After careful consideration, Emperor Chongzhen decided to take Chang Yu's suggestion and let the intruders send people to Beijing to show their sincerity.
But he didn't immediately send someone to convey the decree, because he had to discuss this matter with the cabinet bosses first, otherwise they would complain that the imperial power had emptied the prime minister's power, and they would not discuss anything with them, and the cabinet would become a decoration.
, and Emperor Chongzhen also wanted to use this matter to ridicule them again.
While talking about Li Zicheng's peace talks, the sky turned dark and the snow got heavier before he knew it. Emperor Chongzhen ordered Wang Chengen to prepare a family banquet. He wanted to reward Chang Yu by washing the dust, and he could also chat while eating.
Being able to attend the emperor's family banquet is a matter of great honor. In all dynasties, only relatives of the emperor or highly respected ministers have been able to receive this honor.
And Chang Yu is just a eunuch, to put it bluntly, he is a royal slave.
Emperor Chongzhen had never invited any eunuch to a family dinner before, and this was obviously not the first time for Chang Yu.
Since it was a family banquet, Queen Zhou attended it. In fact, she had already known that Chang Yu had returned to the capital and entered the palace, so she was eager to see him. However, she knew that he would be discussing important national affairs at this time and could not disturb him, and she could not attend like the prince.
So I kept enduring it.
Although it is a family banquet, some people are still unable to attend. For example, Princess Kunxing, who wants to see Chang Yu the most, is because although it is a family banquet, state affairs have to be discussed, and it is not convenient for her as a princess to attend.
"My son has suffered so much." After Empress Zhou entered the palace, Chang Yu was busy paying tribute, but when she saw Chang Yu's tired look, she suddenly felt sad.
Chang Yu was the savior of his family. He went to war and put out fires for his old Zhu family through wind and rain. She had always seen his loyalty and suffering and was deeply grateful. She had long regarded Chang Yu as a son in her heart.
treat.
During the Yunnan Rebellion, Chang Yu analyzed the military situation and speculated that if not handled properly, it would lead to unimaginable consequences. He had to go to Yunnan thousands of miles away to put out the fire. Not to mention the New Year, he had to pass through thousands of mountains and rivers along the way, which was extremely dangerous.
, Empress Zhou had always been on tenterhooks, looking around and finally looking forward to her return, but seeing the tired look on her face, she knew that she had suffered a lot during the journey, so she couldn't bear it anymore, and blurted out "My son"
, which surprised both Emperor Chongzhen and the Crown Prince. After all, these words were against the etiquette of their class in this era, but it also made Chang Yu feel warm in his heart. The mother-in-law was interested.
Emperor Chongzhen had a lot to say and ask. After all, the conversation just now was about Li Zicheng's peace talks. He hadn't had time to ask about Chang Yu's experiences going south. But as soon as Queen Zhou came on stage, she greeted Chang Yu with all kinds of greetings.
, it’s not good for him to talk forcefully at this time.
In fact, Emperor Chongzhen also changed his views on Chang Yu again and again. He was suspicious by nature and did not fully trust Chang Yu at first. The reason why he placed all his treasure on Chang Yu at that time was because the man who was deeply involved in the dream.
He knew that if he didn't go crazy, the old Zhu family and the Ming Dynasty would be completely ruined.
After surviving the catastrophe of the intruders breaking into the capital, he was openly and secretly on guard against Chang Yu. He once told Wu Mengming of the Jinyiwei Command Post to keep an eye on Chang Yu. Until now, Chang Yu and Wu Mengming are still pretending to have discord.
It was not until later, when Chang Yu defeated the thieves and then the Tatars, fought everywhere to put out fires and solved their problems, and was always on his side at critical moments, that he let go of his wariness and suspicion towards Chang Yu and began to trust him more and more.
Considered a confidant.
But one thing Chang Yu always reminds himself is that there is no absolute trust between the king and his ministers.
Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen did not object to Empress Zhou's closeness to Chang Yu, and even called out "my son" to an eunuch. On the contrary, he felt that it would be a great idea to use this kind of family affection to tie up this talented person who was born out of nowhere.
Method.
After all, Empress Zhou was a discerning and knowledgeable person. After greeting her, she ate quietly and listened to Chang Yu talk about his journey south, from how he traveled through mountains and rivers, to how he made some extra money in Wuchang, and what the situation was like in Jingzhou.
, how to save the crisis in Kunming at the most critical moment, how to take down Mu Tianbo's general army, how to design Wanshi and Wubikui to kill each other and finally return to the west together, and how Shizhu attacked Chongqing.
Chang Yu has an excellent eloquence. He knows where the plot should have its ups and downs and where it should be explained in one stroke. He can control the emotions of Emperor Chongzhen's family of three. Sometimes they turn pale with surprise, sometimes they are full of praise, and sometimes they frown.
In the end, Emperor Chongzhen praised Chang Yu again. After all, Chang Yu's trip south seemed to be to solve the rebellion of Wu Bikui and Sha Dingzhou, but in fact it was to keep the situation in the southwest within a controllable range, and at the same time, it had
Zhang Xianzhong began to make plans to prepare for the future recruitment of Chuanping, the murderer king.
This is Chang Yu's efficiency. He does things simply, directly, quickly and effectively. He is comprehensive and prepared for a rainy day. If it were someone else who is struggling right now, he might not even have arrived in Yunnan yet.
