Wanli Ming Emperor

Chapter 208: Expressing one's feelings and deceiving the world

Since the concubine in the harem was pregnant, the emperor naturally could no longer stay in the military camp.

But even so, Zhu Yijun still waited until all the reward silver in the several large boxes in front of him was distributed before waving goodbye and leaving calmly.

Only after leaving the Beijing camp did he put on a smiling face, walk quickly, and hurried back to the palace.

Apparently, the emperor was not the only one who was happy about this.

On the way back to the palace, court officials frequently stopped him to congratulate him, which made him very annoyed.

Especially when they arrived at the Daming Gate, which was the place where various offices were gathered, no one knew who started it, but officials from the ministries, yamen, temples and departments swarmed forward to present their congratulatory messages.

Immediately afterwards, he met the court officials returning to the government office after court was over.

The entire Qianbu Gallery was packed with people.

In desperation, Zhu Yijun had to keep the eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department and the Secretariat to accept the congratulatory message. He forced a smile and exchanged a few words with Shen Shixing and others who were leaving the court, then left and rushed to the Western Garden.

Only after entering the Meridian Gate did things finally calm down.

"With this kind of scene, I'm afraid someone will cry and yell for help. One by one, they're more excited than if they had a baby."

Zhu Yijun wiped the sweat from his forehead, recalled the scene just now, and couldn't help muttering something.

Sun Long followed closely behind the emperor. Although he did not understand the first half of the sentence, he still came to the emperor and congratulated him: "This is all thanks to your majesty's heavenly virtue."

"If the people inside and outside the court had not supported Your Majesty, I am afraid I would never have the chance to see such a scene in my lifetime."

It can be said to be flattery, or it can be said to be the real truth.

The Queen Mother kept Prince Lu as her servant, and was disturbed by reports from the Ministry of Rites all day long; Prince Zheng was invited to the capital by the Emperor himself, but was still often threatened in private by court officials; and now that there is a pregnancy in the harem, the court officials are so ecstatic, aren't these all the result of people's hearts being loyal to the Emperor?

Zhu Yijun smiled.

He naturally understood what these people were thinking. Having an emperor's successor was not only a family matter, but also a national affair.

The emperor's offspring may not affect the length of his reign, but it will definitely affect the duration of his political life.

And now that Concubine Wu is pregnant, it at least proves that Zhu Yijun has no problem with his fertility.

The court officials were all whispering about the baby in Concubine Wu's belly, but in fact, they were excited about the further consolidation of the New Party's position - an emperor of seventeen years and four months with normal fertility would, if nothing unexpected happened, have at least twenty to thirty years to live.

"When did Concubine Wu become pregnant? What did the imperial physician say?"

Considering that Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis may not be accurate, Zhu Yijun confirmed again.

Sun Long blurted out, "Jieyu Wu's last menstruation was on October 13th, and she hasn't had her period since then. I went to see the imperial physician in the middle of last month to check her pulse, but it wasn't until today that I could feel her pulse clearly."

Zhu Yijun listened carefully and nodded silently.

In late October, he had sex with Concubine Wu.

If pregnancy has been around forty to fifty days, Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis is relatively accurate.

"The imperial physician who diagnosed the patient's pulse will be rewarded an additional ten taels of silver." Zhu Yijun instructed Sun Long, "Also, tell the Imperial Hospital not to prescribe those medicines to stabilize the fetus and replenish qi for Concubine Wu."

All medicines are toxic, especially those that have not been double-blind tested and whose effects are unknown, and even more so for the fetus.

It’s best not to use nature.

Sun Long just thought that the emperor was suspicious and didn't trust the Imperial Medical Bureau, so he didn't think anything else about it.

After he answered yes, he thought for a moment and then asked, "Your Majesty, what about the medicinal food?"

Zhu Yijun immediately shook his head: "Food supplements are enough."

Sun Long took note of it silently.

Zhu Yijun was very confident in Sun Long.

Unlike eunuchs such as Zhang Hong and Li Jin, Sun Long was more thoroughly Confucianized.

He is not only "well-versed in literature", but also a person of integrity.

In the past few years, when he was in charge of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau, he was rarely corrupt and had a very good reputation among both the literati and the people. He was even praised as "calm and elegant, and he gets things done without disturbing the people."

It can be said that his moral articles are more convincing when read than those of some scholars and officials.

Zhu Yijun also instructed on some related matters.

The group talked as they walked, and soon arrived at Xiyuan.

"Are the two queen mothers in Qianguang Palace?" Zhu Yijun asked casually.

