I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 740 What’s so good about belly dancing!

"Concubine Song gave birth to the emperor's eldest son?"

Zhang Juzheng, who was in the Cabinet's Political Affairs Office, stood up suddenly, his face full of horror.

"Yes, teacher." Zeng Shengwu's forehead was still covered with white sweat, and he was breathing slightly. "The Imperial Household Department issued an edict, and the Ministry of Public Administration forwarded it to the Cabinet, the Military Government, the Lifanyuan and other central government offices as well as the localities. It also pointed out the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department, asking them to prepare for the sacrifice in the Fengxian Hall."

Zhang Juzheng murmured, "The emperor has a son, so he is going to Fengxian Hall to offer sacrifices to his ancestors."

The Taimiao is the ancestral temple, and the Fengxian Hall is the family temple.

Zeng Xingwu said softly: "Teacher, the eldest prince was born to Concubine Song."

"so what?"

"What if the queen gave birth to a princess?"

Zhang Juzheng put his hands behind his back, walked away from his desk, and paced slowly around the room.

"The Emperor is only eighteen years old, and the Empress is also young. They have a deep relationship and will definitely have children."

"Teacher, sometimes it is hard to defy God's will."

Zhang Juzheng turned around, his eyes sparkling, and said in a serious tone: "Sansheng, you should stay calm when facing major events!"

Zeng Xingwu smiled awkwardly, "That's what the teacher taught. It's just that the students have calmed down, but some people can't calm down."

"So what if they can't calm down? Is this something they can control?" Zhang Juzheng said earnestly, "Sansheng, you must remember that in the future, when you encounter national affairs, even military affairs, you must make decisions promptly and dare to express your opinions.

But when it comes to matters concerning the Emperor's harem and offspring, you must think twice."

Zeng Xingwu said hesitantly, "Teacher, there is no private matter in heaven."

Zhang Juzheng said angrily: "There is no private matter in the royal family, but how can you and I control it?

Sanxing, don't learn from those pedantic Confucian scholars who haven't even managed state and family affairs and their own affairs, yet dare to interfere in the affairs of the emperor's harem and offspring.

What does it mean to do one's duty? The ministers should do their duty and not overstep their boundaries. The harem and the heirs are related to the foundation of the country, so the emperor will take care of them.

If it is not done properly and affects state affairs, we, as ministers, will give honest and frank advice.”

Zeng Xingwu agreed with this and bowed, "Thank you for your teachings, teacher."

Zhang Juzheng accepted the gift calmly.

"Teacher, the Imperial Household Department has also issued an order."

"What's the purpose?"

"The emperor has ordered the investigation of the counterfeit silver dollar case jointly handled by Shuntian Prefecture and the Ministry of Justice to be thoroughly investigated and severely punished. In addition, the case of Shenwu Society has been ordered to be strictly investigated for tax evasion and tax avoidance, and to be dealt with together with the cases of counterfeiting silver dollars, private possession of firearms, and disrespect beyond the regulations.

He also named the ten marquises and earls, namely Marquis Wuding, Marquis Funing, Marquis Yongkang, Marquis Fengcheng, Marquis Dingyuan, Marquis Ningyang, Earl Xinning, Marquis Huaining, Earl Yingcheng and Earl Nanhe, as the main culprits.

Zeng Xingwu asked: "Teacher, what does the emperor mean?"

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile: "The crackdown on the noble families has come to an end. The ten named dukes and barons are like chickens that scare monkeys. Their titles will be stripped and their property confiscated."

Zeng Xingwu was shocked. "Teacher, the emperor flew into a rage in Taiji Hall that day, angrily accusing the Shenwu Society of forming a clique and plotting rebellion, and also mentioned the Gaopingling Incident. How did he change so suddenly?"

"Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from heaven!

When the Emperor in Taiji Hall angrily denounced the Gaopingling Incident that day, he was warning the old nobles and intimidating the new nobles, telling them to behave themselves in the future and not to have any unreasonable thoughts.

