Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 864

Nangong, Qinghe Pavilion.

Nowadays, it is said in the outer courts that the Supreme Emperor feasts and drinks every day, and is greedy for beautiful women.

But in fact, the people who really serve close to Nangong know that the banquet is true, and it is true that many concubines have been accepted, but these concubines are not really favored by many. Concubine Gui, Concubine Wan Chen, Concubine Wang Hui and others are completely different.

In the entire Nangong, Empress Qian has the highest status, she is the real hostess, she can handle most of Nangong's affairs, and besides her, almost no one in Nangong can come and go freely.

Next is Concubine Zhou, as the birth mother of the crown prince, her status is second only to the queen's concubine, she also has a high status in Nangong.

Empress Qian is in poor health. Earlier, because she missed the Supreme Emperor, one eye was blinded from crying, and her eyesight was poor, so she couldn't see clearly many documents and documents. In addition, she was inconvenient to move, and her personality was also kind, so she treated the palace people making mistakes. Many times neglected to govern.

Therefore, in many cases, these things are done by Concubine Zhou, such as enforcing palace laws and censoring the palace people, which are basically done by Concubine Zhou, and even those new concubines who don't know the importance If the words and deeds exceed the rules, Zhou Guifei will not miss it.

If people in Nangong respect Empress Qian, then they fear Concubine Zhou.

As for the remaining Concubine Wanchen and Concubine Wang Hui, although their status is not as high as that of Concubine Zhou Guifei, each of them has princes and daughters to take care of them. In addition, they usually have a non-competitive personality and take care of themselves, so they do not have a strong sense of existence.

However, all the personal servants in Nangong know that Concubine Zhou can enforce palace laws against other palace people and even concubines, but it is not allowed for Concubine Wanchen and Concubine Wang Hui, not only because of their education, but also because of their She almost entered the palace with Zhou Shi, even if she made a mistake, it's not Zhou Shi's turn to deal with it.

As for the other concubines, it is obvious that the Supreme Emperor treats them like a high-level singer and dancer. Although the title is also a concubine, the occasional rewards are generous, and they seem to be very favored, but the status is not as good as that of the attendants at the banquet outside. Prostitutes are not much different.

So no matter how respectful these palace people are on the surface, but from the bottom of their hearts, when they see these concubines being favored, they will only feel that they can do it too. treat themselves as slaves.

Therefore, in fact, the Taishang Huang's greed for beauty is just what it looks like.

Every ten days, the Supreme Emperor must stay with Empress Qian for one day, at least for three days, the Supreme Emperor will not summon concubines, although there are many banquets and feasts, but the concubines who are really lucky, But not as much as the outside world thought.

On the contrary, the remuneration and status should be given by the Supreme Emperor, so he doesn't care about these.

This day was the day when the Supreme Emperor did not summon concubines, as usual, after dinner, Zhu Qizhen went to Yanchun Palace to have a conversation with Empress Qian, then returned to Qinghe Pavilion, picked up his The "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" that was put aside before continued to read.

Beside him, the servants also changed from eunuchs to several court ladies.

It's not that he's lustful, but... the eunuchs available to him are basically gone!
During a spring hunt, Zhu Qizhen let Bodu go, and the price was that all the followers he brought with him were all arrested in the imperial prison.

You know, before the spring hunt, Zhu Qizhen didn't know Bodu's plan, since he was going to leave the palace, the people he brought out must be the most confidant people.

But now, it's all folded in!

Now the people who serve him, except for the few confidant eunuchs who stayed in Nangong back then, most of them are maids from Queen Qian's side.

After all, food, soup, medicine, clothing, shoes and hats, etc., if he is not a truly trustworthy person, he is definitely not at ease.

And last time, Empress Dowager Sun had aroused a lot of criticism in the foreign court in order to arrange staff for him to serve him. Not a small disturbance.

You know, His Majesty the emperor in the Qianqing Palace maintained his brothers and friends so well, but he always 'defended' the opposite party and spread the word, which really flattered the other party's heart.

Fortunately, it is not without benefits. There are fewer people serving, and many things are not so conspicuous. Presumably, after this incident, there can be a lot of peace of mind.

In this way, it can be regarded as a blessing in disguise.

With the scroll in his hand, Zhu Qizhen's thoughts had already gone to nowhere.

At this time, a young eunuch with a simple and honest face came in and said.

"Your Majesty, Our Lady has arrived."

"Mother?"

