Brother Zhu Youxiao

Chapter 297 The situation is complicated

"According to His Majesty's will, Admiral Wang An, in charge of Yinxichang, and the supervisor of ceremonies, and the leader of the Jing army and the general of the Han Dynasty, Qinzai."

"Slaves lead the decree, long live, long live, long live..."

On the first day of May, Wang An, the chief eunuch of the inner court who had assisted Zhu Changluo for more than [-] years, returned with an edict issued by Yuntai Gate.

Zhu Youxiao gave him enough honors, especially the treatment of the admiral in charge of printing the West Factory, such as the director of etiquette and the pen.

It can be said that he alone is not inferior to Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian in terms of official status.

More importantly, when he returned, Zhu Youxiao also handed over the [-] Imperial City troops of the Jing Army and the Dahan General to him.

In this way, the troops in the hands of Wei Zhongxian and Liu Ruoyu have been reduced, and such news is good for Liu Ruoyu, but for Wei Zhongxian...

"Mr. Chang, the prefect of Huzhou went to Shangshu yesterday, a fire broke out in the east city of Wucheng County, Huzhou, and more than [-] households were burned..."

"Burn your mother's head!"

bang——

The sound of precious porcelain being broken on the gold bricks of the yamen of the Silijian resounded, and the furious Wei Zhongxian became angry, and some eunuchs inside the yamen were frightened and knelt down on the spot.

At the moment Wang Tiqian is attending the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and there are only Wang Chengen, Wei Zhongxian, and Liu Ruoyu in the entire clerk office.

It happened that Wang Chengen was busy with the affairs of the Imperial Horse Supervisor, and basically the affairs of the Supervisor of Rites were handled by Wei Zhongxian and Liu Ruoyu.

Liu Ruoyu's yamen is on the east side, and Wei Zhongxian's is on the west side. There is no one to consult with him, and the prison of rites is still full of outsiders.

It is not surprising that Wei Zhongxian was furious when he heard the news that his military power had been taken away.

"Three thousand clean troops! Three thousand clean troops..."

Wei Zhongxian gritted his teeth and walked left and right, it can be said that the more he thought about it, the more angry he became, the more he thought about it, the more angry he became.

"I thought it was someone who was so angry. It turned out to be Wei Bingbi... I don't know which young man who doesn't have eyesight made Wei Bingbi angry?"

Wei Zhongxian was still angry, but he heard a familiar yet unfamiliar voice in the yamen of the Prison Supervisor.

He looked sideways, and sure enough, he saw Wang An in a bullfighting uniform, leading a group of more than ten eunuchs with a face into the office of the Prison Supervisor.

The two haven't seen each other for several years, but when they met, they were full of gunpowder.

Presumably, when Wei Zhongxian was elected to the palace, he entered the A-word library only by fawning over the eunuch Sun Xian.

After spending money, he sat on the table of Zhu Youxiao's mother, Wang Cairen, and only here did he curry favor with the Wei Dynasty.

Since the Wei Dynasty was Wang An's subordinate, he praised Wei Zhongxian to Wang An many times, and Wang An also treated Wei Zhongxian kindly and did not do anything harsh to him.

When the Wei Dynasty and Wei Zhongxian were arguing that the Hakka family was "anti-food", Wang An also ordered the Wei Dynasty to withdraw.

Who ever thought that after the death of Zhu Youxiao's mother, Wei Zhongxian actually took refuge in Li Xuanshi, and thought of framing Wang An after Zhu Changluo's death.

From Wang An's point of view, this is equivalent to a subordinate who he single-handedly tried to backstab and murder him, which is naturally unforgivable.

As for Wei Zhongxian, he also understands that the things he did were unethical, and anyone else would kill him.

Rather than being killed by the opponent, it is better to kill the opponent first.

As soon as the two met, it was like the tip of a needle facing a wheat awning, full of gunpowder.

"I don't know that Wang Bingbi is back. Our family didn't prepare a banquet to celebrate. It's really rude..."

Wei Zhongxian showed a seemingly kind smile with a humble tone, while Wang An sneered inwardly, but said respectfully on the surface:

"It's just a reinstated domestic servant. Only His Royal Highness King Qi can survive until today, otherwise I'm afraid..."

Wang An didn't continue, but the way he looked at Wei Zhongxian said everything.

The atmosphere between the two froze for a while, but finally Wang An broke the deadlock:

"As soon as we returned to the Supervisor of Rituals, our family will be on business in the north."

