My father is Jiajing

"Huating? Huating?"

Yan Song's voice brought Xu Jie, who was lost in memories and silence, back to reality.

Hearing Yan Song's voice, Xu Jie forced a smile and said awkwardly: "I'm sorry to make you laugh, but I'm old and easily distracted."

Yan Song also laughed after hearing this, "Huating, you are more than ten years younger than me, how come you are older?"

Xu Jie smiled apologetically, "Yes, I am not as energetic as the elder."

Yan Song smiled again and said, "It's okay. You can stay here for a while and stop worrying about the outside world. You will be energetic soon."

Xu Jie nodded, "What the elder said is right, maybe it will be fine after a while."

Then the two of them drank tea and chatted, as if they were close friends who had not seen each other for many years. They talked about everything and were filled with the joy of reunion.

Finally, as the sky gradually darkened, Yan Song's interest in talking was exhausted. He stood up and said to Xu Jie, "It's getting late. Hua Ting must be tired after coming from a long distance. Go and tell the management of Qincheng to arrange accommodation for you. Have a good rest tonight. If you are interested, I will take you to visit the whole manor tomorrow. How about that?"

Xu Jie stood up to express his gratitude and smiled at Yan Song. "In that case, thank you very much for your hospitality, Lord Yan. From now on, we will be neighbors here."

Yan Song laughed. He was not surprised by Xu Jie's arrival.

When Yan Song resigned from the position of Prime Minister, he could see that Xu Jie was not much better than him.

He rose to the position by relying on his seniority, but he cannot be on the same page as Prince Yu, the current Crown Prince, so sooner or later something bad will happen.

Now Xu Jie's fate is just as Yan Song expected, and he finally came.

Moreover, the Xu family also fell into dust, just like the Yan family back then.

However, the Yan family is still better than the Xu family.

Although Yan Shifan was sentenced to death, the descendants of the Yan family still have relatives in the Lu family to rely on.

Although Yan Song's grandson Yan Shaoting was also implicated and sent to a remote garrison to serve his sentence, at least he did not become a penal vassal and was not exiled.

As long as he can make achievements at the border and bring honor to the Yan family, he will have the opportunity to come back sooner or later.

This is where the Xu family cannot compare to the Yan family.

This is also what makes Yan Song most gratified.

After all, Yan Shifan's smart son was completely ruined, and the only one he could place his hopes on was his grandson.

Moreover, considering the close relationship between him and Zhao Wenhua, if Zhao Wenhua, as the Minister of Personnel, could also take care of Yan Shaoting to a certain extent, so that he would not end up in a remote garrison without any support and dependability.

Also, during the holidays, Zhao Wenhua would either come to Qincheng Manor to visit him in person or send someone to see Yan Song.

It can be said that Zhao Wenhua’s godson is much more reliable than Yan Shifan’s biological son, and this is also what makes Yan Song most pleased.

Yan Song and Xu Jie walked out of the yard side by side, and the setting sun stretched their shadows very long.

These two former prime ministers, who used to follow each other's footsteps and target each other in secret, are now old. They live in harmony like old friends.

It seemed as if all the previous grudges had become a thing of the past.

When they were about to part ways at the fork in the road, Yan Song suddenly stopped and said to Xu Jie, "Huating, there is something I want to say."

Xu Jie replied respectfully: "Please speak, Lord."

Yan Song sighed and said, "Power is like flowing water. It was in your hands yesterday, in his hands today, and it may change hands again tomorrow. But the world is eternal, and the grass and trees are evergreen. Now that we are here, we should make the best of it. Qincheng is a good place to be."

After hearing Yan Song's words, Xu Jie also bowed deeply and replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord."

Yan Song waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, adjust your mindset and find something you like to do. It's better than anything else."

Xu Jie nodded and bowed again to say goodbye.

That night, Xu Jie lay on an unfamiliar bed and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

It’s not that Xu Jie is familiar with his bed, nor is it that Xu Jie feels insecure in unfamiliar surroundings.

Instead, he was thinking about what Yan Song said today.

The autumn wind outside the window continued to blow the leaves, making a rustling sound.

Xu Jie was thinking about himself while thinking about others.

Finally, he thought of Zhu Zaigui. Thinking carefully, the days he spent as the chief minister in the cabinet over the years seemed not as easy as when he was the second minister to Yan Song.

At least when Yan Song was suppressing the emperor, he still had to take into account the attitude and feelings of Emperor Jiajing and gave him some autonomy.

However, after he became the Prime Minister, Zhu Zaigui moved into the Wenhua Palace and became the regent.

