Chapter 159: The Emperor Heir Encounters Dismounted Mawei
Chapter 159: The Successor Emperor Encounters a "Disgrace"
Dao Chi followed Wang Qi to the teahouse. Although he was an elder in the clan, he met Wang Qingjiang for the first time.
Wang Qingjiang was sizing up Dao Chi, and Dao Chi was also sizing up the leader of the Wang family's officialdom.
If the Wang clan in Anlu City is headed by their grandson Wang Zhen, then the leader of the Wang clan in the officialdom is Wang Qingjiang, the Minister of Justice.
He was a young scholar. He was promoted to the second-level Jinshi before he was even a junior. He became the third-level minister in his early forties. He has been serving as minister for five years now. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be promoted to minister before he knows his fate.
Among those in the capital who are sixty years old, he is still in his prime at the age of over forty and has a promising future.
Wang Qingjiang has a standard Chinese character face, a short beard, and he is very upright. However, I don’t know if it is because he is a court official in the Ministry of Justice. His demeanor is different from Wang Qinghong’s elegance. He has a somewhat calm and powerful aura, and his eyes are bright.
There is God.
Wang Qi originally had a free-spirited temperament, but as soon as she entered the private room, she behaved in a well-behaved manner. She seemed to be quite in awe of her second uncle.
If it had been anyone else, they would have been trembling under Wang Qingjiang's gaze. However, Dao Chi took it calmly and did not shrink back. Not to mention a third-grade minister, even a super-grade prince spoke to him in a gentle manner these days.
.Well, although there is a suspicion that he is pretending to be a tiger, but to be honest, he has nothing to ask for from the two clansmen of the Wang family, so he naturally treats them calmly.
In Wang Qingjiang's eyes, he is a man of extraordinary temperament and can be taught.
After greeting Wang Qingjiang with courtesy, Dao Chi took the initiative to greet his clan brother Wang Xuan with courtesy.
When King Xing passed away, Wang Xuan went to Anlu as an envoy, and Dao Chi met him twice. Shun Niang's family letters also mentioned that this clan brother had taken good care of Shun Niang and his wife in the capital in the past two years. Regardless of whether he obeyed or not
Wang Zhen’s instructions are in my heart.
Wang Xuan had a warm look on his face, but when he looked at Dao Chi and then at Wang Qi, he felt quite regretful.
So what if Wang Qi is the brother-in-law of the heir to the emperor, the princess' guest of honor cannot be an official and can only be a rich and idle person; on the contrary, Dao Chi, a member of a small clan, was born in Bongdu and was selected as the attendant of the heir to the emperor, and his future is unlimited.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but complain a little to his cousin Wang Qinghong, what a good boy did he do when he was born, he was obviously a cousin who had not yet graduated from the fifth service, but now he became a member of the Wufu tribe, and his status was much further away.
Even if Wang Qingjiang wanted to inquire about the successor emperor, he would not be able to ask him directly. He would have to exchange a few pleasantries and talk about family matters.
When he heard that the Taoist idiot was going to the Imperial Academy and that Wang Ning would also come to Beijing this autumn, Wang Qingjiang couldn't help but be moved.
Of course, he would not know that these were the earlier arrangements of Dao Chi, a half-year-old child. He only thought that this nephew was really loved by the emperor as the news said.
Moved to the capital.
For him, the most important news was that the Wang family and the successor emperor were related by marriage, had local affection, and that their nephew was valued by the successor emperor. As for whether he could meet the successor emperor in advance, it was not that important.
After all, after more than 20 years in the officialdom, I know that "too much is not enough". Now that the big bosses in the capital are gathering in Liangxiang, it would be "showing off in the forest" if the successor emperor did not see anyone else and only summoned him.
This street is the closest to Guanyi Street, and many bigwigs from Beijing are waiting for news from Guanyi in the teahouse and inn.
Wang Qi brought Taoist idiots here, and they couldn't hide it from anyone. Even if no one knew their identities for a while, there was no guarantee that someone would come to join in the fun.