After finishing speaking, Wang An took the dozen or so face-to-face eunuchs and left the Yamen where Wei Zhongxian was on business. After Wei Zhongxian left, the corners of Wei Zhongxian's eyes twitched unconsciously.

"Go and find out, who told Wang An to come back!" Wei Zhongxian turned to the eunuch Tu Wenfu, who also bowed in response.

Wang An's return made the atmosphere in the capital even more weird, and this was evident from the moment he arrived at the yamen where he was on business.

When Wang An brought people into the northern yamen, an official from the Sixth Section appeared in the yamen, and said to Wang An, who was in charge of the yamen:

"Wang Bingbi, Han Xueshi heard that you have returned, and specially hosted a banquet in the mansion tonight, and invited you to go with many Qingliu..."

"Understood, our family will go back tonight, so please take a trip to Shizhong." Wang An's performance was very polite, which made the errand runner very useful to Shizhong. After saluting, he slowly exited the Supervisor of Rites.

"Bingbi, Long Live summons you..."

Not long after this happened, the eunuch came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and brought the emperor's order to summon Wang An.

Wang An didn't dare to delay this, and hurried to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. After half an hour's journey, he entered the gate of Qianqing Palace in the afternoon.

However, when he entered the gate of Qianqing palace, Wang An could feel some malice in the eyes of the Jingjun left and right of the palace gate.

Obviously, the group of eunuchs recruited by Wei Zhongxian didn't like Wang An.

Wang An didn't say much, he had many methods, and with the emperor's trust, it was very simple to solve the internal problems of the Jing army and the Han general.

He walked into the gate of Qianqing Palace, and after crossing the long palace road, he saw the scene of Wang Tiqian withdrawing from Qianqing Palace.

Wang Tiqian glanced at Wang An with fear, bowed slowly and then backed away without saying anything, while Wang An glanced at the other party, then walked into Qianqing Palace, knelt down in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and said:

"Slave Wang An, see Long Live, Long Live Saint Gong'an..."

"Get up." Zhu Youxiao's voice came out, and Wang An also walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and saw Zhu Youxiao who was processing wood in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As an emperor, he was dressed in single clothes and processed wood in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which made the expensive gold bricks covered with sawdust, which looked a bit out of place.

However, Wang An just sniffed it, without even looking at the wood, and knew that the wood was golden nanmu, which was not much in stock in the internal funds.

"How is it? Can it be resolved?"

Zhu Youxiao turned his back to Wang An, asking and manipulating the objects in his hand.

"It's a little tricky, but for slaves, it's only a matter of time before it's resolved."

"Have they invited you to the banquet?" Zhu Youxiao stopped what he was doing, and Wang An nodded slightly:

"Probably preparing to fight back against Cui Chengxiu and others together with the slaves."

"Don't overdo things." Zhu Youxiao continued what he was doing, and Wang An responded yes.

After a while, Zhu Youxiao didn't speak again, and Wang An bowed and slowly exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation when he saw this.

However, not long after he left, Zhang Yan, the master of the harem, brought Fan and other six concubines to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The difference is that in the team that came this time, apart from Zhu Ciran who was alive and kicking and Zhu Shu'e who was chasing and beating him, there was also a baby who was being held in a swaddle.

It just seemed that he lost the excitement of being a father for the first time. Facing his third son, Zhu Youxiao didn't say anything about the prince other than hugging and coaxing him.

Regarding this, Fan could only say: "Long live, Xun'er has been crying lately, and this concubine wants to take her to the imperial hospital."

"Well, let the slaves take it with them..." Zhu Youxiao hugged Zhu Cixuan, Zhu Ciran and Zhu Shu'e sat beside him, and six concubines sat in the hall. Obviously, they came this time not only for Zhu Cixuan's affairs.

Zhu Youxiao is not a fool, so he can naturally feel that something is wrong with the atmosphere.

He looked at Zhang Yan, and Zhang Yan kept looking at the other two concubines who were pregnant.

Following her gaze, Zhu Youxiao quickly understood Zhang Yan's meaning and thoughts, and his face gradually became a little unhappy. After handing Zhu Cixuan into Fan's hands, he flicked his sleeves and said:
"Except for the queen, everyone else should step back."

"The concubine takes orders..." Fan and the others, who did not dare to disobey, began to take Zhu Ciran and the others away.

"Father hugs..."

Before leaving, Zhu Shu'e ran to Zhu Youxiao to ask for a hug, and Zhu Youxiao also put on a fatherly smiling face, and after hugging Zhu Shu'e, he signaled for Fan to take Zhu Shu'e away.