When Chang Yu left Qianqing Palace late at night, Chongzhen said he would give him a few days off so that he could have a good rest at home without having to go to the palace, which would be regarded as making up for the annual leave.
The snow outside was falling even harder. It was really like goose feathers. After standing outside for a while, a thick layer fell all over his body. A young eunuch held an umbrella and sent him to the Qianqing gate together with Wang Chengen.
"Eunuch Wang, if you have nothing to do these days, come to our house to do some cooking, have some wine and catch up on old times." Chang Yu said with a smile. Wang Chengen quickly agreed, put his arm around Chang Yu's shoulders and said, "Eunuch Chang is not in Beijing.
The emperor does not think about food and drink every day, but he is really happy today. By the way, I heard that there is another commotion in your Yamen."
"Are you talking about the ones locked up in the Yamen Prison?" Chang Yu raised his eyebrows. Wang Chengen smiled, cupped his hands and said, "I'll go to Eunuch Chang's house to make trouble some other time."
Chang Yu returned the salute, and then watched Wang Chengen turn around and enter the Qianqing Gate before sighing and walking away. Zhu Cixiang, who was following him, took the umbrella from the hand of the eunuch next to him and waved it away. He looked around and whispered to him.
Chang Yu said: "Let's rest at my house tonight. How about we warm up the wine and drink and chat. You can't drink either, so let's drink tea."
Obviously, Zhu Cixi still had a lot to say to his idol. What he had just said in the Qianqing Palace was all official and state affairs. He could only listen and could not interrupt casually. Obviously, he was not happy. At this time, he had to stay in Chang Yu and have a night talk by candlelight.
Chang Yu smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Your Highness, do you know how many nights you have been up?" Zhu Cixiang stretched out three fingers and looked a little embarrassed. In fact, judging from Chang Yu's very tired look, he knew that the journey was very hard, because he had almost
I have never seen Chang Yu look so tired.
"Then you stay here and sleep tonight, and we'll talk when you wake up tomorrow." Zhu Cixiang still wanted to stay the night, but Chang Yu shook his head and said seriously: "Have you forgotten what I told you before?"
Zhu Cihong was startled and then stopped talking. Chang Yu had told him a lot, but at the moment it was obvious that he was referring to the saying that the emperor's heart is unpredictable and that the two of them should not get too close to each other.
Although the current Emperor Chongzhen trusts him very much and even asked him to take Zhu Cixi on a trip, the emperor's heart is unpredictable! You never know when you will meet him, so you must always be cautious.
"I will come back to the palace in a few days to talk to His Highness." Chang Yu sent Zhu Cixiang outside the gate of Duanben Palace. Zhu Cixiang was reluctant to leave: "You have a good rest. Don't be in a hurry to enter the palace. Anyway, there is nothing to do recently."
Chang Yu nodded and turned around.
There was almost no one in sight in the Imperial City, where it was snowing heavily late at night. Occasionally, a group of patrolling guards passed by, and some faint noises could be heard from the northeast corner of the Imperial City, where was the Caolanchang Casino. It was founded by Chang Yu, who tricked many noble people and made a lot of money there.
Later, he became the Governor of the East Factory and led troops to fight. He had not been to that place for a long time, but it had become a regular entertainment place for the eunuchs and maids in the palace. There were boxing matches every day and other activities were added. Come to the palace The nobles on duty would come here to hang out after checking in outside the Qianqing Gate every day.
What's even more amazing is that all this was tacitly approved by Emperor Chongzhen, and was not banned or banned.
After all, he and his son also have shares here and there, and they can get a lot of dividends every month. These dividends can be used to pay the wages of eunuchs and maids, and then they use them to gamble and spend, and then the royal family distributes the dividends, and then...
Dongchang also has a Yamen in the Imperial City, just outside Donghua Gate, called Neidongchang. It has complete living facilities, but Chang Yu doesn't want to stay there because he doesn't have the sense of belonging to home in the Yamen.
A man walked towards Dong'anmen holding an umbrella. From a distance, he saw firelight in the doorway. It was the eunuchs and guards on duty who were keeping warm, burning briquettes on the stove. There was a kettle on top, and several guards and eunuchs. They were roasting sweet potatoes around the stove.
"These sweet potatoes were stolen from Shangshan Prison, right?" a voice sounded, startling everyone, and then they saw a man walking in, taking away his umbrella and patting the snow on his body.
"You are... ah, I have seen Lord Du Gong." The sober and unconscious people in the doorway quickly bowed and saluted. Chang Yu waved his hand, broke off half of the sweet potato and took a bite, his mouth was a little hot: "What the hell? sweet!"
"Yes, yes" a eunuch said quickly, and explained: "This was not stolen by a villain, it was given to me by Shang Shanjian..."
"I'll send some to our house tomorrow." Chang Yu said and motioned for them to open the door. The eunuch quickly said, "I'll send it to you early tomorrow morning." After saying that, they joined hands and opened the door. Chang Yu turned sideways. After walking out, there was a carriage waiting outside the door for a long time.
"Brother!" Chunxiang was half asleep in the carriage. When he heard the noise, he got out of the carriage and grabbed Chang Yu: "You want to hurt me, come on, let's have a drink."