Chapter 962. The conspiracy in the imperial study (2).
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Not long after, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian quickly walked into the imperial study.
Then, Zhu Hejian knelt directly in front of Emperor Deqing, raised his head and said: "Father, my son has come to plead guilty! Father, I must punish my son and never forgive him!"
Emperor Deqing looked at the stubbornness and persistence in Zhu Hejian's expression with great interest, and asked: "Oh? You want to apologize? What's your crime?"
Zhu Hejian slowly replied: "Three days ago, Father, you were occasionally caught in the cold, but except for the first day when I went to the palace to visit you as a filial piety, I didn't take the initiative to visit you in the next two days. This is obviously
It is a crime of being unfilial and immoral! Father, please punish your son and ministers severely!"
When expressing his stance, Zhu Hejian's tone contained a hint of anger.
It turned out that Emperor Deqing had accidentally caught wind and cold three days ago. Although his condition was not serious, he was still feeling weak and coughing non-stop.
If the common people catch the wind and cold, it is just a trivial matter. They can just fight it off and no one will care. But if the emperor catches the wind and cold, it is a big event that shakes up the government and the public. Everyone will bear in mind.
The princes who stayed in the capital did not dare to neglect, and they all visited the palace as soon as possible to fulfill their filial piety.
However, when all the princes rushed to Emperor Deqing's bedside to pay their respects, Emperor Deqing found that only one prince did not show up - that was Prince Zhu Heyu!
After discovering this, Emperor Deqing was furious on the spot. He thought that the prince Zhu Heyu was unfilial and unvirtuous, so he immediately sent an edict to punish the prince Zhu Heyu for "the crime of immorality"!
Therefore, just a few days after Prince Zhu Heyu regained his freedom, he was once again banned from the East Palace by Emperor Deqing!
In fact, due to the bad relationship between Prince Zhu Heyu and the eunuchs of the inner court, he did not receive the news in time that Emperor Deqing accidentally contracted a cold, so naturally he could not rush to the palace to visit him and fulfill his filial piety.
In fact, the reason why Prince Zhu Heyu did not receive the news in time was also because Emperor Deqing secretly promoted it.
By the time Prince Zhu Heyu finally received the news and was eager to rush to the palace to visit, Emperor Deqing's imperial edict of condemnation had already reached the East Palace.
According to legend, after Prince Zhu Heyu received the imperial decree from Emperor Deqing, he fell to the ground on the spot and almost fainted.
The crime of immorality seems to be just a trivial crime, but this crime is also the one that makes people can’t help but think about it!
You know, when the emperors of the past dynasties deposed the prince, the first sentence of the deposed imperial edict was often "The prince has lost his moral character and deeply failed me..."
At the same time, because the seventh prince Zhu Hejian was the first to arrive at Emperor Deqing's bedside to check on his condition, Emperor Deqing once again commended Zhu Hejian.
With these circumstances combined, the rumors that Emperor Deqing was about to depose the crown prince Zhu Heyu and let the seventh prince Zhu Hejian inherit the throne became more and more intense!
In the past few days, there has been a lot of traffic outside the residence of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian, and I don’t know how many officials are eager to join Zhu Hejian’s door in advance and climb up Zhu Hejian’s high branches!
The relationship between the seventh prince Zhu Hejian and the prince Zhu Heyu can be said to be deep brotherhood. After seeing Emperor Deqing deliberately harming the prince Zhu Heyu, he was naturally extremely dissatisfied and thought Emperor Deqing's attitude was too unfair - at least on the surface.
It looks like this!
So, in the next two days, Zhu Hejian, who had always adhered to his filial piety and would go to the palace to see Emperor Deqing and Concubine Xiao every day, unexpectedly did not show up in the palace again, as if he no longer paid attention to Deqing.
Emperor Qing's condition was average.
Until today, after Emperor Deqing's cold had completely recovered, Zhu Hejian finally took the initiative to see Emperor Deqing again, and the first thing he did after seeing Emperor Deqing was to ask Emperor Deqing to punish him for his "crime of immorality."
!
The intention of Zhu Hejian's actions is very obvious! - If the prince Zhu Heyu committed the crime of immorality, then he himself also committed the crime of immorality, and he should be punished for the same crime! As long as it is Emperor Deqing
Having also cured his own sins of immorality, the public opinion environment of Prince Zhu Heyu will be greatly improved, and all rumors will be self-defeating - at least, this is what Emperor Deqing thought.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing was not only not angry at the performance of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, but also felt a little happy in his heart. He felt that Zhu Hejian was pure in nature, caring about brotherhood, but not lacking in means and scheming, and he was even more satisfied.
