Chapter 257: The First Fire of the Monarch and His Subjects
The emperor died!
Most of the courtiers were unprepared for such a sudden news, let alone the common people. When the news that the dragon was engraved on the distinguished guests at noon spread to the six ministries and the yamen of each court, it soon swept through the entire capital like a whirlwind.
No matter young or old, their first reaction was that this was impossible. Soon they began to cry, beat, and stamp their feet. For a while, even the streets and alleys were filled with uncontrollable crying.
Compared to the Yingmiao period, there was the Incident of Tumu Fort and the siege of the capital; compared to the Xichang reconnaissance cavalry at the Xianmiao period, all of them were jumping up and down, but that man still couldn't go to court in twos and threes;
The Hongzhi Emperor was a truly good emperor. Therefore, many of the people at the emperor's feet who had enjoyed peace and prosperity for more than ten years really shed tears of sympathy for the emperor, while some nosy people secretly expressed their sympathy for the emperor.
It is not allowed for young people to talk about orphans, widows, mothers, young people, and doubts about the country, but these voices are naturally not elegant.
In contrast, in the palace and various yamen, people were changing their clothes urgently, and most of them were sent from home. After all, during the twenty-seven days of mourning for the emperor, no official could do anything.
Since returning home, the eunuchs in the palace acted much faster. Less than an hour after Emperor Hongzhi's death, all his clothes had been changed. Even Xu Xunhe had just been transferred from the 12th Regiment Camp.
The 1,500 people who came also put on plain clothes over their clothes as quickly as possible.
The cabinet had already been drafted, and the Supervisor of Ceremonies sent the imperial edict using the imperial treasure. Although it had not been posted yet, Xu Xun had many channels and got a copy as soon as possible. Looking at those words, even though
He knew it was ghostwritten by the cabinet, but from the tone of his voice, he knew it had been dictated by Emperor Hongzhi. So after reading it word for word, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
"I have bowed my head, looked up to Pi Xu, and been the heir to the great treasure for eighteen years. I have been respectful to heaven and diligent to the people, filial piety and justice, and have worked day and night. However, I am afraid of betraying the trust entrusted by the late emperor. However, I am now dying of illness and it is almost impossible to get up.
The common principles of life and death, although sage wisdom cannot be violated, there is no regret for Gu Jitong to win. The crown prince is generous, smart, benevolent and filial, and has a natural temperament, so he should be the emperor. He abides by the laws of his ancestors, serves the two palaces with filial piety, and studies and cultivates virtue.
, Appoint talents and talents, use prudently and love people, be neither arrogant nor lazy, and invite foreign civil and military officials to assist with one heart and one mind, so as to jointly protect the inheritance of the clan and society for thousands of years.
The funeral ceremony all complied with the legacy of the late emperor. The day and month were changed, and the clothes were released on the twenty-seventh day. The sacrifices were made with plain clothes, and music was not allowed for weddings. The heir regarded inheritance as the most important thing and had already ordered the Ministry of Rites that the wedding can be held this year.
This is strictly against the law. The royal family, princes, and feudal lords are sent to their posts and are not allowed to leave the country. Officials such as the commander-in-chief and governor of the garrison and the officials of the three divisions of Dubu are strictly guarding the border, appeasing the soldiers and civilians, and are not allowed to leave their posts without authorization. The day of mourning will end in this country.
I cried morning and night for three days and sent officials to carry out the incense offering. In Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, prefectures, counties and local officials, as well as the chief ministers in Nanzhili and other yamen below the seventh rank, all were exempted from offering incense. The edict was issued to the world, and the envoys of Xian heard about it. "
Even in the edict, we can see Emperor Hongzhi's deep concern and love for his son, but such a rare father and husband among emperors actually left just like that! Just yesterday.
When he met Tianyan, the emperor still only said that he would let the prince supervise the country, but now it suddenly changed like this. It was so sudden!
"Commander Xu, Commander Xu!"
After all, Zhang Yong used to be from the East Palace. Although he and Xu Xun led the troops into Xiyuan, he still hurried into the palace immediately. Now he trotted over, not caring that he was sweating profusely. He said angrily: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been sitting blankly in front of the emperor's couch in the West Nuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace. He doesn't listen to anyone's advice and remains motionless. It's really scary to look like this. It's because the Queen is too sad and has been killed. I am helping you to rest in Dong Nuan Pavilion, there is nothing anyone can do!"
"Even gods can't do anything about it now." Xu Xun knew what Zhang Yong meant by asking for him, and he immediately smiled bitterly. Seeing that Zhang Yong looked bad, he shook his head and said, "Last night, it was urgent to follow the authority." , Now if I rashly enter the Qianqing Palace without being summoned, I will be acting out of proportion. Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince should be allowed to vent his sadness. It is better to block the way now. If Eunuch Zhang really feels sorry for His Highness, it is better to try to let His Highness the Crown Prince. It's better to cry quickly than to hold it in in a daze. Although there will be times when His Highness the Crown Prince cries later, for His Highness, crying in front of others is for others to see, and it is far worse than crying one last time in front of the Emperor. It’s time to come.”
Zhang Yong immediately understood what Xu Xun meant, thought about it and immediately rushed back without saying a word. When he finally stepped into the main hall of Qianqing Palace again, he heard a burst of crying suddenly coming from inside. The voice was clearly that of Zhu Houzhao. The cry was not extremely loud, and even sounded a little muffled, but compared to those heart-rending howls, it had a heart-breaking sadness. He was just stunned for a moment and then recovered. Stepping in, Liu Jin stopped him in front of Xinuang Pavilion.
