As soon as Fang Bin, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, arrived at the Ministry of Personnel, he made a big fuss and turned pale in anger. He had just received a decree and asked to arrange troops and horses to sweep the palace and prepare to welcome people from all walks of life into the palace and chat with the emperor about state affairs.
"Jian Tianguan, Xia Shangshu, and the rest of you, I remember we were going to the General Affairs Department to chat, but why did it become the palace?"
While he was asking, Prince Zhu Gaochi also came from outside. Fang Bin immediately said: "Your Highness, what is happening? Hundreds of people entered the palace in a noisy manner. What if something goes wrong?
?There’s absolutely no way to deal with it! I think it’s better not to do anything about it.”
Zhu Gaochi also looked helpless, "You all know my father's temper. He even quarreled with Duke Ding over this matter. Now Duke Ding has been ordered to reflect behind closed doors!"
Jian Yi was startled and asked quickly: "For what?"
Zhu Gaochi sighed and told the big guys.
The box of golden elixirs that caused this mess...Xu Jingchang dealt with the old Taoist priest and asked him to sweep the streets.
But correspondingly, Chen Ying, who presented the golden elixir to Zhu Di, was brought to the capital by the Jin Yiwei. His Majesty the Emperor ordered Chen Ying to take the elixir according to his own words.
Forty-nine days, Mr. Chen served as Zhu Di's guinea pig, and then... died!
It is said that the day of her death was tragic. Chen Ying rolled around on the ground and dug her abdomen with her hands. Finally, her navel ruptured, her internal organs leaked out, her intestines were pierced and rotten, and her seven orifices bled to death...
Chen Ying was recognized as a ruthless official. When he was tracking down Jianwen's remnant party, he spared no effort and was at the forefront. He was a sharp blade in Zhu Di's hand.
However, with the rise of Xu Jingchang, he reorganized the orthodoxy and made up for Zhu Di's biggest problem of peace. In this way, Chen Ying was of little use.
This guy also knew very well that as long as Xu Jingchang was around, he would not be allowed to return to Yingtian... so he targeted Xu Jingchang and wanted to plot against him.
It's just that the theory of natural change not only did not harm Xu Jingchang, but also promoted the deepening of changes.
Chen Ying became more and more panicked, because he knew very well that Xu Jingchang was not a good person, and his revenge would come soon... and in order to save his life, he had to do everything possible.
Coincidentally, he was in Jiangxi, where Taoism had a profound influence, so he tinkered with the golden elixir, thinking that as Zhu Di was an emperor, any emperor would not want to live forever. Emperors of Qin and Han were not immune to this.
Once you get to Zhu Di, you will definitely not be able to escape.
As long as the emperor wants to cultivate immortality, and he is the only minister who can support his cultivation... there is no doubt that he can not only escape Xu Jingchang's plot, but also go one step further.
As for other things, Chen Ying doesn't care.
Desperation and unscrupulousness are the characteristics of this kind of cruel official.
They don't even care about life or death, they just want power to rule the country.
However, he met Xu Jingchang, who did not dissuade Zhu Di or talk about the harm of practicing Taoism... Who knows if it is true this time, let's let Mr. Chen test the medicine for the emperor, this is not mentioned!
Then Chen Ying died as expected, and her death was not only miserable, but also aggrieved.
There is no place to use the bad water, even if you want to fight to make an earth-shattering effort, you can't do it.
"My lords, my father has thought a lot about Chen Ying's death and told us a lot... He believed that the way of heaven was far away, and even if it existed, he could only stay away from it. He re-established his official studies, gave up the theory of destiny, worked hard to govern, and lived at night and every day.
, this is the right way.”
Jian Yi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty has such insight, which means he has surpassed many saints and kings. It is really a blessing to the Ming Dynasty."
Xia Yuanji also said: "Indeed, throughout the ages, too many heroes were able to put state affairs first and work hard to govern. But as they grew older, they became greedy for pleasure, even hoped for immortality, and made the world a mess. I am the only one.
Emperor Taizu has never changed his love for the people from beginning to end. For thirty years, he is truly the best among all emperors in history. Now that Your Majesty has such thoughts, I, the Holy Lord of the two generations of the Ming Dynasty, are truly the best among all previous generations, and we can expect a prosperous age!"
The courtiers all praised in unison, and Zhu Gaochi also nodded.
It is indeed a good thing for Dad to think so, a big good thing.
But nothing can be too easy. Xu Jingchang told Zhu Di that he would invite representatives from all walks of life to gather at the General Affairs Department to discuss the pros and cons and provide opinions to the court.
This is an ordinary move, and the General Secretary can handle it.
