A Kanyu map hanging on the wall of the study room in the side hall of Dongnuan Pavilion occupies half of the wall. The Emperor of Ming Dynasty raised his head slightly and looked at it. The expression of Emperor Wanli was neither sad nor happy. He didn't know whether it should be said to be indifferent or indifferent.
A slim figure walked in from the door, looked at the emperor who had his back turned to him and whispered: "Your Majesty..."
Zhu Yijun didn't look back, and he didn't even reply immediately, as if he hadn't heard him.
"Is your Majesty going to deal with this concubine?" The graceful figure walked forward until he came to the emperor's back, sighing faintly: "Whether it's the poisonous wine or the white silk, the emperor... is thinking about the concubine who has been with the emperor for many years.
For my sake, please let me be wild for the last time."
After that, she didn't care how the emperor responded, she just slowly stretched out her arms to hug the emperor from behind, and leaned her side face against the emperor's back, as if she was listening to the emperor's heartbeat seriously.
After a while, she took a deep breath, let go of her hands, slowly knelt behind the emperor, and whispered: "I don't want to listen to those slaves reading out the imperial edict. Please let the emperor pronounce the verdict himself, okay?"
"What do you want me to pronounce?" Zhu Yijun finally turned around, looked at Concubine Zheng kneeling on the ground, and said, "Don't you know until now that this matter was never my idea from beginning to end?"
"Of course I know, but no matter whose idea it is, only the Emperor can make the final decision." Concubine Zheng raised her head, and it was unclear whether her eyes were filled with sorrow or determination: "The Ming Dynasty is the Emperor's Ming Dynasty after all."
Zhu Yijun sighed, shook his head and said: "The Ming Dynasty is indeed my Ming Dynasty, but I alone cannot defeat hundreds of officials."
Concubine Zheng said bitterly: "It's not that the emperor can't resist it, it's just that the consequences are too serious, I understand."
"You may understand, or you may not understand." Zhu Yijun shook his head and said: "The emperor is omnipotent in the eyes of many people, because major events in the world depend on the emperor alone. But in fact, no one in the world is truly omnipotent.
.Imperial power...it needs someone to act on its behalf, so the emperor cannot do without the court...and the court is the officials."
He looked at Concubine Zheng and said calmly: "It is true that the power of hundreds of officials comes from the emperor, but if the emperor does not have hundreds of officials, no matter how powerful the imperial power is, he will not be able to accomplish anything."
Concubine Zheng didn't seem to want to dwell on this, and just asked: "Do all the officials want my concubine to die?"
Zhu Yijun sighed: "This has never been what Baiguan cares about. Baiguan just wants me to admit the truth just now."
Concubine Zheng showed a trace of confusion in her eyes and said, "But the emperor obviously understands these truths."
"I made it very clear that the officials did not want me to understand - of course they knew that I understood, they wanted me to admit it."
Concubine Zheng was a little angry, gritted her teeth and said: "This is deceiving you, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, this is deceiving the emperor, but so what?" Zhu Yijun sighed: "One person is deceiving the emperor, and a group of people is still deceiving the emperor, but if it is everyone, then it is not the case."
"I understand...Then the emperor will obey the wishes of the officials." Concubine Zheng's tone was full of self-mockery, and she nodded: "I have been favored by the emperor for so many years, if I can defeat the officials with one death.
The anger is like the death of Yang Yuhuan and Mawei Yi. There is no regret at all... At least, the 'disaster' caused by this concubine is much smaller than hers."
The corner of Zhu Yijun's mouth twitched. He remembered that he and Gao Pragmatic had discussed Yang Yuhuan's death many years ago. At that time, both of them believed that Yang Yuhuan himself had not done anything wrong, and that the reason why Li Longji used people in the court was actually something else.
reason.
But this is all nonsense. In the final analysis, both of them thought that Yang Yuhuan was just a scapegoat. It was just that in the prosperous times, such a dazzling pearl was needed as an embellishment, but when the country was in turmoil, it could only be
Putting the blame on the pearl, saying that it was all the fault of the pearl that made the king lose his ambition as a plaything.
It's ridiculous, it's ridiculous, now I almost became such a king.
Fortunately, the prime minister around me is not Li Linfu, and the Ming Dynasty cannot produce a real An Lushan...
"Pragmatically speaking, there is no solid evidence in the investigation of the medicated diet case."
Concubine Zheng was surprised and asked with wide eyes: "Your Majesty?"
The medicated diet case has only been investigated for one day, and Gao Pragmatic said that there is no solid evidence? This is obviously unreasonable.
Zhu Yijun ignored him and continued: "But he also said that after all, the matter originated from the Yikun Palace, so you have to suffer some grievances. For the time being, you will be demoted from the imperial concubine to the noble concubine, and wait until Chang Xun seals the vassal country...then we can talk about it.
"
Concubine Zheng lowered her head so that no one could see her expression clearly, but her faint reply could only be heard: "It turns out that Mr. Gao Ge is the official."
Zhu Yijun's expression changed slightly, but after a while, he sighed: "Don't say it's you, even I don't know... what to do with him now."
