When Ming Chengzu took back the unicorn purple clothes from Xiao Chen, he felt a moment of anger, but he also had a trace of his own selfishness.
He was afraid that Xiao Chen would grow up to be like Ji Gang, he was really afraid.
Although his control of the imperial power will never be enough, natural aging is not something that he can resist.
Sooner or later, one day, he will pass on the Ming Dynasty throne to his descendants.
However, the prince suffered from leg disease and was loyal and honest. Not long after he was given the unicorn purple clothes, Ming Chengzu already felt a little regretful.
He was afraid that Xiao Chen would grow up, gather forces, and seize the Ming Dynasty from the hands of the prince.
Therefore, taking advantage of the excuse of the prince's accident, he stripped Xiao Chen of his unicorn purple clothes without asking any questions.
Even so, he felt that it was not enough, so he promoted Ma Yunshan to the commander of the Jinyiwei, allowing him to check and balance the East Factory according to his own wishes, and at the same time supervise all officials in the court.
But everything that just happened suddenly dawned on him.
An official who personally goes to the front line may not necessarily be a good official, but he must be a diligent official.
On the contrary, an official who always stays in the yamen and directs his subordinates to do things may not necessarily be a bad official, but he cannot be said to be diligent.
Ming Chengzu was a dedicated and diligent emperor. He could not tolerate officials who were corrupt, bribery and did not do their jobs properly, but he could not tolerate lazy officials who were lazy and did not do anything themselves.
In these days, Xiao Chen's ability has become clear to himself, and he and the prince get along well, and they are like brothers. In addition, when he summoned him to the palace, he was actually on the way to handle the case. In Ming Chengzu's heart, he wished he had not done it before
He didn't take back his purple clothes.
But Ming Chengzu was also well aware of Xiao Chen's aloof character.
When he took back his unicorn purple clothes, maybe he really didn't feel resentful in his heart, but his dignity would definitely prevent him from easily accepting the purple clothes again.
Sure enough, in front of all the civil and military officials of the court, Xiao Chen rejected him in public with his irrefutable reasons.
However, there is only one chance.
If he refuses to succeed this time, I may not be able to let him wear unicorn purple clothes in his entire life.
Isn’t it a big joke that the only purple-clad captain in the Ming Dynasty has no purple clothes to wear? This is the greatest irony for himself, the Ming emperor.
Holding the table with both hands, Ming Chengzu slowly stood up, his majestic eyes swept over everyone's faces one by one, and finally stopped on Xiao Chen.
"Xiao Chen, I heard that you have never been to the General's Mansion specially built for you by the Ministry of Industry?"
"Yes." Xiao Chen replied.
"Why is this? Do you feel that the General's Mansion is not worthy of you?" Ming Chengzu's tone darkened.
"Officials who can own their own mansions in the capital are all those who have made great contributions to the court. Or they are people who hold high positions and support their families. I am still young and have only done a few trivial things for the court.
If you move into the luxurious General's Mansion now, I'm afraid you will become lazy and degenerate, and you will no longer have the intention to continue to dedicate yourself to the imperial court." Xiao Chen said.
"Really?" Ming Chengzu snorted coldly, "Your words are quite righteous. But do you know that if a person has no desires or pursuits, others can only stay away from you."
"Is this what I mean, I don't understand?" Xiao Chen frowned.
Ming Chengzu moved his steps, walked around the tables in front of him, slowly walked down the steps, and walked towards where the officials were standing.
"It is said that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, but why do everyone in the world want to be an official or a high-ranking official? One word, greed! Some people are greedy for fame, and some are greedy for profit. Is there anyone who is greedy for both?
Someone who is greedy for fame but not profit? Yes. He thinks about the people and wants to do things for the people. But how can he do things for the people without power? Then he has to be an official! So, what he is greedy for is power. Of course, this kind of
There are very few people, and the power he is greedy for is not for himself, but for the people. I want to ask you, do you have the people of the world in your heart?" Looking at Xiao Chen, Ming Chengzu's lips were slightly raised, hanging.
A trace of imperceptible pride.
"Weichen grew up eating the food of hundreds of families and saw too much suffering in the world. How could he not have the common people in his heart?"
"If you are just an ordinary citizen, even if you see the suffering in the world, the only thing you can do is watch. But if you have supreme power and can change people's lives with just one sentence, you will choose to have this power.
Or give up?" Ming Chengzu smiled and said, "Of course, only a hypocritical person would insist on his own integrity and give up his power. But you are not."
