I am the carpenter king

Seeing that Zhou Jiamo's face remained unchanged, Emperor Tianqi didn't show any strange expression on his face, he just looked at Zhou Jiamo playfully, and said, "Zhou Aiqing, you came here with a memorial to impeach your younger brother. What did I say? Do you want me to keep this memorial?"

If it were someone else, they would have knelt down in fear when they heard Emperor Tianqi say this.But Zhou Jiamo was different. The official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs had no expression on his face. He shook his head slightly and said: "This matter has not been investigated clearly, and I will not say anything. Although I believe in Zhang Qian, but Knowing people, knowing face but not knowing heart, I can't guarantee it. If it is found out that this is true, I may return to the emperor to intercede with Zhang Qian!"

Nodding his head, based on Emperor Tianqi's understanding of Zhou Jiamo, this person is not a person who would bend the law for personal gain.Looking at Zhou Jiamo with a slight frown, Emperor Tianqi said hesitantly: "Zhou Aiqing, don't hide it anymore, what do you have to say!"

"Your Majesty, I want to go to the south of the Yangtze River, please give me the identity of patrolling the south of the Yangtze River!" Zhou Jiamo was not polite at all, with the same expression as he should have, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with his request.

Even though Emperor Tianqi was determined, he was taken aback by Zhou Jiamo at the moment, what and what is this!Officials have a deep desire for official positions, Emperor Tianqi knows this very well, but it is the first time Emperor Tianqi has encountered someone as direct as Zhou Jiamo.No matter who is offering the reward, they are all sincere and fearful, even if they are hoping in their hearts, they can't stop evading and accommodating.The emperor had to make three speeches and three invitations before he ascended the throne, let alone these ministers.

"Zhou Aiqing, can I ask you what you want to do in Jiangnan?" Emperor Tianqi looked at Zhou Jiamo and said cautiously.At this time, the old man Emperor Tianqi was mad, the Emperor Tianqi didn't want to provoke this old man.

"Your Majesty. This is a letter written by Zhang Qian to the veteran, please read it!" Zhou Jiamo took out a letter from his bosom and raised it above his head respectfully.

Emperor Tianqi cast a wink at Wang Chengen who was on the side, and Wang Chengen hurried down to take the letter up, and presented it to Emperor Tianqi respectfully.

Opening the envelope, Emperor Tianqi pulled out the letter.Slowly looked up.The statement in this letter is completely opposite to that in the memorial, obviously two extremes.However, Emperor Tianqi believed in the statement in this letter even more. Regarding Zhou Jiamo's character and insight, Emperor Tianqi could still trust Zhou Jiamo.

"Your majesty, I believe that the emperor knows the behavior of the veteran. This time, no matter whether he is my disciple or not, the veteran wants to go to Jiangnan. The earthquake happened in Yangzhou, and the local officials and businessmen colluded. Modesty. If the veterans can’t be found out, they will never be spared. When the mutiny happened in Hangzhou, the governor of Zhejiang pushed out a general. It’s unscrupulous to deceive Sheng Cong like this! Through these two things, the minister can see that the entire Jiangnan officialdom has gone wrong. Big problem!" Zhou Jiamo seemed to be agitated at this moment, and the beard on his chin had already started to tremble due to the excitement.

Emperor Tianqi looked at the excited Zhou Jiamo.Nodding his head, when he saw the memorial and the letter.Emperor Tianqi knew that a storm seemed to be brewing in the entire Jiangnan.Since he announced the reform of the military system, all kinds of ghosts and snakes have jumped out!The earthquake in Yangzhou was just an inducement, these people are so unscrupulous!

"Zhou Aiqing, you are not young anymore, and it is really not suitable for you to go to the south of the Yangtze River. Besides, Guan Yingzhen has already left, so you stay here!" Emperor Tianqi looked at Zhou Jiamo.Softly comforted.

"Your Majesty, it is very rare for the officials to preside over the disaster relief without any mistakes! If you let his clone deal with profiteers and corrupt officials, I am afraid that he will be powerless. I will go to the south of the Yangtze River and not interfere with the disaster relief. Focus on investigating the officials in the south of the Yangtze River and clarify the officialdom !" Zhou Jiamo's attitude seemed to be very firm, he did not back down from Emperor Tianqi's words, but persuaded Emperor Tianqi to come.

Slowly stepping down from the dragon chair, Emperor Tianqi walked back and forth on the spot, frowning tightly.The affairs of the Jiangnan officialdom are indeed a problem. Emperor Tianqi has known this for a long time, and I am afraid that it has long been controlled by some big clans.

"Your Majesty, I am 83 this year. As the saying goes, 7384, the king of Hades will not tell me to go! I am old, but I am not reconciled in my heart. I want to see the Ming Dynasty become stronger, restore the glory of the Taizu, and shock the world. Bafang! Now that most of my body has been buried in the soil, let me do something for Daming! I know that the emperor has great ambitions in his heart. I may not see that day, but I am willing to make a contribution to the emperor's great ambitions. Participate." Zhou Jiamo's expression was indifferent, but his tone was unusually firm.

