Chapter 186: On this day, I respectfully pray for the great creation

It was past midnight and the night was getting dark.

Lying on the warm and soft couch, the emperor's chest rose and fell, and his breathing was even, obviously he was still asleep.

But perhaps because he was feeling uncomfortable, he kept tossing and turning.

An unknown amount of time had passed, but Zhu Yijun, who had been feeling restless for a long time, finally opened his eyes in a daze.

I subconsciously reached out to hug the person next to me, only to find that I was the only one on the bed.

He raised his head and glanced outside, only to see that it was pitch dark and there were no eunuchs or palace maids waiting outside the bedroom with lanterns, so he knew that he had woken up early.

Zhu Yijun turned his gaze back to the bedroom, where Concubine Li was wearing her undergarments, tiptoeing to wipe her face and rinse her mouth.

The latter seemed to have heard the noise, turned around and asked cautiously: "Did you wake up His Majesty?"

After saying that, she rinsed her mouth and slowly stood up and walked over.

Li Baiyang is twenty years old this year. Although her face, which originally had some baby fat, has grown up, it still retains some lively and lovely temperament, but adds a bit of feminine charm.

The emperor yawned and propped himself up, half lying down, rubbing his eyes: "What important matter is there in the harem today that requires you to get up so early?"

He looked at Li Baiyang twice more, but unfortunately, apart from her calves, there was nothing else to see.

Underwear does not only refer to a bellyband, it probably means something similar to pajamas, just like the Minister of War Wang Qiong, who "sneaked into the Leopard Room in underwear and spent the whole night drinking with the emperor." It is obvious that Wang Qiong did not wear a bellyband into the palace, otherwise Emperor Wuzong's essay would have been even more outrageous than it is today.

Concubine Li came closer and sat on the edge of the bed: "Nothing happened today. Your Majesty's Yang energy was too strong and I was awakened by the burning in my dream."

This is a more euphemistic way of putting it. To put it bluntly, it means being woken up.

Zhu Yijun lifted the quilt, took a look at his lower body, and said helplessly: "I returned to the palace a little late last night, and I saw that you were asleep, so I didn't wake you up."

"I never thought that I would disturb your sweet dream in the end."

Li Baiyang didn't mind. She pushed her hair behind her ears and was about to bend down.

Zhu Yijun held her hand: "It's cold outside."

"It's still early, come up and rest for a while. I have something to discuss with you."

Li Baiyang nodded.

The undergarment fell to the ground, just covering the ankles.

Then, she was unexpectedly pulled into the bed by the emperor.

Zhu Yijun stroked Li Baiyang's hair and spoke carefully, "I have handed over the shipping business of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau to the Queen. Although she said she was too busy and asked you to help, she is actually soft-hearted and is just trying to please you. Don't really interfere."

After he took power, more and more things happened.

Zhu Yijun handed over all the matters concerning the harem that could be entrusted to others and only controlled the general direction.

Li Baiyang hid in the bed and said vaguely: "I know that there are differences between empresses and concubines. How dare I be arrogant because of my favor?"

Zhu Yijun breathed a sigh of satisfaction and relief: "Also, since the land measurement started recently, all kinds of noble ladies and bald men have come to the two palaces and you. If you meet someone lobbying for land measurement in the future, just agree to it on the surface and talk to me secretly."

Under the pressure of the new policy, there are always some short-sighted association forces coming to the fore.

Especially since Empress Dowager Cisi was a devout Buddhist, there were quite a few bald heads lobbying her recently.

Li Baiyang spoke, somewhat hesitantly: "I will go and pay my respects to you, please keep an eye on me."

Zhu Yijun touched Li Baiyang's head, pondered for a moment, and continued: "There is one more thing. I discussed it with the Queen the day before yesterday. I wanted to tell you last night about the succession..."

Li Baiyang replied softly, "Your Majesty and my sister will make the decision."

His words were casual, but his movements immediately slowed down, obviously he was talking about something he cared about.

