Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 229 The dove takes over the magpie's nest
In fact, the news had spread like wildfire. After all, Zhu Changluo was the first to publicly announce in Baijia Garden that a holy temple would be built on Wansui Mountain, and he also offered a reward for the law.

After the Yan Dynasty, the great debate about Confucianism and academic thought inevitably began in the capital.

Or it can be said to be a great liberation of thought.

The provincial examination and the special examination are approaching, how many students are there in the capital?

Zhu Changluo was happy to see this lively discussion. Anyway, the Yan Dynasty had already confirmed the direction, and the important officials had no choice but to prepare the decree.

Zhu Changluo is still striking while the iron is hot.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Grand Secretary Zhu Geng of the Imperial Study, the Chancellor of the Imperial Household Yang Shiqiao, the Junior Chancellor of the Imperial Household and in charge of the Sibao Bureau Fan Chunjing, the Chief Editor of the Sibao Bureau's Chaobao Huang Hui, the literary editor Wang Heng, and the bookplate editor Dong Qichang were all here.

The Zhanshi Mansion was transformed into a real government office: the Sibao Bureau was responsible for the upcoming publication of the imperial newspaper, the Sijing Bureau was responsible for the review and issuance of book numbers for folk books, and the Sichuan Bureau was specifically responsible for connecting with the Silijian Jingchang and the post station distribution system.

Today, only the Ministry of News came to discuss matters before the Emperor.

"If this court report is printed and distributed, it will inevitably flow into the public. If it is called "Chao Bao", it will seem that only the court officials know about it."

Fan Chunjing asked: "Then why not name it "Shiwen"?

Zhu Changluo shook his head, "This matter is of great importance. You all must deeply understand the purpose of this court report. What is issued to the local government is often just a government order. Local officials are not in the court, so they don't know how some government orders are considered. The most important role of this court report for the court is to analyze the considerations of government orders, and secondly, to clearly inform the local government of the rewards and punishments of the court. For the local government, seeing the letter is like seeing the face, and they will never feel that they are too far away from the court. In addition, many government order considerations, the gains and losses of local policies, rewards and punishments, are also learned and used by them."

Zhu Geng understood: "Your Majesty, isn't it better to point out the purpose and call it "Learning for Use"? "

Otherwise, why is he the most senior scholar in the Imperial Study?

Everything is for guidance.

With this name, it looks like just an ordinary academic journal, but its application is wider and its direction is clearer: the court advocates - no, your majesty's wish is to hope that people all over the world can put what they have learned into practice.

Regardless of whether they are ordinary students or officials.

First you have to learn, then you have to use.

Zhu Changluo nodded: "Very good."

He could have decided on the name himself, of course, but this was also one way of doing things.

If even the editorial team of this morning newspaper cannot deeply understand its purpose, there will be more problems in the newspaper in the future.

At present, Zhu Changluo actually spends a lot of time in the imperial study.

The Hanlin Academy was indeed too idle in the past and seemed to have little effect on the court, but this did not mean that Zhu Changluo would despise the Hanlin Academy. On the contrary, the rules for entering the Hanlin Academy have not changed so far, and those who can enter the Hanlin Academy are at least top test-takers.

Among them are some extremely talented, while others are very hardworking.

Zhu Changluo, who is very experienced in writing work, has his own way of making good use of them, and now is the rhythm he is very familiar with.

Among them, there is Dong Qichang who had to return to the Hanlin Academy. Since he is good at both calligraphy and painting, he will be an art editor first.

"Then we will print it on large paper, in places like post stations where people come and go, two sheets of paper, front and back, and paste them up to advertise it."

Yang Shiqiao expressed concern about the workload of publishing one issue per month, which is mainly the workload of printing and distribution.

"With the post station, we don't have to worry about how to send them to the local areas regularly. However, each county or state needs to send at least a few copies, and the scripture factory has to print more than ten thousand copies every month, which is really not easy." Zhu Changluo expressed his approval of his concerns, "I have already allocated special silver from the treasury. At present, the scripture factory will first recruit more master craftsmen, and in the future, we will definitely improve this quick printing method."

"Your Majesty has taken great care..."

The preparatory meeting for the court's "official newspaper" was held in such detail, Zhu Changluo explained to them what content could be published now: new government orders, official changes, academic discussions, local excellent cases...

Of course there are many articles to play with, but it hasn’t officially started yet.

At this moment, Liu Ruoyu arrived at the door with a nervous look on his face. He looked at the emperor who was concentrating, wondering whether he should report it immediately.

Zhu Geng and others noticed him first. After his expression changed slightly, Zhu Changluo looked over and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, the memorial that just arrived in the capital, Zhu Huaqi, a branch of the Chu vassal, impeached the King of Chu for being an illegitimate child, not the blood of the previous King of Chu. The Tongzhengshisi did not dare to neglect it, and sent it to the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Clan Clan. Shen Taichang and Hou Zongling both asked for a judgment, and Eunuch Wang personally delivered the memorial to the Yangxin Palace."

