Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 897
In the small building near the lake, Zhu Zhanqian held up his wine glass, obviously implying something in his words.

Facing his agitation, Zhu Yongyin didn't respond, just sat quietly opposite, the wine in front of him was also untouched.

King Xiang has his purpose, and Zhu Yongyin has been here for so long to make false promises to King Xiang, so naturally it is only to inquire about the situation in Beijing.

Now, he finally heard something interesting...

"Suppress the clan?"

Zhu Yongyin raised his head and asked thoughtfully in his tone.

"Yu Qian came out of Beijing to deal with Yi Fan's affairs, but where did he start talking about suppressing the clan?"

Hearing this question, Zhu Zhanqian was a little surprised at first.

He did not expect that the always domineering and arrogant King Yi would not care about his own domain first, but the so-called suppression of the clan.

You know, according to the personality of the other party, it should be a temperament that only cares about oneself, and the life and death of others has nothing to do with him.

However, it was just an accident.

After all, he had never had a deep relationship with King Yi before, and his judgments on him were all learned from documents and rumors. After all, the rumors were not accurate enough, so it is normal for him to revise his judgment after meeting a real person. .

Even, for Zhu Zhanqian, this is actually a good thing.

He is in the middle of the capital, responsible for religious affairs, and spends most of his time dealing with the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, he can clearly feel that the imperial court has noticed many problems in the clan, such as excessive feudalism, excessive marriage, domineering and hurting the people, etc. Wait.

Although there was no action on the surface, but when he and the Ministry of Rites formulated the assessment standards for Zongxue, it was actually very obvious.

As soon as he thought of this, Zhu Zhanqian couldn't help scolding those bastards of Zongxue in his heart.

This group of people always felt that it was because they wanted to earn face in front of the court that they had strict requirements on their studies, but how did they know that the Ministry of Rites had bad intentions from the very beginning.

If he didn't catch them more strictly, in the end, none of these people would be able to graduate as scheduled, let alone mention the matter of being sealed.

Frankly speaking, at this stage of development, the whole court is paying attention to this matter, and how to deal with Yi Fan's problem is beyond Zhu Zhanqian's control.

Of course, it won't be something that King Min can control.

Therefore, if the person facing today is the rumored selfish and domineering King Yi, Zhu Zhanqian is only [-]% sure of convincing him.

But if King Yi on the opposite side is also a "virtuous king" who cares about the clan's situation, then he is at least [-]% sure.

Yes, in Zhu Zhanqian's mind, personal morality is a small matter no matter what, and those who can protect the interests of the clan and maintain the order of etiquette and law are the real "virtuous kings" who can protect the country.

So, with a heavy sigh, Zhu Zhanqian opened his mouth and said.

"Uncle Wang has been in the fiefdom for a long time, so I'm afraid he doesn't know the situation in Beijing."

"In fact, many ministers in the court have long been dissatisfied with the clan. Among other things, the Zongxue seems to be set up to train the clan's children, but in fact it has increased the shackles on the clan's head."

"Originally when there was no Zongxue, the children of each family could apply to the court for titles when they reached the age, but now, they need to graduate from Zongxue before they can be canonized normally."

"The Ministry of Rites has been preparing the assessment criteria for Zongxue in recent days. My nephew is not talented. I have contacted the Ministry of Rites about this matter before, so I know a little inside information. This assessment standard seems fair, but in fact, if it is implemented , there must be many descendants of the clan who need to postpone their graduation."

"The imperial court's intention to take this opportunity to suppress the clan can be seen."

Originally, Zhu Zhanqian thought that after hearing these words, Zhu Yongyin would be shocked and angry, at least, he should be surprised.

But the reality is that Zhu Yongyin's reaction is much calmer than he imagined.

Playing with the wine glass in his hand, the Prince Yi asked thoughtfully.

"You talk about the Ministry of Rites, who is the one who came up with the idea? Hu Wei? What is the reason why he did this? Could it be that he just disliked the clan?"

This reaction was so bland that Zhu Zhanqian felt a little uneasy in his heart.

Because he found that the clan uncle sitting opposite him was becoming more and more unpredictable to him. At least, being able to ask this sentence showed that the other party was definitely not ignorant of the situation in the capital. .

After settling his mind, Zhu Zhanqian quietly cheered up and said.

"The matter of the Ministry of Rites, of course, can't get around the big uncle Hu Wei. As for why he did this, it's hard to ask."

"However, my nephew has been dealing with the Ministry of Rites for a long time after all. It's okay to guess a little bit. As for whether it's accurate or not, it's up to Uncle Wang to judge for himself."

