Prince of Chaos

Chapter 318
When spring comes and the sun rises in March, the weather in the capital has long since lost the warm and cold weather in early spring, and there are only warm and warm sunshine.

The willows on both sides of the road are also fluttering their new branches in the wind, everything is so natural and bright.

It seemed to indicate that today would be a good day.

In the Ciqing Palace, Zhu Changluo had just finished his breakfast, did the body exercises twice, and stopped his movements after sweating a little.

Standing aside, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly handed over the towel, and at the same time, two little maids came over with copper basins filled with warm water.

Zhu Changluo washed his hands casually, and then wiped his hands with the towel that Wei Zhongxian handed over.

"Is Zhang Weixian here?"

There was a reason why Zhu Changluo suddenly asked about Zhang Weixian.

Just two days ago, Zhang Weixian's father, the British Duke Zhang Yuande, passed away.As one of the most distinguished nobles of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Changluo naturally went to the British government to express his condolences on behalf of Emperor Wanli.

As Zhang Weixian, who is about to become the heir of the British Duke, after taking care of his father's funeral, it was natural for him to go to the palace to thank him.

Wei Zhongxian took the towel and said, "Master, the little prince is already waiting outside the palace gate."

Zhu Changluo said, "Come in, please."

After Wei Zhongxian got Zhu Changluo's will, he immediately went to the gate of the palace to summon Zhang Weixian.

Zhang Weixian was dressed in plain clothes. After entering the hall, he immediately saluted.

"Minister Zhang Weixian sees Your Highness."

With a smile, Zhu Changluo quickly got up from his seat, and helped Zhang Weixian up with concern.

"Young Lord, hurry up and get up."

After helping Zhang Weixian to his feet, Zhu Changluo said with emotion: "My condolences to the little duke, the old duke has left, and I, Daming, have lost a pillar."

When Zhang Weixian heard that Zhu Changluo mentioned the dead Zhang Yuande, he immediately wiped his tears in cooperation.

"Your Highness, my father's biggest regret is that he didn't have time to serve His Highness. When he left, I couldn't make a sound and felt sorry for my father. But later, when His Highness came to worship in person, I felt extremely honored for my father."

Zhu Changluo said: "It's a pity that I couldn't have a deep chat with the old man. After he drove west, it was too late for him to regret it. Alas! The old man is forever!"

Zhang Weixian burst into tears in cooperation.

Then, Zhu Changluo cooperated to comfort Zhang Weixian who was crying like an orphan.

In this way, after the two of you came and went and talked a lot of nonsense about how Zhang Yuande was so good during his lifetime, they finally came to the topic.

Zhang Yuande died, and Zhang Weixian, as the son of the Duke of England, naturally wanted to become the new Duke of England.

However, before this again, Zhang Weixian had to obtain the imperial court's permission first, so that he could successfully attack the noble, otherwise, he could only wait with his face upturned.

However, according to the past practice, Zhang Weixian didn't have to wait long, and the imperial court's imperial decree came down almost when he was filial piety.

"Little Duke, about your succession to the title, Gu also mentioned it to the Royal Father. The Royal Father suddenly heard that the old Duke had passed away, and he was also very sad. How do you show your allegiance to the emperor and the country? I also feel the sorrow of my father when I listen to it. Therefore, seeing how sad my father is now, I plan to wait until my father calms down, and then go to ask for an order for you Assault the lord."

Zhu Changluo said half-truths and half-false words, which made Zhang Weixian's heart skip a beat, what do you mean?Is it difficult to attack the noble?

However, no matter how anxious Zhang Weixian was in his heart at this time, he couldn't express it. He could only reply excitedly: "My emperor is so kind, and I can't repay you. If my father's spirit in the sky can know the emperor's favor for him, he will definitely smile. of."

