Ming Dynasty: Traveling through the harem, Zhu Yuanzhang was dumbfounded

Chapter 118 Do I have the habit of arriving early?

"Biao'er, is that guy here?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked from behind with an unhappy look on his face.

Zhu Biao looked a little embarrassed and said:

"In reply to Father, Brother Yang used to get up at noon.

According to the emperor's request, all officials need to get up at the crowing of the cock and go to bed at five or six o'clock. At this time, Yang Chen is probably still sleeping soundly, let alone getting up."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard what his son said, he was so angry!
"What a bastard! He always does things that make us angry. If he doesn't come, how are we going to tell all the officials what we are going to do?"

Zhu Biao looked relieved, cupped his hands and said:
“Don’t worry, Father. I knew that Brother Yang would definitely encounter an accident, so an incense stick of time ago, I sent the fourth brother to his residence to wake him up.

It should be here by now.”

Having known Yang Chen for such a long time, how could Zhu Biao not know his character.

Ultimately, it’s the tacit understanding between young people.

When the two of them chatted casually on weekdays, Zhu Biao learned one thing from Yang Chen's words.

People in later generations have successfully overcome darkness through technological means, and can now see bright lights even at night.

The colorful night was beyond their imagination.

With lights, people's work and rest schedules will naturally be completely different from what they are now.

Many people relied on these "lights" to work until the rooster crowed the next day. Zhu Biao didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

But at least he understands that technology is very powerful.

He even joked that it would be great if these lights could appear in the Ming Dynasty.

I thought it was a joke, but Yang Chen said he couldn't guarantee that it could be realized.

This sentence was deeply engraved in Zhu Biao's heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know what he was thinking. He hesitated for a long time and just sighed:

"Anyway, as long as he behaves himself, it's fine. Let's go back and make some preparations."

"Yes."

According to the plan, today is the day they will announce all the policies.

As the key node of this plan, Yang Chen naturally needs to be present in person.

This time, the plan took almost half a month to prepare.

The entire imperial court, including officials from surrounding prefectures and states, have all arrived.

Anyone needs to be present unless they are unable to get out of bed or walk due to physical reasons.

For those ministers and officials, they knew something was bound to happen today.

For those minor officials, it was a blessing to be able to enter the palace to meet Zhu Yuanzhang and interact with other colleagues.

If you want to go further in your career, you need not only political achievements but also eloquence. Now is the time to use your eloquence to realize your lofty ambitions.

As the crowd poured into a side hall in front of the palace square.

People from each force also began to gradually gather together to form a distinct small group.

Some of them stood on the side of Hu Weiyong's party, while others stood on the side of their own small parties.

Only a few people have no party affiliation, standing like proud eagles in the noisy environment without being disturbed.

There were many people where Hu Weiyong was, and many officials began to approach him intentionally or unintentionally.

"Haha, Prime Minister Hu, it's been a while since we last met, and you're still as spirited as ever!"

"That's right! Don't you see that Prime Minister Hu is highly valued by His Majesty?"

"Minister Hu, I wonder if you received the lentil-filled cakes that were sent to your house a few days ago. I sent someone to deliver them."

"Could it be that Prime Minister Hu likes to eat pancakes stuffed with lentils? I see. If Prime Minister Hu likes to eat them, you should have told me earlier! I'll send someone to deliver them to him right after the court session!"

A group of people gathered around Hu Weiyong and started chatting, talking about all sorts of things, most of which were compliments.

In contrast, Hu Weiyong enjoyed such treatment very much.

I couldn't help but take out a purple bamboo scratcher from my body.

As soon as this thing appeared, the people around it immediately looked envious, as if this bamboo scratcher was not an ordinary thing, but a very expensive treasure!

"Wow! Is this the tickler that His Majesty gave to Prime Minister Hu?"

"Yes, yes, yes! It's this purple bamboo tickler. I heard that His Majesty said something after giving it to Prime Minister Hu!"

"What?"

"The ruler and his subjects are one, and their hearts are connected!"

