Baidu otaku as Chongzhen

Chapter 679
Empress Zhou Wan'er's eyes were moist when she heard the emperor said that she wanted to establish a crown prince. It was difficult for her to be an empress. She is rather restless.

Concubine Tian was arguing with her in the palace. Concubine Tian's father, Tian Hongyu, alone gave the emperor a huge estate in charge, and even participated in and promoted many important matters. He was the emperor's right-hand assistant.Outside the palace, there is also Sun Liniang, known as the world's richest woman, who is in charge of a larger family business for the emperor. She even collects the court's salt tax, which shows her importance.

Although she is a queen, her father is far away in Qiongzhou, and what she does seems to be dispensable. She really can't see any future, and she can't compare with those two. The gap is too big Now, faintly, she also felt that this position was a bit unstable, but now that the emperor said that he wanted to establish a crown prince, her heart finally settled down.

……

The next day.

Overnight, the capital suddenly became lively, and the propaganda of recruiting people in Liaodong quickly filled the streets and alleys, bombarding people's attention.This matter instantly became a hot topic among people.

Not only the news filled the capital, but the job recruitment was also in full swing. Anyone who had the strength, was willing to endure hardships, and wanted to go would be recruited immediately. Give wages.

With Liulizhai as the guarantor, this job recruitment immediately caused a sensation in Beijing.

……

At the British government.

The recruitment of workers all over the street also alarmed the British citizens who were resting.

"You mean, all the streets are recruiting workers? Recruiting people who are farming and working in Liaodong?" The British Duke asked in surprise. In the early morning, the streets were very noisy with drums and gongs. The British Duke thought that It was Chinese New Year to ask for a lottery, but it didn't feel like it, so I hurriedly sent a housekeeper to ask what was going on.

"Mr. Hui, yes, the streets are full of recruiters. They all say that as long as they are willing to go, they can take care of food, housing and wages..." said a housekeeper of the palace.Between the words, he seemed to be surprised, how could recruiting workers become the theme of the capital overnight?I don't know how it happened. In previous years, it was lion dance and singing with gongs and drums to win the lottery, but this year it was evil, and it was recruiting workers.

"Who asked to recruit? Who took the lead?" The British Duke's cloudy eyes began to flicker.

"Mr. Hui, it seems that Liulizhai recruited him, yes, it is Liulizhai." The steward of the palace thought for a while, and replied affirmatively, making sure he heard correctly.

"Liuli Zhai..." After listening to the British public, Zhang Weixian understood that the start of the year was not good, and yesterday's bad omen is indeed a hot topic in the capital. Many people are discussing and rumoring that it is so bad. It must be a sign that the heavens are warning that something will happen this year, and there are even remarks about the possibility of losing in foreign wars.Unexpectedly, in the second year of junior high school, there was a wave of recruitment in Liaodong immediately, which quickly drowned out all kinds of bad remarks that had just fermented and just emerged.The speed of the movement is really dazzling.

"...Your Majesty's action is so fast!" The British prince's cloudy eyes were shining brightly. The current situation is already obvious. Yesterday's omen is not good. The emperor immediately promoted the tide of recruiting workers in Liaodong to stop the bad omen. Continue to ferment.

After thinking for a while, the British public Zhang Weixian already knew the inside story. After thinking about it, he said: "Who else is following the recruitment?"

"Returning to the Duke, it seems that Tian Guozhang's family is also recruiting, and Qi Consort's family is also recruiting. Many people are recruiting, and they say that they will not be able to recruit people if it is too late..." The housekeeper said seriously .

"If you're too late, you won't be able to recruit people..." Zhang Weixian, the British official, smiled, and he said this just for a child. Are the hundreds of thousands of ordinary people outside Beijing who have escaped from the famine unable to recruit people?
However, Zhang Weixian just smiled a little, and his face became serious in an instant. Although this matter is simple, people who understand it can know it at a glance, but it is precisely because it is simple that Zhang Weixian must take it seriously. This matter is really simple.Everyone will understand when they see it, but after knowing it, there is a choice that must be made, whether to follow the emperor to set off a wave of recruitment, or to be alone and not "cooperate" with the emperor?This is a problem, not a simple one, but a serious political one.

Now the emperor's meaning is quite obvious and clear. The emperor wants to set off a wave of recruitment, that is to say, the emperor now wants to thoroughly confirm the affairs of Liaodong, so as to counter the bad omen. The emperor wants everyone to stand in line Well, whether to follow the emperor or not to follow the emperor is a serious political issue. If you are on the wrong team, you may not have a good life in the future.

