Shu. However, Ji died violently in the palace not long after, no doubt at the hands of Concubine Wan Gui.
At the same time, the eunuch Zhang Min committed suicide because of fear. It can be said that the two most important people to Emperor Hongzhi, his mother Ji and the eunuch Zhang Min both died because of Concubine Wan Gui.
Even Emperor Hongzhi, who had been established as the crown prince, was always threatened by Concubine Wan Gui. For this reason, Emperor Xianzong's mother, the Empress Dowager Zhou, was afraid that Emperor Hongzhi would be poisoned by Concubine Wan Gui, so she personally adopted her grandson in her Renshou Palace.
Only then did Emperor Hongzhi gradually grow up.
Everything about Emperor Hongzhi's early years can be said to be unfortunate, but also lucky.
Unfortunately, he always lives in the shadow of Concubine Wan Gui. Fortunately, he has the help of his mother Ji, eunuch Zhang Min, Empress Wu, Empress Dowager Zhou and many other maids and eunuchs, so that he can grow up.
Because of his childhood experiences, Emperor Hongzhi had always been in poor health and was very weak. However, it was precisely because of these experiences in his childhood that Emperor Hongzhi had a generous and kind character.
Because when he was in darkness and shadow, there was always someone who stood up to help him, allowing him to see the warmth and feel the love in the world.
Therefore, even after he ascended the throne, he was able to forgive those who had harmed him with mercy.
After becoming the emperor, Emperor Hongzhi faced internal and external troubles. Internally, his father, Emperor Xianzong, had not been in court for a long time and could not see his ministers. He had to rely on the palace in the palace for everything, plus his favor and trust.
The imperial concubines and concubines Wan Guifei have their own party members throughout the government and the public.
The result was that the Ming Dynasty was in a state of chaos, traitors were rampant, and there were many internal conflicts in the Ming Dynasty. Both the palace and the government and the public needed Emperor Hongzhi to rectify the situation.
At the same time, externally, Japanese pirates often harassed the southeastern coastal areas, the northern Tatars even went south to seize the pass and plundered every year, the southwest chieftains were capricious, and the Liaodong Jurchens also often plundered the border towns in eastern Liaoning.
Faced with this situation, Emperor Hongzhi worked hard to govern and was always very diligent and hands-on. He not only went to the morning court, but also held small meetings after the morning court, and sometimes held the evening court. All his energy was focused on governing the country.
He reused Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian and other capable ministers to eliminate the turmoil in the government and the public. At the same time, he worked hard to govern and try to reverse the external situation of the Ming Dynasty.
However, by this period, the Ming Dynasty had entered its mid-term, and many problems had gradually been exposed. Land annexation was becoming increasingly serious, and conflicts were becoming increasingly prominent.
The treasury often failed to collect taxes, resulting in an empty treasury that could not even supply materials for border officers and soldiers, and even food could not be transported across the border.
In the past, salt merchants who wanted salt had to transport grain to the border before they could get salt imports and go to the salt fields to extract salt. However, because the emperor generously rewarded large amounts of salt imports to ministers, princes, nobles, etc., the salt merchants had no salt imports but had to carry salt imports.
There was no salt, so they were unwilling to transport grain to the border areas.
In the end, there was really no choice but to pay for food instead of money. This further led to a serious shortage of military supplies for the border officers. They had no food and were often hungry.
At the same time, the national treasury quickly failed to collect the money from the salt tax, and the whole situation suddenly became completely corrupted. The national treasury was empty, the border defenses were empty, and the armaments were lax, which in turn led to the Tatars moving further south, forming a vicious circle.
Emperor Hongzhi was also worried about this, but he still couldn't think of a way to solve this period.
The civil servant group continues to grow, and the government and businessmen collude. Anyone who tries to collect commercial taxes or re-measure the land will meet their collective opposition. The money that the Ming Dynasty treasury can collect is getting less and less.
Once a natural or man-made disaster occurred, the entire Ming Dynasty would be in turmoil.
This was not possible for Emperor Hongzhi. He worked hard, conscientiously, and diligently to govern the country, but the Ming Dynasty did not become better because of it.
But he was lucky. Until the appearance of Liu Jin, with the assistance of Liu Jin, he carried out a series of reforms, which gradually changed the situation of the Ming Dynasty.
Tax reform, administrative reform, military reform, etc. After a series of reforms, the Ming Dynasty gradually became stronger and stronger. Coupled with the development of overseas colonization and capitalism, the Ming Dynasty, which only had a lifespan of more than 100 years, became
There was unprecedented prosperity.
At the same time, Emperor Hongzhi himself, who originally died of intestinal carbuncle, received timely treatment and surgically removed the appendicitis and is still alive today.
"Where's Liu Jin, where's Liu Jin!"
"Why hasn't he come yet?"
Thinking of Liu Jin, Emperor Hongzhi shouted loudly again.
At this moment, he was very eager to see Liu Jin, talk to Liu Jin about the past, and talk about the future of the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Liu is already on his way to the capital. I think he will be there in a day or two."
Hearing Emperor Hongzhi's words, the young eunuch beside him quickly replied respectfully.
