Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 87: October 13th, the Imperial Concubines Enter the Palace!

Xu Pu quickly explained, "Your Majesty, compiling books is a very large project, especially when it involves legal texts. We must be careful in every aspect and pay attention at all times."

"This book compilation will likely take three to five years to complete."

Zhu You樘 picked up the hot tea on the table and took a sip, "If that's the case, then just issue a temporary transitional regulation first."

Xu Pu's eyes lit up, and he quickly kowtowed to thank the Emperor for his order.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your approval. This humble servant will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust. I will compile the temporary transitional regulations before the beginning of spring next year!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your approval!"

The three Grand Secretaries behind Xu Pu also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling extremely excited.

They did not expect His Majesty to agree to the constitutional amendment so readily.

It seems Xu Pu was right. His current Majesty is indeed a progressive and reform-minded ruler.

Just then, Wang Zhi and Huai En walked into the Hongde Hall together.

After Zhu You樘 saw them, he waved his hand to Xu Pu and the others, "You may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this humble servant takes his leave."

After the four Grand Secretaries of the cabinet left, Huai En walked forward with a smile, eagerly reporting the achievements of the Eastern Depot to Zhu You樘.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot has arrested a total of 1,275 officials this time."

"Among them, three were punished with the extermination of nine generations, and five with the extermination of three generations."

"Those who were executed with their entire families numbered 356."

"A total of 3,314 family members were involved."

"Those who were beheaded and had their homes confiscated numbered 911."

"3,297 people were sent to the Jiaofang Division, and 6,879 were sent to the army."

The number of people sent to the Jiaofang Division was small because the Jiaofang Division did not accept just anyone, only young and beautiful women.

Most of those who were old and unattractive, or ugly, would be sold to others to serve as maids.

Of course, some wealthy families would spend a high price to buy young and beautiful daughters of officials from the Jiaofang Division.

Many of the descendants of convicted officials who were sent to the Jiaofang Division would be bought within a few days of entering the Jiaofang Division.

Especially the female relatives who were already outstanding in appearance, they were targeted early on.

Often, they would be bought with silver as soon as they were sent to the Jiaofang Division.

Bian Yujing and Li Xiangjun were both descendants of officials who were sent to the Jiaofang Division after their families were confiscated, and then bought by Zhang Wenshao, the Governor of Yingtian.

The Jiaofang Division can provide the Ming Dynasty court with a considerable amount of pure silver income every year.

After talking about the numbers, Huai En began to report the proceeds from the confiscations.

"Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot has confiscated a total of 6,547 taels of gold, 6.21 million taels of silver, and 860,000 strings of Hongzhi banknotes, all of which have been sent to the Imperial Treasury."

"There are a total of 770,000 mu of farmland, all of which are good fertile land around Beizhili."

"There are a total of 2,187 house deeds, of which 1,362 are within the capital."

"There are a total of 2,698 boxes of jewelry and antiques, all of which have been sent to the Imperial Treasury."

"There are also 480,000 shi of rice, 170,000 shi of wheat, 3,000 shi of tea..."

"There are also famous paintings, ornaments, furniture..."

Huai En was inevitably a little excited because it was the first time he had handled such a big case.

He recorded the confiscated items in detail.

The silver and banknotes confiscated were equivalent to two years of tax revenue for the Ming Dynasty court.

"Alright, I know."

Zhu You樘 interrupted Huai En's report, and Huai En could only stop awkwardly and step aside.

"Wang Zhi, you speak."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wang Zhi stepped forward and reported the situation of the Western Depot to Zhu You樘.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Western Depot has cleaned up a total of 35 generals and 419 soldiers."

"These military officers have close relationships with the former cabinet and the former three judicial divisions."

"The soldiers who were cleaned up were also the personal soldiers of these military officers."

Zhu You樘 nodded, "Not bad. What about the Ministry of War?"

