The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 102

Fengtian Temple, Great Dynasty.

That day was the day of the autumn sacrifice, and many nobles came here in costumes, because after the end of the great dynasty, they would go to the Temple of Heaven and Earth to participate in the sacrifice.

The civil servants only need to send representatives to each yamen, but Wu Xun can basically go there.

At this time, the court is also discussing matters.

Because the sacrifice will be held soon, the discussion will be kept simple.

Dai Yi is reporting a matter: "... Wang Yue, the left servant of the military department of the former headquarters of Shaanxi and other military affairs, has set off from Xuanfu Town a few days ago. On the way back to Beijing, if the journey is smooth, it may be possible within five or six days. Arrived in the capital."

Wang Yue is coming back.

This made the civil servants very uncomfortable, because in their view, Wang Yue was not a positive character. How could a person who gained popularity by making friends with internal officials and was once dismissed for bribery and other crimes be any better?

Moreover, they urgently need a scapegoat for Li Guang's case. No matter how close they are, Wang Yue and Li Guang have a close relationship, so he is the most suitable to take the blame.

Letting Wang Yue return to the capital as the confidential left servant of the Ministry of War will definitely interfere with the normal order of the court.

Non-my family, its heart must be different.

"Yeah." Zhu Youtang nodded, "Have the Northwest Tatars stopped now?"

Dai Yi looked at the ministers present, not only replying to the emperor's words, but also telling the ministers present: "There is currently no Tatar movement in the Northwest."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Okay, let's come here first today and get ready. I will also go to the ceremony with all the nobles today. The six departments and other yamen will each send a servant, and the rest will also make preparations. It will start before noon." .”

……

……

The court was dissolved.

The three cabinet ministers went out together, Xie Qian said in a strange tone: "In the past, His Majesty always sent people to sacrifice on behalf of him, why did he bow down to go this year?"

Obviously, no one could answer this question.

The emperor's intentions are the most difficult to guess. The emperor should have gone in person. It is unreasonable to send someone to sacrifice on his behalf. Xie Yuqiao shouldn't ask.

Li Dongyang said thoughtfully: "Your Majesty's complexion has improved a lot recently."

This sentence made Liu Jian and Xie Qian think for a while, and even Liu Jian had to nod his head in agreement with this statement.

Xie Qian said: "I heard that someone in the palace is treating His Majesty, could it be because of this?"

Still a question no one can answer.

Just as he was talking, several officials approached quickly, Shi Lin, the right servant of the Ministry of Industry, said: "Wang Shichang is going back to Beijing, shouldn't I do something?"

The three cabinet ministers could all hear that the civil servants had great opinions on Wang Yue, to the point of having me without him.

Shi Lin was filled with righteous indignation: "This Wang Shichang, a flatterer, has never been ignorant of common sense in marching. Most of them marched lightly, and there are many reports of him falsely reporting his military achievements. Now that the eunuch Li Guang is dead, he has publicly bribed Li Guang. Well, it’s okay for others to say, is it possible that even a person who openly flatters Li Guang should be tolerated? Even let him cause trouble for the court?”

At this time Yuan Shouzhi also came out to help and said: "If this person does not go, how can the order of the court be maintained?"

The question was put in front of Liu Jian.

But it is obvious that the three members of the cabinet do not want to be involved in the impeachment of Wang Yue.

Tu Yu came over to persuade and said: "Everyone, if you have any ideas, you can just speak up and play. There is no need to ask the three elders for instructions. Let's go!"

Others also had great opinions on Tu Yu, because before Wang Yue returned to the court, Tu Yu was the primary object of impeachment for the Li Guang case.

A group of people left amidst discussions.

What kind of autumn festival is nothing to them.

Their official purpose is to drive Wang Yue out of the court, or even punish him.

Xie Qian looked at the backs of these people, and sighed thoughtfully: "Wang Shichang's body is buried in the ground, and he will not be at peace."

……

……

That day was not only the day of the autumn report, but also the day when the inner garden of the imperial palace held a feast, and ordered the wife to enter the palace to pay her respects to the empress dowager.

Zhang Zhou, as the "supervisor" of this fasting ceremony, is not in charge of the fasting ceremony, because Zhang Zhou also said that he doesn't know how to do this, and the emperor and Queen Mother Zhou just asked him to be a supervisor by the side. There is a problem with the process, and by the way, I will show the palace to see Fengshui or something.

That's easy.

But before going to the Qin'an Hall where the sacrificial offering will be held, he first has to follow Xiao Jing to meet the emperor once.

"... Bingkuan, I will not go to the palace with you today, I will let Xiao Jing go with you, and no matter what the emperor's grandmother asks, try not to disobey her, she is old, don't let her do anything wrong It's a matter of heart."

Zhu Youtang's filial piety is well reflected.

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, since you don't want to upset the old lady, why didn't you consider the matter of accepting the concubine?
You are embarrassing her yourself.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, I have some suggestions related to the prince's daily behavior."

"Prince?"

