prosperous age

Chapter 836 925 Expulsion

Feng Bao left Zhang Juzheng's house without staying in Zhang Juzheng's house for too long, and hurried back to the palace to recover.

Along the way, Feng Bao was still recalling Zhang Juzheng’s last words.

"If foreign dynasties cannot compete, they can only rely on the queen, the imperial concubine and your majesty."

I don’t know what Feng Bao said to the little emperor Zhu Yijun that night. Anyway, when Empress Chen and Concubine Li saw the little emperor early the next morning, they found that his two little eyes were bright red. He had obviously not slept all night. good.

"Huang'er, what happened to you last night?"

Because he had just ascended the throne, even though Zhu Yijun was still young, he was still forced to go to court every day to let officials see the emperor.

This is to establish the impression that the little emperor is diligent and also for training.

You know, on the first day when he walked into the Huangji Hall to accept the worship of hundreds of officials, the little emperor was frightened because the lineup was too big.

If nothing happens to Emperor Longqing, he will also take the prince to participate in some ceremonial activities after he leaves the court to study this year.

Generally, after such an experience, Zhu Yijun will not suffer from stage fright.

But Emperor Longqing suddenly disappeared, and many things had not yet been taught.

You know, in the last two years of Emperor Jiajing, he was too lazy to attend many ceremonies and left them to King Yu to preside over.

Because the emperor was young, he naturally postponed the time of going to court by an hour.

In this way, the little emperor can have breakfast with them.

"Feng Bao, what's wrong with the emperor?"

Queen Chen also spoke and asked Feng Bao.

"this."

Feng Baogu looked embarrassed and spoke hesitantly.

"Tell it like it is."

Concubine Li had always cared about her son, but now looking at Feng Bao's look, she knew that there must be something they didn't know about, and her tone of voice couldn't help but become stern.

"My dear, it's all my slave's fault."

Feng Bao did not answer directly, but knelt down and said.

"Yesterday, the emperor asked the servant why Mr. Gao often asked the emperor to answer according to his wishes during the court meetings in the past few days. The emperor already said that he would comment on the memorial."

Of course, Feng Bao would not say that he had provoked the incident. He would only say that it was something the little emperor mentioned. He answered truthfully.

“Aren’t all matters at the court meeting approved by the cabinet and approved by the Chief of Ceremonies, so what else does the emperor have to say at the court meeting?

Strictly speaking, the emperor has not yet left the cabinet, so decisions can be made at the court meeting. "

When Empress Chen heard what Feng Bao said, she immediately became dissatisfied.

"Gao Gong just wants to force the emperor to make a decision at the court meeting."

Feng Bao suddenly said something at this time.

After hearing Feng Bao's words, Queen Chen and Concubine Li immediately looked at each other, and they could see the strong dissatisfaction in each other's eyes.

In fact, they were all thinking about this matter yesterday, how to deal with Gao Gong, whether to let things go or make a decisive decision.

"How is Mr. Zhang Ge's health?"

Concubine Li suddenly asked.

When Feng Bao returned to the palace last night, he only went to Empress Chen to report Zhang Juzheng's condition. Concubine Li didn't know about it yet.

"Old Zhang Ge's body needs to be nursed back to health for a few days before he can recover."

Feng Bao immediately replied.

"What was going on with Mr. Gaoge last night?"

Concubine Li continued to ask.

After hearing Concubine Li's question, Queen Chen also cheered up and looked over.

"This"

Feng Bao hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and said: "According to the Jinyiwei investigation report, Mr. Gao Ge summoned many science and education officials in the mansion yesterday. They, they..."

"Did they say they would come to Huangji Gate to force me to the palace today?"

Before Feng Bao could continue, Concubine Li had already asked.

When Feng Bao heard this, he immediately lowered his head.

"Bring me the secret report."

Concubine Li spoke again.

Feng Bao took out a letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

A palace maid stepped forward to take the letter and immediately handed it to Concubine Li.

In the past, such things would never be in their hands.

But today is different from the past. The emperor is young, and Empress Chen and Concubine Li need to make decisions for the young emperor on many matters. Naturally, they have access to such sensitive documents.

"If we fail to force the palace, we have to mobilize the outer court to participate. Gao Gong is so brave. Is he trying to bully our three mothers?"

After Li Guifei finished reading it, she immediately said angrily.

The letter was handed into the hands of Queen Chen. After reading it carefully, Queen Chen's face became sullen.

The decision that had not been made yet seemed to suddenly have an answer at this moment.

"Mother, did Mr. Gao really say that I am just a child and cannot govern the world?"

At this time, the ten-year-old little emperor Zhu Yijun suddenly asked.

Although Zhu Yijun is slightly disabled, he has been smart and independent since he was a child.

Knowing that his father died, he became the emperor. Although he also knew that he could not govern the country well and needed to learn, the young emperor had always avoided making decisions in front of officials.

To put it bluntly, the current memorial was carried out under the mutual supervision of the cabinet and the Supervisor of Ceremonies. Empress Chen and Concubine Li only looked at it and did not express their opinions.

