In Cining Palace, Zhu Youxiao rarely found time to come here tonight to meet the elderly Concubine Liu and have dinner here.
"I heard that the emperor went on a killing spree two days ago, and many court ministers were arrested by the emperor's decree and sent to Jinyiwei Prison."
Although he was eating, Zhu Youxiao was relatively easy-going and didn't have so many rules and regulations, so he could chat casually at the dinner table.
This is considered a mandatory requirement by him. In the past, it was relatively rare to eat at the same dining table, let alone chatting.
It's hard for the family to get together for a meal, so they can't be as restrained as strangers. He still likes to be lively.
Chatting and chatting about household matters at the dinner table will make the atmosphere less deserted and more harmonious, and it will also help increase feelings.
But Zhu Youxiao obviously didn't want to talk too much about the topic of today's chat.
He put down the bowls and chopsticks in his hands, wiped his mouth and said calmly:
"This is a matter of government affairs. The concubine will know it if she knows it. However, the concubine should not interfere. Don't forget the Taizu's instructions."
"How could I forget the teachings of my ancestors? I didn't want to bother the emperor, but I really can't bear the emperor's misdeeds."
"The reason why I asked the emperor is not to interfere with political affairs, but to tell the emperor that a king should treat others with kindness and be tolerant of his ministers."
"Even if my ministers make mistakes, they should be forgiven in a reduced manner and try not to use torture. Only in this way can I make my ministers respect and surrender from the bottom of their hearts."
"Just like the Han Emperor and Tang Taizong, the emperor should learn from them, so that he can revive the Ming Dynasty and live up to the expectations of the temple!"
The temple naturally refers to the late Wanli Emperor. In the feudal era, people were very particular about titles.
When the emperor dies, the most respected title among his officials is the temple, followed by the posthumous title, and finally the temple title.
Concubine Liu unexpectedly discussed such a sensitive topic with herself today, which really shocked Zhu Youxiao.
You know, in the past, no matter what happened, she never said a word. Even if she crossed the line, she would immediately realize it and stop.
Judging from today's situation, she must have thought deeply and been prepared.
"The concubine means that I am just like Sun Hao and Yang Guang?"
Upon hearing this, Queen Zhang Yan, who had been silent beside her, could no longer calm down.
The emperor's words were full of gunpowder, and he was obviously dissatisfied with the concubine's words just now.
Seeing the emperor's behavior, Concubine Liu changed the subject and said:
"I have always been indifferent to worldly affairs in this palace, but the emperor's methods are too harsh, which is not a good thing, so I dare to speak out today."
"Too many evildoers have been killed, which will be extremely detrimental to the emperor's reputation and prestige in the future. Does the emperor want all the subjects in the world to criticize him behind his back?"
In this case, Mrs. Liu would never say it herself, and she didn't know how to say it. Based on Zhu Youxiao's understanding of her, she basically made a conclusion.
It seems that there is something fishy behind this. I am afraid that someone is doing something secretly and wants to instigate Mrs. Liu to put pressure on herself.
But he couldn't figure out who could pass through the outer palace, the inner palace, and the factory guards' eyes to pass the news to Mrs. Liu.
"The concubine does not understand politics, does not know how to govern a country, and does not know much about the affairs of the court. Why do you say this today?"
"In my opinion, there are probably some people who are guilty of committing crimes. They are afraid that I will find out something. The concubine does not want them to be beguiled by their few words."
Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.
Concubine Liu did not reply after hearing this, and Zhu Youjian became even more sure after seeing this.
"I still have political affairs to deal with, so I can't continue to accompany the concubine to relieve her boredom."
Zhu Youxiao just finished speaking and stood up to leave. Concubine Liu didn't feel like saying anything more and just sent him out of Cining Palace.
"Why was your Majesty so angry at the concubine just now? The concubine is doing it for your majesty's own good."
On the way back to Qianqing Palace, Zhang Yan asked her doubts.
Zhu Youxiao stopped after hearing this, looked at the queen who came from a commoner family and said:
"I just knew that, so I just interrupted the topic. If it were someone else, he would be in Jinyiwei Prison at this time."
Looking at the emperor's serious expression and the firm eyes, Zhang Yan was sure that he heard correctly. At this point, he did not dare to continue asking.
Zhu Youxiao held her hand and said softly:
"Baozhu, you and I are husband and wife. You must stand with me at all times. Only in this way can we stabilize the palace and I can concentrate on dealing with things outside."
"Concubine, please remember this."
Seeing the helpless look on Zhang Yan's face, Zhu Youxiao didn't want to explain too much because it didn't make any sense.
What he did is destined not to be understood by people of this era. After all, the status of scholars has always been too high.
He was so high that even the emperor was afraid of him, otherwise he wouldn't be sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats.
"Send the queen back to the palace."
After Zhang Yan left, Zhu Youxiao glanced in the direction of Cining Palace, and then said calmly:
"Call Liu Ruoyu and Wei Zhongxian to see me immediately."
…
…
late at night
The cold wind in the grassland whistling, coupled with the snowflakes falling from the sky, made people not want to stay outside at all.
Inside the yurt, there were voices everywhere shouting about drinking wine and eating meat.
In this severe winter season, only drinking wine and warming yourself up by the fire can bring enough warmth to people.
However, a relatively remote ger group is completely different.
Even though it was so cold, the guards of the Royal Forest Army still stood on sentry duty, guarding the surroundings.
In a large tent in the center, Wang Chaofu's discriminating voice sounded again.
"All the leaders are your own people. If you come here in the wind and snow, you don't need to be so polite. Just sit down and warm yourself."
When several Mongolians heard this, they immediately thanked him and then took off their hats and cloaks stained with snowflakes, breathing heavily.
"Thank you, father-in-law."
These Mongolians were all Mongolian leaders who Wang Chaofu and Ahailai had observed and understood after a period of time and thought they could win over and use them.
They are Wuyun, the leader of the Aohan tribe, Bayar, the leader of the Naiman tribe, and the three thousand-household chiefs of the Bahrain tribe and the Asut tribe.
Ahailai and his son are naturally among them, but their role is mainly to bridge the gap and try to bring the two sides into closer contact.
After a few glasses of wine, Wang Chaofu didn't mince words and got straight to the point.
He told them all about Zhu Youxiao's plan to establish an internal alliance.
However, Wang Chaofu did not mention a word about the reason. When they asked, he was vague and would not explain clearly.
It's all up to these people to think and experience on their own, and give them enough room for speculation. This is what Long Live Lord told him before leaving.
If it were said directly, the meaning would be completely different.