Zhu Youtang thought that he had heard wrongly. Today was the day of offering sacrifices. Zhang Zhou had no suggestion about it, so he actually mentioned to him the prince's teachings, or some kind of behavioral norms.

Zhang Zhou arched his hands: "Yes, I think that the prince is still too neglectful of discipline. We should formulate a strict daily life system, list it on paper, and set rewards and punishments. If we continue to indulge, it will be regarded as the prince's indulgence." Wizards, it is inevitable that there will be deviations."

"Oh."

Zhu Youtang thought for a while, thought it made sense, nodded, "I'll leave it to you."

Zhang Zhoudao: "How can I have the qualifications to regulate the prince's behavior? This must be done by your majesty! Moreover, the prince is stubborn by nature and likes to play. Only when your majesty often supervises him can he restrain his temper."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "This is actually not bad, every time I go, I see that he is quite well-behaved..."

Zhang Zhou smiled wryly.

It probably means that you only know one and don't know the other.

"Is there something wrong?" Zhu Youtang saw some signs.

Zhang Zhou didn't answer, but looked at Dai Yi beside him.

Meaning, this kind of thing is not good for me, right?

Zhu Youtang also followed Zhang Zhou's gaze, and said sharply, "Speak up if you have something to say!"

Dai Yi had no choice but to say with a bitter face: "Your Majesty, in fact... this old slave has always heard that the crown prince asked people to watch outside the palace. Once His Majesty goes... then... go in and inform him, and then ..."

"Who is so bold? Ahem..."

Zhu Youtang was so angry that he almost coughed up his lungs.

After calming down for a long time, and after Zhu Youtang's breathing became calm, Dai Yi said, "It's by the prince's side...a person named Liu Jin."

"Liu Jin?"

There was murderous look in Zhu Youtang's eyes.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I hope that His Majesty can restrain the regular servants of the East Palace. If His Majesty is going, he can also ask someone to restrain the follower in advance, and then when he looks at it himself, he can see the prince's daily behavior. "

"Well." Zhu Youtang said coldly, "Okay, I'm going today! After the Tiandi Altar comes back, no one is allowed to tell, Xiao Jing, don't accompany Bingkuan, go with me. Find someone to accompany Bingkuan Gonghouyuan! That's it!"

Zhu Youtang looked angry.

There are actually eunuchs and princes in the East Palace playing tricks on the emperor?
You are living impatiently.

……

……

When Zhang Zhou went to Gonghouyuan, that is, the Imperial Garden, he was accompanied by Yang Peng called by Xiao Jing.

Compared with Xiao Jingdong's status as the factory owner, Yang Peng is now only a supervisor in the Yumajian, not even a eunuch, and his status is far from high. In the past, he mostly relied on doing things for Li Guang. Others Everyone is afraid of him, even Xiao Jing wants to show him three respects.

Now he is anxious to find a big tree.

While giving gifts to Xiao Jing, he flattered Zhang Zhou.

Go through the palace all the way, come out from Kunning gate, and go to the palace back garden.

But at this time, many tables and chairs have been placed in the back garden of the palace, and the maid who entered the palace has not yet arrived, but there are many eunuchs and little maids helping to clean up.

Yang Peng said: "Today's Taoist priests who are in charge of fasting and offering sacrifices, Master Zhang Xian has any orders. Just let them know, and they will serve you. Someone has already greeted them."

"it is good."

Zhang Zhou looked down.

Although there are quite a lot of flowers and plants in this garden, it is actually a bit bleak, but the scenery is much better than the outside.

Just as he was thinking, there were female family members entering the palace on the opposite side. The family members of the civil servants came first.

When the wives of civil servants and wives of Wu Xun were entered in batches, in theory, the wives of Wu Xun had a higher status because they were princes and riches, but in fact... civil officials looked down on Wu Xun, so much so that Wu Xun's family The married woman will also be despised.

But the civil servants are also iron-clad officials in the court. Today, they are proud and return to their hometowns. This kind of thing of entering the palace to congratulate is gone, but Wu Xun has always been there, and it has been passed down from generation to generation. .

"Eunuch Yang."

Yang Peng accompanied Zhang Zhou into the Qin'an Hall, where all the utensils used for fasting and sacrificial offerings had been placed.

There is an old Taoist priest, leading a large group of young and young Taoist priests to prepare.

The old Taoist saluted Yang Peng as soon as he came up.

Yang Peng said: "Reverend Luo, you have sharp eyesight, and listen to Master Zhang Xianshi for everything today."

"Master Zhang? He... Pindao has met Master Zhang..."

This Taoist surnamed Luo has participated in this kind of fasting ceremony many times, but Li Guang was there before, so it is obvious that Li Guang is in charge of everything, and Yang Peng is a general under Li Guang's command, so he naturally curry favor with Yang Peng That's fine.

Now that Li Guang is dead, no matter who this "Master Zhang" is, it goes without saying that he will replace Li Guang.

The Taoist priest surnamed Luo didn't ask Zhang Zhou what he did, it was always right to flatter him first.

Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded, "I'm not a Taoist, so you're welcome, I'm just here to take a look."

