Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 417 National Mourning (asking for monthly ticket)

Even Comrade Zhang Laizhan, the greatest medical master of the Ming Dynasty, had issued a critical illness notice to Emperor Chenghua Zhu Jianshen. So Empress Dowager Zhou could really rest assured and take care of her son's funeral affairs.

Wan'an and Liu Ji were both invited to the palace, and then summoned individually by Queen Dowager Zhou.

Afterwards, Duke Yingguo and Duke Baoguo were also summoned to the palace and ordered to supervise military affairs in various parts of the capital to prevent evildoers.

As night fell, the palace fell into an atmosphere that Zhang Luan thought was extremely solemn and murderous.

The Imperial Guards were running around everywhere, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards were ready to be deployed at any time.

All the eunuchs from the inner court were waiting outside the Qianqing Gate. At about three quarters past eight in the evening, the prince appeared in the Qianqing Palace with heavy steps.

It seemed that everyone realized that tonight would be an unusual night.

As a person involved in the incident, Zhang Luan was still wondering, how come I, a so-so scholar who was just living a life of idleness and waiting for death in a small place more than half a year ago, was suddenly involved in such a big political storm?
"Laizhan, are you okay?"

Li Zisheng now knew he needed help and quickly stood beside Zhang Luan, as if the time had finally come to reap the rewards of his political investment over the past six months.

Zhang Luan asked, "What do I have...Does it look like I'm not in good condition?"

Li Zisheng sighed, "Seeing you look distracted, I'm naturally worried that something big might happen... If you figure out something bad, tell the Queen Mother right away. Besides the Queen Mother, there's really no one else who can keep things under control."

"However, there is no..."

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "I haven't figured out anything. I just feel that it's too hard to go on like this. I really want to... find a place to sleep!"

Li Zisheng couldn't help but roll his eyes after hearing this.

It seems to be saying, you have a really big heart.

Everyone else is waiting for that big thing to happen, but you are the only one here waiting to get off work and go to bed?
Zhang Luan said, "Minister Li, let me ask you something. I don't need to worry about the funeral arrangements, right?"

Li Zisheng said unhappily, "You have to rush to the front in everything now... If you don't push forward, someone else will take your place, and when the time comes to reward your merits, you will be relegated to the back."

"is it?"

Zhang Luan seemed indifferent, yawned and said, "Why does it feel like autumn has cooled down?"

Li Zisheng was extremely anxious, but he could do nothing about Zhang Luan's tricks.

"Laizhan, how long do we have to wait? Can you give me a definite answer?" Li Zisheng asked.

"do not know."

Zhang Luan shook his head, looked around, and said with a bitter face, "There are too many people outside Qianqing Gate now. I want to find a place to take a nap. I am really too tired."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Tai ran out of the palace and shouted, "Minister Zhang, I'm looking for you. His Majesty's condition seems to have changed again. Please go and have a look."

Zhang Luan looked bitter.

There is no way he can have a moment of peace and quiet, as he is dragged forward by life. But the problem is... Zhang Luan really wants to shout out loud: I don't know anything.

It's unparalleled that someone like him is regarded as the most awesome person in the medical field.

……

……

It's approaching midnight.

At this moment, Zhu Jianshen was still holding on to his last breath, and there was really nothing else left.

Zhang Luan was finally able to leave the hall to get some fresh air. He wanted to say a few words to Zhu Youtang, but this stupid son-in-law finally had the chance to be with his old father and refused to leave.

Zhang Luan couldn't help but envy her for her filial piety.

"It would be great if that brat at home was half as filial as the prince."

Zhang Luan was a little envious, but then he felt relieved. "Yanling is much better than the prince. He really thinks about his old father in every way... If everyone is as foolishly filial as the prince, then what will happen? He's already half dead, what's the point of staying by his bed? It would be better to help his father get more benefits when he's still alive and kicking.

