Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 179 Jiangxi Zhang, Fengyang Zhu and I

As the night deepened, a group of faint clouds blocked the bright full moon, casting a faint shadow over the whole world.

Zhu Youtang was considered a diligent emperor. Seeing that the time was almost up, he stretched himself, then stood up and prepared to rest.

Since it is already summer, and the temperature in the capital is gradually rising, the dormitory is now on the upper floor, choosing a room with good ventilation and cooling down in the ice city.

Liu Jin was in charge of Zhu Youtang's daily life tonight, had already taken care of everything, and seemed to be leading the way cautiously.

When Zhu Youtang walked into the room, he clearly felt that the temperature here was significantly more comfortable than that of Dongnuan Pavilion. He stood in the room with his arms outstretched as usual, and four beautiful court ladies would surround him and undress him.

Although it is hard to deal with government affairs every day, there are dozens of eunuchs and maids around to serve, and the overall life is still very comfortable.

Power and status, no matter in which era, are actually a good thing.

"Your Majesty, do you want some soothing incense tonight?" Liu Jin was not sure about Zhu Youtang's wishes, so she asked seriously.

Zhu Youtang's sleep quality has been very good recently, so he waved his hand lightly, directly signaling Liu Jin to back down.

"Slaves leave! Come on, get out!" Liu Jin hurriedly cleared away all the maids and eunuchs staying here, and then gently put down the bead curtain.

Zhu Youtang noticed the pair of embroidered shoes in front of the bed, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily raised slightly, and he came directly to the bed, looking at the woman lying on the bed.

Qingyue was arranged to sleep in bed tonight, and she had just bathed, and she still exuded a faint body fragrance.He was lying on the bed at the moment, looking very anxiously at the man who had come to the bed.

Zhu Youtang didn't wait for Qingyue to reply, he tore the quilt away, and then got into the bed that was already full of feminine fragrance.It's just that he wasn't in a hurry, but turned sideways and brushed up a strand of Qingyue's messy hair, and looked at this woman quietly.

The woman after taking a bath obviously has a kind of charm, and this woman who is full of masculinity is very rare, even for the later generations who are as beautiful as clouds, it is also very rare.

As the Son of Heaven, there is no shortage of women. The maids of this palace can accept all of them as long as they want, but this woman in front of him seems so different.

The skin that can be broken by blowing and blowing, the bridge of the nose is straight, the lips are sexy, and the chin looks sharp, and the facial features seem to have been carefully crafted.

Qingyue originally thought that Zhu Youtang would rush forward in a hurry, but she closed her eyes slightly nervously, but soon found that Zhu Youtang was just quietly examining her.

In fact, she knew what was going to happen tonight, and it was impossible to say that she was not nervous at this time.It's just that she has already realized some things, and what happened next is what she has been expecting to happen.

Qingyue looked at Zhu Youtang like this, especially Zhu Youtang's eyes were full of tenderness, she couldn't help calming down slowly, and boldly looked at the man who shared the bed with her.

Although she knew that no one could tie an emperor forever, but to be treated so tenderly tonight, she felt that her life was worth it.

"Are you nervous?" Zhu Youtang gently stroked Qingyue's cheek with a finger, but asked gently.

Qingyue shook her head lightly, looked at Zhu Youtang seriously and said softly: "Maidservant, can I touch Your Majesty's face?"

"Why did you touch my face?" Zhu Youtang was slightly taken aback, then asked curiously.

Qingyue looked at Zhu Youtang's pretty face, but she said seriously: "I'm afraid this servant is dreaming!"

Zhu Youtang leaned down and looked seriously at the woman who was about to belong to him.

Qingyue stretched out a finger, imitating Zhu Youtang's way of lightly touching Zhu Youtang's tender and smooth cheeks, but because of the sensibility of a woman, a layer of tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'll let you know tonight that it's not a dream!" Zhu Youtang immediately took the initiative to attack, leaning forward with his whole body and speaking domineeringly.

There are many ways to check whether it is a dream, but he chooses the most brutal way.

Qingyue bit her lower lip lightly, and as Zhu Youtang hit like a torrential rain, she especially felt the pain, and finally realized that everything was not a dream.

It's just that when the whole person is in the clouds, she feels like a dream again.

Tonight's Qianqing Palace seemed restless, a small tabby cat squatting on a stone pillar chased the mouse that had just emerged.

Waiting until the fifth watch, Qingyue wanted to leave quietly.

Zhu Youtang who was sleeping outside suddenly opened his eyes, but he grabbed her and said thoughtfully: "I bled last night, you should rest a little longer!"

"Your Majesty, the servant is fine, now the servant has to rush back to Renshou Palace!" Qingyue's face was slightly red, but she hurriedly shook her head.