"Father, goodbye!"

Zhu Ciran and Zhu Shu'e waved to Zhu Youxiao when they left, and the smile on Zhu Youxiao's face was always there.

However, such an existence disappeared instantly after the two children left. Zhu Youxiao's face returned to his usual calm, and he looked at Zhang Yan intently:

"The inner court is not allowed to interfere in politics..."

He said a word lightly, while Zhang Yan immediately knelt on the gold brick, but her expression was not panic, but very calm.

She looked up at Zhu Youxiao, her eyes were clear, and she seemed to have no distracting thoughts.

After a while, she opened her lips and said:

"The concubine just wanted to let His Majesty understand that you still have children..."

In a word, Zhu Youxiao frowned unconsciously.

Obviously, Zhang Yan heard the rumors of Wang Tiqian and Wei Zhongxian slandering Gao Panlong, and she came today because she was worried that Zhu Youxiao was really like the rumors, and she had something she shouldn't have.

"I'll say it again, the inner court is not allowed to interfere in politics, and the rumors in the outer court are just rumors..."

Zhu Youxiao's eyes were gloomy, and his complexion was not good-looking, but Zhang Yan was not afraid of using "zhen" as the self-proclaimed Zhu Youxiao, but persuaded:
"Your Majesty, you have indulged Wei Zhongxian and Mrs. Fengsheng too much, and you have indulged rumors too much!"

"Presumptuous..." Zhu Youxiao said lightly, there was no anger in his tone, but there was a trace of majesty that stopped Zhang Yan.

It's just that Zhang Yan faced Zhu Youxiao's scolding, but said relentlessly:
"The concubine is your majesty's husband, and the inner court is the family, so I speak to dissuade you. If your majesty thinks what the concubine said is wrong, the concubine will never speak again in the future."

"You..." Seeing that Zhang Yan's voice was so tough, Zhu Youxiao immediately stood up and looked down at Zhang Yan, trying to see a trace of fear from Zhang Yan's stubborn appearance.

However, for Zhang Yan, as a queen, she is not afraid of Zhu Youxiao.

Perhaps because he was reluctant to part with this hard-won family affection, Zhu Youxiao didn't scold Zhang Yan again, but turned his back, expressing that he didn't want to talk to her.

"Concubine resigns"

Seeing this, Zhang Yan knew that it was useless to kneel again, she stood up and saluted respectfully, then turned and exited the Qianqing Palace.

After she withdrew, Zhu Youxiao looked at the door in a daze, and after a while looked at the "General Map of Great Ming Kunyu" hanging high in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

For a while, even he himself didn't know what he was doing...

"Wang Bingbi is back, and there is no fear that no one in the inner court will suppress Wei Ni anymore!"

"Congratulations to Wang Bingbi!"

"Dangfu Dabai! Dangfu Dabai!"

When Zhu Youxiao was struggling, Wang An had already arrived at Han Yu's mansion.

In the mansion, what Wang An saw was no longer the Donglin faction that was in full swing, but Han Yu, Sun Chengzong, Zuo Guangdou and other officials with only a dozen big cats and kittens left.

When he saw this scene, he knew why the emperor wanted him to go north.

The disappearance of Donglin is not a good thing for the court, let alone for the court.

If he doesn't come again, Dong Lin's disappearance is only a matter of time.

While pushing cups and changing cups, Wang An listened carefully to the voices of all the officials in Jingdonglin, and the officials in Donglin also spoke freely.

Unlike the discord between Donglin and eunuchs that later generations believed, the complexity of party struggles in the late Ming Dynasty was far beyond most people's imagination.

It was not a matter of Donglin supporting Zhu Changluo overnight, and it was not a matter of Wang An serving Zhu Changluo overnight.

For a long time, Wang An and the Donglin Party members had been in close contact. After Zhu Changluo came to the throne, Wang An was promoted to the eunuch of Bingbi, the supervisor of ceremonies.

Afterwards, Wang An adopted the opinion of Wang Wenyan, a member of the bookstore of Menke Zhongshu, and within a month, together with Yang Lian and others, persuaded Zhu Changluo to implement various political measures that were beneficial to Ming Dynasty.

The first is to send funds to make up for the military pay of the Nine Frontiers, and the second is to use Zou Yuanbiao, Wang Dewan and others in the Donglin.

Because when Wang An was in power, the inner court and the outer court were very harmonious, so both inside and outside the court praised him with one voice.

People like Zhao Nanxing, Liu Yixiu, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou and others all respect him.

