"This is natural!" Chang Sheng said, "I told the emperor clearly at that time that the Chang family would accompany him!"
"Brother!" Lan Chun spoke again, and there was something in his words, "The emperor was still young at that time!"
In an instant, Chang Sheng's alcoholism disappeared and he immediately became alert.
"Your Majesty was still young at that time, and the former Ruhu is now the supreme king of the forest!" Lan Chun continued in a low voice, "Don't say these words again! Otherwise, you will be asking for credit."
Then, he started pouring wine again, "We have all come here honestly over the years, and the emperor has not treated us badly. Even if we have merit, we will have been rewarded long ago. In the future, we must not rely on how we were back then. Otherwise, the emperor will be annoyed.
of!"
Chang Sheng's eyes slowly returned to clarity, and he said dumbly, "Can't you?"
"A person is not as good as a hundred days, and a flower is not as red as a hundred days!" Lan Chun said again, "In recent years, although you, as an uncle, do not have the authority of the previous generation, the emperor has given you a lot, right? He has also given me a lot.
Quite a few!”
"But think about it, sometimes he seems to be polite to us, but in fact he has no heart to heart!" Lan Chun nodded at the table, "This is leaving us room! If he keeps promoting us and giving us authority,
What will he do when he cannot be sealed? What should we do?"
Chang Sheng was stunned because he couldn't refute Lan Chun's words.
"The Emperor is gone and the vassal princes have fallen. The Ming Dynasty in the future will be the Ming Dynasty of the Emperor alone. We, the emperor's relatives and military princes, actually have to be more discerning!" Lan Chun continued, "To put it bluntly, in the past we like
People signing up for a group tour may seem like a boost now. But from now on, those of us will sign up for a group tour... What do you think?"
Although Lan Chun didn't say much, every sentence he said was on point, every sentence was logical, and every sentence was on the key points.
Chang Sheng looked at Lan Chun and suddenly felt that he was very strange. He didn't expect that this honest and dull cousin with no real talents could think of so much.
"It's not that I'm overthinking it, but you're so happy that you're carried away!" Lan Chun pushed the wine bottle aside, "It's very bad to make a gaffe while drunk!"
In fact, there was something in his heart that he never said.
The emperor is a ruthless species, and he is a real dragon who turns over clouds and rain. When happiness comes, he releases the rain at will, and when he is angry, the world is filled with torrents.
"My talents are limited, and my virtue is not worthy of my place! Tomorrow, I will be an empty-handed Duke!" Lan Chun said again, "From now on, I will just enjoy my life at home!"
As he spoke, he drank the last of the wine in his glass, "I met Mr. Guo Laohou this morning. He said that he and several old military marquises were also going to retire and return home!"
Lan Chun played with the wine glass, "Now is the time when the emperor is alone!"
~~
The night is long, but when dawn comes, it only lasts for a moment.
The scorching heat of summer once again ignited the golden glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, and the light between heaven and earth, representing the supreme imperial power, became more and more dazzling.
Clang clang clang!
The morning bell rang in the Drum Tower of the Forbidden City.
The eunuch wearing blue plain robes stood in front of the Meridian Gate and shouted at the moment the bell fell, "Go to court!"
Outside the Meridian Gate, civil and military officials, divided into two groups, filed in.
Bang bang bang!
On the white marble steps of the Fengtian Palace, the Jin Yiwei in Feiyu uniforms whipped their whips vigorously, making a loud sound that shook the sky.
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
Amid the obeisances of hundreds of officials and ministers, Zhu Yunxi slowly picked up a corner of his robe, climbed the steps that only the emperor could walk step by step, and climbed onto the dragon throne.
He walked very slowly, and every step seemed to be vigorous.
Zhu Gaochi, the head of the civil service, noticed keenly that today's emperor was wearing the most solemn formal ceremonial dress instead of the usual dragon robe.
Twelve crowns, the sun, the moon and the stars...
When Zhu Yunxi sat down on the dragon chair, he quickly looked away.
For some reason, his heart suddenly beat violently, his mouth was dry, and he was very frightened.
The old man is gone, and this is the only dragon between heaven and earth!
"Everyone loves you!"
"Long live thanks!"
The twelve crowns covered half of Zhu Yunxi's face, but he still looked at the ministers in the palace carefully.
"Emperor Taizu Gao suddenly passed away. I feel very sad and can't cope with myself. Whenever I close my eyes these days, I can only think of his old man's voice and smile." Zhu Yunxi said slowly, "So these days, I have never intervened in state affairs. Do you have any notes for me?"
"I have my roots!" Li Zhigang, the Minister of Rites, was the first to speak. "After the death of Emperor Taizu Long Yu, the whole world mourned that the sky and the earth were eclipsed and the country lost its luster. The Chinese state was filled with sorrow. Outside of the Chinese state, all the vassal states also sent envoys here. !”
