Chapter 614 The one who stole the country is the son of Yan family!

My name is Zhu Yijun.

The late Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty is my great-grandfather, and the current Emperor Longqing is my father.

Since I was a child, I have been surrounded by everyone and enjoyed fine clothes and delicious food.

Later I got a new master.

It was chosen for me by my royal grandfather and my royal father.

The master is different from everyone else.

Although I am small, I am not stupid.

When other people looked at me, there was a look in their eyes that made me very uncomfortable.

Only the master did not try to please me in various ways like those people did. Instead, he found different ways to help me understand the world from time to time.

I know what is outside the Forbidden City, I know the sufferings of the people of my Ming Dynasty, and I also know how the four seasons and five festivals and the bumper harvests of grains come about.

Talk about it.

The sweet potatoes that I planted myself in Changping are about to mature.

I applied more fertilizer this year, so I think we will have a good harvest.

By the time.

You can eat the sweet potatoes that you grow and bake yourself.

Zhu Yijun, who was walking out of the Meridian Gate hand in hand with Yan Shaoting, looked up at his master who had quietly started growing a beard in the past few years, and then turned to look at the people wearing red, blue and green clothes outside the Meridian Gate.

Zhu Yijun frowned slightly.

A few days ago, I was learning new things with my master in Changping Academy, and was studying the relationship between the power of artillery and related objects such as gunpowder and gun barrels.

Suddenly, news came from the palace and he was taken back to Ciqing Palace.

Then I realized that my father was ill.

There seemed to be something wrong with the fire in the Qianqing Palace last night, but I didn't know what the problem was.

I have to find an opportunity to ask the master.

but……

When Feng Daban brought his people to Ciqing Palace today, although his words were a little vague, he seemed to be revealing something.

It seems that I might be the one who takes charge of the Ming Dynasty?
Although he was smart and wise since childhood.

But Zhu Yijun still did not understand the fundamental principles of birth, aging, sickness and death.

He grabbed Yan Shaoting's hand tightly and looked straight at the unfamiliar faces in front of him.

If I could really be the master of my own house.

Then Master Yan will have to take care of everyone here!

Ah!
In this way, I can continue to learn new things and continue to grow sweet potatoes.

Zhu Yijun thought silently in his heart.

But in the eyes of others.

The Crown Prince of their Ming Dynasty and the Heir to the Eastern Palace actually had such a deep dependence on Yan Shaoting, who had been away from the court for four years.

Obviously not a good thing.

Gao Gong felt inexplicably irritated.

However, Yan Shaoting was already holding Zhu Yijun's hand and standing in front of these people.

Although he had been away from the court for four years, he had not completely disappeared from the sight of these people. During festivals and the emperor's birthday, he would always come to the capital to present congratulatory documents with the court officials.

He looked at the people in front of him.

Gao Gong grew older, and Yuan Wei finally left the court.

Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian both looked a little tired. Right now in the court, the most urgent issues of the new policy were money and food and the military.

As for Gao Yi, he has put more effort into cultivating his qi.

The officials of the six ministries include both old and new faces.

This is the normal operating mode of the central government.

If the old ones don’t leave, how can the new ones come?
After standing still, Yan Shaoting looked silent.

Gao Yi spoke first: "Shaobao Yan...why did you leave the palace?"

This question has been lingering in everyone's mind for a while.

Since they learned of the fire in the palace last night, they rushed to the Meridian Gate, but have not seen the emperor until now. However, Yan Shaoting, who had already left the court, actually came out of the palace holding the prince's hand.

However, before Yan Shaoting could speak.

Zhu Yijun unexpectedly spoke first: "It was my father who summoned Master Yan to the palace!"

Gao Yi was stunned: "Your Highness..."

A smile flashed across Yan Shaoting's face: "It is indeed as Your Highness said. I hope Mr. Gao will understand."

The current Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lu Shusheng, said in a provocative voice, "The Grand Guardian is trusted by His Majesty. There was a fire in the palace last night. We heard the news and came here, but we were never summoned by His Majesty. I didn't expect that... the Grand Guardian was far away in Changping, but was summoned by His Majesty first. However, the fire in the palace is a major event for the royal family and the court. I wonder if the Grand Guardian can help us understand what the situation is in the palace at the moment? How is His Majesty's health?"