After a pause, this time the emperor did not wait for Concubine Zheng to interrupt, and continued: "However, no matter how you calculate it, I know that he has no malice or ambition towards me."
Concubine Zheng lowered her head and said in a calm tone: "The Duke of Zhou was afraid of rumors, but Wang Mang was humble and did not usurp the throne. Xiangshi died at the beginning, who knows whether it will be true or false in his life?"
"I guessed that you would say this, and I also know that I'm afraid you are not the only one who would think so." Zhu Yijun said: "Now the memorial has not been submitted, the draft has not been attached, Zhu's approval has not been issued, and the edict has not been announced... so you are still here
She is the imperial concubine, not a sinner, and there is no need to kneel all the time. Get up and look at this shameful map. This was just presented to me after pragmatically left."
Concubine Zheng didn't know why the emperor wanted her to see the Kanyu map, but since the matter had come to this, she had no choice but to stand up silently and look up at the Kanyu map that was said to have just been sent.
She has seen Kanyu maps in the past, but today's map is very different from the past. The most important thing is that the color has changed. Although the Kanyu maps presented by Jinghua in the past were detailed, they were all in black and white, but today's one is
But it's in color.
Concubine Zheng was no stranger to Kanyu maps. She could tell at a glance that the large red area in the center of the whole map was the Ming Dynasty. Looking more carefully, she found that it included Tumut, Ordos, Manchuria, and even North Korea.
All have a bright red background.
But she immediately discovered that places such as Annan in the south and the "Three Propaganda and Six Comforts" mentioned by the Ming Dynasty, and even many islands in the Southeast Asia, all had an orange background on this picture... Oh, and there was also an overseas place in the southeastern part of the Ming Dynasty.
So are the melon-shaped islands.
Concubine Zheng wondered: "Isn't this Annan included?"
Zhu Yijun said expressionlessly: "Annan is naturally attached, but the imperial court did not send officials to govern it."
Concubine Zheng shook her head and said: "But if you want to put it this way, how should Tumut and Ordos be reckoned with? The imperial court has not sent officials to govern."
Zhu Yijun was slightly surprised, turned around and looked at Concubine Zheng, and finally nodded and said: "Yes, you are right, then think about why the colors in this picture are arranged like this."
Concubine Zheng nodded, and as expected, she started to think about it. After a while, her face gradually became serious, and she muttered: "Your Majesty, this picture is... Gao Ge is making a declaration? Or is he threatening the Emperor?"
"Don't always put him on the side of my opponent." Zhu Yijun frowned and said: "Pragmatically, this picture tells me that there is no need to worry about his ambition, because his ambition already has a direction."
Concubine Zheng pointed to the orange-red area in the south and asked: "Are you talking about Sanxuan, Liuwei and Nanyang?"
Zhu Yijun asked: "Isn't it?"
Concubine Zheng shook her head and said: "I don't know if this is true, but as far as I know, Sanxuan and Liuwei are just barbarian lands, and although Nanyang is rich in products, it is limited to spices.
I would like to express my gratitude to you, although these places look quite big on this map, in terms of value, I even suspect that they are not worth a governor Yingtian when put together."
Zhu Yijun was silent for a while and said: "Although the area under the jurisdiction of Governor Yingtian is a blessed land, it only became what it is now step by step because of three trips to the south. The Three Proclaims and Six Comforts may have been a barbarian land, but in
In my opinion, if I, the Chinese people, also make the 'southern crossing' to it, it may not be another blessed land in the future."
He paused, looked at Concubine Zheng who had a disapproving look on her face and said, "You may not believe it, but I know that pragmatism has moved over a million people over the years.
It is true that most of these people are victims of the disaster. They will no longer be able to survive in the Ming Dynasty. It is not a bad thing to move to Sanxuan and Liuxin. In the spirit of kindness, I do not want to say anything about this, and indeed I have not said anything about it, but no matter
No matter how you put it, this is undoubtedly a kind of journey south in clothes.
With at least one million Chinese immigrants, Sanxuan and Liuwei are bound to become increasingly prosperous, not to mention that this is where his pragmatic talent lies... He is a true minister of the country. As long as he is willing to spend energy, Sanxuan and Liuwei can make rapid progress.
Foreseen.”
Concubine Zheng opened her mouth but stopped talking.
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said: "If you have anything to say, just say it. When I was pragmatic just now, I evacuated everyone. Now only I can hear whatever you say."
But Concubine Zheng obviously still hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is a state matter..."
"It seems that after the medicinal diet case, you have become more cautious, which can be considered a good thing." Zhu Yijun seemed a little emotional, but continued: "But now you can say whatever you want. This is not considered political interference. What's more, you can say whatever you want.
If you really want to talk about interfering in politics, then you have already done it."
Only then did Concubine Zheng remember that she had just used Bai Juyi's poem to criticize Sang and Huai for being pragmatic. When the emperor said this, she simply felt relieved.
"If that's the case, then I won't be secretive anymore." She frowned and said: "Three Proclamations and Six Comforts plus the Nanyang Islands, it seems no smaller than the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty. If it is true as the emperor said, Gaoge
The old man spared no effort to evacuate the victims there, and he himself is a great talent in the society. If he continues to develop like this... he may have the potential to be too big in the future."