"Uh……"

This answers.

Why can't you understand?

The Taoist priest surnamed Luo glanced at Yang Peng, as if saying, "Eunuch Yang, can you explain what it means?"Since he is some kind of immortal teacher, he is still walking around the palace, and his status is higher than yours, so he actually said he didn't understand?

He doesn't understand why he came here to monitor us?

"It was sent by His Majesty." Yang Peng said impatiently, "The Empress Dowager also admires Master Zhang very much, just remember to obey the order. If there is anything that makes Master Zhang dissatisfied today, let alone enter the palace in the future, just general Dao Lu You are removed!"

"Don't dare!"

The one surnamed Luo also understood.

This is an imperial envoy, so I can't afford to mess with him.

No matter what it is, just obey and do things.

……

……

There are more and more life wives outside.

The eunuchs and palace maids also got busy. People came from the Bei'an Gate, and the carriages and sedan chairs stopped in front of the Xuanwu Gate, and then entered the palace through the Xuanwu Gate.

Female relatives are not qualified to go through the main entrance or the east and west gates.

After they entered the palace, they were also divided into civil and martial arts, and their seats were divided according to rank, age, faction, etc.

Generally speaking, the elderly can get preferential treatment, and according to the rules, all wives over the age of 60 can be exempted from court, and those over the age of 50 who are sick can not come... In fact, anyone who can move will come.

Women also have to talk about pomp.

There are not many opportunities to enter the palace in a year, especially for civil servants, maybe only three or two times in a lifetime. After all, there is such a large-scale social event, who wouldn't want to join in the fun?

The Taoist priests in Qin'an Hall were busy preparing for the feast, while Zhang Zhou stood at the door watching the scene.

The scenery is not good for anyone.

The wives who came... There are as many as two to three hundred people, ranging from the old to the young, because the Queen Mother Zhou has ordered that each family can also bring the young ladies who have not left the cabinet to pay their respects, so that there are still about ten years old among them The little girl, bouncing and bouncing added a lot of vitality to the scene.

So the scene was very lively. These women usually seemed to be well-behaved, but on this occasion, they gave full play to the social nature of women, chatting endlessly.

Zhang Zhouxin said.

These three women are one drama, with so many women and so many combinations, how many dramas should it be?
……

……

the other side.

The Empress Dowager Zhou is receiving separate greetings from the wives of some princes and ministers, civil servants and other wives.

This is a courtesy.

The Empress Dowager Zhou greeted these people with a smile, and asked Jiang Lu to arrange them. Every time a woman came to pay her respects, she would take them out and arrange them in the designated seats. There would be tea, and some simple red needlework. , female filial piety books and other rewards.

It's worthless, but the gift is light and the affection is heavy.

Being able to take some rewards back from the palace will be very useful in educating the women of the family in the future.

It looks beautiful to say the least.

"The Empress Dowager, the right servant of the Ministry of Rites, and the family members of Lin Jijiu of the Imperial College are also here. I heard that they brought a girl who was not out of the cabinet. Would you call me in?" The unmarried girl was stared at and called over to show her.

Even if Lin Han hasn't reached the first rank yet, as long as he meets the Queen Mother Zhou's requirements, he can make a special case.

"Ah."

Empress Dowager Zhou nodded.

Then Lin Han's regular wife, Ruan Shi, came in with the support of her non-biological daughter Lin Yi.

Nguyen is over 60 years old, and Lin Yi has just reached the age of Ji. It's like a granddaughter supporting a grandmother. This combination is also very strange.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager." After all, it wasn't the first time Ruan entered the palace to congratulate her, and she knew the rules very well.

But Lin Yi came here for the first time and was very nervous.

More importantly, she didn't know why she came here.

The Empress Dowager Zhou took a fancy to Lin Yi at a glance, and thought about it a little bit, the scholarly family, the daughter of the old Lin Yijiu of Daming Lin, the beauty like a flower, the knowledge of books and rites...

"Go, call Bing Kuan!"

Empress Dowager Zhou said to Jiang Lu immediately.

Without hesitation, Jiang Lu hurried to call Zhang Zhou.

……

On the other side, Zhang Zhou was still leaning against the door to watch the scenery.

And many girls and daughter-in-laws below also found Zhang Zhou. They thought that they would meet well-behaved people after entering the palace, but they saw a man like a swinger standing at the gate of the palace and smiling at them. .

They couldn't help pointing at Zhang Zhou.

"Mr. Zhang, don't watch too much." Yang Peng came over to remind him.

What a solemn occasion this is, you came here to see the female relatives?
Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "If you don't see this kind of scenery here, you will never see it in other places. It's a pity, a pity."

Yang Peng became nervous and asked, "What's the pity?"

Zhang Zhou sighed: "I originally thought that besides being dignified and decent, a lady of every family must have both talent and appearance, but after seeing so many, I finally concluded... It turns out that there are too few wives of rich families with good looks. No wonder the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs Most of them are focusing on the affairs of the court and not on the family."

(End of this chapter)