Chapter 9: Pretending to be a good person, secretly delivering a box of books

At night, outside the Qianqing Palace.

……

Zhang Hong stood outside the Qianqing Palace and adjusted his clothes nervously.

Zhang Jing, the godson, held a lantern beside him and said, "Godfather, you've been getting your hair done for almost a quarter of an hour. Don't worry, I'm watching. You're dressed properly!"

Zhang Hong ignored him and just nodded his chin.

The godson reached out and caught the clove that Zhang Hong spit out.

This is used to enhance flavor and remove odor in the mouth and tongue.

Zhang Hong didn't dare to make any mistakes at this time.

After the previous emperor ascended the throne, as an old resident of the Qiandi Palace, although he did not have the good fortune of Meng Chong, he was also able to rise to a higher level.

The piece of fat meat in the Needlework Bureau is almost his private land.

But the good days did not last long, as the late emperor passed away!

It’s only been six years since he ascended the throne!

This news was like the collapse of the heavens.

A new emperor has new ministers. Didn’t you see that as soon as the previous emperor passed away, Meng Chong and Chen Hong took over the old position?

Zhang Hong felt that he was no exception and made preparations early.

For this purpose, he even handed over the Needlework Bureau to Feng Bao's godsons, and took the initiative to become a chief eunuch in the Shengong Bureau. Being in charge of such menial work as the Taimiao was already a sign of his desire for a comfortable and retired life.

Does he want to quit? Is he willing to quit? He is just forced to do so by the situation.

During these days and nights, he would recall the days when he was in the Needlework Bureau and everyone responded to his call and flattered him.

When I woke up, I looked at the countless incense sticks, lamps and memorial tablets in the Taimiao, which seemed desolate and cold.

I thought the rest of my life would just pass like this.

Unexpectedly, just a few days later, Concubine Li suddenly sent an imperial decree, asking him to enter the Imperial Household Department and serve the Crown Prince!
Opportunity! A huge opportunity!

How could he dare to be careless with such a golden opportunity?

Finally, Zhang Hong stopped and turned to his godson and said, "Okay, go back. I'll go see the prince."

After sending his godson away, he took a deep breath and then walked to the entrance of the hall.

"Please inform the Crown Prince that the eunuch Zhang Hong..."

Before he finished speaking, the young eunuch smiled and said, "Of course I recognize Zhang Dayong. The prince has ordered that you can just go in when you come. There is no need to report again."

As he said this, he turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation.

Zhang Hong thanked him quickly, but he became even more nervous.

He didn't know how Concubine Li chose him, but he would definitely seize this opportunity.

Didn't Feng Bao gain the trust of Concubine Li to rise to the top overnight? If Feng Bao could do it, why couldn't Zhang Hong do it?
As long as he does a good job in the task assigned by Concubine Li and leaves a mark in Concubine Li's heart, he may be able to replace Feng Bao!
After all, she is just a ten-year-old kid. It won't be a big deal to coax and serve her, and she can show off in front of Concubine Li.

It's not like he hasn't served the Crown Prince before. When he was in Prince Yu's Mansion, he had coaxed and held him countless times. There was a foundation of affection between them. Besides, he was now sensible and could figure out his thoughts, so there shouldn't be any big problems.

What's more, this prince is notoriously easy to deceive.

Last year, Feng Bao reported him to Concubine Li because he was obsessed with the toys given by the young eunuch.

If I just coax her a little and try my best to please Concubine Li, would I still have to endure the bullying of juniors like Feng Bao?
As Zhang Hong thought about this, he bent his body and walked into the Qianqing Palace in small steps.

The Qianqing Palace was the emperor's bedroom, but now that the old palace is replaced by the new one, many things have been moved out in preparation for being buried with the late emperor.

Once the late emperor's body is moved, it's time for the new emperor to take over.

So the hall now seems a little empty.

In addition, as the body was being kept there, in order to avoid disturbing anything, the lanterns and candles were very dim, and half of the hall was dark.

