Why did the emperor rebel?

In the Palace of Qianqing, looking at Zhu Jianshen who kowtowed to the ground, Zhu Qiyu was speechless for a long time and didn't know what to say.

Zhu Jianshen's resignation is the best result for himself, Zhu Qiyu, and the country.

However, after all, people are not grass and trees, and how can they be ruthless? Seeing this child express his bitterness, Zhu Qiyu still felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Qiyu finally calmed down and said.

"That being the case, I won't force you to take the position in the East Palace."

"However, you still didn't answer my question just now, why did you propose marriage in public?"

If you want to resign from the East Palace, the reason of madness is enough. There is no need to make such a fuss at the court meeting.

"I know that you and the palace maid named Liu Yu'er have known each other since childhood, but you should know that with her status, being a concubine in your house is already a great grace. Why do you have to let her do this official job? Concubine?"

It should be said that this question is not difficult to answer.

However, Zhu Jianshen, who had been sincerely talking just now, fell silent at this moment. After a moment, he knelt down on the ground, kowtowed first, and then spoke.

"I dare you, please give me another favor from your majesty."

As soon as he said this, Zhu Qiyu vaguely thought of something, and asked with a complicated expression.

"what's up?"

So Zhu Jian said deeply.

"Previously, there was a maid named Wan Zhen'er in my palace who was expelled from the palace due to some affairs. I ask your Majesty to grant me grace and allow me to marry her as my concubine."

Sure enough, even though he had speculated before, Zhu Qiyu couldn't help but sigh when he heard Zhu Jianshen say this.

Wan Zhen'er...

No matter in the past life or in this life, this woman is the curse that traps Zhu Jianshen for his whole life.

As Zhu Qiyu said just now, it is just to give up the position of the prince, there is no need to ask for marriage in public and marry a palace maid as the principal concubine. However, if it is to give Wan Zhen'er a status, then everything makes sense.

The difference between Wan Zhen'er and Zhu Jianshen is not just in status, but more importantly in age. Although young couples and old wives are not uncommon in the Ming Dynasty, the age difference between the two is really too big.

You should know that Wan Zhen'er is as old as Zhu Jianshen's biological mother, Concubine Zhou, and even talking about her birth date, the former is three months older than the latter.

In such a situation, it is almost impossible for the two of them to get married. Therefore, if Zhu Jianshen wants to marry her, the most he can do is make her a concubine.

But even so, there will definitely be many difficulties. Not to mention how fiercely Concubine Zhou will object, the concubine he marries in the future will never accept the entry of a concubine who is as old as his mother-in-law.

Therefore, the only way is to marry a main concubine with the same humble status. On the one hand, it can alleviate the opposition of the courtiers. The main concubine is already a palace maid, and the side concubine does not matter. On the other hand, a main concubine who is a palace maid , in the future palace, naturally she will not have much say, and if Zhu Jianshenru insists on letting Wan Zhen'er be the concubine, she has nothing to do.

That's why Zhu Jianshen did the ridiculous thing of asking for marriage in public at the court meeting...

Zhu Qiyu took a deep look at Zhu Jianshen, and in the end, he just waved his hand gently and said.

"You should step back first..."

Zhu Jianshen kowtowed, but didn't say much. After so many years, he still had some understanding of this uncle. The other party had no objection, so he acquiesced.

After so many years of entanglement, he finally had a result. At this moment, he seemed to have been relieved of a heavy burden, and he became more relaxed...

After Zhu Jianshen left, Zhu Qiyu was silent for a moment, and then called in King Min and King Xiang who were waiting for summons in the side hall.

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty..."

Although the two of them arrived late, the time they waited in the side hall was enough to find out the news. As a clan member, what they fear most is to be involved in the struggle for the throne. Therefore, at this moment, the two of them But my heart was filled with anxiety.

However, fortunately, the emperor did not leave this difficult problem to them, but spoke directly.

"My uncle and the emperor must have heard about what happened today. Just now at the Fengtian Palace, the ministers impeached the prince and asked him to appoint him as the heir apparent. I have just discussed it with the prince. The prince himself also wants to retire. This is a big deal. , I don’t dare to be expert, I have sent people to ask the two palaces about the empress dowager’s will. The two palaces sent a message saying that the affairs of the east palace should be given priority to Sheji Zongshe. The people of the ministers are like this, and they must comply with the people’s will. I don’t dare to follow the wishes of the two palaces. If you violate it, the matter has come to this, and the prince has to be deposed.”

"However, the prince is, after all, the direct bloodline of Emperor Xuanzong. Although he is suffering from a stubborn illness, it is difficult for him to be the heir apparent. However, after all, he has assisted me for many years and has outstanding virtues. Although the prince's position is deposed, he must not be treated lightly. The two of them are the heads of the clan. , Therefore, I would like to ask the two of you what your arrangements will be in the future."