The Wenhua Hall and the Wenyuan Pavilion where the cabinet was located were separated by only a wall.

Zhu Zaigui never really delegated power to him, and even promoted a group of cabinet members who had different ideas from him.

During his years in the cabinet, it is easy to imagine how sad and depressed Xu Jie felt.

Now all the power and honor have become a thing of the past, and the Xu family, along with other gentry families in the south of the Yangtze River, have been uprooted by Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui.

Thinking back on these events, Xu Jie was filled with deep emotion and couldn't calm down for a long time.

If I had known this would happen, I should have retreated while the tide was turning and followed Yan Ne's example by retiring early and returning home with dignity. Perhaps the Xu family would not have suffered this disaster.

Now thinking about what Yan Song said, it seems that he was right.

Being away from the disputes of the court and returning to a pastoral life may not be a bad thing.

After thinking this through, Xu Jie suddenly felt that the depression in his heart seemed to have been relieved a lot.

He turned around and looked at the moonlight shining through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the ground. For a moment, he couldn't help but feel that a night like this was a quiet and relaxing night.

Late autumn is fleeting. The dead leaves that had stubbornly clung to the branches disappeared overnight, and were replaced by a vast expanse of white snow.

Zhu Zaigui stood outside the Wenhua Hall, looking at the snow in the Forbidden City. He felt a little happy and wanted to bend down to pick up a ball of snow and make a snowball in his palm.

But before Zhu Zaigui could move, Li Fang arrived.

"My Lord, the Emperor has woken up and is waiting for you to come over."

Li Fang was wearing a bright red coat and a felt hat that covered her ears, looking very festive. Zhu Zaigui nodded slightly and straightened his clothes.

He instructed Meng Chong beside him, "Prepare the sedan chair."

Meng Chong hurried to prepare the sedan chair, and in a short while, a sedan chair was ready in front of Zhu Zaigui.

Logically speaking, in such cold weather, Zhu Zaigui could sit in a sedan chair which is warmer and more sheltered from the wind.

But unfortunately, Zhu Zaigui did not like the enclosed feeling of the sedan chair, and the sedan chairs that could be carried in the palace were generally small sedan chairs. Sitting alone in one would feel a bit crowded and the space would not be comfortable.

Therefore, unless it was a windy day, Zhu Zaigui still liked to sit in a sedan chair and move around in the Forbidden City.

After arriving at the Western Garden, Zhu Zaigui got off the sedan chair and walked into the Wanshou Palace.

The eunuchs and servants guarding in front of the Wanshou Palace knelt down and saluted when they saw Zhu Zaigui coming.

Zhu Zaigui also waved his hand to ask them to stand up, and then entered the Wanshou Palace and went directly to the residence where Emperor Jiajing was.

When they walked outside the temple, Huang Jin, who had been waiting there for a long time, also bowed with a smile and said, "Prince is still so energetic."

Zhu Zaigui laughed, "Eunuch, you are still as charming as ever!"

The two chatted for a while, and then Zhu Zaihui and Huang Jin entered the temple together. As soon as they came in, Zhu Zaihui felt the warmth inside the temple.

Huang Jin followed behind Zhu Zaiqi, helping him to take the cloak that had just been untied and hang it on the hanger inside.

Zhu Zaigui walked up to Emperor Jiajing, bowed and said, "I pay my respects to my father."

When Emperor Jiajing heard Zhu Zaigui's voice, he looked up at Zhu Zaigui, and then focused his attention on his own hands.

Emperor Jiajing was dissatisfied and said: "What is the Hanlin Academy doing? They have been copying for so long, not only have they not finished copying the Yongle Encyclopedia, but they have not even compiled the Yongle Encyclopedia Jiajing Supplement that I ordered to be added. It is really infuriating!"

Zhu Zaigui listened to the Emperor Jiajing's dissatisfaction and complained, and couldn't help but laugh: "Father, you can't blame them. Copying the Yongle Encyclopedia itself is an arduous task, and they have to copy a masterpiece specifically for you, which will naturally consume more time and energy. However, please rest assured, father, I will ask Zhao Zhenji to speed up the process. If it doesn't work, I will gather the students of the Imperial College and let them copy together!"

Emperor Jiajing laughed and said, "Well, since you said so, then this matter is settled. In the future, remember to copy this supplement for me."

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Don't worry, father. I will definitely keep an eye on this matter for you."

After saying these things, Emperor Jiajing pulled out another memorial from under his cushion.

"Take a look at this memorial."