Therefore, after Wang Qingjiang met his two nephews, he did not stay as a guest. He only made an appointment with the Taoist Chi to follow Wang Qi to the residence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs after the emperor came to Beijing tomorrow.
Dao Chi didn't want to trouble others, but at this time he kept a distance from the minister's house and didn't know what to say in the eyes of others. After all, in the eyes of the world, apart from family members, it is the clan members who are the closest to him.
After coming out of the teahouse, Wang Qi followed Dao Chi back to the inn. The rooms in the inn had been booked early, so Wang Qi stayed in Dao Chi's room, planning to squeeze the two brothers into one room.
Before dinner, Lu Bing woke up and came over. He was very happy to see Wang Qi.
The three of them had dinner together, and thinking about going to Beijing tomorrow, they went to the hotel again.
Even though the posthouse was full of people and there were several guards outside, it was solemn and silent inside and outside.
The three of them couldn't help but slow down, handed over their Wangfu waist badges, checked their identities, and then entered the hotel.
As soon as they entered the hotel, they saw Gao Kang coming out of the main courtyard. Seeing the three of them, he said happily: "Your Highness was sending your servant to summon the three young masters, and by chance the three young masters arrived."
Wang Qi said: "Is there something wrong, Your Highness?"
Gao Kang hesitated and said: "Just now, an official from the Ministry of Rites came to deliver a 'ceremonial certificate'."
"Huh?" The Taoist idiot was surprised: "When His Highness first arrived at the post, didn't an official from the Ministry of Rites present a 'ceremonial form'?"
When a subsequent emperor enters the palace, there must be a set of procedures. This is the content of the "ceremony form", which is drawn up by the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the cabinet bachelor. Whatever gates you pass through, what palace you enter to change clothes, etc., must follow the "etiquette form"
Contents proceed.
Although Dao Chi was no longer with the prince after entering the hotel, he still knew about it.
These few people in front of him were all close to the prince, so Gao Kang whispered: "It seems that His Highness is not satisfied, so Master Yuan came forward to negotiate with the officials of the Ministry of Rites. In the afternoon, the content of the 'ceremonial certificate' was not enough. This time it is...
New 'ceremony'."
When Dao Chi heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Even if the Crown Prince wants to be stubborn, it's not time to be stubborn. If he doesn't ascend the throne, there will be variables.
While they were talking, everyone had already arrived in front of the Crown Prince's courtyard. There were guard handles in front of the door. Once here, there was no need to check the palace badges. Only the Crown Prince's summons allowed entry.
Gao Kang bowed and said, "You three young masters, please wait a moment while I allow my servants to report."
The three of them were speechless.
Gao Kang went into the courtyard to report the matter, but the young man turned around and invited the three people in.
In the prince's room, in addition to the prince, three important members of the royal family were present, namely Yuan Zonggao, the chief official of the royal palace, Si Zhenglu Song, the master of ceremonies of the royal palace, and Zhang Zuo, the chief official of the royal palace.
Compared with these three important ministers of the palace, Wang Qi and the other three seemed to have little weight.
However, Dao Chi and Lu Bing were still concerned about this, but Wang Qi was the future brother-in-law of the prince, and could be regarded as half the owner of the palace, so the three of them stood up to meet each other.
Wang Qi was a little embarrassed. Even if he would get married in the palace, these three were important ministers of the palace. They also followed the prince to the capital, so they would definitely be ranked as ministers. He was very polite to greet them and did not dare to show any disrespect.
.
The prince's face was a little gloomy, but when he saw Wang Qi's restraint, he smiled and said: "Qi Lang, you have only been out for a month, why are you so polite? There is no one else, who will pick on your bad behavior."
Although the prince is still as gentle as before, Wang Qi thought that he was about to be ranked ninth, and he still responded with respect: "The etiquette cannot be discarded, after all, it is not as good as being outside in the palace, with so many pairs of eyes watching, it is hard to get out."
It’s wrong, it’s a joke.”