I have been in the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites for a long time.

But in these four years, the position of Minister of Rites has remained vacant.

the reason is simple.

The position of Minister of Rites was specially reserved for Yan Shaoting by the emperor when he resigned.

Because of him, the position of Minister of Rites remained vacant for four years and no one in the court could dream of taking the position.

If it weren’t for Yan Shaoting.

Maybe he had already been the Minister of Rites!

Once he sits on the position of the Minister of Six Ministries, he will naturally be able to work well and look for opportunities to enter the cabinet.

Not to mention the past relationship between the Qingliu Old Party and the Yan family.

Lu Shusheng naturally has a hostility towards Yan Shaoting.

Naturally, everyone present could understand the meaning behind the words of Lu Shusheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

It was nothing more than provoking the Wenwu and Yan Shaoting present.

They had been waiting outside the Meridian Gate since they heard the news last night. However, Yan Shaoting had been away from the court for several years, but was able to see the emperor earlier than them.

It’s just that the moves are a bit straightforward.

No one is willing to speak out when the situation is unclear.

Yan Shaoting just looked over indifferently and glanced at Lu Shusheng.

He naturally knew about this person who was promoted by the Qingliu Old Party and is now the Right Vice Minister of Rites, the highest-ranking official in the court.

But he just looked puzzled and frowned in front of everyone.

"Dare to ask..."

"Who are you?"

As Yan Shaoting finished his words, the atmosphere in front of the Meridian Gate suddenly changed.

Lu Shusheng's face suddenly turned red.

Lu Diaoyang, the Left Vice Minister of Rites, who was standing beside him, silently glanced at Lu Shusheng with a bit of contempt in his eyes.

This Lu Shusheng was a restless person in the Ministry of Rites, and he dreamed of becoming the Minister of Rites all day long.

Not to mention that this position was reserved by the emperor for Young Master Yan.

Even if Master Yan is not here, we still have him, the Left Vice Minister!
Jumping around.

Now, Yan Shaobao pretended not to know him in public.

Also deserve it.

However, Yan Shaoting just looked at Lu Shusheng sincerely, without any sign of abnormality.

After four years of studying, he has mastered the art of cultivating qi to perfection.

Seeing that no one around him spoke, Lu Shusheng could only bite the bullet and say, "I am... Lu Shusheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites."

"Oh."

Yan Shaoting raised his eyebrows: "So he is an official from the Ministry of Rites."

There was a hint of frivolity in his tone.

This is very interesting.

Everyone present couldn't help laughing.

After all, Lu Shusheng is only the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

But when Yan Shaoting left the court, he had already been promoted to the Minister of Rites. He chose to resign from the position without any reason at that time.

He now naturally has the qualifications to say something full of sarcasm, "So he is an official from the Ministry of Rites."

Lu Shusheng's face froze, and a flash of anger flashed in his eyes: "You...!"

He is just a man who has lost his official position, but he has gained some favor from the emperor!

But before Lu Shusheng could regain his face.

Gao Gong coughed heavily, which was full of warning.

Then he looked at Yan Shaoting: "I wonder how your Majesty is doing now? What happened to the fire in the palace?"

After all, he is still the prime minister of the dynasty.

Yan Shaoting nodded and said, "In reply to the Prime Minister, Your Majesty has not been in good health these days. He was still a little frightened by the fire last night, but the imperial doctors are all serving you. As for the fire... I think the Qianqing Palace has now been reduced to ashes." Having said this, Yan Shaoting stopped talking decisively.

But his eyes carefully scanned the faces of everyone in front of him.

Gao Gong's heart skipped a beat, and he had a premonition that something was wrong.

It can be said that he knows the Yan family and Yan Shaoting himself inside and out.

Seeing Yan Shaoting's look at this moment, he roughly understood in his heart that he was going to cause trouble.

really.

next second.

Yan Shaoting shouted twice, looked at Chen Ju, and said to everyone: "As for the situation in the palace, there is also an order from His Majesty. His Majesty ordered me and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to come here to let all the officials know the situation in the palace. There is nothing serious, so don't worry."