How could the emperor punish the nobles for treason? If the nobles who had been favored by the emperor and were one with the country all committed treason, what kind of reputation would the emperor leave in history? Emperor Yang of Ming?

Three provinces, the emperor dealt with the royal family in the same way before. The royal family members who were expelled and severely punished were all charged with not following the etiquette of a minister, exceeding the rules, harming the people, and wantonly occupying good farmland. Which one of them was treason?"

Zeng Xingwu nodded in understanding, "So that's how it is. A few days ago, the nobles were in a state of panic, as if they had lost their parents and were about to face a disaster. I really thought something big was going to happen."

"They were confused by the authorities, but they soon came to their senses. The Duke of Chengguo and the Marquis of Zhenyuan issued an imperial decree to present golden fish maw and golden swiftlet nest to Concubine Song. The prince of Dingguo was the first to report a fake silver dollar case. Once these two things were done, they passed the test with the emperor."

"Passed?"

"The Emperor must have long been displeased with certain nobles. The chaos in the capital is all due to them. And they have previously occupied the land of the garrisons and the people, and opened mines without permission. Do you think the Emperor doesn't know about all these bad deeds?

I have kept them all in mind, and now I am going to settle both old and new accounts. I guess the emperor has already laid out this big chess game, and it is time to see who is smart and who is stubborn. "

Zeng Xingwu shook his head: "It is hard to predict the will of the emperor."

"The emperor's intention is hard to predict? That is the trouble of treacherous villains, the three provinces should not learn from it. In fact, the emperor's intention is very easy to predict!"

"Please teach me, teacher."

"As long as you work hard and do practical things that benefit the country and the people, even if you poke a hole in the sky, the emperor will help you hold it up."

Zeng Xingwu bowed and said, "Teacher, I am grateful for your teaching."

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and continued, "You know the emperor's schemes and tactics in this matter, but I saw the schemes and tactics of another person."

"Teacher, who is it?"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Zeng Shengwu and said leisurely, "Pan Fengwu."

"Him? Why did the teacher say that?"

"Pan Fengwu was the first to understand the emperor's intentions and launched the Fenglei Operation, vigorously investigating tax evasion and tax avoidance. Through this line, all the dirty deeds of the noble families were uncovered, and he helped the emperor set the stage and even played the villain on stage.

Just now I said that Duke Cheng and Marquis Zhenyuan suddenly woke up from their confusion, and someone must have pointed them out. "

"Teacher said that Pan Fengwu played the villain on stage, but secretly played the villain backstage?"

"A play must have both a white face and a red face, only then will it be exciting and continue to be performed."

"Pan Fengwu played both the red and white roles, which is really amazing." Zeng Shengwu thought for a while and raised his doubts, "Teacher, you just said that Duke Cheng and Marquis Zhenyuan presented fish maw and bird's nest, and also reported the fake silver dollar case, how did it get through the emperor?
The students didn’t quite understand.”

"Who is behind Concubine Song?"

"In reply to your question, the people behind Concubine Song are Yang Jinshui, the Supervisor of the Imperial Household, and the Southeast faction, but the nobles should be on the side of the Queen, so I am puzzled."

"As Sun Tzu's Art of War says, 'If you are capable, show that you are incapable; if you are going to use something, show that you are not going to use it.' The noble families presented fish maw and bird's nest to the imperial concubine. If the empress said a few words to the emperor, wouldn't it be that the noble families were following the empress's wishes and showing goodwill to the imperial concubine?

Sometimes showing goodwill is just to show your stance! "

Yes, showing goodwill is to show goodwill. Why do we need to show goodwill? Because we are not in the same group with you, so we need to show goodwill.

Zeng Xingwu understood everything immediately. "The nobles expressed goodwill to the imperial concubine to show the emperor that they stood on the side of the queen and were willing to protect the queen and the legitimate prince."

