My father is Jiajing

In April, willow catkins are flying in Beijing.

Outside the south gate of the capital, civil and military officials lined up to welcome the emperor.

The dragon chariot carrying Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Zaigui, surrounded by the Imperial Guards, slowly moved along the newly built hardened road towards the capital.

Xu Jie has been feeling uneasy these days, as if something big is about to happen.

Guo Pu and Xu Jie rode in the same carriage. They were even more silent now than when they had accompanied the emperor on his southern tour before.

They were quiet with each other, no longer able to chat about many topics like they did when they first followed the emperor.

Xu Jie drew aside the curtains on the carriage and looked at the familiar scenery of the suburbs of the capital outside, but this time he felt it was a little strange.

Then Xu Jie's gaze followed the imperial dragon sedan in front of him, and his brows frowned slightly.

So many unexpected things happened during this southern tour to Anlu to worship the mausoleum. This was not a good sign for Xu Jie, who was already the chief minister of the cabinet.

Outside the South Gate of the Capital.

All the officials who stayed in the capital, headed by Deputy Minister Li Chunfang, are now looking forward to the arrival of the emperor from afar.

Soon the ceremonial officer who was observing the road scene in the distance at the front shouted, "Here they come!"

At this moment, all the officials immediately focused their attention, and they all stretched their heads to look at the imperial carriage and procession that had just emerged from the ground in front of them.

Li Chunfang felt relieved after seeing the emperor appear.

The same was true for Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji, Zhao Wenhua, Zhang Juzheng and others who stood beside him.

The news that came from Anlu some time ago was so horrifying that they almost collapsed.

Now that I see the emperor returning, my heart, which had been hanging in the air, has finally settled down completely.

Finally, when the imperial carriage arrived outside the south gate of the capital, just as all the officials were kneeling to greet him, Zhu Zaigui, who had been rumored to be seriously ill for a long time, came out of the dragon sedan.

Zhu Zaigui looked at the officials who came to greet him and said, "You have all worked hard. Your Majesty is exhausted from the journey, so I will not chat with you ministers here. Now, everyone should return to your offices and handle your official duties."

The appearance of Zhu Zaigui immediately caused a stir among the officials in the capital.

Li Chunfang and others were in high spirits, but some officials seemed frightened and panicked, as if they had seen a ghost.

Zhu Zaigui did not continue to respond to these ministers. He just smiled and nodded at Li Chunfang and others, then turned around and got into the dragon sedan chair, and slowly entered the south gate of the capital with the imperial procession.

Xiyuan, Wanshou Palace.

After being away from this palace for nearly two months, Emperor Jiajing finally returned to the Wanshou Palace again.

Emperor Jiajing leaned back on his own couch in his own residence, and said with emotion: "Home is still the best place!"

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Father is the Son of Heaven. The Emperor regards the whole world as his home, so naturally anywhere is good."

When Emperor Jiajing heard this, he also laughed, as if it was indeed the case.

At this time, Chen Hong, who had been waiting outside the Wanshou Palace, was also eagerly waiting for the summons from Emperor Jiajing.

When he saw Li Fang, he hurriedly asked, "Has the Emperor rested?"

Li Fang looked at Chen Hong's anxious expression and said directly without hiding anything, "The prince is inside talking to the emperor."

Chen Hong said "oh" and was about to come back later when Li Fang called him again.

"Eunuch Chen, please wait a moment. The Emperor said that if you come here, you will be allowed to enter the temple directly to see the Emperor."

When Chen Hong heard this, he immediately stopped and thanked Li Fang, "Thank you, Li Fang."

After saying that, Chen Hong lifted his skirt, bent his body, and walked carefully towards the temple in Wanshou Palace.

As soon as he entered the abode, he immediately knelt down in front of Emperor Jiajing in his signature style, "Your servant Chen Hong pays respects to the Emperor, and pays respects to the Prince."

Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Zaigui looked at Chen Hong who was sliding towards them on his knees, both of them with a smile in their eyes.

At the same time, Zhu Zaigui also stepped aside to prepare tea, snacks and other entertainment items for Emperor Jiajing.

Emperor Jiajing was lying on the couch, and he just raised his hand slightly and said, "Get up."

Chen Hong immediately bowed again: "Thank you, Emperor."

Then Chen Hong took out a secret letter from his arms and handed it over respectfully.

"Your Majesty, this is the list of treacherous officials that I found. After hearing that the prince was ill in Anlu, these treacherous officials began to conspire and collude in an attempt to overthrow the country."

Emperor Jiajing hummed slightly and said, "Put it down."

Chen Hong was slightly stunned. He thought that Emperor Jiajing would order people to arrest people according to the list.

The result is a light-hearted “let it go”.

This will make Chen Hong unable to deal with it.

Chen Hong immediately said anxiously: "Emperor, these are all treacherous ministers!"

Emperor Jiajing hummed in a dignified manner without being angry. His gaze made Chen Hong's heart tremble. He lowered his head involuntarily and dared not say anything.

At this time, Zhu Zaigui also brought the prepared tea over, "Father, please have some tea."

