The Ming Dynasty took an unconventional approach

Wouldn't that force Prime Minister Yang to resign and retire?

Zhu Qizhen felt sorry for Yang Shiqi when he thought of his hard work over the years, and he remained silent for a while.

Xue Shao caught it quickly, and seeing that what was revealed in his eyes was not ambition but hesitation, he lowered his eyes and hid the disappointment in them.

This is a big deal, a political reform, a change in social trends. Once it starts, there will be no turning back.

The most taboo thing in reform is indecision, hesitation and regret. If the emperor does not have the determination to carry it out to the end, this matter must not be carried out. Otherwise, there will be backlash. Not only will those who propose reforms and rectify the officialdom be killed without a burial place, but the people in the south of the Yangtze River who were the first to try the reform will also be in an increasingly difficult situation.

Xue Shao suppressed his disappointment, and when he looked up again, his face had returned to normal. He smiled at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty is a kind-hearted person. The three ministers who have been entrusted with the task have all completed their tasks from beginning to end. This is rare in all dynasties."

When the previous emperor died, the nine-year-old young emperor inherited the throne and entrusted his care to the Three Yangs.

Now Yang Rong, one of the Three Yangs, is dead. He died of illness and was posthumously named "Wenmin". From the posthumous title, we can see that the relationship between him and the young emperor as monarch and subject ended well.

Even though there were unpleasant things in the process, future generations will certainly praise both sides in history books, after all, the loyalty between the monarch and his subjects was fulfilled.

Although Yang Shiqi and Yang Pu, who are still alive, may have disputes with the emperor in the court, the emperor has not yet severely punished them, and they have not shown any tendency to control the government and become regents.

If nothing unexpected happens, the two of them will be able to have a good beginning and a good ending just like Yang Rong.

This is indeed rare in history.

Xue Shao probably understood that in addition to wanting to preserve their reputation, they also wanted to do so because there was genuine affection between the ruler and his subjects.

The Three Yangs were not only ministers of state, but also teachers of the emperor.

Including the time when the emperor was the crown prince, they served as teachers to the little emperor for more than ten years.

All in all, they spent more time with the little emperor than with their wives and children at home.

After more than ten years of living together day and night, not only do they have a deep affection for the emperor, but the emperor also has a deep affection for them.

Although not as deep as the feelings for Wang Zhen, it still accounts for a considerable amount.

Under this circumstance, if the emperor was sentimental, he would not have the determination to force Prime Minister Yang to retire, let alone bring his son to justice.

Xue Shao sighed, and then thought, since the emperor values ​​love, then...

He changed the subject: "Your Majesty values ​​friendship and loyalty. If you set an example, the people below you will follow suit. The civil and military nobles in the court will also respond with friendship and loyalty. The Mu family throughout the ages is a good example."

Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but curl his lips slightly, nodded and said: "Yes, the Mu family has guarded the southwest for the Ming Dynasty for generations. Although they are not the bloodline of my Zhu family, they are better than my Zhu family bloodline."

How many royal family members, after experiencing Taizong, Renzong and his father, either died and disappeared, or could only become idle members of the royal family.

On the contrary, it was the Mu family, the adopted son of Emperor Taizu, who actually always held military power and was valued by every emperor who came to power.

Thinking of the loyalty of the Mu family, the emperor couldn't help but think of Mu Lin, who grew up in the palace. Then he thought of his father Mu Xi, and frowned slightly.

Xue Shao took the opportunity to mention: "I wonder how the second master of the Mu Mansion is doing. Pan Yun should be in Yunnan now, right?"

Zhu Qizhen calculated the time in his mind.

A letter just arrived today, it was sent by bird three days ago, saying that the team has entered Yunnan. The journey in Yunnan is difficult, but they should reach the Mu Mansion in three days, right?

Not there yet, but not far away.

The guide led them through a forest, and in front of them was an official road that could accommodate two ox carts.

Pan Yun stepped on it and almost burst into tears: "Finally I saw a wide official road."

Wang Cong and his companions nodded with tears in their eyes. They never thought that one day they would be so excited about a government road that could accommodate two ox carts.

The guide watched with a smile and said to the dusty people, "It's good to go into the city. Our city is very beautiful."

Pan Yun nodded.

Wang Cong: "Little Master, don't nod yet, have you been here before?"

Pan Yun: "I've been here in my dreams. It's spring all year round, with flowers blooming everywhere. It's so beautiful."

"Yes, yes, yes," the guide was delighted and said in broken Mandarin, "Our Yunnan is very beautiful. All the adults who have been here say it's good."

The Jinyiwei looked at the direction they came from with complicated expressions, "You don't dare to say it's bad, right?"

The journey was over mountains and across rivers. When we left Beijing, we had a horse-drawn carriage, but when we arrived in Yunnan, we had to unload the carriage and replace it with horses and walk.

