The British Duke Zhang Mao's gaffe was not an isolated case. When Xu Xun went to see Ding Guogong Xu Guangzuo and the eunuch Xiao Jing, the Chief of Ceremonies, everyone was stunned in disbelief. The first reaction was that His Highness the Crown Prince was acting up again.
.And when they heard the second sentence Xu Xun said, the second reaction of these well-informed people was that His Highness the Crown Prince was crazy.
The reason is very simple. The second one is to imitate the old practice of Ren Temple and reopen the Wenhua Hall for court meetings, that is, the Wenhua Hall for meetings. Although it was only once every three days, it was a great success for Emperor Hongzhi, who had only met with cabinet ministers nine times during his eighteen years on the throne.
For example, people from top to bottom can count on their fingers how many times Zhu Houzhao has to meet with ministers throughout the year, even once every three days. This is a benefit that countless officials have come to exchange for despite submitting letters.
Even the cabinet ministers are eagerly hoping that the eunuchs such as the Supervisor of Ceremonies can come to the direct room of the cabinet if they have something to do, and don't always let those insignificant writings go back and forth to send messages.
At first, everyone thought it was Zhu Houzhao who Xu Xun was admonishing, but Xu Xun had to explain in a lot of words. This was really not his handiwork. It was just something that the young prince kept in mind after seeing Emperor Hongzhi go to court in the rain, snow, cold and heat for many years.
In theory, he should have agreed with both hands and feet, but in his heart he felt that this matter came too early. For Zhu Houzhao, who had no formal experience in government affairs, facing the courtiers directly in the Wenhua Palace was far from what he imagined.
Easy. Zhu Houzhao couldn't listen to his only two words of persuasion, so he could only give up temporarily.
Anyway, there was still a lot of wrangling in the court about this matter. It was useless for him to worry now. He only went back to tell the young prince who was about to ascend the throne that those top nobles and Xiao Jing, the chief of etiquette, were responsible for cleaning the imperial hospital.
It is enough that we strongly agree with and hold reserved support for the reform of the early dynasty system.
However, when he hurried back to the palace, he only told Zhu Houzhao the whole story of today's incident. Zhu Houzhao said without any concern: "Okay, I know, I know it's right to leave this matter to you. By the way, Xu
Xun, I don’t want to live in the Qianqing Palace in the future, what do you think of me building a villa in the Xiyuan Campus?"
"ah?"
Xu Xun really felt that Zhu Houzhao's leaping thinking was too big, and he couldn't turn his mind around for a while. After a while, he tried to ask: "Your Highness, do you think there is anything wrong with Qianqing Palace?"
"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that when I stay here, I will think of my father." Zhu Houzhao lowered his head, and a look of sadness appeared on his face again, "I have nightmares every night when I stay here, and every time I wake up,
Every now and then, I seemed to be able to grab my father’s hand, but the moment I tightened my grip, he let go again. As a result, I couldn’t sleep well every night. My father has lived here for eighteen years, and it seems like everything is full of
Father's aura, I would like to stay here longer during the day, but I really don't want to sleep here at night. It's too deserted and empty, as if it's just me..."..."
Seeing Zhu Houzhao talking as if he was going to ward off the cold on a hot day, Xu Xun quickly went to pour a cup of hot tea himself and handed it to Zhu Houzhao to hold in his hand, and then said softly: "It's fine over there in Xiyuan.
Building a palace is not something that can be done in a short period of time. Moreover, it will only be justified for His Highness to move out after the Daxing Emperor Zi Gong moves the palace. In my opinion, His Highness might as well continue to live in Chengqian Palace for external reasons...
… Just say it’s to express my condolences and remember the late emperor, and forgive others for having nothing to say.”
"What about building a palace in Xiyuan?"
"Building a palace in Xiyuan, uh..." Xu Xun was stuck for a moment, and finally sighed in his heart. It's better to block than to open up, to create, and just to ease things up with the courtiers. So, he made a plan with a roll of his eyes.
He thought in his heart: "Then let's use the excuse of military training and say that His Highness wants to personally train the avant-garde of the army!"
"Okay!" The more Zhu Houzhao looked at Xu Xun, the happier he became. He stared at his most trusted partner for a long time. He suddenly coughed and said, "Then I have another most important thing for you. You
Maybe you can do it for me, okay?"
Xu Xun was used to Zhu Houzhao's unconventional behavior. At this time, he didn't dare to agree immediately. Instead, he frowned and asked warily: "Your Highness, you might as well tell me what it is."
"Well...the Ministry of Etiquette is selecting for me, uh...no, it should be said that they are selecting the future queen, right? I really don't feel reassured about the person they selected. Can you find a way to find out? It's best to find out.
Please give me the names, birthplaces, ages and other information of all the candidates first, otherwise we will get married without even seeing anyone, what if something goes wrong!"
Seeing Zhu Houzhao's unhappy look, Xu Xun couldn't help but lamented: "Your Highness, do you mean that if possible, it would be best for you to take a look at those girls again?"
"Yes, yes, it would be best if you let me take a look at the choice then!" Zhu Houzhao didn't realize that Xu Xun was sarcastic at all, and he seemed so excited, "How about we go for a walk among the people first?
Take a walk, write down the suitable ones when you see them, and then ask them to select the concubines when the Ministry of Rites chooses them?"
"My lord, you really think I am invincible!"