Zhang Hong was not qualified to hold a lantern, so he could only walk carefully in the hall. His steps were extremely slow, but the echo still rang out.

There are some Buddhist rituals, talismans and other objects arranged around.

Occasionally, the sound of chimes could be heard from inside the hall, far away and distant.

The late emperor treated the eunuchs like them very well, but he passed away at the age of thirty. As an old servant, Zhang Hong felt somewhat emotional.

It's a pity that he was almost fifty years old. He had been hoping to live the rest of his life happily by relying on the prestige of the late emperor, but he didn't expect that the old man would pass away first.

If he were ten years younger, he could hope to serve the new monarch well, and wait for the new monarch to take power, and then rise to prominence.

Unfortunately, he couldn't wait any longer. Xinjun was only ten years old now. By that time, he would probably be half buried in the ground.

I just hope that I can take this opportunity to show off in front of Concubine Li.

With his qualifications, he was only a matter of a nobleman’s attention away from a high position in the inner court.

Thinking of this, he recalled that the Imperial Concubine had clearly stated that she would kneel down and pay her respects tomorrow morning, but the new emperor asked him to come and pay his respects before the spirit of the late emperor at this time.

Should I report this secretly to Concubine Li?
As he was lost in thought, he suddenly noticed that the scene in front of him changed, and an unclosed coffin came into view.

Surprisingly, he had already walked into the hall!

Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of a figure kneeling next to the coffin. The darkness of the hall made it difficult for him to see clearly. Was this the ten-year-old new king?
Thinking of this, Zhang Hong quickly knelt down and bowed his head to greet the Crown Prince: "Eunuch Zhang Hong, I am here to pay my respects to the Crown Prince on the orders of Concubine Li."

Just as he was thinking that the Crown Prince was going to ask him to stand up, he already exerted force on his knees in advance, but he did not receive the expected answer.

His body almost shook, Zhang Hong quickly steadied himself and knelt firmly again.

The crown prince remained silent, and the hall fell silent for a moment, making Zhang Hong feel inexplicably awkward.

Fortunately, it didn't last long.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the figure beside the coffin slowly stand up.

Just when Zhang Hong thought he was asked to stand up.

A voice, with a sneer in it, came into my ears: "You big guys all call me ancestor, but I call you master instead."

"Why, you want to be my ancestor?"

The heart-piercing words immediately made Zhang Hong's heart skip a beat!
Zhang Hong was immediately stunned by this sentence.

These two things are totally different. Why did the Crown Prince suddenly become angry?

These words were too harsh. He didn't even dare to think about what would happen to him if these words got out!
He almost prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed heavily: "I dare not! I dare not!"

Zhu Yijun watched coldly.

The first impression is extremely important. If you don’t make a good first impression, there will probably be another Feng Bao.

He knelt in front of the late emperor's spirit, and no monks, Taoist priests or guards were allowed to enter. He chose this place so that he wouldn't have to hide and pretend to be a child.

The place in front of the late emperor's spirit was already majestic and dignified, and no one was allowed to be presumptuous. In addition, the dark background concealed his childish figure.

It is to completely control this person.

"Zhang Hong, raise your head."

Zhang Hong was still trying to figure out what the Crown Prince was thinking, and he subconsciously looked up when he heard that.

The hall was dark and dim. The new emperor was facing him sideways, half of his body hidden in the darkness. His face was flickering. He held the coffin with one hand and stood a little away from Zhang Hong. His shadow just happened to be cast on Zhang Hong, making his small body infinitely large.

This is a ten-year-old child! ?
He only felt that the pressure was unfathomable, even more than that of the previous emperor!
It almost feels like facing Emperor Shizong Jiajing!
A voice came: "This is my imperial father, please pay your respects to him."

Zhang Hong's mind was confused and he didn't understand what was going on, so he just kowtowed randomly.

His head touched the ground, and his posture was very precise.

Zhu Yijun's voice became dignified and obscure: "Zhang Hong was born in the first year of Jiajing, a farmer's son. In the eleventh year of Jiajing, he was sold into the palace by his parents at a low price."

