Jingming

Chapter 429
Another pressing issue brought about by the Queen's departure is the eternal good fortune of the Emperor himself.

Throughout the dynasties, countless emperors began to worry about their mausoleums after their death very early.

But the current Emperor doesn't care about this, and even refuted it with a bad attitude before.

The object of the refutation was Yan Song, who was the Minister of Rites at that time.The reason was the death of Concubine An, and Yan Song asked tactfully: When choosing a mausoleum site for Concubine An, did she also start to choose auspicious land that would last for ten thousand years?

The reason the emperor refuted at that time was: Although Bodi was dead, how tight was the money and food in preparation for the Northern Expedition?Why rush a project like this one that will last forever?
Despite this, the courtiers at the time couldn't help but secretly wonder: Is His Majesty very taboo about this matter?
Because except for Emperor Taizong's mausoleum, which was built during his lifetime, in fact, so far, the other emperors did not start construction during his lifetime.But if you don’t build it, it doesn’t mean you haven’t chosen a location first and made some preliminary preparations.

Otherwise, would it be possible to repair in a hurry while waiting for the person to disappear?Or let the emperor lie in the Forbidden City for another year and a half?
So spending too much seemed like an excuse. The emperor seemed not to like others mentioning his death so early.

It doesn’t cost much money to prepare in advance.

But now, according to the rules, the queen is buried first, and she should be buried together with the emperor in the future.

Therefore, we have to choose, and in fact, we should choose His Majesty’s auspicious land.

At this sensitive moment when the queen's death may affect the future position of the crown prince, Yan Song and Liu Long had to go to Zhu Houcong to report the results.

Because no matter what, the emperor must check it out personally to determine which "alternative place" he will be buried in in the future.

In the imperial study room, Yan Song and Liu Long did not dare to show their anger.

After the capital was moved to Beijing, the imperial mausoleum actually had a large area, which was called Tianshou Mountain.

"Acorn Ridge and Shiba Daoling?" Zhu Houxuan read it with waning interest and said without hesitation, "Where will An Bin and the others be buried? Choose that side."

Yan Song and Liu Long were agitated and immediately knelt down to dissuade them: "Your Majesty, you absolutely must not!"

Zhu Houcong frowned: "Why?"

Yan Song and Liu Long knelt down and looked at each other, and then they began to guess that the emperor probably didn't know much about the afterlife, or even the details of these funeral rituals.

"...Your Majesty, it is your Majesty's special favor that Concubine An, Concubine Zhuang, etc. can be buried in Tianshou Mountain. However, how can His Majesty, the Nine-Fifth Supreme Being, have auspicious soil for ten thousand years... How can it be... not to mention that there is such a solemn presence now? Duan Shenrong, the noble concubine of Emperor Jing, Ji Rang, has already occupied the top position in Feng Shui..."

The two of them talked to each other and explained carefully, and then Zhu Houcong slowly came back to his senses.

Indeed, how could he care so much about these funeral matters?It’s true that I don’t want to spend more money at that time, and it’s also true that I feel that I can still live.

But now that Sun Ming is gone, this issue has to be put on the agenda.

Under the Ming Dynasty's ancestral system, only empresses could be buried in Tianshou Mountain, and concubines were buried in Jinshan in the western suburbs.

However, Zhu Jianshen had already broken this rule before. After her death, Concubine Wan Gui became the No. 1 person buried alone in the imperial mausoleum area of ​​Tianshou Mountain.

So after An's concubine left, including Zhuang's concubine and others last year, Zhu Houcong arranged to be buried directly there, and the others didn't say much.

In fact, Zhu Houcong had no idea, including the fact that he arranged for his grandmother to be buried together in Zhu Jianshen's Maoling Mausoleum, which also violated the ancestral system - after all, the Shaw family had no successor.Although Zhu Houcong was honored as the Empress Dowager after he succeeded to the throne, it was only later that his grandson Zhu Houcong pursued the title.

In the environment at that time, everyone followed the emperor's wishes, and Zhu Houcong did not even hear any explicit opposition.

But now, the emperor actually plans to go to Wanniang's tomb where Concubine Wan Gui is buried to accompany An Bin and others who are already buried there. This is shocking.

Yan Song sighed with emotion in his heart and sincerely advised: "The empress was buried in Lu. Although the Xianling Mausoleum has been renovated, your majesty insists that it does not need to be moved to Tianshou Mountain. It is a matter of cherishing the people's power, putting frugality first, and being wise. However, your majesty will not live for ten thousand years." Jirang, Holy Queen Xiaojie has a noble position, how can you ignore her?"

