Chapter 1,134: Entering Beijing on behalf of the king
The news that the emperor had conferred the title of King Yin on the fourth son of the emperor not only caused a lot of discussion among the ministers in the court, but also quickly spread to the Nangong Palace.
In the Chonghua Hall, Zhu Qizhen was sitting on the throne, with two close ministers, Zhu Yi and Zhang Xi, under him.
After saluting, Zhu Qizhen didn't waste any nonsense and asked directly.
"You must have heard about the decree from the palace, right?"
Zhu Yi and Zhang Xi looked at each other, and then Zhang Xi stepped forward.
"If what Your Majesty said is the Emperor's decree to confer the title of king on the fourth prince, I have indeed heard it."
So, Zhu Qizhen nodded and said.
"Now that you've heard about it, let's talk about it. What do you think the emperor intends to do with this move?"
The two people below looked up and found that when the Supreme Emperor said this, his expression was very relaxed and there was no sign of nervousness.
So, Zhang Xi thought for a while and said.
"Your Majesty, everyone in the imperial court is also discussing this matter. Many people say that the emperor's move is intended to indicate that the four princes will inherit the lineage of the Tao Kingdom in the future to stabilize the situation of the country and the dynasty, and to smooth over the recent unrest in the East Palace.
Steady rumors."
"It is said that many officials in the East Palace were extremely happy after hearing the news."
Later, Zhu Yi also followed.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I also feel that since this matter has been going on for so long, the emperor should want to appease the court. After all, it is a disaster in Jiangxi now. If the court and the court are always arguing about the East Palace, I'm afraid
It will delay government affairs."
Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly. It should be said that from the outside, what Zhu Yi and the two said was quite reasonable.
However, he always felt a little uneasy in his heart. It is true that the title of King Yin is very special, and it can indeed be interpreted as wanting Zhu Jianzhi to inherit the lineage of the Yin Kingdom.
But if we put aside the title, and just look at the act of sealing the king, its meaning may not be that simple.
When the fourth son of the emperor was born, the emperor granted pardons to all the ministers inside and outside the capital. Soon after, he was granted the title of empress and her mother's family, treating him as the crown prince and his mother's family. Now that he is not even one year old, he is granted the title of king in an unusual way.
Taken together, this series of actions seems to demonstrate the unique identity of this fourth prince.
His sensitivity as an emperor told him that this edict was more than just an attempt to appease the court.
However, what Zhu Yi and the two said was indeed the current view of the court. Therefore, after pondering for a moment, Zhu Qizhen said.
"If that's the case, then the East Palace side can feel a little more at ease, but the Queen's family in the palace needs to keep a closer eye, do you understand?"
Hearing this, Zhang Mian was slightly surprised. Apparently he also heard the implication of the Emperor's words. After hesitating for a moment, he asked.
"Your Majesty, are you worried that there will be people in the court who are seeking influence and seeking influence from Shouning Bo?"
Shouning Bo is the title given to Wang Ying, the father of Empress Wang, after Zhu Jianzhi was born.
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said.
"As can be seen from the incident of He Wenyuan, people in the court fluctuated for a long time. No matter what the emperor did, there were always speculators in the court. If there are still people with ill intentions towards the East Palace, then Shouning Bo
It is the best channel, so you should pay close attention and not take it lightly."
Although he felt in his heart that the Supreme Emperor might be a little too preoccupied, this was nothing to worry about, so Zhang Mi nodded and agreed.
Later, Zhu Qizhen said again.
"Don't worry about it now in the East Palace. From now on, you and your family must work hard. From now on in the court, do more things and talk less."
"The prince is still young now, but when he really participates in government affairs in a few years, he will naturally need your support."
This was to instruct them on how to conduct themselves in the court.
Although it is the prince who is speaking, but in the end, it is not certain who will need help...
Zhang and Xi looked at each other and held their hands in a tacit understanding.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best."
…………
No matter what the outside world thinks, everything is a foregone conclusion under the imperial edict. For Zhu Qiyu, those who should be appeased have been appeased, and those who should be demoted have also been demoted. Although the hidden dangers have not been completely eliminated, at least for a period of time, they will not happen again.
If there is any new trouble, then naturally it is time to turn your energy to government affairs.
When it comes to recent political affairs, the most difficult thing to solve is...
"Is this what Shen Shangshu came up with?"
In the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Qiyu put down the memorial in his hand, his eyes fell on Chen Yi who had a bitter look underneath, and he asked meaningfully.
