Zhang Huaichang also realized that he had made a mistake. When it came to the inheritance of the emperor's throne, he could not attach too much importance to it. If he thought this way, it was because he could not consider the issue from that height.
"Zhang Qing, let this matter be settled like this." Emperor Yonglong said calmly: "I don't want that situation to happen, but the reality is that I can't help but think more about it. My energy has become increasingly weak this year.
This kind of work is tiring and labor-intensive, and I feel quite tired. After this Autumn Festival, if we can confirm the crown prince as soon as possible, I will also consider meditating as early as possible, and also take good care of my health..."
"Ah?" Zhang Huaichang and Zhang Jingqiu were both surprised. Zhang Huaichang glanced at Zhang Jingqiu suspiciously, then stood up and bowed his hands, "The emperor has only been on the throne for ten years, and even if his body is slightly unwell, it will not affect the overall situation.
, I support the establishment of a prince, but if it comes to matters such as the Zen position, I think it is unacceptable."
This should be the view of almost all ministers. Even though Emperor Yonglong is in poor health and energy, as long as Emperor Yonglong is on the throne, he has a sea-fixing needle. As for the emperor's sons, the ministers in the court are not very optimistic about them. At least they are not
It needs a lot of training and training, and now that he is suddenly allowed to succeed, I am afraid that there will be chaos.
Emperor Yonglong saw that although Zhang Huaichang could still maintain his composure, his tone and attitude were extremely firm, and he felt both comforted and worried. The comfort was naturally due to the loyalty of the officials in the court to him, and the worry was naturally due to the fact that his sons seemed to be in trouble.
Convincing the public, these civil servants are all very high-minded. Several of his sons are either young or have character flaws. From Lu Song, Zhang Jingqiu, and Gu Bingqian, he can learn more or less about the opinions of several ministers.
His son's attitude is what worries him the most.
I know my physical condition well. Maybe I can maintain it for a year or two. If it takes longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on anymore. But the most promising King Lu is only fourteen and will only be sixteen in two years. He can support such a big body.
A great Zhou? Not to mention Prince Gong, and Prince Shou, Prince Fu, and Prince Li all have shortcomings of one kind or another. If he were an ordinary prince, that would be enough, but if he were to be the king of a country, then these weaknesses and shortcomings would be magnified infinitely.
It may even become a fatal flaw.
"Zhang Qing, I don't want to do this, but my body is not forgiving." Emperor Yonglong said sadly, "So I hope to confirm the prince as soon as possible so that he can adapt to and become familiar with the government as soon as possible. I will help him mount his horse and give him a ride.
, it’s a big deal even if it’s settled.”
Zhang Huaichang was sent away, leaving only Emperor Yonglong and Zhang Jingqiu.
Zhang Jingqiu stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please be careful when talking about the Zen position. I am afraid that all the princes in the court will not be happy to see it."
"Well, I'm not happy to see you. Haha, Jingqiu, do you think I should be happy or sad?" A lonely bitter smile appeared on Emperor Yonglong's face, "I know my body best, and I can't leave it to the end.
Right? I'm not that obsessed with power. If I didn't hand it over to the emperor earlier, would the world really be in chaos as soon as I closed my eyes? I wouldn't dare..."
Zhang Jingqiu felt that Emperor Yonglong's requirements were still too harsh. Not to mention that Prince Gong was too young, but Prince Lu was already fourteen, and two or three years later he would be a young man of sixteen or seventeen. Even if he lacked some experience, he could already understand good and evil, right and wrong.
I have analyzed it, and I have studied at Qingtan Academy for several years, and I have a general understanding of the basic affairs of the court. Why is it so worrying?
King Shou, King Fu, and King Li are all grown up, and although their performance is mediocre, there is nothing particularly bad about it. At most, they are just mediocre. With the help of important ministers in the court, it will not be a big problem. Why does the emperor always
Do you think these three people cannot secure the throne?
Of course, if you have to let King Shou, King Fu and King Li compare with outstanding talents like Feng Keng and Yang Sichang of the same age, then there is no other way. But there are a few in the world who are as outstanding as Feng Keng and Yang Sichang.
What an amazing person?
Zhang Jingqiu really guessed it correctly. Emperor Yonglong compared Feng Ziying with his sons. He felt more and more mediocre and felt uncomfortable.
Thinking that Prince Lu Zhang So was quite talented, and his studies at Qingtan Academy were well received, and Prince Gong Zhang Ji was also quite talented, Emperor Yonglong finally wanted to let Zhang So succeed to the throne in the future.
, it’s just that his body is like this, that’s why it makes him so distressed.
Emperor Yonglong was really afraid that he wouldn't be able to survive until that time. This was why he tried so hard, even at great cost, to eliminate Prince Yi Zhong's biggest hidden danger first.
"Your Majesty is overly worried. Prince Shou, Prince Fu and Prince Li are not as bad as the Emperor imagined. Prince Lu is already fourteen and looks majestic. He will only become more mature in two or three years. Even Prince Gong also performed well.
,..." Zhang Jingqiu frowned and said: "At that time, with the full support of all the princes in the court, no matter who it is, they will be able to secure the kingdom of Zhou..."
