Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 879 Incense
As soon as the Mid-Autumn Festival on August [-] is over, the whole city of Beijing becomes lively.

Without it, because the tens of thousands of military divisions in Suiyuan just wandered around thousands of miles, and after the officers, the large troops returned to the capital.

For the tens of thousands of households in the capital, it is the greatest luck that their father, son, and nephew can return safely.

But for many generals who want to make meritorious service, it is very uncomfortable.

Especially Wu Sangui and Li Jingwu, especially Wu Sangui.

Riding on a steed, Wu Sangui is majestic and heroic, exuding the bravery of a general, which is impressive.

Around him, surrounded by a group of personal soldiers, bright armor, fierce evil spirit, telling about his excellence.

Wu Sangui is 45 years old this year.

Among the top ten princes, he is in the middle in terms of age, but at the same time he is at the most energetic moment.

The most obvious evidence is that, except for the newly promoted Gao Yigong and Li Dingwai, he has no double nobility, that is, the other son is a baron.

Although he has made great achievements in North Korea and Liaodong, he is nothing compared to others.

Everyone in the army felt that the reason why he was able to rise to the top honors was because he had donated tens of thousands of Guandong cavalry.

In addition, many people commented that it was he who delayed the time, which led to the invasion of the capital, the suicide of the late emperor, and the collapse of the country.

This made him extremely aggrieved.

Really, throw all the blame on him.

Especially when he was still being discussed when he had a record on his back, this made him feel unwilling.

Therefore, he desperately wanted a hearty victory to prove himself and improve his status among the nobles.

It's a pity that this battle in Mobei, which was originally expected to be high, turned out to be anticlimactic, paving the way for Zeng Ying.

Good guy, it is such a temptation for the generals to directly lead the Tuku Shetu Khan to the north!
Such a good opportunity, let him miss it directly, it would be fatal.

Outside the palace gate, the eunuchs and ministers had been waiting for a long time.

Wu Sangui and others went to the summer resort, and after seeing the emperor, they hurried back to their villa.

At this time, his eldest son, 24-year-old Wu Yingxiong, stood respectfully.

"Let's go!" Wu Sangui stopped, seeing his son's handsome appearance, he nodded slightly, feeling very satisfied.

Compared with other meritorious deeds, Wu Sangui has always asked his son to study, perhaps because of the influence of the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years, or because of the stability of the title, Wu Sangui did not have much hope for his eldest son.

Wu Yingxiong complied quietly.

Obedient and serious, these are his strengths.

Back in the house, in the study, he met Fang Guangchen.

The former counselor finally resigned after spending several years in the officialdom, and returned to his former leisurely life as an aide.

"Dong Weng is still angry about the Mobei matter?"

"That's right." Wu Sangui didn't hide anything: "It's a pity that I missed such a good job."

Fang Yichen shook his head and said: "The Duke's position is high, and the ministers stationed in Mongolia have been in Mobei for a long time and have great autonomy. The emperor will not rest assured."

"You wouldn't have earned it."

In this way, Wu Sangui was rather discouraged: "Now the minister can't get it, and the military exploits are too insignificant. What should we do in the long run?"

Fang Yichen understood Wu Sangui's situation.

The nobles are the first to compare their titles, and if they want to wait for a title, they compare their military exploits and seniority.

Good guy, Wu Sangui missed the battle of Dashanguan, the battle of Huguang, the battle of Xi'an, the battle of Luoyang, the battle of Nanjing, and the crucial battle of Beijing.

Often in the second half, it acts as a negative role, which makes people speechless.

"Officials don't necessarily need military exploits."

Fang Yichen showed a smile, he spread out his folding fan, his face was full of confidence.

"How to say?"

Wu Sangui was taken aback for a moment, then asked directly.

"The Mansion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies."

Fang Yichen raised his head, his eyes were very bright: "The top ten princes sit in one division, but the most important one is the military and political division."

"Isn't that Zhu Meng's position?"

Wu Sangui was taken aback.

"The administrative affairs of the military and political department are complicated, and they need both a big fire to collect juice and a small fire to suffer. Zhu Meng is not suitable for the military and political department."

"You want me to fight?"

"No, Dong Weng, you have to fight for it yourself."

Fang Yichen said in a deep voice.

"The Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies controls the soldiers and horses in the world. Although the soldiers have partial power, they should not be underestimated. Those who can fight must be fought back."

Speaking of this, his eyes burst out with bright colors, which surprised Wu Sangui.