As soon as these words came out, the two people present were relieved. As long as they were not allowed to get involved in the important matter of the crown prince's dethronement, everything would be fine.

Listening to the emperor's words, it was a foregone conclusion that the prince would be deposed. However, the treatment of the prince after he was deposed could not be neglected, so he came to discuss it with the two of them.

That's what happened. However, after hearing the emperor's words, the two of them felt a little entangled in their hearts. Many words in the court should not be taken at face value.

At this time, the emperor said that he wanted to treat the prince favorably, but whether this was true or false, there is a question mark.

After hesitating for a moment, the two looked at each other. Finally, King Xiang spoke first and said.

"Your Majesty's benevolent heart is shared by me. However, since the prince has been deposed, he should be granted the title of prince. I think it is better to choose a land in the south of the Yangtze River to be granted the title of prince. The annual salary will be as high as ten thousand dan. It shows your Majesty’s heart.”

This sounds quite satisfactory, and it is also the easiest solution to think of. However, it is obviously not what Zhu Qiyu wants.

So, he shook his head and said.

"The prince is still ill, so it is better to stay in the capital and continue to recuperate." Ah this...

King Xiang shrank his head and fell silent for a moment, not knowing how to continue.

The most fearful thing is the current situation. The emperor says nothing and lets them guess. Then they express their opinions and the emperor vetoes it. The most terrible thing is that after vetoing it, he doesn’t say what he wants to do and lets them continue. Guess what to do?

Therefore, at the critical moment, it still depends on King Min. After King Xiang's trial and error just now, he thought about it and said.

"What your Majesty said is true. However, I think that the prince has grown up. Although he is crazy from time to time, he is still very virtuous most of the time. Now the family is busy with things, and it is difficult for me and Prince Xiang to cope with it. Previously, the family members were involved At the time of sea trade, the regulations were changed, and the posts of Zongzheng on the left and right should be held by His Majesty's brothers or princes who have not yet entered the vassal domain."

"However, the common people of the town were imprisoned in Fengyang before, and your Majesty's princes have not grown up. Therefore, this regulation has not been implemented in time. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has grown up in front of His Majesty's knees since he was a child. His affection is the same as that of father and son. Now that Your Majesty has intended Leaving the prince in the capital, I think that he can be appointed as You Zongzheng, sit in the clan's mansion, and be in charge of everything in the imperial estates in various places."

As soon as these words came out, Prince Xiang's expression suddenly changed.

He didn't expect that this old guy, King Min, would not forget to trick him at this time.

Indeed, according to the regulations agreed upon when the sea was opened, the position of Zongrenling should be held by a highly respected feudal prince who is over fifty years old. The left and right Zongsheng should be held by the emperor's brothers and the princes who have not yet joined the feudal clan. The descendants of the left and right clans were selected and appointed by the vassal kings regardless of conditions.

The purpose of this setting was to dispel the emperor's wariness towards the Zongren Mansion to the greatest extent and prevent them from being deprived again of the power they had finally obtained. However, as King Min just said, due to various reasons, It has not been implemented yet.

On the contrary, the Zongren Mansion is no longer what it used to be. Up to now, the power of the Zongren Mansion has gone through three rounds of expansion. From the beginning, it could only be in charge of sects, to later organizing caravans on behalf of each vassal king. Participating in maritime trade, these two reforms can be said to have greatly broadened the scope of the clan's jurisdiction, but these are not the most important. The most important thing is the third reform.

Two years ago, with the expansion of sea trade, kings went to Beijing one after another, hoping to take this opportunity to compete for more places in the caravan and expand their financial resources. However, the emperor did not let go easily, but instead talked about Regarding the establishment of an additional imperial village.

Over the past few years, things have been going smoothly, and Huangzhuang has gradually begun to achieve profitability. However, there are still many feudal lords who still cling to the old system.

Taking advantage of this visit to the capital, the emperor kept them in the capital, moved them with emotion and reason, and finally persuaded most of the vassal kings to agree to fully transform the village field into an imperial village.

Logically speaking, this matter has nothing to do with the Zongren Mansion, because the management of Huangzhuang is actually a mutual restraint relationship between the mining tax eunuchs, the local yamen and the vassal king.

However, unexpectedly, after the comprehensive reconstruction of the imperial palace was completed, the emperor moved the mining tax supervisor to the clan mansion. Although it was still subordinate to the inner palace, the specific affairs were like the imperial store, and began to be coordinated with the clan clan. Contact the government.

