Chapter 506 Jiajing's Memorial to the Emperor
Three days later.

The north has been covered in a blanket of white due to heavy snow for several days.

Outside the city, in the countryside, there are few pedestrians on the roads.

Yan Shaoting, who boarded the ship from Nanjing, finally landed on a remote beach near Tianjin Acropolis, ending his long sea voyage.

The Loyal and Brave Battalion of more than 3,000 people had already changed into thick cotton armor on the ship. Under the command of Zhu Shitai and a group of generals, they quickly disembarked and formed a team on the shore.

In the end, more than 3,000 people bypassed the Tianjin City and went to a remote and sparsely populated place on the northwest side, where they met Zhu Qi, who was waiting with more than 3,000 war horses.

More than 3,000 people mounted their horses silently in the wind and snow, and then headed northwest towards Beijing City. They avoided places where villages gathered along the way, and took secluded paths to get closer to Beijing.

Capital.

The day has passed Laba.

The atmosphere of the New Year is getting stronger.

And in the Wanshou Palace in Xiyuan.

The stove is used more.

The medicinal taste of the soup is also more obvious.

The doors and windows were closed, and heavy curtains blocked the cold air from outside from entering.

The snow kept falling, and no matter how the eunuchs in the palace cleaned it up, there would still be a thick layer of snow on the ground the next day.

This resulted in the eunuchs having to repeat the work of the previous day, clearing the snow from everywhere, pushing it to the edge of the Taiye Lake, and finally pushing it into the already frozen Taiye Lake.

These accumulated snow and ice will only melt into water and flow along the waterways to the low-lying areas when the temperature rises in the spring of next year.

At this moment.

Chen Ju, a eunuch who worked in the Imperial Household Department, was wrapped in a thick cotton coat and wearing a large furry hat. He walked towards the Wanshou Palace from the direction of the imperial city with his hands curled up and his head lowered.

Behind him, two clear lines of footprints were left on the snow.

Not long after.

Chen Ju arrived at the gate of Wanshou Palace, raised his head and exposed his face to the sight of the emperor's officers and soldiers guarding the palace, and then walked through the gate and into Wanshou Palace.

After entering the Wanshou Palace, Chen Ju's steps became more cautious. He climbed the high steps carefully and finally arrived in front of the palace door, exhaling a long puff of white smoke.

Chen Ju stood in front of the palace gate but did not enter.

Instead, he stomped his feet to shake off the flying snow on his body.

Then he approached the palace door that was blocked by a thick cotton curtain and said, "Chen Ju, there is a memorial from the cabinet."

Not long after.

A long pole extends from behind the cotton curtain, with a wooden tray at the front.

Chen Ju carefully took out the memorial that he had been hiding in his arms and placed it on the tray.

"All right."

After shouting towards the hall, Chen Ju took two steps back.

The people inside then carefully took back the wooden pallet.

Seeing that his task was completed, Chen Ju looked around, then walked down the stairs again and walked to the side of the Wanshou Palace Hall, in front of a low house built against the platform.

Open a door and bend over to go inside.

These houses built on the platform have always been used exclusively for the eunuchs in the palace to live in.

It is neither high nor big, but it is close to the emperor and the nobles in the palace, making it convenient for them to serve.

Once inside, although there was no stove, it was still warmer than outside.

Chen Ju took off his outermost coat and hung it behind the door, then pulled out a reflective brass kettle wrapped in thick cotton cloth from under the bed.

Then take out a wooden basin and pour the much cooler water in the kettle into the basin.

Chen Ju sank his hands into the water, feeling the warm water that was not too hot. Finally, a look of comfort appeared on his face, and he felt much more relaxed.

Then he took off his shoes and socks, added some warm water to the basin, and then submerged his feet in the water.

And in the main hall of Wanshou Palace.

The eunuch who had brought in the cabinet's memorials from outside on a special tray placed them next to a stove at the door to warm them for a while. When the memorials were no longer cold, he walked towards the inner hall holding the memorials in his hands.

Behind the inner hall door.

The smell of the medicine is already pungent.

"Your Majesty, the cabinet has a memorial."

The eunuch did not dare to enter, so he reported quietly in front of the palace door, which was also hung with thick cotton curtains.