Zhu Youtang hugged her and refused to let her go, looking very domineering and authentic: "You are now my woman, you are not allowed to go anywhere, and you don't need to go back to Renshou Palace?"

"Your Majesty, this is against the rules! The servant is from Renshou Palace after all, you have to tell the queen mother so that the servant can follow you!" Qingyue became more impatient and reminded her seriously.

Zhu Youtang knew that Qingyue's scruples were very reasonable, but he still held her in his arms and said, "Then you can sleep with me for a while, it's still early anyway!"

Qingyue is like a well-behaved kitten, clinging to Zhu Youtang's arms, enjoying this short-lived happiness.

After all, time passed, as if it was morning in the blink of an eye.

Royal study, on the attic.

Zhu Youtang was standing in front of the bookshelf, flipping through a book about agriculture.

In addition to dealing with government affairs during the day, he would occasionally come here to read some books, but the collection of books here is no longer limited to military books.

"He Cong, the left servant of the Minister's Ministry of War, respectfully invites Shengan!" He Cong, the left servant of the Ministry of War, followed the little yellow gate and entered through the gate below, saluting respectfully.

Liu Jin would usually stay on it, and according to Zhu Youtang's order, send a secret report to He Cong, saying: "Master He, please read it!"

He Cong first glanced at Zhu Youtang in the attic in surprise, and then opened the secret report, and he couldn't help but be surprised when he saw the content.

This was a joint report between Wu Yu, a member of the Household Department, and Liu Yuyu, a member of the Ministry of Industry, but it was a matter of exposing Shandong Yanzhou Prefecture to lie about the drought to defraud the imperial court of tax exemption.

It's just that after reading this secret report, he was suddenly puzzled, but he didn't understand why His Majesty wanted to let him have a look at this secret report.

Could it be that you have to go to verify it yourself?But this seems to be a matter under the jurisdiction of the household department.

Zhu Youtang knew that some things had to be stated directly, so Dang even said indifferently: "According to Dongchang, Kong Hongxu, the No. 60 generation of Wei Shenggong who was deposed as a commoner, still did not repent in Qufu, Shandong, but there were some people in the court. What do you think, please order to restore the crown belt because of his change of behavior?"

"Back then, Kong Hongxu raped more than [-] Eastern women and strangled four innocent people. How could he be so generous!" He Cong, the left servant of the Ministry of War, had a very righteous view of the three, and he expressed his stance with righteousness and sternness.

Kong Xixue, the Holy Duke of Wei in the Yuan Dynasty, led all his clansmen to kneel immediately after the Ming army captured Shandong, so Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang continued to confer the title of Holy Duke of Wei.

It’s just that Jiangmen Huzi’s lineage theory is already doomed to be a fallacy. In the 60th generation, Wei Shenggong Kong Hongxu, although he pays homage to his ancestor Confucius every day, he is actually a villain through and through.

Originally, the imperial court conducted an investigation because the Confucian government violated the system, but after a thorough investigation, it was discovered that Wei Shenggong had committed a lot of crimes, and he was handed over to the three divisions for a joint trial and sentenced to "sit and behead" according to the law.

Emperor Chenghua hated Kong Hongxu, the saint who committed adultery and disregarded human life, but under the pressure of civil officials, he finally rebelled and cut Kong Hongxu's title and dismissed him as a commoner.

He Cong knew that Kong Hongxu, the Holy Duke of Wei, was the belief of many literati, but he never thought that the Confucius family could be confused with a saint, and he always had a deep disdain for Kong Hongxu.

Whether it is in line with His Majesty's sacred heart or out of his own principles, he will not agree to restore Kong Hongxu, who has committed many crimes, to the crown.

Zhu Youtang came to the guardrail, looked down at He Cong and said, "Just now there was a report in Dongchang, and Kong Hongxu told others in private: There are only three families in the world, my family is Jiangxi Zhang, and Fengyang Zhu. Jiangxi Zhang, Dao Morale. Fengyang Zhu, outrageous, petty! Zhang Qing, what do you think of this?"

"Your Majesty, such rebellious and immoral remarks should be punished!" He Cong said in a rage, not expecting that Kong Hongxu would dare to be so arrogant.

At this moment, he also realized why Zhu Youtang summoned him alone. Just because Kong Hongxu said such rebellious words, the former Wei Shenggong should be crushed to ashes.

Knowing that He Cong was a loyal minister, Zhu Youtang immediately made a decision and said: "I originally wanted you to be the Minister of the Ministry of War, but your resume is still not enough to convince the public, and you do have a little less political achievements, so I plan to let you go to the local government. Practice again!"

Affected by the Jiangxi official nest case, Zhang Ying, Minister of the Ministry of War, has been dismissed, and now the Minister of the Ministry of War is vacant again.

