Chapter 273: Zhu Family Incense and Li Family Heir
Chapter 273 Zhu Family Incense and Li Family Heirs
Author: Silent
Chapter 273 Zhu Family Incense and Li Family Heirs
Zhang Zhou and Zhu Youtang returned to the Qianqing Palace, and after they screened Dai Yi and others away, the tone of the conversation was no longer the same.
"Bingkuan, is there anything you can't say in front of the queen?" Zhu Youtang is a discerning person. He could sense that Zhang Zhou wanted to change the subject by suggesting that the prince would be active in the next twenty years.
Zhang Zhou said: "There are some things that are hard to say."
Zhu Youtang sighed: "Actually, have you made calculations about my heirs from the beginning?"
Zhang Zhou did not answer directly. He said: "Your Majesty has only a few heirs. In fact, you don't need me to calculate it. Your Majesty should also know it. There may have been many reasons before, but where is the reason now? I don't want to use me to remind you. I can do whatever I can." I've done everything I've done..."
"Um."
Zhu Youtang nodded.
It’s not said explicitly, but everything is implicit.
Zhu Youtang used to have few heirs and could be said to be physically weak, but now it is clear that the queen cannot have children.
It depends on whether you want to change or not.
"The future of the prince..." Although Zhu Youtang didn't want to ask, he couldn't help but ask.
Although Zhang Zhou said that his son would be fine for the next twenty years, is this kind of thing absolutely certain?
What about twenty years from now? When will his son have heirs?
Zhang Zhou said: "The prince's future heirs... will not be rich either..."
"Ah?" Zhu Youtang looked anxious.
Zhang Zhou sighed and said: "There are some things that I really don't want to mention, but the weather seems to be so. I don't want to conceal it in exchange for His Majesty's peace of mind. It's better to tell the truth."
"Yeah." Zhu Youtang fell into deep thought.
Originally, he felt that he was not good enough and did not necessarily need to change. Anyway, he has a son... I can't have more children. Your son has grown up in doting since he was a child. When he grows up, will he work hard to have children?
But after listening to Zhang Zhou's words, Zhu Youtang began to understand that if he didn't work hard now, his son might not be able to count on him. Then the father and son would hand over the country and the country to others?
"Bingkuan, when my father ascended the throne at the beginning of the year, he did not have many dragon heirs. I think it may be related to the inheritance of the kings of the Ming Dynasty. He had to wait for many years before he could have more dragon heirs. Is there any reason for this? "
Although Zhu Youtang has never studied genetics, he can still consider the reasons such as inheritance from father to son.
When his father, Zhu Jianshen, came to the throne, he did not have many sons, and one of them was born and died. But in the end, Zhu Jianshen had many children. Zhu Youtang has been waiting for himself to have children like his father after he is thirty years old. This incident broke out.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I can't answer your question. Everyone's destiny is different. As for your Majesty's future...it's hard for me to guess."
"Um."
Zhu Youtang seems to have given up completely now.
"Alright Bingkuan, let's talk about sending troops. Tomorrow I'm going to hold a memorial ceremony outside Desheng Gate, so I won't go to pray to the heaven, earth, mountains and rivers. Then you can just say a few words in front of people to boost the morale of the army."
Zhu Youtang's intention was to let Zhang Zhou use the so-called providence of God to fool the soldiers going out before the battle, telling them that the battle would be a complete victory.
This was to take advantage of Zhang Zhou's reputation for fulfilling God's will to boost the morale of the army.
"I accept the order." Zhang Zhou accepted the order with his hands raised.
…
…
Zhu Youtang returned to Kunning Palace.
Empress Zhang was still very happy, feeling that her status as the empress was stable, and her husband should not go out to find other women again... She even asked her to attend matters such as Long Si, and Zhang Zhou also made it clear that the prince would be healthy. After growing up for twenty years, that is, nearly thirty years old... my husband should not be so paranoid about having children...
But no matter what Empress Zhang said to her husband, Zhu Youtang seemed careless.
His heart was shaken.
It was mainly the "future" that Zhang Zhou vaguely described that made him feel very uneasy.
He only has one queen, and the queen seems to be unable to reproduce at present. Although the son will reach adulthood in the future, the son seems to be incompetent in this regard...
This brings about a very terrible problem. The Ming Dynasty throne is likely to be cut off from his lineage, and people from the side branches may need to be adopted.
Seeing that her husband was in a daze, Empress Zhang couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty, what other opinions does Bingkuan have on my concubine having a son?"
"No." Zhu Youtang said, "Just take good care of your body."
Empress Zhang smiled and said: "I think so. The prince is lively and will definitely inherit your mantle in the future."