Sun Long stepped forward quickly and said, "Your Majesty, the two Empress Dowagers are now burning incense and praying for blessings in the Qingfu Palace with Concubine Wu."

As he spoke, he quickly walked up to the emperor and led the way.

……

Western Garden, in the Qingfu Palace.

Qingfu Hall was built in the Western Garden during the Jiajing period and was used by Emperor Shizong to worship the Taoist ancestor.

After the death of Emperor Shizong, most of it was demolished. It was not until the Longqing period that Emperor Muzong, who favored the now Empress Dowager Li, made some minor repairs and added statues of Buddha, Bodhisattva, etc.

Nowadays, it has become a special place for concubines who are unable to leave the palace frequently to seek truth and worship Buddha.

When Zhu Yijun arrived, there was loud Buddhist chanting in the hall and the place was filled with smoke and fire.

Wu Jieyu knelt on the cushion in front of the Buddha statue with her hands clasped together.

Empress Dowager Li held a pure bottle and a willow branch in her hand and sprinkled nectar on Concubine Wu's head.

Empress Dowager Chen was burning scriptures to the Great Emperor Zhenwu and bowing to him.

When the eunuchs and palace maids saw the emperor enter the palace, they hurriedly saluted.

"His Majesty."

"Long live the Lord."

Zhu Yijun stretched out his hands and fanned in front of him, asking everyone to stand up while also clearing away the incense in front of them.

He walked up to the two queens, bowed respectfully to the two queens who had their backs to him, and said, "I greet you, mother."

The two palaces turned a deaf ear to it.

It was not until Empress Dowager Chen bowed to the Taoist Master that she turned around and looked at the Emperor.

She smiled and stretched out her hand to help the emperor up, nodding her head and saying, "I'm in good health."

Empress Dowager Li also finished ordering the nectar and put down the bottle in her hand.

She walked up to the emperor and complained, "I should be the one asking about the emperor's well-being. He was assassinated, but he didn't even come back to the palace to let me know that he was safe."

As she spoke, Empress Dowager Li stretched out her hand and rubbed the emperor's arm: "How is it? Are you hurt? Do you want the imperial physician to take another look?"

Seeing this, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but feel a little warm - Empress Dowager Li didn't understand what it meant to take advantage of the opportunity to change the system, she was only concerned about her son's health.

He held down the hand that Empress Dowager Li had pinched so hard that it hurt, and said gently, "Don't worry, mother. I'm fine."

Empress Dowager Li was unwilling to let it go and insisted, "No, we need to call the imperial physician to take a look."

"I heard that Emperor Wuzong said nothing happened after he fell into the water..."

Zhu Yijun was helpless. Wuzong was coughing up blood, so how could it be the same?

But he didn't insist, and readily agreed: "Okay, okay, I'll call the imperial physician tomorrow to have a thorough inspection."

Only then did Empress Dowager Li let go of her hand.

At this time, Concubine Wu also came over and bowed to the emperor in a soft voice: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Zhu Yijun turned his head and looked.

After four years, Wu's appearance has not changed at all, her eyebrows are as dark as green mountains, and her wrists are as white as frost and snow.

When her eyes looked at him, they seemed to be full of charm, captivating his soul.

It's really worth watching.

It took Zhu Yijun a while to come back to his senses.

He quickly stretched out his hands and gently supported Wu Jieyu: "You might as well go slower since you are pregnant."

It's almost like saying don't make it so drastic, just do it as a gesture.

Empress Dowager Chen's smile remained unchanged: "The emperor has been married for more than four years and has conceived a Yuanying, which is a great blessing for the country."

"To ensure a safe birth, the Emperor should also pay respect to the World Honored Taoist Ancestor."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Li also nodded, then turned around and asked someone to bring the incense for worship, and personally handed it to the emperor.

Zhu Yijun knew that going against his parents based on traditional customs would not end well, so he took the incense neatly and bowed respectfully without any rejection.

He muttered to himself, "Old Buddha Taizu Gaohuangdi, Zhenwu Chengzu Wenhuangdi, Feixuan Shizong Suhuangdi..."

Pray, burn incense, and bow.

Zhu Yijun handled the affairs of the two Empress Dowagers fluently and meticulously.

Then he turned around and whispered to Wu: "The palace is filled with smoke and fog. Concubine, please go outside to get some fresh air first."

Wu Jieyu had been in the palace for several years, so she naturally understood things.

Knowing that the emperor wanted to discuss serious matters with the two palaces, she bowed and quietly retreated.