Not long after.

Huang Jin lifted a corner of the curtain, reached out to take the memorial, and then waved to the eunuch outside.

Inner Temple.

Huang Jin held the memorial in his hand and turned around to look inside the hall.

The emperor was still on the platform.

But now, this Taotai that carries the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is different from the past.

A thick quilt was placed in a circle around the platform.

Behind the emperor was a soft couch with its legs cut off, also padded with high and soft pillows.

The emperor leaned there with a weak look and a thick quilt covering him.

When Huang Jin brought the memorial to the Taotai, he looked at Lu Fang who was decocting medicine for the emperor.

At this time, Huang Jin no longer brought memorials to the emperor.

Instead, he stared at the emperor for a long time with a worried look on his face.

"read."

Jiajing, wrapped in countless quilts, forced a smile on his face and looked at Huang Jin with rare tenderness in his eyes.

After hearing the emperor's words, Huang Jin lowered his head and opened the memorial in his hand, but his voice was choked with sobs.

"The cabinet reported that the fighting in Xuanfu and Datong has subsided. The leader of the Altan tribe, Xin Ai Huang Taiji, has been stationed in the upper reaches of the Dongyang River and has attacked the junction of Xuanfu and Datong several times, but to no avail. He has now retreated westward to the southern foot of the Daqing Mountains as scheduled."

Jiajing's face turned redder: "Piantouguan and... Yansui?"

Huang Jin nodded heavily. "The generals of Shanxi and Yansui have already mobilized their troops to strengthen the border and are stationed at the border in person. The cabinet and the court discussed it before and planned to send Hai Rui, the right deputy censor of the Censorate, to patrol the border in Xuanfu, Datong, Shanxi, and Yansui after the New Year."

Jiajing frowned and coughed twice, which scared Huang Jin so much that he quickly looked up.

But Jiajing frowned and said, "Hai Rui cannot...cannot leave the capital..."

At this time, Lu Fang had also walked over with the bowl of medicine.

"Master, it's time to take the medicine."

He forced a few smiles on his face, as if to indicate that the emperor would get better if he just drank a few more bowls of medicine.

Jiajing did not say anything to stop him, but just looked upwards.

After Lu Fang helped him drink the medicine, Jiajing looked deeply at the eunuch who had served him all his life.

Lü Fang understood and looked at Huang Jin: "Let the cabinet discuss this further. Hai Rui will serve as the Northern Zhili Provincial Surveillance Commissioner and Shuntian Prefect. He should not be moved lightly. Order the Censorate to nominate another person to inspect the border towns on behalf of the court."

Huang Jin nodded and accepted the order.

Then he said: "The cabinet responded to the imperial edict and discussed with the nine ministers in court, and nominated Hu Zongxian and Guo Puji to participate in the cabinet."

Jiajing's eyes wandered around, and after a while he said, "Let's discuss it later."

Huang Jin was stunned for a moment.

Lu Fang, standing aside, had a sad look on his face.

The emperor wants to delay this matter forever.

Why do this?

Naturally, it would be left for the new emperor to promote his subjects as a reward.

It is to let the new emperor win over his subjects.

Be it Hu Zongxian, Guo Pu, Yang Bo, Gao Yi or anyone else, it is impossible for them to enter the cabinet at this time.

Only when the new emperor ascends the throne will new people be brought into the cabinet.

Huang Jin then said, "The cabinet has decided that the court should summon officials to review the matter next year. It has been two years since the opening of the sea. Merchants who go out to sea in our dynasty have never been taxed. Now that the opening of the sea has gone smoothly, the Minister of Maritime Affairs Zhang Juzheng has made a memorial to the tax and military office to levy maritime trade taxes. The taxes will be favorable to our merchants, and the taxes will be heavier for foreign merchants, so that our merchants can go out to sea. The cabinet will ask for his opinion."

There was silence in the hall for a while.

Jiajing seemed to be gathering the strength in his body. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Yes, order Zhang Juzheng and Xu Wenbi to carefully investigate those who evade taxes along the coast. Order Gao Gong to select people to investigate all places along the coast, punish the lawbreakers severely, and make them pay for their crimes!"

The order to kill was issued.