"Hiss! It seems that the degree to which His Majesty values ​​Prime Minister Hu is beyond my expectation."

Seeing the reactions of the people around him, the smugness on Hu Weiyong's face involuntarily grew even more intense.

There is no way, this is strength.

In his heart, he was Zhu Yuanzhang's trusted minister, otherwise why would he give him such a personal item as a tickler?
In history, there were many prime ministers who were highly valued by the emperor, but you can all guarantee that he is the only one like him!
Being valued by the founding emperor, Hu Weiyong looked down on everyone.

As the bell rang, it was time for the ministers to enter the court.

This time it was not inside the palace, but right in the large square where they usually lined up.

The civil and military officials separated into left and right, and then entered the square gate together.

This square was where Zhu Yuanzhang would report the past year's events to all officials at the end of each year.

The construction here is magical, utilizing the magical acoustic principle of sound resonant. If Zhu Di moves north in the future, a Temple of Heaven will appear in Beijing.

It also has a similar effect, and the sound of speaking can reach a state of spiritual connection.

In the row of military generals, Mu Ying was wearing the majestic military general's uniform with crimson patches.

On the chest was embroidered a pattern of a solemn and staring lion.

He is the Marquis of Xiping. According to convention, he should have become a first-rank military general and should be wearing a military general's uniform with a qilin patch.

It’s just that he was only conferred the title of Marquis of Xiping this year, and officially became a first-rank military general at the end of the year. Moreover, the craftsmanship of his official uniform with the Qilin patch is second only to the emperor’s robe and the dragon robe.

It takes at least two months to complete.

"General Mu? Why are you just waiting here?"

A third-rank military general saw Mu Ying standing at the entrance of the square, looking very anxious, as if he was waiting for someone?

This made him very curious. Who could be more important than the emperor's order?

Mu Ying paced back and forth and glanced at his friend.

"Fang Yun, don't mind my business, go in quickly, or His Majesty will be angry later."

Mu Ying couldn't help but complain when someone made up a random excuse to get away with it.

"This bastard! Yesterday he said that nothing would happen to him, but today he did this. If His Majesty gets angry, we'll all be in big trouble!"

When he thought about what Old Zhu had just sent someone to tell him to quickly find Yang Chen, otherwise the morning court would not be able to proceed at all.

Mu Ying wished he could change his clothes and ride a fast horse to Yang Chen's residence.

Just as he was thinking this, a galloping carriage appeared in the distance.

In the carriage, Yang Chen already regretted agreeing to Zhu Yuanzhang's request to speak at the morning court.

I had just fallen asleep for a while when I was forcibly awakened by this guy Zhu Di.

He worked too late yesterday and forgot to tell his maid to get up early today as he needed to attend the morning court.

As a result, while all the ministers were waiting outside, he was still sleeping soundly in bed. If Zhu Biao had not had foresight, he would probably still be sleeping now.

"Yongle, can't you slow down the carriage? It's running so fast, are you in a hurry to be reincarnated?"

With his hands on the door of the carriage, Yang Chen couldn't help but say these words to Zhu Di.

At this moment, his face looked very ugly, and he felt like vomiting.

He knew that attending the morning court was an ancient system, but knowing about it was one thing, and actually participating in it was another.

This is the current situation, which makes him feel very bad.

"Brother Yang, please stop talking about other things. Today is very important and concerns my fate and future. I never thought you would still be sleeping at this time.

If my brother hadn't asked me to come over and take a look just in case, you would probably still be fast asleep. Don't worry about anything else right now, just follow me!"

Zhu Di pulled the reins handsomely and stopped the two horses directly in front of the entrance of the Imperial City Square.

According to the rules, he should not have the authority to allow carriages to enter here.

However, Zhu Biao also anticipated that there would not be enough time at the end, so he directly gave his prince's token to Zhu Di, and all those who blocked his way gave in to the prince's token.

Only after the carriage stopped did Yang Chen start to get off.

"Ah! My dear son-in-law! How come you are so late?"