"Is there a decree?"

Gao Gong raised his eyebrows and looked at Chen Ju beside him following Yan Shaoting's words. Sure enough, he saw the imperial edict in the other's hand.

At this time, Chen Ju also came forward with the imperial edict.

In front of everyone, he slowly opened the imperial edict.

however.

When he completely opened the imperial edict, he was shocked.

Then he turned his head and looked at Yan Shaoting.

As for Chen Ju himself.

There was already an uproar in my heart.

Something big is going to happen!
Chen Ju quickly suppressed the shock in his heart and looked at the people in front of him steadily.

Under the gaze of everyone.

The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department had already begun reading the imperial edict.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"I am a weak and weak person who has been ruling the country day and night with fear, but I am seriously ill and the affairs of state are complicated and difficult. Now the new policy is in full swing and many things are being done at the same time. The Palace of Heavenly Purity was suddenly hit by a fire disaster. The celestial phenomena are a warning, and I am even more vigilant. In this extraordinary time, we must have extraordinary ministers to support the country together."

Up to this point, everything makes sense.

It didn't make anyone notice anything unusual.

After all, the emperor is in poor health now, and his bedroom has been invaded by Zhurong, so it is only natural for him to issue an edict demanding the stability of the court.

However, when Chen Ju got to this point, he changed the subject.

Even the tone of voice changed.

"Yan Shaoting, the former Minister of Rites and the Prince's Guardian, is a man of great talent and wisdom, known for his loyalty and diligence. In the past, he supported the cardinals and clarified the government orders, supervised the southern Zhili to relieve the people's difficulties, suppressed the rebellion in Hetao, and pacified Yinshan, and his contributions were great. Now he has resumed the position of Minister of Rites, and has been promoted to Junior Tutor, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Grand Scholar of the Imperial Palace. He is in charge of the East Factory, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Four Tengxiang Guards, and the Dragon and Tiger Army, and is in charge of the military affairs of the Beijing Camp. He is in charge of the entry and exit of the 20 city gates in the nine inner and seven outer imperial cities of the capital. He is ordered to report to the cabinet, and all the memorials from the six ministries, the border town affairs, and the dispatch of the imperial army are to be handled, and the cabinet will implement them at its discretion. Civil and military officials who dare to disobey orders will be executed first and then reported!"

Boom.

The entire area outside the Meridian Gate was in an uproar.

Gao Gong, Gao Yi and others' faces changed drastically.

Zhao Zhenji, Hu Zongxian and others looked surprised and shocked.

As for people like Lu Shusheng, they looked ashen and dazed.

However, Chen Ju continued to announce the decree.

"Alas! Emperor Wu of Han entrusted his son to Huo Guang, and Emperor Taizu of Song entrusted the government to Zhao Pu, both of whom entrusted their safety to their confidants. I have been ill for a long time and it is difficult for me to recover. You are in charge of the cabinet and the government. You are responsible for the safety of the ancestral temple, the people, the deterrence of traitors, and the fire control. When I am better, I will give you more rewards. If there is a sudden change, you will exercise extraordinary power. Let the officials announce it to the inside and outside of China so that everyone will know."

"Appreciate this."

As Chen Ju's loud voice finished reciting under the palace wall, it echoed for a long time.

But in front of the Meridian Gate, the crowd had become silent.

Even Yan Shaoting, who was still holding Zhu Yijun's hand at this moment, was shocked.

He didn't expect that Emperor Longqing Zhu Zaigui would trust him so much.

Although it was expected.

But the result was still unexpected.

Gao Gong's face was pale, and his hands were clenched into fists under his sleeves.

The heat wave, carried by the wind, climbed over the palace walls, making everyone feel uneasy.

But they also understood the current situation.

The emperor reinstated Yan Shaoting to his original post, and finally the position of Minister of Rites, which had been vacant for four years, fell into Yan Shaoting's hands.

however.

That really scared them.

However, it was the emperor who conferred an additional title on Yan Shaoting.

The Shao Shi is the chief of the three orphans and his rank is the first.

The Prince's Grand Tutor, also of the first rank, is the true and undisputed master of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

As for the Grand Secretary, it was naturally set up for the purpose of maintaining close relations with the cabinet and was just a title.