Zhu Qizhen came back to his senses and couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

You must know that although Nangong does not 'prohibit' entry and exit, all parties are maintaining a fragile balance. The most important thing is that everyone knows that Zhu Qizhen himself must not step out of Nangong. .

Of course, spring hunting is an exception that is included in the ceremony after the emperor and the ministers discussed it together.

This point cannot be touched. Once Zhu Qizhen crosses the line, even if he knows that Zhu Qiyu has scruples, there is no guarantee that the other party will act aggressively.

Other than that, other things are a little more relaxed. For example, Empress Qian can occasionally go in and out of the Nangong Palace. Of course, Jin Yiwei's entourage is indispensable.

For another example, Empress Dowager Sun sometimes came to talk. Of course, this kind of situation is very rare, much less than the number of times Empress Qian left Nangong.

After all, since ancient times, only sons worship their mothers. Unless the son is too sick to walk, how can the mother come to worship the son...

With Zhu Qizhen's current status, he cannot leave Nangong, and when Empress Dowager Sun comes over, her status is likely to cause controversy. Therefore, basically there are only big festivals such as New Year's Eve and Winter Solstice. Empress Dowager Sun will use the excuse of mother and child reunion to come to Nangong look at him.

It was the first time for a sudden visit like today.

Putting down the scroll in his hand, Zhu Qizhen got up with plastic surgery, and walked out of Qinghe Pavilion quickly under the leadership of the little eunuch.

Sure enough, looking from the gate of the palace, the Empress Dowager Sun was already standing outside with Wang Jin and a few personal maids.

"Meet the queen mother!"

Seeing this situation, Zhu Qizhen didn't have time to think about it, and hurried forward to salute, and welcomed Queen Mother Sun in.

Sitting down on the soft couch, Empress Dowager Sun frowned and looked around, looking at the servants in twos and threes in the huge palace, she opened her mouth and said before she mentioned the business.

"The manpower around you is too thin. The Ai family said earlier that I would send you some more, but you would not allow it. With such a small manpower, what is it enough for?"

"Furthermore, although you are in Nangong, you are surrounded by a group of women, so what does it look like?"

Zhu Qizhen smiled wryly, took the teapot from the hands of the trembling maids, motioned them to back down, poured a cup for Queen Mother himself, and said.

"It's better to be clean. It's more convenient to discipline if there are fewer people. Now that the mother is in the palace, she needs to be served by caring people. They are all sent to Nangong. How is it?"

"Don't worry, queen mother, I have a sense of proportion. If it is really necessary, I will ask queen mother for it."

"Besides, maids are enough for personal service. When Ruan Lang left, he left behind a few useful people. Although they are younger, they are loyal and reliable, and they are easy to call."

What Zhu Qizhen was talking about was the few eunuchs who were guarding outside just now. They were all brought over by Ruan Lang. The leader, who looked naive, was called Jiang Ping, who was Ruan Lang's godson before.

Although Zhu Qizhen said he was dissatisfied in his words, after Ruan Lang's death, he had no choice but to use this little eunuch, but found that he was unexpectedly clever, not what he seemed to be at all, so he continued to use it .

Empress Dowager Sun shook her head, knowing her son's character, naturally she didn't persuade him much.

He drank a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and said.

"The Ai family came to you this time because they have something to tell you."

"What, Zhang Min wants to clean up the military mansion? Or should he report to Qianqing Palace?"

After listening to the Queen Mother Sun finished speaking, Zhu Qizhen's face turned livid, and said.

"Is he crazy?"

You know, in Zhu Qizhen's eyes, no matter whether these people belong to the British government or belong to Ren Li's subordinates, in the end, they are all people who can speak for him in the court.

Now, Zhang Yu actually wants to hand over people by himself, free up so many manpower in the military mansion, and let Zhu Qiyu fill it in at will, how can he not be angry?
Seeing this situation, Queen Mother Sun also sighed and said.

"Aijia, a harem woman, shouldn't have said much about government affairs. In fact, when you just returned to Beijing, Aijia wanted to tell you that the British government is no longer the original British government."

"The Zhang Fu who is in charge now is neither as wise as Zhang Fu nor as calm as Zhang Fu. He is very reckless, and he is selfish. He says he wants to serve you, but in fact, when something happens, The first thing to look out for is your own interests.”

"He's still following you now, it's just because of the disaster of the British government's ship, he turned around, and it's just a helpless move, but if he really thinks about you, I'm afraid it may not be possible!"