Zhu Yijun was silent for a moment and said: "How can it be that easy? The population of the land of Sanxuan and Six Comforts is not small, and the millions of disaster victims do not even account for 10% of them. Do you know what this means?"
Although he was asking a question, he gave the answer himself: "This means that governing the local area is very troublesome, even more difficult than King Qianning's governance of Yunnan. The Ming Dynasty governed Yunnan for more than 200 years, and now Yunnan can barely be regarded as a king, but
There are still a lot of toasts that are intertwined.
No matter how heroic he is in pragmatism, from my point of view, it is impossible for the two generations of his generation to be completely integrated. In addition, he himself unintentionally Zhongyuan, how can he be regarded as a big tail? I think he did this on purpose.
."
"On purpose?" Concubine Zheng frowned and asked, "What did you do on purpose?"
"Deliberately telling me that he will not stay in the Central Plains in the future, so as not to be rewarded for his great achievements in the future, and there will be a rift between me and his monarch. Or..."
Concubine Zheng had guessed this "or so". There were few emperors in the Ming Dynasty who lived a long life. Except for Taizu and Chengzu, only Shimiao still lived a long life. Therefore, Gao Pragmatic may mean that even if he takes care of his life in the future,
He would also retreat bravely like his teacher, even telling the emperor clearly where he was "retreating".
"Does the Emperor believe this?" Concubine Zheng frowned and said, "I know Gao Ge's achievements over the years, and I don't deny that he has always been self-disciplined. But... the Emperor really thinks that someone would be satisfied with a remote country and not peek into the wealthy Central Plains?"
"I really believe it." Zhu Yijun looked at the Kanyu map and said, "If not, why would he offer this map?"
Concubine Zheng shook her head, obviously not believing it.
Zhu Yijun did not dwell on the issue of trust, but said: "Not long ago, he sent his eldest son Gao Yuan to Siam, and at the same time took away most of the people in his villa in the suburbs of Beijing. So far, he has not added any more."
"What does this mean?" Concubine Zheng asked.
"I think this means two things." Zhu Yijun said calmly: "On the one hand, he is telling me that he has a clear conscience and is willing to put himself in 'danger' that I can deal with at any time; on the other hand, he is also
He is telling me that someone can inherit his legacy in the south at any time. If I really want to do something reckless, someone will naturally avenge him... Even if I can't win, it will still make me miserable."
Concubine Zheng raised her eyebrows and said, "Are you threatening the emperor?"
"You will understand it this way, but I won't." Zhu Yijun sighed and said, "He is right. He and I grew up together and have been classmates for more than ten years, so our understanding of each other is deep enough.
He knows what kind of person I am; I also know what kind of person he is.
He likes to make plans when doing things, and his plans are long-term. He often starts before others even think about it, so he rarely changes his mind. What he decides on will be done from beginning to end; as for me, I don’t dare to boast.
, but I ask myself that I am not a mean and ungrateful king. I will reward ministers who have done meritorious service for me, as long as they have not done anything heinous.
Because of this, I knew that he had cultivated forces in Annan and controlled the actions of one side, but I didn't say much. Firstly, Annan was taken by himself, and secondly, I didn't think that his actions were to
Not good for me.
After the War of Yunnan and Burma, I also found that he began to exercise power in the Three Proclamations and Six Comforts, but I still remained silent. I was a little hesitant at the time, not sure what he wanted to do. After all these years, I
I discovered something very interesting, and then I realized that he had always expressed...some meaning to me."
Concubine Zheng wondered: "What is this interesting thing?"
"He never interfered in Nanjing affairs." Zhu Yijun said, seeming to feel that he had not made it clear, and emphasized: "What I mean is that he never asked about the civil affairs of the southern provinces, and even tried not to ask about military affairs, except for Liu Qingzhi
In addition, he has always tried his best to avoid interfering with the Nanjing Military Department, let alone getting involved."
"What's the meaning of this?" Concubine Zheng obviously didn't understand the reason: "What's the difference between the south and the north?"
"The southern provinces are close to Sanxuan and Liuwei." Zhu Yijun pointed to the map and said: "He does not ask about Nanjing's affairs. In fact, he just wants to reassure me. Just imagine, with his position in the court, if he devoted all his efforts to the south
The provinces place important positions, and if there is really something unruly on a certain day, and troops are sent northward from the Three Announcements and Six Comforts, how many people will respond and how many people will acquiesce to it?"
Concubine Zheng shook her head and said: "The Nanjing Ministry of War only manages so many guard posts. He is probably already famous among the Nine Borders, so why should he care?"
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Thanks to book friend "Cao Mianzi" for your reward and support, thank you!
Thanks to the book friends "Paris on the Right Bank", "The Flying Sword and the Pengchong Tower", "The Admiral Who Fights Tanks", "The Old West in Altay", and "Playing with Stones" for their monthly support, thank you!
PS: I seem to have caught a cold in the past two days...Is it possible that I escaped from COVID-19 and ended up with the flu?