Bachelor

Chapter 482
It didn't take long for Sun Dan to rush all the way to Yang Tinghe's house. He had already thought about what to say when he saw Yang Tinghe and his son. He is still confident, so there is no need to worry too much.

The only thing Sun Dan worries about is his wife and children at home, but what can he do now, I just hope that Lu Bing will not go too far, and with Xiao Luzi's behavior, he will not completely turn against him.

It was the fifth month of the lunar calendar, early summer season, and the wind was very strong tonight. Looking at the Yang family's mansion, a gust of wind blew in, interrupting his thoughts.Tightening his clothes, Sun Dan calmed down and strode towards the door.

After all, it was the home of the chief minister of the cabinet, and even though it was night, the lights inside were still brightly lit.In fact, no matter whether it is the concierge or the kitchen of the Yang family, there are people on duty day and night.

Sun Dan is no stranger to this place, I don't know how many times he has been here before.There are official and private matters.When he was on official business, he would go directly to Yang Tinghe, and when he met the wine maker, he would sing the wind and make the moon, and he would often sing with Yang Shenshijiu.

The concierge knew Sun Dan, and was surprised when he saw him come late at night: "It turned out to be Master Sun, why did you come here so late?"

Sun Dan nodded and said with a smile: "It's not like I haven't come so late before, so it's nothing to be surprised about. People say that the prime minister's family is a seventh-rank official, why don't you let me in."

"How dare I." The concierge hurriedly ushered Sun Dan and others into the signing room, and sighed as he walked: "It's already May, and the sky is still a little cold. The weather is evil. Sit down, sit down, and watch." Tea!" He was talking, but there was a faint white breath from his mouth.

It was the first time for Wang Gu to enter the mansion of the first prime minister like Yang Tinghe, and he was so cramped that he couldn't stand or sit.

On the other hand, the young man with a small knife has a disposition and has an anxious personality, so he couldn't help but said anxiously: "Stop talking nonsense, my lord wants to see Lord Shoufu, go and report it."

This was already a very rude move, the concierge raised his eyebrows, feeling very unhappy.If it were someone else, even a fourth-rank official would be trembling and afraid to sweat when he entered this room.But this kid is so arrogant, if he didn't see that he was Sun Dan's entourage, he would have just thrown up his sleeves and left, leaving him here and ignoring him.

Looking at it again, Xiao Dao has a fierce expression on his face, and his clothes are also very inappropriate.The gatekeeper said in his heart: So he is a savage who doesn't know etiquette, I lost my Yang family identity by fighting with him.

This concierge is Yang Tinghe's relative brought over from Sichuan, he is also a educated person, and he is Yang Tinghe's confidant.

Sun Dan stretched out his hand to shake the knife, and said politely to the porter, "Mr. Yang, is Prime Minister Yang there? Please report on your behalf, and say that Sun Dan has something important to see."

Sun Dan was so polite, the doorman surnamed Yang felt much more at ease.However, he was still angry, and deliberately embarrassed Sun Dan a little bit, making a look of embarrassment, and said: "It's so late, Mr. Yang should have rested. Mr. Yang is old, and he can't sleep well at night. This It's not appropriate to disturb his old man at this time."

Sun Dan knew that the concierge was still angry with Xiaodao, and he also knew that as long as he had another nice word with him, he should be able to see Yang Tinghe based on his relationship with the Yang family.He smiled and was about to speak, when suddenly he heard someone outside laughing: "The one inside is Brother Jingyuan, who came here late at night, and was very angry. You have been studying for many years, and you are an editor at the Imperial Academy. Why haven't you trained yet?" Calm down?"

The voice was very familiar, and it was Sun Dan's immediate superior at the Imperial Academy, Yang Shen Yang Yongxiu, a good friend in the literary world, who spoke.

Sun Dan hurried out the door, feeling a little strange in his heart.Calculating the time of future generations, it should be around nine o'clock Beijing time now.According to the work and rest schedule of officials in the Ming Dynasty, they should be going to bed at this time.Otherwise, you will have to get up at [-] o'clock tomorrow morning and go to bed early. You will not get enough sleep, and you will be busy with your affairs, and you will not be able to bear it mentally.

Moreover, this Yang Shen has a very regular schedule and pays attention to health preservation. It is said that he will go to bed every night when it gets dark, otherwise he will not live to the age of 71 and die without a problem.

When Sun Dan stepped out of the door of the signing room to take a look, he was shocked.