Everyone was stunned and looked at Zhu Changluo.

"Bring it here."

Zhu Changluo's eyes narrowed, he took it in his hand and slowly looked at it.

The arrival of this thing actually activated some of his vague memories. It seemed that there was indeed a Chu Zong case, but in Zhu Changluo's vague memory, it was mainly about party disputes.

Now, Zhu Huaqian, a general of the Chu vassal state, impeached and said that the current Chu King Zhu Huakui was not the biological son of the previous Chu King Zhu Ying, but the illegitimate son of Wang Ruyan, the brother of the royal concubine, and his concubine. This was a disorder of the clan and he should not have inherited the title.

Zhu Changluo thought about it after reading it, and then said, "There are still a few months left. Before the official publication next year, we will try to edit and print a few issues. After the manuscript is published, we will think about it in detail."

Zhu Geng stood up and led everyone to leave, thinking that the emperor might make a fuss about this matter.

There have always been disturbances among the main and side branches of the royal family, and disputes over the succession of royal titles have been even more frequent.

Of course, it is not surprising at all that the King of Chu was suspected, as there have been many things happening in the Chu vassal state over the years.

The previous King of Chu, Zhu Ying, should not have had a chance to become king because of the Chu Palace coup in the 24th year of Jiajing.

The outcome of the matter was that Zhu Yingyao, the legitimate son and crown prince of the Chu vassal state at the time, murdered his father, Zhu Xianrong, the King of Chu. In the end, Zhu Yingyao was beheaded and his body was burned, and the throne of the King of Chu fell to Zhu Ying.

After Zhu Ying inherited the title in the 29th year of Jiajing, he had no son until his death in the 5th year of Longqing.

Just before his death, the current King of Chu, Zhu Huakui, was born.

During the period from the fifth year of Longqing to the eighth year of Wanli when he was officially crowned King of Chu, Zhu Huakui was still a young boy less than ten years old, and the affairs of the Chu vassal state were all managed by side branches.

Think about it, Zhu Ying had no son for twenty years on the throne, but left behind a son before his death. This son was one of the richest fiefs in the world, which makes people doubt Zhu Huakui's bloodline.

They didn't know that Zhu Huaqian's impeachment memorial had already named and disclosed the identities of Zhu Huakui's biological father and mother.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Changluo asked Liu Ruoyu to summon Shen Shixing, Zhu Guozuo and Hou Gongchen. After thinking for a while, he said, "There is also the Privy Councilor." Liu Ruoyu was startled and did not dare to neglect it.

At this moment, the matter is actually public, after all, it is the question book that is used.

Zhu Changluo didn't know that Shen Yikuan was still the prime minister. The Ministry of Public Security once suppressed this proposal because it seemed that the King of Chu had bribed Shen Yikuan.

But now the central government offices have undergone major changes and Shen Yikuan has left the court. The contents of this memorial have temporarily been known to some important ministers and officials of the Ministry of Public Security who are in charge.

Shen Shixing and Zhu Guozuo were actually waiting, and they set off quickly after hearing the summons.

Since there is a name and a surname, it is reasonable to check it out.

However, at a time when the emperor was consolidating the results of his strict preferential treatment and exemptions, and when all the gentry in the world were more or less resentful, it was crucial to figure out how to investigate the matter of Chu Fan.

I can't find out who is the vassal of the clan and I'm so scared.

Although the princes and vassals could not cause any major trouble, it would depend on the time and the local people's sentiments.

When they arrived at the Yangxin Palace, Zhu Changluo said, "Wait a little longer for the Privy Councilor."

They both felt a chill in their hearts and looked at the clan leader Hou Gongchen who was already here.

This consort had just given birth to a son last year, and everyone in the capital knew that he and the other consort were both granted the privilege of taking concubines. The emperor allowed them to have legitimate children, which was an extraordinary grace.

Nearly three quarters of an hour later, Tian Le hurried back.

When he arrived, Zhu Changluo was listening to Shen Shixing talking about the past of the Chu clan.

"Tian Shumi has gone to supervise the military examination, and the situation is still unknown." Zhu Changluo first asked Liu Ruoyu to show him the question book, and said, "Although you asked me to make the decision, I still need to be cautious about this matter. I still need to hear your opinions."

Tian Le finished reading it hurriedly and his face became solemn.

Shen Shixing looked at Zhu Guozuo, indicating that as the Minister of Rites, he had an obligation to do so.

"...I think we should investigate. But the King of Chu has inherited the title for more than 20 years, and there are impeachments from the side branches at this time. I'm afraid there are other reasons." Zhu Guozuo said cautiously, "Logically speaking, if the side branches of the Chu vassal submitted a petition, the people of Huguang should have known about it. Their petitions and memorials should have been on the way."

"You mean, wait and see?"

