In the lobby of the Ministry of Rites, Mr. Hu finished his breakfast and took a nap in the mansion for a while, then took a sedan chair and slowly arrived at the Yamen.
Nowadays, major events such as the examination, the spring hunt, and the departure of the East Palace have been completed. In the short term, the Ministry of Rites will not have any major affairs to handle. The daily government affairs are nothing more than offering sacrifices to this god or that god, and then
The daily issuance of official seals by officials are, in short, familiar matters.
Sitting down in the lobby, looking at the official document just handed over by the diligent Shilang Wang, Mr. Hu took out his beloved little teapot and the tribute tea that the emperor had just rewarded him. In the blink of an eye, there was
A complete set of tea sets is placed on the table.
Seeing this situation, the clerk on the side quickly stepped forward and put away the official documents on the table to prevent them from being splashed with tea. This action was very skillful.
While collecting them, the two little officials were still complaining in their hearts. Everyone knew Uncle Zong's habits. With these official documents, it would be better to prepare the mountain spring water for him early.
You need to send official documents first.
Look, what’s the use?
Hu Hui was obviously quite accomplished in the tea ceremony. With his smooth and smooth operation, the aroma of tea suddenly overflowed in the huge hall of the Ministry of Ceremonies.
It was obvious that Master Shangshu was in a good mood today. Even when he poured out the first pot of tea, he smiled and gave each of them a cup.
This is tribute tea...
The two clerks were flattered and thanked them profusely, swearing that they would never criticize the elder for being lazy again.
Seeing the old minister pick up his little teapot, the two clerks thoughtfully took out the latest storybook and the minister's letter from the desk at the side, and handed it over.
It should be said that Master Shangshu seems to be in a good mood for more than half a month. The two clerks couldn't help but smacked their lips as they recalled the aroma of the tea... It didn't taste very good, but it was tribute tea, Mr. Emperor.
Only people can drink it. From now on, we will be the same people who drank the same tea as the emperor.
Two clerks were waiting beside them, feeling happy. At this moment, there was a sudden commotion outside, and the clerk at the door hurriedly came in to report, saying.
"Grand Uncle Zong, the Ministry of War has come to Shangshu to say that he wants to see you for something!"
"Um?"
Hu Xi raised her head, her mind immersed in the storybook seemed to take a lot of effort to come back to her senses, and she muttered in a low voice.
"Why is he here……"
This Yu Qian will do nothing good when he comes back to see him. To be honest, being a life mentor to such a stubborn donkey is not a good experience.
However, people are already here and cannot be turned away.
So, he silently took off his crystal necklace and pushed the storybook in his hand forward. The two clerks on the side immediately understood and hurried forward, put away the tea set and storybook on the table, and put them into the cabinet.
, and then carefully laid out the official documents sent by Wang Shilang early in the morning.
After getting ready, Hu Xifang said to the clerk below.
"Please Yu Shaobao come in."
So, when Yu Qian walked into the lobby of the Ministry of Etiquette, what he saw was an uncle wearing a stern hat and diligently handling official documents.
Mr. Hu had a quiver on his nose and a slight frown on his brows, as if he was struggling to read the small words on the official document clearly.
The clerk on the side reminded me.
"Sir, Yu Shangshu has arrived..."
Mr. Hu just woke up from a dream. He raised his head and looked at the dusty Yu Qian. He quickly stood up to greet him, cupped his hands and said.
"When Yu Shaobao came to the Ministry of Etiquette, I did not welcome you from afar. It is really rude and disrespectful. However, the official duties of the Ministry of Etiquette are indeed quite complicated today, so I would like to ask Shaobao Haihan!"
Since you are in the Yamen of the Ministry of Rites, naturally you can't put on any airs of seniority, but talk about official titles.
Yu Qian glanced at the official documents on the case. He was not a novice who had just entered the officialdom. The official documents were neatly arranged. Only the top official document had been turned over two pages. Moreover, there was not a single comment on it. It was obviously
Just started watching it.
What's more, it's not a secret what Uncle Hu Dazong looks like in the Rites Yamen on a daily basis. How can he not know.
With this appearance, I'm afraid this old man is reminding him tactfully... If you have something to say, don't disturb him while he's fishing!
Feeling helpless in his heart, Yu Qian raised his hands and said.
"I came here rashly and disturbed the eldest uncle. Yu just came out of the palace. There are some matters involving the Ministry of Rites, so I need to discuss it with the eldest uncle."
"That's right..."