Five oil lamps were lit in the signing room, and the bright lights projected from the doors and windows, shining on Yang Shen.

Yang Shen was barefoot, holding a big jug in his hand, with loose hair, walking in the yard smelling of alcohol, looking like a madman.Apparently, the people in Yang's mansion were not surprised by Yang Shen's behavior, and only two servants stood under the opposite roof to watch.

Yang Shen, who once wrote "Rolling Yangtze River flows eastward, and the waves wipe out the heroes", opened his clothes, revealing his strong chest. At this moment, he is unrestrained, and he does not have an unrestrained aura.He raised the jug in his hand and laughed loudly: "Tonight the moon is dark and the wind is high, and the night is very beautiful, so I am singing and traveling at night. Fortunately, I met Jingyuan, and I am very happy. In the jug is the fine wine of Sichuan, Jiannan Shaochun, Drinking alone is tasteless, come and come, why don't you follow Suzi's example, and you will rest when you get drunk."

Sun Dan laughed: "Brother Sheng'an, just as you said, the moon is dark and the wind is high tonight, so what beautiful scenery is there to see?"

"No, no, Jingyuan, you are wrong." Yang Shen shook his head again and again: "The so-called beauty of the scenery is just far-fetched, you say that the wind and the sun are the beautiful scenery on a good day, but I say that the moon is the best when the rain is not blooming. Some people love the clarity of the full moon, but I only like the howl of the cold wind. Although the night is dark and the wind is high, don’t you think it has a solemn and solemn charm?”

Sun Dan smiled wryly: "I can't say no to you, Yongxiu, is Lord Shoufu here?"

"It's just a coincidence that your father has not rested yet, and he is reviewing official documents in the study." Yang Shen said with a smile: "Jingyuan, don't rush to see Mr. Shoufu, let's have a few drinks first, and wait for Mr. Father to finish the work." .Anyway, there is no rush."

Sun Dan shook his head: "No, this is an urgent matter, I must see the chief assistant."

"How urgent?" Yang Shen, who was slightly drunk, looked disapproving.

Sun Dan walked up to Yang Shen, and said in a low voice, "Yongxiu, this matter is related to the ownership of the Eastern Palace and the foundation of the country. Do you think it's important?"

Yang Shen's expression froze, and he immediately returned to normal: "There is nothing to discuss about the ownership of the East Palace. The eldest prince Zhu Zaidu was born to Empress Chen, and he is also the eldest son of the emperor. Naturally, he should be established as the heir apparent."

Sun Dan: "What if someone is unwilling, or does something else?"

Yang Shen snorted: "They dare, Jingyuan quickly follow me to see Father."

Different from Yang Shen's wildness at home, Yang Tinghe, the chief assistant of the court, was dressed in official uniform even at home, and sat upright on the chair. When he saw Sun Dan and Yang Shen coming in, he put down the pen in his hand and said to Sun Dan: " It turns out that Sun Dan is here, what's the matter?"

Yang Shen stepped forward and said: "Father, Jingyuan came here today for the sake of the crown prince. According to my son, the position of the East Palace should also be determined, otherwise the officials will be uneasy and the world will be uneasy."

"Oh, that's the matter." Yang Tinghe answered the question and asked Sun Dan: "Sun Dan, you are a close minister of Emperor Wuzong, and you have been serving the late emperor by his side during his deathbed. What kind of king is he?"

Sun Dan didn't know why Yang Tinghe did this, he was also anxious, and wanted to show him Jiajing's will earlier, and persuade Yang Shoufu to support Empress Chen.But talking to people like Yang Tinghe should not be too hasty, haste makes waste, too much worry will cause bad things.

He thought for a while, and said: "Looking back at the words of Master Fu, according to the officials, the late Emperor Yingzhou defeated the little Mongolian prince and put an end to the chaos in Huanhao. No matter what, he deserves the word "promise". Although he sometimes acted It’s a bit shattering, but it’s harmless.”

Yang Shen was the first to be unconvinced: "It's harmless, a gentleman must have the dignity of a gentleman's father. Yang Shen dared to say that the late emperor's actions were ridiculous, and he didn't look like a gentleman. For example, King Ruoning rebelled. In Nanjing, King Ning has already been captured. But His Majesty let him go, saying that he wanted to capture him again with his own hands. Isn’t that absurd? Also, when the first emperor was in Nanjing, he issued an imperial decree forbidding the world to kill pigs If this happens, the common people can only be vegetarians, isn't this absurd and what is it?"