The distance was obviously not very far, but it was difficult to walk. Even though I tried so hard, I still only walked less than 50 miles a day.

Once they got on the official road, they went much faster. After walking seven or eight miles, they finally saw the city wall.

Mu Yuan said excitedly: "Master Pan, we are here!"

Pan Jun also looked up at the tower not far away and sighed, "It's really rare~~"

There was someone waiting at the city gate. Mu Yuan had not returned to Yunnan for many years, otherwise he would not need a guide to lead the way.

After all, spring in Yunnan is still very dangerous.

The people from the Mu Mansion at the city gate were sitting together with the soldiers guarding the city. They saw a group of people walking on the official road, leading a number of horses in their hands, which was quite eye-catching.

The servant took two more glances and recognized the uniform of the Jinyiwei, and then recognized Mu Yuan.

He immediately jumped up, rushed over and hugged Mu Yuan together: "We have received a letter from the flying eagle. His Majesty has been so kind and has bestowed a doctor on you and ordered you and the Jinyiwei to escort him. The Left Commander ordered me to wait at the city gate, but you didn't show up no matter how much I waited."

Mu Yuan said: "We should have arrived two days earlier, but the bridge collapsed when we were crossing the river. Otherwise..."

He quickly glanced at Pan Yun and the Taoist priests from Longhu Mountain and said in a low voice, "If it weren't for the Taoist priests here, half of us would have been fed to the fish."

The servant was surprised and wanted to ask again, but Zhang Ziming said impatiently: "Didn't they say Mu Xi was dying? How come you still have time to chat here?"

The servants were displeased when they heard this, and the soldiers nearby also glared at Zhang Ziming.

Zhang Ziming looked puzzled and asked the leisurely Pan Yun: "Did I say something wrong? Don't you suspect that they are deliberately delaying time to harm Mu Xi?"

Pan Yun folded his hands and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? We haven't seen each other for many years. Besides, if someone is dead, then he is dead. If he died before I left, then he has nothing to do with me."

Mu Yuan and the servant's faces changed. Even the soldiers from the Mu Mansion next to them stared at the two of them with suspicion.

Mu Yuan did not dare to neglect it and said quickly: "Stop talking nonsense and take Taoist Pan to see the Left Governor."

The servant then quickly glanced at Pan Yun and stepped aside to invite them into the city.

Yunnan Prefecture City is indeed very prosperous. Most of the houses in the urban area are built of stone, and the roads are paved with bluestone bricks. It is clean, tidy and orderly.

Blooming flowers can be seen everywhere in the corners of houses and on both sides of the road. The vines crawling around the walls are also full of flowers, decorating the cold stone city with colorful and beautiful flowers.

There is a sense of liveliness in the quietness, and a sense of tranquility in the liveliness. The vendors and pedestrians on both sides of the road have smiles on their faces, and children are chasing and playing in the streets.

It can be seen that the Mu family governed Yunnan very well.

Pan Yun looked around while following the servant without stopping. He saw everything he should have seen, but his pace did not slow down at all.

The Mu Mansion is in the southwest of the city, and one needs to walk through many blocks to reach it.

As they passed by, everyone stared at them curiously.

It seemed that someone recognized the clothes An Chen and his friends were wearing. An ignorant child rushed out, picked up a stone and threw it at them, "Bad guys!"

An Chen turned his head suddenly to look.

A woman hugged the child, covered his mouth with one hand, slapped him hard on the butt twice with the other hand, then knelt down and apologized to An Chen.

Pan Yun looked back and said with a click of the tongue: "Has the bad reputation of the Jinyiwei spread here? Who was the Jinyiwei who was ordered to come to Yunnan last time? Cao Ye?" Pan Yun looked An Chen up and down and nodded: "Yeah, the clothes are similar, and the body shape is similar too."

An Chen's face darkened: "You said I look like Cao Ye?"

Jinyiwei Jia had become familiar with Pan Yun during this period of time, and said with a smile: "Master Pan, our General An is handsome and elegant, how can he be compared to that fat and big-eared Cao Ye?"

Pan Yun turned and left: "Children don't know the difference between beauty and ugliness, they only recognize clothes."

An Chen did not pursue the matter. He waved to the mother and son and followed closely.

A group of people came to Mu Mansion.

The servant asked them to wait in the hall while he went to inform the Left Commander first.

An Chen frowned: "Master Mu's condition is serious, why can't Master Pan go to see Master Mu now?"

The servant insisted: "The Second Master is now recuperating in a separate courtyard. If you want to go in, you must get the consent of the Left Governor."

An Chen looked at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun spread his hands indifferently: "I'll do whatever you want."

Seeing her indifferent look, the servants couldn't help but get angry.

He turned around and was about to go out to find General Zuo, but as soon as he took a step forward, he was kicked back by someone.