This was not the first time that Emperor Hongzhi called Liu Jin. He often called Liu Jin's name, as well as Li Dongyang, Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Zhang Mao, but Liu Jin was the one he called the most.
At the same time, Liu Jin is the only person alive who is still talked about by Emperor Hongzhi. For this reason, Zhu Houzhao also directly issued an imperial edict to Liu Jin, asking Liu Jin to come back as soon as possible to see Emperor Hongzhi.
Of course, there was no need for Zhu Houzhao to issue the imperial edict. Liu Jin was also on his way back, because Liu Jin had many people to meet. Emperor Hongzhi was dying, and Wang Shouren was dying too. The two of them were not much different in age, and Wang Shouren was only older than him.
Emperor Hongzhi was two years younger.
Liu Jin hurried back to Daming just to see them and see these old friends.
"Are you finally coming back?"
"We haven't seen each other for almost twelve years!"
When Emperor Hongzhi heard this, he immediately calculated carefully and realized that he had not seen Liu Jin for twelve years.
This Liu Jin has been traveling around the world since he resigned. This trip lasted for fifteen years. How many more twelve years can there be in his life?
"He is quite good at enjoying life. He has been playing outside for more than ten years. He has a very clear plan for his life."
Thinking of Liu Jin, Emperor Hongzhi couldn't help but laugh.
This Liu Jin has always been like this. He is very lazy, but he also knows how to enjoy things. He stopped working when he was only in his fifties, resigned from his job and traveled around the world. He lived a really comfortable life in this small life, and he was also alive.
Very thorough.
The little eunuch on the side listened carefully and was thinking silently in his heart.
Emperor Hongzhi, who was often confused, couldn't remember many things clearly, and many people couldn't remember either, but he remembered things about Liu Jin so clearly.
When he thinks of Liu Jin, he even laughs, but this Liu Jin has not come to see the Supreme Emperor for twelve years, and this Supreme Emperor can still remember it clearly.
This shows that Liu Jin occupied a very important position in the heart of Emperor Hongzhi.
As for Liu Jin, I don't know much about him, because in the past twelve years, Liu Jin has stayed away from the government and the public, and his influence has gradually faded. A large number of new stars have emerged in the government and the public, and their names are the most familiar to people.
A person who has not come to see the Supreme Emperor for twelve years can actually occupy such an important position with the Supreme Emperor. What kind of person will he be?
At this moment, a young eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, Liu Jin, the former chief minister of the cabinet, wants to see you!"
"Liu Jin!"
After hearing the little eunuch's words, Emperor Hongzhi stood up immediately. His whole body became energetic. He stood up and said: "Go, go, take me there quickly."
Seeing Emperor Hongzhi like this, the little eunuchs around him were startled and hurriedly stepped forward to help Emperor Hongzhi. At the same time, they also took Emperor Hongzhi to see Liu Jin in person.
In a side hall of the Old Summer Palace, Liu Jin is admiring the scenery in the Old Summer Palace. It is summer now, and the scenery of the Old Summer Palace is very good. All kinds of flowers are in bloom, and exotic flowers and plants are extremely beautiful.
It is very quiet here and the air is good. It is considered the most suitable place for retirement in the capital. However, compared with Nanyun Province, it is still far, far behind.
Maybe after meeting these old friends, he can get up and go to Hongyun Manor in Nanyun Province, where he can retire. When the old man is about to die, he can then return to his hometown in Changli County.
"Liu Jin! Liu Jin!"
At this time, the excited figure of Emperor Hongzhi came from a distance.
It could be heard that Emperor Hongzhi was very excited, and he looked very excited and happy.
Hearing this voice, Liu Jin suddenly became excited and hurriedly followed the voice.
Soon, after turning around a rockery made of trees, the two met each other. They stopped each other slightly, each adjusted their appearance and clothes, and then walked towards each other with smiles on their faces.
"His Majesty!"
With tears in his eyes, Liu Jin came to Emperor Hongzhi.
"You are finally back!"
Emperor Hongzhi was very happy and excited at this moment, so much so that his face was glowing red, as if he was having a flashback.
"Yeah, I'm finally back!"
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, and the two stood together, looking at each other.
"Liu Jin, you are much better now that you are older. I think you were very handsome back then, but now you have become an old man."
Looking at Liu Jin, Emperor Hongzhi smiled and sighed.
The Liu Jin in front of him, although he is still elegant, and although it can still be seen that he must have been a handsome guy when he was young, he is already in his sixties after all, and the years have carved traces on his face.
This is not the Liu Jin he was back then.
"Yes, Your Majesty, you are much older."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, and looked at Emperor Hongzhi. He was older and thinner. His face was fleshless and very thin, his cheekbones were protruding, his eye sockets were sunken, and his hair was gray and sparse.
"Haha, everyone will age, and I'm not a god."
"Come on, come on, you're back. Let's sit down and have a chat. You really know how to enjoy it. It's been twelve years since you left. It's so easy for me to wait."
Emperor Hongzhi took Liu Jin's hand and said as he walked: "You must tell me carefully about the places you have visited over the years, so that I can know the outside world."
PS: On the first day of the new year, I would like to wish all book friends a happy new year, great fortune in the new year, and good luck in the new year!