The return of Wang An this time gave Donglin a chance to breathe. Thinking of being suppressed by the Eunuch Party these days, and thinking of Yuan Keli and others being sent outside the customs, some officials were so emotional that they wept secretly.

Watching this scene, Wang An shook his head in his heart, thinking that without Zhao Nanxing, Liu Yixiu and others, Donglin was really down and out.

But that's fine, even if they were able to breathe, it would be difficult for them to return to their previous momentum.

Although Wang An felt a little sad about this, he knew very well that the emperor did not want Dong Lin to grow stronger.

The growth of the party represents the mixed elements in it.

Although there are fewer people in Donglin right now, there are fewer people who talk about it. If it is really used, it may be more useful than before.

Thinking of this, Wang An put down his wine glass, frowned and said:
"Although I am in charge of the Jingjun and the Dahan General, and have joined the Lijian and Xichang, but apart from the Xichang can help you, I have no say in the Silijian and the Jingjun."

"It's not surprising..." Han Yu slightly nodded when he heard the words:
"After all, Jing Jun and Li Jian have been infiltrated by Wei Reverse for a long time. Even if Wang Bingbi came here in person, it will take a lot of time to restore their former strength."

"We invited Wang Bingbi to come here today to ask Wang Bingbi if he can join forces with King Qi to check and balance Wei Ni?"

With fewer people, Han Yu's speech became bolder.

For things like the alliance with the King of Qi, if it was before, I am afraid that Han Yu would be criticized by a group of officials in Donglin as soon as he opened his mouth.

However, when he said these words right now, no one in the hall expressed any unacceptable words.

Seeing this, Wang An glanced at the people in the hall...

Han Yu, Sun Chengzong, Zuo Guangdou, Li Banghua, Zhu Guozhen, Zou Weilian, Xia Jiayu, Zhang Guangqian, Cheng Guoxiang, Liu Tingjian, Huang Gongfu, Xie Xuelong, Qian Qianyi, Song Shixiang...

"Fifteen people..."

Wang An was a little speechless, because he saw that among the fifteen people, except for Han Yu, Zuo Guangdou, and Qian Qianyi, most of them were Donglin officials who were not popular during the Zhongzhengying Dynasty.

However, Wang An remembered very clearly that Li Banghua, Zhu Guozhen and others seemed to be officials of the practical faction.

This group of people, together with the eighteen Donglin officials who were demoted to the outside of the pass, seemed to be the people who liked to do things in the Donglin, except...

Wang An looked at Qian Qianyi who was drinking alone in the seat, and was a little bit embarrassed.

Unlike most people, Qian Qianyi, who is the leader of the Donglin Forest, is different from most people.

Qian Qianyi's political career is a tragedy...

In the first year of Tianqi, he served as the chief examiner of the Zhejiang Provincial Examination, and he compiled the "Shenzong Shilu" in the capital. As a result, he was in the capital, but there was a fraud case in the examination room in Zhejiang, and he was implicated and punished with a fine.

In the second year of Tianqi, when the various factions were fighting fiercely, he suddenly fell ill and returned to his hometown.

After four years of hard work, Tianqi came back again. As a result, Wei Zhongxian came to power, and he was dismissed by Cui Chengxiu and returned to his hometown.

Without Zhu Youjian's intrusion, he would have risen as the Minister of Rites in the first year of Chongzhen and failed in the party struggle with Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren.

Later, because of another case of imperial examination fraud in Zhejiang, Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren framed him for accepting bribes and dismissed him back to his hometown.

Afterwards, Wen Tiren didn't let him go and let him be framed for corruption, but after being investigated, he didn't, so he saved his life.

Until the end of the Ming Dynasty, Nanming appointed him as Minister of Rites because of his false reputation as the leader of Donglin.

Qian Qianyi thought that he could hold great power, but in the end he wanted nothing but fame.

In the arrangement of Ma Shiying, Ruan Dacheng and Zhu Yousong, not to mention soldiers and horses, even the logistics were not in his charge.

It wasn't until the Qing army went south that Zhu Yousong, Ma Shiying, and Liu Kongzhao of Guan Shuijun had already run out of the city. Qian Qianyi, who was a mascot, knew he had to run away.

In the end, he failed to run, and was caught by Zhao Zhilong, who was in charge of soldiers and horses, and wanted to use his reputation to surrender to the Qing army.

Afterwards, Qian Qianyi was escorted by Zhao Zhilong to kowtow, which is why Zheng Chenggong and Qian Qianyi's disciples did not blame him.

