Idle courtiers

Chapter 408

Thinking about it, there are three main reasons why King Yu has a good reputation in history: First, Zhang Juzheng’s reform was honored by Zhang Juzheng, and Zhang Juzheng’s reform was called the Great Reform of Longwan by later generations. Long is Longqing, and Wanli is Wanli. .Everyone put these two dynasties together, just like the Kang Yongnian of the Qing Dynasty, or Kang Qian X; second, he had a large number of first-class celebrities under his command.For example, Zhang, Gao, and Li served as the chief assistants of the cabinet respectively, and controlled the public opinion of scholars. As the old people of Long Qianshi, would they speak ill of the prince? Third, King Yu passed away after only a few years in office. He has been in power for a short time, and has not come to monopolize the monarchy. He is simply a clay sculpture and wood sculpture that governs by doing nothing.Such a monarch is in line with the interests of the civil service system and is a model of a wise monarch in their minds.

No one is a sage, and once absolute power is in hand, no one can't help but want to do something pleasant.Just imagine, if Emperor Longqing reigns for another ten or eight years, who knows how he will be evaluated in history.

All the emperors of the Ming Dynasty loved money, and that was written into their genes. Presumably King Yu was also like this.

Zhou Nan sighed in his heart, and was about to wave Chen Ju back to the palace.With a twitch in his heart, he still couldn't help but ask him where he got the exam questions.It would be fine if the topic he bought at the beginning was fake, but the serious problem lies in the real one.

If anyone else knows about this, it's a ticking time bomb.Once detonated, my life will be ruined.

Of course, this matter involves Zhou Nan's face, so it's not easy to ask clearly, so he just pretended to be nonchalant and said: "Wanhua, this Shuntianfu Township Examination, the world said that Master Gu will definitely write a question in "The Analects of Confucius" , everyone worked hard on that book. As a result, there was one question each for "University", "The Doctrine of the Mean", and "The Analects of Confucius", which was beyond everyone's expectations, Gu Shi, you always do things beyond your expectations!"

Chen Ju is such a smart person, how could he not know what his teacher was worried about.I also know that the teacher is a gentleman, so he can't be forced to disclose the topic to his old man in that way.Mr. Helpless is too upright, how can he listen.

In fact, with Mr.'s talent and learning, it is no problem to win the exam.If I do this, isn't that tarnishing the reputation of my mentor? It's also my fault for being too anxious.Eunuch Chen looked ashamed, and said in a low voice: "After the students heard that the chief examiner of the Shuntianfu Township Examination was Mr. Gu, they admired his moral articles and wanted to get close, so they got to know one of his long-term followers."

"This man's surname is Wang, and he is Gu Shangshi's cousin. This man has a daughter, and he told me about a scholar in his hometown. But his family background is really bad, and he can't afford a decent dowry. Afraid that his daughter will suffer hardship in her husband's house, she will be obsessed with her." Seeing Grandmaster Gu want to explore the problem."

"Master Gu is such an upright and upright person, how he is willing to let his long follower cheat is a lesson. The student sympathized with Wang Changsui, had friendship with him again, and persuaded him once. I gave him 1000 taels, which was enough for the dowry. "

Chen Ju: "Master, don't worry, Wang Changsui said that he is also a cowardly person, and he would never dare to ask questions and sell them."

Speaking of this, he smiled lightly: "I also met Wang Changsui a few times, and the student didn't tell him his real identity. He only said that he was a merchant from Shanxi, and he would go back to his hometown in a few days. Think about it, after this life It will be indefinite."

Eunuch Chen has already made it very clear that the topic was secretly stolen from Gu Yan by Wang Changsui, and no one except the two of them knew about it.Wang Changsui also knew that this was a felony, so he only bought Chen Ju alone, and it was a one-off deal.This matter is known by heaven, earth, you, and me, and there is no risk.

Zhou Nan breathed a sigh of relief, he finally took a reassurance, and his uneasy heart fell to the ground.Sighed: "Wang Changsui is also pitiful, pity the hearts of parents in the world!" Wang Changsui, isn't that middle-aged man who refused to report to the dead yesterday, it's really hateful.

He also said: "A gentleman is magnanimous, and he can't do things that are opportunistic."

"Yes, sir, the lesson is right."

After sending Chen Ju away, Zhou Nan still had a doubt in his mind. It is said that he got two topics in advance, and the article he wrote in advance was revised by Wang Shizhen. How come it fell into the list of lost items and was almost brushed?
Although it is good to be able to win, I still feel a little regretful when I think about it.What is Xie Yuan, it is the good name that accompanies him, which can bring practical benefits.

After hearing Zhou Nan say that the money for the Kongming case was the Emperor Jiajing's internal funds, Shi Wenjiang was shocked: "King Yu is crazy, doesn't he know the consequences of doing so? It's unreasonable, unreasonable... ...Yes, now I have to go to see King Yu as soon as possible, and ask him to return the silver. Go right away, and I will go and prepare the chariot and horses for your lord."

Immediately, Zhou Nan took Kong Ming's testimony and went all the way to Prince Yu's Mansion to post.

Fuyu Wang has always had a virtuous name, the concierge read the post, and his attitude was very polite, saying that it was Mr. You Zhengzhou from the Daolu Department, and he was waiting in the concierge, so I will report it.If the prince wants to see you, he will lead you in again.

Zhou Nan said repeatedly, thank you sir.He looked at the palace again, it was a big place, and the house was new, very grand.Of course, compared to Xu Jie's Xiangfu, it is quite inferior.