"Because, in the future, there are not many opportunities for the Duke of the State to be in charge of the Dudu's Mansion, and the marquises naturally don't want to be subordinated easily."

"The Marquis is several times that of the Duke of the State. By then, the competition will not be small."

"As for you, you have to try your best to fight for a favorable position for Jingguo Duke's Mansion, so as to establish the status of the Duke's mansion for decades to come."

At this time, Wu Sangui suddenly understood.

Because of the importance of the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies, as the first generation of the Duke, it is only natural to stand in front of the front line and pave the way for the next generation.

After all, no one knows whether the Shaowu Dynasty can inherit the official position after the succession of the title, like the previous Ming Dynasty.

If you can't hold an official position in the world, you must expand your influence and pave the way for your heirs.

Because You Shiwei, Duke of Righteousness, was demoted, the entire honorary system became restless.

One radish and one hole, only when the one in front leaves, the one behind can keep up.

But at this time, in the capital, it was another scene.

The noisy Fanwang Street was actually quite empty at this moment.

In Fu Wang's mansion, Fu Wang Zhu Yousong, who was imprisoned in the mansion, was lying under the shadow of a tree at this time, and several maids stood aside to fan him.

His complexion is fair, but his complexion is a bit unhealthy, with heavy bags under his eyes, which is a kind of excessive wine-colored paleness, and Yintang is still faintly black.

At the age of 50, the temples are gray, but the skin is shiny, but it doesn't look old.

He had a plump face, and he was very fat in the loose robe. He was lying on the chair, with his flesh spread directly to both sides, and he squeezed the whole chair slowly.

Zhu Yousong complained more than once that he wanted to order a large bamboo chair, but he often said nothing about it.

Because he was afraid, his sudden words.It is very likely that the emperor will think of him, and the court will think of him, which will be disgusting, which will lead to a decline in treatment.

Compared with other Zhu family members, this Emperor Shaowu was indeed kindhearted.

Look at Jian Shuren, he was directly imprisoned stupidly, Yingzong was imprisoned in Nangong to die, and now he is trapped in the palace, eating and drinking without worrying about eating and drinking, with wives and concubines in groups, it is really great.

I am used to living a life of ups and downs, facing decapitation all the time, this kind of life is too nostalgic.

"Why is it so quiet today?"

Zhu Yousong suddenly opened his eyes and leaned his ears against the wall.

"Master, I heard that the army is coming back today, and everyone on the street presumably welcomes them."

The servant girl's crisp voice sounded.

"Oh!" Zhu Yousong nodded, with a disappointed look on his face.

This location was specially chosen by him, it was shady and close to the street, and he could hear a lot of interesting things. This was the first time he found folk life so interesting after living in the palace for decades.

Suddenly, the small door opened, and a servant came to report that it was King Lu.

Zhu Changfang, king of Lu, was one of the vassal princes who fled to Huai'an with him. Later, because the Donglin Party had tried to establish him as the throne, he was displeased and sent to Hangzhou.

After the city of Nanjing was broken, King Lu supervised the country, but he was taken down again immediately, and they were taken to Beijing together as prisoners.

However, after Emperor Shaowu regained Beijing, the treatment of the two was completely different.

Fu Wang Zhu Yousong was directly placed under house arrest, Hongguangnian title was also abolished, his throne was deposed politically, and then isolated, weakening his influence.

But King Lu was different. Although he was also in charge of the state, he was forced to do so. He was not threatened politically, and he was released after three to five years of house arrest.

Moreover, he often came to see him, chatting about things.

Of course Zhu Yousong understood that King Lu came with a political mission, and his purpose was very clear, which was to investigate his mind and explore the movement, which was regarded as a pawn.

"Nephew, I'm here to see you."

It was the third time in a month, and King Lu still looked very energetic, and he was carrying a bundle of Daming Gazettes in his hand, and no one could bring them in except him.

Although Lu Wang was also a little fatter, his face was pale and tender, and his limbs were strong.

"Uncle Wang, here you come—"

Zhu Yousong showed a sincere smile.

Although he knew its purpose, he was still happy.

"coming."

Lu Wang Zhu Changfang sighed and said, "Why are you still indulging in sex, it's not good for your health."

"After decades of life, you still have to enjoy yourself to your heart's content." King Fu said casually, "I have experienced it once, and I understand the truth."

"Besides, I don't know how many people are looking forward to my death!"

When Lu Wang heard the words, he was a little silent for a while.

Although the words are ugly, they are the truth.