Sun Dan was dissatisfied and was about to speak.

Yang Tinghe sighed suddenly, and murmured: "Actually, you all misunderstood the late emperor... In Yang Tinghe's mind, he is just a child who can't grow up!" At this point, Yang Tinghe's eyes contained tears.

He continued: "When people are old, they always like to recall the past. The reason why the first emperor has a bad reputation is because he is too much like an ordinary person, not a king."

As soon as this remark came out, not only Yang Shen, but also Sun Dan was stunned.

Yang Tinghe said bitterly: "Back then, when the Empress Dowager passed away, according to the rules, the ministers had to go to pay respects. The square of the Imperial Palace was rained and flooded that day. The emperor couldn't bear to see it, and ordered the ministers not to kneel. But This action was attacked by the ministers. The number one scholar Shu Fen wrote to the emperor to accuse the emperor of being unfilial." He sighed: "Your Majesty is soft-hearted, and he did a bad thing with good intentions, but he made a reason for being attacked. There is such a The emperor is the blessing of the courtiers. People's hearts are not iron and stone. Who can be ruthless? Although everyone doesn't say it, they are grateful for the generosity and kindness of the late emperor. However, the late emperor still doesn't understand... ministers... what the people of the world need is a king , instead of..."

Sun Dan vaguely understood what Yang Tinghe wanted to say, and said, "Nowadays, it's another extreme."

In fact, it is disrespectful for a courtier to talk about two generations of emperors behind his back.But here is the Ming Dynasty, there is no literary prison, no speech control.You can even swear in front of the emperor and gain great fame.

This is the Ming Dynasty, the authority of the emperor has been greatly restricted, and there is no set of rules that the emperor and ministers have to die.

"Therefore, it is the most reasonable thing in the world not to obey the inconvenience, but to stick to it. It is the same for being an official, and it is also the same for being an emperor." After Yang Tinghe said all this, he asked Sun Dan again: "Sun Dan, come here in the middle of the night, what's the matter? "

Just now, Yang Tinghe and Sun Danyun talked in a fog for a long time, but they actually revolved around the two words of monarchy and prime ministership. Sun Dan naturally understood what he was talking about.Now, Lao Yang also retired in due time.But his disciples and old officials all over the world have been operating for many years and have become tangled into a comprehensive interest group.If it is not dealt with in advance, there will be troubles in the future.

In Yang Tinghe's view, Sun Dan is definitely going to join the cabinet, and he is likely to be one of the talkers in the cabinet.Sun Dan's attitude is directly related to the future political direction.

Sun Dan did not take out the emperor's will, but said: "Zhang Cong has returned to the capital."

"This villain." Yang Shen, who smelled of alcohol, gritted his teeth beside him.

Yang Tinghe didn't speak, but looked up at Sun Dan with sharp eyes.

Sun Dan continued: "Now he has prepared a memorial, is he going to bring up the ceremony again?"

"He dares!" Yang Shen sneered: "In the 16th year of Zhengde, Zhang Cong and Huo Tao, two villains, wrote letters repeatedly, wanting to give the title of Emperor Xingxian, nothing more than seeking personal fame and fortune. What is the result? Well, there is righteousness in the court, so it is natural that such villains cannot be allowed to be rampant."

Sun Dan shook his head: "At this time, at that time, His Majesty has been in power for two years after all."

Yang Tinghe remained silent. Now that the emperor's authority is getting stronger, if there is another grand ceremony, it may be a different ending.

It took him a long time to say: "Being impartial and not relying on it is the center. This is the case for a minister, and even more so for a monarch. Today, he is very concerned about things, but he is very different from Wu Zong. Yang Tinghe is already old, and it is time to retreat to the countryside."

Yang Shen was in a hurry: "Father, you have the spirit of a dragon and a horse. Now it's the opportunity for the country to employ people. How can you retreat lightly?"

Yang Tinghe: "You don't know, you don't know!"

He set his sights on Sun Dan: "People will grow old one day. You have to go down when you should go down. This way there will be a decent ending. But you are in the vortex, and it is not so easy to go away. In this future dynasty Bureau, you have to rely on your younger generation."

By candlelight, Sun Dan saw that Yang Tinghe's face was full of tired wrinkles.He suddenly felt sympathetic to the old man, but in fact, Lao Yang was already tired.But he independently supported this huge civil servant group, even if he wanted to escape freely, the political situation would not let him go.After all, this vested interest group composed of scholars and bureaucrats is too large.If this power is not well controlled, there will be chaos.We need someone who is intelligent, capable, and caring to support us in front.