"I, your mother, intend to donate 5,000 taels of silver to build a temple for the goddess in Zhuozhou with the Ministry of Works to pray for the birth of the child in Concubine Wu's belly."

"Mother, last year, Zhao Canlu, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, surrendered to the emperor for this matter. He said that he would give out money to build a temple to worship Buddha and pray for blessings. This is all nonsense. The northern barbarians and the southern invaders have ruined the area. Paying taxes and dredging rivers, selling wives and children, how can we avert disaster? This really makes me embarrassed. In my opinion, it is better to do less than more. Let's build bridges and roads. The bridges over Huliang River and outside the northern pass have been in disrepair for many years..."

"...It is too early to offer sacrifices. I just asked the consort Xu Congcheng to go to the Temple of Heaven and Earth to pray for blessings."

"It will be inconvenient for Concubine Wu to stay with the Queen Mother. She should move to Suyu Palace..."

As Concubine Wu slowly walked out of the hall, the noise from the inner room became quieter and quieter.

She stood at the palace gate for a while.

It was not until the eunuch came over to put on her cloak that she came to her senses, walked down the stairs, and silently looked up at the snowy scene.

The snow scene has always been appreciated by both the elite and the masses, and it is beautiful beyond words.

After a while, she was lost in thought.

I don’t know how much time passed.

"What are you looking at?"

A voice sounded in her ears, and Concubine Wu suddenly came back to her senses.

Only then did they discover that the door of Qingfu Palace was wide open and the ceremonial guards of the two palaces had disappeared.

Only the emperor stood beside him, looking in the direction he was looking.

She subconsciously wanted to salute.

But the emperor hugged her body.

"I just told you, sister, move slower."

Zhu Yijun held Concubine Wu's waist and said softly, "The two queen mothers just told me that from now on, sister will move to Suyu Palace and no longer need to serve by my side."

"Sister, please follow me back to Wanshou Palace and wait for Suyu Palace to be cleaned up."

Concubine Wu's eyelashes trembled slightly: "The green forest and emerald green are deeper than the shower, they are always the rain and dew of heaven, all of which are the grace of Your Majesty, I am really ashamed to accept it."

"Besides, there is nothing wrong with serving the Empress Dowager Cisheng. It also saves a lot of trouble."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but smile when he heard this.

After greeting the eunuchs accompanying him, he took Wu and walked hand in hand in the direction of Wanshou Palace: "There is nothing to be ashamed of. Love is love, and gratitude is gratitude. The former only needs to be understood by sister, and the latter needs to be observed by outsiders."

"If I don't reward my sister, outsiders will gossip about it."

"As for my sister and her parents, I will also give them some rewards."

After hearing this, Concubine Wu's face showed a hint of tenderness.

The emperor's mouth was hard to resist at any time. The two walked very slowly, and Wu Jieyu leaned against the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I am not retreating to advance. It is because of the sudden grace bestowed upon me that I am afraid I will forget my reason and lose your favor."

Having said that, Zhu Yijun realized something.

He frowned and asked, "Did someone in your family commit a crime?"

Concubine Wu was silent for a moment and nodded slowly.

The complex expression of exposing his wife's family was vividly displayed on his delicate face, which made me feel pity for him.

Seeing his appearance, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Fortunately, with Wu Qingbo always holding him back, he has become much more resistant to this kind of thing.

Zhu Yijun did not have much of a reproachful look on his face, and continued to ask in a gentle voice: "Sister, tell me first."

Wu Jieyu pursed her lips and said, "Last month, my period did not come. In addition to calling the imperial physician to check my pulse, I also complained to my mother."

"Who would have thought that after my father heard about it, he went back and told everyone that I must be pregnant with a dragon seed."

Zhu Yijun put his arm around Concubine Wu's shoulders and listened quietly.

"The day before yesterday, my mother came to the palace and told me that the mansion has been crowded with people recently, and people have been giving away land and silver one after another."

"Even the Yansheng family came to visit us and falsely put part of the land in Shuntian Prefecture in the name of my family."

As Concubine Wu spoke, she carefully examined the emperor's expression.

Zhu Yijun was well-informed and there was no anger on his face.

He only showed a rare trace of surprise: "The Kong family also has land in Shuntian Prefecture!?"

Of course he knew that the Kong family had annexed land.

In recent years, Prince De has sent people to Beijing every year to complain, saying that Kong Shangxian occupied 9,000 acres of the prince's palace and refused to return it.

In the fourth year of the Wanli reign, Prince Lu also submitted a memorial to accuse Kong Shangxian of instigating the local tyrants to seize land in Qufu, Yuncheng, Yanggu and other places.