"Yes. When the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, he chose Xue as the Crown Princess. Wasn't that his intention?"

"The prince of Dingguo came forward to report the fake silver case, which means that they have severed ties with some of the nobles who committed crimes. With a two-pronged approach, they were able to pass the test with the emperor."

Zhang Juzheng nodded with a smile.

"Teacher, the nobles may have received advice from Pan Fengwu to do this?"

"Yes."

"Pan Fengwu is not from the Southeastern lineage, why not take advantage of the opportunity?"

"Why not take this opportunity to capture all the nobles in one fell swoop?"

"Yes, teacher."

"When the cunning rabbit is killed, the running dog is cooked. Moreover, Hu Ruzhen, Tan Zili, Qi Yuanjing, Yu Zhifu and others are from the southeast, but they were all awarded titles for their military merits. Do you think they are from the southeast or the noble faction?
Smart people always leave a way out for themselves.”

“Students are taught.”

Zhang Juzheng added: "After Shuntian Prefecture dealt with the tax evasion and tax avoidance cases, the Fenglei Operation was upgraded to vigorously investigate and deal with the gangsters and gang forces that were rampant in the capital and the counties surrounding the capital, to pacify the local areas and allow the people to live and work in peace.

Sansheng, you are the Tongzhengshi, and you have the responsibility to report and coordinate all parties. You can completely use the name of Tongzhengshi to write to the Ministry of Justice, Jinyiwei, Ministry of War, and the Beijing Camp Commandery to help Shuntian Prefecture's Fenglei Operation. "

Teacher, what do you mean?
Oh, I understand a little bit.

The teacher already believed that Pan Yinglong had the potential of a latent dragon and would one day soar into the sky, so he asked me to show goodwill to him.

The teacher just said that showing goodwill is sometimes a way of showing one's position.
Zeng Xingwu bowed and said, "Teacher, I remember this. I will do it right away when I get back to the Ministry of Public Security."

In the flower hall of Duke Chengguo's mansion, Zhu Xizhong, Zhu Xixiao, Gu Huan, Xue Han, Tang Shilong, Song Shien, Wu Jijie and others gathered together again. In addition to the "great contributor" Lu Tong, there was also Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi.

He was ordered to go to Yongling to take care of Huang Jin's funeral, and now he is back.

Zhu Xizhong stroked his beard and said, "The Imperial Household Department has issued an order, and the Ministry of Public Administration has forwarded it to all government offices. Have you all seen it?"

"I saw it."

Xu Wenbi cupped his hands and said, "This time, thanks to the coordination of Duke Chengguo and Marquis Zhenyuan, and the cooperation of all the comrades, we were able to avoid this disaster."

Zhu Xizhong waved his hands. "Now that I think about it, it was the Emperor who was warning us. The Imperial Concubine and the Queen were both pregnant, but we remained indifferent and delayed in making our stance clear. We deserve this beating."

Wu Jijue muttered, "If you want us to make our position clear, the emperor can just say one word and we'll obey immediately. Why do you have to resort to this trick?"

Lu Tong next to him immediately said: "Attitude, this is a matter of attitude!"

"What attitude problem?" Wu Jijue was confused.

Zhu Xizhong and Gu Huan looked at each other.

Yes, when the emperor was the prince of Yu, Lu Tong followed Hu Zongxian and Tan Lun and became the heir of the royal family. They had very close contacts and often received "personal teachings" from the emperor.

Just by listening to the new words he uttered, you could tell that he was deeply influenced by the emperor.

These are what our old noble families lack the most!

Zhu Xizhong said amiably, "Marquis Runing, the attitude problem you mentioned is not only not understood by Marquis Gongshun, but we also don't quite understand it. Please explain it to us."

Xu Wenbi and Gu Huan also said with a smile: "Yes, please ask Marquis Runing to explain it to us."

Seeing the three veteran nobles being so humble, Lu Tan was overjoyed.