Mu Ying shouted to Yang Chen from a distance.

The people around them all looked at the two young men who were walking towards them.

Yang Chen stretched, walked in front of Mu Ying, and looked over his head at the two long rows of people.

Then he walked inside and said:
"Do I have a habit of arriving early?"

As soon as these words came out, Mu Ying immediately smiled apologetically:

"You are just young and hot-tempered, you know that! This matter today is so important, yet you are still late!

If you come slower, I'm worried that His Majesty will punish you!
Okay, now that you are here, go in quickly. You can line up according to your official rank. If you don't know how to do it, let him take you there."

Mu Ying pointed at Zhu Di and said.

Faced with the command of this elder brother, Zhu Di did not dare to say anything and could only nod in agreement.

I couldn't help but say in my heart:
'Hey~ Who am I? You say I am a prince of the Ming Dynasty. Which prince of the Ming Dynasty is as miserable as me?
I'm always doing odd jobs. Forget it, the person who commands me is my elder brother.'

Faced with these orders, Zhu Di could only accept them with a pinch of his nose.

For the first time he felt unhappy about his young age.

"Yongle, what are you doing? Take me away quickly. Do you still want to achieve great things?"

Yang Chen walked up to Zhu Di and patted him on the shoulder, bringing him back to his senses. Zhu Di came to his senses and glanced at Yang Chen. He wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it. Instead, he walked in front and led the way.

People around couldn't help but talk about it.

"Who is this kid? How dare he talk to Mu Ying and Prince Yan like this? Isn't he afraid of death? Doesn't he know that Prince Yan is the first mortal prince of the Ming Dynasty?"

"That's right. Looking at the clothes he's wearing and the mandarin duck embroidered on his chest, he should be a seventh-rank official. When did such a young seventh-rank official appear in the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty?

Which of the six is ​​he?"

"I haven't seen him. This guy has a splendid look and a dignified bearing. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is a handsome man, but he is a little arrogant."

"He has the ability to be arrogant. Didn't you see it just now? This guy is Mu Ying's son-in-law. He is capable. If you become the son-in-law of Xiping Hou, I'm afraid each of you will be more arrogant than him."

"Stop talking nonsense and go in quickly, or you will be scolded by His Majesty later."

The officials on both sides just used Yang Chen as a topic of conversation and didn't think much about it.

Every year and every month in the Ming Dynasty, an official would appear from time to time, and no one knew his identity.

He could be a relative recommended by a high-ranking official, or he could be a relative who has just been recognized as a relative by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Similar situations do exist, but they have occurred less frequently in the past.

The huge square was filled with people. Seeing the people around him, Yang Chen suddenly thought of the days when he did exercises during breaks in junior high school.

The only thing missing is the loud colorful sunshine beat in my ears.

As the court meeting began, there was no kneeling ceremony as Yang Chen had imagined, nor was there any etiquette of shouting "Long live the emperor!"

Instead, a eunuch shouted in a loud voice that the court meeting had begun, and then read some random content. Except for Yang Chen, most of the officials listened very carefully.

After the announcement, Zhu Yuanzhang began to speak.

The general rhythm is just reporting work, without any hassle.

As a seventh-rank official, Yang Chen stands in the middle position among civil servants.

It is not his turn to speak yet, and he does not need to speak. He will only start speaking after Mr. Zhu asks a question.

People tend to feel sleepy when they are bored, not to mention that Yang Chen got up early so naturally he couldn't help dozing off.

Upper position.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished talking about some random things, he finally got on the right track.

“Everyone, the last time the prince told me, I’m sure you all know about the issue of supporting the princes.

After we left the court, we sent people to investigate the matter among the people.

Just as the prince said, after the princes arrived at their fiefdoms, they not only lived off the money we distributed every year, but also caused embarrassing incidents from time to time.

According to our thinking, when the princes are enfeoffed in various border areas of the Ming Dynasty, they should carry out the orders of the Ming Dynasty well, protect the people in the border areas, and keep the Ming Dynasty in a stable state at all times.

