The streets were very quiet in the late autumn morning, but the sound of horses' hooves broke the tranquility of the capital's streets. Seeing the groups of people, the passersby all moved aside because they couldn't afford to offend these people.
The ones opening the way were groups of soldiers. From their equipment, it could be seen that they were soldiers of the capital's barracks.
After the long front line passed, there were groups of Dongchang foreigners in the middle. All of them had swords at their waists, and each of them had a murderous look on their faces.
In the middle of the procession, there was a large carriage that was protected in the middle.
All kinds of umbrellas were raised high, and the most eye-catching one was the imperial flag.
That was the flag of the imperial envoy.
On it was written: Eunuch Zhang of Dongchang's Admiral.
There was basically no one in the capital who didn't recognize this flag. This was the flag of Eunuch Zhang Jing of the Department of Rites who was appointed to Dongchang's Admiral.
This meant that the person sitting in the carriage was the Factory Supervisor of Dongchang, Zhang Jing, a person who made people tremble with fear.
Everyone who saw this scene had the same thought: why did Zhang Jing leave the capital?
Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yijun threw away the chess piece in his hand and said with a wry smile: "I've learned chess for more than ten years, but it's a stinky game. Don't pretend. I know you're thinking about how to let me win and not be seen through."
The person playing chess with Zhu Yijun was an old man. It was none other than Xu Wei, Xu Wenchang.
"Your Majesty's chess skills are very good, at least better than Hai Rui." Xu Wenchang also smiled as he put down the chess piece and said.
"Oh?" Zhu Yijun suddenly became curious. He looked up at Xu Wenchang and asked: "You played chess with Hai Rui?
This is really a rare thing. I was afraid that you would cheer me up. I remember that you and Hai Rui didn't get along very well. "
"Hai Rui kidnapped Hu Zongxian's son. You went to rescue him, right?"
Xu Wenchang said with a smile: "Your Majesty, this is a long story!" Looking around, Xu Wenchang licked his lips and said: "Why don't we talk while eating?
Ever since I went back last time, I've lost my appetite. "
"Sure!"
Zhu Yijun said to Xu Wenchang with a smile: "I'll have someone to cook for you, but I don't have thirty years of Nu 'er red wine."
Xu Wenchang didn't mind: "It's fine as long as there's Shaoxing yellow wine. I'm not picky."
After the dishes and wine were served, Xu Wenzhang took a sip from his wine cup and said, "It's really comfortable. The chefs in His Majesty's place are the best."
"Do you want me to give you?" Nu of Nu's voice: Nu '
"I can't afford it!"
Xu Wenchang waved his hands: "I did get to know Hai Rui that time. I don't like the red tape of officialdom and feel that those officials are all hypocrites. I can't be bothered to listen to them talk about etiquette, etiquette, and the like."
"But this official still admires those who are capable and have perseverance."
"I don't admire many people in my life, but Hai Rui is definitely one of them.
He's someone who truly cares about the people and has no selfish thoughts.
Although he's inflexible and boring, I'm still willing to associate with him. "
"He'll say whatever he has to say. If he doesn't like it, he'll say it, whether you like it or not."
"I even quarreled with him yesterday. When I went back, I used the quarrel to my heart's content and drank three hundred cups.
In comparison, Wu Dui and Zhang Yuanlong are much more boring.
I don't think Your Majesty should put Hai Rui in the Office of Commissioner of Transmission. He's not like me. He wants to do things. "
Zhu Yijun took a breath with a smile and said: "Let him take care of his body first. He can't do anything if his body is not strong."
"In fact, I've always wanted someone to talk to me. Don't people say that the emperor is the loneliest in the world?"
Zhu Yijun pointed outside and said: "Every day in the Forbidden City, these people come and go. I'm also very depressed about these things."
Xu Wenchang smiled: "Your Majesty, are you depressed about the Qian Family?"
Zhu Yijun asked with a smile: "Can you tell?"
"When I heard that Your Majesty sent Zhang Jing out of the capital, I knew that Zhang Jing must have gone to Hejian Prefecture. Now I can guess it when I see Your Majesty.
Let me guess, Your Majesty's order to Zhang Jing this time is to confiscate his family's property and send him to the border. Am I right? "
After saying this, Xu Wenchang's face was full of complacency.
"Yes!" Zhu Yijun nodded: "The Qian Family's property was confiscated and the whole family was sent to the border.
The officials involved in the case were all confiscated and beheaded. Their families were all sent to the border.
These days, I've received a lot of memorials, all saying that as an emperor, I should practice 'benevolence'. Of course, I'm depressed. "
"Don't listen to those bullsh * t." Xu Wenchang waved his hand and said with a disdainful face.
"I don't need to investigate the illegal salt trafficking. The Qian Family must have a lot of murder cases on their hands. They must have done a lot of things in the countryside.
Although it seems that poetry and etiquette are passed down from generation to generation, there are many dirty things in the lower ranks. "
"Your Majesty, you've done well. I think it's just right. Your Majesty is depressed because you feel that doing so is not a benevolent emperor, right?"
"I won't talk about the previous dynasty. Our Daming Emperor, Taizu, killed too many people.
Did he not strip people of their skins and grass? Hu Weiyong's case, Lan Yu's case, which one of them didn't kill people?
