prosperous age

After seeing the prosperity of the capital and having a meal of "ordinary people" at Wei Guangde's house, King Yu thought he had a certain understanding of the living standards of the common people.

However, after leaving Wei's house and returning to King Yu's mansion, from the moment he entered the door, King Yu fell into deep worry again.

Of course he wasn't worried that Gao Gong would harm him, he was very satisfied with today's trip, and he also ate very well at Wei's house, but when he entered the mansion, he blamed himself a little, whether he was too indulgent today.

And another level of worry lies in what his father will think of him when his actions are reported to the palace today.

As Wei Guangde said during the banquet, he only needs to be himself, as long as he makes no mistakes, his position will be as stable as Mount Tai.

Then what I did today, would my father approve of it?
I don't know, King Yu really doesn't know, he can only sit down and think wildly when he is alone, because the image of Emperor Jiajing is very strange in his mind, so strange that he can't remember what he looks like at all, his temper It was also analyzed by Gao Gong and the others.

I don't understand.

Inadvertently, King Yu suddenly had a feeling of regret, if he didn't listen to Gao Gong, Wei Guangde and the others today, if he didn't go out for a walk, there would be no troubles now.

Just staying in the palace honestly, drinking and listening to music, that kind of life seems to be pretty good, although the outside is really nice, you can see all kinds of people on the road, and there are a variety of goods in the street shops.

Thinking of this, King Yu couldn't help feeling that the country under his father's rule was not bad.

Although Gao Gong and the others often criticized the emperor in front of him for delaying state affairs because of cultivating Taoism, appointing treacherous ministers to govern the country caused thieves everywhere, and the people were in dire straits, but at this moment King Yu suddenly felt that what they said was too one-sided, and a little scabies was so worth it fuss?

Even at this time, King Yu felt that his father's decision was right, and it seemed good to hand over the government to those civil servants.

There is also the former Emperor Hongzhi, who can be regarded as his great-grandfather. At that time, he elected three cabinet ministers and governed the country very well.

King Yu felt that he should also learn from him, and choose a few better officials to help him manage government affairs, so that he can do what he likes with peace of mind.

Gao Gong counts as one, Chen Yiqin is fine, Yin Shizhen, we have to look again.

At this time, King Yu suddenly forgot his previous troubles, and began to think about who he should arrange into the cabinet to help him manage the country.

As for the others, King Yu is not familiar with them, but he also knows that he cannot appoint all the officials of his palace.

Gao Gong and Chen Yiqin are people he thinks are not bad, capable and loyal.

It should be enough to have these two people, and Xu Jie has to reserve one of the remaining positions. In any case, Xu Jie has supported himself for so many years.

King Yu felt that since Xu Jie supported him, he should do something good for others if he reciprocated.

Moreover, judging from his experience with Xu Jie, this person is still very capable. Maybe he may not be as brilliant as Yan Song in some aspects, but his ability to serve as a secondary assistant for a long time also speaks volumes.

For the mediocre, the emperor should not let them stay in high positions for a long time.

Thinking of this, Yu Wang suddenly felt better and relaxed, and then thought of those jugglers he saw on the street today, that kid is really powerful, he can do various performances on such a high pole.

Thinking of this, I can't help but feel moved, it's very exciting, when I find some jugglers to perform in the palace, I will get tired of listening to music and watching operas every day
As for Wei Guangde, he entertained the future emperor at home today, and his mood has not calmed down yet, he is excited.

At this moment, he was walking back and forth in the bedroom rubbing his hands, watching Xu Jianglan and her maid covered their mouths and laughed happily.

After turning around countless times, Wei Guangde finally calmed down and sat on the side of the bed.

"You go down first."

At this time, Xu Jianglan watched Wei Guangde finally sit down, not dangling in front of his eyes, and said to the little maid behind him.

After the little maid went out and closed the door, she said, "Why are you so optimistic about King Yu? I heard from my brother that His Highness King Yu is not favored by the emperor, and His Highness King Jing is more likely to inherit the great treasure."

Xu Jianglan's words were a bit presumptuous, but fortunately, she was at home, and she continued to say: "And I heard from my uncle and the others that it is not known who will win between the two Highnesses, the best way is not to say anything." Don’t do it, wait until the emperor makes a decision, and we will just follow the order.”

"That's because he is honorable, the kind who rests with the country, so he doesn't need to stand in line, and he doesn't need to compete for the merits of the dragon."

Wei Guangde replied casually, what Wei Guangde thought in his heart at this time was exactly what he said in his mouth.

