King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

royal palace.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Today was the first court meeting since Zhu Gaoxu returned to the court after more than a month of absence from court after going to deal with the Xijiang area.

Xia Yuanji, Yang Rong, Yang Shiqi and other important officials of the court led a group of officials of all ranks in the court in Beijing to attend the meeting.

The vast number of court officials lined up in an orderly manner and stood in their respective positions.

Although this was a court meeting, the scene seemed solemn and dignified.

However, there were still officials who were familiar with each other in groups of three or four, and they would whisper with their familiar colleagues from time to time, chatting about various family matters or various interesting things that had happened recently in the court and among the people.

However, no one discussed what Zhu Gaoxu did in Xijiang.

It seems like there is a deep taboo about this.

Compared with the past, a group of ministers gathered together in twos and threes and made memorials from time to time to criticize Zhu Gaoxu, arguing with their faces red. They were completely different people, with two distinct faces that made people a little confused.

Standing at the front with his head lowered, Zhu Gaochi felt the changes in the court today with all the ministers in the court.

As a result, Zhu Gaochi could not help but frown subconsciously, his expression changed, and he fell into deep thought, muttering unconsciously in his heart:

"what's the situation?"

"What's wrong with these bastards?"

"How come you are two different people today than you were before?"

"Why have they all become so honest? In the past, they were chatting in the court and discussing how to criticize the second brother Xijiang, but today they did not mention it at all. What is going on?"

"Could it be that the details of what happened in Xijiang have leaked out?"

Thinking of this, he unconsciously glanced around at everyone, trying to find any clues from the faces of the courtiers whose attitudes had changed.

As he scanned each person, he took in the expressions and facial features of all the ministers.

Zhu Gaochi's expression changed involuntarily, and his expression became gloomy. He couldn't help cursing in his heart:
"Bastard thing."

"I thought everyone had learned their lesson, or had noticed something."

"So he became more honest."

"It seems like he was overthinking everything."

"These bastards, this is a play of 'the calm before the storm' on him."

"These bastards may look harmless on the surface, but they are all harboring evil intentions. They are all gathering their strength and waiting for the second one to come out before they attack!"

Thinking of this, he understood the current plans of the ministers and the second brother.

Zhu Gaochi unconsciously mourned for these bastards in his heart.

Others don't know what's going on.

Yesterday, Zhu Gaoxu laid his cards on the table with him directly, showing him the things he had shown him and saying the words he had spoken.

This is definitely the case where the second brother has dug a trap and prepared a burial place for these people, just waiting for them to jump in, to see who jumps faster and happier.

Then just throw out the evidence and give these bastards a fatal blow.

In fact, after careful consideration, Zhu Gaochi had also thought about whether he should remind his subordinates about such matters.

What's so naive?

Although he wanted to take the risk to give a warning, he had no idea that his men would come back to report.

Many new faces appeared outside the East Palace.

This is the situation. This is what happened. Zhu Gaochi is not a fool. It is obvious that the bastard Second Brother did it on purpose.

Tell him clearly that enough is enough and it is best for him not to do anything excessive.

Faced with such a situation, Zhu Gaochi was forced to give up and suppress his desperate behavior.

After all, who asked him to say such righteous words?
There is nothing wrong with saying one thing and doing another.

But the premise is that you don't let others catch you.

Once we catch someone with evidence, things will become troublesome and no one will look good.

Moreover, from the perspective of long-term interests, his current situation is not suitable for him to fall out with Zhu Gaoxu for such small fry.

The effort and reward are totally disproportionate.

Besides, even though the old man is not in the court, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have his spies in the court.

If he goes too far in this matter and that bastard Second Brother gets hold of it, he will quit the task assigned to him by the old man and stop working on Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. Then he will be blamed for everything and get the better of him.

The old man turned to him and asked him to deal with it and do that thing.

Then he really wants to be a Muggle.

Just when Zhu Gaochi was full of thoughts.

Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong, who were not far behind him, also looked around at everyone involuntarily, staring at the prince's fat back for a long time, and then looked at each other.

Then, Yang Rong lowered his voice as much as possible, and asked in a solemn and low voice:
"Shiqi."

"Today, the court discussed what the King of Han did during his visit to Xijiang."

"What do you think from this side?"

While speaking, he pointed at the prince's position and continued:

"Sir, can you give me some explanation?"

"Or is there any conclusion on this?"

Listening to the question, Yang Shiqi stroked his beard, shook his head imperceptibly, and replied in a low voice:
"I don't know."

"The situation is unclear."

"The two gentlemen met yesterday, and since then, neither of them has left the house and has not received anyone."

"There has been no news or instructions on whether there will be any separation."

"but."

Having said this, he paused, his eyes suddenly became extremely deep, and he suddenly changed the subject and continued in a deep voice:
"I sent someone last night to deliver cakes to His Royal Highness, but was turned back."

"The things were not able to enter the mansion."

"So. What happened today."

"No matter how others make a fuss, we'd better wait and see and let them charge first."

"Once the situation becomes clearer, it won't be too late for us to take the opportunity to intervene."

So replied.

Yang Rong couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard that, his expression suddenly became extremely solemn. His lowered head suddenly turned around and looked at Yang Shiqi beside him. A hint of surprise flashed across his pupils, and he was also shocked in his heart.

what's the situation?
Is this still the Yang Shiqi I know, the one who was willing to go through fire and water for the Crown Prince?

Such a good opportunity to criticize the King of Han, and he had also fanned the flames from time to time before, but Yang Shiqi, who impeached him, is finished today?

He actually chose to play along and wait and see what happens.

What happened?
Why did he suddenly change his nature?

