golden scales

Wang Zhixin and Wang Chengen, as the number one eunuch and the second eunuch of the Supervisor of Rituals, have different rankings, but they are not strong or weak in terms of power.Although Wang Cheng'en was ranked under the King's Heart, he also served as the admiral of the East Factory according to the usual practice, which was not weaker than that of the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

When the two met Donggong, they were so enthusiastic that Zhu Cihong was not used to it.Although he had never called Wang Chengen "Factory Lord", but when he met him in the past, he still had to act as if he respected the old officials, and he was not lifted so high by the two big pengs like he is now.

"Who is the emperor talking to?" Zhu Cihong asked.

"It's Mr. Chen."

It turned out to be Chen Yan.

Zhu Cihong responded.In the official circles of the Ming Dynasty, it was not popular to call the chief executives "adults", and only the chief assistant could enjoy the treatment of "old sirs and lords".Generally speaking, "adult" is also generally a title for parents and relatives.

"Is there something wrong?" Zhu Cihong asked casually.

It is impossible for the content of the emperor's meeting with the ministers to leak out.

Just as it is impossible to snow in summer.

However, it is true that there will be snow in the summer during the Little Ice Age, so the conversation between the emperor and his ministers may naturally leak out.

"Actually, it is also related to His Highness." Wang Chengen was bold, and said first: "It is about Cheng Guogong's succession, and the matter of Ding Guogong and British Duke recommending His Highness to take charge of the Beijing camp."

"Well," Zhu Cihong nodded, "I have to trouble the two princes to help me see when His Majesty will summon me."

"Your Highness, please sit down in the side hall." Wang Zhixin said with a smile, "I'll go and have a look now, old minister."

There are Benren Hall and Jiyi Hall on the left and right of Wenhua Hall as auxiliary halls, and there is a cross-court called Chuanxin Hall, where Confucius is worshipped before the Jingyan.When Zhu Cihong was a child, he studied in Benren Hall for a while, and it is interesting to revisit the old place now.It's just that before he had time to go in, he heard the sound of the squad number. It turned out that the emperor had finished the confrontation, and the chief assistant Chen Yan was about to leave the palace.

After a while, Wang Zhixin turned to Zhu Cihong again, and said: "Your Highness, Your Majesty has a will, please come and see me in the Lord's Hall of Respect."

Zhu Cihong nodded, but she was somewhat puzzled.The main worship hall is the apse of the Wenhua Hall, and its regulations are similar to those of the Wenhua Hall.In terms of function, it is usually the place where Chongzhen received ministers after listening to the lecture.Since the Wenhua Hall can be used, Chongzhen seldom goes to the main Jingdian Hall, which saves the trouble of moving around.

Even if the Son of Heaven goes to the toilet, it is a very complicated matter!

Zhu Cihong strolled along the corridor to the main hall of worship. Naturally, there was a big Han general and a servant at the door to pass the door.Only after the summoning report came, Zhu Cihong could enter in a serious manner, without any special treatment just because he was the emperor's eldest son.

This is ritual, which separates people into categories.

When seeing Chongzhen again, Zhu Cihong was not used to it.

Although it was only less than a month apart, my father, who had just turned [-], already had gray hair on his head, and looked bleak and old under the dim candlelight.

Chongzhen routinely frugal, and even the lights and candles in the palace must be strictly controlled.Only when meeting ministers, will the lights be brightly lit.

Now that he only sees his son, the light is naturally much weaker.

Zhu Cihong stepped forward to greet him, glanced at Chongzhen's sleeves from the corner of his eye, and the cuffs of the middle coat that were vaguely exposed were already hairy, and he didn't know how long he had worn this dress.Everyone in the world knows that Tianjia is luxurious, and the underwear and underwear are renewed every day.When Chongzhen succeeded to the throne, the daily change of clothes became a change every three days, and later it became a change every five days, and finally reached the point where it was not worn out.

Thinking of this, Zhu Cihong felt a little grateful for Chongzhen.The emperor was so frugal, but Chongzhen didn't mean to cut back the crown prince and other princes and princesses, and still lived a luxurious life unimaginable by the world.

"Is my son still used to being outside?" Chongzhen's lips squirmed, and he finally asked the question he didn't want to ask.He felt countless times that he should speak about important military affairs, but when he saw his son's immature face mixed with maturity, he finally couldn't help showing the "little woman's attitude".

"My son and minister are all well outside." Zhu Cihong replied.He suddenly felt that he should add some "moving", but decades of habitual thinking made it difficult for him to find the emotion of "moving".The brain provided him with many powerful thinking weapons, allowing him to surpass ordinary people in terms of memory and logic, but at the same time deprived him of many emotional things.

Chongzhen nodded, and gradually regained his dominance of the empire, saying: "Duke Dingguo and Duke Yingying recommended you to take over the Beijing camp, do you know?"

"My son got the sealed copy a few days ago." Zhu Cihong said, "I just feel that Xunchen's recommendation seems a bit abrupt."

Chongzhen expressed his appreciation: "People are valuable with self-knowledge. You can know your own shortcomings. This is excellent. I often tell you stories about Jie, Zhou and Sui Yang. Could it be that their talents are not good? No, it is precisely that. The talent is too good, so he is self-willed, which ruined the country's luck."

Zhu Cihong lowered his head, not letting a wry smile show.These words were originally wise words, but they were uttered by a headstrong emperor, which is really ironic.

"However, I still hope that you can go to the Beijing camp to appease the army." Chongzhen thought for a while: "The Beijing camp of the imperial court has always paid food and salaries from the internal funds, waiting for the emperor to be close to the army. However, it has always been handed over to the relatives. Now It seems that those honorable ministers really failed my family! I heard that your Eastern Palace guards are all heroic and vigorous, and they have the appearance of a strong army. It seems that you also have capable people to help you. Why don't you give the Beijing camp to you? The success also came in handy."

Zhu Cihong was naturally very happy to have the emperor's approval, and it was already expected that he would be looked down upon by his father again.He said: "Your Majesty, the sons and ministers have indeed received the help of loyal people when they left the palace this time. And the results are obvious. The market in the capital has gradually recovered, and the calamity of the plague is over. I just don't know how to reward them. .”

"Rewards from the heavenly family are nothing more than wealth and honor." Chongzhen taught: "But you have to remember that if the reward is too heavy, you will be domineering, and if the reward is not enough, you will have resentment. You still have to weigh it carefully. The way of the emperor is the best. It is to make them full and not enough, so that they can always serve the king's affairs, and it is also the way to preserve good officials."

Chongzhen paused, and then said: "However, the deceased might as well give more to Ai Rong. First, let the living know the benevolence of the Tian family, and second, it can be regarded as a match between the monarch and his ministers."

"I understand." Zhu Cihong knew that Chongzhen was referring to Cheng Guogong.

The plague that broke out in Duke Cheng's house was violent. Not only did no one in the entire family escape the catastrophe, even the guards of the East Palace who went in to prevent the epidemic died several times.Empress Zhou fainted when she heard the rumors from outside. Fortunately, someone later said that the East Palace was safe and sound even though it went to Duke Cheng's mansion, which was better.

"The matter of Cheng Guogong, there must be no next time." Chongzhen said suddenly.

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