Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 502: Being unreliable is also a capital (Happy New Year)
Forbidden City, inside the Qingning Palace.

Zhu Youtang was taking Huai'en to pay respects to Queen Mother Zhou and report the expulsion of Wan'an from the court.

Zhu Youtang always felt that no matter what, Wan'an was the Prime Minister and Grand Secretary who had served in four dynasties, and an important minister entrusted by his father to take care of the young emperor, so he needed to make things clear to the Empress Dowager.

"Ha ha……"

When Queen Mother Zhou heard that her grandson had accomplished such a great thing, she was overjoyed and kept laughing.

This laughter made Zhu Youtang feel creepy.

Could it be that the Empress Dowager is not satisfied with my work style but is not in a position to say it directly, so she keeps laughing there?
In the past, Zhu Youtang didn’t have much scheming, and he would never look at things from a bystander’s perspective… But after coming into contact with the Zhang father and son, and after being influenced by his wife, he began to become more shrewd.

Zhu Youtang was gradually learning and mastering this new position of emperor. His progress was extremely obvious and he was slowly gaining the aura of a superior.

"Grandfather, if you have anything to say, please just say it." Seeing that Zhu Youtang seemed to be hesitant to speak, Huai En couldn't help but ask the question.

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "No. I think my dear grandson has done a good job... Wan'an has been flirting with your father's former favorite concubine. They are always flirting with each other. I don't know what they are doing. It's just right for him to leave now. Keeping such an unreliable person in the court will only lead to instability among the people, let alone managing the government. The sooner he leaves, the better..."

When Zhu Youtang heard this, he couldn't help but think about it.

Does my grandmother dislike Wan'an so much?
She said she was flirting with my father's favorite concubine. What does that mean? It seems like there is something mysterious... Why can't I understand?

Huai En smiled and explained to Zhu Youtang: "It seems that the Empress Dowager also has opinions about Wan'an, so Your Majesty can rest assured."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "Grandson, can you tell me how you drove him out of the court? What was the document he submitted?"

"This……"

Zhu Youtang blushed and was obviously too embarrassed to say it.

Huai En introduced it on his behalf: "It is the art of sex that Wan An has devoted himself to studying."

"Ha ha……"

Queen Mother Zhou laughed even more cheerfully this time. "He really asked for it. He actually presented such filthy things to my beloved grandson... As an important official in the court, he has no sense of propriety, righteousness, and shame. You really should tell everyone in the court about his actions and let them know about his evil deeds."

Zhu Youtang said seriously, "Grandmother, maybe he didn't take the initiative to do this. It's possible..."

"Why, is there any hidden secret behind this matter?"

Queen Mother Zhou asked curiously.

This aroused Huai En's curiosity.

Even Huai En had noticed it earlier. It seemed that the emperor had anticipated Wan An's sudden stupidity.

But it is obvious that Wan'an did this based on his own logic and style, and he cannot blame others.

How could the emperor know in advance that Wan'an was going to do something stupid, and even have a response plan prepared long ago, just waiting for the event to happen and then taking advantage of the situation to kick Wan'an out in one fell swoop?

"This one……"

Zhu Youtang seemed unable to speak.

Queen Mother Zhou said: "If it is inconvenient for you to say it, then forget it."

In fact, Queen Mother Zhou also thought of it. It might be because Huai'en was nearby, and her grandson had some concerns and did not want the secret to be known by Huai'en.

Zhu Youtang said quickly: "It's not that I can't say it, but my grandson can't explain it clearly at the moment. In fact, it's my father-in-law..."

"Oh, it's related to Laizhan?"

Queen Mother Zhou didn't want to get to the bottom of the matter, but when she heard that her eldest nephew was also involved, she immediately became interested.

Now we have no choice but to find out the truth.

Huai En was also thinking that the matter was indeed related to Zhang Laizhan.

Could it be that Zhang Laizhan was the one behind the scenes instigating Wan'an to do such a stupid thing?
If it's true, Zhang Laizhan is really insidious!
Zhu Youtang organized his words in his mind, and then slowly said: "When my grandson went to see my father-in-law and my brother-in-law Yanling before, they told me that Wan'an is a very unconventional person who often does surprising things, so there is no need to use any tricks on him, he will do things that are difficult to understand.

"My father turned a blind eye to his actions and spoiled him, making him even more self-righteous. All I need to do is uphold justice and maintain order at this critical moment."

"Haha."

Queen Mother Zhou laughed heartily and said, "I thought Lai Zhan had done something. If he just predicted this in advance, then he really has the ability to do it."

Zhu Youtang continued, "Grandmother, I actually have no prejudice against Lord Wan. I just think that he is old and confused, and may not be suitable to stay in the position of Prime Minister."

Queen Mother Zhou suddenly stopped smiling and said with a straight face: "No, you must have some opinions about him... My grandson, you have grown up and are now the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. You should know some things in the past.

"Wan An once tried to join forces with some people to replace your position as crown prince, and used all kinds of dirty tricks to do so...

"I remember clearly that he attacked your father-in-law at that time, putting people with the plague among prisoners who had been vaccinated and those who had not been vaccinated, hoping to prove that your father-in-law was just a name, and then drive your father-in-law out of the court. In the end, it only confirmed your father-in-law's reputation as a miracle doctor. It's funny to think about it!"

"This matter... is all over." Zhu Youtang lowered his head and said.

"Look at you. It's a good thing for a person not to bear grudges, but you can't be too soft-hearted. You let him return home and spend his remaining years in peace. That's a bargain for him!"