Emperor Jiajing took the tea handed over by Zhu Zaigui and said, "Chen Hong said that some treacherous officials took advantage of your illness in Anlu to conspire and attempt to overthrow the country. What do you think of this?"

Zhu Zaigui laughed and said, "I am not the crown prince, so I cannot be considered the head of state."

Emperor Jiajing turned to look at Chen Hong again, "Did you hear that?"

Chen Hong was confused by the double act between Zhu Zaigui and Emperor Jiajing.

Prince Yu has been the regent for so many years, and he can even issue regent decrees and claim to be the only one in power. Isn't he the foundation of the country?
Chen Hong bowed sadly and said, "I heard it."

Emperor Jiajing said again: "If you hear it, go down."

Chen Hong went down pitifully, feeling extremely aggrieved.

It feels so sad that I have done all the dirty and tiring work, but in the end I don’t even get a word of thanks for my hard work.

After Chen Hong left, Emperor Jiajing laughed again and said, "See, Chen Hong is wronged."

Zhu Zaigui said: "Of course he felt wronged. He originally thought he had made some contribution, but in the end, he had nothing."

Emperor Jiajing laughed again and said, "How can merit be so easy to come by? Although these so-called treacherous ministers are evil, he should also think carefully. If I arrest all the treacherous ministers he presented according to the list, what will happen to the court? He has no brains at all. He has been the seal of the Imperial Household Department for so long, but he still doesn't know the principle of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. He always wants to catch the big one in one net. How stupid!"

Zhu Zaigui said: "This is also because Chen Hong is eager to make achievements."

Emperor Jiajing chuckled and said, "He is really anxious. What should I do with my court? Emperor Taizu killed corrupt officials in batches, but he took all the petitions he submitted. Oh, how stupid!" Zhu Zaigui listened to Emperor Jiajing's sigh and said, "Why don't we let Li Fang give him a reminder?"

Emperor Jiajing chuckled and said, "Will he listen to Li Fang?"

Zhu Zaigui also smiled bitterly, as if with Chen Hong's personality, he would not really listen to Li Fang's advice.

Emperor Jiajing picked up the list again and patted it in his hands, "Forget it, take your time. He's useless even if you give him a chance."

Then Emperor Jiajing put aside the list of treacherous ministers in his hand and looked at Zhu Zaigui and said, "How are the preparations for opening the sea going?"

Zhu Zaigui was in high spirits: "The rules have been drafted, and we are just waiting to convene a court meeting."

"What do you think Xu Jie's attitude will be?"

Emperor Jiajing talked about Xu Jie again. Xu Jie was also a disciple of Xia Yan, and Xia Yan was the pioneer who advocated the strict implementation of the maritime ban.

The only Maritime Customs Office in the Ming Dynasty left now is the one in Guangdong. The two Maritime Customs Offices in Fujian and Zhejiang were both abolished by Xia Yan because of the tribute dispute that occurred in Ningbo.

Now if we want to reopen the Maritime Customs and bring up the old idea of ​​opening up the sea again.

The resistance from the officials in the court cannot be ignored, otherwise even with the strong orders from Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Zaigui, it is not certain that this matter can be actually accomplished.

"Xu Jie."

Zhu Zaigui smiled bitterly, "On the surface, they are noncommittal, but in fact, they are setting up obstacles everywhere. Before returning to Beijing, I ordered people to count the ports that can be opened along the coast, but the Ministry of Revenue delayed it by saying that the 'account books were lost'."

Emperor Jiajing snorted coldly when he heard this, stood up and walked to the window to look in the direction of Wenyuan Pavilion: "These demons and monsters have been fighting with me for many years, and their skills have increased!"

Zhu Zaigui laughed in his heart, thinking that Emperor Jiajing had finally gotten over his obsession. He had been hiding in the Western Garden for these years, governing the country with riddles. How could these cunning people not make progress?

"I will convene a court meeting in a few days. You go there in person to take charge. I want to see what tricks these demons and monsters have to prevent the opening of the sea!"

Ever since receiving the secret report about Guano Island, Emperor Jiajing's determination to open the sea has become stronger than ever before!
As an emperor, he knew too well the importance of food!

If there was enough food, the Ming Dynasty could accumulate enough wealth exponentially!

With all this wealth, why worry about not being able to match or even surpass Wen Jing?

After all, this is an important opportunity to become the "Eternal Saint King"!

If anyone dares to stop him, Emperor Jiajing will show no mercy!
a few days later.

In the Wenhua Hall, green smoke curled up from the incense burner.

Zhu Zaigui sat high up in the first seat in the hall.

The chief minister of the cabinet, Xu Jie, led the civil and military officials to stand on both sides. The atmosphere was so solemn that water could be squeezed out of it.

Zhu Zaigui looked around at his ministers and said in a loud voice, "Today, I am following your majesty's order to discuss the issue of opening up the sea. Since the Japanese invasion was quelled, people along the coast have suffered, and the court's taxes have been sharply reduced. Your majesty believes that opening up the sea for trade will not only enrich the country, but also benefit the people. It is indeed a move that benefits the country and the people. What do you think?"