"Are there any movements among the garrison troops and border town soldiers in various places?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has already dealt with a batch before, and there are currently no abnormalities."

"The garrison troops and border town soldiers in various places are still stationed in their original locations, and there have been no troop movements in various places."

"However, during the investigation process, this humble servant discovered a very serious problem of drawing pay for nonexistent soldiers."

"The Five City Garrison Command originally had a fixed number of 15,000 people, but only 11,000 people are actually on duty."

"The number of people drawing pay for nonexistent soldiers in the Beijing Guard Command is 14,000, and the Five Army Governor's Office and the Ministry of War have participated in this matter."

Zhu You樘 nodded, "Investigate it. Whoever is found, execute them all."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You may all step down."

"Yes, this humble servant takes his leave!"

After Wang Zhi and Huai En withdrew from the Hongde Hall, Zhu You樘 looked out the window.

He didn't know when, but it had already started snowing in the capital.

Zhu You樘 watched the white snow slowly cover the flying eaves of the palace outside the window.

On a whim, he recited two lines of poetry.

"The scenery of the northern country, thousands of miles of ice, thousands of miles of snow."

"..."

"All have passed away, to count the outstanding figures, we still look to the present!"

...

A few days later, it was October 13th.

On this day, the palace was rarely lively.

Five sedan chairs were parked early in front of the Chuxiu Palace.

The foremost one was covered with red silk curtains and embroidered with auspicious patterns such as rich flowers, phoenixes facing the sun, and a hundred children.

Not only was the style outstanding, but it was also larger than the other sedan chairs.

The other sedan chairs were small sedan chairs carried by two people, but this one was a large sedan chair carried by four people.

"The auspicious time has arrived, ladies, please enter the sedan chairs quickly."

Fu Dahai, the chief eunuch of the Jing Shi Fang, stood in front of the five sedan chairs, looking at the front of the Chuxiu Palace with a smile.

At this moment, many people were standing on the steps in front of the Chuxiu Palace.

There was Cui Gongzheng of the Chuxiu Palace, palace maids of the Chuxiu Palace, and eunuchs of the Jing Shi Fang.

But the most eye-catching were the five beautifully dressed young women.

After today, they will no longer be young women, but Concubine Kang, Zhaoyi Chen, Talent Liu, Noble Lady Dong, and Shunu Gu.

"Concubine Kang, let's go. If you don't go, no one else will dare to go."

Yi Cui, a palace maid selected by Zhang Wan'er, held Zhang Wan'er's hand and complimented in a low voice.

After hearing this, Zhang Wan'er was indeed overjoyed, and a beautiful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

His Majesty selected five young women, but only granted her the title of Concubine, enjoying the position of the head of a palace.

Such an honor made Zhang Wan'er feel like she was in heaven.

"Yi Cui, you're the only one who knows how to talk."

Zhang Wan'er, who was at the head of the women, walked towards the largest and most gorgeous sedan chair without hesitation.

Fu Dahai diligently opened the curtain of the sedan chair for Zhang Wan'er, "Concubine Kang, please."

"Thank you, Eunuch Fu."

After Zhang Wan'er got into the sedan chair, the little eunuchs carrying the sedan chair slowly lifted the sedan chair and walked towards Xianfu Palace, where Zhang Wan'er was about to enter.

After Zhang Wan'er left, Liu Rushi patted Chen Yuanyuan's hand.

"Sister, you should go first. After we're settled, we'll go together to pay our respects to the two Empress Dowagers."

"Okay, then I'll go first."

"Sister Xiangjun, Sister Hengbo, let's go."

Gu Hengbo took Chen Yuanyuan's hand and whispered, "Young mistress, don't call me sister anymore. I can't afford it."

"From now on, just call me by my name."

"The palace has its own rules, unlike before in Yangzhou. You have to pay attention to every word and deed, and don't let people catch you."

Chen Yuanyuan responded with a smile, "Okay, I'll listen to elder sister."

Gu Hengbo widened her eyes, "Still calling me that?"

