My father is Jiajing

After leaving the West Garden, Zhu Zaigui returned to the Wenhua Palace.

After arriving at the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Zaigui sat for a while and then asked Meng Chong to go to the Wenyuan Pavilion next door to invite Xu Jie over.

Just when Meng Chong went to Wenyuan Pavilion to summon Xu Jie to an audience, Zhu Zaigui also stood up and walked to the window of Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Zaigui looked at the royal style outside the palace, then at the sun still emitting warm light in the sky, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"I will never let such a scene become a portrayal of the future of the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Zaigui was extremely excited at this moment. After seventeen years of hard work, the Ming Dynasty had finally undergone earth-shaking changes that had never happened in history.

Zhu Zaigui was very confident. As long as God was willing to give him more time and opportunities, he was confident that he had the ability to completely pull the Ming Dynasty out of its original historical trajectory, make it stand hopeful like the rising sun in the long river of history, and become an immortal historical monument!

No matter how history changes in the future, even if a new dynasty and a new era emerge, the Ming Dynasty will still be an eternal monument in the hearts of those who were born and raised here, just like the Han and Tang dynasties!

Just as Zhu Zaigui was looking at the setting sun and feeling emotional about the future and history.

Meng Chong finally invited Xu Jie over.

Xu Jie entered the hall and found Zhu Zaigui standing in front of the window. He saluted respectfully, "Old minister Xu Jie, I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Xu Jie's voice suddenly brought Zhu Zaigui back to reality.

Zhu Zaigui turned around and was stunned when he saw Xu Jie at this moment.

At this moment, Xu Jie had a hunched back, a head full of white hair, and wrinkles all over his face. He no longer had the transcendent bearing he had as the Prime Minister of the Ming Cabinet.

Zhu Zaigui smiled slightly, "No need to be so polite, Lord. I am not the crown prince yet. You can just call me Your Majesty."

Xu Jie bowed again and said, "Your Highness is too modest. Now the Emperor has issued an imperial decree to announce to the world that a ceremony will be held to confer the title of Emperor on Your Highness on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. So from the moment the Emperor's decree was issued, Your Highness has become the crown prince of the country. This old minister can no longer meet Your Highness with his old title."

Zhu Zaigui also shook his head slightly and did not argue about this issue.

After all, everyone has started to call him His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now. If he insists on the old title of Prince Yu, it would seem a bit hypocritical.

Zhu Zaigui said, "Meng Chong, go and bring a chair over for the elder. I want to talk to him, so you all should leave."

After hearing Zhu Zaigui's words, Meng Chong and others bowed respectfully. After Meng Chong moved the chair behind Xu Jie, he also retreated outside the hall to guard.

Zhu Zaiqi looked at Xu Jie and said, "Please take a seat, Lord."

Xu Jie bowed to Zhu Zaigui excitedly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Then he sat down tremblingly on the chair that Meng Chong had brought.

At the same time, Zhu Zaigui pulled a chair in front of Xu Jie and sat opposite him.

"How is your health lately, Lord?"

Zhu Zaigui asked gently and started chatting with Xu Jie about family matters.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am old and frail, and I am barely surviving now."

Xu Jie responded to Zhu Zaigui modestly, his voice trembling a little, as if he was really old, just like Yan Song in the past.

Zhu Zaigui sighed and nodded, then suddenly changed the subject and looked at Xu Jie and asked, "Do you still remember Xia Yan from those days?"

Hearing the name Xia Yan, Xu Jie's body trembled noticeably, and his heart couldn't help but tremble as well.

What he fears most now is that his fate will be worse than Yan Song's, and he will follow in Xia Yan's footsteps.

In those days, Xia Yan fought fiercely with Yan Song, but was ultimately defeated and dismissed from office and returned home.

But later on, Xia Yan was inexplicably involved in a major case of collusion with the Japanese.

In a rage, Emperor Jiajing executed Xia Yan, confiscated his property, and exiled his descendants.

The situation in Jiangnan today is even more serious than Xia Yan’s problem back then, and it is hard for Xu Jie not to tremble in his heart.

"Remember, I remember. This old minister remembers."

Xu Jie suppressed his trembling and lowered his voice even more.

Zhu Zaiqi looked at Xu Jie like this and comforted him, "Don't be nervous, Lord. I'm just chatting casually. I heard that you are Xia Yan's disciple. Is this true?"

Xu Jie said quickly, "Your Highness, I am not his disciple. I just had some contact with him in the past. Later, when Lord Yan was in power, a group of scholars who were dissatisfied with Lord Yan spread rumors that I was Xia Yan's disciple and wanted to inherit Xia Yan's legacy to clear the sky for scholars all over the world."

Zhu Zaigui suddenly said, "Oh, so that's how it is."

Xu Jie quickly added, "That's right. I am Wang Yangming's second-generation disciple and a successor of the School of Mind. I have absolutely nothing to do with Xia Yan."