"In the 36th year of Jiajing, I entered Prince Yu's mansion and served my father."

"After the first year of Longqing, he served in the Weaving Bureau, the Beijing Camp Eunuch, the Needlework Bureau, and four days ago he was in charge of the Imperial Palace."

"Have I remembered it wrong?"

Listening to the crown prince reciting his resume word by word, Zhang Hong became more and more uneasy.

"Your Highness has an extraordinary memory and a broad mind, and he even included my humble background in it. I am terrified!" This is common news, and everyone in the palace knows it.

But when it came from the Crown Prince's mouth, the feeling was different.

Wasn't it Concubine Li who ordered him to look after the Crown Prince? How come the Crown Prince now knows his background so clearly? Could it be that he was chosen by the Crown Prince?
Zhu Yijun knocked on the coffin gently, and the sound echoed in the empty hall.

"You don't want to stay in the needlework bureau to make money, but go to the imperial temple to sweep the temple. What? Do you want to retire?"

Zhang Hong didn't know how to evade the question for a moment: "I...I am getting old, and my energy..."

Zhu Yijun suddenly interrupted him: "You are afraid of Meng Chong and you stay away from Feng Bao."

"Now that you have come to me, you dare to deceive me."

"Zhang Hong, do you think you are Gao Gong or Feng Bao? How dare you bully me, a young lady?"

Zhang Hong shuddered as if he had fallen into an ice cellar!
These words suddenly woke him up!

He suddenly woke up and understood what was wrong!
How could this be spread in the palace? What do you think of this ignorant child?
Which ignorant child dares to be hostile to the Prime Minister and despise the Prime Minister? ?

It's clear from the Crown Prince's words that he is fully aware of the political situation and palace affairs. It's clear that he has a lot of wisdom and intelligence!

I'm afraid that most of the rumors about this person are just dormant and gathering momentum!
The post of Admiral Eunuch was vacated this morning, and even he himself was chosen by Concubine Li. The prince in front of him could not escape the connection!
As soon as he suddenly understood, the figure of the prince rose higher in front of him again!

Ten years old! A new king who has opened his mind at the age of ten is hard to find in history.

The First Emperor Ying Zheng ascended to the throne at the age of thirteen and swept across the world.

Song Zhezong Zhao Xu ascended the throne at the age of nine, re-implemented the New Law, and defeated Western Xia twice.

Which one of them is not a wise and intelligent person?
If the Crown Prince Zhu Yijun is like this, why would he still want to please Concubine Li? There is no such thing as a sage monarch who does not fight for power!
Yingzong ascended the throne at the age of nine. Even though he had been lying in wait, it only took him eight months to install Wang Zhen in the position of the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department!
With the Holy Lord in front of us, how can we not be a loyal dog? ?

He hesitated when he should make a decision, and then he would suffer the consequences! He had a plan in mind, and replied tremblingly: "Master, you have a sharp eye! I really had to give up the needlework department to avoid Feng Bao's edge."

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Hong quietly.

He understood what Zhang Hong was thinking.

Although he is only ten years old now, as long as he shows the ability to govern and seize power, there will always be a group of people closely united around him.

Why? Political prospects and political commitments are his bottom line, and are also the greatest advantage of being a monarch!

With this foundation, and taking advantage of his many years in a high position, it was not difficult for him to deliberately manipulate the aura and suppress Zhang Hong.

"Oh? Since you are afraid of offending Feng Bao, then you'd better not listen to me."

When Zhang Hong heard the implication, his heart almost jumped into his throat.

She immediately prostrated herself at the prince's feet: "I am honored to be recognized and promoted by the prince! I will go through fire and water, and will not refuse even if death is the cost!"

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It was my mother who appreciated and promoted me."

Zhang Hong kowtowed repeatedly: "Since I have come to the master, I have received the master's grace. There is no one else in my eyes!"

Zhu Yijun finally smiled.

He chuckled softly, and suddenly remembered that there was no one else in the hall, so he just laughed out loud.

