I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 953 No good banquet
When Zhu Yijun was offering sacrifices to his ancestors at the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Yang Jinshui hosted a banquet for more than 60 old friends at the Yaoyue Pavilion on the banks of the Wusong River outside Shanghai.

These old friends were all down-and-out merchants and frustrated literati whom he recruited from various places when he was ordered to go to the southeast to run the Coordination Office. After several trials and tribulations, they developed with the Coordination Office, the Donation Bureau and the Shaofu Supervisor.

There were four or five hundred people at the beginning. Gradually, some people felt that the future was bleak and the risks were too high, so they left early. Now their thighs are all purple from slapping their hands.

Some people gradually fell behind, became unknown, and became a cog in the huge organization of the Shaofujian.

Some people stood out and became important officials in the court, such as Pan Yinglong, Liu Yupu, Li Sancai and Lin Zeyou.

Some of them have shown their talents and become the backbone of the Shaofujian, in charge of various industries in the southeast such as industry and commerce, finance, insurance, etc. The more than 60 people invited to the banquet today are some of them.

Among the guests, the most eye-catching were Song Yingqing, Song Bodhi and Song Jingang, father and son.

"Mr. Song, how are you?"

"Mr. Xuan, you are too polite."

"It's been a year and a half since we last met. Mr. Song looks more energetic now."

"Mr. Xuan looks younger now."

"Mr. Song, I am honored to be here."

"Mr. Zhu, I am here to greet you."

"Second Master Song, I didn't expect that you three would come to this meeting together."

"You must come to the meeting chaired by Eunuch Yang."

"That's right, Eunuch Yang is everyone's benefactor. Who wouldn't follow his call?"

The convener Yang Jinshui had not arrived yet, and everyone was sitting in various places in groups of three or four, talking in low voices.

Yaoyue Pavilion is a famous den of inebriation in Huzhou, covering an area of ​​several miles in radius, especially the back garden, which is built by the water and has pavilions and terraces with carved beams and painted rafters, green tiles and red roofs, making it look like the human world.

"I heard that the emperor is in Nanjing?"

"That's right, the telegraph office just received news today that the emperor went to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to pay homage to his ancestors.

"The telegraph is really useful. No matter what news comes from the capital or Nanjing, we can know it here as soon as it comes out."

"So the telegraph office is now a golden child, making a fortune every day. It's really enviable to see it."

Some people looked dissatisfied and said regretfully: "It's a pity that such a good business is controlled by the Ministry of War.

What can those officials do? It is better to hand it over to us. We guarantee that it will be a big success within a year, and the profits will increase fivefold or more. "

"Xuancheng, be careful with your words!"

An experienced person advises his companions.

The companion named Xuancheng straightened his neck and raised his head, looking fearless and confident that he could change the world in his hands.

"What are you afraid of? The Ming Dynasty is ours now. We created this peaceful and prosperous era. Those pedantic scholars have long been thrown into the trash."

Another like-minded companion immediately added: "Now that the old forces have been eliminated, we represent the emerging productive forces and the general trend of the world.

This is not what we said, it was said by the Emperor. Who agrees and who disagrees?"

The people nearby looked at each other in silence.

That's not what the emperor said. If your words were to reach the ears of someone with ulterior motives, you would definitely be charged with tampering with the emperor's words and mistaking his will.

It’s just that these people are now too arrogant and won’t listen to any well-intentioned advice.

There was another group of people somewhere else who were talking even more boldly.

"The emperor went on a tour to the south this time, and he only brought Concubine Song and the eldest and second sons with him. His will is clear and understandable.

"Miao Gong, please tell me what this holy will means."

"Yes, Lord Mu, we are stupid and may have misunderstood the Holy Spirit and made a big mistake. Please give us some advice."

Duke Mu, who was nearly fifty years old but still had a handsome face, looked around proudly and put on airs before speaking again.

"My Ming dynasty followed the patriarchal system handed down from the former Zhou dynasty, establishing the heir based on age rather than virtue, and establishing the son based on nobility rather than age. But I, the holy emperor Wanli, performed a great event that opened up the world, creating a great cause that had never been seen in the past three thousand years.

The ancient methods of the Zhou Dynasty should have been swept into the garbage heap like pedantic Confucian scholars. "

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes sparkling.

That’s a good idea!
In the past, the decision on who would be the crown prince was entirely made by famous scholars and upright officials. Whoever had the loudest voice would be given the chance to be crowned the emperor.

But times have changed and the rules need to be changed!
When deciding who will be the crown prince, our voices should be heard!
why?
Because the economic lifeline of the world is in our hands!
Because we are the representatives of productivity in the new era!

Isn't this enough?
"Miao Gong is right. The successor of the Ming Dynasty is related to the direction of the world and the well-being of billions of people. We should stand up and not let those conservative forces make a comeback!"

"Yes, Zhang Taiyue was dismissed from his post, and the conservative forces were finally defeated in the court. The new party officials we nominated have taken up important positions and are in charge of national affairs.

Such a good situation must be continued. It is related to whether Wanli's new policy reform can be completely successful! We can't be careless! "

Everyone was in high spirits and making suggestions about the future.

"Miao Gong, what should we do?"

One person raised a question, and everyone looked at Duke Mu at the same time.

"When the emperor comes to Shanghai this time, he will definitely receive us. Then we will ask the emperor to make his eldest son a king and establish a palace."

Everyone looked at each other, not understanding what was going on.