Zhu Zaigui took the memorial handed over by Emperor Jiajing and read it carefully. After reading it, Zhu Zaigui's expression also became serious.

This memorial was an urgent report from Yunnan, stating that the Burmese chieftain had once again invaded the border.

And according to the previous rules, it was first handed over to Emperor Jiajing.

Zhu Zaiqi frowned slightly and said, "Myanmar has always been restless. They deliberately provoked trouble this time. I'm afraid they have something to rely on. I think we should first dispatch troops to suppress it, and then find out the cause of the incident, and then take targeted measures."

Jiajing smiled and nodded, then said, "It's the same as what I thought. You can handle this matter as you wish."

Zhu Zaigui kept the memorial in his own hands. As for the issue of Burma, it would be quite difficult even if Zhu Zaigui wanted to solve it once and for all.

After all, the area from Yunnan to Myanmar is full of mountains and steep cliffs, which is very unfavorable for the imperial court's anti-bandit army.

At the slightest movement, these rebellious chieftains would hide in the deep mountains and forests filled with miasma and poisonous insects, snakes and ants.

It was extremely difficult for the imperial army to wipe them out. Even after hundreds of years, with the use of modern weapons and equipment, sometimes the gains would not outweigh the losses.

Therefore, Myanmar, a place that refuses to submit to the rule of the king and is extremely poor, has always been a headache for people!

After finishing talking about the Burmese affairs, Emperor Jiajing suddenly said: "What I told you last time must be done now. In a few days, the great monk from the plateau, as well as the immortals from Longhu Mountain and Wudang Mountain will arrive in Beijing. You can go and meet them in person then."

Zhu Zaiqi was slightly stunned, "Father doesn't see them?"

Emperor Jiajing coughed twice, picked up the ginseng tea and took a sip: "I will be gone. Li Shizhen said it was cold outside and asked me to stay still. I also thought about it. You can handle this matter with or without me. I don't need to deal with them anymore. I will just show up at the final banquet."

Zhu Zaigui understood.

He understood what Emperor Jiajing meant, and Zhu Zaigui replied to Emperor Jiajing: "Son, I understand."

Emperor Jiajing nodded, and after explaining these things, Emperor Jiajing completely relaxed.

Zhu Zaigui massaged Emperor Jiajing's shoulders for a while and stayed with him until the afternoon before leaving Wanshou Palace.

After leaving the Wanshou Palace, Zhu Zaigui returned to the Wenhua Hall and immediately summoned Zhao Zhenji. He told Zhao Zhenji again about Emperor Jiajing's urging for the Yongle Encyclopedia today.

After hearing this, Zhao Zhenji immediately stated that he would arrange people as soon as possible to finish copying the "Yongle Encyclopedia" which had not yet been completed.

In addition, regarding the "Yongle Encyclopedia Jiajing Supplement", he will also list the overall regulations as soon as possible and submit it to the Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Zaigui nodded with satisfaction and asked about some other things that Zhao Zhenji was in charge of. After confirming the progress of these matters, Zhu Zaigui let Zhao Zhenji leave.

A few days later, the great monks and old Taoist priests that Emperor Jiajing mentioned finally arrived in the capital.

Zhu Zaigui received them in the Wuying Palace.

The charcoal fire in the hall had been prepared long ago, making the temperature inside as warm as spring.

Zhu Zaigui sat upright on the dragon throne in the Wuying Hall, looking at the great living Buddha monks from the plateau who came in one after another. He saw him with a solemn appearance, holding a prayer wheel, and respectfully entering the hall to pay homage.

After him, Li Chun, the head Taoist priest of Wudang Mountain, came in with a Taoist demeanor and performed a Taoist bow. Then came Zhang Zhenren, the contemporary great Taoist priest (celestial master) of Longhu Mountain, who was wearing purple clothes and a golden crown.

The three of them bowed together and said, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

The three of them were extremely respectful.

Zhu Zaigui looked at the three people, nodded slightly, smiled gently, and invited them to take a seat.

At the same time, other ministers who were waiting in the hall were also asked to take their seats.

Zhu Zaigui said: "I am deeply pleased that the three of you have come from afar to pray for Your Majesty and for the destiny of the Ming Dynasty. Especially the Living Buddha, who has traveled thousands of miles from the plateau. He is really thoughtful."

After hearing what Zhu Zaigui said, the Living Buddha monk bowed respectfully to Zhu Zaigui again, "Your Highness, you are too kind. The Snowy Plateau has always been bathed in the holy light of the Great Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. It is also a great honor for me to be summoned to the capital this time."

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Ask for monthly ticket~~~(End of this chapter)