Zhu Changluo said: "Young Duke, don't be sad. The old Duke is gone, and you have to carry the banner of the British Duke. Among the many nobles, the most favored by the emperor in Ming Dynasty is the British Duke. He said, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that the British family is the head of the nobles of the Ming Dynasty! So, you will have a heavy burden in the future."

Zhang Weixian wiped his tears and said with a heartache: "I am afraid, I am afraid that I will fail the grace of the emperor and His Highness."

Zhu Changluo said: "Don't be afraid, little prince. Putting aside business matters, you are still the biggest partner of Huangzhuang in Guxi Mountain. Therefore, Gu's trust in you is beyond anyone else. You also know that in the past two years, since the father After the tax reform was implemented on Wanli Street in Huangzhuang, Xishan, many people did not understand the painstaking efforts of the father. What's more, they thought that the father used the name of Wanli Street to plunder the wealth of the people. I feel very sad about this."

"The tax my father received was not sent to the household department in Taicang. However, if any disasters and epidemics occurred in various parts of Ming Dynasty these years, it was the father who used the money from his own money to help the disaster. The military expenses are also borne by the father alone. And the money comes from what the father saves from living frugally and collecting taxes from Wanli Street. How can anyone think that the father is a greedy person?"

"Little Duke, this matter makes you think about it in your own shoes. Those aristocratic families who have been favored by the emperor and enjoyed the honor and status given by the court, shouldn't they contribute something to the court? "

"There is an old saying: 'A gentleman's fortune shall be beheaded for five generations', but since the beginning of our dynasty, all the meritorious officials who have been honored, as long as they have not committed the crime of treason, which one will not rest with the country? However, they How do you repay the kindness of the Taizu? Every day, they are feasting, extravagant and lustful, and they don’t think about making progress. They have long since disappeared from the court. Now, just because of a little tax, they are secretly arranging the father emperor, and I am very angry! You Tell me what to do about it?"

Zhu Changluo said such a big thing in one breath, and directly pointed out the problems of the honorable families.

Hearing Zhu Changluo's words, Zhang Weixian couldn't help but tremble in his heart. Although he had this feeling in his heart when he first came, he really didn't expect that Zhu Changluo would really dare to say it.

Zhang Weixian is not a fool, let alone a fool, he knows why Zhu Changluo said these words.

Zhu Changluo just wanted him to make a statement, and wanted him to stand up again to support and support Emperor Wanli's tax collection purpose.

Zhang Weixian worshiped: "I have heard these rumors a long time ago. These people only have one acre of land in their hearts, disregarding the overall situation of the court, and disregarding the grace of the monarch and father. When I heard these words, I had already It hurts my heart like a knife, I wish I could reprimand these heartless bastards for my father! The emperor collects taxes for the sake of Daming, for the long-term peace and stability of the country. If Ming is well, we, the nobles who have been favored by the emperor for generations, can always Get on with it. So, one hundred ministers support the emperor's tax collection will."

Zhu Changluo listened to Zhang Weixian's words, and he was moved to help Zhang Weixian with a smile, "If everyone has the awareness of Xiao Guogong, why should Ming not be able to rejuvenate? Moreover, Gu has always known Xiao Guogong's loyalty. Father mentioned that Lord Xiaoguo is a loyal empress who understands the general situation and takes care of the overall situation. Emperor Father also deeply agrees with this, and he also intends to grant Xiaoguogong a real job in the future so that Xiaoguogong can use his talents to serve the country."

After Zhang Weixian heard Zhu Changluo's words, he immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed in the direction of Emperor Wanli, "I thank the emperor for his kindness. How can I let His Highness and the emperor trust you so much? I am ashamed of myself."

Zhu Changluo helped Zhang Weixian up again, and said, "The Duke of the Little Kingdom can afford it. Among the nobles of this generation, even Gu also saw it, and only the Duke of the Kingdom is a worthy pillar!"

Zhang Weixian was so moved that he couldn't stop crying.These words are really touching.

(End of this chapter)