A vassal king who has been on the throne, no matter what dynasty he is in, will be persecuted. It is rare to see Emperor Shaowu who has been raised for more than ten years.

"Nowadays, you are kind and generous, and you are sure to be fine. Don't worry."

King Lu comforted him.

"Uncle Wang, I don't read much, but I understand what you mean." Fu Wang nodded in agreement: "I feel comfortable raising a useless person like me, but I still have regrets in my heart."

"I have several brothers, and I'm the only one left. The huge Fufan is about to be cut off. It's only two generations..."

"How can I be reconciled, Uncle Wang, how should I see my father after death?"

Hearing these words, King Lu felt sorry for him, and the words from the bottom of his heart made people feel sad.

Fu Wang's mansion was in Luoyang, and only one Zhu Yousong escaped, and since he arrived in Nanjing, he has not had a single heir.

In this case, it is reasonable to have no sons and remove the vassal.

But Fu Wang never wanted to accept such a result.

Because this means that after death, no one will come to worship them in the ancestral temple, and only his name can be seen on the thick genealogy.

No matter who it is, they don't want to accept this reality, even Fu Wang, who is now a pile of meat.

So, he opened his eyes narrowed into a slit, bursting out with dazzling light, and pleaded:

"Uncle Wang, although I know this is against the rules, I still want you to ask His Majesty to adopt a prince into my family like Qin Fan did."

As he said that, he grabbed his arm directly and tried his best to suck it.

King Lu couldn't break free for a while.

He had to give up, and said calmly: "Fu Fan, you know, Qin Fan is different after all, the emperor is born out of his family, and will not just watch his heir disappear..."

King Fu heard about it, but he didn't intend to give up. He grabbed his skirt and said, "It's not the same, but it's not the same."

At this point, he said without hesitation: "Back then when we usurped in Nanjing, the imperial court still had pimples. They haven't had any problems these years, and it's all under His Majesty's protection..."

"However, this is a problem that needs to be solved."

"If you let a prince succeed you, wouldn't you be safe?"

When King Lu heard this, his footsteps, which were already moving, stopped immediately.

He felt that this was indeed a good method.

At the same time, as an intermediary, he can also reap a lot of benefits from it.

After all, compared to other feudal lords, Lu Wangfu's reward is the lowest. Although it can't be said that it is tight, it is not decent.

The cost and the like really made the entire palace bow down.

"I'll try it!"

Lu Wang showed a troubled look on his face, and he looked troubled again. After a long time, he responded: "Don't place too many expectations on you."

"I understand, I understand!" King Fu nodded excitedly.

"Fu Fan has successors, I didn't live so long in vain—"

The two chattered for a while, and then King Lu left in a hurry.

King Lu went directly to Prince Rui's mansion.

As Zongzheng, King Rui has high prestige and is close to the emperor, so he is a very convenient matchmaker.

King Lu understood that he didn't have much room to intervene in this matter, and it would be good to be a voice-bearer.

After King Rui understood it, he held on to his beard and never let go.

After a long time, he said, "I see."

"Lu Wang, you have done a good job. I will submit this matter to His Majesty. You have to appease him. This matter cannot be rushed."

At this time, the news of Prince Fu's Mansion arrived at Yuquan Mountain.

The emperor frowned when he heard the words: "Why is it still adopted..."

As a matter of fact, he has always been indifferent to King Fu. After all, he is getting old.

However, adoption is not such a bad idea.

He has many sons, and one inherits the title of Fu Wangjue, and by the way, inherits his status as a close branch to eliminate the threat.

It can even appease the former Hongguang veteran.

Three birds with one stone.

Whenever there is a problem, Zhu Yixi likes to consult Zhao Shu, and this time is no exception.

Zhao Shoufu came slowly and sat down.

"It's just such a thing." Zhu Yixi explained lightly: "After all, Fu Fan is different from Qin Fan. According to the rules of the court, such an extinct vassal king must be taken back..."

"But Your Majesty, in the 300 years of Ming Dynasty, there is no second Fu Fan!"

Zhao Shu spoke of history: "Yongle, Xuande, and Tianshun generations, the clan is always restless, the blood is not peaceful, so that there are things that imprison the clan, but there is no screen fan..."

As he spoke, he raised his head: "If a prince is adopted into Fufan, for the clansmen, their resentment may be eliminated."

"After all, even in a peaceful and prosperous age, there are not a few vassal kings who will die. Although adopting a prince is a bad idea, it is better than cutting off incense, isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)