As soon as Zhu Zaigui finished speaking, a secretary stepped forward and said, "I, Liu Daquan, a secretary of the Sixth Department, respectfully report. Your Majesty, although the Japanese pirates have been pacified for the time being, there are still pirates on the sea. Once the sea is opened, I am afraid they will revive and repeat the mistakes of the battle for tribute in the second year of Jiajing!"

Zhu Zaigui looked at the official named Liu Daquan and said calmly, "Liu is worrying too much. In recent years, Yu Dayou, Qi Jiguang and others have strengthened the coastal defense, and the navy's combat effectiveness has greatly increased. After the sea is opened, the navy can be deployed to patrol the trade routes to ensure the safety of merchant ships."

Just as Zhu Zaigui finished speaking, another censor stood up.

"I, Han Derang, the Imperial Censor of the Censorate, respectfully report: The maritime ban is an ancient system! Moreover, China is rich in resources and the people are self-sufficient. Why should we open the sea to engage in lowly business practices? For example, the Guangdong Maritime Customs Office has a presence in Guangdong. Since there is a Maritime Customs Office, silver from overseas has flowed into Guangdong, causing the local grain prices to be several times higher than other places."

"If you insist on opening the sea, I am afraid that if you open up new areas, you will repeat the mistakes of the Guangdong Maritime Customs, and in the end, the silver price will drop and farmers will suffer!"

Han Derang's words immediately aroused a wave of support.

At this time, Qiao Wanjin, the Minister of Revenue who once served as the Chairman of the Ming Federal Reserve, stood up.

Qiao Wanjin said, "This is a different time! The Guangdong Maritime Customs is poorly managed, and smuggling is rampant. If the imperial court sets up a Maritime Customs Office to manage it uniformly, it can both stabilize prices and increase tax revenue."

"And now that the Ming Dynasty is based on the Ming Federal Reserve System, if a large amount of silver really flows in to impact grain prices and commodity prices, the Ming Federal Reserve can also use regulatory methods to absorb this silver into reserves and calm the market's hot silver."

As soon as Qiao Wanjin finished speaking, officials immediately stood up to attack him.

"Minister Qiao, please don't use your business skills to discuss state affairs. You are just a lowly businessman who got into power by chance. If it weren't for the prince's grace, you wouldn't have the right to speak!"

Zhu Zaigui's eyes turned slightly cold. Now that someone was attacking Qiao Wanjin like this, wasn't that a slap in his face?
It seems that opening the sea is not an easy thing to accomplish.

Zhu Zaigui ignored the personal attacks in the hall and focused his attention on Xu Jie, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines.

"Mr. Xu Ge."

Zhu Zaigui's voice was not loud, but it made the entire Wenhua Hall quiet down.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Xu Jie and said, "As the Prime Minister, what do you think about this matter?"

Xu Jie stepped out slowly and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, the matter of opening the sea is of great importance. I think we should listen to the opinions of the public and make a careful decision."

Then Xu Jie paused again and continued, "Many gentry along the southeast coast are opposed to it. If we force the sea to be opened, we may lose the hearts of scholars all over the world."

Xu Jie's words were extremely serious and directly pointed to the foundation of the court's rule.

Many officials in the hall nodded secretly and looked at Xu Jie with admiration.

Zhu Zaigui's face changed slightly. This old guy's true colors were revealed!

But then Zhu Zaigui calmed down and said calmly, "Lord Xu is right."

Zhu Zaigui's calm tone made Xu Jie feel nervous and he felt something was not right.

It was at this time that Zhu Zaigui changed the subject and began with the word "but".

Zhu Zaigui said, "If I remember correctly, during the Hongzhi period, when Xu Pu, the ancestor of the Xu family, was the Prime Minister, he strongly advocated opening up the sea for trade, saying that 'the benefits of sea trade can support 100,000 soldiers.' How come when it comes to the generation of Lord Xu, he is timid instead? Does the court really have to listen to and consider the reactions of the people in a small corner of the country when making major decisions?"

Zhu Zaigui's question hit Xu Jie's sore spot.

Beads of sweat broke out on Xu Jie's forehead. He didn't expect that Jiajing would dig up old stories from his ancestors to shut him up.

"Your Majesty, you are wise," Xu Jie reluctantly replied, "Times have changed. The sea was peaceful back then, but now..."

"What's going on now?"

Zhu Zaigui interrupted him rudely, "Hasn't the Japanese pirates been pacified? Or does Lord Xu think that Qi Jiguang and his men's battle report is fake? Is the power of the Japanese navy fake?"

The atmosphere in the palace suddenly became tense. Xu Jie knew that further arguments would only anger Prince Yu, so he could only bow and say, "I dare not. Your Majesty is wise and will make the decision."

Zhu Zaigui glanced at the ministers and slowly stood up. "Regarding the opening of the sea, I have followed your majesty's order. I have ordered the cabinet to draft an order to restore the trade of Yuegang Port in Fujian and Shuangyu Port in Zhejiang, and to re-establish the Maritime Customs Office. The specific regulations will be supervised by me, and the cabinet and the six ministries will cooperate."

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