Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 422 The Palace is My Home

Wenhua Hall.

Early that morning, Zhu Youtang was ordered by Empress Dowager Zhou to come here to meet with ministers, but no court meeting was held that day. He only summoned a few important ministers.

At this time, the court was still in turmoil, because everyone knew that the new emperor would definitely reorganize the government after ascending the throne. The six ministers would likely face a round of purges, and the arrest of a series of officials such as Deng Changen and Zhao Yuzhi might just be the beginning of the chaos.

Of course, the two most powerful ones among these officials, Li Zisheng and Zhang Luan, were among those who were ordered to serve in the Wenhua Palace.

All six ministers are here.

Minister of Personnel Li Yu, Minister of Revenue Li Min, Minister of Rites Zhou Hongmo, Minister of War Yu Zijun, Minister of Punishments Du Ming, and Minister of Works Jia Jun.

Among these people, except Jia Jun who was promoted in June, the rest are considered veterans in the court. Jia Jun is the most awesome one, as he is the first person in the Ming Dynasty to become a Shangshu as a juren. He is considered a top figure in the 270-year history of the Ming Dynasty.

The chief minister of the cabinet, Wan'an, reported the situation to Zhu Youtang on behalf of the court, and then told several ministers in the court on behalf of Zhu Youtang that the funeral was currently being handled.

After a brief exchange, Zhu Youtang returned to Fengxian Hall to stand guard over the casket.

Wan An seemed very concerned: "Your Highness, you must take care of yourself and take care of the country and the people of Ming Dynasty. Here, I have selected several reign titles, please take a look..."

It’s finally time to decide on the reign title!
After all, Zhu Youtang was the crown prince, and there was no will stating that the throne would not be passed on to him. From the perspective of succession to the throne, this was a foregone conclusion.

But generally speaking, the prince can only ascend the throne half a month after the emperor's death.

For example, in history, Zhu Jianshen died on August 22, the 23rd year of Chenghua, and it was not until September 6th that Crown Prince Zhu Youtang ascended the throne.

In reality, with Zhang Yanling's "help", Zhu Jianshen died more than a month earlier. It can be said that he made great efforts in order to let his brother-in-law ascend the throne earlier and avoid more trouble. But even so, the court generally believed that Zhang Luan forcibly extended the emperor's life.

Most people, including those in the Imperial Medical Service, believed that if it weren’t for Zhang Luan, the emperor might have died a month earlier.

However, many of Zhang Luan's actions, although seemingly alleviating the symptoms of the emperor's liver disease, were actually in vain and did not prevent the worsening of the disease or the spread of cancer cells. Of course, it was also related to the butterfly effect caused by the appearance of Zhang Yanling, which caused Zhu Jianshen to torture himself repeatedly.

Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said, "Let's discuss this at the court meeting."

Obviously, Zhu Youtang had no interest in ascending the throne and deciding the reign title at this time. He was determined to be a filial son and did not really think about ascending the throne as soon as possible and monopolizing power after becoming emperor.

……

……

After a simple meeting between the emperor and his ministers, the ministers are about to leave the palace.

However, at this time, it was not the emperor who announced it personally, but the Minister of Personnel Li Yu who informed everyone in front of the Wenhua Hall that Zhang Luan was promoted to the president of the Hanlin Academy from that day on, and the affairs of the Hanlin Academy would be managed by Zhang Luan in the future.

Almost at the same time, Zhang Luan was invited by Qin Chang, apparently to meet with Zhu Youtang alone.

"What kind of explanation is that?"

The ministers present looked at each other, feeling very uncomfortable.

The prince has not yet ascended the throne, but there are signs that he is using his relatives by marriage. Moreover, this relative does not seem to be very reliable. No one has a close relationship with him, and he is like an outsider.

Li Zisheng advised: "Everyone, Mr. Zhang is a person that the late emperor valued very much. Please don't neglect him, otherwise... it is very likely to backfire."

All the ministers smiled coldly after hearing this, obviously sneering at Li Zisheng's words.