Over at Tianshou Mountain, few concubines other than the queen are buried alone.In other words, apart from Concubine Wan Gui, currently only Zhu Houcong's woman is buried there alone, and her status is only a concubine!
It was Zhu Di who was the first to be buried in Tianshou Mountain and built the East and West Wells there.Although the people buried were all concubines, they were buried in a sacrificial manner. They had no names, and they were all buried together.

After Zhu Jianshen set the precedent, his son Zhu Youtang only had one queen, who is still alive today.

Zhu Houzhao's Kangling was also buried together with the Xia family last year.His other concubines, those who have passed away, do not need Zhu Houcong to take care of them personally, and they were not buried there.

Zhu Houcong looked at Yan Song and said slowly: "In the past year or so, you have been doing a lot of mourning. In your opinion, which one is better, Acorn Ridge or Shibadao Ridge?"

Yan Song lowered his head: "How dare I speak nonsense? Your Majesty, the auspiciousness of the year is serious. Your Majesty has chosen the mausoleum for the filial and holy empress, so it is better for you to choose it."

"...To view the mausoleum for the queen..." Zhu Houcong thought for a moment and fell silent.

He said that he had a lot of good luck for ten thousand years, but now he went to personally inspect it for Sun Ming.

How could the government and the public not know that this was selecting the emperor's own auspicious land?But should we emphasize the queen to the outside world?If the emperor values ​​the queen, does that mean he values ​​the prince?

Zhu Houcong looked at Yan Song deeply: had he heard something?
No matter what, Yan Song tried his best to be a considerate person and continued to ask: "Your Majesty is very affectionate. After choosing Ji land, I and Shun Qing will make a new arrangement. The emperor and the empress will be in the middle, and the concubines will be by the side. This burial, If we are to relocate in the future, we can first build the Shinto, the Qin'en Gate, etc., so that the construction of auspicious land of ten thousand years will be less expensive."

Zhu Houcong couldn't help but was speechless. This meant: You are planning to bury yourself with An and the others, and presumably other concubines will be treated this way in the future.In this case, you should repair your future mausoleum little by little.Which concubine unfortunately passes away and continues to contribute to the family marriage in the underworld?

However, from a ritual perspective, is this appropriate?

Regardless of Sun Ming's own thoughts, would the current prince and future emperor be happy to see such a lively scene in the late emperor's mausoleum?

Zhu Houcong was a little tired. Behind this incident, there was also Yan Song's euphemistic temptation: if this was confirmed, the emperor would have the intention to treat other concubines and the empress almost the same.

Doesn't this give other concubines and other princes another hope?
"Let's go take a look first and then talk." Zhu Houcong said, "By the way, I will also go to Zhuling to worship in person."

……

The three purposes of selecting auspicious soil for thousands of years, personally viewing the mausoleum for the queen, and worshiping ancestors to "pray for good fortune" were all considered by the courtiers.

Which is more important?

uncertain.

However, the emperor finally took practical action and worried about his own affairs. This is a fact.

In less than a year, the birth mother passed away and the queen left. The courtiers were also wondering whether the emperor's mood had changed.

Judging it by oneself, it is probably possible.

Judging from history, it is probably very possible.

How many emperors in the past dynasties have only been wise emperors for half their lives?After twenty years of hard work, the Ming Dynasty is now in its prime, the emperor has reached middle age, and the princes have grown up one after another. What will be the main theme of the second half of the Jiajing Dynasty?
Everyone has a premonition of trouble with the crown prince.

Another important point is that, let alone the emperor and his ministers, after the new emperor ascends the throne, will the current national policy conference, state affairs hall, military affairs conference, general auxiliary general staff and other systems be changed?
Your Majesty is indeed wise and powerful, able to control everything.Where is the current prince and the future majesty?
It is full of uncertainty, so everyone has their own judgment.

Among them, the one who felt most at a loss was Zhu Zaiyan, who was already nineteen years old.

As he got older, he now lived alone with Zhu Zaiyin, the third son of the emperor, who was still living alone in the newly built palace, located in the south eighth hall of the former Donghua Gate.

After entering through the Donghua Gate, the Neijinshui River turns a corner at the Wenhua Hall and continues to flow eastward.

To the east of Wenhua Hall, across three bridges and Huiyin Gate, is where the prince's residence is now concentrated.The one closest to the south is the Prince's East Palace Duan Hongu.On its west side is the Imperial Academy that was converted from the original Guanghui Hall area, and to the north of Duanben Palace, with a total area only slightly larger than Duanben Palace, is the Nanba Institute composed of eight other prince courtyards.

Now, those who once had separate courtyards were the eldest son of the emperor Zhu Zaiyuan of Yue, the third son of the emperor Zhu Zaiyin of Ao, the fourth son of the emperor and Wang Zhu Zaiqi.