Zhu Yongyin looked at Zhu Zhanqin, with a smile on the corner of his mouth, he picked up the wine glass at hand and drank it down, and said lightly.

"That's what you say. We are our own family. If you say it out of your mouth and into my ear, no one else will know."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhanqian narrowed his eyes, but instead of delaying, he continued to speak.

"Since Uncle Wang is so honest, then my nephew will also say so."

"It should be said that there are indeed some problems in the current clan. In many feudal lands, unauthorized marriages, indiscriminate seals, confusion of blood, and misbehavior all occur from time to time. Therefore, the imperial court must not be dissatisfied with the clan affairs for a day. It has been two days, and there must be this reason for the establishment of Zongxue."

"As the minister of the Ministry of Rites, Hu Wei suppressed the clan in this matter. If he said that he just disliked the clan, I'm afraid it's not true. However, if he said that his duty is for the sake of the community, I'm afraid it's not entirely true."

"This Hu Shangshu has always been famous in Beijing for being wise and protecting himself. He will never get involved in many affairs if he can. Otherwise, with his qualifications, he will not let Yu Qian and the others call the wind and rain in the court. .”

"So, if he does this, at least he has the support behind him, otherwise, with his character, it is impossible for him to take the initiative to take this muddy water..."

After saying these words, Zhu Zhanqian finally saw that Zhu Yongyin's face on the opposite side changed.

Even if Zhu Yongjin didn't know about Hu Wei, he should at least know roughly that the old officials of Taizong who served in five dynasties had first-class qualifications and prestige in the court.

If, as Zhu Zhanqian said, he has a lazy personality and won't take the initiative to get involved in these things, then naturally there can only be one person who can make him go through this muddy water...

"You mean that the Ministry of Rites suppressed the clan, and it was His Majesty's order behind it?"

When the emperor was involved, Zhu Yongyin's tone finally became solemn, his brows were wrinkled, and his expression became a little complicated.

Seeing this situation, Zhu Zhanqian felt a little relieved, but he hesitated on the face, and said.

"Unpredictable, my nephew doesn't dare to talk nonsense about this matter, but it is true that according to Hu Wei's character, it is indeed a bit unrealistic for him to take the initiative to suppress the clan. If it is said that he was ordered by His Majesty, it is not impossible."

"After all, it was His Majesty who personally promoted Zongxue..."

These remarks were originally intended to confirm Zhu Yongyin's 'guess' from the side, but what Zhu Zhanyi didn't expect was that after he finished speaking, the other party's expression became a little weird.

After a while, Zhu Yongyin asked.

"So, do you think that His Majesty's shadow is also involved in the matter of Yi Fan this time? Or, His Majesty intends to use the matter of Yi Fan to rectify the clan affairs again?"

This is a sensitive question.

Although this was exactly the answer King Xiang wanted the other party to come up with, it would still be too obvious if he admitted it directly.

Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, Zhu Zhanqian still hesitated.

"There is a possibility. After all, Uncle Wang needs to know that Yu Qian is the Minister of the Ministry of War and one of the few important ministers in the court. His Majesty summoned Uncle Wang to Beijing and sent Yu Qian out of Beijing. Moreover, when he was outside the city, Yu Qian was Such an attitude."

"If the Ministry of Rites is doing things according to the rules, then through Yu Qian's attitude, we can actually see His Majesty's intentions."

"I understand……"

This was not said directly, but it was almost the same as saying it directly. Zhu Yongzheng nodded thoughtfully. After a while, he suddenly looked up at Zhu Zhanqin and asked.

"Since Prince Xiang is aware of this, why don't you speak to His Majesty? You know, you are His Majesty's uncle, with such a close relationship, could it be said that His Majesty doesn't believe you, but listens to outsiders instead?"

Zhu Zhanqian didn't expect the other party to ask such a question, he was taken aback for a moment, he smiled wryly, and said.

"To tell you the truth, Uncle Wang, although I and His Majesty are relatives of uncle and nephew, but, looking at my current situation, don't you understand who exactly His Majesty trusts?"

"You mean King Min?"

Zhu Yongyin's expression was a little weird, and there was an inexplicable meaning in his tone.

Zhu Zhanqian felt a little strange, but he didn't take it to heart.

Having said so much, there is nothing to hide.

Nodding, he said.

"Uncle Wang, we are from our own family. It's not that I want to criticize Uncle Min Wang, but the degree of his majesty's trust in Beijing is indeed much more important than that of me, Xiang Wang."