But no matter how tragic Qian Qianyi's political career was, he was indeed surrendered, and he was a traitor...

On this point, many people agree.

Zhu Youjian didn't ask anyone to clean up Qian Qianyi, but he knew that this old boy was an unlucky guy with no ability and only a reputation, and it happened that his reputation could be used to do something, so he stayed.

It's just that this also led to, in Wang An's view, Qian Qianyi seemed a bit out of place with the rest of the people present.

"Why did King Qi leave him behind..."

Wang An was still muttering in his heart, but he didn't know that the forty-four-year-old Qian Qianyi was also lamenting in his heart while holding a wine glass.

If he had known that coming to the capital would be an act of death, he would rather be honest at home and "moisturize the pen" every day to nourish life.

Now I am fine, I am worried and afraid every day, and I don't know when I will be demoted to some wild place like Yuan Keli and others.

"Sure enough, I still have to go home..."

Qian Qianyi's mind was active, while Wang An said to everyone:

"To unite with King Qi, we have to wait until King Qi returns to know whether it is feasible."

"The most urgent task at the moment is to ensure the stability of the inner court first. I urgently need to clean up the army. On this point, I hope you can distract Wei Zhongxian's attention in the court."

"It's not difficult." Han Yu agreed after hearing the words, and Wang An also had a drink with a group of them after discussing the matter.

But while they were having a drink, officials from the five parties of Qi, Chu, Zhejiang, Xuan, and Kun who were several miles apart gathered together again.

"Wang An is back, so it seems that this guy must join forces with Han Yu and others."

"Don't be nervous, it's not us who should be nervous right now, but Wei Zhongxian."

In the study, the three of Yao Zongwen gathered together, and what they were discussing was also the matter of Wang An's return.

It's just that in their view, the appearance of Wang An will not cause much change to the foreign court.

Dong Lin has already fallen, and there is no ten or half year that cannot recover its vitality, let alone they will continue to suppress Dong Lin.

The only thing to pay attention to is whether Wang An's return to Beijing this time was led by Zhu Youxiao or Zhu Youjian.

The reason why Yao Zongwen and others have this view is that after all, Wang An went to the south field of Yumajian, which is equivalent to taking refuge under Zhu Youjian for five years.

If it was Zhu Youjian who made the move, then Wang An's intention to come back and Zhu Youjian's meaning are obvious.

Zhu Youjian wanted to strengthen his control in the inner court and suppress Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian.

If this is the case, Yao Zongwen and others don't need to think too much, after all, they have already discussed it, and wait for the opportunity to see what conflicts Zhu Youjian and Zhu Ciran will have in the future.

The king of Qi was strong and he voted for the king of Qi, and the prince was strong and attached to the prince.

Such political venture capital seems to have no position, but it is a means that can best stabilize their interests.

However, if Wang An's return is not led by Zhu Youjian, but by Zhu Youxiao, then things will become very interesting...

"If Long Live is transferred back to Wang An, I'm afraid Wei Zhongxian can only bow his head obediently after he understands the matter."

Tang Binyin talked about his own analysis, and Gu Tianjun also said:

"With Wei Zhongxian's character and the help of the Hakka family, Wang An may not be able to gain a firm foothold in the inner court."

"Don't underestimate him too much." Yao Zongwen shook his head as a reminder:

"Although Wang An can't do it, Cao Huachun is his adopted son after all. Right now Cao Huachun has been transferred to the South Field, but his team is still in the capital."

"If Wansui transferred Wang An back, then King Qi will definitely use Cao Huachun's team to help Wang An after knowing about it."

"In this way, the situation in the inner court is beyond your control."

"However, if Long Live calls Wang An back, then Donglin..."

Yao Zongwen's words made Tang Binyin and Gu Tianjun squint their eyes.

If Zhu Youxiao transferred back to Wang An, then obviously Wang An's return would bring some changes to the outer court, and they might suffer damage if they wanted to suppress Donglin's actions.

The three pondered for a long time, and finally Yao Zongwen said:
"The specific situation will not change. In general, we still have to see what kind of attitude King Qi will treat Wang An after he comes back."

"Judging from King Qi's attitude, we can know who Wang An transferred back..."

"King Qi..." Hearing Yao Zongwen's words, Tang Binyin and Gu Tianjun glanced at each other, and then their thoughts gradually turned to Zhu Youjian who was still in Taining City...

　There will be a meeting in the afternoon. If there is no update at four or five o'clock, it will probably be postponed to around six or seven o'clock.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)