Should he stand on the emperor's side and fight against God, or stand on God's side and be a person who follows the sky?Does His Majesty represent "Heaven", or does Tian represent "Heaven"?This strange idea quickly emerged in the mind of the British public Zhang Weixian.The British Duke's cloudy eyes kept flickering, as if he was also engaged in a fierce struggle.

"Report to the Duke, Cheng Guogong, etc. to see you." Another report from the steward of the palace.

"Well..., I see, let them meet in the living room, my country's lord will go right away." At this time, the cloudy eyes of Zhang Weixian, the British lord, were full of determination that did not match this body, and his face was full of seriousness. This withered face looked extremely dignified.

After a while of contemplation, the British public Zhang Weixian had already made up his mind and walked out with firm steps.

……

British government house, living room.

Some nobles came, and the most urgent one was Cheng Guogong Zhu Chunchen.

"Duke, what should I do if I wait! It's said that the omen is bad now, should we still do business in Liaodong? In case of loss, even the capital is lost, and we have mortgaged so many things , but it’s all..." Cheng Guogong Zhu Chunchen asked impatiently when he saw the British Duke coming out. Naturally, the first one to recruit Zhang Weixian.

"What are you panicking about? Is there any sign of bad luck that deserves such a fuss?" Zhang Weixian's words full of confidence instantly occupied the entire living room, making these agitated nobles quiet down a little.

"My lord, there are rumors outside that this omen indicates that everything will be unfavorable this year. This is a warning from the heavens. The war in the north is in trouble. Your Majesty is going against the sky by recruiting workers so aggressively..." Zhu Chunchen said at last, It was already quite small, so small that he might not have heard it clearly.

After hearing this, the British Duke didn't say anything, but just stared at Zhu Chunchen with his eyes.

Zhu Chunchen was okay at first, but after being stared at by the British public for a while, he also began to feel uncomfortable, and after a while, he became even more uncomfortable.

"Duke, why do you look at me like this?" Zhu Chunchen couldn't help asking, being a little hairy from the stare.

"...What is it that makes Duke Cheng so fussed?" the British Duke Zhang Weixian asked seriously, his eyes fixed on Zhu Chunchen, Duke Cheng.

"This..." Cheng Guogong Zhu Chunchen was a little hairy when asked, thought for a while, and said: "...It seems that there is nothing to make a fuss about..." Zhu Chunchen also changed his words. The "sharp" rumor just now, he said again I dare not say it out loud. This rumor seems very sharp and interesting, but Zhu Chunchen does not understand what it means. If this rumor is spread everywhere, what will the emperor think of him?Whether he was going to follow the emperor or turn his back on the emperor, Zhu Chunchen finally calmed down after getting excited.

"Pure ministers! We are all dukes of the state, and we are all nobles. We have received the favor of Daming for many generations. Apart from protecting the country of Daming and assisting His Majesty, we must not have the slightest distraction..." Zhang Weixian said. No.1, Zhang Weixian said this with full of energy and aura.

"The Duke is right. The pure minister is confused..." Zhu Chunchen immediately admitted his mistake. Rumors spread everywhere. It seems like fun to force His Majesty, but it is also playing with fire. If you are not careful, there will be disaster. Even if the business in Liaodong It's just a waste of money, but if the emperor is annoyed and he is in the wrong team... Thinking about His Majesty's methods now, Zhu Chunchen's newly sprouted "evil heart" was immediately swept away, and the cold sweat broke out. It came out on the back.If he dared to spoil the emperor's affairs at this juncture, he might not have a good life in the future.

"Everyone, we are all people who have received the favor of Ming Dynasty for many generations. Now, we must not believe rumors indiscriminately, let alone spread rumors indiscriminately. This is shaking the foundation of the country. Now, the only thing to do is to follow Your Majesty closely. Believe in Your Majesty, whatever His Majesty does, I will support whatever I wait for, and follow what His Majesty does, and we must never deviate from His Majesty. This is what I should do as a courtier. You must trust Your Majesty, and I must not be broken Your Majesty's plan." After all, the Duke of England is No.1 among the nobles, and his reputation is indeed well-deserved. At a critical moment, he immediately played a role of reassurance.

"What the Duke said is..."

"What the Duke said is..."

