Concubine

Chapter 468
After the Taizu emperor Zhu Yuanzhang executed the prime minister Hu Weiyong, he revoked the post of prime minister that had existed for thousands of years. No, in this way, below the emperor, there are six ministers. At the same time, plus the Inspectorate, the Secretary of General Administration, and the Dali Temple, there are nine departments in total, called "Nine Ministers", with parallel powers.

During the Zhu Yuanzhang period of the central government affairs organization in the Ming Dynasty, there were Taishi, Taifu, Taibao (Sangong) and Shaoshi, Shaofu, Shaobao (Sangu) as the emperor's assistant officials to assist in governing.After Ming Chengzu came to power, he abolished the three lords and three orphans, and reorganized the cabinet with a bachelor's degree and five ranks to help the emperor handle the government affairs.At this time, the cabinet was only a state affairs advisory body. In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, it gradually evolved into an important force for decision-making of state affairs.

After Ming Chengzu established the cabinet, he firmly held the decision-making power originally held by the prime minister in his own hands. The deliberative power was distributed to the cabinet, and the administrative power was distributed to six ministries (the Ministry of Punishment exercised judicial power, and the Ministry of War exercised part of military power). It was given to the Inspectorate and Dali Temple.The military power is firmly in the hands of Ming Chengzu. Although the Inspectorate is in charge of the guard army, it has no power to mobilize, and the Ministry of War is only responsible for the training of the army and the management of weapons and equipment and other administrative affairs.However, the governors of the Dudufu of the Five Armies are all heroes of Jingnan who followed Ming Chengzu to seize the country, and they are prominent princes and princes.

The people named by Ming Chengzu just now can be said to be the highest power group in Ming Chengzu's period.Last night the crown prince Zhu Gaochi was seriously ill, the imperial doctor said that he would live for three to five years at most, and at least three to five months.In the early court today, Ming Chengzu gathered these top assistant officials to Wenyuan Pavilion to discuss matters. I am afraid that nine out of ten have something to do with the prince's affairs.

Unexpectedly, after entering Wenyuan Pavilion, the first thing Ming Chengzu did not say anything about the prince, but said to Ji Gang with a sullen face: "Ji Aiqing, I have something to say in the court hall just now, but now I ask you, Did you already know that Lin Yuan was acquitted by Yang Aiqing, so you deliberately collected the body under the pretext of wanting me to pay attention to this matter so that he can be punished for a crime of resisting the decree, right?"

Ji Gang was so frightened that he knelt down on the ground with a thud, and kowtowed repeatedly.

Ming Chengzu snorted heavily: "I have told you many times not to fight each other, do you take my words as a deaf ear? You foolish think that I don't know? Just relying on you to bend Yang Aiqing around, it is against the order. Follow, his heart can be planted!"

Ji Gang had never heard Ming Chengzu speak so harshly to him.His face turned pale with fright, and he dared not speak except kowtow.

Regarding Ji Gang's previous framing of other ministers, Ming Chengzu always obeyed his words and everything went smoothly, but since Yang Qiuchi came to the capital, Ji Gang found that he was restrained everywhere, and the emperor didn't listen to him much.Now the emperor has pointed out his evil plan again, and even directly characterized it as disobedience and disobedience, which is a serious crime of beheading, so why can't he not help but tremble with fear.

Ming Chengzu said again: "Ji Aiqing, you have to remember, don't make an example! From now on, no matter whether you two fight directly or let others help you, as long as I find out, I will punish him for resisting the order. Listen do you understand?"

Ji Gang kowtowed and said: "My minister... I will engrave it in my heart! I will never dare again in the future."

Yang Qiuchi also bowed and said, "I understand."

Although Ming Chengzu exposed Ji Gang's trick of killing people with a knife just now, and scolded him heavily, Yang Qiuchi was not happy at all, because it was tantamount to blocking the matter of intercepting the emperor's beautiful daughter through Ji Gang's picketing by the Inspector's Office. The matter of the second prince's expansion of his army, since there is no sufficient evidence to prove that he expanded his recruitment for the purpose of rebellion, let alone expose it.

Although Ming Chengzu blocked Ji Gang's way to punish Yang Qiuchi, he also blocked Yang Qiuchi's way to expose Ji Gang's crimes.From this point of view, it is obvious that Ming Chengzu still defends Ji Gang. He also knows that Ji Gang has done a lot of bad things. If he really wants to investigate, just a few of them are enough to chop his head off, but this is not the result Ming Chengzu wants.