Zhu Zaigui chuckled, "So he is Wang Shouren's second-generation disciple. I have had nothing to do recently, so I looked through some of the "Chuan Xi Lu" compiled by Wang Shouren's disciples. He does have some knowledge. If there is anyone who can be called a sage in this world, he should be the most promising one after Confucius, Mencius, Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi."

"But it's a pity that this man is too aloof and arrogant. In his early years, he valued his reputation. When Your Majesty was besieged by scholars from all over the country with great etiquette, he refused to obey the imperial edict and was unwilling to work hard for Your Majesty. But Your Majesty is not an ordinary person. He can understand Wang Shouren's choice."

"After all, the world's situation at that time was entirely in the hands of Yang Tinghe and his son. They forced Your Majesty, and the court and the people of the time followed suit and forced Your Majesty. It is understandable that Wang Shouren did not dare to risk the world under such circumstances."

"So, Your Majesty let bygones be bygones and posthumously recognized his achievements during the Zhengde reign, granting him the title of Marquis of Xinjian, which is hereditary. It can be said that this is the utmost kindness to Wang Shouren."

Xu Jie listened to Zhu Zaigui's words and bowed his head in shame, saying, "I am ashamed. I was deceived by Yang Tinghe and others back then, thinking that matters of great etiquette should be just as Yang Tinghe and his ilk said. Although I later angered Your Majesty, Your Majesty forgot the past and ordered me to return to the capital. Later, you entrusted me with important tasks and moved me to be the Imperial College's chief academic officer, the Minister of Rites, the Cabinet's Grand Secretary, and now the Cabinet's Chief Assistant."

"Now that I think of your majesty's kindness, I feel ashamed and can only repay your majesty and your highness with this broken body."

Zhu Zaigui laughed again and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I was just chatting casually and did not mean to bring up old scores. Besides, Your Majesty does not care about these things, so why would I care?"

After hearing what Zhu Zaigui said, Xu Jie also quickly stood up from his chair and bowed deeply to Zhu Zaigui, "Your Highness, your grace is profound, and I, an old minister, have no way to repay you."

Zhu Zaigui held Xu Jie’s hand and said, “Sit down and talk, there’s no need to be so excited.” Zhu Zaigui then asked, “Do you know where Yan Song is now?”

Xu Jie was slightly stunned. He didn't expect Zhu Zaigui to mention Yan Song again.

Of course Xu Jie knew where Yan Song was now.

Xu Jie replied: "I heard that Lord Yan is now living in a manor called Qincheng in Changping, enjoying his old age."

Zhu Zai said, "Yes. Now Lord Yan is enjoying his old age in Qincheng Manor. He should be surrounded by his children and grandchildren, enjoying the happiness of family life in his hometown in Jiangxi. But unfortunately, his son Yan Shifan is so rebellious that he can't care about Lord Yan's old age and has done so many evil things that are outrageous to both humans and gods."

"It brings shame to the Yan family and ruins Lord Yan's reputation. I couldn't bear to see Lord Yan suffer such a miserable death, so I had him taken to Qincheng Manor in Changping to live out his days in glory."

Xu Jie listened to these words and hurriedly said: "Your Highness is very kind and has given Elder Yan the last dignity. I, an old minister, would like to thank Your Highness for Elder Yan."

Zhu Zaigui waved his hands and said, "No, no, you don't need to thank me for this favor. I came to see you today to think about how to give you the last respect."

Xu Jie's heart skipped a beat, what was coming was bound to come.

Xu Jie bowed to Zhu Zaigui with difficulty, "Your Highness, this is all my own fault. Now you are still worrying about me. I have nothing to repay you for."

As Xu Jie spoke, he couldn't help but burst into tears. He looked so pitiful and helpless, so miserable.

Zhu Zaigui sighed and said to Xu Jie, "Don't worry, Lord. I will deal with the Xu family's crimes appropriately. Don't worry, I will not let you experience the grief of losing a son in old age like Lord Yan. I will show leniency to Xu Fan and others and leave them a way out."

After hearing this, Xu Jie could no longer hold back and slid down from his chair. He knelt in front of Zhu Zaigui and sobbed, "Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness can forgive me for the sins I and the Xu family have committed. I am so ashamed and unworthy of your Highness and your Majesty's trust."

Zhu Zaigui helped Xu Jie up again, "Okay, okay, now everything is over. I asked you to come here this time to calm your mind, so that you don't have to worry about gains and losses during your last period in the cabinet and can't devote yourself to your work."

Xu Jie wiped his tears and said excitedly: "Your Highness, rest assured, this old minister will never delay the court's business."

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "That's great. You can go down first, Lord."

Zhu Zaigui asked Xu Jie to leave Wenhua Hall.

