Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 61 Responsible

Forbidden City.

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jianshen was summoning Li Zisheng and Deng Changen, and standing next to them was the eunuch Tan Chang, who was in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

Tan Chang smiled and said, "The news just reached the capital this morning, saying that there were three earthquakes in Ningxia during the night, all of which occurred on the night of Bingzi, which coincides with Minister Li's prophecy. Minister Li is the first person who can accurately predict earthquakes in advance since ancient times."

Such praise brings honor to Li Zisheng.

Deng Chang'en, who was standing by, was so angry that his face turned green.

Li Zisheng looked at Deng Changen as if to protest, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I am just using the method of Fuqi to deduce, and I cannot guarantee whether it will succeed or not. Now that the earthquake has really happened, I am terrified... Fortunately, it did not delay the important affairs of the court. But I don't know whether I need to send someone to verify it?"

These words were said to Deng Changen.

Don't you suspect that the people below are in collusion with me, saying there was an earthquake when there wasn't one?
Just send someone to investigate. I’m not afraid!

Zhu Jianshen looked at Deng Changen and asked, "Mr. Deng, what do you think?"

Deng Changen bowed and said, "I think that Minister Li is worthy of being the first imperial teacher of the Ming Dynasty. His predictions are accurate and admirable."

It's not that Deng Chang'en didn't want to question, but if he jumped out to find fault without any evidence, he would appear petty. Moreover, sometimes, he and Li Zisheng had common interests. After all, they were both alchemists. If the emperor suddenly stopped believing in the words of the alchemists one day, both of them would be expelled from the palace.

Zhu Jianshen nodded slightly: "The earthquake did happen, but the people below reported that there was not much damage to people and animals. This is probably a blessing from God.

"I have thought about it and perhaps I have done something wrong and offended the heavens. I intend to...discuss the mistakes of the Eastern Palace publicly and let the Crown Prince take the blame. What do you think?"

Since ancient times, if disasters occurred, someone had to take the blame.

Normally the emperor would issue a self-criticism edict, or a minister would submit a petition to resign, saying that he had not done a good job. But this time Zhu Jianshen directly put the blame on the crown prince, and his intention to change the crown prince was obvious.

Deng Changen quickly said, "I second the motion."

Qin Chang stood aside, his face calm, and obviously had no intention of objecting. Although Qin Chang had a good reputation in the Imperial Household Department, he was not as hateful as Huai En, nor was he like Huai En who would argue with the emperor over the issue of changing the crown prince. He was more like a cautious and kind person who did not take the lead in anything.

Zhu Jianshen smiled with satisfaction and said, "In this case, you will draft the imperial edict and send it out soon. It will be the Crown Prince's apology for the people."

Li Zisheng suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I recently consulted a divination and came up with something... I wonder if I should tell you or not?"

"oh!?"

Everyone present looked at Li Zisheng in surprise.

There was even a hint of shame and indignation in Deng Chang'en's eyes, as if to say, I didn't bother with you before, you should have stopped, but now you're getting even worse?

Zhu Jianshen was obviously stunned for a moment, and then he said angrily: "Mr. Li, you should know what my intention is... If it is really inappropriate to say it, then don't say it. After all, the Ningxia earthquake is a thing of the past, and we should not use what happened in the past to speculate on the future of the country."

What I mean is, regardless of whether an earthquake occurs in Ningxia or not, I am very determined to change the crown prince, and no one can change it, not even you, Li Zisheng!

Li Zisheng, however, showed his loyalty, his expression solemn, and his words righteously: "I have deduced that in eight or nine days, a disaster will occur in the East, and it will affect the foundation of the Ming Dynasty."

"You...what are you talking about?"

Zhu Jianshen had originally admired Li Zisheng's abilities, but after hearing these words, his blood boiled and his fair face turned red, obviously he was very angry.

I told you to stop talking, why didn't you listen? Deng Chang'en watched coldly from the sidelines, looking extremely terrified, but in his heart he was very happy. He had offended the emperor, so let's see how you, Li Zisheng, will die this time!
Qin Chang seemed to have grasped some important information and asked quickly, "Minister Li, are you saying that putting the blame on the East Palace is worth discussing?"