Ao Wang is 15 years old and He Wang is 12 years old.After reaching the age of [-] and being granted the title of king, he will move to this southern eighth residence.So after this year, the fifth son of the emperor Zhu Zaiyu and the sixth son of the emperor Zhu Zaiyuan, both born in the ninth year of Jiajing, will also be granted the title and move here.

More princes are on the way.At the end of the 12th year of Jiajing, Concubine Shu Wen Suyun gave birth to the seventh son of the emperor, Zhu Zaiyan.In the past six years, two more sons and four daughters were born in the harem.

Just looking at the present situation, more than ten years later it will be a situation where the nine sons coexist.

Now Zhu Zai'an has married the daughter of the Duke of Guizhou and built the Palace of the Prince of Yue in Nancheng, Beijing.

After visiting the palace regularly to pay respects to the emperor and his mother-in-law, he came to Zhu Zaiyin.

In the palace, Zhu Zaiyin has a special status.His mother is Carolina, just Zhaoyi.Although Zhu Zaiyan's mother was a royal concubine, she came from a humble background.

Zhu Zaiyin looked even more strange in the palace because of his mixed-race appearance. Although he had black hair, he had blue eyes.

When the two brothers met, 15-year-old Zhu Zaiyin was a little distressed: "Brother, what are you doing here at a time like this?"

"Let me see you by the way." Zhu Zai'an said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and his fourth brother are both at Jijen Hall. Have you been there today?"

"Of course I've already been there."

"...Hey, I wanted to drag you and Lao Wu Lao Liu along." "Brother, why don't you just go by yourself?"

Zhu Zai'an didn't answer.

The mother of the third child is Portuguese, the mother of the fifth child is Zhang Qinghe, a concubine who has always been undisputed, and the mother of the sixth child is Zhaoyi Tana, who was born in a beautiful family. They are all people who cannot be related to the position of queen.

Zhu Zaiyang was also in a dilemma.As a concubine, the mother should be the queen in name.

Going to worship and keep vigil is the proper etiquette.But if he, the eldest son of the emperor, acted too "filial", it would be very embarrassing.

Zhu Zai'an came here just for this matter.

I can't even stay here for a little longer, lest people say that the princes are starting to form cliques now...

Zhu Zai'an stayed very briefly, as if he just came to say hello, and then went to Jiyan Hall.

When they arrived at Jiyan Palace, they first saluted the sad and haggard Zhu Zaiyi: "Your Highness, your condolences, please take care of yourself."

Zhu Zai'an also returned the greeting: "Brother."

Then Zhu Zaiyang knelt down to the Queen's Zi Palace.

After lighting the incense and burning the paper, Zhu Zai'an knelt down beside Zhu Zai'an and stayed here for a while to fulfill his duty.

Zhu Zaiyi spoke softly: "I heard from Eunuch Zhang that my father left the palace and went to Tianshou Mountain."

Zhu Zai'an lowered his head: "Yes. I went to the Yangxin Hall to say hello and was told that the imperial chariot had already left the palace."

"After my eldest brother moved to the palace, did he still practice martial arts diligently?"

Zhu Zaiyang was silent for a moment, and then replied: "I dare not or forget my father's teachings, so naturally I will still practice martial arts diligently and keep fit."

"You and I, brothers, may not practice martial arts together at the Nanba Elementary School like we did in the past few years."

"... After this year, the fifth and sixth brothers should live there. I am already married, but it is inconvenient for me to go to the palace to accompany His Highness the Crown Prince often."

Zhu Zaiyi only said slowly: "They are still young..."

"...It's a pity that the third brother only likes Wen."

There was silence in the banquet hall.

After a while, someone sang from outside the palace: "Concubine Shu and the seventh son of the emperor have arrived."

Wen Suyun came over with Zhu Zaiyan, the seventh child, and they greeted each other first. Then Wen Suyun came to Zi Palace crying and said this. Zhu Zaiyan, who was eight years old, joined the kneeling queue. .

Zhu Zaiyi didn't speak, only looked at Wen Suyun's back.

Before his mother died, he heard her last wishes and his father's promise.But now that Dean Wen's reputation has spread far and wide, and Huangming University has many disciples, who knows if there will be any changes?
If two sisters take over the world one after another, there will definitely be discussion and resistance between the government and the public.

Even though his father's prestige was enough to suppress everything, Zhu Zaiyi was still full of worries about the future.

Thinking of what he had seen over the years in the dispute between the crown prince of North Korea, which his father had warned him to be concerned about, Zhu Zai'an was filled with dark clouds.

At the moment when his mother had just passed away, in a state of grief and uneasiness, even though the brothers had been educated by their father to love each other, and had grown up together and played together in the Nanba Palace and the Palace, it was difficult for Zhu Zaiyi to truly understand each other after all. Relax.