But now it seems that this matter is completely contrary to our original decision, and we have made a deep review of it.

Since you are all here today, we should also learn from Emperor Taizong of Tang. No matter how high or low the official position is, as long as someone with ideas makes suggestions, if we adopt them, we will definitely reward him greatly!
There will be no problem in getting promoted.

If you anger me and make me unhappy, I won't pursue your sharp words. After the meeting, I will just pretend that it never happened."

Zhu Yuanzhang above looks very relaxed in both his body movements and tone of voice, totally unlike the usual majestic and solemn appearance of the Hongwu Emperor.

Such a huge contrast not only did not make the officials feel relaxed, but instead they all straightened their backs, wanting to know what tricks the murderous emperor was going to play today?
It’s not their fault that they are so cautious, but Zhu’s temper in the past has already left them with enough stereotypes.

In the hearts of all the officials, the Hongwu Emperor sitting above them did not care about their lives at all.

As long as someone does not do their job seriously, or makes false reports or conceals information, they will all be killed, not to mention speaking freely in front of him.

Everyone dared to whisper, no one dared to speak.

"I say, Hu Weiyong, what happened to your Majesty recently?
I feel that your Majesty's personality and behavior are completely different from before, and the same goes for the Crown Prince. As the Prime Minister, you can't be ignorant of everything, right?"

The person who spoke was Wang Guangyang, who at this moment was second only to Hu Weiyong in terms of power in the Ming Dynasty.

However, if nothing unexpected happens, he will be exiled to remote Hainan, which is the Qiongzhou Prefecture of the Ming Dynasty, in the near future.

Hu Weiyong squinted his eyes and glanced at him, then said in a deep voice:

"What Your Majesty is going to do, is this something you and I can guess?
But from the looks of it, His Majesty probably wants to find out who was discussing in private the Crown Prince's decision to take action against the vassal kings last time.

You can't even understand this. You once served as my right prime minister. Your Majesty has dismissed you and you deserve it."

When Wang Guangyang was at the peak of his power, Hu Weiyong was still serving as a minor official under Li Shanchang.

But now, their identities have completely changed, which makes Hu Weiyong feel very proud.

When facing his former colleagues, he naturally showed off intentionally or unintentionally.

Wang Guangyang was not as stingy as Hu Weiyong. Instead, he said worriedly:
"I'm afraid things are not that simple. Your Majesty is serious this time. I'm afraid he will definitely carry out unprecedented feudal reforms in a while."

Seeing Wang Guangyang immersed in thought, Hu Weiyong disdainfully denied:

"Nonsense! I've been with His Majesty for so long, how could I not know what he thinks? I think you're just used to having wild thoughts!"

Most officials had similar ideas to Hu Weiyong.

After all, when Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, the first thing he did was to establish a framework for the vassal kings.

Now they are talking about reform, which sounds like a test of whether this group of people are loyal.

At this time, if anyone really stands out, it would be like pulling out the beard from a dragon's mouth - seeking death!

In the past, when faced with similar situations, all officials would basically chat about their own things. When no one spoke, Lao Zhu would skip the question himself.

On the stage, Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and Zhu Di were all calm and composed, thinking that once Yang Chen spoke, the two sides would be able to achieve their goal perfectly if they sang in unison.

But the result made Zhu Yuanzhang somewhat embarrassed.

It was almost a cup of tea later, and the officials were so thirsty from chatting that he just stood there and said nothing.

Just waiting for Yang Chen to appear, but Yang Chen not only did not appear, but not even a sound was heard.

It made him feel very embarrassed.

Gradually, his expression became very ugly, with signs of him getting angry.

When the ministers below saw that their Majesty's face had turned black, they were all terrified and couldn't understand who had made their Majesty so angry!

"Oh no! Hu Weiyong, look, His Majesty is angry!"

Hu Weiyong, with a confused look on his face, looked up when Wang Guangyang reminded him. Wow, Zhu Yuanzhang looked like an angry bull, with his big nose wheezing.