But yesterday when he heard Feng Bao say that a ten-year-old child could not govern the world, the little emperor was very unwilling. He felt that Gao Gong was contemptuous of him, which made him very unhappy.

The key point is that no one else knows. Perhaps Feng Bao understands that Gao Gong's remarks touched Zhu Yijun's fragile self-esteem.

The reason for his fragility is naturally the physical disability he was born with.

However, the little emperor's unintentional words completely ignited the anger in the hearts of Empress Chen and Concubine Li, giving an outlet for their uneasy emotions.

After the little emperor finished speaking, Empress Chen and Concubine Li had already made the decision that Gao Gong could not stay, which frightened the little emperor.

"Sister, look at this high arch. I don't think we can stay in the court. If we continue, I'm afraid it will be us."

After all, it was her own son's kingdom, so Concubine Li made a decisive decision and started discussing with Queen Chen.

"The Ai family understands what you mean, but it is easy to drive away Gao Gong, but what about the government affairs, the officials also need to have an explanation."

Queen Chen replied in a low voice. "Sister, I understand your worries. Without Gao Gong, there is still Mr. Zhang Ge in the court who can support you. Mr. Wei Ge will arrive in the capital in a few days. There will be no obstacles to the operation of the government.

Mr. Zhang Ge and Mr. Wei Ge are both cabinet ministers. They should know how to maintain the court.

As for the officials, Gao Gong ignored the emperor so much and was monopolistic, which was enough for him to be imprisoned and questioned. We just expelled him, which was enough to save him enough face. "

Concubine Li said.

She is now determined to expel Gao Gong, fearing that keeping him in the court will cause her son to lose power and become a puppet emperor, which is really terrible.

"When the late emperor was still alive, there were many times when the late emperor had to agree to Gao Gong's ideas because of Gao Gong's insistence.

Unexpectedly, he still behaves like this now, which is really worrying. "

Concubine Li continued.

"Then how should we arrange this matter? After all, Gao Gong is deeply rooted in the court, and his disciples have many old friends. If there is a quarrel."

Empress Chen's decree to deal with Gao Gong was just a matter of words, but she still had to consider the stability of the court more.

"Today the Imperial Gate is listening to the government, and soon hundreds of officials will gather in front of the Meridian Gate to wait for the right time to enter the palace. At that time, a decree will be sent out, asking all the main officials of the Yamen, including the Six Ministries and Five Temples, to go outside the Huangji Gate.

The decree was announced under the Huangji Gate to expel Gao Gong, and Feng Bao was asked to arrange the factory guards there in advance. If anyone dared to make a mistake, he would be imprisoned immediately. "

Although Concubine Li was scared to death, she still spoke out her thoughts slowly.

He announced Gao Gong's dismissal in public, and arranged in advance the people from Jinyiwei and Dongchang to suppress those who resisted.

Although Concubine Li had never experienced it, she had heard of the Zuo Shunmen incident. Emperor Jiajing used a big stick to beat down the dissatisfied officials.

If anyone among the officials really supported Gao Gong, in her opinion, he was a traitorous official who deserved to be beaten to death with a royal staff.

At this moment, she only needs to ensure that her son Zhu Yijun takes the throne, and she can ignore the rest.

Today Gao Gong dares to despise the emperor, tomorrow he will dare to openly usurp the throne.

Empress Chen only thought about it for a moment this time, and finally nodded and approved Concubine Li's proposal. At the same time, she was also slightly worried about the future of the Ming Dynasty.

After Queen Chen and Concubine Li discussed and decided to deal with Gao Gong, the happiest person was the eunuch Feng Bao who was still kneeling below.

Sure enough, as long as the little emperor is moved out, the two nobles will make a decision. No matter how much they worry, it is not as important as that position.

"Feng Bao, go find Zhu Xixiao immediately and mobilize the factory guards to be stationed outside Huangji Gate."

Queen Chen glanced at Feng Bao and ordered.

"The slave obeys the order."

Feng Bao kowtowed and accepted Queen Chen's order.

After hearing that he no longer had to see the annoying Gao Gong, the little emperor Zhu Yijun was in a very good mood. What's more, he also knew from the conversation just now that Master Wei would be arriving in the capital soon, and this year's birthday gift would be what?

Seeing the little emperor who suddenly became happy, the worries in Empress Chen's heart disappeared instantly.

"It's taken so long, please bring breakfast."

The golden platform on the Huangji Gate has been prepared, and the throne has been moved here and placed, waiting for the little emperor to ascend the throne.

Different from later movies and TV dramas, except for large-scale ceremonial events, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty generally did not sit in the Huangji Hall. Instead, they ascended the throne at the Huangji Gate, and all civil and military officials stood under the Huangji Gate and knelt to perform. Relying on this shows the extraordinaryness of Tianjia.

The three main halls in the Forbidden City and the Huangji Hall are used to hold various large-scale ceremonies.