At this time, after seeing Zhu Hejian's initiative to apologize, Emperor Deqing's expression was full of relief, and he smiled and said: "Old Qi, if you are really guilty of immorality, how can I ignore it? But in the past two days, you have
How many times have I gone to the Royal Hospital in secret? Do you think I really don’t know?
If I remember correctly, you have gone to the imperial hospital seven times in the past two days, each time to inquire about my condition! After inquiring about my condition, you also deliberately told the imperial doctors,
Tell them to hide this matter so that outsiders think you don't care about my condition at all... Am I right?
But how can my imperial doctors help you hide it from me? In fact, every time you sneak to the imperial hospital, I will receive the news in time! Every time you ask about my condition, your concern is beyond words.
The doctors all praised me for your filial piety, and I was very pleased after receiving the news!
This morning again, you secretly went to the imperial hospital again. After learning that my condition had recovered, you specifically asked the imperial doctor about something. You wanted to know if I was angry at this time.
Relapse of illness... After receiving this news, I can almost guess what you are thinking. You have deliberately avoided me during this period of time because you want me to punish you with a crime of immorality, and then take advantage of your crime.
, to rescue the prince, right?"
Zhu Hejian's expression was a little surprised, as if he didn't expect that his little move was not hidden from Emperor Deqing at all.
Emperor Deqing shook his head and sighed, and taught: "Old Qi! Of course I understand the deep relationship between you and the prince, but if you deliberately debase yourself for the sake of the prince, it is a bit too much! You attach too much importance to friendship.
This is your biggest flaw, and you must try to correct it in the future!"
Zhu Hejian bowed his head and said: "I just think that Father, you are too unfair to Third Brother! If Rong Erchen said a disrespectful word, Father will convict Third Brother this time. It is simply a deliberate frame-up, fabricating something out of nothing! I heard that Third Brother
After I received the imperial edict of condemnation, several strands of my hair turned white that night. Thinking about the situation that Third Brother has been in these days, I feel very sad."
After hearing what Zhu Hejian said, Emperor Deqing's expression also showed some pity.
Emperor Deqing also had some father-son affection for Zhu Heyu. Unless it was absolutely necessary, Emperor Deqing would not deliberately harm the prince Zhu Heyu.
But since Emperor Deqing made up his mind to depose and replace the prince, he has been trying to collect some crimes of Prince Zhu Heyu, but he did not expect that Zhu Heyu's background was so clean that Emperor Deqing could not find anything in him.
To any handle!
During this period of time, Prince Zhu Heyu has gradually grown up and become much more shrewd and cautious. He is not as reckless and impulsive as before, and often gets into trouble, so Emperor Deqing has never found a suitable reason.
In order to replace the reserve, Emperor Deqing had already spread the word and created momentum. All the officials in the court were mentally prepared. However, Emperor Deqing could not find any legitimate reason to depose Zhu Heyu. He couldn't help but
Somewhat embarrassing.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing took advantage of his chance to be exposed to the cold and deliberately harmed Prince Zhu Heyu once.
After hearing the recent situation of Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing felt a little intolerable, but he was also a stubborn person in nature. When he had no other ideas in his mind, no matter how much trouble the prince Zhu Heyu got into, he would still
He will try to preserve Zhu Heyu's prestige and influence, but after he has made up his mind to change the crown prince, even if he sees Zhu Heyu's gradual growth, he will not change his decision at all!
After sighing softly, Emperor Deqing took a deep look at Zhu Hejian and said slowly: "Lao Qi, among my children, you are the smartest! Therefore, you must have already understood what I mean.
I have an idea! In the past few days, I have punished and banned the third child many times, but I have also rewarded you many times. It is precisely because I have the idea of exchanging savings in my heart! And you are the best candidate in my heart to replace the third child!
"
Seeing what Zhu Hejian wanted to say, Emperor Deqing immediately waved his hand and said: "Don't speak for now, listen to what I have to say! I am a father, and of course I feel sorry for the third son's situation during this time, but I am the emperor after all.
, for me, the inheritance of the country is the most important priority! I have given Lao San too much time and too many opportunities, but he has disappointed me many times. How can I still dare to hand over the Ming Dynasty to him?
In his hands? With his straightforward character that cannot tolerate sand in his eyes, and his childish ideas of black and white, if the country is put in his hands, sooner or later trouble will occur! How will I explain to the previous emperors at that time?
