Idle courtiers

Chapter 495
"Use chrysanthemum before the smell of wine, and ginger to prevent coldness. Well said, really well said." A voice came.

Zhou Nan turned his head to look, and hurriedly stood up: "It's my crime to disturb His Majesty!"

It was Jiajing who came. He looked very energetic today, with a hint of rosiness on his pale face, and a wide Taoist robe fluttering in the autumn wind.

Jiajing said: "Everything in the world is mutual generation and mutual restraint. The key is to see how you reconcile yin and yang. The same is true for cooking, and it is also the same for people and things. Isn't it the same for governing the country?"

Zhou Nan: "The Son of Heaven is sage, but I feel that if there is something to be reconciled blindly, how can we forge ahead?"

There is something in his words. Recently, the court has discussed whether to carry out tax reform.Although the cabinet is divided into two factions, the elders all feel the pain point of the empty treasury, but they are unprecedentedly united in this matter, intending to change all taxes in kind to silver.

After all, Zhou Nan lived in this era and considered for future generations, so he was very much in favor of this matter, and wanted to exert influence on the emperor on this matter.

"Don't take too big a step, let it go first and then discuss it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhou Nan was very clear about Jiajing's thoughts. This shrewd emperor naturally knew that this reform would have great implications, and the court would inevitably make waves again.The most important thing is that the emperor is old, he likes to be quiet and doesn't like to move, and wants to leave the problem to future generations.

Now both the ruling and opposition parties and Jiajing himself know that time is running out.

Jiajing's physical appearance seems to be very good, but in fact he is no longer.His body was covered with red and blue spots, his feet were already swollen, and he could not get up even if he pressed his fingers.

There is a folk saying: Men are afraid of wearing boots and women are afraid of wearing hats.

It means that if a man's feet are swollen or a woman's head is swollen, it means that the person is not far from death.

Also like this, Yu Sheng, Jiajing's heart of seeking immortality, no longer has any interest in political affairs.

Speaking of crabs, Jiajing seemed to be interested, and said: "I remember that a thousand catties of hairy crabs were brought as a tribute from Suzhou the year before last. I thought it was too cold and too troublesome to use, so I rewarded them to the palace people. If you eat crabs, You need to use vinegar, ginger, chrysanthemum wine, and perilla, you southerners are really particular.”

Zhou Nan: "Although I am from Huai'an, my household registration is now in Shuntian Prefecture. Speaking of which, the customs of Huai'an are the same as those in the North." He is now a representative of young scholars in the north, and he must stand firm on such big issues of right and wrong. .

Jiajing: "For example, I hate the taste of ginger the most. The five meats are harmful to spiritual practice. However, when eating crabs, I still hold back the discomfort. Let's use the analogy of governing a country. Crabs are the country. All kinds of seasoning are the ministers of the king. Some courtiers may not suit your wishes, but you have to use them. If you make ginger, vinegar, chrysanthemum wine and perilla, do your part, and you will naturally end up. Zhou Nan, you Can you understand what I mean?"

"Your Majesty is a land god, so I am naturally convinced." Zhou Nan understood that Jiajing was beating himself and asked him to do his part.

Recently, the battle for the crown prince has become turbulent again. King Jing is about to enter Beijing for the Spring Festival, and King Yu's status is in jeopardy. No one can tell which master the future of the Ming Dynasty will be handed over to.

The history of this time and space has become messy because of Zhou Nan, a butterfly who suddenly broke in, making it difficult to see clearly.

People in the court are fluctuating, and some people have already been tempted to burn King Jing's hot stove or continue to burn King Yu's cold stove.

An undercurrent surged in the capital.

However, this matter has nothing to do with Zhou Nan.Given the bad relationship between him and the two princes, it would be hard for him to have a hard time if any of them ascended the throne in the future.

Therefore, during this period of time, Lao Zhou was really depressed.

Jiajing's words are to tell him that you, Zhou Nan, think too much. This royal matter has nothing to do with you. Do your part well.In addition, he also comforted him that you are a civil servant and a capable person.As a king, if you can't do what you want, everyone will use it, a gentleman, a villain, or even an enemy.

Zhou Nan didn’t take it seriously, and thought to himself: Comrade Zhu, you are very tall. How did you deal with Yang Tinghe, Xia Yan, Zhang Cong, and Yan Song? Your two sons will be enthroned in the future. .Annoying, really annoying.