The Zhongji Hall is a palace used for rest. The emperor would rest and prepare in the Taihe Hall before going to the Huangji Hall to participate in large-scale celebrations. He would also receive worship and memorials from officials presiding over the celebration here. Occasionally, the emperor would also visit the Zhonghe Hall. Sacrifice texts were read in the temple, and officials were even summoned or given food.

Jianji Hall was where the emperor would change his clothes before the ceremony, so it was mostly a place where dragon robes were stored.

Because the officials of Liu Kelang gathered together to make trouble at Huangji Gate yesterday, the atmosphere in the court, which had been calm for a while, became strange. Today, many officials rushed outside the Meridian Gate to prepare for the court meeting.

The impeachment of Feng Bao was already causing quite a stir, and with this farce of forcing the palace into the palace, even the slowest people realized that something big was going to happen in the near future.

When the hour came, only the sound of the three drums was heard, and the Meridian Gate immediately opened.

The Forbidden Army Flag School had already lined up to protect the road with spears in hand. The dazzling armor and weapons were too bright to be looked at. As soon as the drums stopped playing, two court elephants dressed in red and green were led out of the Meridian Gate by the eunuchs of the Royal Horse Guards and stood on both sides of the door. Okay, everyone stretches out their proboscis to form a bridge.

At this time, the forbidden bell rang, and the officials arranged their official robes and lined up to enter the Meridian Gate. A censor had already taken the yellow book and counted them, and later confirmed the officials attending the court meeting today.

After crossing the Jinshui Bridge, when all the officials were standing under the Huangji Gate, the right door opened, and a young eunuch appeared in front of everyone.

Looking at the hundreds of officials standing outside, the little eunuch shouted loudly in a high-pitched voice: "We have a decree to summon all the ministers of the cabinet, five offices, and six ministries to come."

Upon hearing this decree, the Chief Assistant Gao Gong standing in the front row instantly became excited.

What does it mean to summon ministers?

According to the previous development of the situation, it was natural that the palace wanted to remove Feng Bao, so all the important officials were required to be present.

After receiving the order, Gao Gong immediately ordered someone to notify Zhang Juzheng and others of their arrival.

After Zhang Juzheng arrived in Beijing yesterday, he sent someone to Gaogong to report that he needed to rest for a few days. He said he had suffered from heat stroke and could not get anything done.

However, with this decree, Zhang Juzheng and other officials who asked for sick leave had to be carried here even if they were carried.

It was a big deal involving a court meeting. Naturally, people rode to various mansions to notify people.

In fact, Zhang Juzheng didn't want to leave the house these days.

He knew that Feng Bao would definitely take action against Gao Gong, and he wanted to try to avoid the embarrassment of being there.

The palace punishes the chief minister of the cabinet, whether he begs for mercy or not.

But there was no way. The palace sent several groups of people to urge him, but Zhang Juzheng finally arrived late.

Everyone else arrived, including Zhu Heng who had just returned to Beijing. Zhang Juzheng was the last minister to show up.

As the officials gathered, a young eunuch came in to announce. Gao Gong suppressed his excitement and waited for the emperor to ascend the throne.

He had already made up his mind that once the emperor asked how to deal with Feng Bao, he would say that he would be dealt with according to justice and law, and that it would be worthwhile.

After another cup of tea, the little emperor was still nowhere to be seen at the Huangji Gate. Just when everyone was getting impatient waiting, the eunuch Wang Zhen appeared at the Huangji Gate holding the imperial edict.

"If there is a decree, all the officials will kneel to receive it."

After Wang Zhen finished speaking, all the civil and military officials knelt down to receive the order. There was silence. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the emperor's decision.

"According to the Queen's decree, the imperial concubine's decree, and the emperor's imperial edict, I conveyed it to the officials of the Cabinet Office and other yamen. I visited the Emperor Bintian and summoned the three ministers of the cabinet to the imperial couch the first day. I personally handed over the will to my mother and son, and said: Dong Gong is young and needs his help every time.

Nowadays, there is a scholar named Gao Gong, who is authoritative and good at governing. He has usurped the power and fortune of the imperial court and is exclusive to him. He does not allow the emperor to take charge. I don't know what he wants. My mother and son are terrified.

Gao Gong then went back to his hometown to stay for a while and was not allowed to stay.

Every minister of yours who has been favored by the country should be devoted to repaying the Lord. If you only serve powerful ministers and despise the Lord, let it go. From now on, you must wash your mind and work hard. If you do this again, you will be punished. "

The decree read by Wang Zhen was like a thunder, which made all the officials under the Huangji sect burnt on the outside and tender on the inside.

Gao Gong, who was kneeling in the front row, raised his head in disbelief and looked at the eunuch who was proclaiming the edict. He was unconvinced and asked loudly: "Why don't you see His Majesty and Empress Chen? You are pretending to be the eunuch."

At this time, Gao Gong's mood instantly fell from heaven to hell, and he had no idea why it would end like this.

The left and right doors of Huangji Gate suddenly opened, and Feng Bao walked out of the door with a team of factory guards, lining up around the ministers.

Seeing Gao Gong looking at him with anger on his face, Feng Bao sneered and said, "Come here, take Master Gao out of the city."

(End of this chapter)