Did it tarnish Taizu's prestige? "
"Taizu called himself the 'Commoner of Huaixi'. I believe that Taizu far surpassed Tang Sect's Song Zu and is an eternal emperor!"
"Is there any harm in killing the illegal salt traffickers?
None at all. It's good for the common people and the imperial court. Why not kill them?
Your Majesty did well.
Master Fan once said, 'Why cry when one family cries?' "
Zhu Yijun looked at Xu Wenchang, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. This guy really dared to say it!
"Your Majesty, you don't need to look at me like that. I know Wei Zheng and Yang Xiu, but I'm alone now. Since Your Majesty is willing to use me, I have nothing to hide.
I've already disregarded life and death. There's no one in the world that I dare not speak. "
Xu Wenchang didn't seem to care at all.
Zhu Yijun shook his head helplessly as he looked at the half-finished wine in his glass. This Xu Wenchang was really a bit wild, especially after drinking.
However, after hearing Xu Wenchang's words, Zhu Yijun felt a lot better. He smiled and said, "What do you think about Sanniangzi?"
"Sanniangzi?"
Xu Wenchang said with a smile, "Sanniangzi is a heroine among women. Since she doesn't want to marry Hwang Tae-gil, then she won't marry him.
Why does Daming support Hwang Tae-gil? What's the benefit of supporting him? "
"What a cruel and unscrupulous thing. I think Your Majesty should support Sanniangzi instead."
"Sanniangzi's heart belongs to the Imperial Court and is benevolent. She can't bear to see casualties in battle.
If Hwang Tae-gil wants to make a fuss, then let him make a fuss. It's not that he can't beat Sanniangzi, but if he can, then that's even better. He can use this chance to subdue Sanniangzi. "
"Walla has been split in two, just like the Eastern and Western Turks. Once the Eastern Turks submitted to the Tang, the Western Turks could no longer make a fuss."
"Your Majesty should follow suit. If Sanniangzi is defeated, then Daming can subdue her tribe."
"If Hwang Tae-gil can't beat Sanniangzi, then isn't that good? Sanniangzi's rise to power will be of great benefit to Daming.
No matter what, after this battle, Walla will be weakened. Even if they don't fight and split in two, they will still be weakened. "
"On the steppe, it's impossible not to fight. This subject believes that there will definitely be a fight, but when and who will fight first is unknown."
"As for those who advocate for Sanniangzi to marry Hwang Tae-gil in order to stabilize the border, they are all fools and lazy politicians. Besides helping Hwang Tae-gil, what good will it do to Daming?
Stabilize the border?
A bunch of fools. "
"Daming's border isn't stable because of Sanniangzi or Hwang Tae-gil, but because of Daming's soldiers."
"Starting from Qi Jiguang and starting from Ma Fang, they were slowly built up through fighting. Short-sighted people aren't worth scheming with."
Looking at Xu Wenzhang who was pointing at the sky and drawing the ground, Zhu Yijun knew that he really drank too much.
However, Zhu Yijun agreed with what he said. Daming's border was stable not because of anyone, but because of fighting.
Now that he had a foundation, why should he compromise? Wouldn't it be better to let Sanniangzi and Hwang Tae-gil cause trouble?
Waving to a few young eunuchs not far away, Zhu Yijun pointed at Xu Wenchang and said, "Go, find someone to send him to Wu Dui's house."
After sending off Xu Wenchang, Zhu Yijun stretched his body. Feeling much better, he prepared to go to the back palace to chat with the Empress.
He would sleep there at night. He didn't want to do anything today. He just wanted to rest.
Capital, a small courtyard in the north of the city.
Li Zhonghang was watering the plants. When he saw his son walk in anxiously, he subconsciously put down the ladle in his hand.
Although his son was a little impulsive, he was clearly not impulsive. Something must have happened.
"Dad, something happened!" Li Xi looked at Li Zhonghang and said.
"What happened?" Li Zhonghang looked at his son and said, "Tell me slowly."
"I just went to see Zhang Jing. He did leave the capital and went to Hejian Prefecture. The Qian Family of Hejian Prefecture is finished." Zhang Xun said with a trembling voice, "The whole family will be exiled to Liaodong."
"So this time, the officials will be beheaded, and their families will also be exiled to Liaodong."
Li Zhonghang frowned and shook his head with a helpless sigh, "Don't be greedy!
This is the result of greed. They even dare to sell illicit salt, and even steal it in the salt field. Sooner or later, something will happen. "
"This has nothing to do with us. The Li family doesn't need to sell illicit salt. But now that Zhang Jing is gone, it will not be easy to get in touch with him."
Li Zhonghang shook his head helplessly, "I asked you to find out about the Honours entering the palace. Have you found out?"
Li Xi shook his head, "No, but Marquis Xining's name has been changed to Earl Xining."
"That's it. The Emperor has already punished Marquis Xining." Thinking of this, Li Zhonghang asked again, "Is there anything else?"
"Yes, after the Honours went back, they took back all the salt permits. It is said that they were sent to the palace. Now, the salt merchants are in a panic.
They have asked people everywhere for information, but there is no news at all. "After saying this, Li Xi stared at Li Zhonghang.