The most important thing in government affairs nowadays is the disaster in Jiangxi. This matter should be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Household Affairs. There is no dispute about this.
But the problem is that the disaster also involves another matter, and that is Huangzhuang and Prince Dai's Mansion!
At that time, Wang Hong requested to stop the construction and construction of the Imperial Manor on the grounds of the disaster. Although it was rejected, the matter was not over yet.
In recent days, there are still many imperial officials asking the court to save money to provide relief to the victims.
He Wenyuan was appointed as the governor of Jiangxi and took charge of Jiangxi's disaster relief. Once his candidate was finalized, the Ministry of Revenue naturally had no choice but to continue to hold back. It could only submit the disaster relief charter and the required silver as soon as possible.
At that time, in the court, the Ministry of Revenue used this reason to block Wang Hong back. Now, since the regulations have come out, it is conceivable that once the regulations are brought to the court, the officials will
Will bring up old things again.
Seeing that the day for He Wenyuan to leave Beijing was approaching day by day, Shen Shangshu could only force himself to come up with his own plan no matter how unwilling he was...
Seeing the emperor's half-smiling look, Chen Yi gave a helpless smile and said.
"Your Majesty, I really don't have any good ideas. Building the palace will cost a lot of money. What Mr. Wang Hong said that day is not unreasonable. You know the foundation of the national treasury. If you fully support the disaster relief, other places will definitely have to
A little more restraint, there are many places where the imperial court spends money, and after counting it, it is indeed the construction of the Prince's Palace, it is not that urgent."
"If the construction of the palace continues, then we can only get some money from other places. Every place in the court where money is used is critical. I dare not delay, so I can only use peppercorns to reduce my salary.
I’ve been using this method for a while.”
Yes, the method that Shen Shangshu came up with is still the same old method that has been used before, which is to deduct salary. Of course, it is more pleasantly called peppermint to reduce salary.
But in fact, it is just letting the ministers of the DPRK work in vain. After all, they have to make a living. What is the use of taking some peppercorns back?
To be fair, this method can indeed solve the urgent need, but the problem is...
"Shang Shu Shen, do you know that if this decree continues, both you and I will be scolded!"
It is true that it can solve the problem.
However, Zhu Qiyu knew without thinking that he would definitely receive opposition and discussion from countless people.
The method of reducing the salary of peppercorns has always been deeply hated by the courtiers. The last time it was done as a last resort when the war was over and the national treasury was at the bottom. As a result, the Ministry of Household Affairs was scolded and dared not go out.
Nowadays, the treasury is not at the end of its rope. For the courtiers, there are obviously better ways, but they have to deduct their salaries. It would be strange if the decree is issued and there is no trouble.
"Well……"
Shen Yi looked a little embarrassed and said.
"Your Majesty, I am incompetent, but the disaster in Jiangxi this time involves several states, and the situation is serious. In many places, there is almost no harvest. In addition to disaster relief, the imperial court will also deploy personnel to resettle the refugees. After the disaster is over,
We also need to help the people resume farming. All this is very wasteful."
"Now that the national treasury is weak, I am really... a clever woman can't make a meal without rice!"
Looking at Shen Shangshu who started to sell out at the slightest disagreement, Zhu Qiyu rolled his eyes at him. What kind of background does the Ministry of Hubu have? Does he still know?
To say that there is definitely a shortage of money, there is no time when the Ministry of Household Affairs is not short of money. However, it is nonsense to say that even the money for disaster relief cannot be allocated.
Shen Yi, an old fox, clearly wanted to take the opportunity to complain about his poverty.
Zhu Qiyu gently tapped the table with his right hand, and thought for a moment.
There are two ways before him now. One is to agree to Shen Yi and use peppercorns to reduce the financial pressure on the court. The price is that the ministers will definitely object. Of course, as long as they want to suppress it, they will definitely
No problem.
However, after what happened in the East Palace just now, if there is another issue about the salary reduction of Pepper Sumu, I am afraid that it will destabilize people's hearts. Moreover, Shen Yi's memorandum makes it clear that he wants to use him as a backer. If he agrees to him, then,
You have to bear the pressure of the courtiers with him, and in the end, all the money saved goes into the pocket of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
If he didn't agree, he could naturally turn down the job.
This old fox...
As for the second way, it is natural for Zhu Qiyu to find a solution by himself. This is also Shen Shangshu's consistent style. If the Ministry of Revenue has no money, it will ask the palace for it. This has almost become a habit. Although the money and food in the inner treasury is
I still have plenty, but I can't stand being deceived like this.