Zhu Yijun helped Li Baiyang brush away her wet hair and said softly, "Husband and wife are one, don't be so cautious all the time."

Li Baiyang took a breath, looked up at the emperor, and asked seriously, "Your Majesty, aren't you planning to not have a prince for the next few years?"

As the emperor now has the final say over the inner court, naturally no eunuch would dare to assist him without knowing the consequences.

Whether or not to have children is always the emperor's sole decision.

Zhu Yijun pinched her face and pressed her head back: "It's not that I don't allow you to have a child, I'm going to follow the rules."

It means probably that we should transform from barbaric sowing to high-quality nurturing.

After he finished speaking, he explained, "I have deliberately let it go this time. I have seen the situation in the court. After the prayer in the southern suburbs tomorrow, I will not let you be scolded for nothing."

"Besides, there are quite a few court officials who have bet their lives on me, and even more who are wavering. I must first have a prince to reassure these people."

Even the emperor cannot avoid the need to eliminate dissidents.

Now that the time is right, we naturally have to consider smoothing out these disturbances.

Li Baiyang was speechless, looking up at the emperor: "Then what rules do you plan to follow, Your Majesty?"

Zhu Yijun looked at Li Baiyang's eyes and couldn't help but press hard: "Many of my father's and grandfather's sons died young. I read medical books and learned that it is best for girls to get pregnant around the age of 24."

"Now, for the sake of the court situation, I have no choice but to do something. However, I pity you concubines..."

"As a compromise, I decided to let Concubine Wu and Concubine Wang suffer first."

He paused and said, "The Queen has agreed. What do you think, sister?"

Since Zhu Yijun was already seventeen years old, he had to demonstrate his fertility for the sake of the court.

But at the same time, he didn't want the substitutes to enter the field too early, in order to avoid any scenes of loving father and filial son in the future.

It is best for the queen and three concubines, who are of high status, to wait.

It is most appropriate to choose the concubines or noble ladies with the lowest status to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Of course, he also had a heartfelt opinion about the age of pregnancy. If a woman is 23 or 24 years old, the survival rate of her offspring will be 10 to 20 percent higher.

With this best of both worlds approach, Concubine Wu's appearance becomes secondary.

As soon as Zhu Yijun finished speaking, he felt a slight scratch from a canine tooth and couldn't help but gasp.

Li Baiyang raised her head and said with a hint of resentment: "Your Majesty, I am naturally happy that you pity me."

"It's just that Concubine Wu is too gorgeous. Your Majesty should exercise restraint."

After all these years in the palace, she knew the emperor well enough.

She might not believe the emperor's words that he had read all the medical books, but she would not have any doubt when he said that it was for the sake of the political situation.

In this situation, she had no other thoughts except nodding.

Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Zhu Yijun tried to coax her and persuade her again: "In all the dynasties, has there ever been an emperor as restrained as me?"

"If I had the slightest desire to indulge myself, how could I have only started to integrate with my sister this year? How could I always withdraw at the critical moment?"

"I love my sister the most, how can my sister still wrongly accuse me like this?"

When Concubine Li heard the words "withdraw", she swallowed subconsciously and her pretty face turned slightly red.

She suddenly let go of the emperor and leaned on his chest: "Your Majesty, I am your concubine..."

When Zhu Yijun saw her like this, he understood.

He reached out his hand and gently patted Concubine Li, frowning and scolding: "How do you talk to your father?"

Li Baiyang's eyes were a little dazed: "Father, my daughter's legs are weak..."

The stars are swaying and the evening breeze is floating.

……

The seventeen-year-old emperor is full of energy.

I got up earlier and felt more refreshed.

Zhu Yijun opened his arms and let the maid change his clothes for him. He asked Zhang Hong, "Is the Ministry of Rites ready for Bu Qi's trip to the southern suburbs?"

The latter hurriedly said, "In reply to your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites has already prepared the incense, silk, and three offerings, and the court officials are already lining up on the platform."

"However... after hearing the news, the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan insisted on serving as the ceremonial officer for Your Majesty and is currently waiting for Your Majesty outside the West Garden."