The more he said this, the more ugly Zhu Qizhen's face became.

Indeed, when he had just returned to Beijing, Empress Dowager Sun had mentioned this matter to him cryptically, but at that time he did not pay attention to it. The main reason, of course, was that the two brothers, Zhang Fu and Zhang Fu, followed each other He died on the battlefield, carrying out his orders unswervingly, and lost his life in order to save him back to Beijing.

Naturally, Zhu Qizhen was very grateful for this kindness, so after returning to Beijing, what he relied on the most was the British government.

However, to this day, he has to say that Zhang Min did disappoint him.

What should be done can't be done, but it's a good hand to screw things up.

Originally, Zhu Qizhen had doubts about Ren Li's inexplicable imprisonment, but now, something like this happened again.

How can he not be angry!

"No, I have to ask him personally. At the beginning, Zhang Fu and Zhang Fu were both loyal and loyal. Now that the British government is in his hands, and I treat him well, why does he treat me like this?"

Pacing around the hall twice bitterly, Zhu Qizhen gritted his teeth.

"Calm down! If you really do this, what is Aijia doing here? Sit down!"

Seeing her son's anxious reaction, Empress Dowager Sun secretly rejoiced that she didn't delay too much, but got the news of Zhu Yi and went to Nangong immediately.

Otherwise, with his own son's character, if he got the news from other sources, he didn't know what trouble would happen.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Sun showed a rare stern look, and gave Zhu Qizhen a soft drink.

So, Zhu Qizhen finally calmed down, but still sat on the couch beside him without saying a word, obviously still angry.

The more it is at this time, the more you can't be tough, the Queen Mother Sun's tone slowly slowed down, and said.

"Son, there is a saying that if people do not work for themselves, heaven and earth will perish. You have experienced so many things, and these principles don't need to be taught to you by your mother."

"In the past, Ai's family didn't like Qian Shi, but now, no matter how much you dote on her, Ai's family doesn't think it's too much. It's because, in her eyes and in her heart, she always pretends to be you alone."

"However, apart from the Qian family, there is no one in the court who does not care about himself!"

"Today's news was revealed by Duke Cheng to Ai's family, but is he loyal?"

"Maybe there are, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you are fighting for power. Now that you are on your side, there are two major dukedoms. If you alienate the British dukedom, you will naturally get closer to the Chengguo duke's mansion."

"Therefore, it is useless for you to be angry again. Since you are an emperor, you should know how to balance the power in your hands. You shouldn't be unclear. Otherwise, you will make the same mistake as that Zhang Xiang!"

"What's more, although the Ai family doesn't want to say that, but although Zhang Yu is plotting for the British government and benefiting himself, the growth of the British government is also good for you. After all, these two big princes are now gone. Take a stand."

"So, it's nothing more than a trade-off. Ai's family came here this time to explain this truth to you, so that you don't be impulsive."

Empress Dowager Sun is very clear about her son's personality, he has intelligence and strategy, but he is too emotional, and often he can't take care of anything when his head is too hot.

What she was most afraid of was that Zhu Qizhen couldn't hold back and broke up with the British government. Now Nangong's situation seems to be flourishing, but in reality it is in crisis.

If at this time, you still can't control the available power of your subordinates well, and you are separated from your morality, then it will be completely over.

So, this tone, if you can't bear it, you have to bear it!
Not only must you endure, but you must also endure cleanly and without complaint. Only in this way can you turn disadvantages into advantages and gain advantages.

However, in this way, I'm afraid that Zhu Qizhen's side...

Empress Dowager Sun looked at her son, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

To be honest, she is not sure about this matter, otherwise, she would not rush here at this time.

In many cases, it is one thing to think clearly about the truth, but it is not so easy to really control one's emotions.

Just like back then, Empress Dowager Sun knew in her heart that the reason why Zhang Min sacrificed the title of Uncle Huichang was actually a more rational choice.

However, this matter stuck in her heart, but she still couldn't get rid of it.

Even if she is like this, let alone her own son who is always easily influenced by emotions.

However, this time, Zhu Qizhen calmed down instead, his fists were still tightly clenched, but his face calmed down, said.

"Mother, don't worry, I understand, and I ask my mother to help pass on the message, saying, the loyal ministers of the British government for generations, now that something like this happens, if you don't establish your prestige, it will be difficult to correct the atmosphere. No matter what Zhang Min wants to do, I They all support him, and let Zhu Yi, Concubine Jiao and the others fully cooperate..."

(End of this chapter)