The nobles immediately agreed with Zhang Weixian's words. With this backbone, other things are easy to handle. The expensive power is even more unbearable.

"Then, what should I do now?" Someone asked immediately.

"It's simple. We will naturally follow His Majesty. At this moment, we need to prove our loyalty with facts. How can we miss such a great opportunity? The sooner this matter can be shown, the better. Your Majesty wants to recruit workers aggressively, and we must immediately Follow up, tell the shopkeepers below, and immediately recruit a large number of workers, to make a noise, the salary will be reduced according to Liulizhai, the old rules..." Zhang Weixian said with a final word.At this moment, the role of his No. 1 honor is revealed.

"What the Duke said is right, then I'll go back here, and I will do it immediately..." You Xungui received the letter of approval, and he was ready to do it immediately. They have always acted in groups, and now that they have made up their minds, they naturally have no hesitation. Gong said, since you want to show your loyalty, you must hurry up.

Everyone got the letter and said goodbye one after another.

Zhang Weixian watched everyone leave, his back became slightly bent again, and his bright eyes became dim again.He looked at the sky silently and sighed secretly: Your Majesty!The old minister also tried his best.

……

The sudden wave of recruitment in the capital, accompanied by rumors, quickly spread to Han Yu's ears.

Similarly, a group of people gathered around Han Yu's mansion, discussing ideas and countermeasures. Should they believe in "rumors" and "God", or follow His Majesty's actions and join the ranks of wanton recruitment?Many people really believed the rumors that started yesterday because of the bad omens. Many people felt that they had seen hope and that they might be able to use this matter to achieve some goals.

However, this rumor only fermented for one night. On the second day, the situation changed immediately. It was just dawn in the capital, and people were beating gongs and drums everywhere to recruit workers.As soon as he asked, it was Liulizhai who took the lead, so His Majesty was doing business.Anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is His Majesty's counterattack.

"Mr. Ge, what should I do now?" An official asked. Many officials are hesitating and waiting to see. Following the trend is always an unwrong choice. Now, just wait for the trend to appear.

Han Yu didn't make a sound.

"Mr. Ge, there is a celestial warning. Is it this..." The official also said, this is half of the sentence, and what is the second half, you can guess without saying it. It is true that you can't say it casually, you can only understand it. Don't say it in words, otherwise, there will be big trouble.

Han Yu still didn't say anything, but he also had his own considerations in his heart. He knew that although the emperor suppressed the opposition to the sale of land in Liaodong, the land in Liaodong outside the customs was to be sold, not to be left alone. The "common people" dig pits to cultivate themselves. He knows that many people have opinions on this, but they are afraid to speak out because of the emperor's strength. However, the dark sky yesterday made many people start to cry Thinking about it, I think that maybe we can still fight on this matter. Maybe, the matter of closing the land for sale will be gone, and we can only let everyone cultivate it by themselves. Wouldn’t that be more comfortable than buying it with money now? ?

Han Yu also had such a little idea, thinking that it might be an opportunity, but the emperor immediately set off a wave of recruitment, forcing everyone to stand in line, Han Yu knew that those people who wanted to win Liaodong for nothing were just wishful thinking, and His Majesty did not give it to them at all. Time for everyone to connect and ferment rumors.Those who don't make a statement and don't stand in line will be hit immediately. At this juncture, who knows what kind of thunderous means His Majesty will have.Han Yu immediately extinguished the little thought in his heart, and now he still doesn't express his position, just to see how many people are thinking about such wishful thinking. Although his "team" has a large number of people, it is really very complicated Han Yu always felt that he was afraid that this would cause big trouble in the future.Han Yu felt that it was necessary to get rid of some people through this matter, and "purify" his team a little bit, and don't let everyone in, otherwise, if he did something outrageous, he would have to be implicated.Therefore, although Han Yu had made up his mind, he kept silent and let these people perform.

"That's right! Mr. Ge, it's like a warning today, are we..." Some officials couldn't hold back the excitement in their hearts, and they revealed their inner thoughts in words, perhaps thinking that this place is all their own, and it doesn't matter.

"Ge Lao, now Liulizhai, Tian Guozhang, and son-in-law Qi Zanyuan are recruiting people aggressively. This is obviously ordered by His Majesty. Do we follow suit?" Someone also asked.