Zhu Youtang shook his head: "This is not appropriate to say here."
Empress Zhang said: "I am not a great Confucian, and I don't know how to talk about great principles. I only know that a good family is a good thing for the court. Aren't royal affairs the same as the court affairs?"
"Um?"
Zhu Youtang was startled.
His wife's words sounded like she was trying to comfort him, not to think about having a concubine. Harmony as a family of four is better than anything else.
But to Zhu Youtang, it seemed to have another meaning.
Doesn't this clearly mean that the emperor's having fewer children means that the government will be unstable in the future? It will also easily lead to the end of the throne?
"His Majesty……"
Just as he was talking, Dai Yi appeared in Kunning Palace and presented the list of names for the upcoming expedition.
Zhu Youtang took it, looked at it, and asked, "Have you informed everyone?"
"Every family has notified them, and there is no temporary plan to transfer anyone. They are all from Yanwu Hall. Now no one from Yanwu Hall is still in the capital." Dai Yi smiled.
The imperial court opened a military academy. Before the first batch of trainees graduated, all these people were transferred to the northwest to take up important positions. It seems that this training hall represents the highest honor of the Ming Dynasty's martial arts, and also represents the emperor's trust.
Zhu Youtang said: "By the way, how are the children in Li Ge's hometown?"
"Um?"
Dai Yi was startled, why did the emperor hit him with a hammer and a hammer? What does this matter have to do with Li Dongyang?
"This... the young master from Li Ge's hometown has been suffering from illness. He is indeed... not very well..." Dai Yi said embarrassedly.
Because Li Dongyang's only surviving son, Li Dongyang's eldest son Li Zhaoxian, got Hualiu, or it was caused by Mr. Li Zhao's unruly nature. This disease was also incurable in the Ming Dynasty, and could only be treated slowly. It is uncertain when The condition will become worse and even life-threatening. Historically, Li Zhaoxian died two years later.
Li Dongyang was worried about his son.
Zhu Youtang asked again: "Does the young master from Li Ge's hometown have any heirs?"
"This..." Dai Yi thought for a while, shook his head and said, "No."
"oh."
Zhu Youtang nodded, suddenly feeling inspired by something.
Doesn't the future of him and his son Zhu Houzhao described by Zhang Zhou look a bit like the father and son Li Dongyang and Li Zhaoxian?
Li Dongyang did not rely on his own efforts, but relied on Li Zhaoxian... and Li Zhaoxian grew up to be a vigorous person. After he contracted such a disease, even if he married a wife and took concubines, he did not have a son... He was simply a negative example.
Empress Zhang asked: "Li Ge is not very old, so why does he only have one son?"
Although Li Dongyang was ranked as Prime Minister, he was actually only fifty-three years old. Lin Han still had a son when he was over seventy. In these days, it is not uncommon for a pear tree to overwhelm a begonia.
Dai Yidao: "Maybe it's... I can't say, slave."
"Then what's wrong with his son? Can't Bingkuan treat him?" Queen Zhang mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally.
Dai Yi looked at Zhu Youtang with a wry smile.
Li Dongyang had never told the emperor about this matter, and Zhu Youtang seemed not to have thought about such a thing in the past.
Zhu Youtang said: "It doesn't matter what the disease is, but it is also equivalent to an incurable disease. Speaking of which, Mr. Li Ge is different from the British father. He never bothers me because of family affairs. He should also never be like Bingkuan. mentioned."
Dai Yi saluted and said: "Yes, Your Majesty, Mr. Li Ge will never hinder others with such things."
"But Bingkuan is about to go on an expedition..." Zhu Youtang seemed to be persuaded by his wife and wanted to help Li Dongyang's only son, Li Zhaoxian, treat his illness.
Dai Yi said: "Maybe we can wait until Mr. Zhang comes back from the northwest."
"Well." Zhu Youtang suddenly thought of something, "I remember that Mr. Li Ge also has a daughter, right?"
Dai Yi smiled and said: "Yes, Your Majesty, this is not of the same lineage as Yan Shenggong... and there is an engagement..."
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "The person who made the engagement is not the child of Duke Yansheng's family, but... his nephew. Speaking of which, Mr. Li Ge has always been worried about this. He may be getting married in the next two years."
"Your Majesty?" Dai Yi did not understand the meaning of the emperor's words.
Zhu Youtang said: "In this case, you go to Mr. Li Ge's house today and ask him if he intends to let Bingkuan treat his son's illness. If he doesn't have this intention, don't force him. If he really does, let him Bingkuan will go to Li Mansion for a walk before leaving Deshengmen at noon tomorrow."
Dai Yi asked: "Your Majesty, is this too hasty?"