Just as he was talking, he saw Huang Jin walking over with a smile on his face: "Master, great joy, great joy!"

Jiajing: "Oh, great joy, I haven't had any happy event in the past two months, let me tell you."

Huang Jin: "Just now, Shi Si, the Chief of the Palace of the Palace, came to report that Princess Yu gave birth to a prince. Mother and child are safe."

Jiajing laughed loudly with an "ah": "Yes, yes, this is indeed a great happy event. You old slave came here to announce the good news. Is it because you are afraid of being snatched by others?"

What the emperor was talking about was the old story of Feng Bao being the first to announce the good news, and then being driven out of the palace by public outrage.

Huang Jin joked: "My lord, my slaves are very poor recently, so I naturally want to ask for some rewards."

Jiajing: "Just now, Zhenzhen and Zhou Nan were talking about eating crabs. When the tribute from Suzhou comes over, I will reward you with a hundred catties!"

Huang Jin groaned: "Master, you can't do it. The old servant is old, and he will die if he eats this hundred catties of crabs. The servant wants to serve the master for another 1000 years!"

Jiajing laughed happily: "You old slave has a sweet mouth, Zhou Nan."

Zhou Nan: "The minister is here."

"Prepare a decree to the palace, and say that I am very happy to have a grandson. Huang Jin will go down and collect [-] bolts of silk to reward the palace. By the way, don't you want to ask for a reward, old slave? I will share two of you. Make winter clothes."

Zhou Nan: "Yes."

Huang Jin: "Thank you, master."

After finishing today's work, Zhou Nan saw that it was still early, and went to the Xiyuan of the cabinet to check the house.

Xu Jie is on duty today, you can talk to him.

The weather has turned cold recently, and there is no war in Fujian. The main task of the frontline generals is to beg for money, and General Qi Jiguang Qi is the loudest.

Zhou Nan, the old Qi, knew that he fought very well, and he seemed to have never lost a battle since his debut.There is just one shortcoming that people can't say - greedy for money.

In real history, Qi Jiguang Qi Ye and his benefactor Juzheng joined hands to save a huge family business.

This is also understandable. The so-called civil servants don't love money, and military officials don't fear death, which can lead to peace in the world.Everyone can understand that military generals like money. After all, they are rude martial arts. It costs a lot to support a family. If you don’t pay money when you are fighting on the battlefield, who will work for you?You, a military officer, suddenly become fair and honest, and the court might mutter in their hearts: What do you want to do?
A while ago, Qi Jiguang somehow sent someone to visit Zhou Nan's door, hoping that the court would issue an additional sum of money.

Zhou Nan wanted to sell him this favor, so he told Xu Jie that he wanted to find out today.

As soon as he arrived at the cabinet's duty room, he saw the fourth brother Jin come out of Xu Jie's duty room.Seeing Zhou Nan, he hurriedly saluted: "I've seen Editor Zhou."

Zhou Nan lifted him up and said with a smile: "Fourth brother Jin, you don't need to be polite, you are on duty now, representing the face of the emperor, how decent is it for people to see, but for General Qi Jiguang's military salary?"

After the feces crime, Jiajing summoned Brother Jin on a sudden whim.Seeing that he is outstanding in martial arts and honest and straightforward, he didn't realize that he liked him, so he stayed with him and rewarded a hundred families in brocade clothes to become the head of the emperor's bodyguard.

When the fourth brother Jin was conscripted into the countryside to fight the Tatars, the officer who led the team happened to be Qi Jiguang's servant.

The feces crime was too big, after Qi Jiguang knew about this person, he sent the officer to find Fourth Brother Jin, and got on the line of Zhou Nan and Xu Jie.

It has to be said that Grandpa Qi has a high emotional intelligence in politics.

Fourth brother Jin smiled honestly and didn't speak.

Zhou Nan: "I'll take care of this matter, don't worry, it won't make people unable to explain."

"Okay, thank you for editing. However, just now I had the courage to ask Mr. Xu, Mr. Mr. Xiang said that the funds have been allocated."

"That's good, that's good, let's go!"