Zhang Hong's forehead was covered in sweat, but he didn't even dare to wipe it off.

"Zhang Hong, my father once praised you in front of me. Do you know what he said?"

Without waiting for Zhang Hong to reply, Zhu Yijun continued to speak with an undiminished smile, "He praised you as a loyal and good servant."

"Are you?"

The sound really came from the clouds, making Zhang Hong's soul leave his body.

He kowtowed repeatedly without hesitation: "Master, I am a servant of the Zhang Hongtian family. I dare not be disloyal!"

Zhang Hong knelt on the ground and made an earnest confession, but he did not receive any response from the prince.

He only saw a pair of boots passing by him from the corner of his eye.

The voice behind him faded away: "I want a list of all the eunuchs who went to Huguang to inspect taxes during the Longqing period. Please confirm it."

After these words were spoken, no other words were heard.

Only the sound of someone walking away remained, echoing in the hall, the lingering sound fading away.

Zhang Hong almost collapsed to the ground.

He tugged at his collar, and found his back was soaked, as if he had walked through a sea of ​​fire and swords.

Even if wisdom is awakened, the majesty is too heavy!
What ten-year-old new emperor? If someone said that this was the emperor who had been in a high position and held great power for decades, he would believe it!
Especially the last four words in the sentence made his heart tremble.

The controlled tone and habitual movements almost killed him!

After taking a few deep breaths, he suddenly remembered something and quickly turned over.

She kowtowed again in the direction the prince left, and in the empty hall, she sang, "This servant respectfully sends my master off!"

……

Gao Yi looked at the fence he had just built, nodded with satisfaction, and stretched.

The chickens and ducks raised in this corner of the yard kept sneaking out, and now we have finally solved the problem.

He originally wanted to build a stone wall, but he was renting this courtyard. Although the landlord did not dare to refuse him, he was obviously reluctant to let him build the wall, so he had to give up.

Today was the first day of the new year, and the court at least paid half of the salary it owed him, allowing him to repair the fence.

As he was admiring it, an old servant came over and said, "Master, someone is coming from Lord Zhang's residence."

Gao Yi was shocked.

What did Zhang Juzheng send people for?
Official interactions among cabinet ministers are essential, but excessive private interactions are somewhat taboo.

Especially during the sensitive period when a new death occurred in the country.

He looked at the old servant: "Where is he? Why don't you invite him in?"

The old servant held up a book in both hands: "He asked me to pass this book to the master, saying that he had an unwelcome request and someone was waiting for the master's words outside."

Gao Yi took it and took a look. It was a book called "Shangshu".

Why did Zhang Juzheng give him this book?
"What kind of unkind invitation?"

The old servant replied, "He asked if the master could give a lecture on this topic tomorrow."

Tomorrow? Is the prince giving a lecture? Gao Yi opened the book in confusion, and sure enough, one of the pages was folded.

He turned to this page and was suddenly stunned.

Then he remained silent.

After waiting for a while, he sighed and said, "Tell Mr. Zhang that I have agreed to this matter and it will not happen again."

The old servant responded and left.

……

"Master, Lord Gao said that he has agreed to this matter and it will not happen again."

The servant opened the curtain of the carriage and said something in a low voice.

Zhang Juzheng didn't say anything, just nodded.

He looked up at the gate of Gaoyi Courtyard and lowered the curtain: "Let's go back home."

He stroked his temples gently. It seemed that he had been thinking too much today, and there were two more white hairs.

I just don't know whether he thinks too much or too little.

The late emperor appeared in spirit... The eunuch superintendent... questioned Zhang Hong...

How handsome is the Crown Prince?

Let him take a good look tomorrow.
-
In order to catch up on Tuesday's reading, Wednesday's chapter was released at midnight. From now on, the normal update time is 4.30:. Every Wednesday is early morning.

Note 1: He was simple and quiet, had few desires, and had no concubines. His old house was destroyed by fire, and he lived in a rented house for the rest of his life. When he died, there was almost no burial. - "Ming History·Biographies·Volume "

(End of this chapter)