Yes! Although he has undergone some changes and growth during this period, it is far from enough. Moreover, his transformation and growth are too late and too slow! It was only after I made up my mind to depose him that he
There have finally been some changes. After he becomes the emperor, how many losses will he have to suffer before he can remember the lesson? How many mistakes will he have to make before he can grow up next time? How many twists and turns can the Ming Dynasty withstand? It's hard to change your nature! The inheritance of the country
I don’t dare to take risks on this kind of thing!”
At this point, Emperor Deqing shook his head slightly, sighed again, and said: "I want you to be the new crown prince, why not for the sake of the third child? How many deposed princes in the past dynasties have had a good death?
Which deposed prince is not tabooed by the new emperor? But you and the third son have a deep love for each other. Only by letting you succeed the third son as the new crown prince can the third son be safe and sound in his life! So, what have I done during this time?
This method is not only for our Zhu family, but also for the future of the third child, do you understand?"
After hearing Emperor Deqing's good intentions, Zhu Hejian's expression changed for a long time before he also sighed, lowered his head and said, "I understand!"
At this moment, Zhu Hejian seemed to finally accept the reality.
However, Emperor Deqing did not notice the excitement and ambition shining in Zhu Hejian's eyes at this moment!
Zhu Hejian understood that after such a conversation, his position as prince was already certain!
Seeing that Zhu Hejian finally accepted his good intentions and no longer adhered to brotherly feelings, Emperor Deqing also looked a little relieved and nodded: "In this case, you must change your mentality as soon as possible! You must never be like before.
No desires, no demands, no fighting or grabbing!
I also know that during this period of time, many officials have wanted to be your disciples, but you have always stayed away. There is no need to do this in the future! If those officials are of use, you might as well accept them as your disciples.
, to increase your momentum in the future! There are also those Qingliu, they like the prince very much, but they also have a good impression of you. You should try your best to bribe them during this period, but don't let them influence your thoughts like the third child.
, as long as the Qingliu people are willing to follow you, when I officially announce the exchange of reserves, the resistance will be reduced by most!
Oh, by the way! Zhao Junchen will return to Beijing soon... In order to show the court's attention, an important minister should be arranged to come out to greet him at this time! I will leave this matter to you! It can be regarded as letting the officials know in advance.
Understand the future situation and let them be mentally prepared! After Zhao Junchen returns to the capital, I will officially promote the deposed matter!"
This time, after hearing Emperor Deqing's order, Zhu Hejian did not resist at all and quickly agreed.
After agreeing, Zhu Hejian had some doubts in his heart, as if he didn't understand Emperor Deqing's thoughts, and asked: "Why did my father wait until Zhao Junchen returned to Beijing to officially promote the deposed matter? Could it be that...you want to use Zhao Junchen
Depose the prince with your own hands?"
Emperor Deqing smiled and said: "You can teach me! You are indeed much more sensitive than the third child! I just want Zhao Junchen to personally take responsibility for deposing the prince!"
During this period of time, various factions in the imperial court have been criticizing the "Zhao Party". Only Lao San has not shown any signs. Apparently he wants to take the opportunity to repair the relationship with Zhao Junchen. After Zhao Junchen returns to Beijing, the two of them will also
Gradually getting closer... At this time, if Zhao Junchen personally promoted the plan to depose the prince, how would the officials view Zhao Junchen's ruthlessness?
What's more, although the third child is not a suitable candidate for the crown prince, his reputation in the government and the public is very good, and the Qingliu people have always supported him! As long as Zhao Junchen takes charge of the replacement of the crown prince, the Qingliu people will hate him to the bone.
, his reputation between the government and the opposition will also deteriorate again..."
Having said this, Emperor Deqing's eyes flickered slightly and he concluded softly: "Zhao Junchen's momentum is too strong. I will use this opportunity to suppress him a little!"
*
Next, Emperor Deqing and Zhu Hejian had an in-depth exchange of many things.
Some things that were kept secret in the past were fully disclosed during this exchange.
After Zhu Hejian left the imperial study, Emperor Deqing felt increasingly tired and planned to return to the harem to rest.
However, things are still not over.
Zhu Hejian had just left the imperial study, and the eunuch Zhang De entered the imperial study again to report: "Your Majesty, Zhan Shanchang requested an audience. Because of your conversation with the seventh prince, he has been kneeling outside and waiting for a long time!"
After hearing the report, Emperor Deqing perked up a little and said with a faint smile: "Oh? It seems that he has finally made up his mind?"