As he said that, he took out the memorial from his arms and continued to read, "The credential of each country comes to the Ministry of Rites first, Ryukyu, Chenla, Luzon and Siam, and the whole country expresses mourning. The vassal kings of various countries will come to our Ming Dynasty capital in person to express their condolences to the late emperor!"
"Yes!" Zhu Yunxi nodded lightly, "The etiquette department will welcome you politely, don't be rude!"
"According to the decree!" Li Zhigang said again, "There is also the vassal state of Sulu, occupying the base, and offering state-owned tribute! Annan presented his credentials!"
China is a country of etiquette. Let alone a national funeral, even ordinary people's homes also pay attention to the uninvited presence of neighbors, neighbors, relatives, and old friends.
The ministers all nodded when they heard that these vassals had given Ming enough respect in terms of etiquette.
But the emperor on the dragon throne seemed a little unhappy.
"There are also countries such as Yarkand, Kacheng, and Yeli in the Western Regions..."
"Wait a minute!" Zhu Yunxi suddenly spoke, interrupting Li Zhigang's report, "Sulu and other countries are separated by mountains and seas, and the countries in the Western Regions are thousands of miles away. It is a sign of filial piety for them to submit a letter of credence and pay tribute. Annan is right next to the Ming Dynasty. , so close at hand, why are there only letters of credence and no envoys?”
When the officials heard this, they thought, yes!
Annan, you are right next to Ming Dynasty. If Ming Dynasty farts, you can smell it if you don't want to listen to it. Our Ming Dynasty is mourning such a big thing, why don't you bother to seal the certificate of credence?
"Ryukyu is just an island country, and even wearing mourning across the country is a sign of mourning. The country of Annan has been influenced by Chinese rituals for thousands of years, and its king was personally conferred by Emperor Taizu Gao. Now he only gives a letter of credence?" Zhu Yunxi said angrily, "What is that? reason?"
The ministers in the palace were surprised by the emperor's sudden anger, but they also felt that the small country of Annan did not respect the Celestial Empire.
But some people smelled something different from the emperor's words and expression.
"Is there going to be a war?" Zhu Gaochi glanced sideways at Xu Huizu, Duke of Wei, opposite him, his eyes full of questioning.
Xu Huizu was expressionless and did not respond.
Then Zhu Gaochi looked at the dragon chair again.
"Dragon nature is inherently greedy. He seems to have a natural greed for territory and is never satisfied!" Zhu Gaochi thought to himself.
"There are also Japan and Burma. Where are their credentials? Where are their envoys?" Zhu Yunxi continued angrily.
None of the ministers responded.
Zhu Gaochi had the answer in his mind, "There is going to be a war! There is a stalemate in the civil war between the north and the south in Ryukyu. The so-called emperor is in the hands of the shogunate. They are giving you credentials now. Do you accept it? The country of Burma is divided into pieces, and the local kings are in charge of their own affairs. Which one do you want? An envoy from home?”
You want to inflict a crime! You want to inflict a crime!
~~
The court meeting has dispersed and the small court meeting in Qianqing Palace will continue.
Zhu Yunxi changed into gray regular clothes, had a wooden hairpin on his head, and sat on the throne.
At this time, the courtiers discovered that the emperor had begun to grow a beard.
There was already a thick short beard under his chin. This made his originally handsome face look a little tougher and a little more majestic.
"I want to use troops against Burma again, what do you think?" Zhu Yunxi said calmly.
Those who can participate in the Small Court Meeting are all core ministers of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the emperor's words are not surprising at all.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, in what name do you use the army?" Zhang Wei, the Minister of Household Affairs, asked.
"Isn't the crime of disrespect enough?" Zhu Yunxi said.
Zhang Yan shook his head, "Not enough!" He said, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, during the national mourning period, if you leave the army for the crime of disrespect, blood will flow like a river, and you will be inferior!"
"Then what do you think?" Zhu Yunxi continued.
The ministers were silent.
Among the military ministers, Xu Huizu suddenly said, "Actually, I have a suggestion, that is... it just doesn't make sense!"
"Say!" Zhu Yunxi said.
"Although Burma is a small country, its troops must be deployed quickly. Otherwise, if a fight breaks out, I will not be able to use all my strength." Xu Huizu said thoughtfully, "The second wood transport ship to Burma is about to leave. I think it is not good enough. ...If you don’t order the Ming garrison at the port, find an excuse that a Ming soldier is missing and conduct a search!”
"Then take advantage of the opponent's unpreparedness, capture the city by surprise, and capture the Burmese royal family!" Xu Huizu continued, "quickly decide, and then divide them!"
Zhu Yunxi patted the armrest of the dragon chair and said, "Your thoughts are exactly the same as those of Cao Guogong Li Jinglong!" After saying this, he waved his hand for Deng Ping to come forward and pass Li Jinglong's memorial to the ministers. He continued to smile and said, "Cao Guogong also said that it is best to Let the nobles with my Ming bloodline be the king of Burma!"
The inspector and censor Yan Zhen glanced at it for a few times. When he saw the word marriage, he was furious and said, "Your Majesty, this is a fallacy!"