"Yes! Mr. Ge, at this juncture, it is better for us not to push ourselves forward. It is better to follow up, so as not to be misunderstood by His Majesty..." Some people also saw the way and reminded colleagues that it was obvious that the brain relatively sober.

"Yes! Yesterday's incident, everyone, please don't force it into the Northern War, otherwise, I'm afraid His Majesty will be furious..." Some officials were more sober and reminded.

Han Yu still remained silent, allowing his group of people to argue.

"Ge Lao..., Ge Lao..." A voice came from outside the door.

Everyone who was discussing stopped and looked outside the door.

Han Yu knew that the person who spoke was his student, and he seemed to be in a hurry, maybe there was some news.

"Yongzhi, is there something wrong?" Han Yu asked.

"Reporting to Mr. Ge, those nobles are now recruiting people..." the man named Yongzhi said out of breath, obviously he had just received the news and immediately came to report.

"Oh, what's the matter?" Han Yu asked in pretended surprise.

"Mr. Ge, it's absolutely true. It's unmistakable. Nowadays, there are people beating gongs and drums everywhere in the streets to recruit workers..." The young man named Yongzhi replied again.

"Oh, okay, I got it, Yongzhi should go and rest first." Han Yu said, muttering to himself: These nobles are quite fast, beating gongs and drums everywhere on the street to recruit people?Is it useful?If you want to recruit people, what are you doing in the city if you don’t go to the disaster victims outside the city?Pretending to be seen...

"Yes, Mr. Ge, the student is resigning." The young man named Yongzhi withdrew.

After receiving the news that the nobles joined the recruitment wave, everyone stopped talking and looked at Han Yu.

"Everyone, the nobles have already started recruiting workers. I will follow up on this matter immediately and start recruiting workers on a large scale. I will help you with what your Majesty wants to do..." Han Yu watched the performance for a long time , As for who to eliminate and who is unreliable in doing things, I have some numbers, and there is almost no need to wait any longer, so I immediately expressed my opinion.

"Old Man Ge is right..." the crowd said.

Hearing the news about the large-scale recruitment of nobles, and seeing Han Yu expressing his position that he would start recruiting, even those who are dull and "ridiculous" in their minds know that this matter can no longer be done, and His Majesty used Thunderbolt to deal with this matter. The method forced everyone to stand in line, and the matter had no time to ferment and connect. As soon as the rumors spread, they were immediately bombarded by this thunderous method without a trace.

……

A teahouse somewhere in the capital.

A man with the appearance of a literati, looking at the endless stream of people on the street and listening to the people around him discussing the recruitment work enthusiastically, his heart sank.What happened yesterday was a rare opportunity. I thought I could use this to stir up some troubles, so as to break up the internal unity of the Ming Dynasty and relieve the pressure on the Khan. , Before it was fully fermented, it was immediately confronted with the large-scale recruitment. As soon as this incident happened, everyone in the Ming Dynasty had to stand in line to express their views. No matter how good his rumors were, they were useless.This rare opportunity was missed in vain, and if this opportunity was missed, it would be even more difficult for Da Khan.

"Brother Lin..., everyone, I just got the news that British princes and other dignitaries have also started to recruit workers aggressively... Now the capital is bustling..." The person who came said pantingly, announcing the latest news.

"...Uh, is that so?" The literati who was still in deep thought just now, was called out, and responded with some confusion. Hearing that Xungui also joined the wave of recruiting, his heart was even colder.

……

Forbidden City.

Yang Reform also got up early in the morning and was also monitoring the recruitment.Encountered such unfavorable weather yesterday, in order to quell the negative impact of this incident, Yang Reform had to use some means to recruit workers in advance and force everyone to stand in line. This is also an emergency measure, otherwise, let Yang Reform really doesn't know how far this matter will develop in the end. Liaodong's matter is not only about selling land, but more importantly, Sun Chengzong's expedition is imminent. If that bad omen is allowed to ferment, it may even cause trouble. When it comes to Sun Chengzong, it will be involved in the military. If this is the case, it will probably lead to the defeat of the Ming Dynasty.Thinking of the consequences, Yang Reform was a little scared.

"Big companion, what's the matter?" Yang Reform put down the memorabilia in his hand and asked again.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is fine. Jobs are being recruited everywhere in the city, and the momentum is very large..." Wang Chengen agreed.