Queen Mother Zhou said, "Your father-in-law has to be mentioned for this... He used both kindness and force to treat Wan'an, which made Wan'an turn back in time. When your father was dying, he made sure you ascended the throne, which is why there was no trouble. Otherwise... Huai'en, it's not that I don't know that you are good to the emperor, but... you were powerless at the time, weren't you?"

Huai En said quickly: "Grandfather, you are joking. I am satisfied to be able to return to the court to work for Your Majesty. When Master Zhang escorted Your Majesty, he almost cut through thorns and brambles all the way. I know all these things in the past. The purpose of this slave and Master Zhang is the same..."

"Yes, you all have the same goal, hoping to secure the crown prince's position as the East Palace. It's all for the good of my grandson."

Queen Mother Zhou acted condescendingly and imposingly, "But you still have to learn how to do things from Lai Zhan. Look at his temper. I don't even want to say anything. He is usually careless and looks like an ordinary person. People who don't know him would think he is a bit unreliable. But when it comes to doing things, he is never vague."

Wynn smiled.

He was thinking, as an official in the court, one must observe etiquette, right?

A civil official who does not follow the rules will never be able to reach the highest position in the country, because such a person does not understand the importance of order and will sooner or later cause a disaster.

Zhu Youtang seemed to have heard what was said, and said with a little excitement: "Grandmother, in fact, your grandson has the same idea as you, but your grandson has always believed that my father-in-law should be what ordinary people call a wise but foolish man."

"Hahaha, right, right, Laizhan is a wise man who appears foolish."

Queen Mother Zhou was very happy to discuss her nephew's affairs with her grandson, as if it was quite interesting. "Such a person is actually quite good. You don't have to worry about him abusing his power. He is not like Wan'an and Li Zisheng, who always want to control the government and control all aspects of power. Do you think Zhan is a person who likes to play with power?"

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "No, no, my grandson doesn't want to get involved in anything when he sees his father-in-law. He usually avoids things if he can. Only when my grandson encounters difficulties and obstacles, he will take action and he will hit the target every time.

Huai En thought, can things be understood this way?

It turns out that being a civil servant who doesn't follow the rules and is even lazy, does it give you such a big advantage in the eyes of those in higher positions?
Doesn’t that mean Wan’an is even more out of line?
Shouldn't he be an indispensable minister of the Ming Dynasty?
Oops, that's not right.

Huai En immediately realized the crux of the problem.

He thought to himself, during the time of the previous emperor, no matter how unreasonable Wan'an was, the previous emperor always trusted him. Wasn't it because the previous emperor knew that no matter how much power Wan'an abused, he would not be able to cause much trouble in the court?
Perhaps it was precisely because Wan'an had obvious flaws that he was able to thrive in the court and was not suspected by the late emperor, serving as the Prime Minister for more than ten years.

It seems that Wan'an's ability to get to where he is today in the court cannot be explained simply by being able to say "Long live the emperor" and talking about the art of sex.

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "My grandson, you must have a meal with me today. During the meal, we can talk about your father-in-law... I haven't seen him for a long time."

Zhu Youtang seemed to have found a common topic with the old lady, and said with a smile: "Father-in-law has been recuperating at home recently."

"Not quite done yet?"

Queen Mother Zhou said, "It's been quite a while."

Huai En reminded: "It is said that it takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone. I guess we have to wait."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "That's such a pity... If he went to court every day and helped you in the court, you would be able to save a lot of trouble."

As she spoke, Queen Mother Zhou deliberately glanced at Huai En, as if hinting something to her grandson.

Without the old lady's reminder, Zhu Youtang took the initiative to say, "Having Huai Daban and the others here can also give my grandson a lot of help. There is nothing important happening in the court right now, and everything is fine."

"That's good."

Queen Mother Zhou said with emotion, "I was worried that you would not be able to adapt to the throne for a while. Now it seems that I was too worried... You are surrounded by talented people who are dedicated to planning for you. You are on a very stable and broad path, and it will become more and more stable and broad in the future."

"Yes, Grandmother, not only do my father-in-law and Huai Daban help my grandson, but also the gentlemen in the East Palace are helping me wholeheartedly."

Zhu Youtang said, "It is because of them that my grandson has begun to have some confidence in governing this country. I hope that I can sort out all the affairs of the court in the future. My grandson is studying hard."

"Look, what a humble child!"

Queen Mother Zhou smiled with satisfaction, pointed at Huai En and said, "Huai En, hurry to Kunning Palace and call my granddaughter-in-law over. I only see one of them and can't hear the other one talking. I always feel empty in my heart, as if something is missing."

"Yes, yes, ancestor, I will go right away."

Huai En smiled and accepted the order to leave.

Zhu Youtang was very considerate of Huai En's old body and said quickly, "Grandmother, please send someone else. Huai Daban is not in good health. We are afraid that he will be hurt if we leave in a hurry."

"Haha."

Queen Mother Zhou laughed and said, "You are afraid that if you hurt one, you will hurt another, and no one will help you at all, right? Since there are so many capable people, you don't care about one or two...

"Besides, even if I'm injured, I can still give you advice and suggestions. Didn't Lai Zhan do a good job? In addition, I think Huai En is indeed a capable person and indispensable..."

…………

Today is the first day of the first lunar month, and I would like to wish all my brothers and sisters a happy new year! I wish you all good luck, good health, and all the best in the Year of the Snake!

(End of this chapter)