Zhu Yijun frowned: "He is old, why does he have to make such a fuss?"

He never called them Gao Yi or Ma Ziqiang.

Even the emperor walked to the Southern Suburbs to pray for heaven, so naturally the court officials did not ride in sedan chairs.

The walk all the way to the Meridian Gate is not kind to old bones.

Zhang Hong replied carefully: "Your Majesty, the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan said that he doesn't have much time left and wants to show up one last time."

Zhu Yijun shook his head helplessly. This kid was becoming more and more naughty as he got older, and now he was even starting to become willful.

But now that things have come to this, there is no way he can be chased back.

He had no choice but to tell Zhang Hong: "You can arrange for someone to help the old ministers along the way."

Zhang Hong bowed and responded.

Zhu Yijun lowered his head and asked the palace servant who was not tall enough to put the crown on him. He asked, "What else is there to celebrate after yesterday's astrology?"

If etiquette and laws have their own constraints on the emperor and scholars, then celestial phenomena are targeted weapons against the emperor.

Regardless of its usefulness, there will always be people who want to use it.

Zhang Hong seemed to have a lot to say, and after a moment of thought, he spoke: "Your Majesty, after the comet invaded Ziwei last night, Zhao Yongxian, the right staff officer of the Beijing Camp, secretly went to Shi Maohua's house."

When Zhu Yijun heard Zhao Yongxian's name, he felt regretful and sighed, "Why was Wu Zhongxing able to become accustomed to him, but Zhao Yongxian, who was entrusted with an important task, was indifferent?"

He had long since left the Ministry of War behind and had taken control of all personnel and military pay for the Beijing Camp.

Now it is actually the Governor-General Gu Huan, the Left Chief of Staff Zheng Zongxue, and the Right Chief of Staff Zhao Yongxian, who are in charge of military and political affairs respectively.

Zhao Yongxian holds a low position but holds great power. I didn't expect that despite holding such an important position, he would still go against me.

Li Jin, who was standing by, suddenly said, "Your Majesty, perhaps it is because of Chen Wenzhou, the director of the Guangdong Salt Tax Bureau, that Zhao Yongxian's father-in-law has frequently sent people to give his daughter jewelry and valuables in the past two years."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but shook his head.

This is the distinctive feature of the feudal bureaucracy of the Ming Dynasty, where central officials married local officials and gentry.

The latter provides benefits to the former, and the former provides exploitation and protection to the latter in terms of policies.

This is where things go wrong in the world.

You have me I have you.

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "Ask Wen Chun of the Censorate to write a letter to Yin Zhengmao, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, to have Chen Wenzhou removed from office."

Zhang Hong wrote it down.

Then he spoke again: "In addition, Yuan Fu's student, Censor Liu Tai, submitted a memorial this morning to impeach Yuan Fu."

"He listed the fact that the Yuanfu expelled the previous emperor's assistant minister Ding'an Bo, arbitrarily promoted his cronies Shen Shixing and Zhang Han, used the performance evaluation system to coerce his colleagues, built palaces in Huguang, and kept thousands of beautiful concubines."

"Even though the Ministry of Public Security has suppressed the memorial, the news has already spread outside."

Zhang Hong glanced at the emperor cautiously and concealed the affair between Zhang Juzheng and Empress Dowager Li that was rumored outside.

Zhu Yijun naturally didn't notice it, he just sneered: "I just cited the story of Prime Minister Li Xian seizing the love, and today I am following the same example, with a student impeaching the teacher, great!"

The situation of Prime Minister Li Xian was similar to that of Zhang Juzheng.

Although the cabinet at that time was not as powerful as it is today, Li Xian still held great power because he was deeply trusted by the emperor - "Whenever the left and right recommended someone, he would summon Xian to ask him what he thought. If Xian thought he was suitable, he would use him; if he did not think he was suitable, he would not use him."

When Li Xian was trying to seize the love, he was impeached by his disciple Luo Lun.

