Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 90 Dutiful Son
The main hall of the Li Mansion.

Liu Ji conveyed the emperor's intention:
"…His Majesty asked the eunuch Wei of the Imperial Household Department to go to the cabinet duty room and explain the whole story. This earthquake at Mount Tai concerns the country and the people of the Ming Dynasty. There are so many people watching in the court. If it is not handled properly, it will easily cause a rift between the court and the heaven."

Li Zisheng smiled.

Is there still a grudge between the imperial court and God?

The Master does not speak of disorderly forces or gods. Do you really believe that this is a warning from God?
Why don't you say that this is someone with great supernatural powers who can cause earthquakes to happen wherever he wants?

Liu Ji said, "Tianshi, do you think we should link this matter to the East Palace?"

Li Zisheng was moved and asked, "Lord Liu, you are a model of a scholar. You have read the Four Books and Five Classics and always quote from the classics when you speak or do things. I would like to ask, if this kind of thing happened in the past dynasties, who should the court contact?"

"Oh, you really stumped me. Please forgive my lack of knowledge..."

Liu Ji is nicknamed Liu Mianhua, and he is never far behind when it comes to being a troublemaker.

The biggest characteristic of this kind of people is inaction. Ask me for my opinion... You might as well be fluffing cotton balls; at least it makes a sound.

Li Zisheng said, "Don't say I'm in control of the court. This is what I reported to you, and I speculated based on the changes in the celestial phenomena. As for what the heavens meant, I can't say for sure even if you ask me... For this kind of thing, it depends on what your majesty thinks."

Liu Ji said: "You don't have any profound insights? How is this possible?"

Li Zisheng raised his hand and said, "Lord Liu, I am not as good as you in matters like being summoned to court. You are a minister who assists the Ming Dynasty in governing. How can you escape when you encounter such a matter?

"If you really want to ask for my opinion, then I can only say that if it is a blessing, it is not a disaster. If it is a disaster, you can't avoid it. If you want to avoid it, you can only... follow the will of heaven and never go against it."

Liu Ji originally thought that Li Zisheng was going to say some profound truth, but after listening to him and thinking about it for a while, he couldn't help but frown.

Isn't this all fucking bullshit?

I know what God's will is, so why should I ask you?
In other words, we all know that this is God's will, but who should report it?

It is natural that God's will is for the emperor to retain the crown prince's position as heir, but the emperor wants to change the heir. Whoever reports this to God's will, wouldn't that be bringing bad luck upon himself?

Liu Ji said: "Although we are court officials, we are not aware of matters such as the prediction of disasters and anomalies, and we don't know how to make a request."

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "If you don't know, then you should ask someone who is good at this matter."

"Aren't I just here to ask you for advice?" Liu Ji said.

"Hey, this is wrong... Am I the person in charge of this matter in the court?" Li Zisheng had a sly smile on his face, "Shouldn't you go to the government office that is responsible for this?"

"You mean? The Imperial Observatory? But I'm afraid that they are too weak and your Majesty won't believe it even if I tell them." Liu Ji said.

"How can we know if we don't ask? It's better for them to interpret it than for you and me to speculate on the secrets of heaven, right?"

Li Zisheng had actually hinted at this point, but he still added, "If they don't understand the situation, someone will give them some advice. Just rest assured, Lord Liu."

Liu Ji understood as soon as he heard it.

Li Zisheng would never take the initiative to submit a memorial.

Everyone knew that acting against the emperor's wishes in this matter would bring bad luck, so people from the Imperial Observatory were found in advance to act as scapegoats. In this way, even if the emperor was angry because he could not change the crown prince, it could not be blamed on Li Zisheng.

But then Liu Ji started to think again, why did you go and report the earthquake in Mount Tai for no reason, delaying the change of crown prince? Wouldn't the emperor put the blame on you?

Can you still distance yourself from it now?

But who makes you so awesome that you can even see into the secrets of heaven?

We can't afford to offend you anyway.

Slip away. Slip away.

……

The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Early in the morning, Zhu Youtang's reply to Zhang Yu was finally sent out of the palace.

He was in a very good mood that day. When he went out, the golden light of the winter sun poured down, making his body warm. He no longer felt cold, and he suddenly felt the bright sunshine and charming scenery in front of him.

Once the young man made up his mind, it seemed as if the dark courtyard before him was no longer a cage, and he was no longer a canary at the mercy of others.

Once a person is in a good mood, time passes by very quickly without him noticing.

Just as Zhu Youtang finished his morning lessons and was about to stretch his body in the courtyard, Qin Ji came hurriedly and said from a distance: "Your Highness, it's a big deal, a big deal."

When Zhu Youtang saw Qin Ji coming, he asked excitedly, "My dear, has the reply arrived?"

Tan Ji was stunned.

It was only at this moment that he realized that the young man in front of him was completely immersed in a sour environment of love, completely ignoring the thoughts of a bunch of abnormal men around him. It seemed that even the affairs of the court were not as important as the letters he was sending to a woman outside the palace.

Qin Ji smiled bitterly and said softly, "The letter has just been sent, it won't be replied so soon."

"Oh."

When Zhu Youtang heard this, he could hardly hide the disappointment on his face.

Qin Ji looked around, then approached Zhu Youtang and whispered, "There was an earthquake in Mount Tai. I heard it was quite loud. This concerns the fate of the country and your position as the crown prince. We have to pay attention to it."

Zhu Youtang said worriedly, "Taishan has great symbolic significance to the court. If an earthquake really happens this time, my father will be extremely worried. Otomo, how do you think I can resolve my father's worries?"

Qin Ji listened inwardly, and was moved, thinking how pure and filial the prince was.

He doesn't care about himself at all, but only about his father. If you want to share the emperor's worries about this kind of thing, then the only way you can do is to depose yourself as the crown prince.

"Don't worry, Prince. His Majesty will consider the matter. This is a warning from heaven, not caused by you. It is best to wait and see what happens."

Qin Ji tried to comfort him with a few words, but found that it was useless to say anything at this moment. Instead, it made Zhu Youtang feel guilty.

Zhu Youtang said with a worried look on his face: "My dear, I want to go see my father and see how I can comfort him."

Qin Ji shook his head helplessly: "Prince, please don't go. His Majesty probably doesn't want to see you at this time."

"Why?"

Zhu Youtang didn't understand the ways of the world and looked at Qin Ji with a confused look on his face.

Qin Ji naturally couldn't say that the emperor didn't like you and that you would only cause trouble for him if you went, so he could only say tactfully: "If His Majesty wants to discuss this matter with the prince, he will send someone to summon him. The prince should not worry about it, but should focus more on his studies to improve himself."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang was like a good boy. He returned to his desk, sat down, picked up a book and started reading. However, he was so confused that he couldn't concentrate.

Tan Ji didn't bother him any more, bowed and walked out.

Before leaving the palace, Qin Ji heard Zhu Youtang muttering to himself: "Alas, perhaps my existence is a mistake! If I were not here, Father would not have to worry so much, right?"

(End of this chapter)