But Zhu Di suddenly became interested and wanted to invite the people to the palace for interviews in person.
Xu Jingchang told him that time was tight, things were complicated, and it was inconvenient to handle... Who knew that Zhu Di didn't listen at all and directly asked to entertain the people in the palace.
Xu Jingchang retreated to the next best thing and suggested just saying a few words to the people at Fengtianmen, but Zhu Di firmly opposed it.
So what can be said about being condescending?
It must be arranged to be in the palace, hosted by me personally, and chatting with everyone while eating, so that you can open your mind and hear useful truths.
Xu Jingchang and Zhu Di argued several times to no avail, and even asked Zhu Di to order to go home and reflect... You don't allow me to see the people, just to isolate the inside and outside.
This crime was not a small one, and Xu Jingchang couldn't bear it, so he stayed in the house obediently.
Now Zhu Di will meet the people and hold a banquet in the palace.
The decree has been issued, it’s up to you what to do!
Xia Yuanji's face was full of bitterness, "Logically speaking, this matter should be handled by Duke Dingguo and presided over by the Secretary of General Affairs."
Zhu Gaochi chuckled directly: "I thought so too, but Duke Dingguo has been given a ban, so he can't go against his will, right?"
Everyone present looked at each other, why did something sound wrong?
The man surnamed Xu is not a gentleman. He could quarrel with the emperor, and he was locked up in the house because of the quarrel. He couldn't explain anything... Maybe this kid did it on purpose, trying to avoid this mess.
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. That’s what Xu Jingchang is.
It's just that he wants to run away, which makes no sense!
Jian Yi said decisively: "Since it is inconvenient for the General Affairs Department, let the Ministry of Rites take charge. This is also the normal responsibility of the Ministry of Rites."
Jian Yi looked at Huang Guan.
Huang Guan frowned slightly and said involuntarily: "The Ministry of Rites may be able to take the next step, but what name should be used for this matter? Let the people enter the palace, and what should they let the people see? These matters are not something that the small Ministry of Rites can have the final say.
"
Xia Yuanji smiled and said: "This is not difficult. Your Majesty favors and cares for the people. He invites all religions and nine schools to come to the palace for a banquet to celebrate the holy dynasty... Everyone has a meal and then rewards you with something, just like a sutra banquet. No.
It’s pretty good too.”
Zhu Gaochi waved his hands hurriedly, "That's not the case. My father specifically told me to let the people appreciate the scenery in the palace, and to truly listen to the people's opinions and write them all down."
This time the ministers looked at each other in confusion. It sounded simple, but they couldn't help but think about it carefully. The more they thought about it, the more profound it became.
"Your Highness, do you want the people to see the magnificence of the palace, or the majesty of the palace?" Huang Guan asked seriously.
Zhu Gaochi said helplessly: "I'm afraid that after the people see it, some people will suggest that the emperor be frugal and not waste the people's energy."
After saying this, everyone immediately understood where the problem was.
Not to mention the palace, even other yamen would be in trouble.
"Your Highness, the reason why the palace is in the ninth level is for the majesty of the Heavenly Family. If the people are allowed to watch it casually, I'm afraid it will shake the prestige of the court. I'd better find a way to persuade your majesty." Jian Yi said.
Zhu Gaochi said bitterly: "I want to persuade my father, but you also know that if you listen to the advice, you will not be the Emperor Yongle. I can only try my best, but I have no confidence at all."
The more he persuaded, the more enthusiastic Zhu Di became, and he even issued an order to invite three thousand people into the palace.
When I do things, I always have to be earth-shattering.
Zhu Di was rude on his side, and the courtiers were too tired to deal with it. Xu Jingchang, who always had the most ideas, was still fishing at home.
It was really a chaotic mess.
Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji had no choice but to find Huang Guan again. If nothing else, they might as well ask your son-in-law to see what they should do.
"That's it. Now everyone is waiting to hear what you want."
Huang Guan held the teacup and said calmly.
Xu Jingchang had a wry smile on his face, "Father-in-law, to be honest, I can't tell you this, and I can't. You don't want your daughter to be a widow, right?"
here we go again!
Huang Guan glared, "I've decided to rule as Duke, how big of a deal is this? Don't you just scare people?"
Xu Jingchang rolled his eyes, "Since you are not afraid, I will say a few words... Did you write the article that Emperor Wuxin wrote?"
Huang Guian nodded, "That's right, you also came up with the idea. This can be regarded as the cooperation of our father-in-law and son-in-law."
Xu Jingchang said: "No, this is yours and has nothing to do with me... Let me ask you again, in the past the emperor was ordered by heaven, but now the emperor upholds the will of the people, right?"
