Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 71: Going to court is like going to the grave, even crueler than Taizu

Early summer has arrived, and the days are coming earlier and earlier.

The ministers hurried to the Fengtian Hall to attend the court, finally they didn't have to go in the dark. However, they all looked solemn, and sighed from time to time as they walked on the imperial road.

"The Royal Guards arrested more than 30 people yesterday. Life is really unbearable. I am worried all day long."

"Isn't it? Now that I come to court, I don't know if I can return alive. Every day I experience the separation of life and death with my wife."

"Going to court is just like going to a grave!"

"Keep your voices down. Don't let the Royal Guards hear you. Otherwise, you might get caught."

"If this continues, I will resign from my post."

The chief minister Wang Zhi and the cabinet minister Shang Lu walked side by side. They couldn't help but frown as they listened to the whispers of the officials. Especially Wang Zhi, whose worried face made him look even older. He sighed and said, "Taizu once said, 'The treacherous and greedy people without any luck always slander and say that it is difficult to be an official in the court.' They want to resign? How naive."

"Lord Wang," Shang Lu said worriedly, "Let's go and persuade His Majesty. We can't keep killing people like this."

Wang Zhi shook his head and said solemnly, "I think His Majesty knows what's going on and he will stop when it's enough. Over the years, the princes, ministers, and wealthy clans have indeed gone too far. Without severe punishment, they can't be restored to the right path."

Shang Lu frowned and said, "I am worried that Your Majesty will follow the example of Taizu and kill tens of thousands of people for a major case. But he is not the founding emperor after all, so he cannot learn from him."

Wang Zhi stopped, pounded his waist, and gasped: "If it really comes to that, I will risk my life to stop it. Alas, I am old and have lived enough. I just hope that the Ming Dynasty can be stable."

Shang Lu looked at the white-haired Wang Ge Lao, and his worries grew even more intense. Now the Queen Mother and His Majesty were fighting fiercely. If something happened to Wang Ge Lao, wouldn't the position of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet trigger a bloody fight?

……

After court, Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Qizhen held a small court meeting here today, and all the participants were his own people. Xu Youzhen, who was already the Minister of Revenue, and Li Xian and Yang Guifang, who were promoted to Wenyuan Pavilion Grand Secretaries by him this morning.

Although the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion was also considered to be in the cabinet, he only did miscellaneous work for the emperor, such as drafting imperial edicts. Unlike the Grand Secretary of Huagai Palace and the Grand Secretary of Jinshen Palace, those were titles only given to the first and second assistants.

Zhu Qizhen did not force anyone in, adding the two of them could play the role of secretaries. Especially Yang Guifang, who had a quick mind and could help with ideas.

There are now 14 Grand Secretaries in the Cabinet, and except for Li Xian and Yang Guifang, almost all of them are the Queen Mother's people. Of course, several important cabinet ministers like Wang Zhi and Shang Lu sometimes stand on the side of the Emperor.

There was originally another one named Zhu Qiyu, who was now imprisoned in Fahai Temple. Zhu Qizhen still wanted to make full use of this younger brother.

"Your Majesty, this is the list I have drawn up. Please take a look." Xu Youzhen handed over a memorial and said, "These people have been in the six ministries for many years. Most of them are minor officials such as the head of the department. They are not given important positions, but they all have talent. Your Majesty, if you use them, they will surely work loyally."

Zhu Qizhen glanced at the list and frowned, "I'm afraid the Queen Mother won't agree. I haven't taken power yet, and the Queen Mother's decree is the most important. If she sends a list and the cabinet approves it, I can't do anything about it."

Yang Guifang, who had been silent the whole time, said, "I will go find Lord Wang. This matter is not difficult to handle. It's just about balance. Lord Wang pursues balance."

"Okay, you go and do it." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand.

He thought to himself that finally there was someone available, unlike before when he had to think and do everything on his own.