He knew very well that the uncle Xu Jianglan was talking about should be Xu Yande, who was already the Duke of Ding, so what else could he do with a little credit? Could he still expect to be named a prince in his lifetime?

Even if the emperor wanted to give it, he didn't dare to ask for it.

He heard that he is not in good health now, and after hearing Xu Jianglan say it a few times, he is afraid that he will have a good life in a few years, and the title of Duke Ding will pass to Xu Wenbi by then.

Wei Guangde also met this Xu Wenbi a few times, but except for the first time he met in Dingguo Mansion, the rest were bumped into each other in restaurants and brothels.

Wei Guangde accompanied his colleagues to listen to songs and poems at that time, not doing anything dirty. As for Mr. Xu, he seemed to be similar to him, and he was with a group of noble children from the capital.

Through Xu Wenbi, Wei Guangde got to know all the younger generation of nobles in the capital.

Xu Wenbi gave Wei Guangde the feeling that he loves to play, but he seems to know the seriousness, and he is very cautious. He will make trouble when it should be noisy, and be quiet when it should be quiet.

Among those second generations, I feel that Xu Wenbi is still a character.

This is Wei Guangde's understanding of the present and the next generation of Duke Ding. If he is a relative of such a family, at least he will not worry about encountering such unlucky things as the Red Mansion Jia's Mansion.

"Actually, you don't need to fight. Go step by step. With your ability, and with the help of uncle and the others, you will be able to occupy a high position sooner or later."

Xu Jianglan said on the side.

"You women don't understand the things in the court."

Wei Guangde shook his head, if he really got involved with Xungui, then his official position is unlikely to be promoted very high.

The current Wei Guangde is consciously drawing a clear line with Ding Guogong's mansion, because he is worried that other colleagues will classify him into the Wuxun family.

Although the civil and military ministers in the court are still very polite when they meet, the civil official group has always been on guard against the Wu Xun family, which is why the Beijing camp is firmly controlled by the Ministry of War.

For example, although Zhu Xizhong said that he was in command of the Beijing camp, but in fact he did not have a note from the Ministry of War, and his soldiers could not command at all, and he could not even leave the barracks.

The Ministry of War, but officials are stationed in each battalion of the Beijing camp, and they are the actual commanders of each battalion.

"I don't understand. You just want to please King Yu. In the future, after King Yu ascends the throne, see if he can promote you to a higher official and let you join the cabinet. In the future, when others see you, they will first call you "Old Wei Ge" ,Ha ha"

As she spoke, Xu Jianglan laughed like a silver bell.

"Which of our officials who have passed the imperial examination to become an official does not regard joining the cabinet as the ultimate goal, not to mention that your family is just walking on the road to joining the cabinet, so naturally you must redouble your efforts to strive for success in the cabinet.

Wake up and control the power of the world, and lie drunk on the knees of beauties, this is my lifelong pursuit. "

Wei Guangde said casually.

"You still want to lie drunk on the lap of a beautiful woman, who to sleep with? Don't think I don't know. You gang of Hanlin ran to that place when you had nothing to do. When you came back, you said that you were dragged away by your colleagues. Hmph, don't think I don't know. In fact, you are the one who clamored the most vigorously."

At this time, Xu Jianglan had already got up and walked to Wei Guangde, and said with a grim expression, shaking a pair of jade hands into small fists in front of Wei Guangde's eyes.

Xu Jianglan was born in Wei Guogong's mansion, and not only did she know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, she also learned some boxing and embroidering legs, perhaps to strengthen her body, and also to have more self-defense ability to save her life. Wei Guangde had "compared with each other".

Of course, Wei Guangde's boxing skills were not fancy, but he didn't dare to strike recklessly, so he was beaten by Xu Jianglan within a few strokes, which made her very arrogant at home for a while.

But Wei Guangde didn't plan to spoil her anymore, he reached out and grabbed Xu Jianglan's arm and put her in his arms, then turned over and pressed her under him, and said with a frivolous smile: "Who will sleep? I will sleep with you tonight." .”

In the following days, Wei Guangde lived a leisurely life.

He has already written Yu Dayou's reply letter and handed it over to the servant to take him back to Datong.

If you want to ask for a decree to build a troop battalion, you must first win a real victory in Datong to gain the advantage of chariots against the Mongolian cavalry. Otherwise, given the current financial situation of the imperial court, it must be unable to support it. You will not allocate money to build a unicycle without seeing the effect.

In fact, the officials of the Ming Dynasty did not lack any outstanding foresight. If they were different from the readers, they were also influenced by the times.

For example, after seeing the Franco cannon and bird guns from the West, the officials saw the effect in actual combat. Compared with the firearms originally equipped by the Ming army, it is easy to see their advantages.