His body flew back, Pan Jun took three quick steps back, and he fell with a bang on the spot where she had just stood.

Pan Jun looked up with bright eyes, and met a face full of frost.

Both of them were stunned when they met.

Pan Jun was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses, nodded and smiled: "Mr. Mu."

The frost on Mu Lin's face disappeared, and he took two quick steps forward: "It's really you!"

He grabbed Pan Yun's hand and said, "Please save my father!"

"Where is he?"

Mu Lin pulled her and left: "Follow me."

Wang Cong stared at his hands, then hurriedly stepped forward to separate the two, holding Mu Lin's hand with one hand and Pan Yun's with the other, and repeatedly said, "Let's go, let's go together."

Mu Lin turned around and saw that it was him. He smiled broadly at him and said, "Brother Wang is here too. Come with me."

The group followed Mu Lin to a small courtyard in the northwest corner.

He got up from the ground only after all the servants who had been kicked down in the room had left. He rubbed his chest and gasped twice, then crawled to find Mu Ang.

"Left Commander, the eldest son has brought the Royal Guards and the Taoists to the courtyard."

Mu Ang was wiping his sword. Hearing this, he raised his eyes and asked, "How many Taoists are here?"

The servant said, "There are nine in total, but the leader is a very young female Taoist priest who looks even younger than the eldest son."

"Did the Royal Guards go there too?"

"Yes, all the people coming this time are from the Northern Pacification Division."

Mu Ang was silent for a moment and nodded slightly: "Okay, let them see it with their own eyes."

"But the Second Master is like that..."

"Lin'er never gives up, causing Erxi to suffer for several more days. Well, let him give up this time, so that Erxi can rest in peace soon."

The servant nodded his head and paused for a moment before tentatively asking, "Does the Left Commander want to go over and take a look?"

Mu Ang was silent even longer this time, so long that the servants thought they would not get an answer. He stood up with his knife in hand and said calmly, "Let's go and take a look."

The small courtyard is very remote and empty, surrounded by a ditch about one meter wide and two meters deep.

But there was no water in the gully; it was dry and filled with black ash from burns.

When Pan Yun walked across the gully on the wooden planks, he could smell a faint smell of protein, that is, the aroma of meat.

Still high in protein taste.

She paused and looked at the ravine again.

Mu Lin's face was grim as he said, "This is for insect repellent. Your talismans were not enough before, and the corpse worms in father's body rioted. Some of them drilled out of his skin and ran around, trying to find a new host. Grandfather had people dig trenches and use living people to attract the worms. When they entered the trenches, he burned them all with fire."

Pan Jun was surprised and couldn't help but look at Zhang Ziming.

Zhang Ziming also frowned. He had participated in the capture of the man who was carrying the corpse worms. He knew how painful it was for corpse worms to break out of the human body. He couldn't help but ask, "Is Mu Xi awake?"

Mu Lin: "My father is sometimes awake and sometimes asleep."

Zhang Ziming: "When he is awake..."

"Okay," Pan Yun interrupted him and said seriously, "You'll know when you see the person."

Mu Lin pushed open the door.

There were three strong servants inside the door. They were wearing armor and rattan masks on their faces. Their legs, feet, wrists and necks were all wrapped tightly.

Seeing Mu Lin bringing so many people, he was stunned for a moment, "Master, they..."

"They are here to see my father," Mu Lin turned around and said, "Master Pan, just a few of you can go in with me. The rest of you can stay outside. Although there are no bugs coming out now, you have no protection. Just in case, it is better to stay away."

An Chen said expressionlessly: "I am here on orders and must supervise. I will report to His Majesty after returning to the capital."

Pan Yun: "Then just follow me."

She looked at the other Jinyiwei.

They all took a step back, looking at her and An Chen with timidity and pleading in their eyes.

Pan Jun raised his eyebrows at them and said, "Just wait outside."

An Chen also agreed.

Pan Jun looked at Zhang Ziming and the other three.

Zhang Ziming urged, "Hurry up, there's no need to watch Zhang Weiyi and Xue Hua, let them gain some experience, as for him..."

Zhang Ziming glanced at Li Wenying and said, "He shouldn't be so cowardly and incompetent, right?"

Li Wenying walked around him and went inside.

Of course Wang Cong and his companions had to go in as well. This kind of disease was the only one of its kind in the world.

Regardless of whether the disease can be cured or not, it can be recorded in the medical records and the extraordinary events record of Sanqing Temple.

The room was very cool, which was a temperature that corpse worms liked very much.

Walking around the screen, Pan Jun saw the person lying on the bed.

Mu Xi was probably only about thirty years old, dressed in a plain white shirt, with a pale face and a thin figure lying on the bed. If his chest had not been slightly rising and falling and there was a slight breath coming out of his nose, she would have thought he was dead.

Because he has corpse qi. (End of this chapter)