In the past, everyone wanted to curry favor with Li Zisheng, but now the situation is different. After all, as the representative of the Chuanfeng official, Li Zisheng's era had already come to an end when Emperor Chenghua passed away.
Seeing that no one paid attention to him, Li Zisheng retreated to the back in shame.

Wan An took the initiative to move over and whispered, "Master Li, I have a headache and I want to ask you for help. Do you have time?"

Li Zisheng was angry and teased, "I went to see Elder Wan a few days ago, but he seemed very busy... but now you want me to treat you? I'm not a doctor. If you are sick, go to the Imperial Hospital to see the doctor... or you can go to Zhang Laizhan, he has excellent medical skills."

"Li Xianchangyan smiled. Isn't this...something private I want to discuss with you?"

Wan'an now also has a sense of crisis.

It is obvious that the current crown prince - the future emperor values ​​Zhang Luan more and does not trust him as the prime minister.

The six ministers of ministries will not compete with him. After all, from the court level, the six ministers are more like the executive level, while the cabinet is the decision-making level. The current prime minister is not valued by the emperor, and it is obvious that he will be replaced in the future.

Li Zisheng said with a smile: "Yesterday you didn't take me seriously, but now you feel the trust and respect His Majesty has for Zhang Laizhan? Elder Wan, you are different from them, you can still be saved. Just like them... one by one, they may not be able to hold this position until the end of the year, if you don't believe me, let's wait and see."

"Yes, yes, don't bother with them."

Wan An was in a good mood, as if to say, great minds think alike.

Then Wan'an and Li Zisheng walked out of the palace side by side like good friends.

In the eyes of the six ministers, these two people were in cahoots with each other and were planning something shameless, so they all looked at them with contempt.

at the same time.

Zhang Luan was invited to the Duanjing Hall. Although it was Zhu Youtang who invited his father-in-law, he was actually asked by his wife to do so. Zhu Youtang finally stopped keeping watch last night and went back to sleep, but his wife mentioned that she wanted to see her old father, so Zhu Youtang made arrangements early in the morning.

"Father-in-law, Nai Yuer is looking for you. Please tell her in detail if you have something to say."

Zhu Youtang said, "I am going to mourn for my father."

"Prince, you look pale and haggard. You must take care of your health."

Zhang Luan seemed very concerned.

Qin Ji, who was following beside him, said hurriedly, "Your Highness, how about letting Mr. Zhang take a look at your body? These past two days, your eyes have been bloodshot and your eye sockets are sunken. It's time to... take care of yourself."

Zhu Youtang said: "I have always been like this, don't make a fuss... Oh, by the way, father-in-law, Yu'er also said that she wanted to meet her brother. I don't know if it is appropriate, so I want to ask for your opinion."

"You want to see Yanling, right?"

Zhang Luan knew what it meant as soon as he heard it.

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded.

Although he was about to become the emperor, he had no airs of an emperor at all and was still the simple young man he had been before. Zhang Luan said, "How can a minister make such a decision casually? Otherwise... ask the Empress Dowager for instructions?"

"it is good."

Zhu Youtang said, "Well, my dear, come with me to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, and ask her about this matter to see if she agrees."

"Yes."

If it was something else, Qin Ji would definitely persuade the prince to give up.

After all, he is going to be the emperor soon, so he must not let anything unnecessary trouble happen.

Although Zhang Luan's youngest son was young, he was still a man outside the palace, and entering the palace casually would still attract criticism.

But when Qin Ji thought that the person he was targeting this time was Zhang Yanling, and then thought that this young man was the "Little Zhuge" who had given advice to the Eastern Palace many times and had helped him a lot, he instantly felt that this matter could be done.

This is called the butt determines the head!
……

……

Zhang Luan, led by Jiang Cong, came to the Duanjing Hall.

"Father."

After receiving the report, Zhang Yu came out, looked behind Zhang Luan, and asked, "Where is the prince?"

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Why are you still calling me the prince?"

Zhang Yu pursed his lips and said, "If not calling him the Crown Prince, should I call him Your Majesty? Not yet... By the way, where is he?"

"He... said he would go to pay respects to the Empress Dowager first, and then go to mourn for the late Emperor..."