After Ming Chengzu let Ji Gang die, he said: "Presumably, all the lovers already know that the prince's health has always been poor, and he often suffers from heartaches. Yesterday he had another attack, which was very critical. Fortunately, he was treated in time and he is no longer serious. However, the prince With the current physical condition, I am afraid that it is difficult to be qualified for the post of prince. I would like to hear what good strategies you have?"

Yang Qiuchi's heart skipped a beat when he heard Ming Chengzu's words. Although Ming Chengzu didn't directly say that he wanted to change the prince, the meaning was almost the same, and a smart person would know it when he heard it.Sure enough, Zuo Dudu and Duke of Qi, Qiu Fu of the Chinese Army Commander's Mansion, stepped out first, and said, "Long live, since the crown prince is no longer fit for the post, he should be replaced as soon as possible. I believe that the second prince is brave and good at fighting, and leads the army. Youfang, in the battle of Jingnan, he followed Wansui to fight on the battlefield, worked hard and made great achievements, and established a high prestige among the soldiers, so I boldly proposed to change the second prince to be the prince. In order to protect our Ming Dynasty for thousands of years."

When Qiu Fu opened his mouth, the governors of the five armies' governor's mansions also expressed their opinions one after another, seconding Qiu Fu's proposal, and even Xue Lu also seconded it.They all formed a fighting friendship with the second prince Zhu Gaochi during the Battle of Jingnan, so of course they support Zhu Gaochi.Xue Lu has a grudge against Ji Gang, but he also supports the second prince Zhu Gaochi.

Ming Chengzu smiled and nodded, then turned to look at a group of civil servants: "You guys also talk about it."

Ji Gang stepped forward: "I think what the generals said is very true. Now we have Tatars and Wachas in the north and Japanese pirates in the east. These powerful enemies have been spying on us for a long time. They have repeatedly harassed our borders and killed us. The border people plundered my property. After Wansui's many conquests, the enemy army was afraid of Wansui's military strategy and did not dare to lightly start a war. The second prince is wise and martial, and has repeatedly made military exploits. If he becomes a prince, he can keep our country stable. Like a rock."

Hu Guang, the chief assistant of the cabinet, stepped forward: "This matter must not be done! Although the crown prince is in poor health, the eldest son inherits the rule. This rule has been followed in all dynasties. The crown prince did not make a big mistake. He only used his health as an excuse. And abolishing the crown prince may be difficult to convince the public. As for the preservation of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor's personal conquest is a last resort, but it cannot be generalized. Otherwise, if he loses, how to deal with the government and the opposition? If the battle requires the emperor to do it himself, Then what do you want the generals of the Manchu Dynasty to do?"

Although Hu Guang's words were harsh, they hit the heart of the issue of replacing the prince, making it hard to refute.

Yang Shiqi, a cabinet scholar, came out and said: "Long live, the prince is benevolent and filial. All the sacrifices and sacrificial utensils in the ancestral temple are personally read. Last year, the general Shixiang, the head style, and the doctor's words are sweat. Your Highness said: "Khan dare not come to sacrifice. "Left and right, please replace me. The crown prince reprimanded him: "The superior ordered me, and I sent someone to replace me?" Then he sacrificed himself. After the sacrifice, he was sweating all over his body, and he didn't heal himself with medicine. Therefore, the humble minister thought that His Royal Highness the crown prince is highly talented. , That is to say, if there is a fault, you must know it, if you know it, you must correct it, love others with your heart, and you will never fail your majesty. Such generosity and love are exactly the way to be a king. Therefore, I think that the position of the crown prince cannot be changed."

Yang Rong, a cabinet bachelor, also came out and said: "Long live, I agree with the words of the two bachelors, and the prince cannot be replaced. Although Wacha and Japanese pirates are eyeing, they are not enough to shake our Ming Dynasty. Now the world is peaceful, and the king of peace and prosperity since ancient times, They are all benevolent kings like the crown prince. In the future, the crown prince will inherit the great rule, and he will be able to protect me for thousands of years."

Ji Gang sneered, as if he was talking to himself: "The crown prince himself is already sick...what's the matter? How come thousands of years?"

Yang Qiuchi said with a smile: "Master Ji, His Royal Highness is only suffering from 'cardiac pain'. It is a deficiency of the heart, spleen, spleen and blood, and evil offenders of the blood. ?”