"Haha, it's really a good thing for brothers to be respectful to each other. What if we want brothers to fight against each other, cook beans and burn bean sprouts, or even lure wolves into the house?" The smile on the corner of Emperor Yonglong's mouth already had a hint of coldness. When Zhang Huaichang was still there, Emperor Yonglong
This situation was not mentioned, but when it was just Zhang Jingqiu, he was not so shy.
Zhang Jingqiu's face stiffened. He knew something about the situation. Emperor Yonglong did not shy away from him. He also knew that Lu Song was doing something recently. He was unwilling to listen or think about it. But when the emperor said it, he
But there is no way to avoid it.
"Your Majesty, as long as you decide on the candidate for the crown prince early and stop other people's thoughts, many things will be solved easily. If you continue to keep it secret, or be vague, and give others too much thought, it will inevitably make others confused.
What you have in mind." Zhang Jingqiu pondered for a long time before saying: "After the Qiu Dynasty, the candidate for the crown prince must be determined, and he can even be allowed to supervise the country and take on part of the government affairs. This can be regarded as an experience, and it can also allow him to get into the state and adapt to the needs of the next step.
"
"Well, Jingqiu, please give me an accurate answer. If we rule out your old practice of establishing elders for scholars, who do you think more favorably among my sons?" Emperor Yonglong looked into Zhang Jingqiu's eyes, "There are only two of you and me.
, you can finally say this, right?"
Zhang Jingqiu shook his head, "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to give advice. If the old rule of establishing a chief is excluded, then there will be no difference between King Shou, King Fu, and King Li. And the Emperor likes King Lu and King Gong, and their age is another weakness.
, so in the end it still depends on the emperor, but Prince Gong is not too young."
Zhang Jingqiu didn't specifically mention whom, but Emperor Yonglong could still hear the tendency in Zhang Jingqiu's words, nodded, and said no more.
"During the Autumn Festival, the Emperor can understand the situation from as many aspects as possible. I believe that the Emperor will eventually come up with a candidate for the crown prince who is more balanced in all aspects and more recognized by everyone. That is the great fortune of the Zhou Dynasty." Zhang Jingqiu bowed deeply again.
Emperor Yonglong sighed, "Everyone has selfish motives. If he is like this, why not the ministers? When their own feelings and interests are involved, who can be immune?"
*******
Feng Ziying received a notice from Lieyuan Palace, which was summoned by Zhou Peisheng.
Of course, Feng Ziying knew who Zhou Peisheng was. After dealing with him several times, he had already vaguely replaced Xia Bingzhong and Qiu Shi'an as the most favored chamberlain around Emperor Yonglong. Another chamberlain who was also very popular with Emperor Yonglong was
It was Cui Wensheng, but because Cui Wensheng also liked to practice Taoist longevity techniques, take elixirs and take medicine, which was consistent with Emperor Yonglong's hobbies, he suddenly jumped from an inadvertent eunuch to the emperor's chamberlain next to Zhou Peisheng.
You must know that Zhou Peisheng has been with Emperor Yonglong since he was a child, but Cui Wensheng has been unknown in the palace. It was not until Emperor Yonglong ascended the throne that he began to rise to prominence. Because he could make elixirs, he and Li Ke, the Prime Minister of Honglu Temple who also liked to make elixirs.
The relationship is very close.
"Eunuch Zhou, this seems a bit against the rules, right? The subordinate is not a court official, but an official of Shuntian Mansion. The emperor intends to take this opportunity to choose a heir apparent. This is tacitly understood by everyone, but has never been
He also said that the emperor would summon local officials to listen to their opinions, what's weird here?"
Feng Ziying actually believed Zhou Peisheng's statement, but out of habit he still had to hold on.
"Lord Feng, the selection of the crown prince is of great importance. Maybe the emperor wants to know more opinions from all parties. This is my humble opinion. The emperor's true intention is not something I can figure out."
If it were another person, Zhou Peisheng would never say a word, but Feng Ziying was favored by the emperor, so he made a special trip to recruit her. Obviously, he had ulterior motives, and it was best to please him.
Feng Ziying nodded and suddenly asked: "Apart from me, can the emperor also summon other officials besides the court officials?"
Zhou Peisheng hesitated for a moment, but finally shook his head: "This old slave has never heard of it."
Feng Ziying didn't ask deeply. What she said just now was already a bit out of line. If she asked any more questions, it would be inhumane manners.
From Capital City to Tiewang Mountain, it will naturally take one or two days if you go by carriage, but if you go by horse, you can get there in half a day.
Feng Ziying set out without delay after receiving the summons. Naturally, he was accompanied by guards. He was not willing to be ambushed again on the road, especially since he already knew that there was a hidden stake in his home that might come from the White Lotus Sect.
The Tiewangshan Hunting Palace has some history. It existed during the pre-Ming Dynasty. However, it was not very famous during the pre-Ming Dynasty and was not used much in the pre-Ming Dynasty. However, after the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, it gradually evolved.
It became the hunting garden of the Zhou royal family, and the surrounding mountains were closed to hunting, making it a hunting estate exclusive to the royal family.
Along the way, Feng Ziying saw the fortified Shenshu Camp. As he walked further in, men and horses from the Shangsanqin Army began to appear, as well as Long Jinwei sentries coming and going.
In addition to these guards and horses, there were also the carriages and horses of the courtiers and clan members, but even if everyone passed by, they rarely said hello and they all looked at each other.