I was considered stupid among the new nobles, but when I ran to this group of old nobles, I was actually asked for advice respectfully!

This old man is so vain.

Satisfied, extremely satisfied.

Lu Tong stroked his beard, the smugness on his face almost jumping onto the face of Wu Jijue next to him, but he said modestly, "I am just learning how to speak, it's not like I'm asking for advice."

"The attitude problem is actually whether you are doing it with your heart. Whether you do something well or not is not the first thing to consider. The first thing is whether you are doing it with your heart.

It’s like when we were fighting against the Japanese pirates in the southeast, the pirates attacked everywhere, we ran around to deal with them, we were exhausted and complained a lot.

The emperor reprimanded us and said that our attitude was not right.

Why do we suppress the Japanese pirates? To protect our country and our people, and to prevent the people living along the coast from suffering from war. We are just a little tired and hard-working, but if the people encounter the Japanese pirates, their families will be destroyed.

Scolding us for not taking the people into our hearts and forgetting our responsibilities...

After the Emperor's several reprimands and instructions, our entire army, both land and sea, did not ask how many enemies there were, but where they were.

hiss--!
I've always heard that the emperor is strict in military discipline, but I didn't expect him to be so strict. No wonder the brat in my house has a completely different spirit and energy after going to the army for training. So this is how it is.

Wu Jijue suddenly said, "After saying so much, why don't you just stop talking nonsense and do it.

But I still don’t understand, what does this have to do with our statement? ”

Lu Xu rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to talk any more to this blockhead.

Xu Wenbi said: "Marquis Runing has made it very clear. Everything should be based on the heart. If the heart is sincere, then the matter will be right..."

Wu Jijue opened his mouth slightly.

Duke Dingguo, why do I become even more confused after hearing what you said?

Xue Han spoke up, "Old Lu means that you don't have that intention. Who knows which side you will stand on when the time comes?"

Wu Jijue slapped his thigh and said, "The father-in-law really put it very clearly, I understood it as soon as I heard it.

This is a question of attitude. It is the same as what I learned when I was a kid: 'Do not commit a small evil, and do not refrain from doing a small good.'"

This is getting more and more off topic.

Lu Xu waved his hand and said, "It's up to you. You can understand it however you want. I don't care."

Xue Han continued: "I am to blame for this. My wife came to the palace earlier and brought back the words of the Queen. Now that I think about it, the Queen reminded me to take my old brothers to the Emperor to express his position.

Alas, it’s all my fault for being stupid and not understanding the meaning.

And my daughter, when she was a girl, she was so straightforward. But now that she has become the queen, she doesn't talk to me properly anymore and keeps talking in riddles.

It’s true that she’s playing a riddle, but I, her old father, must have the ability to solve it.”

Everyone laughed together.

Old fox!
How come you can't solve the riddle your daughter gave you?
You kept silent because you didn't want to be the first to come forward and make others think that you were relying on your status as the father-in-law of the emperor to lead a noble family.

No wonder you, who are always impatient, were so calm during this major crisis.

I thought you were fearless because you claimed to be the father-in-law of the country, but it turns out you already knew how your son-in-law would fight!

It made us worry for so many days.

We must be treated to three days of food, drink and entertainment at Zuifenglou to ease the hatred in our hearts!

The flower hall was filled with a cheerful atmosphere. Wu Jijue stood up suddenly and clapped his palms together, making a popping sound.

"Peace be upon us, let's go to Nanyuan!"

Song Shien and others immediately jumped up and responded loudly.

"Okay, it is said that a group of Persian and Ottoman beauties have come to Chun'e Pavilion and they can do belly dancing."

"What dance?"

"Belly dancing means dancing with your belly button exposed."

"Tsk, what's so good about a belly button?"

"Well, if you look at me for a second longer, I'll poison you and make you blind!"

Xu Wenbi said in a panic, "This isn't appropriate."

Everyone turned to look at him, "What's wrong?"