From then on, seizing someone's lover's affection was no longer a "custom" in the Ming Dynasty.

In addition to impeachment, this is also playing the historical origin card.

Zhang Hong quickly explained the follow-up: "Old Shen has summoned Zou Yuanbiao, Shen Sixiao, and Liu Tai to the platform to take turns. They will pray together with the court officials in the southern suburbs later."

Zhu Yijun smiled and said this as if there were executioners in the southern suburbs.

At this moment the emperor was finally dressed.

Now that Zhu Yijun was wearing the crown and robes again, he was finally able to hold up his momentum and no longer looked like a small horse pulling a big cart as before.

Zhu Yijun lowered his head, looked at himself in the slightly mottled glass mirror, and nodded with satisfaction: "Let's go."

After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the palace.

The eunuchs hurried to follow.

The group left the Wanshou Palace.

Xu Wenbi, the commander of the Jinyiwei guards who was guarding outside the palace, saw the emperor coming out and immediately came forward to greet him: "Your Majesty."

He saw the emperor's chin move slightly, so he reported the matter: "Your Majesty, the reason for the post in the city has been found out. It should be the censor Tan Yao."

Zhu Yijun was stunned for a moment: "One of the fourteen people who passed the examination for the position of magistrate last year?"

Zhang Hong, who was standing by, confirmed the emperor's memory: "He was formerly the county magistrate of Jiaxing County, Zhejiang Province. Last October, he passed the examination and became the Imperial Censor of Fujian Province."

Zhu Yijun sighed inwardly.

In addition to rising through the ranks of provincial governors through political affairs, county magistrates could also pass the examinations to be selected as censors.

These censors who were admitted through their own abilities were often capable officials who were well versed in general affairs.

Unexpectedly, even this grassroots censor did not support the new law, but actually went around spreading denunciations, scolding the emperor for being a tyrant and the prime minister for being a villain.

When the foundation is shaken, all the monsters and demons will jump out!
Xu Wenbi followed the emperor closely: "Recently, the court officials have been very careful in private. The Jinyiwei did not detect any gathering last night, but..."

"The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Chen Yu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Zhao Jin, and the Supreme Court Minister, Chen Yubei, were not at home after the astrological signs appeared last night. They were only seen at home late at night."

Zhu Yijun nodded and didn't say much.

This is the new policy, it would be strange if there was no opposition.

No one is happy when the topic of land transfer is brought up.

After all, collecting taxes on real estate is extremely difficult everywhere. If the central government does not distinguish between the left and right sides, there will be no results.

To put it bluntly, the emperor and the cabinet are in the minority on such matters.

Not to mention seven years of emperorship and assistantship, even more than ten years of prestige may not be able to be implemented.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yijun did not hesitate to deliberately indulge in it - only by intensifying the contradiction can we start to resolve it.

When all the monsters and demons come out, the wind becomes strong.

Only when the wind is strong do we have a reason to tidy up.

Zhu Yijun walked out of the West Garden with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

At this time, a group of Zhongshu Sheren, Rites Chanters, Stewards and other officials had already been waiting here.

When they saw the emperor's procession, they all saluted.

"His Majesty."

"His Majesty."

Zhu Yijun's gaze first turned to Ma Ziqiang.

He felt that this guy had aged a lot. He reached out his hand to help him up and complained, "Today is the day for me to be on my own. Why did Ma Qing come out to steal my limelight?"

Zhang Juzheng lost his father and has been at home in mourning ever since; Gao Yi suffered a stroke and his lower limbs have been paralyzed; Lu Diaoyang suffered from phlegm disease since the beginning of winter; Wang Chonggu never participated in government affairs and he also claimed to be sick today; Shen Shixing has been in office for less than a year and does not have enough prestige, so he can only follow the emperor.

In this way, you can naturally stand on your own.

It’s a pity that although Ma Ziqiang is seriously ill, he still doesn’t want to be lonely.

Lord Ma is sixty-seven years old this year, and even when the emperor helps him up, his back is still a little hunched.