"Your Majesty." With a pop, Xiao Chen knelt in front of Ming Chengzu, "It's not that I reject the Qilin Purple Clothes, but if this rebellious force is not eradicated, I really have no shame in wearing Qilin Purple Clothes and swaggering through the city."
"Who asked you to wear purple clothes and swagger through the city? I want you to wear purple clothes to go to court in the future." Ming Chengzu curled his mouth and stared at Xiao Chen fiercely.
The emperor has reached this point. If he continues to insist, he will really follow in the footsteps of Cangcheng: he is too noble!
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!" Xiao Chen kowtowed.
"Okay, that Kirin Purple Clothes originally belonged to you, I just kept it for you for a few days." Ming Chengzu smiled and looked at Zhu Gaochi, "Take him to the Imperial Study Room and change his clothes."
"Yes, I obey my orders." Zhu Gaochi hurriedly replied.
Ming Chengzu turned around and looked at Lin Shangli, who was still standing behind the dragon chair with his body hunched over: "Inform the imperial kitchen to send some cakes. My dear friends got up and went to court in the middle of the night. They must be very hungry now. They are probably full.
Let's wait until I finish asking about this case from the Criminal Department, and then we can all go home for dinner."
...
Outside the main hall, Zhu Gaochi and Xiao Chen were walking slowly, communicating quietly.
Wang Xiaosi in front, with his white whisk resting on the crook of his arm, looked straight ahead, trying hard not to hear the conversation between the two people behind him.
"What do you think? The Kirin Purple Clothes are the only one in the entire Ming Dynasty. My father no longer cares about your faults and has given it to you again. You still resist and worry me to death?" said Zhu Gaochi.
He raised his right hand and slapped his chest exaggeratedly a few times.
"Are you so worried?" Xiao Chen stared at the back of Zhu Gaochi's hand disapprovingly, "Without Ziyi, I can still do whatever I want. But once Ziyi adds me, I will be pushed to the forefront again. This move of the emperor is a good move.
Wonderful."
Xiao Chen shook his head and let out a long sigh.
"Miaoqi? Are you talking about something?" Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but feel startled.
You were originally the purple-clothed captain personally appointed by your father, and it was only natural that you were given the unicorn purple-clothed title. Why did it become a chess move of your father's?
Turning around, Xiao Chen spread his hands and showed the tattered captain's uniform towards Zhu Gaochi.
"Look, I'm wearing this outfit. What impression would you have if you saw me for the first time?"
"First time meeting you?" Zhu Gaochi frowned, not understanding what Xiao Chen was going to say, but still followed what he said, looked up and down carefully, and then said slowly: "At first glance, he is a
An ordinary lieutenant, and the kind that does poorly and is not popular with others."
Putting down his hands, Xiao Chen turned around and hurriedly followed Wang Xiaosi.
Five or six steps away from the opponent, he slowed down again.
Looking at Zhu Gaochi who was following him hurriedly, he asked in a low voice: "If I wear unicorn purple clothes, how will all the officials in the court see me?"
Zhu Gaochi chuckled, showing his slightly yellowed teeth and said: "Needless to say, I am extremely respectful and envious."
"what's next?"
"Next, next?" Zhu Gaochi scratched his head, "Jealous, extremely jealous."
"If ordinary officials are jealous, that's fine. If they are jealous of some villains, what will they do?" Xiao Chen pointed at himself, "Now I go out and take away a bun from a bun shop on the street without paying.
, was seen by others, the most they would say is, what is this kid doing? He can’t even afford to eat steamed buns, and he has to use the skin on his body to forcefully take the steamed buns. But if I did that in purple clothes, what would someone with intentions say?
?”
Hearing this, Zhu Gaochi frowned: "What do you mean, my father is making enemies for you?"
"No." Xiao Chen chuckled, "Li An moved all the evidence in the Lantian County case outside the Jinluan Palace. The emperor also knew in his heart that Ma Yunshan could not be saved. Even if Zhang Yunshan and Li Yunshan were rearranged,
We need the right time and the right excuse. Your Majesty means that since the Imperial Guards cannot check and balance me, let the high officials of the whole dynasty work together to check and balance me."
Xiao Chen had a wry smile on his face.
"This, this, does this mean that Father doesn't believe you?"
"It's not that you don't believe me," Xiao Chen shook his head, "The emperor doesn't believe anyone."
After saying this, he turned around and hurriedly chased after Wang Xiaosi.