They are not stingy about such practical equipment, and invested a lot of money to manufacture and equip the Ming army in large quantities, even when the finances are tight.

They are not complacent, but a group of people who are good at learning.

Of course, when the money is allocated, what those people involved in the manufacturing did, they also know, after all, they can also benefit from it, but this is not the main reason for their allocation of money, it is because this thing can indeed improve the Ming army's strength. combat power.

You know, the money is there, and it can be used to make other things without using it to make guns and cannons. It can also be drifted away layer by layer, and their interests will not be damaged.

It couldn't be easier for officials and lords like them to make a name for spending money.

The contact between Wei Guangde and Chen Ju was restored again, but the frequency of contact became less, and most of them used notes to transmit information.

Wei Guangde also knew that Lu Bing's case was completely understood.

A major change occurred inside the East Factory. Several servants who did the work were poisoned to death overnight, and the clues were completely interrupted.

The resumes of the few people in the palace were also very ordinary, and their backgrounds could not be seen at all. Following this incident, the East Factory was cleaned up again, and Chen Ju actually got a small brand in the East Factory.

Wei Guangde would like to take a look at Chen Ju wearing a pointed hat, white leather boots, brown clothes, and a small sash, but he also knows that the brand that Chen Ju said was mixed in Dongchang is probably just for his convenience. Serving in front of the imperial court, it is only issued when there is the emperor's will for convenience. It is unlikely that he will be transferred to Dongchang as a criminal officer.

He is not qualified to be the admiral of the East Factory, but his godfather Gao Zhong is fine.

But now that Huang Jin is the governor-general eunuch, or the supervisor of ceremonies, and the admiral of the East Factory, this trust is gone.

Without Emperor Jiajing's approval, no one could shake Huang Jin's position.

Naturally, Gao Zhong didn't dare to argue with Huang Jin, he just had to be his own supervisor and write his pen honestly.

In August, the city of Beijing is crisp and clear, and the imperial court is also ushering in a busy month.

The reason for the busyness is of course not the sudden increase in the number of official documents submitted by various places, nor is it because the border towns fought with the Mongolian Tartars again, or the Japanese pirates ransacked the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but it was the Longevity Festival.

Following the issuance of the imperial edict by Emperor Jiajing to take 200,000 taels of Taicang silver for internal use, the entire court became busy.

Emperor Jiajing's birthday is approaching, and the officials in the court will naturally not criticize the emperor for asking the Ministry of Households for money at this time.

In the next few days, Confucius ordered Li Ben, the great scholar, to pay respects to the ancestor Confucius, Zhang Rongdai, the British Duke, Zhang Rongdai, and Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Cheng, to worship Taisheji. A series of imperial decrees were issued from Xiyuan.

Over the past few days, what everyone in the Imperial Academy is most concerned about, or what the officials of the major yamen in the capital are most concerned about, is whether Emperor Jiajing will drive the Fengtian Palace on the day of the Longevity Festival.

In Wei Guangde's memory, it seems that he has never seen Emperor Jiajing several times in Fengtian Hall, and up to now, the construction of the three halls is still going on, and none of them are completed. The wood purchased from the south is still being transported into the capital continuously. The Ministry of Industry only completed the reconstruction of the inner and outer palace gates.

However, the fact that the Fengtian Temple has not been built does not mean that it is impossible to salute.

In fact, the huge square outside the Fengtian Hall has been cleared. Although the worship ceremony cannot be held in the hall, it is also possible to hold the worship ceremony outside the hall. This is how the palace examination and subsequent ceremonies were conducted at the beginning of the year, and Emperor Jiajing also came to the scene.

Their discussion soon ended. According to Xiyuan's decree, Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, was ordered to worship the sky in the Xuanji Palace on Wanshoushengjie. The ceremonies are still on the table to congratulate each other, and the money is free from the banquet. The king of North Korea, Li Yao, sent the accompanying ministers Cao Shenpan Liu Qian, Shen Ning and other Weiyi leaders, Ge Luge, etc. to congratulate, and the tribute horse and Fang The feast of things is an example.

After Emperor Jiajing’s decree was issued, the imperial court quickly began to operate according to the decree. It seemed that August passed so smoothly, but when an urgent memorial from the Xuanfu was delivered to the capital, the relaxed atmosphere in the court suddenly became tense stand up.

The main force of the Anda Department appeared on the outskirts of the Xuanfu. There are suspected signs of invasion. Please send troops from Jizhen and other places to assist in the defense.

The Alda Department seems to be making a comeback again after it aggressively invaded the Kou Xuan Mansion in the 35th year of Jiajing.