The wrinkles on his face relaxed a little, and he smiled and said, "After today, I will retire. I would like to go on a journey with Your Majesty one more time."

Zhu Yijun did not persuade him any further, and looked at Ma Ziqiang with a questioning look: "After retiring, Ma Qing, are you going to return home, or stay in the capital and let me see you off?"

Life and death are determined by fate, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. The imperial physician said that as long as Ma Ziqiang survived this winter, he might get better after the spring.

But now it looks like this winter may not be easy.

While talking to Ma Ziqiang, the emperor led a group of secretaries, ceremonial officials, and Jinwu guards to the Huangji Palace.

Ma Ziqiang followed the emperor to the right and said, "Your Majesty, I still want to return to my roots."

Originally, he wanted the emperor to see him off, thus completing this beautiful story between the monarch and his subject.

But his condition worsened after winter and he was on the verge of death several times. In a trance, he thought of his hometown again.

After much deliberation, Ma Ziqiang finally decided to return to his roots.

Zhu Yijun's heart softened when he heard this, and he condescended to support the old man: "I understand, I will give you the title of Grand Master when the time comes, and you can return home in glory."

Ma Ziqiang was startled, and his old face was a little embarrassed: "No... it's not very good..."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but laugh when he saw the old man's face suddenly turn red.

As they were about to reach the platform, the emperor turned his gaze to Wang Shizhen and said, "Mr. Wang, you will record the history of today yourself."

Wang Shizhen was shocked when he heard this.

With his current status, he usually only reviews and modifies the daily records and does not need to do anything personally.

Only when important events occurred would the emperor let him take the pen.

It's time for him to make a splash again!

Wang Shizhen was not vague and immediately took the paper and pen from He Luoshu, the secretary of the Secretariat.

He looked at the sentence above: "Grand Secretary Ma Ziqiang was seriously ill, and the emperor comforted him with kind words," and couldn't help shaking his head.

He stood there, casually changed the period that the Ministry of Rites had recently introduced into a comma, and added at the end: "Hand in hand, just like the seven years of hand in hand, the monarch and his subjects were moved to tears."

Wang Shizhen put down his pen with satisfaction, then quickly caught up with the emperor.

……

"The stars are different, I blame myself..."

In front of Huangji Palace.

All officials stood in line respectfully, with the emperor sitting at the top, and he spoke in a loud voice about the origin and destination of today's meeting.

The court officials looked at the emperor with different expressions.

This was the first time that the emperor blamed himself for the astrological signs.

There have been celestial warnings in the past.

There were two such incidents in the sixth year of Longqing.

At that time, the grass on Hu Qi's grave, which was made of astrology, was already three feet high.

There was also one in the second year of Wanli.

However, the emperor used his status as a master to suppress others and criticized Dong Zhongshu's theory of the connection between heaven and man.

The censor who submitted the memorial was forced to become Li Zhi's disciple, and has been studying there ever since.

In the fourth year of the Wanli reign, a comet also streaked across the sky. This time, the censor was smarter and did not show up in person. Instead, he asked the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to divine and interpret the prophecies.

Of course, we have also seen the fate of the Imperial Observatory, where the hereditary rice bowl was ruined by the establishment of imperial examinations.

It is really puzzling that an emperor who was so contemptuous of heaven's will would actually pray to heaven for the first time in history.

It was not until the emperor set out, leading his ministers to the southern suburbs, that everyone could no longer contain themselves and began to whisper to each other in secret.

When the group walked out of the Meridian Gate and onto the Thousand-Step Imperial Road outside the six ministries, Shen Sixiao pulled Ai Mu slightly to the side.

"Your Majesty, have you finally come to your senses and are trying to show goodwill?" Shen Sixiao almost put his face against Ai Mu's neck and spoke in a very low voice.

Both of them were heads of the Ministry of Justice, minor officials, and were inconspicuous at the end of the queue.

Ai Mu felt a hot breath on his neck and shrank his neck.