……

Fahai Temple. Zhu Qizhen brought Yang Guifang to visit his adopted brother in disguise, and unexpectedly ran into Yu Qian at the door. This surprised him: "Old Yu? Why are you here?"

Yu Qian was even more shocked, and he stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am here to pay my respects to the Bodhisattva."

"Don't you not believe in Buddhism?" Zhu Qizhen was really curious, "What's the matter that requires you, Yu Qian, to come and worship the Buddha?"

Yu Qian sighed softly: "Today is my mother's death anniversary. She believed in Buddhism when she was alive, so I came to pay my respects."

Zhu Qizhen patted Yu Qian's shoulder awkwardly and said, "I'm sorry, Old Yu. Your mother should be happy if she knows about this. Because she has a good son."

Yu Qian smiled slightly and asked, "Your Majesty, you came to the temple in disguise to worship the Buddha?"

"I want to worship Buddha, and then go to see Prince Qing." Zhu Qizhen smiled.

Yang Guifang, who had been standing behind him, said, "Your Majesty, you don't need to worship Buddha, because you are the Buddha of the present, and the Buddha of the present does not worship the Buddha of the past."

Yu Qian rolled his eyes speechlessly: "You are really good at flattering."

"Yes, you are so young, how can you know what Buddha is?" Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile.

"Of course I know. Compassion is Buddha, saving all living beings is Buddha, and saving people from suffering is Buddha." Yang Guifang spread his hands and said, "Your Majesty, killing corrupt officials and saving the people is the real Buddha of the present."

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud: "You are talking nonsense about Buddhism! I just happened to read a Buddhist story recently, let me tell you."

There was a scholar who was devoutly devoted to Buddhism. He burned incense and prayed every day in the Putuo Temple in Nanhai, hoping to see the holy face of Guanyin Bodhisattva. One day, Guanyin Bodhisattva finally appeared to him. The man was overjoyed and kowtowed a lot. Suddenly, he had a strange thought and asked the Bodhisattva, "Bodhisattva, do you also worship Buddha?" The Bodhisattva replied, "Indeed." The man asked again, "Who is the Buddha you are worshipping?" Guanyin Bodhisattva replied, "The one I worship is also Guanyin Bodhisattva."

When the man heard this, he was surprised and asked, "Isn't the Bodhisattva myself?" Guanyin smiled and replied, "That's right! It's better to look to yourself than to others!"

"Hahaha, it's better to rely on yourself than on others!" Yu Qian laughed, "Your Majesty, you are also well versed in Buddhist principles."

"I just read too many miscellaneous books." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "Let's go, let's go worship Buddha."

He took Yang Guifang into Fahai Temple. Yu Qian looked at their backs with a frown.

Yang Guifang suddenly turned around and looked at him, because Yang Guifang knew that today was not the anniversary of Yu Qian's mother's death, and Yu Qian lied. Although he didn't understand why Yu Qian lied to His Majesty, he didn't want to say anything more.

Zhu Qizhen worshipped the Buddha in a circle, and Yang Guifang followed behind him and complained: "Your Majesty, you are worshipping blindly, you even worshipped the Goddess of Childbirth."

"Whether there is a date or not, just hit it." Zhu Qizhen said indifferently, "Since you are here, you have to be sincere, understand?"

"Yes." Yang Guifang nodded helplessly.

The two of them paid their respects before going to find Prince Zhu Qiyu of Qin.

Zhu Qiyu was confined in a courtyard behind the temple. He was playing chess with Wu Xingdao. Suddenly, a few magpies were heard. Wu Dao put away his chess pieces and smiled: "The frequent calls of magpies in the courtyard mean that there are guests."

"Guest? Didn't Yu Qian just leave? Who else is here?" Zhu Qiyu wondered.

There are still 5 people missing to get over 5 on the book friends list. Please give two coins as a reward, or vote for a monthly ticket. There are only people missing. Please, please.



(End of this chapter)