Watching Xu Jie's increasingly hunched back after he left Wenhua Hall, Zhu Zaigui could not help but sigh inwardly, "Another era is coming to an end."

The next day, when all the officials in the capital were still attracted by Chen Hong's gaze and attention, an even more explosive news came from the cabinet!

The Chief Minister of the Cabinet, Xu Jie, submitted a petition asking for his death and requested to resign from the posts of Grand Secretary and Chief Minister of the Cabinet.

For a time, people inside and outside the capital were attracted by this explosive news.

Although everyone knew that it was only a matter of time before Xu Jie took up his new post, they never expected that it would happen right before their eyes.

After receiving Xu Jie's resignation letter, Zhu Zaigui tried to retain Xu Jie on behalf of Emperor Jiajing and sent eunuchs from the palace to visit Xu's mansion and reward him.

After Zhu Zaigui offered to retain him and reward him, Xu Jie still insisted on resigning, claiming that he was too old and could no longer work hard for the court.

After Zhu Zaigui received Xu Jie's resignation again, he approved it as usual.

At the same time, he ordered Xu Jie to stay in the capital to recuperate and not have to travel back to his hometown in Songjiang.

After receiving this imperial edict, Xu Jie wrote another letter to express his gratitude and expressed his willingness to accept the arrangement and retire in the capital. He also took the initiative to request to move to Qincheng Manor in Changping to live with Yan Song, the former chief minister of the cabinet.

Faced with Xu Jie's sensible request, Zhu Zaigui agreed very readily and personally sent someone to send Xu Jie to the Qincheng Villa in Changping, so that he and Yan Song could live together in the same place and help each other in their old age. When they had nothing to do, they could play chess, fish, or take naps together.

After Xu Jie left, the eyes of all officials in the capital couldn't help but focus on Li Chunfang, the current second assistant of the cabinet.

During this period, Li Chunfang could be described as "riding high of enthusiasm" and "feeling refreshed when good things happen to him". He was also happy and excited to think that he would be able to smoothly take up the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

So during this period, Li Chunfang was very passionate about his work and worked very hard.

All the accumulated government memorials in the cabinet were arranged and handled by him one by one, and everything was done in an orderly manner.

Of course, all of this was seen by Zhu Zaigui and Emperor Jiajing.

Emperor Jiajing also laughed at this and asked Zhu Zaigui, "San'er, do you plan to let Li Chunfang take the throne, or let Gao Gong return from Nanjing to take the throne?"

Zhu Zaigui looked at the Jiajing Emperor who was asking the question and smiled, "Whoever my father lets go up, I'll let go there."

Emperor Jiajing couldn't help laughing again. "Okay, then let's follow the order and let Li Chunfang take over first. Otherwise, officials will change their minds and it will not be conducive to the stability of the court. When Gao Gong comes back, let him take over as the second assistant, and then give him some specific and clear tasks to avoid fighting between the two sides."

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Father is the one who thinks things through. Although Gao Gong is very talented, he has a bad temper. If he is promoted to a high position suddenly, who knows how many people he will offend. By then, his son and father will have to help him clean up the mess, which will not be worth it."

Emperor Jiajing also laughed and said, "Yes, we should have them help us with our work, but we can't let it end up like we have to clean up their mess. Isn't this the opposite of Tian Gang?"

Zhu Zaigui laughed and thought that what Emperor Jiajing said was very interesting and vivid.

With the approval of Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Zaigui certainly did not continue to leave the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet vacant.

After all, the government affairs that the cabinet has to deal with now are much more arduous than before. If there is no specific person in charge and executor, many important matters will be delayed.

But what the Ming Dynasty could not tolerate most was delay, so on the second day, Zhu Zaigui issued an edict on behalf of Emperor Jiajing, promoting Li Chunfang to be the Grand Secretary of Jianji Palace, in charge of cabinet confidential matters and handling court affairs.

After receiving the imperial edict, Li Chunfang was so excited that he trembled all over and immediately bowed to express his gratitude to the eunuch who announced the edict.

At the same time, after seeing Li Chunfang successfully promoted, other cabinet members couldn't help but reveal envious eyes, and they also did not forget to congratulate Li Chunfang.

When Li Chunfang took over as Prime Minister, Zhu Zaigui did not let Li Chunfang sit idle. He sent his long-planned proposal for the new administrative divisions of the Ming Dynasty to the cabinet, asking the cabinet to make specific and detailed plans based on the new administrative divisions, and strive to implement them before next year, thus putting a perfect end to the 45th year of Jiajing!

Li Chunfang and others could not help showing surprise when they saw Zhu Zaigui's new administrative division. You know, the current Ming Dynasty had not changed the structure of "two capitals and thirteen provinces" for nearly two hundred years.

Now not only is it going to move, but it is going to move a lot. This made Li Chunfang and others feel excited!
------

Asking for monthly tickets and a preview of the next volume: The Reign of Longqing (End of this chapter)