Chen Yuanyuan lowered her head shyly and, with Gu Hengbo's support, entered the bridal sedan.

Li Xiangjun followed behind, along with several other maids.

The eunuchs, who had been preparing for a long time, lifted the sedan and carried Chen Yuanyuan to the Jade Clear Building in the Jingren Palace, where she would reside.

After Chen Yuanyuan left, Liu Rushi, accompanied by Bian Yujing and Ma Xianglan, and Dong Xiaowan, accompanied by Kou Baimen, successively entered their bridal sedans and went to their respective residences.

Finally, only Lady Gu, with the lowest status, remained.

"Mistress, let's go too," a maid chosen by Lady Gu whispered, reminding her.

Lady Gu turned to look at the Chuxiu Palace behind her, then walked to Cui Gongzheng and performed a bow.

"Thank you, Eunuch Cui, for taking care of me these past few days. Manman is endlessly grateful."

Cui Gongzheng quickly returned the courtesy, his tone filled with emotion.

"Please don't say that, Mistress. I was only doing my duty."

"The fact that His Majesty has taken a liking to you means that you are destined for great things in the future. It is my honor to take care of you."

Lady Gu smiled faintly, "His Majesty only chose me last to make up the numbers. In terms of looks and talent, how can I compare to the other elder sisters?"

"I don't seek favor or advancement, I only hope that His Majesty still remembers me as a person, that would be enough."

"This…"

Cui Gongzheng frowned slightly and sighed softly.

Lady Gu then looked at the other palace maids in the Chuxiu Palace, some of whom were the young ladies who had participated in the selection with her before.

"Goodbye, sisters."

Lady Gu took the initiative to salute them, startling them into retreating and returning the courtesy in a hurry.

"Mistress, you are being too kind to us. We respectfully send you off."

Lady Gu took a deep breath and, accompanied by the maid she had chosen, entered the last small bridal sedan.

The bridal sedan slowly rose, carrying her towards the Chaolu Pavilion in the Changchun Palace.

Along the way, the palace was decorated with lanterns and streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere.

Zhang Wan'er was the first to arrive at the Xianfu Palace.

As soon as she entered the palace, Zhang Wan'er was shocked by the Xianfu Palace's magnificent architecture and luxurious decorations.

The Xianfu Palace was divided into two halls, the front hall for ceremonies and audiences, and the rear hall for living quarters.

The main gate with its yellow glazed tiles and the roof of the hall with its yellow glazed tiles, the materials used to construct the Xianfu Palace were extremely noble.

In front, there were three east and west side halls, each with several ear rooms.

The main hall in the rear courtyard was named "Jiangyun Hall," with three ear rooms on the east and west sides.

Jiangyun Hall also had east and west side halls, and a well pavilion in the southeast of the hall.

Fu Dahai first led Zhang Wan'er around the front hall, then led her into the rear hall, arriving in front of the main hall of the rear courtyard, Jiangyun Hall.

"Concubine Kang, this is your Xianfu Palace."

"You are the master of this Xianfu Palace, the master of the entire palace."

"All the eunuchs and palace maids in the entire Xianfu Palace are at your disposal."

Zhang Wan'er walked into Jiangyun Hall, and the wide main hall and extravagant decorations made her feel like she was in a dream.

"Thank you, Eunuch Fu. Weihong, reward him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Weihong handed a small cloth bag filled with silver to Fu Dahai, who weighed it in his hand. It wasn't heavy, not even as much as his godchildren paid him.

After all, Zhang Wan'er had only entered the palace recently and hadn't yet received her monthly allowance from the palace.

What she had with her now was all the silver she had brought from home before entering the palace.

But Fu Dahai still acted ecstatic, thanking her repeatedly.

"This servant thanks Your Highness for the reward. May Your Highness be well."

Afterward, Fu Dahai looked at a eunuch in his thirties next to him and beckoned to him.