He pretended to yawn and covered his mouth to let the sound pass back, and whispered: "It seems so. I'm afraid the emperor also understands what it means that the situation is irreversible."

Shen Sixiao nodded with satisfaction: "It's a good time to strike while the iron is hot. Later, we will make a joint petition and ask Yuan Fu to return to Huguang to observe the mourning period."

Ai Mu turned his head and pointed forward: "There are also people like Gao Yi, Lu Diaoyang, and Ma Ziqiang."

"He is old, weak, sick and disabled, yet he still lingers in the cabinet. What else can he do but cling to power? This is a good opportunity for Your Majesty to depose him altogether."

Over the years, there have been cases of impeaching those who cling to power and refuse to retire, but unfortunately they were all retained by the emperor.

It is time for the emperor to put things right.

Shen Sixiao nodded in agreement: "When the time comes, as long as the cabinet ministers are not these flatterers, the government will be back on track."

Ai Mu pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Zhao Jin is naturally filial and friendly, and has a profound knowledge. I hope Shen Shixing can recognize his talent."

Zhao Jin is an honest elder who behaves gently, and his position as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites is also qualified.

Shen Sixiao followed up by saying, "There is also Lu Guangzu, Lord Lu, who is kind to talents and has the integrity of an ancient master. He can be recommended as a cabinet minister."

Lu Guangzu was the left vice minister of the Ministry of Justice. He had suppressed the incompetent Zhang Han and his words were enforced in the Ministry of Justice.

The two of them talked in a low voice, so outsiders naturally couldn't hear them.

After all, the sacrificial team consists of thousands of people.

In addition to more than 600 court officials, there were also ceremonial objects made of jade, gold, ivory, leather, and wood, as well as drums and music from the Ministry of Education, military flags from the Jinwu Guard, painters and craftsmen from the inner court, and so on.

It stretches for miles and is grand and magnificent.

A group of people walked across the sky bridge - Wang Liangwuxing, located in the north of Kui, in the river... It is also called Liang, which is a sky bridge. It is the main waterway to control wind and rain. The sky bridge is a special passage for the emperor to worship, and it was built in the previous Yuan Dynasty.

Zhao Jin, who was walking in the front row, looked at the emperor's back and thought to himself what a pity.

He had originally planned to report the astronomical phenomena to the emperor today.

Given his status as an official in one of the six ministries, it was impossible for the emperor to simply brush it off like the censor did, and he had to respond. He had once remonstrated with Emperor Sejong about the solar eclipse, which also caused an uproar in the court.

As for the consequences?

Either he enters the cabinet or he is hated by the emperor.

The former is naturally good, and the latter is nothing to be afraid of.

At that time, Emperor Shizong was so furious that his hair stood on end. He shouted at Zhao Jin and called him "deceiving God and slandering the emperor", and looked as if he wanted to kill him as soon as possible.

The result? He was dismissed from his post.

Once the limelight has passed, naturally some officials in the court will remember his contributions and fame and reinstate him.

Although the current emperor is somewhat stubborn and self-willed, he is not as cruel as Emperor Sejong.

He had planned everything, even the memorial was still in his sleeve.

Who would have thought that before he could even make any effort, the emperor would take the initiative to bow his head early in the morning and walk to the southern suburbs to pray.

It is such a pity that this long-planned opportunity, which set an example for scholars all over the world, was wasted.

I am afraid that there may not be such a good opportunity in the future to represent the officials and gentry of the world.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jin couldn't help but shook his head.

Well, never mind. Now that the emperor is willing to ease his attitude towards the court officials, he must give up the position of the cabinet - otherwise, if it is always occupied by sycophants like Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi, isolating the upper and lower levels, how can the court situation be eased?
Cabinet Ministers...

Zhao Jin glanced at Wang Xijue who had come to Beijing, and immediately shook his head.

This person has too little experience. Even if he is recommended to the cabinet, he will not be able to compete with me during the court discussion.

He turned his gaze to Chen Yu, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and shook his head again.