It is the unshirkable responsibility of this leader to limit the uncontrolled imperial power.

"Mr. Yang, Sun Dan will definitely convince Zhang Cong...the country cannot be in chaos, and the court cannot be in chaos." At this point, Sun Dan concluded the deal with Yang Tinghe
"That's good, that's good." Yang Tinghe let out a long sigh of relief, and even Yang Shen showed a smile on his face.

"So, tell me why you came here?" Yang Tinghe asked lightly: "Is it because of the East Palace? Actually, there is nothing to discuss about this matter. He should be canonized as a prince."

With Yang Shoufu's statement, the stone in Sun Dan's heart fell to the ground.He slowly took out the imperial edict sent by Chen Hong from his pocket and put it on the case: "Just now, the imperial edict of His Majesty was sent out from the palace. It is of great importance, and I dare not open it easily."

Seeing this saint, Yang Shen exclaimed: "Ah!" The drunkenness on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by paleness.

But Yang Tinghe touched the cover of the imperial edict with a trembling hand, but tears fell from his eyes, and he murmured: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

The imperial edicts of the Ming Dynasty have certain rules from the format to the outer packaging. The imperial edict in front of me is a box wrapped in yellow silk.A cover was pasted on it with prickly ash white paper, on which it was written: The eldest son of the emperor, Zai Tu, was established as the crown prince.

The imperial decree using pepper white paper as the cover can only be a will, and on the cover it says that the eldest son of the emperor should be given to the prince, which means that the throne will be passed on to him.It is procedurally legal to make Zhu Zaidu the crown prince first, and then pass on the throne.

When the Yang family father and son saw it, they immediately understood: the emperor has already done well.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Yang Shen let out a trombone and burst into tears.

"Shut up, when are you crying? You are a Hanlin scholar, please remember the responsibilities on your shoulders, this is not the time to be sad." Yang Tinghe stood up abruptly and shouted at his son.

"That's true." Sun Dan also nodded: "Mr. Yang Ge, please hurry to Xiyuan to preside over the overall situation, in case someone with a heart wants to make trouble."

"Yes, that should be the case." Yang Shen immediately came to his senses and said loudly, "My lord father, hurry up and enter Xiyuan."

Yang Tinghe: "Don't mess around, Yang Shen, take the cabinet's order and go to Guo Xun's place immediately, and order him to immediately lead troops to close the nine gates and put the whole city under martial law." While talking, he took a pen and quickly wrote on the paper with.Then handed it to his son: "Go quickly."

"Yes, I'm going right now." Yang Shen took the warrant and ran out of the house, shouting: "Come on, change clothes!"

"Come here." Yang Tinghe continued to shout.

Several servants ran in: "Master."

"You, you, you, you, you. Go and invite Mao Shangshu, Qiao Shangshu, Zhai Xiang, Yang Xiang, and Jiang Xiang to meet at the gate of Xiyuan respectively."

"Yes." Several servants ran out quickly.

"The sky is about to fall!" Yang Tinghe murmured, holding on to the door frame, his body shaking uncontrollably.

Sun Dan looked at the thin back of the old man, took a step forward, and said, "Old Man Ge, there are so many upright gentlemen in the court, with you around, the sky cannot fall."

Yang Tinghe: "In three years, two generations of kings passed away. What happened?"

Sun Dan held the imperial edict in one hand, and supported Yang Tinghe in the other: "Mr. Ge, let's go. If we don't go, the world will be in chaos."

"Promise me." Yang Tinghe grabbed Sun Dan's hand and said only these three words.

Sun Dan didn't say anything, just nodded.

The two got into the sedan chair, set up the chief assistant guard of honor, and encountered no trouble along the way, and arrived at Xiyuan not long after.

The people in the Yang Mansion moved quickly, and they had already brought the letter to the court officials. When Yang Tinghe and Sun Dan rushed to Xiyuan, several leaders of the core strata of the Ming Empire had already arrived.

When Yang Yiqing and the others saw Yang Tinghe, they asked, "Shoufu, what happened to recruit us so late?"

Yang Tinghe didn't say anything, just raised the box in Yang's hand.

Everyone's complexion changed drastically, and they shouted in unison: "Hurry up, hurry up, go to Yuxi Palace."

(End of this chapter)