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "There is no rush. Bingkuan is traveling to the northwest. No matter what his military achievements are, he will be promoted to a bachelor's degree in the Hanlin Academy when he comes back. It is not a bad idea to establish a relationship with Mr. Li Ge in advance. Is it possible that the cabinet department does not care about Bingkuan? Why just let it go? Sooner or later, we have to contact him. If Bingkuan can alleviate Mr. Li Ge’s condition and ask for nothing else, including having a child... Mr. Li Ge’s attitude towards Bingkuan will probably change."
Empress Zhang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, since Bingkuan is the one who treats the disease, why don't you want to cure it, but only say that you will leave a grandson for Mr. Li Ge?"
"It's different." Zhu Youtang said, "That kind of disease can't be cured. It's good to be able to leave an heir. I just suddenly thought that Mr. Li Ge is also my husband after all. There are some things even if he doesn't mention them himself. , I can’t just ignore it. I will also count on them to assist in government affairs in the future.”
Dai Yi said: "That slave will go now."
"Okay." Zhu Youtang said, "You go there in person. If you can't make it in time, I'll give Mr. Li Ge a day off tomorrow. It's up to him to decide."
…
…
"Eunuch Dai, if you want to go to Mr. Li Ge's house to deal with something like this, you'd better let someone go."
When Xiao Jing heard that Dai Yi was going to Li Dongyang's house, he volunteered because he usually communicated frequently with outsiders.
Dai Yi said: "This is for Your Majesty to contact Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li Ge. For such a big matter, His Majesty has already ordered who to go, and who dares to shirk it?"
"This..." Xiao Jing nodded first, but then said with emotion, "Why did your Majesty suddenly forget about Mr. Li Ge's family affairs?"
Dai Yi sighed: "Mr. Zhang came into the palace today to talk to His Majesty. Even if he doesn't know what he said, he probably knows why. Now the dragon has a weak heir, and Mr. Li Ge also has a weak heir. There are similarities between monarchs and ministers.
Your Majesty will inevitably pay more attention to it. Besides, this is also to help Mr. Zhang accumulate connections in the court, how could your Majesty not pay attention?"
Xiao Jing shook his head: "The cure is due to connections. If it cannot be cured..."
"This is an incurable disease, so if you can't cure it, you have to force it on others? Mr. Li Ge can't be unreasonable, right? Your Majesty also made it clear that if you don't ask for a cure, it should be a grandson for Mr. Li Ge.
Do you usually burn high incense?"
Dai Yi's tone was a bit unkind.
He felt that Xiao Jing had been too pushy recently, and now that the emperor arranged for him to do something, Xiao Jing wanted to take the initiative to do it.
He didn't think that Xiao Jing was sharing the hard work for him, but more that Xiao Jing wanted to replace him.
"Mr. Li Ge may not agree, right?" Xiao Jing smiled bitterly.
Dai Yi said: "It's still necessary to ask. Your Majesty has the intention, but we can't be ruthless. Mr. Zhang is embarrassed to mention it himself. Your Majesty is just trying to lead the way. As for whether Mr. Li Ge accepts this, it depends on his view of his own family.
Are you paying attention to the incense?"
…
…
That night, after dark, Dai Yi came to the door in person.
Li Dongyang has just returned from Wenyuan Pavilion. After a busy day, he will have a rest when he comes back. He will be on duty the next night and may have to stay up for a long time.
"Master, Eunuch Dai is here."
"Please quickly!"
After Li Dongyang simply arranged his clothes, he walked to the door in person.
After exchanging pleasantries with Dai Yi, Li Dongyang could only think that Dai Yi was here to convey the emperor's imperial decree, and respectfully invited him to his main hall.
Dai Yi smiled and said: "There is no need to be polite, Mr. Li Ge. We are just here to convey a message for Your Majesty. It's very simple. Just leave after saying this."
"Respectfully receive the imperial edict." Li Dongyang has made all preparations to receive the imperial edict.
Dai Yidao: "Can you let others avoid it first?"
"Um."
Li Dongyang then dismissed his servants.
But seeing that Dai Yi had already sat down and had no intention of announcing the edict, Li Dongyang also became puzzled.
"His Majesty summoned Mr. Zhang to the palace today to talk about the issue of Long Si." Dai Yi made the opening remarks, and then thought of something, "Mr. Li Ge, let's sit down and talk."
"this……"
When choosing an imperial edict, do you still have to sit down and say it?
But it was impossible for Dai Yi not to understand the rules. Since Dai Yi said so, Li Dongyang sat down with peace of mind.
"As for what His Majesty said to Mr. Zhang and the others, we don't know, but then His Majesty mentioned the illness of Mr. Li Ge's hometown..."