"Shh, I finally persuaded His Highness to cry to the Emperor alone. Don't go in and cause trouble! Hey, I have served His Highness for so long and I have never seen him so sad. Now that I have vented it, I think it will be fine. Yes!" Liu Jin sighed and shook his head, then looked sideways at Zhang Yong and said, "As for you, don't worry about it now. I think you should keep the palace under guard first just in case. , after all, today we have to prepare the palace, tomorrow we will have a small burial, the day after tomorrow we will have a big burial, and the day after tomorrow we will have all the officials weeping at the Sishan Gate. It’s a busy time.”
What Zhang Yong wanted to do here has already been done by Liu Jin. It would be in vain for him to try hard, so he stopped and said: "You are right... By the way, why are you alone, and several others?" Where is this?"
"Others?" Liu Jin glanced around and saw that he just wanted to be alone with Zhu Houzhao and sent everyone away. Then he approached Zhang Yong and said softly, "Several companies from the Supervisor of Ceremonies, call them all over. Well, a reminder and a lesson should be indispensable. Fortunately, you and I escaped because of the incident! According to the rules of the emperor, someone in the ceremonial department must go to the incense department. But it is said that when the imperial edict was issued before, the emperor had the right to keep it. They are mature and prudent in charge of the ceremonial supervisor and the royal horse supervisor, so..."
Seeing Zhang Yong's eyes flashing, Liu Jin said nonchalantly: "Among the three cabinet ministers, Yuan Fu and Liu Ge are much older and still strong. The remaining two are in their prime and can still work for at least ten years; Secretary of Ceremonies Although many of the supervisors are old and senile, I don’t think any of them will retreat, and they are enough to sit through the seats. The imperial horse supervisor is the palm print of Miao Kui. He has had enough of the sweetness of leading troops, let alone Make room. It would be great if we people can have some corner seats left. You were smart enough to occupy the supervisory troops of the government army's vanguard in advance. They don't know how much they envy you!"
"What should I envy? There are only a few people in the avant-garde of the government army. It would be okay if the emperor is here, but if the emperor is not here, those bosses will have more reason to be embarrassed!" How could Zhang Yong fall for Liu Jin's tricks? He seemed to be laughing.
He said with a smile, "If I really want to be envious, it should be Lao Gu. The West Factory could not be opened when the Emperor was here. Now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has ascended the throne, this matter will be done in three seconds. He can be with us in the blink of an eye.
When Wang Yue is on an equal footing, that is the real power and evil!"
"It's so easy to be equal!"
The two people were muttering outside, and Zhu Houzhao, who was crying bitterly in Xinuang Pavilion, finally stopped. He didn't care about his dry and sore throat, and struggled to take a last look at his father who was lying in bed before getting up.
He moved out step by step with tired steps. When he lifted the curtain, he saw that not only Liu Jin was there, but Zhang Yong was also looking towards him, and he couldn't help but be slightly startled.
"Your Highness."
"You're back." Zhu Houzhao glanced at Zhang Yong blankly and said suddenly, "Go to Xiyuan and tell Xu Xun that fifty people from each of the four gates of the palace should be on guard. Don't let any random people get in! Also!
, let him lead my troops to seal the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau and Imperial Hospital!"
Hearing Zhu Houzhao's first words, Liu Jin originally wanted to show off his foresight, but when he heard the second half, he was stunned. And Zhang Yong did not expect that Zhu Houzhao would vent his anger on the Taiyuan Hospital and the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau.
But when he thought about it more carefully, he also felt that these two places were particularly abominable. He immediately nodded heavily and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, we will handle this matter thoroughly. But there is one thing that I need to ask for Your Highness's permission. The Imperial Hospital and the Royal
There are many people in the pharmacy, should we capture them all, or should we capture the leaders and then imprison them somewhere?"
Zhu Houzhao just wanted to get angry at the imperial doctors who were lying on the corpses, so when he heard Zhang Yong asked where the prison was, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then said impatiently: "Many palace rooms in the palace are empty, where are they?"
You can’t lock people up!”
Zhang Yong almost choked to death due to Zhu Houzhao's understatement. When he was racking his brains to think of how to remind him, Liu Jin on the side smiled apologetically and said: "Your Highness, the palaces are all for nobles, how can they be used for sinners like them?"
Why do you come here to enjoy the blessings? Mr. Ye of Beizhen Fusi is trustworthy, but Beizhen Fusi is right next to the Five Governments and Six Ministries. It is not good for people to talk too much. But the Duke of Dongchang, the prince, is a rigid person. When the time comes, I will ask more questions.
It’s boring to come up; but after all, Xichang hasn’t put up a sign yet..."
"Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush!"
"Yes, yes, please remember, the internal officials and prisons in the palace used to have prisons." Seeing that Zhang Yong also looked confused, Liu Jin was secretly proud that she had done all her homework, so she lowered her voice and said,
"During the Yongle period, Emperor Taizong imprisoned Xia Shangshu in the internal prison for several years. This is documented. Although the internal prison has long been out of power, the place is still there, and at most it can only be broken.
…”
"The more broken the better, why don't we let them enjoy the happiness!" Zhu Houzhao interrupted Liu Jin, then looked at Zhang Yong and said, "It's the prison for internal officials. Go to Xiyuan quickly and get rid of those people in the Taiyuan Hospital today."
I took down this quack doctor and the guys in charge of medicine at the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau, and sealed the Royal Pharmacy Bureau Hospital to me!"
"My slave obeys the order!"
Seeing Zhang Yong knelt down and saluted, he immediately turned around and left. Although Zhu Houzhao rarely disobeyed people in the past, his feelings at this moment were very different. He turned around and glanced at the curtain that blocked his sight.