The prince was thoughtful and said to Yuan Bengao: "It's rare for those officials to come from the capital. As soon as they ask for a meeting, they meet each other and save their words. It's just that they have been alone in the vassal territory for a long time and are not familiar with the officials in the capital. There is no need to keep secrets."
See you. You are summoning me on behalf of me, so we can meet together."
Yuan Zonggao and others hurriedly bowed in agreement and went out to summon the officials who came to see him.
There are only a few small ones left in the room, and the atmosphere is much more relaxed.
The prince ordered the three of them to sit down, and then asked Wang Qi with a faint smile: "Do the people in the capital pay too much attention to etiquette? If there are any mistakes in etiquette, will it also become a laughing stock?"
Wang Qi heard the words and shook his head and said: "Your Highness is overly concerned. Your Highness's etiquette rules are from elementary school, how can there be any difference? Besides, Your Highness is the most respected person in the Ninth Five-Year Plan. Officials and the people only have respect for Your Highness. Who dares to take the risk of making a big deal and discuss it verbally?
Emperor?"
Dao Chi smiled, picked up the folded book at hand, handed it to Wang Qi and said, "Qi Lang, take a look?"
Wang Qi took it and saw that Dao Chi and Lu Bing both looked over and started to read: "Take a break at Zhengyang Gate, enter from Donghua Gate, and enter the Wenhua Hall to wait..."
This is the "ceremonial form". In addition to arranging the procedures for how to enter the palace, the second step is for the civil and military ministers to submit the "Encouragement Form". This is also a routine procedure. The civil and military ministers implore the successor emperor to ascend the throne. The first two emperors must be modest and polite.
Ask the ministers of civil and military affairs to choose another wise emperor, and then he can "reluctantly" accept the throne for the third time. After completing the second step, the successor emperor will report to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother will issue an edict, and then "select a day to ascend the throne."
Wang Qi read it again, and when he saw the prince's face darkening, he asked doubtfully: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Although the process is a bit cumbersome, etiquette can sometimes be a hassle.
The Crown Prince looked at Dao Chi and Lu Bing, and Lu Bing also had a look of confusion on his face. Dao Chi and the Crown Prince had seen many ceremonies in the past few days, and of course they knew that this "ceremony" was inappropriate. This was in accordance with the procedures for the crown prince's accession to the throne.
, the proposed "ceremonial form".
Following this procedure, the crown prince admitted that he was the son of Emperor Hongzhi and the younger brother of Emperor Zhengde.
In the eyes of the ministers, this procedure was certainly good, but this was not what the prince wanted.
However, before entering Beijing, I started talking about etiquette issues, which was a bit painful.
After all, the crown prince is only the successor emperor, not the emperor yet.
Seeing the Taoist idiot's expression, the prince knew that he saw something wrong, and said: "Erlang, please tell me."
The Tao Chi thought for a while and said: "The imperial edict orders His Highness to succeed the emperor, not the Crown Prince. When Your Highness enters the palace tomorrow, he should enter through the Daming Gate, the main entrance of the Forbidden City, not the Donghua Gate where the Crown Prince enters the palace."
When Wang Qi heard this, he became furious and said: "The Ministry of Rites and the Cabinet dared to make such mistakes. Could it be that those old men relied on their seniority to bully His Highness's youth?"
Lu Bing also said indignantly: "How dare they bully His Highness!"
These two people only thought that the powerful people in the capital were giving the prince a "power", and that's why they were so angry.
However, the prince knew that if he ascended the throne according to this "ceremony", the Empress Dowager might drop the curtain and the ministers would continue to be in charge of the government. After all, he had not reached his fifteenth birthday and was not married. In the eyes of the world, he was not yet an adult.
If we lose the initiative, it will not be easy to regain the imperial power. I am afraid that I will only be a puppet emperor.
In the afternoon, he returned the first "ceremonial letter" with the intention of testing it, but Yang Tinghe obviously regarded him as an ignorant child. The second "ceremonial letter" was just more detailed than the first explanation.
That's all, I'm afraid he won't understand.
It is already dusk now. There is no point in fighting for the "ceremony" at this time. Delaying tomorrow's schedule is not a good thing...