"Your Majesty is worried. Quanzi... is fine." Li Dongyang didn't want to bother the emperor with this kind of thing.
Besides, he had already consulted the imperial doctor, and he had thought of all the ways to think of it. At present, Li Zhaoxian's condition was quite mild, and he was not close to death yet. He was also working hard to let his son recover from his illness.
At the same time, give him a grandson.
He wasn't too desperate either.
Dai Yidao: "Your Majesty's intention, if Mr. Li Ge agrees, your Majesty will ask Mr. Zhang to come over and give your son... a consultation."
"What?"
Li Dongyang frowned.
What is the emperor going to do? He actually thinks of treating his son?
Dai Yi smiled and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Li Ge, Mr. Zhang doesn't know about this. Mr. Zhang will come here only if you have needs. Your Majesty said that the disease can be cured, but it may not be sure, but if
Mr. Li Ge has an heir, so it can be considered... a pity for me."
Li Dongyang frowned little by little.
If it had been anything else, he would have been able to retaliate on the spot.
But when it comes to his heirs... Li Dongyang wants to say how principled he is... but he really isn't.
When it comes to principles, Liu Jian is better than him, and even Xie Qian is not better than him.
Historically, after Li Zhaoxian died in the 14th year of Hongzhi, Li Zhaofan passed into his name. He even took the initiative to ask the emperor to grant Li Zhaofan the status of imperial eunuch. Later, when Liu Jian and others joined forces to deal with the Eight Tigers, Li Dongyang was even suspected of leaking the news, and
Later, Liu Jian and Xie Qian retreated, and he stayed in the court to deal with Liu Jinxu...
Li Dongyang has never become a famous official because of his uprightness. Sometimes he has been burdened with a lot, but at the same time he also has the cunningness of a literary man and the so-called ability to bend and stretch.
"Mr. Li Ge, Mr. Zhang will go to Xuan Mansion tomorrow. We can't say for sure when he will come back. If you are really serious, your Majesty will ask us to go to his house to inform you immediately. You don't have to come to court tomorrow, and neither will Mr. Zhang.
I will go, and then let him come to the house and take a look...the news will not be leaked."
Li Dongyang felt that the emperor was fully concerned about his face.
On the one hand, he wanted Zhang Zhou to help his son treat his illness, and on the other hand, he wanted to cover up his dealings with Zhang Zhou to preserve his reputation.
Such thoughtfulness touched Li Dongyang's heart.
Although Li Dongyang was moved, he still shook his head and refused: "Thank you for your Majesty's kindness. It is best for the dog to recover slowly."
Dai Yi had no choice but to empathize with him and said: "Mr. Ge, our family is somewhat aware of this disease and we are recovering, but the condition will get worse day by day. It is not impossible to wait until Mr. Zhang returns to Beijing to treat the condition, but I want to
As for heirs... we still have to do it as soon as possible."
"Ahem."
Li Dongyang kept coughing.
He himself is also sick, hemorrhoids, and he has been suffering from this disease for many years, which also tortures him a lot.
Now Dai Yi clearly told him that your son's death may be a matter of time, but if you still want to have a grandson, you'd better not be complacent, because you only have one chance.
"Mr. Zhang will leave tomorrow, and he will be gone for at least a few months, and it is not impossible after many years. Who knows what he will be like when he comes back? You may be thinking that this Mr. Zhang doesn't have much ability, and it's all just a boast from outsiders.
...But you should have seen what he has done. If there is only one person in the world who can treat your son's illness with effective results, who else else can he treat?"
Dai Yi also worked hard to complete the mission entrusted by the emperor.
Obviously Li Dongyang said he didn't need it, so he could go back and do the work, but he was unwilling to do so.
Xiao Jing has been climbing on top of him recently, and the emperor doesn't seem to have as much trust in him as before. What's more terrible is... Zhang Zhou is usually very close to Xiao Jing, which means that Xiao Jing now has
The emperor and Zhang Zhou were two great backers.
Only by helping Zhang Zhou and Li Dongyang get on the line, can Zhang Zhou and Li Dongyang accept his favor at the same time, and can he be more secure in his position as the Chief of Ceremonies and the Eunuch in Charge of the Seals.
Dai Yi said: "How about this? Early tomorrow morning, you prepare a sedan to carry the son out of the house. Our family will arrange a place, and then invite Mr. Zhang to come over for consultation. No name, just a normal consultation. You also
You don’t have to show up, okay?”
Zhang Zhou was not allowed to come to the house to treat the patient, and he was directly taken out for consultation.
Dai Yi is now on his own to save face for Li Dongyang.
At this point, Li Dongyang seemed to have no possibility of refusing. He nodded and said: "Thank you for your service, father-in-law."