Zhang Luan said, "I originally thought it was inappropriate for you to let me come here alone, but... I really can't refuse your kindness. You also asked me to come and talk to you... What should we talk about?"

Zhang Yu rolled her eyes at her old father, then led the way and took her father into a room next to the bedroom. This was a room that Zhang Yu had asked attendants and palace maids to clean up after she became the Crown Princess. It was previously used to store sundries, but now it has been tidied up and filled with furniture and potted plants, and is used as a place to entertain guests.

The host and the guest sat down at the table by the window. Zhang Yu said quietly, "Look at you, Dad, you are so sour. It would be more convenient to let my second brother come. It would be more convenient to talk to him."

Zhang Luan was a little unhappy when he heard this. He rolled his eyes at his daughter and said, "Why, do you feel ashamed of your father? I have done so many things, worked diligently, and endured so many hard days. Who do you think I did all this for? Do you dislike me now?"

"Father, why are you so sensitive? I was just teasing you... Don't you think you are being too cautious?"

Zhang Yu was very unhappy when he heard this.

The old father in front of me always talks about rules all the time, fearing that he might make a wrong step. The most annoying thing is that he will be very happy if you give him a little color. He really doesn't consider himself an outsider at all.

Zhang Luan waved his hands and said with a wry smile, "Okay, okay, whatever you say is what I will not argue with you. The Crown Prince said before that you wanted to see Yanling, and the Crown Prince is now asking the Queen Mother for permission. If Yanling can really enter the palace, I won't have to come to you in the future and annoy you... Hey, do you have anything to drink? You came all the way to the palace and stayed in Wenhua Palace for so long, give me something to drink."

"Tea."

Zhang Yu seemed very proud.

In the past, I felt like a passer-by in the palace and had no sense of belonging at all.

She was even a little worried, fearing that when she woke up her husband's position as crown prince would have been gone, and that she would have to leave the capital with her husband to wander around.

Now I am finally not afraid anymore.

Because I'm going to be the queen soon.

Zhang Yu said, "Father, I can't live here for a few more days. They said that in a few days, the inner court will clean up Kunning Palace and let me move in."

"Kunning Palace? Then in the future... ahem, I don't want to go there anyway." Zhang Luan shook his head.

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes at his old father and said with a smile, "Father, you must change your words when you see me next time."

"Ahem, okay."

Zhang Luan saw his daughter's smug look, looked around, and then whispered, "Be a little more restrained, don't let others see it. Look at you, the prince is so filial to his father, but you are secretly happy here. How can he love you after seeing it?"

"It's okay, I'm not afraid."

When Zhang Yu said this, he looked even more proud.

When it comes to controlling her husband, she has it easy. Just by showing a little temper, she can make her husband fall in love with her and revolve around her.

Zhang Luan sighed: "This man is unstable, don't underestimate him."

Zhang Yu said, "Hey, father, you seem to understand a lot?"

"A father is a man, so he naturally understands."

Zhang Luan felt a little embarrassed when he said this. After all, he has been a bit "fickle" recently. He has been having a lot of fun outside and has not even seen his wife at home.

"I let Yanling enter the palace just for this matter."

Zhang Yu also told the truth.

At this moment, several palace maids came in with tea, placed it in front of Zhang Yu and Zhang Luan respectively, and then retreated respectfully.

Zhang Luan held the teacup and watched the maid leave the door. He then took two sips and frowned, "You listened to him? Your father doesn't understand, but he does? The tea here is not that good. It's far inferior to the Huangshan Cloud Tea at home."

Zhang Yu said, "The prince never cares about these things. He just needs a cup of tea or even plain water. How dare father be so picky? Humph!"

"Father, seriously, don't listen to that brat. Sometimes he... has very good methods of deceiving people. Don't fall into his trap."

Zhang Luan reminded.

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes at his old father and said angrily, "Dad, don't you see whose son that is? And whose brother that is? If I don't listen to him, how can I listen to you?
"Humph! Dad, if our family didn't have Yanling, we would probably still be guarding outside Xingji City. When winter comes, I would have to endure hunger and cold and weave straw mats with mom."

(End of this chapter)