When Zhou Nan entered the room, Xu Jie said: "Zimu, you came just in time. You know that Concubine Li gave birth to another prince. This matter has something to do with you. I'm going to ask someone to call you over to discuss."

Zhou Nan was very surprised, I didn't contribute to Concubine Li's childbirth, so it's none of my business!Besides, can this kind of thing help, you old man is really confused.

Verbally said: "Shoufu, please tell me."

He was the only one in Xu Jie's room. He thought for a while and sorted out his thoughts: "At the beginning, when the son of Prince Yu's Mansion was born, His Majesty was overjoyed and also rewarded one hundred thousand bolts of silk and satin. The same is true today, which shows that the emperor is very happy. matter of importance.”

A flash of inspiration flashed in Zhou Nan's mind, and he couldn't help saying: "King Jing is still childless."

Xu Jie looked relieved, this grandson-in-law was really inferring other things from one instance, and he was worthy of being the person he valued the most: "That's right, King Jing has not given birth to a prince, not even the county lord, which shows how difficult it is for an heir. From this point of view, Long live is still leaning towards King Yu."

Zhou Nan nodded: "Otherwise, I wouldn't be so rewarded after hearing the good news. In fact, there are two reasons for King Jing to go to Beijing. One is to knock on Prince Yu's mansion; two, His Majesty simply wants to keep his son by his side. It is also human nature. After all, Your Majesty's dragon body is getting worse day by day, not to mention the Tian family, even ordinary people, when it comes, they also like to have their children and grandchildren by their side."

Xu Jie: "It's good that Concubine Li doesn't have a prince. In this life, King Yu's position is stable. Zimu, we have disagreements with the palace, but it's not irreconcilable. When necessary, we can maintain it. It's better than Qianqiu Ten thousand years later, the flowers will fall to King Jing's Mansion."

What Xu Jie said was true. Jiajing's line of heirs was difficult, and only two sons, King Yu and King Jing, were born.

King Yu is very upbeat, and now he has two children, and he has successors.

If you don't pass the throne to him, can you still pass it to King Jing?
Just imagine, after King Jing ascends the throne for thousands of years, if there is no crown prince, why not repeat the past events of Wu Zongzhengde's year?
The royal family's childbirth has never been his private matter, but also related to the inheritance of the throne and legal system, and it is related to the country and the country.

If it were Jiajing, it would be impossible for the infertile King Jing to be the emperor.

Zhou Nan shook his head: "I'm afraid I can't reconcile."

Xu Jie smiled: "Zimu, you are also thinking too seriously about things. In the affairs of the court, you can't distinguish between friends and enemies so clearly. The mansion and the court are two different things. As a father, you should be able to tolerate others. It’s all about being able to do things.”

Zhou Nan scoffed at Xu Jie's words, seeing that the old man's posture was to appease King Yu, is this possible?
However, it is useless to collude with King Jing if you don't appease King Yu. King Jing hates me Zhou Nan to the bone.Moreover, it is said that this person has a very bad personality.

Zhou Nan felt bitter in his heart, he was really unlucky, and accidentally got involved in a beheading business like the battle for the heir apparent.

When other people participate in the seizure of the heir, they will bet all their wealth on one of them in order to obtain huge benefits.

It's good now, I, Zhou Nan, have offended both sides to death, even if I want to bet, they won't accept it.

No matter who will be the emperor in the future, King Yu or King Jing, Zhou Nan will die.

Xu Jie: "I will recommend Zhang Juzheng to join the cabinet. After Yuan Ge retires, I will submit a letter to ask His Majesty to let Li Chunfang be the second assistant."

"This……"

Zhou Nan's scalp is numb, old Xu, old Xu, aren't you strengthening the power of Yuwang faction?I'm afraid that the sugar coating will be accepted and the shells will be returned.

"Senior Assistant, Zhang Juzheng has no problem joining the cabinet." He still needs to preside over the major reforms in the future. For the sake of the country and the nation, Zhou Nan can put aside his personal interests: "Li Chunfang's work as the second assistant will be delayed for a while, and let the Mr. Yuan Ge insists a little longer. Otherwise, it is not a good thing for the Wangfu to dominate the cabinet."

Xu Jie thought for a while, then nodded: "It's safe to say, let's put it aside for now. No one knows what His Majesty is thinking now, and he acted rashly to control the anger of the king."

(End of this chapter)