Xu Xun helplessly put his hand on his forehead, not to mention that he had a headache. It is true that he had many evil ideas, but the Ministry of Rites had many years of experience in selecting concubines. It is not that choosing a concubine has little benefit. Except for those who are determined to pursue an official career, many others want to
If a queen is born in the family, she will be as majestic as the two Hou Ning Hou and Jianchang Hou. How can he control it? And even if the Ministry of Rites chooses Zhu Houzhao to take a look at it, if he is not satisfied, can he still return it? With a little girl
The emperor went to the Ministry of Etiquette to take a peek at his future bride. He was able to do this in every possible way, but he was afraid that Zhu Houzhao would be dissatisfied afterwards and things would not end well!
"You are omnipotent. Anyway, I will leave this matter to you. This is the emperor's will!" Zhu Houzhao dropped these words without explanation, and then said with a smile, "This matter is done, I will immediately
I’m going to grant you a marriage to Sister Shen. If this doesn’t work out...hey, I’ll let you stay single for another three years, so I can’t be left alone to be unlucky!”
Faced with such an exchange condition, Xu Xun, who was crying without tears, had no choice but to agree. Then it suddenly occurred to him that from the time he was imprisoned to now, he had sent letters to his home and Shen Yue, but they had not returned yet.
Yes. It's easy to deal with dad, but now he is holding a first- and second-grade official position in front of the earl, and the information is always better, but the little girl is afraid that he will have to spend some time to explain it afterwards. Especially to let the little girl know about him.
He was actually forced to make such an alliance with Zhu Houzhao...
As he was thinking about it, Zhu Houzhao, who was looking at him intently, suddenly laughed and said: "Why, are you thinking about being a lady? Xu Xun, don't think I'm joking. If the person chosen by the Ministry of Rites is not good, or I
If you can't marry the girl I want to marry, even if you get married in the future, I will send you ten or eight beautiful palace maids. You must dare to take a second look to see Sister Shen dealing with you at home!"
"Yes, yes, I will try my best, right?"
Xu Xun agreed with a sad face, wondering whether he should make a fuss about the selection of the concubine. But when he thought about the affairs of the Ministry of Etiquette, he had no way to get involved, so he could only give up this fanciful idea. As for the monarch and his ministers, he had no choice but to give up.
When the two of us looked at each other, there was a sudden noise outside.
"Eunuch Wang, you can't go in at the moment. His Highness and Xu Xun are discussing things inside!"
"Get out of the way, I have something important to meet with His Highness!"
Just hearing this voice, a figure appeared in Xu Xun's mind, and Zhu Houzhao's reaction was more direct. He frowned and said: "Wang Paozhan? If he doesn't stay well in his Dongchang, why are he here?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yue opened the bamboo curtain and entered the door. Without looking at Xu Xun, he knelt down and saluted Zhu Houzhao. Then he raised his head and said, "Your Highness, the Jinyi Guards commanded colleague Ye Guang to investigate Xu Xun."
The case of Zhang Yongsi adjusting firearms was closed because there was no solid evidence. The servant felt that something was wrong, so she asked Dongchang..."
"Who asked you to investigate!" Zhu Houzhao suddenly became angry and immediately interrupted Wang Yue, "I took Zhang Yong to ask my father for this matter. My father personally issued the order, and then handed it over to Zhang Yong for investigation.
Firearms and gunpowder. During this period, everything was repaid to me. Do you still want to check whether I, the prince, have any evil intentions? But my father doesn’t want to make the matter a big deal, so I’ll just deal with the fuss for the time being.
Guy, do you still take it seriously?"
Wang Yue was stunned by Zhu Houzhao's rapid-fire words. After a while, he kowtowed heavily and said: "Your Highness, even if what happened before is really the emperor's decree, there is still a lot of doubt in Xu Xun! He is in Nanjing
He was originally a famous prodigal son, and He Xing'anbo was not father and son, but later it turned out..."
"That's enough, I don't want to hear this!" Zhu Houzhao interrupted Wang Yue's words sternly, and then said angrily, "Wang Yue, seeing that you have served my father for so many years, I will give you one last warning! My father has already said that about the previous case.
The case has been closed, so let’s close it like this. What the officials outside do is their business, but those people below you don’t want to make trouble again! There is anything about Xu Xun’s past, I don’t care what he did in the past, I only know him
Now you are my right-hand man! Now that you have finished saying what you have to say? Get out and don’t break in again without notification!"
"Yes, I obey your order."
Wang Yue came in to remonstrate with loyalty, but he did not expect such an ending. He suddenly felt bitter and astringent in his heart. At this moment, he reluctantly kowtowed and stood up. Seeing Xu Xun looking at him with an unusually strange look, rather than saying
It was more hatred than pity. For a moment, he aroused the arrogance in his heart. He snorted coldly and turned around and walked away.
"You rebelled against him!" Zhu Houzhao felt that his anger was still lingering. It could be seen that Xu Xun didn't seem to be annoyed. He couldn't help but frowned, "Xu Xun, my father told me that Wang Paozhan is a charcoal man, but
His heart is still good, just forget about what he said."
"Yes, I would like to thank Your Highness for your protection.
Xu Xun quickly saluted and thanked him, and then he was pestered by Zhu Houzhao about choosing a concubine. After finally successfully escaping, as soon as he left the Qianqing Palace, the narrow-minded expression he had just teased Zhu Houzhao about disappeared without a trace.