The smile on Hu Hui's face faded slightly, and it could be seen that he was quite serious, and said.
"In that case, Yu Shaobao, please take a seat."
So, after the two of them took their seats, Yu Qian recounted what he had just said in the palace.
"... Uncle Zong, Your Majesty summoned the King of Yi and the King of Luoyang to the capital for a lecture. One is to discipline the clan, and the other is to understand the difficulties of clearing land in Luoyang."
"This is certainly a good idea, but Yu is worried that it will be difficult to discipline Prince Yi and his son just by relying on the clan mansion. Although Prince Xiang is now in charge of the clan mansion, he is a junior after all, and King Yi has always been domineering, even if
I have restrained myself somewhat since I arrived in the capital, but I'm afraid it still won't work just by relying on the clan's mansion."
"If this matter cannot be properly resolved and teach Prince Yi and his son a lesson, I am afraid that the imperial court will encounter greater resistance in ordering military settlements in the future..."
Knowing that the person in front of him was an old fox, Yu Qian had nothing to hide and expressed his concerns directly.
"This time King Yi is causing trouble, Your Majesty can summon him to the capital, but this is ultimately a way to treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. The matter of clearing the abbot will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among many clans. It is impossible for your Majesty to summon the vassal clan to the capital every time.
Reprimanded."
"Furthermore, Your Majesty is kind and wants to impose small punishments and big warnings, but now the clan is domineering. If the matter of King Yi cannot be properly handled, even if the Qingzhang of Luoyang can implement it, after the father and son return, they may return to their old ways.
Seize military fields by force."
"The affairs of the clan have always been jointly managed by the Ministry of Rites and the clan's office, so Yu came here to discuss with the eldest uncle to see if there is any better way."
After hearing these words, Hu Xi frowned.
The affairs of the vassal king are indeed inseparable from the Ministry of Rites. Although the Emperor has re-established the Zongren Mansion, the vassal king's requests for titles, marriage invitations, etc. are still in charge of the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, it is recommended that Twenty-five-six is a bit self-deceiving.
only……
"Yu Shaobao just said that Shen Shangshu went with you, but he didn't raise any objection to the matter?"
What Yu Qian didn't expect was that the first sentence Hu Hui spoke was this.
Shen Yi?
Why does he have any objections?
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Qian asked.
"What does Uncle Zong mean by this?"
Seeing this situation, Hu Xi was also stunned, but soon, a narrow smile appeared on his face. Regardless of Yu Qian's confused look, he waved to the clerk beside him and gave instructions.
"Go to the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs to see if there is any news."
This time, Yu Qian was even more confused.
What does this have to do with the Ministry of Industry?
He wanted to ask a question intentionally, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Hu Hui raised his hand to stop him. The old man looked mysterious and said.
"Don't be anxious, Shaobao Yu, you will know later!"
With this sentence, Yu Qian choked back all the questions in his heart.
So, they just waited there.
With Yu Qian present, Uncle Hu Dazong still had to put on a good show. He ordered people to give Yu Qian some snacks, and then he turned back to the public case and finally started to process the official documents.
In just half a stick of incense, the outside clerk had already returned. Looking at the several official documents that had been processed in front of him, the clerk serving beside him felt sincerely that if Wang Shilang were present, he would be eager for the minister to come to the Ministry of Rites every day. .
After only a short while, the workload of my Lord Shangshu has been completed for more than half of the normal morning...
Seeing the clerk who went to inquire about the news return, Yu Qian put down the tea in his hand and his eyes became curious.
He had just thought about it carefully for a long time, but he never figured out that there was something that he, the person present, didn't know, but Hu Hao, the bystander, would understand it as soon as he heard it.
"Grand Uncle Zong, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works have just received the decree that Your Majesty will build a new royal palace in the capital."
The clerk below simply told the news he had found out.
However, his simple words instantly made Yu Qian's eyes sharpen.
"What did you say?"
Sensing the unruffled and intimidating aura of the Young Protector, the junior officials on the side couldn't help but feel a little trembling and did not dare to speak.
At this time, Hu Xi had just finished processing the official documents in his hand. He gently put down his pen and waved his hand to signal the clerk to step back. Then he turned to Yu Qian, looked at him with a smile and said.
"Isn't Yu Shaobao worried that just being summoned to the capital for training will not be able to scare King Yi?"
"That's the answer!"
After all, Yu Qian was a man who had been in officialdom for a long time. After thinking about it, he understood the meaning of Hu Hui's words.
What is the heaviest punishment for someone like King Yi?