Ji Gang said: "Oh? Hearing that, Mr. Yang is also proficient in medical skills?"

"I don't dare to be proficient, but I know a little bit."

Ming Chengzu wondered: "Yang Aiqing, do you know how to cure diseases?"

Yang Qiuchi graduated from Medical University. Before studying forensic medicine, he received systematic western medicine education and clinical practice. However, it is difficult for a smart woman to cook without rice. Without western medicine and testing equipment, he can't do anything.However, with the common sense of Chinese medicine, he also knows that the "heart pain" in Chinese medicine is rheumatic heart disease. This kind of heart disease is an immune disease. When it is severe, it can cause thickening of the heart valve, stenosis or insufficiency of the valve.The main treatment for this disease is surgery, valvuloplasty or even valve replacement.

Traditional Chinese medicine has a certain effect on early rheumatic heart disease. When it is severe, the effect is not so great. It can only relieve it, but there is no way to cure it.Although Yang Qiuchi knew this, firstly, he had no surgical instruments and equipment, and secondly, he did not understand thoracic surgery.As for Chinese medicine, he only knew a little superficially, and the two imperial doctors who were proficient in Chinese medicine were all the same, so what could he do.The reason why he deliberately weakened the prince's disease was nothing more than to prevent the replacement of the prince.

Now that the emperor asked, Yang Qiuchi didn't dare to brag about the bullshit, and seeing a doctor is like a mountain, and he might die, so he smiled awkwardly: "My minister... I can only solve cases. Well, not good at it."

Yang Shiqi, a cabinet scholar, said again: "If the emperor is worried about the prince's health, he can add the emperor's grandson Zhu Zhanji as the crown prince, just in case of accidents."

Yang Shiqi's suggestion was immediately seconded by other officials.After all, it is an indisputable fact that Prince Zhu Gaochi is in poor health, and there is no way to avoid it.The main purpose of Ming Chengzu convening everyone to discuss today is to solve this problem. If you just insist that the prince Zhu Gaochi cannot be abolished, the problem will still not be solved, but if you add Zhu Gaochi’s son Zhu Zhanji as the emperor’s grandson, the problem will be solved. .

Yang Qiuchi admired in his heart, it was the brains of the gang of civil servants who came up with such an idea of ​​succession by subrogation, absolutely!Absolutely!

Ming Chengzu was also moved in his heart, he had this idea before, but the crown prince's condition was not so serious at that time, now that this matter is brought up again, his eyes light up.

Although Ming Chengzu didn't like the prince Zhu Gaochi very much, he loved Zhu Gaochi's eldest son, Ming Chengzu's grandson Zhu Zhanji.It's a bit of an intergenerational relationship.

According to legend, when Ming Chengzu was still the king of Yan, on the night Zhu Zhanji was born, Ming Chengzu had a dream. He dreamed that his father Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a jade jade, which read "The descendants of the legend will be prosperous forever." Ming Chengzu thought that his father passed on the throne to him in a dream. After waking up from the dream, when he was thinking about the scene in the dream, there was news that the eldest grandson was born. This made Ming Chengzu believe that the scene in the dream In the future, it will be confirmed by the grandson.

When Zhu Zhanji was [-] days old, Ming Chengzu learned of the death of Taizu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.Ming Chengzu always felt that the heroic spirit of his father Zhu Yuanzhang entered the body of this grandson Zhu Zhanji, similar to a reincarnated soul boy, and he was more kind to this child.In addition, Zhu Zhanji was smart since he was a child, and he liked to read books, which won the favor of Ming Chengzu.

On the issue of who should be the crown prince, Ming Chengzu has always been hesitant, unable to make up his mind to appoint Zhu Gaochi, the eldest son he did not like, as the crown prince. Xie Jin, the chief assistant of the cabinet at that time, once strongly advocated Zhu Gaochi as the crown prince, and said at that time: " The eldest son of the emperor is benevolent and filial, and the world will return to his heart." Chengzu said nothing.Xie Jin said again: "Good sage grandson!" referring to Zhu Zhanji, Cheng Zu just jawed his head and made up his mind to make Zhu Gaochi the prince.Therefore, Zhu Gaochi's ability to become the prince was largely due to the fact that his son Zhu Zhanji was deeply loved by Ming Chengzu.