"Yes. No matter what, the court cannot act rashly. Since there is a name and surname, Your Majesty might as well ask the King of Chu first and allow him to defend himself. You can't let the vassal states think that Your Majesty is hoping for this reason to move against the vassal states..."

Zhu Changluo frowned and thought.

Zhu Guozuo's suggestion was certainly prudent, but he didn't know that Chu Fan was one of the first to participate in Changming.

Now he thought about it and asked Shen Shixing: "Shen Taichang, do you think that last year's strict preferential exemption and the increase in local reserves are the reasons why the Chu vassal branches are looking forward to the full amount of their own salary and grain?"

If Shen Shixing was asked directly, he had to answer.

"I think there should be. Although your majesty has issued a clear order, the salaries of the clan and vassal states will still follow the old rules, but there is a grace that they will no longer be in arrears." Shen Shixing paused and said, "I am afraid that the King of Chu will take the salaries and grain, but in fact he will still find excuses to delay payment as in previous years. The members of the side branches are eagerly waiting, but the head of our own branch is not fair. I am afraid that this is the reason why some people are angry and impeached."

Then he looked at Zhu Guozuo again and said, "I think we should not let the King of Chu file a petition to defend himself first. If the King of Chu knew about this, he would probably blame the side branch clan member. If things go wrong, it could lead to a bigger dispute."

Zhu Changluo also knew that it was probably not just the benefit of not delaying and paying Chu Fan the full amount of salary after the strict exemption, but also probably included Chu Fan's profit share in Changminghao.

As for Changminghao, the grain shop collected grain in Huguang, and the salt shop sold salt in Huguang... As one of the "shareholders", the King of Chu of course swallowed up all these benefits himself.

He nodded slightly. "As I said earlier, the Chu clan now has nearly 10,000 members in its branches and tributaries. If the King of Chu is always unfair, the Chu clan will be in turmoil. If he knows that the throne is in jeopardy, he will be furious and investigate the clan members. I'm afraid his methods will go beyond questioning."

Zhu Guozuo was slightly embarrassed. After all, it was his inconsiderateness.

This was not just an ordinary complaint, it was to drive him out of the position of King of Chu, and to investigate the Chu Fan's past. If the story was true, how many people would be held accountable?
Once the news reached the King of Chu and those with related interests, how could they just blame him?

Now that the case has been brought before the emperor, it means that the conflict within the Chu vassal state has reached its peak. If the king of Chu takes any drastic measures, the consequences will be unimaginable.

He looked at Tian Le, no wonder the emperor wanted to call the Privy Councilor.

Zhu Guozuo was promoted too quickly, but fortunately he was smart and figured out the key immediately.

Shen Shixing said worriedly, "The bad thing is that there was an example during the reign of Emperor Xianzong. Before the death of the Han Wangfu, the Hanyin King also used a son of a foreign surname to pretend to be his own son. The matter was eventually exposed and the fiefdom was abolished. The Chu vassal... Your Majesty, I dare to ask, if the King of Chu is really a son of a foreign surname, how will Your Majesty deal with the Chu vassal? Will you abolish it or not?"

Tian Le also stared at the emperor.

He hasn't spoken since he came in.

But what Shen Shixing wanted to ask was also what he wanted to ask.

Don’t think about the details yet, just look at the direction.

It is impossible for the Chu clan members not to consider the risks. There have been precedents of such things. If the emperor got angry and simply eliminated the Chu clan, they would all suffer.

Therefore, it is very likely that they are willing to take such a risk and impeach the King of Chu.

From the perspective of local officials, there was also a motivation to use this incident to promote the abolition of the country - after all, the local area would be freed from the huge burden of the Chu vassal state.

For the emperor, it was a matter of thought: considering the reactions of other vassal states, whether he wanted to take advantage of the issue to reduce the burden on the vassal states of the entire court and further improve the financial situation.

"Your Majesty." Tian Le spoke, "There are still eight county kings in the Chu vassal state. If the kingdom is abolished, all the surviving members of Taizu's branch will be in danger. If the kingdom is not abolished, according to etiquette, among the eight county kings, the Wugang County King left by Chu Duan Wang should be in this branch, but..."

He just pointed out the subsequent development: if the country is abolished, many vassal states left by Taizu will be shaken, and if the country is not abolished, there will be a fight for this position within the Chu vassal state.

Due to various problems over the years, this branch of the bloodline can now be traced back to the Chu Duan Wang who inherited the title during the Zhengde period and died in the early Jiajing period. It is hard to say whether the other princes will recognize it.

Zhu Changluo said solemnly: "The country does not need to be eliminated, but the case must be thoroughly investigated. Hou Zongling, you should instruct the vassals not to treat the side branches harshly, and tell them clearly that no matter what the truth is about the Chu vassal, the Chu vassal will not be eliminated. This purpose is determined, and the Inspection Office and the Administration Office should be summoned. The three officials should be sent to investigate! In any case, if they are really outsiders, how can they steal the throne?"

The night is long and a chapter is typed out on the mobile phone.

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(End of this chapter)