"Well, if there is any news, let me know immediately..." Yang Reform gave an order, and began to correct the notebook again. Yang Reform was waiting for the news and the result.Yang Reform is forcing everyone to stand in line. Yang Reform wants to see how the prestige of the emperor is, and how many people really follow him. Yang Reform wants to use his prestige to quell the bad weather that happened to him yesterday. adverse effects.Yang Reform firmly believes that even if God really has an opinion on him, even if it really represents God's attitude, Yang Reform believes even more that even God, it is impossible to give himself such bad weather every day, against the sky Okay, I can do it myself, and I have been doing it myself.

"Slave obeys the order!" Wang Chengen promised.

As soon as the words fell, a little eunuch came outside to report.

"Report..." A eunuch happily came in to report.

"Oh, what's the matter?" Yang Reform asked, looking at the happy face of the eunuch, Yang Reform probably guessed that it was good news.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, happy event, happy event! The Duke of England has also taken the lead in recruiting workers." The eunuch immediately told the good news.

"Really?" Yang Reform asked with some joy. Yang Reform was proud of himself. Although this Zhang Weixian was a little conservative, a little money-loving, and a little greedy for cheap, he was still reliable at critical moments!Zhang Weixian took the lead, which also represented the attitude of the nobles. Now that the nobles have joined in, there is no change in this matter. Yang Reform has successfully verified his prestige.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is absolutely true and unmistakable. Nowadays, the streets and alleys are full of recruiters, and the gongs and drums are beating, which is very lively..." The eunuch immediately added embellishments.

"Well, good, good, good..." After listening to Yang Reform, he even said a few good things, and he was proud of himself. It seemed that his prestige was still there. , Yang Reform secretly smug.The benefits I wanted to give to Zhang Weixian were not in vain, and the benefits to the nobles were not in vain.

Now that the matter has been basically successful, Yang Reform has no intention of correcting the playbook.

"Since the nobles have started recruiting, I just don't know what will happen to the others..." Yang Reform said happily to himself.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it won't be long before you hear more good news." Wang Chengen took over the words and said.

"Well, I hope so." Yang Reform said beautifully.Yang Reform was secretly complacent, God gave him a slap in the face, thinking it would make him look good, but he knew that he was a person who changed his fate against the sky, and it didn't matter if the gods slapped him, he still had to change his fate against the sky.

Not long after, another eunuch came to report, saying that Han Yu had also started to take action, and was also recruiting workers aggressively.

Hearing this, Yang Reform was even more happy. Facts have proved that he does have considerable prestige and the capital to "go against the sky".

Hearing this news, Yang Reform threw down the memorabilia in his hand, left the Qianqing Palace, came to an open area, smiled and made a gesture of raising his middle finger towards the sky.

"Big Companion, immediately call the cabinet ministers, Jiuqing and other Wenhua Hall to discuss matters." Yang Reform raised his middle finger, and said confidently and full of fighting spirit.Yang Reform wants to take advantage of the prestige of setting off a wave of recruitment this time, and do some things together.

"Slave obeys the order, let's do it now." Wang Chengen watched the emperor making strange gestures towards the sky, but didn't understand what it meant. Hearing the emperor's order, he immediately agreed.

……

In the capital, a teahouse somewhere.

When he heard that all the officials had started to join the recruitment wave, the heart of this literati known as Brother Lin sank into the abyss. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was so easily blown away by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty with a thunderbolt. Swept away, not only did this unlucky celestial phenomenon not cause any damage to Emperor Ming, but it even further supported Emperor Ming's authority.

"Brother Lin... what's wrong with you, are you feeling unwell?" The literati at the side seemed to have noticed the strangeness of Brother Lin and asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it may be that the weather has been unusual these few days, it may have been wind-cold, and I'm really feeling a little uncomfortable. I'll take my leave now, and you all talk slowly..." This man called Brother Lin had something on his mind. Seeing the authority of the Ming Emperor, the strategy of disturbing the Ming Dynasty with rumors failed, his complexion was very bad, and he didn't want to drink tea here, so he got up and left immediately.

After leaving the teahouse and getting into the carriage, this man called Brother Lin was still worried about the profuse Khan in Liaodong. Seeing that spring was approaching, and the Ming Dynasty was twisted into a rope under the power of the Ming Emperor, and his strength moved forward. As an envoy, he was in danger, looking at the bustling Daming capital outside the carriage, and the recruiting team beating drums and drums everywhere, this man called Brother Lin spurned him once again.He looked up again at the still dark sky, and cursed secretly: God damn it.

(End of this chapter)