"To put it bluntly, this uncle Min Wang has a deep scheming heart. In order to gain His Majesty's trust, he even made the old Min King go to the palace to ask His Majesty's marriage while he was sick, and to marry a nobleman. It's beyond reach."

"I know that he met Uncle Wang just now, but I want to remind Uncle Wang that this person's words are absolutely untrustworthy. This is not me trying to provoke, but the fact. Please be careful, Uncle Wang."

At this point, Zhu Zhanqian also knew that King Yi in front of him was not a simple idiot, especially when he remembered that he had repeatedly avoided the topic of King Min just now, which made Zhu Zhanqian feel uneasy, so he simply said Make it clear.

Anyway, the relationship between him and Prince Min's Mansion has long been in trouble. This matter is well known to everyone in the capital, including the clan and vassals.

No matter how hypocritically he said good things about King Min, it was nothing but hypocrisy.

Sure enough, after hearing these words, Zhu Yongyin looked at him thoughtfully, but in the end, he didn't say much, but skipped the topic and said.

"For the time being, as you said, it is His Majesty's wish to rectify the clan affairs. In your opinion, what should we do?"

Although, the topic will eventually fall here.

However, when King Yi asked this question again, Zhu Zhanqian always felt that something was wrong.

It was as if the rhythm of the conversation, which should have been under his control, seemed to be following Yi Wang's words.

It's a bad feeling.

However, the rhythm is always right no matter what.

Therefore, after sorting out his emotions a little bit, Zhu Zhanqian regained his composure and spoke.

"Wang Shu Mingjian, the Emperor Taizu entrusted the vassals to protect the world. The clan vassals are the foundation of the society. No matter what the reason is, His Majesty wants to rectify the clan affairs, the ministers of the court, and... …Not only did they not stop them, but they kept bewitching His Majesty's ears. If things go on like this, it will inevitably make the country restless. As the descendants of the Zhu family, how can we just sit idly by?"

"What do you mean?"

King Yi's face was a little cold, not because he was sensitive, but because what King Xiang said was really dangerous.

Soon, Zhu Zhanqian himself realized something was wrong, and said with a wry smile.

"Uncle Wang, don't misunderstand. What I mean is that His Majesty is just being bewitched by others, so he has made up his mind to suppress the clan. disregard."

"There will be such signs in the court, it's just because the clans are easy to bully. I believe that as long as we let His Majesty see the attitude of the clans, His Majesty will naturally take into account the affection of relatives and restrain these court ministers."

"To put it bluntly, it is our Zhu family who are in charge of the Ming Dynasty. It is useless to fight with the ministers below. It is only right to convince His Majesty."

"Persuade Your Majesty?"

Zhu Yongyin shook his head with a smile and said.

"Depending on you? Or relying on me?"

"Now we are all confined to ten palaces, and we can't go anywhere. Although I don't know about the capital, if what you said is true, then I am afraid that your majesty will not listen to you. As for me, if your majesty is willing to see Me, now, I won't sit here and talk to you, Prince Xiang."

"So, according to your reasoning, you should go to King Min. After all, he is the prince who is truly 'trusted' by His Majesty, right?"

These words are straightforward, and it can even be said that there is a faint distrust of King Xiang.

This made Zhu Zhanqian on the opposite side curse secretly.

As expected, he still underestimated this Yi Wang, because speaking of this, in fact, what Yi Wang wanted, basically already got it.

Through the conversation just now, he should have his own rough judgment on the situation in the capital, and even on the Son of Heaven, King Xiang, and King Min.

That's why he dared to change his gentle tone before, and his attitude suddenly became cold.

Zhu Zhanqian understood this, but he couldn't help it.

In this matter, he needed Yi Wang's cooperation, so it was basically impossible to convince him once.

However, even so, King Yi's sudden change of face still made him feel uncomfortable.

"Uncle Wang was joking. I believe Uncle Wang is clear about the festival between me and Prince Min's Mansion, but this matter involves the entire clan, so I think, even if you and I can do limited things, if His Majesty can see the The attitude of the clan vassal king, then, there may be a turning point, so I think..."

Squeezing out a smile, King Xiang wanted to finish his sentence, but King Yi obviously didn't have the heart to listen to him, so he pushed the wine glass in front of him, stood up, and said.

"Okay, I'm tired, what's the matter, let's talk about it later! Farewell!"

After finishing speaking, he nodded, turned around and left, leaving King Xiang sitting where he was, holding the wine glass tightly in his hand, his face ashen...

(End of this chapter)