Could it be that there was some hidden secret that he was unaware of, or did Yang Shiqi receive some hint from the Crown Prince?
Thinking of this, Yang Rong was about to speak, wanting to ask and get to the bottom of the reason.

However, after seeing the other party answer his last sentence, he unconsciously chose to close his eyes and rest, looking contented.

As a result, Yang Rong had no choice but to suppress the doubts in his heart and chose to shut up awkwardly.

Yang Shiqi, who was standing aside, naturally felt the slightly resentful gaze from his old friend, but he could only pretend that he knew nothing.

After all, some things were nothing more than a vague feeling of uneasiness in his heart caused by certain reasons.

Without being 100% sure, he naturally didn't dare to say anything.

The only thing you can do is choose silence.

but
He also knew in his heart that Yang Rong was not a fool.

You can definitely taste some meaning in his words.

But as to how he would choose, that was not something he could decide.

But I think he is not a fool. He will not act recklessly. He will have some concerns in his heart and will hesitate and think more when encountering things.

This is enough. At this moment.

Bang bang bang.
A crisp whip sound was heard.

The officials who were originally whispering in twos and threes, when they heard this familiar voice, the expressions on their faces suddenly froze, and instead became serious. They immediately shut up and dared not make any unnecessary sounds.

Followed by a burst of clear ceremonial music.

Zhu Gaoxu walked in slowly, climbed up the platform slowly, and sat on a throne next to the dragon throne.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, all officials stood in silence.

"Your Highness, etc."

"Greetings to Lord Han!"

Zhu Gaoxu, sitting upright on the armchair, half-closed his eyes and glanced with interest at the court officials below who were hunched over and bowed their heads to salute. A hint of inquiring sneer flashed across the corners of his slightly raised mouth.

"My dear friends, no courtesy."

Received oral instructions.

All the officials who had bowed in greeting stood up solemnly to the side.

then.

The group of people and Zhu Gaoxu looked at each other, but no one spoke.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into an eerie silence for a moment, and the atmosphere became more depressing as time passed.

"call"

Just like that, after a long time.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was sitting on the imperial chair, withdrew his inspection gaze, exhaled a long breath, and was the first to speak, breaking the silence in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, saying:

"I am leaving the court and Yingtian Prefecture."

"Today, without even realizing it, the twenty-eighth day has passed."

"I was only able to respond to the Tianfu Residence yesterday evening. I was exhausted from the long journey and know very little about the major and minor events in the court during this period of time."

"I have not had time to read and approve the memorials submitted by you in these 28 days."

"Why don't we all be more relaxed?"

"Since I left for the past 28 days, the Crown Prince has not yet approved or made a decision on the memorials you have submitted to the court."

"We are in court today, so let's just discuss these matters."

"What do you think, my dear ministers?"

The ministers standing below were suddenly in an uproar after hearing these words, and they started talking and whispering to each other.

Dele.

This guy is really free and easy.

He just came back and went straight to the court meeting without even reading the memorials.

Let everyone discuss the matter directly on the spot.

but
Under normal circumstances, many ministers should have spoken out against such a move, after all, it was inconsistent with normal procedures and certain systems.

But when I thought about the gentleman in front of me who had not read the memorial yet.

Not sure.

These people still know very little about their impeachment and the seriousness of certain things.

The way things are done here is actually beneficial to people like them.

If this gentleman is attacked suddenly without being prepared in advance, he will be caught off guard.

to this end.

The ministers in the court looked at each other and understood each other's implication.

After that, no one objected and they all bowed to Zhu Gaoxu:
"I have no objection."

"Everything is up to Prince Han to decide."

All of a sudden.

The two parties, each with their own ulterior motives, reached a consensus in a rare moment.

As a result, the atmosphere in the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony became even more weird.

then.

Have to admit.

These civil officials are able to keep their composure.

One by one, they explained to Zhu Gaoxu everything that had happened in the court during those days in great detail, and then they all argued about certain things one by one.

Make the final decision on things that can be decided.

How should those matters that have yet to be discussed be discussed? Either postpone them or continue to postpone them, or inform Emperor Yongle, who is far away in the north, as quickly as possible to make a decision.

That's it.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Before he knew it, an hour had passed since the court meeting.

Almost everything that needed to be said has been dealt with.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu, who was sitting on the imperial chair, said in a deep voice to the ministers who were silent below the stage:
"My dear friends."

"The things that have accumulated over these days have been resolved."

"Do you have anything else to report?"

"If there is nothing else, it is getting late."

"Just withdraw from the court!"

"You should push forward what has just been done, and put the preparations for those things that have not been done on the agenda."

Say it.

Zhu Gaoxu half-closed his eyes and looked at the people in the audience with interest.

Then, he pretended to stand up from the armchair and walk to the back.

After hearing this.

Seeing his appearance, all the ministers below the stage couldn't help but look at each other, and the emotions among the ministers became agitated at this moment.

"Please wait a moment, Lord Han."

"I have something important to report."

Just then.

Among the officials standing in neat and orderly queue, a figure stepped out from the queue and bowed to Zhu Gaoxu on the stage.

This statement came out.

The whole audience stood still in an instant, everyone's body was suddenly shocked, and all eyes were focused on that person.

The atmosphere in the field became extremely weird because of this person's appearance.

This was a completely different picture from the one just now where the emperor and his subjects were like one family.

"Hehehe"

"You finally couldn't help it?"

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but sneer in his heart, but he didn't show it at all. He looked as if he knew nothing. With a hint of surprise on his face, he looked at the figure standing in the center of the court.

However, he was about to stand up from the armchair, but he stopped the movement instantly, tightly grasped his hands that were supporting the armchair, and slowly put them down, and asked:

"Oh?"

"What else do you want to report?"

"Tell me about it!!" (End of this chapter)