"Zhao Yun, come here quickly!"

"Yes, Godfather!"

After Zhao Yun came over, he first knelt down and greeted Zhang Wan'er.

"This servant greets Concubine Kang!"

Fu Dahai introduced, "Concubine Kang, this Zhao Yun is the chief eunuch of the Xianfu Palace, and also my godson."

"If there is anything you need, you can just tell him to do it."

Zhang Wan'er nodded, deliberately holding her head high, "I understand."

"Then, Your Highness, this servant will take his leave first."

After Fu Dahai left, Zhang Wan'er also told Zhao Yun to wait in the outer hall first.

Once only Zhang Wan'er and her two personal maids, Weihong and Yicui, were left in the hall, Zhang Wan'er excitedly threw herself onto the soft couch.

"Weihong, Yicui, did you see that just now?"

"Didn't I look the part when I said 'This Highness'?"

Yicui walked forward with a smile, tidying up the clothes that Zhang Wan'er had just messed up.

"It's more than just looking the part, Your Highness. You are the master of this Xianfu Palace, and it's fitting that you refer to yourself as 'This Highness'."

"It's just that Your Highness's status is now honorable, and your words and actions should be more dignified, so as not to lose the imperial demeanor."

Zhang Wan'er was only sixteen this year, the time of youth and vitality.

She stuck out her tongue playfully, "Okay, I'll pay attention in the future."

Weihong reminded, "Your Highness, you should rest for a while first, have some refreshments, and later you will have to go to Renshou Palace and Ciqing Palace to pay your respects to the two Empress Dowagers."

"I know."

Renshou Palace was the residence of Empress Dowager Wu, and Ciqing Palace was the residence of Empress Dowager Wang.

Because Zhu Youtang had not established an Empress, they would not hold a wedding ceremony, nor would they need to pay their respects to the Empress, but would instead directly pay their respects to the two Empress Dowagers.

Not long after Zhang Wan'er arrived at Xianfu Palace, Chen Yuanyuan, Liu Rushi, Dong Xiaowan, and Lady Gu also arrived at their respective residences.

Although the palaces they resided in were the same as Xianfu Palace, being one of the Twelve Eastern and Western Palaces.

But they were not of the rank of Consort and could only reside in a side hall within the palace.

"To welcome the mistress, the flowers in this hall were all moved here this morning."

"It's just that the weather is too cold now, so there are only chrysanthemums and plum blossoms."

Zhong Yue, the chief eunuch of Yuqing Building, led Chen Yuanyuan to a side hall on the east side of Jingren Palace.

Chen Yuanyuan smiled slightly, "Eunuch Zhong is very thoughtful, these flowers are very fragrant."

Zhong Yue stopped outside the hall, pointing to the plaque on the hall, "Consort Chen, this is Yuqing Building."

Chen Yuanyuan, Li Xiangjun, and Gu Hengbo walked into Yuqing Building, and were immediately deeply attracted by the decorations inside.

Although they had lived in Zhang Wenshao's Suzhou gardens since they were young, the Suzhou gardens were beautiful, but only wealthy, not noble.

And in Yuqing Building, although the decorations were not very complicated or numerous, they revealed the nobility of the royal family everywhere.

"Consort Chen, is there anything you are not satisfied with here?"

"You are the only concubine living in Jingren Palace now. If there is anything you are not satisfied with, tell me and I will have people change it immediately."

After Zhong Yue finished speaking, he looked at Chen Yuanyuan with a smile.

Chen Yuanyuan smiled and shook her head, "I am very satisfied with this place, thank you, Eunuch Zhong."

Seeing that Chen Yuanyuan did not make any further moves, Zhong Yue no longer bothered himself.

"Then I won't disturb the Consort's rest. If there is anything, the mistress can feel free to order."

Zhong Yue left Yuqing Building, leaving the space of Yuqing Building to the three of them, master and servants.

First order over a thousand, two more chapters, the second chapter!