"Well, this time I have completed my mission and will retire. When I return home, I will have a high bed with soft pillows, a beautiful woman by my side, and delicious food and wine... I will be so happy..."

"Come and see, what are you doing?"

When Empress Dowager Zhou walked out of the palace, she saw at a glance through the bright lights of lanterns around her that her eldest nephew was secretly laughing, which made her feel very disgusted.

Zhang Luan replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I am just thinking about some prescriptions and medications."

"Why are you still thinking about that?"

Queen Mother Zhou pulled Zhang Luan and motioned for him to find a place to talk.

Qin Chang, Wei Tai and others who stayed in the hall saw that Queen Mother Zhou actually took action against Zhang Luan. The relationship between them as aunt and nephew is really extraordinary. Even if we saw it, we would have to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Queen Mother Zhou found a corner and looked around. Seeing that no one was around, she whispered, "You have endured for so many days and have done what you should do. Your Majesty has been struggling to hold on. If you really can't do it, then..."

Zhang Luan said: "I will do my best."

"speak English!"

Queen Mother Zhou was never polite when speaking, even to her eldest nephew. She rolled her eyes at Zhang Luan, as if asking, do you really not understand what I'm saying?

Our family has given up on treatment!
Why are you still trying to be brave?

We want to reduce the emperor's pain!
Zhang Luan said helplessly: "As a subject, even if you know something, you have to... oh."

Queen Mother Zhou rolled her eyes at him and said, "You are quite honest sometimes. If I didn't know you, I would think you were a charlatan. But after getting to know you for a long time, I found that you really have the free and unrestrained spirit of a Taoist. No wonder you are so close to Li Zisheng."

"Aunt, you are laughing."

Zhang Luan said helplessly.

Queen Mother Zhou said, "Oh, by the way, there is something I have always wanted to ask you. Li Zisheng's previous predictions about earthquakes and other things were very accurate. He even predicted the death of Concubine Wan. Why didn't he do it this time?"

"This……"

Although Zhang Luan wanted to steal the credit from Li Zisheng, he would not sell out his teammates at this critical moment.

No matter what, Li Zisheng helped him in most things. Queen Mother Zhou sighed, "It's enough for you to know that this person is ambitious. If you can rely on him, don't count on him! If anything unexpected happens, you will take the lead, understand?"

"This……"

Zhang Luan became very worried when he heard this.

My goodness, you want me to be the chief funeral minister?

But the problem is, I have long wanted to go home and sleep with my woman. You really don’t consider other people’s feelings!

We have been guarding this Forbidden Palace for more than ten days, day and night. Do you want to let us live?

"Aunt, nephew will tell you clearly."

Zhang Luan said, "If something really goes wrong, we have to find someone in the court who has connections, resources, and is highly respected to take responsibility... For someone like me, even if you trust me and the prince entrusts me with important tasks, the problem is... I don't even know them."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "If you do more work, won't others get to know you? It doesn't matter if they don't know you now. When they do, it will be effective when you assist in government affairs."

In other words, this is paving the way for you.

Don't be ungrateful!
"But--"

Zhang Luan said in embarrassment: "My nephew is really exhausted and wants to go home to rest... I guess I have to sleep for three to five days before I wake up... I can't hold on any longer!"

"you……"

When Empress Dowager Zhou heard this, she was speechless.

I have never seen such a careless person.

He looks just like the stubborn old guy next door, he really doesn't fight at all!
If it were someone else, they would definitely try their best to get ahead, but this guy...why have I never seen him take the initiative to seek benefits for himself?
Zhang Luan said helplessly, "It's not that I don't work hard, I just can't do it... The result of not sleeping for a long time is that I feel dizzy now, my heart is beating fast, and my head is buzzing. If I continue to endure it, I'm afraid I will die here."

"You, what can I say about you?"

Queen Mother Zhou scolded, "Everyone else can hold on, but you are like a weak little girl, falling down at the slightest gust of wind? Look at you, you are such a scoundrel! Can't you hold on a little tighter?