Now that Yang Shiqi mentioned this matter, Ming Chengzu was moved. Although he didn't like the prince Zhu Gaochi, but preferred the second prince Zhu Gaoxu, Ming Chengzu loved the emperor's grandson Zhu Zhanji no less than he loved Zhu Gaoxu. If Zhu Gaoxu was made the crown prince, Zhu Zhanji, the eldest grandson whom Ming Chengzu loved very much, would not be able to be emperor in the future.Therefore, Ming Chengzu had to choose one of these two people.

Ming Chengzu was very hesitant, raised his eyes and glanced at the group of Wencheng military generals in the audience. The military generals supported the second prince Zhu Gaoxu, while the civil servants supported the eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji, and both of them were deeply loved by him. How could this be? good.When he was hesitating, he caught sight of Yang Qiuchi and he didn't make a statement, so he asked casually, "Yang Aiqing, what's your opinion?"

At this moment, Yang Qiuchi was fetching water with fifteen buckets in his heart—up and down, he knew that now he had reached the most critical moment, when it was time to decide his own life and death, Ming Chengzu's different choices at this crossroads would directly determine own future and destiny.

If Ming Chengzu chose to maintain Zhu Gaochi's position as the prince, and at the same time add Zhu Zhanji as the emperor's grandson, then the head on his neck would be basically stable, and his future would be bright; The second prince Zhu Gaoxu, who claimed that he would destroy his nine clans after he ascended the throne, became the crown prince, and the heads of his family would be just around the corner.

The second situation must not be allowed to happen!at all costs!
At this moment, listening to Ming Chengzu asking about his opinion, Yang Qiuchi had no choice but to take a gamble, if he didn't succeed, he would be benevolent.

Yang Qiuchi stepped out, bowed and said: "Long live, I have something to report. This matter has a great relationship with who is appointed as the crown prince. I need to report to Long live alone."

Ji Gang stared at Yang Qiuchi suspiciously, not knowing what the hell he was doing, nor what he was going to report.

Ming Chengzu was also a little surprised. However, Ming Chengzu knew that Yang Qiuchi had been the commander and deputy envoy of Jinyiwei for nearly half a year. He had already established his own intelligence network in the capital, and he might have discovered something important.He nodded slightly, and said: "The matter of establishing the reserve is temporarily uncertain today, Yang Aiqing will stay, and the rest of Aiqing will leave."

After all the officials knelt down and kowtowed, they backed up to the gate of Wenyuan Pavilion, and then turned and left.

Ming Chengzu said: "Okay, Yang Aiqing, tell me what you want."

Yang Qiuchi looked at the eunuchs and maids serving beside Ming Chengzu, and coughed lightly.

Ming Chengzu was even more surprised to see Yang Qiuchi being so cautious, he waved his hand, and the eunuchs and court ladies behind him bowed and retreated, leaving only Eunuch Li behind.

Yang Qiuchi bowed and said: "My minister thinks that in order to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty, the second prince should be changed to the crown prince."

Ming Chengzu didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You...you just said no just now? It's so mysterious, I really have something serious."

Yang Qiuchi shook his head slightly: "The reason why this minister advocates making the second prince the crown prince is different from theirs."

"Oh?" Ming Chengzu was a little curious, "Can you come up with any fresh reasons?"

Yang Qiuchi took a step forward, lifted his robe and knelt down and said, "The reason of this minister is too shocking, and it is also suspected of resisting the order, so this minister dare not speak out."

Ming Chengzu frowned, staring at Yang Qiuchi: "Is this related to Ji Aiqing?"

"Yes!"

"Then don't say it. I have already said..."

"Long live! If this matter is not taken care of early, there may be worries about the change of Xuanwumen in the former Tang Dynasty! Even the emperor's battle of Jingnan will be repeated on the princes and grandchildren!"

Ming Chengzu frowned even tighter, and stared at Yang Qiuchi for a long while: "You mean this matter is also related to Gao Xu?" Ming Chengzu knew better than anyone else about the three sons vying for the crown prince. Zhu Gaosui was stunned by Yunlu and withdrew from the competition. If there is a change in the Xuanwu Gate, then only the second prince Zhu Gaoxu is left.

"The emperor is wise!" Yang Qiuchi kowtowed.

Since this issue is involved, it really has something to do with who is appointed as the crown prince.Ming Chengzu pondered for a while, and then said: "Okay, tell me."