There was also the imperial censor Xu Sanxing who submitted a memorial saying that a fight broke out between the Kong family and the wealthy and powerful over land in Zou County, in which seven servants and wanderers died.

Kong Shangxian, the magistrate of Zou County, confused right and wrong, used public resources for personal gain, sentenced his opponents to prison, and seized their land.

Because of all these troubles, Wang Xilie, the governor of Shandong, went against the majority opinion and requested to dismiss the hereditary magistrate of Zou County from the Kong family. He ordered the co-magistrate of Yanzhou Prefecture to manage the county affairs, and the magistrate only had jurisdiction over the Lin Temple.

It is precisely for this reason that even though Wang Xilie died suddenly in office and devoted his life to his work, he was still completely discredited in Shandong.

Zhu Yijun had long wanted to take action against these evildoers in the Kong family.

There is no better time than now to take down the Kong family business and rescue Confucius.

In fact, during this land measurement, the Kong family was the top priority.

However, he originally thought that the Kong family was only rampant in Shandong.

I didn’t expect that it was merged into Shuntian Prefecture!

It turns out that the land in the name of Chongzhen's father-in-law that Li Zicheng divided among the tenants in history actually belonged to the Kong family!
Wu Jieyu responded to the emperor's words carefully: "Your Majesty, I don't know much about the other counties in Shuntian Prefecture. The Yansheng family only entrusted 14,300 acres of Wuqing County to my father."

"I hope your majesty will forgive me!"

Zhu Yijun snorted through his nose.

Huairou Earl was beaten to death in the county government office because he occupied more than a thousand acres of land. Now it seems that he probably felt that his death was unjust.

No wonder Liu Shiyan felt indignant for Shi Guangzu.

It's really like a small witch compared to a big witch.

Seeing the anxious look Wu Jieyu gave him, Zhu Yijun put away his thoughts: "I know. Sister, you can tell me this, which shows that husband and wife are one, even more than the mother's family. How can I blame you?"

"Don't worry, sister. I have my own plan for this matter."

The emperor stroked Concubine Wu's head in his arms and spoke softly.

But he turned his head and glanced at Sun Long behind him.

Sun Long, who was accompanying the emperor, saw the emperor's slightly narrowed eyes, understood what he meant, and retreated silently.

……

into the night.

The Wanshou Palace was brightly lit.

Zhu Yijun was still writing quickly at his desk.

After spending a few days in the Beijing camp, naturally there were a lot of memorials piled up.

Even if he sat there from lunch until nightfall, there was still a pile of memorials on the table as high as a small mountain.

After three years of examinations, Grand Secretary Shen Shixing completed his studies and gave his son a title of nobility.

Also, Minister of Revenue Wang Guoguang was appointed as the Prince's Grand Tutor.

In addition, the former Minister of Rites, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion Ma Ziqiang was granted the right to build a memorial archway.

The Imperial Horse Supervisor accepted Zhang Cheng's proposal and transferred it to the Imperial Household Department, which selected another 3,000 castrated horses and sent them to the Supervisor for training in preparation for protecting the emperor.

Zhu Junzha, the King of Shanyin, was given a copy of the Collected Commentaries on the Four Books and the Five Classics, and the academy he built was named Leshan. Zhu Yunhua, the Lieutenant of the Auxiliary State, was given a copy of the Collected Commentaries on Algebra and the Elements of Geometry, and the blast furnace he built was named Anshan.

Grant funeral to Yang Lie, the former envoy of Bozhou, in accordance with the request of his son Yang Yinglong.

He ordered Jinghai Earl Zhu Shitai, who was stationed at the Longjiang Shipyard, to protect the Ministry of Works and the Grain Transport Office and to test-run ocean-going vessels.

All of the above are matters that the cabinet cannot handle and can only be reviewed by the emperor himself.

As I reviewed each and every item, time passed quickly.

kindness?
Zhu Yijun was flipping through a memorial when he subconsciously let out a puzzled sound.

He looked at Zhang Hong, who was holding the lamp, and asked, "Prince Lu is going to leave the palace and go back to his residence?"

Zhang Hong looked at his nose and his heart: "I said it the day before yesterday. I think he just finished drafting the memorial today."

Zhu Yijun paused.

After a moment, he sighed, "Did the Queen Mother agree?"

In fact, he didn't mind his younger brother taking a few more years of classes in the main hall. He was not Jianwen, let alone Daizong. Lu Wang, his obedient younger brother, had no right to be so strict.