"Well, since you don't plan to fight for it, then... let Wan An take charge. When he finishes this matter, we'll find a chance to get him out as soon as possible."

Zhang Luan quickly looked around.

You should know that many people are waiting outside the Qianqing Gate now, including Wan'an.

I thought to myself, Aunt, why don’t you speak in a way that avoids suspicion?

"Laizhan, now that things have come to this, you must hold on."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "My old bones really can't stay up all night. I'm dizzy now, but you can't rest. No matter how hard or tired you are, you have to grit your teeth and persevere. As long as tonight passes... everything will be..."

"Yes Yes."

Zhang Luan nodded and did not deny what Empress Dowager Zhou said. After all, the emperor only had one night left and would probably die before the cockcrowed at dawn.

Just endure it, like everyone can do it!
……

……

at last.

Before dawn, loud wailing was heard from the inner hall of the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jianshen, the Chenghua Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was unable to open his eyes before his death and died peacefully in a coma without leaving even a single last word.

As for the changes in the crown prince and other things that outsiders were worried about, they never happened at all...or, Zhu Jianshen had reached this point and no longer had the ability to change anything, and it would be meaningless to change it before his death.

If changing the crown prince was really that easy, it would have been done when the emperor was sober. However, the crown prince change faction was torn to pieces by Zhang Luan, and the remaining ones have now changed their ways and followed Zhang Luan. Who dares to talk about this matter casually?

"His Majesty!"

Outside Qianqing Gate.

Wan'an knelt there and cried the loudest.

Fainted several times.

Some people went over to help, while more people were busy with funeral arrangements. The eunuch Chen Gui of the Imperial Household Department had even prepared mourning clothes and other items, just waiting to be hung up or replaced by the civil and military officials waiting outside, thus starting the chapter of the new owner of the palace.

Zhang Luan felt a little numb as he watched the scene in front of him.

cry?
I really don't have the energy, but I still have to pretend.

Men don't shed tears easily. They just need to look sad and shed a few cat tears, that's all.

So Zhang Luan pretended to wipe his tears and yawned.

Wei Tai took Wan'an into the Qianqing Palace.

About half an hour later, the two came out with a copy of the "Last Emperor's Will", which was actually drafted with the help of the cabinet. In today's situation, it doesn't matter whether there is a will or not, it's just a formality... Anyway, the throne will be passed to the prince.

But in order to avoid any mistakes, after Empress Dowager Zhou arrived, she checked it first, and only handed it over to Wan'an after she found that there was no problem, and asked him to take the will to execute it.

"Wan'an, from now on, you will be in charge of the funeral affairs."

Queen Mother Zhou instructed, "Remember, no one outside the palace should cause chaos, and whoever causes trouble inside and outside the capital will be dealt with. The Crown Prince is too sad now, so regarding matters of state, wait a few days before consulting him. If there is anything difficult to decide, your cabinet...consult with Lai Zhan and then act."

After hearing this, how could Wan'an not understand the trick?
That is to put Zhang Luan's opinion first.

"Empress Dowager, what do you think... should we add Minister Zhang's name to the will?" Wan'an likes to do the whole thing when he puts on a show.

To curry favor with Zhang Luan, one must use every possible means.

Queen Mother Zhou shook her head: "That's not necessary. Lai Zhan is highly regarded by the Crown Prince, so you don't need to worry about his future achievements... Lai Zhan is already in a high position now, and the Crown Prince is just following his father's wishes and respecting the capable ministers of the Chenghua Dynasty. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yes, two successive generations of emperors valued him, so it must be right."

Wan Anxin said, Zhang Luan is really awesome.

If he was able to achieve his current status during the Chenghua period, then as the emperor's father-in-law, wouldn't it be natural for him to be given an exceptional position and promoted to an important position when the new emperor ascends the throne?
(End of this chapter)