Li Zisheng said, "Your Majesty, I will never speak for anyone. I am only considering the fate of the Ming Dynasty. I spoke about the earthquake in Ningxia not to show off my ability or to seek credit, but because I was considering Your Majesty."

"Ah."

Zhu Jianshen had calmed down by now and nodded expressionlessly, "If that thing had been done a few days ago and the earthquake in Ningxia happened to happen, the court officials would have mentioned it endlessly, saying that my decision had angered the heavens and that I would have to issue an edict of guilt."

That thing is "easy storage".

Zhu Jianshen's words were tantamount to a disguised admission that Li Zisheng's early prediction of the earthquake helped him, Zhu Jianshen, resolve the crisis, rather than helping the prince.

Li Zisheng continued, "My minister's calculations show that this hexagram is not favorable for the east, and it concerns the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. From what I see, there may be another earthquake, or some other disaster, which will also occur in the near future. Your Majesty, why don't you wait a little longer?"

Deng Chang'en finally couldn't help it: "Minister Li, how can you not make people understand what you are saying? Even if there is another earthquake, can you say that it was not caused by the crown prince?"

Even the good-natured Qin Chang couldn't stand it anymore and took the initiative to ask: "Could it be that Minister Li meant that the gods sent down warnings one after another in order to maintain the foundation of the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Jianshen said impatiently, "There's no need to hide the truth... Let's be clear, I want to appoint another crown prince. It's not appropriate to make a decision now, right? Li Qingjia, just say it directly!"

Li Zisheng said: "I think this hexagram is closely related to the fate of the crown prince, and it is also related to the warning from heaven. Your Majesty should think twice before making a decision on the issue of changing the crown prince, or it will not be too late to make a decision after the new year."

Zhu Jianshen frowned: "It's uncertain now. Do we have to wait until after the New Year? Will there be another earthquake? Or a flash flood or tsunami? It's clearly the coldest time of winter now..."

Deng Chang'en said, "Minister Li, you are not trying to say that the Crown Prince is blessed by God, and if the crown prince is changed, God will punish him, which will be detrimental to the Ming Dynasty?"

"is it?"

When Zhu Jianshen heard this, his face changed immediately.

He had already made a decision, but now he was prevented from changing it by some divine will, which made him unable to accept it for a moment.

Li Zisheng immediately bowed and said: "I am only thinking about the great Ming Dynasty and its people, and I have no selfish motives. I think the matter of changing the crown prince should be postponed for the time being."

Zhu Jianshen asked, "Please tell me clearly what disaster you speculated about? Is it related to Yi Chu?"

Although Li Zisheng had thought of various excuses, he did not expect the emperor to be so resolute. He changed his mind and said, "Your Majesty, I may have made some mistakes in my speculations, but I cannot speak out when the time comes... This prophecy about the east is that... there will be an earthquake at Mount Tai."

After saying this, the Qianqing Palace suddenly became quiet.

Not to mention Deng Chang'en and Qin Chang, even Zhu Jianshen, the emperor who controlled the life and death of the people in the world, seemed to have been silenced and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, perhaps Zhu Jianshen found the atmosphere in the palace too awkward, so he forced a smile and waved his hand: "You all should leave. The Crown Prince apologizes and the matter of changing the crown prince will be discussed in the long run. Let's wait and see."

After saying this, Zhu Jianshen seemed to be in a trance, muttering to himself, and stood up and went to the back wing.

Obviously, if an earthquake really occurred in Mount Tai, it would not be a warning from heaven. It would be like God pointing at Zhu Jianshen's nose and scolding him, saying that he was an incompetent emperor and should get out of here as soon as possible.

Whether you, the emperor, believe it or not, at least the people of the world will think so.

What's more, Zhu Jianshen was an extremely superstitious emperor and was very worried about this situation happening.

(End of this chapter)