As a result, the power of the Zongren Mansion has been greatly expanded compared to the past. You must know that after the restructuring of Huangzhuang, most of the annual salary of each vassal comes from the output of Huangzhuang. However, Since these outputs will first be collected by the local government and then distributed, the lord often suffers.

Therefore, as vassal kings, they strongly support the intervention of the clan government and fight for their due interests on behalf of clan members and local officials. On the other hand, because they can directly contact the mining tax supervisor, the clan government can, to a certain extent, It can affect the annual salary that the feudal princes receive from the imperial village every year, and their power will naturally be greatly increased.

Under such circumstances, the official positions in the Zongren Mansion have of course become more expensive. In recent years, the vassal king has been suggesting that several more vassals should be selected to jointly take charge of the Zongren Mansion. However, the emperor has never agreed. .

But he never thought that at this time, he would be mentioned again by King Min. You must know that King Min himself holds the clan order. This position requires seniority, age and prestige, so he does not need to worry. However, King Xiang is different.

According to the previously agreed-upon method, the positions of Zongzheng on the left and right should be that of brothers or heirs of the emperor. From this condition, he does not meet the conditions. If it is done as agreed, then King Xiang will either return to the vassal or be demoted. Become a member of the left or right sect.

The former needs to give up the power in his hands and go back to being a wealthy and idle person. The latter... he can't bear that face...

Therefore, after a brief hesitation, King Xiang stepped forward and said.

"Your Majesty, I think what Uncle Min Wang said is true. However, the left and right sects have serious business matters, and the prince is still young. Moreover, according to the regulations, the prince is neither your majesty's brother nor his heir. Therefore, I think it is still fate." It is more appropriate to establish a vassal state."

Zhu Qiyu sat on the throne and glanced at King Xiang. Naturally, he had a clear understanding of his thoughts, so he shook his head slightly and smiled.

"Uncle Prince Xiang, don't worry. The prince is young and it's time to study. Even if he goes to the clan's mansion, he needs more guidance and guidance from his uncle and uncle Wang so that he can serve the country in the future."

The implication is that even if Zhu Jianshen goes to the clan mansion, he will not threaten Prince Xiang's status for the time being...

This was said politely, but the meaning behind it was not difficult to understand. For a moment, King Xiang's face became a little confused.

However, having said that, he did not continue to object...

The dark clouds in the sky gradually dispersed, and the sun hung high in the sky. Although the sunshine did not bring much warmth, it finally brought a sense of comfort.

Time passed little by little, and there was still no news from the palace, which made the ministers standing outside Fengtian Hall gradually become anxious.

Finally, before noon, they saw the Crown Prince and King Min. The figure of King Xiang returned here. Before they could ask questions, another group of people walked out of Fengtian Palace, headed by Huaien, and came to the crowd. In front of him, he said loudly.

"Your Majesty has a decree, all ministers will kneel to accept it."

As soon as the words came out, everyone held their breath, knowing that the final result was coming, so the ministers knelt down and the whole square was silent except for the whistling wind.

Afterwards, Wynn stood in front of him and said loudly.

"His Majesty orally said: I already know what you have requested. The prince has been virtuous, benevolent, filial, and respectful for many years. Although he and I are uncle and nephew, our relationship is better than that of father and son. I have devoted myself to cultivating and entrusting the country to the country, but God does not follow people. I hope that the prince is suffering from madness and will not be able to serve as his deputy."

"Now some senior ministers have also come to persuade me. I have thought about it again and again, but I don't dare to be expert in it. Therefore, I have asked the empress dowagers of the two palaces to declare an edict from Meng Yi, saying that I should attach great importance to the ancestral temple and the country. Although I don't want to, I won't I dare to disobey the two palaces' edicts and disregard my ancestors' country, so I reluctantly agree to the request of the ministers and others. From now on, the prince will be crowned King Yi, with a salary of ten thousand stones, a house in the capital, and the title of You Zongzheng of the clan mansion. Take charge of the affairs of the emperor and the village to assist the country."

"The fourth prince, King Xi, saw the emperor and was the direct descendant of the middle palace. He should be in the east palace according to the order of the emperor. He will be registered as the crown prince. The Ministry of Rites and the Clan Mansion will make a decision accordingly and select a day to hear about it."

The sound echoed in the vast square, and was carried to the sky along with the wind. After a brief silence, the great uncle of the Ministry of Rites and the King Min of the Zongren Mansion came forward to receive the decree.

And as Hu Hui and King Min broke the silence in the square, the scene suddenly became full of people, and there was a lot of discussion...

Everyone had a vague premonition that a new era had begun!

I've been in the hospital for the past few days, so I haven't had time to wrap things up and bow to everyone.