And being in charge of the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Tengxiang Four Guards and the Dragon and Tiger Army, and being the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of the Beijing Camp, and holding the seals of the 24 city gates inside and outside Beijing, undoubtedly meant that from today on, the city of Beijing under their feet would completely obey Yan Shaoting's orders.

If he ordered a blockade of the capital, no one would be able to enter or leave Beijing.

Two hundred thousand soldiers and horses inside and outside the capital, all obey my orders!

however.

In shock.

Everyone gradually reacted.

Then he looked at Yan Shaoting and Gao Gong, the Prime Minister and Grand Secretary of Jianji Palace, in horror.

It seems that the emperor's previous decree promoted Yan Shaoting to the position of Grand Secretary of Huangji Palace?
This is fatal!

Where is Huangji Palace?
It was formerly the Fengtian Hall, which is the frontmost of the three main halls in the Forbidden City and is also the largest and highest-level hall.

Starting from Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu, there have been countless palace and cabinet ministers in the court.

However, there has never been any Grand Secretary of Fengtian Palace or Grand Secretary of Huangji Palace.

Even under the tacit rule tacitly accepted by the Grand Secretaries of the Palaces, the Prime Minister of the current dynasty was only the Grand Secretary of the Jianji Palace behind the Huangji Palace.

And it has always been so.

Anyone who is promoted to the position of Grand Secretary of Jianji Hall is basically the Prime Minister.

Now, there has been a Grand Secretary of the Huangji Palace, who has not been seen for a hundred years. He is also involved in the cabinet's affairs. Together with the six ministries' memorials, border town affairs, and imperial guards dispatches mentioned in the edict, he will take charge of all of them and implement them at the cabinet's discretion.

This is the true intention and purpose of this will.

Although it seems normal to enter the Grand Secretary's Cabinet.

But he has to take care of everything inside and outside the court. Isn't the emperor hinting that he wants Yan Shaoting to be the prime minister?
After all, how could it be possible that the Grand Secretary of Huangji Palace would be ranked behind the Grand Secretary of Jianji Palace in the cabinet?
This is against the rules.

It’s just like there shouldn’t be such a title as the Grand Secretary of Huangji Palace in the imperial court!
As for that sentence, the cabinet will implement it at its convenience.

It would be more accurate to say that he was leaving a last bit of kindness to the then Prime Minister Gao Gong.

Gao Gong had already sensed the deep meaning of this decree. His face turned as dark as ink as he looked at Yan Shaoting, who also had surprise in his eyes.

He already had mixed feelings.

Judging from Yan Shaoting's expression, he probably had never seen this decree before.

But the emperor did it anyway.

Did I really have to rank behind him, the Grand Secretary of Huangji Palace, as the Grand Secretary of Jianji Palace?

Doesn't that mean that I have to give up my position as Prime Minister of the Cabinet?
As for the emperor's statement at the end of the edict that he would exercise extraordinary powers in times of drastic changes, it was even more straightforward.

The emperor was preparing that once he passed away, Yan Shaoting would be able to take sole control of the power inside and outside the court and assist the crown prince in ascending the throne.

This is the power that should be exercised by the teacher of the current emperor and the chief minister of the cabinet!

Gao Gong cried out in his heart.

The sudden change made Gao Gong completely forget how to deal with it.

Just when most people were feeling overwhelmed by this imperial edict and didn't know how to deal with it.

in the crowd.

Lu Shusheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, suddenly exclaimed.

He just waved his finger at Yan Shaoting, his eyes full of grief and anger.

"Everyone!"

"Don't you understand yet?"

"Your Majesty is now seriously ill, and there was a fire in the palace. We are completely unaware of the situation in the inner court, and the thief Yan has isolated the inside and the outside. He must have used treacherous means to deceive Your Majesty, hinder communication between the inside and the outside, and steal the power of the country!"

"This thief is greedy for power over the military and political affairs inside and outside the country... He... He..."

"They are going to repeat the old story of the Cao family in the Eastern Han Dynasty who stole the country!"

"I am the thief of the Ming Dynasty."

"It's the son of the Yan family!"

"All the loyal and good people should attack him together!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)