It was as if he was about to curse someone in the next second.

"Hiss! What happened to your majesty today? Why does it feel like something is not right?"

Thinking of what he had just said, Hu Weiyong felt a little confused and unconfident.

“Normally, His Majesty would be polite and courteous when speaking like this in the past. If no one responded, he would ignore it. Why did he enter and wait instead?
Could it be that?" Hu Weiyong's eyes lit up, as if he had thought of something, so he stood out from the center of the crowd and said:

"Your Majesty! I believe that the calamity of the vassal kings is a difficult problem to solve from ancient times to the present.

Neither division nor merger nor imprisonment could resolve the relationship between the vassal kings and the central government.

I believe that the military power of the princes can be taken back. When there are no wars, the princes only need to manage the people in their own fiefdoms and handle state affairs.

If there is a war, the local commander will be responsible for resisting the counterattack, and the prince will cooperate with the local commander.

In order to compensate for the weakening of the power of the feudal lords, I believe that the annual salary given to the feudal lords can also be increased. "

Everyone looked at Hu Weiyong and nodded at this statement.

Everyone seemed to think what he said made sense.

The noise gradually attracted Yang Chen's attention.

Yang Chen came back to his senses from his nap and looked at an official next to him who was also a seventh-rank official.

"Hey, what happened?"

The person who was grabbed by the shoulders by Yang Chen was very surprised. He looked at Yang Chen rubbing his eyes and subconsciously wanted to scold him.

But when I saw the patch on Yang Chen’s chest with the same mandarin duck pattern, I realized that both the craftsmanship and material were better than the official uniform he was wearing.

It was immediately clear that Yang Chen's identity was definitely not simple.

So he calmed down and patiently explained what had just happened.

"Your Majesty asked us if we had any way to solve the problem of the vassal kings. Then Prime Minister Hu said it and in the end we all felt that what Prime Minister Hu said made sense."

"Oh, I see. This Hu Weiyong is really a man of few words. He jumps around in front of Your Majesty at every turn. Isn't he worried about making a fool of himself?"

Yang Chen spoke in a low voice, but it could make people around him feel frightened.

I thought this young man really didn't know the seriousness of the matter. Hu Weiyong was the prime minister of a country. It was no exaggeration to say that he was second only to the emperor and above everyone else.

At least that's what most officials think on the surface.

"Young man, you'd better be careful with your words, and don't make assumptions about your elders just because you are young.

Prime Minister Hu is highly regarded by Your Majesty, how could he make a fool of himself? "

After thinking about it, perhaps this official did not want Yang Chen to go astray, so he gave him some advice.

Unexpectedly, Yang Chen ignored it and said calmly:
"Who says that being valued by His Majesty won't make a fool of oneself? Although Hu Weiyong is the Prime Minister, this guy is always jumping around. If he makes a mistake one day, wouldn't it be a joke?"

"You! Hey! Young people should be more careful with their words and actions!"

"Okay, I know the teachings of the seniors, but can I call you a young man if I'm not full of energy?"

Yang Chen waved his hand, and the official lowered his eyes and shook his head. He had never seen a person with Yang Chen's temperament before, so he didn't say anything more.

On the high platform, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Hu Weiyong, looked at his flattering appearance, and vented his anger on him for Yang Chen not standing up as originally planned.

"Alright, alright, we know, Weiyong, you go down first."

Hu Weiyong, who was standing in the middle, obviously did not expect that the emperor who had trusted him in the past would be so cold to him.

Judging from the tone, there seemed to be a hint of disgust.

When the ministers saw this scene, they thought of what they had said to Hu Weiyong before entering the square.

The idea of ​​the emperor and his subjects being of one mind is now a joke.

The officials who had just advised Yang Chen that Hu Weiyong would not make a fool of himself were now dumbfounded by this scene.

"This! How could Your Majesty speak to Prime Minister Hu like this? Could it be that Prime Minister Hu has lost support in front of Your Majesty?"

(End of this chapter)