This was Zhou Nan's first time entering King Yu, so he was naturally a little excited.

Today, I can be regarded as identifying the protagonists in the political arena in the late Jiajing period and the early Longqing period.

Zhou Nan counted with his fingers. The people he had met successively included Jiajing, Yan Song, Li Chunfang, Xu Jie, Yuan Wei, Huang Jin, Chen Hong, Chen Ju, Feng Bao, Zhang Juzheng, Li Fei... This time travel Quite enjoyable for him, a lover of literature and history, oh, there is another Gao Gong whom I have never met.

After waiting for a long time, the concierge came out and said, "I'm sorry that the lord just didn't feel well, so I waited for a while before going to report."The prince said, I have heard Zhou Zimu's name for a long time, and I wish I could see it.Unexpectedly, Mr. Zhou came to the door in person today. It was a pleasant surprise, and asked Mr. Zhou to come in and talk.

After finishing speaking, he took Zhou Nan for a walk in the palace, and then entered a jingshe.

Sitting inside was a middle-aged man with flushed face and wearing Taoist robes.

This person is King Yu, the future Emperor Longqing Zhu Zaihou.

Zhou Nan saw that King Yu's complexion was abnormally red, his forehead was slightly sweating, and the two beauties who were waiting beside him also had peach blossoms on their faces.He immediately understood in his heart that the prince was probably doing something indescribable just now, and he might have taken a elixir.

What about feeling unwell? I think it's very suitable!

In broad daylight, it seems inappropriate to do such a thing, especially for a prince.

He hurriedly bowed down: "Your Majesty Zhou Nan, I pay my respects to Your Highness."

Zhou Nan is observing King Yu, and King Yu is also observing Zhou Nan.

Seeing that Mr. Zhou is a talented person, neither humble nor overbearing, he has the demeanor of the gentlemen in the mansion, he is happy in his heart, so he stretches out his hand to help him up.Haha laughed and said, "I've heard of your name a long time ago, and your poems are very good. You are worthy of being Wang Shizhen's student. By the way, I heard that you locked the hall to participate in the Shuntianfu Township Examination this year. How did you do?"

Zhou Nan: "Poetry is a small way, how can it compare with the words of a sage and moral articles? The officials are ashamed and barely hit it."

King Yu's eyes became brighter: "It's good if you get it, it's good if you get it, you should be a good student and study, and you can be a Jinshi in the spring exam next year, so you can serve your father and the court." After saying this in one breath, he was a little out of breath .

A beauty next to him hurriedly opened a gold box and handed over a red pill, and he took it with tea

Seeing this meatball, Zhou Nan's heart trembled. Isn't this the kind commonly used by Jiajing? This stuff can be eaten indiscriminately?

"Yes." Zhou Nan hurriedly responded.

King Yu: "Master Zhou came to my palace today, why?"

Zhou Nan: "It's business."

King Yu smiled: "Gu is just a prince. If you have official business, you can first hand it over to the Chief of the Prince's Palace."

In the Ming Dynasty, guarding against princes was like guarding against thieves. The so-called princes and vassals had to accept the strict management of the chief historian.

Although King Yu forcibly intervened in the political affairs of the court, it was under the condition of Jiajing's acquiescence, and everyone agreed.

After all, he is not the crown prince, so the so-called name is not right, and some things should be avoided.

Zhou Nan didn't say much, and handed over the confession in his sleeve: "The official is dealing with a small case today, and it seems to have something to do with the palace. I don't dare to make a claim. Please have a look at it."

"What is this?" King Yu took a look at Kong Ming's pleading paper and was taken aback.Busily waved at the two beauties, signaling them to push down.Then he said doubtfully: "Master Zhou, the suspect said that the 1 taels of silver he stole was sent to the Guwang Mansion, how come the widow doesn't know?"

Zhou Nan: "My lord really doesn't know about this?" As he spoke, his eyes fell on his face, as if he wanted to see the clue.

King Yu smiled wryly: "Lord Zhou, last time you sold a certificate to raise military funds for Fujian, this king knew it was your suggestion, and the frontline soldiers in Fujian all respected your kindness. Yes, Fujian is short of money, but this king It’s not enough to make such a bad move, is it?”

"Yes, the officer also thinks this matter is strange. Could it be that the thief is just grabbing at random? However, this matter is suspicious because Na Kongming is very embarrassed, and the 1 taels of silver he stole did not dare to use a penny. Obviously there is a mastermind behind the scenes. And this mastermind behind the scenes should not be an ordinary person." Yes, the majestic prince, is it possible for the future emperor to steal money from the Taoist temple?

Zhou Nan: "I forgot to tell the lord that the stolen silver in this Taoist temple is His Majesty's internal money. If you guessed correctly, it is obvious that someone wants to use this to frame His Majesty and plot something wrong."

"What, this is His Majesty's internal money!" The flushed face of Fuyu Wang, who was still gentle and generous just now, suddenly turned pale.

He stood up with a cry, and shouted to the outside: "Come on, please Mr. Zhang... No, no need. Listen, everyone, no one is allowed to enter the yard without Gu's order."

Since the death of Prince Zhu Zaiyu Zhuang Jing in the 28th year of Jiajing, in terms of seniority, it is King Yu's turn to be the crown prince.It is a pity that there is a proverb that the two dragons will not meet, so the emperor did not establish a prince.

The position of crown prince has been vacant for more than ten years, so it is inevitable that some people will have other thoughts.

The most ruthless emperor's family, Yu Wang felt that a dark cloud was hanging over his head.

Among them, there are electric lights flashing.

(End of this chapter)