When he was the Chief Censor, he made the Censorate a mess. He was just an incompetent person. Now he is still in the Ministry of Personnel. It is mainly because the emperor wants him to keep the position and is afraid that someone will share his power.

So, Dali Temple Minister Chen Yubei?

This guy is even worse. A third-rank official is still two steps away from the cabinet. He must at least be promoted to the position of vice-minister of one of the six ministries first.

Definitely missed it this time.

and so……

Zhao Jin slowly looked towards Lu Guangzu.

Coincidentally, Lu Guangzu also looked over.

The two smiled at each other, their eyes met and then separated, their thoughts unclear.

Lu Guangzu withdrew his gaze and shook his head secretly. Zhao Jin was an old man with outdated ideas, and his expression looked as if he was sure of winning. He might die without knowing how he did it.

Lu Guangzu turned his gaze back to the emperor, feeling more and more confused.

This time, the emperor prayed to heaven and reflected on himself. Did he really want to allow Zhang Juzheng to retire and calm the disputes in the court?
This is good, but it is really not like the emperor's style!
The more he thought about it, the more his brows furrowed.

In fact, Lu Guangzu didn't care much about whether Zhang Juzheng observed the mourning period or not.

He was extremely prejudiced against the new methods he implemented and wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible!
This new law is simply a poisonous drug for tigers and wolves, a policy that will lead to quick death!

Dutiandingkou, is that something that can be touched?
If we don't pay attention, the whole world will rebel! The Ming Dynasty might be destroyed by these people!
Since he entered the officialdom, he has seen a county magistrate who owns hundreds of properties, a prefect who has seized thousands of acres of fertile land, and a provincial governor who controls merchants in half of the province and has a treasury of 100,000 silver coins.

After occupying a high position in the core, all he saw were corrupt relatives of the emperor, nobles who were even more corrupt than him, and officials in the capital who were hypocritical.

Not to mention the local gentry who hid their land and the wealthy merchants who kept slaves.

From top to bottom, inside and outside, he had no idea how this new law could be implemented!
Even someone as honest as Lu Guangzu hid some land and concealed a few people, let alone others?

The emperor and the cabinet have been in high and mighty positions for too long. They have no idea of ​​local realities, and their policies are extremely childish.

How could we allow these people to harm the Ming Dynasty?
To save the Ming Dynasty, the best strategy now is to recuperate and maintain peace!

Once the Tatars and the Japanese pirates are defeated, won't the situation gradually improve?
Unfortunately, if the emperor is not allowed to truly see the resistance, he will not realize his own naivety.

Mr. Lu hopes that the emperor and the cabinet can understand his good intentions.

Lu Guangzu's thoughts were surging, and he was moved by himself again.

The courage to deal with all the means of the emperor suddenly emerged in my heart.

Hold your head high and move forward.

……

As the group arrived at the southern suburbs, everyone gradually stopped thinking.

The station position.

Sweep the altar.

Slaughter and sacrifice.

Everyone was busy with the sacrificial ceremony.

The emperor stood in front of the altar, allowing the ceremonial officer to tidy up his appearance, with no extra expression on his face.

Not long after.

Ma Ziqiang stepped forward and said, "Play music!"

A burst of music sounded, and everyone sang in unison: "Ritual music has been around for thousands of years, and the world is filled with joy. People are dressed in fine clothes and dancing on the Nine Dragon Terrace..."

The music gradually stopped.

Ma Ziqiang held back his cough and stepped out again: "The decree says, on the Gengchen day of the tenth month of the seventh year of the Wanli reign, His Majesty the Emperor will offer sacrifices to heaven and earth in the southern suburbs!"

The words fell.

All officials of the Ministry of Rites retreated to their positions as ministers.

The ceremonial guards, musicians, and imperial guards all withdrew.

There were only about 600 civil and military officials, divided into two groups, facing the altar.

Zhu Yijun was originally facing the court officials and the altar, but he slowly turned around.

Under the gaze of thousands of people, the emperor bowed slowly and said, "Your Majesty, I am here to visit the southern suburbs."