The answer is, no punishment is severe!
As the clan king, he has been operating in Luoyang for so many years. The court has used almost every method to deal with him, including issuing edicts and reprimands, grounding him, reducing his salary, and even replacing the officials of the palace from top to bottom, but nothing happened.
use.
For a vassal king like King Yi who feared neither heaven nor earth, the things he could do could not be called human affairs.
After restraining his feet, he led a group of people to dance naked in the mansion.
After reducing his salary, he ran out and robbed people's fields.
By changing the palace officials, he could have his servants lock up all the palace officials who dared to choke with him.
In a word, he didn't care at all when the imperial decree was delivered to him. With the emperor's ancestral teachings, there was no such big crime as treason, and it was impossible to reduce the nobility and ban. Faced with such a ruthless gangster, how could the imperial court act?
The word "sorrow" is quite good.
So, is there really no way to deal with him?
Of course there is!
Yu Qian's method is one. With his status, when he arrives in Luoyang, he must be an imperial envoy on behalf of the imperial court. Such an important official of the imperial court arrives in Luoyang in person. If there is still such a thing as an attack on the imperial envoy, even if King Yi is the vassal king, it will be difficult for him to be safe.
Get away.
More importantly, since Yu Qian is going, he will naturally ask the emperor for permission to mobilize troops. If King Yi dares to lead people to fight violently, Yu Qian can capture all the people in his hands with his backhand.
When the time comes, a lonely man will not be able to make a fuss even if he wants to.
However, if this happens, the noise will be huge.
In addition, there is another way, which is...
"Your Majesty wants to keep King Yi in the capital?"
Yu Qian frowned slightly and finally understood.
In the Wuying Palace, the emperor indeed mentioned that he would like King Yi and King Luoyang to stay in the capital for a while. However, at that time, Yu Qian only felt that it was a temporary measure.
Just keep the two of them in the capital first, so that they have no way to stop Qing Zhang's land. After everything is done, they will naturally be driven back to the feudal land.
After all, so far in the Ming Dynasty, there has been no vassal king who has been in the capital for a long time.
No, it's not impossible. The previous King Min and King Xiang all lived in the capital for a long time, but that was because they served in the Zongren Mansion.
However, given King Yi's virtue, not to mention letting him serve in the clan's mansion, not allowing him to enter the clan's mansion and be beaten would be considered a leniency.
Therefore, Yu Qian didn't think about that at all.
However, now it seems that the emperor really has this intention.
Otherwise, even if Prince Yi and his son had to be detained in the capital for a period of time, the huge palace of the Ten Princes would not be enough.
However, with such an effort to build a new royal palace in the capital, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like it is going to be a temporary residence for Prince Yi and his son.
"It may not mean that we really want to keep Prince Yi and his son in the capital forever..."
Seeing Yu Qian's surprised look, Hu Hui took a sip of tea and said calmly.
After a short pause, he turned sideways again and asked the clerk who had just walked in next to him.
"Is there any new news coming from the Ministry of Finance?"
Because Hu Xi had just sent people to inquire about the information from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs, there were still people left in these two places. Now when Hu Xi asked again, the clerk who had just gone to get the news immediately reported it.
"Back to the eldest uncle, it is said that just after receiving the order, Minister Shen of the Ministry of Revenue... hurriedly entered the palace again!"
Hearing this, Hu Hui had a smile on his face, looked at Yu Qian and said.
"See, Shen Shangshu can't sit still!"
The construction of a royal palace is not a difficult task for the Ministry of Works. Originally, there was a problem of insufficient craftsmen households. However, after the restructuring of craftsmen households, as long as the Ministry of Household Affairs is willing to provide money, they can naturally recruit people.
But then again, this would put the Ministry of Revenue in dire straits. To build a royal palace that complies with regulations, it would cost a lot of money. No wonder Shen Yi couldn't sit still and hurried in. The palace has gone.
Of course, Yu Shangshu doesn't care what happens to the Ministry of Revenue. What he cares about is...
"What Uncle Zong means is that this palace cannot be built?"
I also knew that Chen Yi, that Pixiu man, would definitely not be willing to spend money on such a thing.
However, Hu Hui shook his head and said.
"It doesn't matter whether it can be built or not. What's important is that if your majesty wants to build it, you can build it. King Yi is domineering just because the sky is high and the emperor is far away. But if he is locked up in the capital, how dare he Do this?"
"Yu Shaobao, you want to be a deterrent. Are you satisfied with this deterrent?"