What's more, he also has officials from the East Palace. They talk about history and governing the country on weekdays, and they always remind him tactfully that it is difficult to be a prince.

Zhu Zai'an looked at his second brother and the prince from the side and behind, who was kneeling with his back straight, and he sighed in his heart: It is difficult for him, the eldest son of the emperor, who is a concubine...

Living alone outside the palace, he never dared to take the initiative to interact with courtiers, but some courtiers and people would take the initiative to come to his house.

He reported to his father obediently, but only got one sentence: It's not a bad thing if you know some people. Wen has a good relationship with Yang Shilang, Wu has a good relationship with Qian Guo Gong, and business people have a good relationship with Cheng Guo Gong.

Zhu Zaiyan had already heard from Yang Bo that he should go to outer Yunnan in the future.

But everything is not clear yet. In the eyes of the government and the public, it is the eldest son of the emperor who has wide connections!
After staying in Jiyan Palace for half an hour, Zhu Zai'an said goodbye to Zhu Zai'an and left the palace.

Back at Prince Yue's Mansion, his princess, the daughter of Mu Shaoxun, whom she had known since she was a child at the Duke of Guizhou's Mansion, saw that her husband was frowning, so she could only comfort her.

Zhu Zaiyang sighed: "I hope my father will make a decision soon. If this continues, sooner or later this string will be stretched."

……

Around Wen Zhengming, the people who came closer were actually his relatives.

Those relatives who mainly take the Huangming Assets Bureau as their current direction.

Because various companies now have more senior talents coming from Huangming University.

Wen Zhengming has been the dean of Huangming University for nearly 20 years. Even though he is 71 years old now, he is in extremely good health.

During this period, cultural gatherings and banquets are not allowed.

But when I think of Wen Zhengming, there are also many people who come to visit Taihe.

The queen is gone, and there are only two people in the palace who are concubines.Although Concubine Xian had an earlier fate with the emperor, she came from a humble background.On the contrary, Concubine Shu has two daughters and a son, and because of her lively personality, she has always been favored by the emperor. Now she is naturally closer to the position of queen.

But Wen Zhengming was afraid and closed the door to thank guests.

I can't avoid the guests from the Taihe residence, but I can't avoid the guests from the Huangming University.

In a roundabout way, Huangming University received more academic donations during this period.

Huangming University, which was originally only supported by Huangzhuang and the internal transportation warehouse, is now getting bigger and bigger. After the emperor approved it, many clans, relatives and even wealthy gentry and wealthy people have donated money in recent years.

But the queen was in mourning, and these people suddenly concentrated on throwing money at Huangming University. What did it mean?
Wen Zhengming felt like he was being roasted on a fire, and he never dared to forget the frightening feeling he had 20 years ago.

Stop making trouble, just write poetry, draw a picture, do something related to the important responsibilities of the Department of Music and Arts, and take care of Huangming University, which the emperor values ​​​​very much.

Wen Zhengming was frightened by the recent situation. He had already started writing a glossary, wondering when the right time would be to submit it.

The reason is of course very good: I am already 71!People who don’t know what day they will be buried.

But now the timing is hard to grasp.

The Queen left and he resigned. Was this a test of the Emperor's will?
Wen Zhengming only regretted that he had not done this earlier last year.

One is because his political consciousness is too low, and the other is because he really feels that he is in great health.

If she can do more things for the emperor, her daughter will definitely be more stable in the palace.

Sadness lingers in the hearts of many people in the capital, but Xia Yan is as stable as a mountain.

At the age of 59, he has been serving as the General Staff Officer of the Military Affairs Conference for 13 years. However, for more than six years, matters at the Military Affairs Conference have not been the main theme of the court.

However, Xia Yan was not without merit. In six years, the military reform was completed one after another.

Today, the Ming Dynasty has a total of more than [-] infantry, cavalry, and naval soldiers. Together with the two Great Wall Companies in Shanghai and Mainland China, as well as the maritime trade bank, the Ming Dynasty Bank, etc., it can be said that it is very powerful.

After six years of accumulation, the national treasury and grain reserves are also well prepared.

The key issue is that he is already 59, and the emperor's eldest son is also [-].

It's time to start doing some things.Xia Yan saw clearly that if Ming Dynasty continued to do this, if it did not release its accumulated strength to the outside world, it would inevitably lead to internal struggles.

There is a question: now the main theme is etiquette, border trade, longevity ceremony and the World Games. A school sings and dances to achieve peace. Why is it so famous?
I'm afraid there is only one place: from the 12th year of Jiajing to the present, Anda has been conquering the west and plundering the east.

You have to think of something!
　There is one more.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)