Zhu Qiyu sighed, thought for a moment, and said.
"Since the Ministry of Household Affairs is short of money, I can't just sit idly by and do nothing. Well, the method of reducing the salary of peppercorns is available, but it is only 30%. As for the remaining 20%, I will go back and discuss with the queen to reduce the number of people in the palace.
Let’s make up for Nangong’s expenses.”
Hearing this, Chen Yi blinked, seemingly a little surprised that the emperor gave in so easily.
He originally thought that he would have to grind a few more times, but now that the emperor agreed so readily, it made him a little suspicious.
Seeing Shen Yi's hesitation, Zhu Qiyu frowned and said.
"Why, does Shen Qing have any better ideas?"
"Uh... no, no..."
Chen Yi reacted immediately. No matter what pitfalls he hid, anyway, it would be a good thing to pay less.
So, Shen Shangshu immediately agreed and said.
"I obey the decree."
The next day, in the morning, as expected, after the Hubu proposed the method of reducing the salary of peppercorns in public, the court immediately became heated, and many censors immediately stood up and accused Hubu of eating vegetarian food.
At the same time, Wang Hong saw the opportunity and started to bring up the matter of stopping the construction of the Prince's Palace...
"Your Majesty, I believe that what should be done now is to stop all non-urgent tasks. It is natural for the officials of the imperial court to reduce their salaries to support disaster relief. However, if it is to build the palace, there may be something wrong. Your Majesty, please think again.
.”
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu took out the words he had discussed with Chen Yi and said.
"The disaster is serious, and the imperial court should unite sincerely. However, we should not give up food because of choking. I will reduce the expenses in the palace and the south palace for disaster relief. The proportion of peppercorns and wood salary can also be reduced. As for the Prince's Palace
…”
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Qiyu looked at Hu Bi beside him and said.
"I still say the same thing. It must be built if it is built. The imperial court's decree cannot be changed overnight. What's more, many materials have been demolished in the Prince Dai's Mansion in Datong. In a few days, the Prince Dai is about to arrive in Beijing. It cannot be
The dignified vassal princes and clan members don’t even have their own palaces.”
"Let's do this. The Ministry of Rites will discuss it and lower the etiquette of Prince Dai's palace. Everyone in the court will make some efforts to overcome this difficult situation together!"
These words had a somewhat consultative tone, and it seemed that the emperor had returned to the easy-to-talk emperor.
Because of this, Wang Hong frowned and wanted to speak again, but Hu Hui had already taken the lead and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty is so holy. The whole court and the people will surely be grateful for Heaven's grace. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely handle this matter well."
Well, as soon as the eldest uncle came forward, the matter was finalized. Even if Wang Hong was dissatisfied, he could only swallow the words that came to his lips.
Well, although I did not get the expected results, it is still acceptable...
Thus, this matter was finally settled.
At the gate of the city, a eunuch dressed in brocade was waiting quietly with a group of people. In the distance, a huge guard of honor came slowly. Under the sunlight, a large flag was embroidered on the front flag.
The word 'generation'.
Different from the previous two visits to Beijing, this time, Dai Wang's team was much larger. In addition to the royal officials and servants who had been sent to Zhangzhou, Dai Wang brought almost all his family assets with him.
.
Anyone who sees this team will not doubt what Zhu Qiyu said in the palace. The King's visit to Beijing is nominally to reply to the decree.
But in fact, the Lord had already planned to go directly to Zhangzhou after meeting the emperor in the capital and never return to Datong.
The team slowly stopped at the gate of the city. On top of the largest carriage, the curtain was opened, and the figure of the acting prince Zhu Shixi suddenly appeared. Compared with the last time he visited the capital, the acting prince had lost a lot of weight. It seems that he has lost weight recently.
It was really busy for a while.
He glanced down and saw the people coming to greet him, but he couldn't help but frown. You know, when he, the prince, came to the capital, it would be fine if the two princes from the Zongren Mansion didn't come, but not even the people from the Ministry of Rites came.
It would be too little to take him seriously.
However, it only took a moment for him to put away the unhappiness in his eyes. Although he was not very familiar with the eunuch in front of him, it was best not to offend anyone who came from the palace. Moreover, just by looking at his clothes, he was...
You know, this eunuch's rank is probably not low.
At the same time, when he saw the carriage stop, the eunuch who came to greet him quickly stepped forward, bowed and saluted, and said.
"I have met the prince, and my servant Wang Cheng, the eunuch and eunuch, is here to greet the prince according to your majesty's holy order..."