"That's right! This matter has already been made clear when we first debated the blessings of palace prosperity."
Xu Jingchang added: "In this case, in the past, no effort was spared in building the palace to show the majesty of the Heavenly Family and the imperial image. Now that the principle has changed, what should we show to the people?"
"This..." Huang Guan slapped his thigh suddenly. No wonder the big guy found this troublesome. This was definitely different from the past, but he couldn't tell what the difference was.
Now Xu Jingchang has made it clear.
"Father-in-law, there is another layer here. Take the many eunuchs in the palace. In the past, it was natural to serve the emperor. There was nothing to say. But now, what should we do? Your Majesty is the incarnation of all people. Is it possible?
Can Your Majesty force ordinary people to give him a knife?"
Huang Guanzhe's expression completely changed... This matter is really fatal!
"Xu Jingchang, tell me, have you noticed it a long time ago, so you deliberately angered His Majesty and wanted to avoid it?"
Xu Jingchang also helplessly spread his hands, "Father-in-law, you can't blame me, I also want to further confirm the public opinion. You said that you can't use the destiny to restrain the emperor, you can only rely on public opinion... I first conducted a public opinion assessment, and then invited the people
I came here to talk because I want to put this power of interpretation in the hands of the General Affairs Department."
"Then His Majesty took a fancy to it and snatched it from you?" Huang Guan asked.
Xu Jingchang nodded.
Huang Guan thought again and said, "No wonder His Majesty is so concerned. He must have thought that there must be some article in the thing that your boy is tinkering with, and he must snatch it away... But His Majesty did not expect that after grabbing it, he would have to fight with the people.
The explanation coincides with the Yongle Grand Ceremony and the establishment of the new official school... That's not right!"
When Huang Guan said this, he stood up suddenly, stared at Xu Jingchang, pressed his shoulders violently, and stared at Xu Jingchang with his eyes.
"Tell me, did you dig a hole for His Majesty on purpose? Did you do it because you calculated against His Majesty?"
Xu Jingchang's expression changed suddenly, "Father-in-law, you have to be careful in your words and deeds. You are talking nonsense like this, but you will ruin your son-in-law. How could I have the intention to deceive you? I am a loyal minister and good general of the Ming Dynasty.
You are so loyal!"
Huang Guancai didn't believe it. Now he figured it out more and more. Xu Jingchang had dug a big hole with great deliberate efforts since he started observing the astronomical phenomena.
This also involves the core of the new official education. How to implement it?
You say there is no destiny, and the emperor takes the hearts of the people as his heart.
That’s great!
What should you do?
Everyone in the world is watching!
In the past, the emperor's logic was to respect heaven, ancestors, and love the people.
It’s okay now, we have to put caring for the people first.
In this case, how should we care for the people?
It makes sense for the palace to be extravagant, but for the sake of national prestige, there is nothing.
But what does it mean to have so many eunuchs?
By extension, when you change from the emperor to the emperor of the people, you need to change more than just a few words.
Even though Huang Guan wrote the article and had some estimates, he never thought that it would be so involved...
"You dug a big hole for everyone!"
Xu Jingchang also looked solemn and was about to say something when Huang Guan waved his hand and stopped him.
"Stop talking... As long as you are here, there is still room for maneuver. If you come out to speak, things will not be easy to deal with."
Huang Guan looked serious, then left, turned around, and went to see Zhu Gaochi.
Huang Guan and Zhu Gaochi talked freely for more than two hours. When they came out, Zhu Gaochi saw Huang Guan out.
Then Zhu Gaochi went to find his third brother, Zhu Gaosui. The two brothers didn't say much before Zhu Gaosui nodded in support, "Whatever, you don't have to ask me."
Zhu Gaochi was startled, and Zhu Gaosui smiled and said: "I can't be the emperor anyway. The future throne will be yours. If you are willing to suffer a loss, why should I stop you?"
This reason could not be more sufficient. "The second child is still in Yuanzhou. I will go see my mother and tell her the matter."
Zhu Gaosui thought for a while, and then said: "Brother, can the queen agree to this? I, I mean, if it is really done, what good will it do to us?"
"We? You mean Tianjia?"
Zhu Gaosui nodded, "Yes, it's Tianjia."
Zhu Gaochi said meaningfully: "If it is completed, it will make the Zhu family prosperous for generations to come. Do you think there will be any benefits?"
Zhu Gaochi chatted with Empress Xu for a long time. It was not easy to do the job of communicating with the empress. Zhu Gaochi spent a lot of effort and finally reluctantly got Empress Xu to agree.
Then Zhu Di was invited over, and Queen Xu sighed: "Your Majesty, the emperor wants you to be the emperor of the people, are you willing?"