"Lord Mu, why don't you just ask for the emperor's eldest son to be made crown prince?"

Duke Mu stroked his beard and said shrewdly, "Why are you in such a hurry? Your Majesty is in his prime, and if we rush to ask for a crown prince, we might be violating a taboo.

It is better to take it step by step. First, please make the eldest son of the emperor a king, open a palace and build a mansion, so that he can leave the palace and establish his own power.

If you are one step ahead, you will be ahead every step.

Who will be appointed as the crown prince at that time will be the general trend of the world and it will not be decided by certain people."

"Miao Gong, you are so great!"

Everyone flattered him, then huddled together with their heads down and began to discuss how to act and how to create momentum.

Song Yingqing, Song Bodhi and Song Jingang, father and son, broke away from social engagements and sat down in a remote pavilion.

"Father, the public is in a state of turmoil."

Song Jingang said excitedly.

Song Yingqing rolled his eyes at him, "What's there to be excited about?"

"You gentlemen wish to ask for the crown prince to be crowned king, so that you can first leave the palace and build a palace to seize the initiative."

Song Yingqing's face darkened and he stared at Song Jingang, "Did you get involved in this?"

"Dad, I'm just watching from the side. But Dad, this is a great thing for us!"

"Good news? You fool, this is a disaster for our Song family!"

Song Jingang couldn't believe it. "How is it possible? If our nephew ascends the throne, wouldn't it be a great thing for our Song family?"

Song Yingqing was so angry that he was shaking all over. He had a lot to say but couldn't get it out. All the words were stuck in his throat. He coughed repeatedly and his face turned red.

Song Bodhi quickly patted his back, stroking it up and down.

“Second brother, no one has a say on who will be the crown prince, the emperor has the final say in the world.

We all know the emperor's temper. What if those people are jumping around and offend the emperor? "

Song Jingang shook his head repeatedly, refusing to believe it: "How could it be possible? They are all the pillars of the Ming Dynasty. The current prosperity of the Ming Dynasty was created by them. The emperor relies heavily on them and will definitely listen to their opinions."

Song Yingqing had recovered and was sitting on a chair, breathing slightly: "If you believe their lies, the Song family will be in great trouble.

They created the Ming Dynasty? How shameless! "

Song Puti added: "Second brother, even if these people have made great contributions to the country, they are now asking the emperor to appoint a crown prince. What do they want to do?
Are you abusing your power and coercing your sovereign?"

Song Jingang shuddered all over and finally woke up.

Although he was dull and mediocre, he knew his brother-in-law's temperament very well.

Is there anyone in this world who dares to threaten him like this?

Maybe, but it has long since turned to mud.

"Father, brother, I am confused."

"You are just a fool. Someone is setting a trap for you and our Song family." Seeing that his second son finally woke up, Song Yingqing breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who dares to set a trap for our family?" Song Jingang was angry.

"Who? Those people who flattered you and encouraged you. These people have evil intentions. On the surface, they want to plead for the eldest prince, asking the emperor to make him a king, to build a government out of the palace, and to seize the initiative.

In fact, we have made preparations for both scenarios.”

"Be prepared?"

"That's right. If the emperor agrees to their request, they will naturally gain favor in front of our Song family and Concubine Song, and gain the support of the emperor.

If they don't respond, and the eldest prince is offended by this, they will throw in a few scapegoats and quietly change the person they support to the second prince."

"The second prince?"

"Yes, the biological mother of the second prince is Consort Zeng, but she is the daughter of a commoner from Daxing County in the capital, and her mother's family has no power or influence. If they go there, why not?
The two sides must have hit it off immediately. The Shufei mother and son have followers, and that side can take all the credit for the support."

Song Jingang said angrily: "These bastards are two-faced. I must give them a slap in the face!"

"Okay, stop being confused." Song Yingqing scolded, "You stay still today! Don't speak nonsense. If you dare to say a wrong word, I will punish you according to the family rules when I go back!"

Song Jingang said unconvincedly: "Father, are we just going to watch them bully us?"

"Bully? Who dares to bully our Song family?

Throughout the dynasties, which imperial relatives were as low-key and honest as those in the Wanli Dynasty? The Xue family, the Song family, and the Ge and Dong families in the south of the desert all behaved with their tails between their legs, and walked on the road for fear that leaves would fall and hit their heads.

why?
Because we know what kind of person our brother-in-law, Emperor Wanli, is!

If you are honest and do your duty, you will enjoy endless prosperity.

Have we been honest and dutiful over the years? When someone was trying to instigate the Song family, were we tempted? Did we act rashly? "

Song Jingang said quickly: "Yes, we were not tempted, we did not act rashly, we have always been honest and dutiful, how could the emperor blame us!

But father, brother, these guys have been so blunt and harsh today, they almost pointed their finger at us and called us idiots."

Song Puti chuckled: "Whatever methods our brother-in-law has, the crazy talk of these jumping clowns will definitely reach his ears.

At this delicate moment, Eunuch Yang Jinshui suddenly came. Do you really think he came to arrange for these people to meet the emperor?"

Song Jingang's eyes lit up, "Brother, what rumors did you hear?"

"Eunuch Yang is here!"

A loud shout suddenly came from the gate of the garden. The garden, which was full of laughter and discussion just now, suddenly became quiet. Everyone stood up, rushed to the open space near the gate, and lined up in an orderly manner.

With a smile that might be real or fake on his face, he leaned forward, poked his head out, and looked toward the gate.
(End of this chapter)