All the officials below lowered their heads and listened to the emperor reciting the sacrificial words.

Liu Tai, who was standing at the end of the train, felt relieved and nodded slowly.

The emperor was not hopeless; at least he was not as stubborn as Jie and Zhou.

This situation is the best outcome.

The emperor on the altar bowed again.

His voice was clear as he continued to pray: "A comet appeared at night, and invaded the Purple Palace. I am deeply worried day and night."

When Zou Yuanbiao heard this, his thoughts wandered and he felt that this astrological sign came at the perfect time.

Otherwise, the emperor is a rebellious person and cannot find a way out. It is hard to say when he will repent.

It is good now. Everyone should stop while they are ahead. It can be regarded as a replay of the old events of Xining. It will surely be recorded in history books in the future.

Zhu Yijun's voice became louder: "That's why."

"Local officials are often corrupt and break the law, cruelly harming the people, and offending the will of heaven..."

The court officials were originally bowing, but when they heard this, many of them looked up suddenly.

The court officials, who had just looked pleased, suddenly changed their expressions.

Zhao Jin was extremely shocked and looked with his mouth wide open at He Luowen from the Hanlin Academy who was writing the Qingci, and Ma Ziqiang from the Ministry of Rites. Unfortunately, they both had their heads down so he couldn't see their expressions clearly.

Lu Guangzu suddenly narrowed his eyes, the last glimmer of hope in his heart disappeared, and he looked at the emperor's back and sighed in disappointment.

Zhu Yijun seemed to have not heard the noise behind him and recited: "Many officials in the capital pretend to obey but actually disobey, resisting the new policy and hurting the morality of the people..."

Shen Sixiao, the head of the Ministry of Justice, finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped out proudly: "Your Majesty! The sacrificial words written by He Luowen are full of evil intentions. Please stop for now!"

Imperial Censor Tan Yao was even more furious, and he said bluntly: "To push the ministers aside is definitely not what a sage king should do! Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Zhu Yijun seemed unaware of these strange noises.

He read the last sentence attentively: "I hereby bear the guilt on behalf of my subjects, and offer jade, silk, sacrificial offerings, and various other goods to make this bright and clean. I hope you will learn from my mistakes and bless the people."

All the court officials were shocked.

He looked at the Emperor in disbelief.

A cold east wind blew by, chilling me to the bone.

Upon seeing this, Wang Shizhen's face turned rosy and he wrote with divine inspiration.

Shen Shixing shook his head slightly at Wang Xijue, who had a puzzled look on his face, and indicated that he should just watch.

At this time, the emperor, who was the focus of everyone's attention, slowly put the incense in and bowed three times.

Zhu Yijun then turned around, glanced at all the court officials, and calmly met all the gazes, whether angry, stunned, disappointed, appreciative, or flustered...

He took it all in.

Zhu Yijun slowly walked to the edge of the Temple of Heaven and Earth, looked down at the ministers, and said lightly: "Since I ascended the throne, I have promoted the salt administration, cleaned up the bureaucracy, educated the royal family, pacified the Duoyan, suppressed the Japanese pirates, managed the water situation, promoted commerce, and promoted agriculture..."

"Over the past eight years, the country has finally reversed its long-standing decline. Its virtues have spread across the world, and its achievements will be remembered for generations to come."

"Among the ministers, there are Zhang Juzheng, Gao Yi and other loyal and patriotic masters, but there are also traitors, just like Po Xun who stole the Buddha, embezzled the national treasury, deceived the people, deceived the emperor, deceived the Holy Mother, messed up the examination, took over the land, hid the people, and blocked the sea transportation..."

"All these people who have no regard for the ruler and the people, form cliques for personal gain, kill the people and deceive the ruler."

“Now that there is a strange sign in the sky…”

Zhu Yijun lowered his head and looked at Zhao Jin, Liu Tai and the others, and said seriously, "If they are not a sign of good fortune, how can they be a sign of good fortune for me?"

(End of this chapter)