"Your Majesty, there are many big families in the south of the Yangtze River. For many years, they have dominated local political affairs, extorted money, and violated the state's regulations. The emperor must first implement the New Deal, so Jiangnan cannot be bypassed. Jiangnan is also the top priority. After all, someone in the south of the Yangtze River will knock on it. Come on, the minister has already arrived, and there is nothing worth cherishing about the body buried in the loess. If something cannot be done, the emperor can kill the old minister to appease the public anger, and the minister will die without regret! If the event can be accomplished, the minister will also I have done my part for the emperor, and I will die without regret!" Having said this, Zhou Jiamo lifted up his clothes, knelt down slowly, and touched his head to the bottom.

Looking at the old figure kneeling on the ground, Emperor Tianqi turned around quickly, tears streaming down the corners of his eyes.This is the insistence of an old courtier, this is the courtier of the Ming Dynasty, this is the backbone of the Ming Dynasty!

Wiping away his tears, Emperor Tianqi turned around slowly, stretched out his hand to help Zhou Jiamo up, grabbed Zhou Jiamo's arm vigorously, but said to Wang Cheng'en on the side: "Wang Cheng'en, the cabinet is drafting an edict, and the cabinet scholar Dr. Ronglu Zhou Jiamo, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, is an imperial envoy, patrolling the sky on behalf of the heavens, wherever he goes, it feels like I am in person!"

"My minister, Zhou Jiamo, thank the Lord for your grace!" Zhou Jiamo wanted to kneel down, but was held tightly by Emperor Tianqi, and he couldn't kneel down no matter what!I had no choice but to talk, and said: "Your Majesty, as a king, you must not change the order overnight! Reform is not easy, and persistence is the most important thing!"

"Don't worry, Aiqing, I've made a note!" Emperor Tianqi looked at Zhou Jiamo with red eyes and nodded.

Taking a deep look at Emperor Tianqi, Zhou Jiamo said, "Your Majesty, the old minister is resigning!" After speaking, he turned and walked out. Although he was very old, he gave off a sense of high spirits.

Looking at Zhou Jiamo's back, Emperor Tianqi suddenly bowed and fell to the ground, knowing that Zhou Jiamo was gone, so he stood up straight.

Outside the gate of the Forbidden City, Zhou Jiamo looked at the Beijing city covered by the afterglow of the setting sun, lifted up his clothes and knelt down on the ground, bowing three times and kowtow nine times, meticulously.During the last obeisance, Zhou Jiamo shouted loudly: "The Ming Dynasty will last forever! Long live my emperor!" After finishing all this like a pilgrimage, Zhou Jiamo got on his sedan chair and told the people outside: " Go! Go back!"

The old man's face was a little pale, and he said in a trembling voice: "Master, go back to the house, get up the sedan chair!"

Standing in the pavilion, Emperor Tianqi watched the sedan chair carried by four people slowly disappear into the afterglow of the setting sun.Sighing softly, Emperor Tianqi turned his head to look at Wang Chengen, and said, "Wang Chengen, you said that I agreed to Zhou Aiqing's trip, is it right or wrong? Zhou Aiqing is so old, and I still let him do this kind of insulting Did I do something wrong about what happened behind me?"

"Your Majesty, slaves are not allowed to intervene in such state affairs, but I still want to say something to the Emperor!" Wang Chengen said with a hesitant look on his face, as if he had made a decision for a long time, and said solemnly.

"Tell me! I have never regarded you as an outsider!" Emperor Tianqi nodded and said in a low tone.

After pondering for a while, Wang Chengen seemed to have finally figured it out, and said, "Your Majesty, Nubei once met an old general. At that time, Nubei was still a young eunuch. He said that the shrouded body in horse leather is the best home for a brave general. Come on, it's a shame for him! Nubei doesn't know if what the general said is right, but the shroud of horse leather is the best destination for that general!"

Seeing that Emperor Tianqi signaled him to continue, Wang Chengen continued: "Everyone is different in the imperial court, civil and military officials, but I have heard a saying that there is such a kind of emperor as there is such a subject. The emperor's talents are general. , the courtiers naturally want to be loyal to the country. Mr. Zhou is 83, the officialdom is ups and downs, intrigues, and he was once bound by fame and fortune. But at this old age, the original ideal of serving the country and the world in his heart once again Burning up, it's all because of the emperor!"

Taking a deep look at Wang Chengen, Emperor Tianqi stood there silently, with a serious face on his face.

"Your Majesty, in fact, regardless of the success or failure of Master Zhou's trip, he will leave a great name in history, and his name must last forever." Seeing that Emperor Tianqi still had doubts, Wang Chengen said in a deep voice.

"Why is that?" Emperor Tianqi was taken aback, looking at Wang Chengen and asked.

After organizing his own words, Wang Chengen said with yearning expression: "Throughout the ages, the people who acted as the pioneers of reforms are all famous in history, regardless of the success or failure of the reforms. Chao Cuo of the Han Dynasty and Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty, although they did not end well, But Qing Shi’s evaluation is very high.”

After hearing Wang Chengen's words, Emperor Tianqi immediately understood that the reform of the military system in the south of the Yangtze River should have started at this time, and Zhou Jiamo was the vanguard of the reform at this time.Regardless of the success or failure of the final reform, Zhou Jiamo's name will appear in history.Think about the textbooks of later generations, which one of the reformers is not a positive evaluation.Even Wang Mang, who seeks to usurp the throne, made positive comments.Zhang Juzheng, who is misunderstood and even slandered by many people, is even called the backbone of Ming Dynasty!

Facing the dusk under the setting sun, Emperor Tianqi had a smile on his face, as if he saw the rising sun, with such radiance and piercing eyes. (To be continued..)