Jiajing started coughing violently.

Lu Fang hurried forward, reached his hand into the quilt, and soothed the emperor's chest.

Huang Jin also put away the memorial in his hand, took a step further and whispered: "The Jinyiwei secretly reported that Yan Shaoting and his Loyal and Brave Battalion have arrived outside the capital. Due to the accumulation of snow, their whereabouts have not been made known to the outside world." Jiajing nodded.

But there was no further news.

Huang Jin looked at the emperor in confusion, and then couldn't help but glance at Lu Fang beside him.

Lu Fang also didn't quite understand what the emperor meant.

Yan Shaoting returned to the capital this time with a secret decree, but now that he has returned with the Loyal and Brave Battalion, the emperor has not made any arrangements or follow-up.

This is obviously unreasonable.

Just when Lu Fang was about to ask.

Jiajing whispered, "Yu...Prince Yu..."

Lu Fang immediately looked at Huang Jin.

Huang Jin replied: "My Lord, Prince Yu is on his way."

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in this way.

Jiajing nodded in satisfaction, leaned softly on the pillow, closed his eyes, and gathered his strength.

And outside the Wanshou Palace.

The snow never stops falling.

After receiving the oral order, Zhu Zaigui hurried from Prince Yu's Mansion to Xiyuan.

When they arrived outside the Wanshou Palace, they quickly jumped off the carriage.

After standing still, Zhu Zaigui straightened his clothes and looked towards the open gate of the Wanshou Palace with anxiety in his eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Zhu Zaigui took heavy steps and walked towards the high steps.

After walking all the way to the palace gate and revealing his identity, Zhu Zaigui was greeted by two eunuchs and walked into the palace.

When he entered the hall, Zhu Zaigui stopped and squatted beside the stove at the door, stretching his body as much as he could towards the fire.

This is to prevent the cold air from being brought into the inner hall.

"How does Father look today?"

Zhu Zaigui, who was squatting beside the stove, asked in a worried tone.

The eunuch standing by shook his head and said, "Your Majesty is still coughing badly today. Eunuch Lu has already given Your Majesty the second dose of medicine for the day. Just now, Eunuch Chen brought the memorial from the cabinet, and Eunuch Huang took it into the inner hall."

Zhu Zaigui nodded, feeling that the coldness in his body had been dried up, then he stood up and walked towards the inner hall.

After a report.

Zhu Zaigui entered the inner hall and stood three steps away from the Taotai.

Lv Fang called out to the emperor who was resting with his eyes closed on the platform: "Master, Prince Yu is here."

Jiajing slowly opened his eyes and looked at his son kneeling in front of him. His face was calm: "Come closer."

Zhu Zaigui nodded in acceptance of the order and took two steps forward.

"Come closer, come forward."

Jiajing added another sentence.

Lu Fang stood up and walked down the platform, helping Prince Yu back to his original seat.

Zhu Zaigui knelt beside the emperor.

Jiajing tilted his head and looked sideways at his son who was right in front of him. His brows frowned and he coughed several times, which scared Zhu Zaigui so much that he was at a loss.

Finally, Jiajing reached out a hand from under the quilt and gently grasped his son's hand.

A long sigh.

Jiajing said calmly: "I...will not live long..."

Zhu Zaigui trembled all over and wanted to kneel down, but the emperor grabbed his hand again.

Under the stage, Lu Fang and Huang Jin were already kneeling on the ground. They tried hard to hold back their tears, but they kept falling.

Jiajing, however, became more calm and composed: "The country, the state, and the foundation of our ancestors will all be handed over to you..."

Zhu Zaigui's eyes were already filled with tears: "Father!"

However, Jiajing let go of his son's hand and patted Zhu Zaigui's face.

"Don't cry."

"Even if I die, the Ming Dynasty will still be there!"

"The billions of people in the world still need you to comfort them."

Zhu Zaigui was already in tears.

Looking at his son who was already thirty years old and still crying like a tearful man, Jiajing just smiled slightly.

"In my lifetime, forty-five years ago, when I was a young man, I came north from Anlu and ascended the throne."

"I have already said this in front of the Xi'an Gate that day. I have been through a lot in my life. I have been through wind and rain and led troops to fight in person."