However, the people under his command were wholeheartedly devoted to helping the king, and he couldn't be stubborn and self-willed in such matters.

Zhang Hong nodded: "After learning that Concubine Wu was pregnant, Empress Dowager Cisheng agreed."

Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhang Hong silently.

This is a chronological order, but not necessarily a causal order.

Since Zhang Hong could say this, it can only be said that as the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, he probably played a big role in this matter.

Zhu Yijun knew it well, but he didn't point it out. He just picked up the red pen and lightly made a mark on the memorial: "Let the Ministry of Works choose the site for the palace."

Zhang Hong hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, should the palace pay for the money?"

"Yesterday, Empress Dowager Cisheng went to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for 200,000 taels of silver for the Prince of Lu's residence and Princess Shouyang's wedding, but she was turned away by the Ministry of Revenue."

Princess Shouyang's third sister Zhu Yao'e will be sixteen next year and will soon be of wedding age.

In addition, Prince Lu’s mansion was a huge expense.

Zhu Yijun was stunned: "Isn't there still 1.9 million taels in the palace?"

Zhang Hong was speechless for a moment.

After a moment, he carefully pointed out: "Your Majesty, in the sixth year of Longqing, there were still 3.7 million taels of silver in the palace..."

A net profit of 1.8 million taels in eight years...

Zhu Yijun scratched his neck.

After a moment, he waved his hand and said, "For this case of Liu Shiyan's treason, do not let outsiders share the property confiscated. Use it to support these two items."

Only then did Zhang Hong let out a long sigh.

"There is also Princess Shouyang's marriage. Otomo will ask the Ministry of Rites to start looking for a consort tomorrow."

Only to hear the emperor give orders again.

This was the obvious implication of the question, so Zhang Hong naturally responded respectfully.

Just then.

There was a noise outside the palace.

Zhang Hong apologized and retreated.

Zhu Yijun didn't care and continued to review his memorial.

After a while, Zhang Hong led Jiang Keqian back.

"His Majesty."

Zhu Yijun asked without even raising his head, "Have you found out what happened?"

Jiang Keqian said without hesitation: "I have checked it out. What Concubine Wu said is true."

Zhu Yijun raised his head and stopped writing with the red brush in his hand.

Jiang Keqian paused, and then continued, "Moreover, in addition to Concubine Wu's family, the Kong family also approached the Queen's family and gave half of the 30,000 acres of fertile land in Shuntian Prefecture to the Liu family."

"This is Kong Chengde's confession."

After saying that, he took out a stack of documents from his sleeve.

In addition to the fingerprints and signatures, there are also some bloodstains, which show the physical pain Kong Chengde suffered.

Zhang Hong walked over with small steps, took the confession in his hands, and presented it respectfully before the emperor.

Zhu Yijun looked at it silently for a moment and did not answer it.

"Ugh."

Zhu Yijun let out a long sigh.

No wonder they say every inch has its own merits.

Zhu Yijun, who had no idea about the infighting in the harem, only realized at this moment what it meant to be caught off guard.

He asked Jiang Keqian softly, "Does Concubine Wu know that the Queen's family has received land?"

Jiang Keqian hesitated for a moment and replied in an uncertain tone: "Maybe I don't know, but according to Kong Chengde's confession, the two families should be able to guess something about each other."

Zhu Yijun nodded slowly. After he understood what was going on, he did not continue to dwell on the affairs of the harem.

"What about the Yan and Meng families?"

Sage families are generally not allowed to enter the capital at will.

Even if you want to go to Beijing to do business, you must get permission from the court.

This year, three families came to Beijing at the invitation of the Ministry of Rites. "Fortunately, you have a chance to study. Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian, Doctors of the Five Classics Yan Sishen and Meng Yanpu, as well as five members of the Kong clan and two members of the Yan and Meng clans, should all take the imperial edict to Beijing."

Jiang Keqian nodded: "I'm not sure about the details."

"However, according to Kong Chengde, the Yan and Meng families also have some land in Shuntian Prefecture, but not much."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but sigh.

Otherwise, why is it that Dutian has never received support from public opinion?
How could these wealthy and powerful people, who were disguised as saintly families and led the annexation, support the land transfer?
Zhu Yijun turned to look at Zhang Hong: "Where is He Xinyin now?"

After being left alone for so long, it's time to meet him.

Zhang Hong thought for a moment and replied, "He is still on trial in Shuntian Prefecture. Does Your Majesty want to summon him?"

Zhu Yijun hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Let him come to the palace to see the emperor tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)