"I don't dare." Yang Qiuchi saw that Ming Chengzu's appetite had been lifted, so he kept himself first, so that the green hills remained, and he was not afraid of running out of firewood.

Sure enough, Ming Chengzu snorted, and then said: "Well, since this matter involves the establishment of a reserve, and sometimes it is related to Ji Aiqing, how about it, you only talk about Gao Xu. I will forgive you for your innocence. "Before Ming Chengzu found out the truth of the matter, he didn't want to give Yang Qiuchi a loophole.

"Thank you Lord Long En!" Yang Qiuchi kowtowed.

"Get up and talk."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Qiuchi stood up, bowed and continued: "The reason why I advocate that in order to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty, the second prince Zhu Gaoxu should be appointed as the prince, because if not, Zhu Gaoxu will launch a coup and threaten The Crown Prince and even the Holy One are safe. At that time, the Xuanwu Gate’s swordsmanship change was minor, but if it was serious, I’m afraid the Ming Dynasty would fall into endless swordsmanship disasters again.”

"Is there any basis for your statement?"

"Yes!" Yang Qiuchi said, "I have found out that the second prince privately recruited tens of thousands of soldiers to train in the secret camp of Xingzi'ao outside the east city, and cooperated with Ji... and an important person in the capital to plot a rebellion." !"

Ming Chengzu was taken aback. Of course he understood what kind of threat it was to ambush an army of tens of thousands of people near the capital. He asked in a deep voice, "How did you know?"

"When Wei Chen was investigating the murder of Governor Xue's concubine, he acquitted Commander Ji's personal guard Lin Yuan. Lin Yuan was grateful and said that the more than 100 mysterious people who attacked Yun Leng that night were the two The prince privately recruited soldiers and horses, and mentioned their camp, and the ministers sent spies to investigate, and it was true. If the emperor does not believe it, he can send someone to investigate, and he will find out."

Ming Chengzu frowned: "How come Ji Gang's Jin Yiwei doesn't know anything about such a big matter?"

Yang Qiuchi smiled, but didn't answer.

Ming Chengzu stared at Yang Qiuchi: "I'm asking you, how come you are the only one who knows this news, why didn't Ji Gang's Jin Yiwei find out and report it to me?"

Yang Qiuchi bowed and said: "The emperor just said that I will not let my ministers talk about Commander Ji, so I dare not speak out."

Ming Chengzu thought, this matter is very important, judging from the situation, it doesn't look like Yang Qiuchi is lying, and it doesn't look like he deliberately fabricated facts to frame Ji Gang. He must know that this kind of thing will definitely be investigated by himself.

If Ji Gang involved rebellion, then Ming Chengzu would no longer be polite, no matter if it was Ji Gang or whoever, no matter how capable he was, if he dared to rebel, he would kill without mercy!

Ming Chengzu said with a sullen face: "Yang Aiqing, do you know the serious consequences of what you said? If it is found that there is no such thing, it is a crime of deceiving the emperor. I will not tolerate you."

"My minister understands." Yang Qiuchi bowed and said, "If it is fake, it cannot be true, but if it is true, it can't be false either! The emperor will know as soon as he checks. If it is found that he is falsely accused and framed, he is willing to lead him to death!"

Yang Qiuchi thought to himself, anyway, if he doesn't bring down the second prince and Ji Gang this time, he will die, and now he can only fight to the death.

Ming Chengzu nodded: "Okay! Tell me, why didn't Ji Gang's Jin Yiwei know the news? Could it be that he belongs to Gao Xu's gang?"

"The emperor is wise!" Yang Qiuchi was a little surprised at Ming Chengzu's quick reaction. After all, Ming Chengzu started his career as a rebel, so of course he is the most sensitive to rebellion.

Ming Chengzu said with a gloomy face, "Okay, tell me in detail about Gao Xu and Ji Gang's rebellion."

Ming Chengzu called Ji Gang directly, which showed that he subconsciously believed what Yang Qiuchi said.This made Yang Qiuchi secretly happy.

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PS: Some book friends suggested two chapters a day, and I really want to.It's just that there are not many manuscripts saved, and I dare not relax too much. For the sake of the continuity of the story, I will post [-] words a day for these two days, and post them together.As Mu Mu said, he will add more updates at the right time according to the situation, and repay everyone's support. (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit www.CMFU.COM, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)
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