"Now, I have approved the new policy and hope that the great Ming Dynasty will come to a prosperous era, but my life span is running out..."

at last.

Jiajing still sighed because he felt his life slipping away before his eyes, with a look of deep reluctance on his face.

But soon, a hint of redness returned to his face.

"But my life is worth it!"

"It is not too late for me to approve the new policy! Because we still have you, and we still have the talents of the world for you to command when you ascend to the throne in the future!"

Zhu Zaigui was already sobbing and unable to speak. He fell to the ground, his body twitching.

Although the father in front of him lived in the West Garden all year round and always abided by the rule that the two dragons did not meet.

But after all, he never treated his son harshly.

Jiajing put his hand on Zhu Zaigui's neck and patted him gently: "Don't cry, don't be afraid, raise your head."

Zhu Zaigui choked up and slowly raised his head, only to see a smile on the emperor's face.

Jiajing coughed a few more times and said with a smile: "I hope to survive this New Year. I hope to be reunited with you and my grandson's family to welcome the coming of the new year. But...if I can't survive..."

Zhu Zaigui hurriedly shook his head and said, "Father will surely live a long and blessed life!"

Jiajing laughed a few times: "How can you live a hundred years? I have practiced Taoism for many years, how can I not know that there is no elixir of life in this world? If you really can't survive this time, you must not slack off after you ascend the throne, and you must not stay in the palace for a long time like me and not attend court meetings. You must work hard to govern, reform the old and establish the new, continue the new policy, and appoint talented people."

Zhu Zaigui nodded repeatedly.

He now felt like the sky was falling. Originally, he only needed to stay in the academy, but now, the Ming Dynasty might fall on his shoulders.

He seemed extremely confused and didn't know how to respond.

It seemed that he saw the confusion in his son's heart.

Jiajing smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."

"Today, the cabinet proposed to nominate Hu Zongxian and Guo Pu to join the cabinet. I rejected it. However, this is not a decision about them. I want to leave it for you to use after you ascend the throne. Don't forget it."

Zhu Zaigui could only nod now and could not do anything else.

Jiajing smiled even more. Seeing his son crying, he felt mixed emotions and continued, "In today's world, change means survival, and no change means death. Fortunately, there are countless ministers who are willing to make innovations in the court. If I die, you can take charge of the affairs of the court and the world. You can let Gao Gong implement the new policies, rectify the court, change the atmosphere, and correct the new policies."

At this point, it can be said that Jiajing was issuing his will and began to arrange his affairs after his death.

Zhu Zaigui looked solemn, but he couldn't stop crying.

Jiajing's face gradually turned pale. "Gao Gong may offend many people if he is involved in the new policy, but starting with him, the new policy will surely be implemented in the local areas. In the cabinet, Yuan Wei cannot be the head, and Li Chunfang, who is involved in the old ministers, cannot be reused. Zhao Zhenji is familiar with population and finance, and can be used for this purpose. Hu Zongxian is good at military affairs, and the nine frontiers, southeast and southwest can be handed over to him. He and Gao Gong must also work together to clean up the illegal activities of meritorious officials and veterans."

The emperor began to make arrangements in every detail.

Zhu Zaigui looked back at Lu Fang and Huang Jin from time to time.

Jiajing took a few deep breaths before speaking again: "When Gao Gong is impeached too severely, you can dismiss him and allow him to return home with honors. Then Zhang Juzheng will be the head of the cabinet and continue to implement the new policy. The court will have a new look under his leadership. By then, we must attach great importance to the imperial examinations and select and appoint talents. After Zhang, Yan Shaoting can be the head of the cabinet. By then, the emperor's grandson will be grown up, and Yan can be the minister to take care of him. This can ensure the prosperity of our family for three generations. We must not mess things up."

Zhu Zaigui trembled all over.

Because according to what the emperor said, the future prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty would be Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Yan Shaoting.

Zhu Zaigui couldn't help but ask: "Father... after these three people, who can take over?"

Jiajing was stunned and looked at his son who finally asked him a question.

But he just smiled faintly and shook his head.

Then he turned around and looked long at the magnificent caisson above the inner hall.

"Only God knows..."

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