"My lord... everything is up to His Majesty's arrangement!" He Cong's heart tightened suddenly, but he still expressed his position respectfully.

Zhu Youtang took He Cong's reaction into his eyes, and said with satisfaction: "I don't believe in the governor of Shandong. After thinking about it now, He Qing is the most worthy of my trust! This time, you went to Shandong as the governor of Shandong to observe the people's sentiments." , rectify the administration of officials, investigate the case of the false report of the drought in the Yanzhou government, and let me investigate the Kong family again, may be qualified for this position?"

"I would like to devote myself to His Majesty until I die!" He Cong realized that this was not relegation, so he expressed his stance authentically.

Zhu Youtang actually valued He Cong very much, so he explained seriously: "Although you are going to serve as the governor of Shandong, I will give you the title of Minister of the Ministry of War! He Qing, if you work hard in Shandong, as long as you make I will call you back to the capital to serve as Minister of the Ministry of War, and you and I will create a prosperous Ming Dynasty together!"

If Wang Hua's appointment was just a small test for himself, then the left servant of the Ministry of War in front of him was his big test, and he would open up a new promotion path from the local governor to the six ministers.

Of course, the most important thing is that I want to use a knife against the Confucius family in Shandong, cut off all the factors that are not conducive to China's development, and lead China on the road to real revival.

"I will live up to your Majesty's expectations, but I have an unfeeling request!" He Cong seemed to see the position of Minister of the Ministry of War beckoning to him, his eyes flashed with a stern look.

Zhu Youtang was taken aback for a moment, and said calmly, "Speak!"

"Your Majesty, since I'm going to the local area to investigate the case secretly, it's inappropriate to make too much publicity! I implore Your Majesty to maintain the position of the left servant of the Ministry of War. After the matter is settled, Your Majesty will reward you! In addition, local officials should not be stumbling, I also want to ask Your Majesty to allow me to release local officials!" He Cong quickly assumed the role of governor of Shandong, and made the request in a straightforward manner.

He has stayed in the local area, but he knows that he wants those smooth local officials to be obedient. No power or status is useful. Only if he can hold their future can he be called father and mother.

Zhu Youtang knew the truth that the suspect should not be used and the person should not be suspected, so he made a decision and said: "Officials below the fourth rank in Shandong can be dismissed on the spot, and officials above the fourth rank will invite you to give you the king's order flag! If you go to Shandong It's hard to control the situation, so I ask you to give you Shang Fang's sword!"

"I thank your Majesty for your kindness, and I will live up to your majesty's expectations!" He Cong didn't expect Zhu Youtang to give him such great support, so he expressed his position seriously.

If you said that you were worried about the power of the Kong family in Shandong just now, but with the strong support of the emperor, the Kong family in Shandong is just a small family, and you can just grit your teeth and kill it.

Zhu Youtang exhorted and encouraged He Cong again, and then sent He Cong away.

In the afternoon of that day, the imperial decree came directly to the Yamen of the Ministry of War.

"Hehe... I was holding it just now, but now I'm demoted!"

"I thought he turned from a pheasant into a phoenix, but I didn't think he was going to Pingyang!"

"I told you earlier, he's a native of Zhejiang, and he doesn't have the life of Minister of War at all!"

……

Some officials of the Ministry of War originally thought that He Cong was going to be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War, but when they learned that He Cong, the left servant of the Ministry of War, was actually transferred to Shandong as the governor of Shandong, their attitudes suddenly changed 180 degrees.

According to the consistent appointment tradition of the Ming Dynasty, He Cong was definitely relegated.

It has always been a promotion for a local governor to return to the capital as the Minister of the Six Departments, but now He Cong is doing the opposite, what is it if he is not relegated?

From the Minister of the Ministry of War who was a half-step aspiring minister of the Ministry of War to the governor of Shandong, it can be said that he went from the sky to the ground, and his authority is not the same.

The Ming Dynasty Hall has always been a very snobbish place. When seeing He Cong lose power, the officials who were still fawning just now gloated.

"What a snobbery!"

Although He Cong didn't meet any officials who satirized him face to face, he had long ears after all. Not only could he clearly feel the changes in officials' attitudes, but he could also hear those disrespectful words.

It's just that he knows that if he wants to gain real wealth and slap the officials who look down on him, he must perform well this time in Shandong.

Ordinarily, his spearhead was directed at the Confucian family in Qufu, which is a very taboo thing.

After all, there are no scholars in the world who do not respect and love Confucius. Even though Confucius in Qufu is only blood related to Confucius, they are descendants of Confucius after all and have a strong influence.

But now there is no turning back when opening the bow, either the Kong family will perish or he will die.

Not to mention the four innocent lives and more than 40 ruined women who need to be accounted for, and now the Confucian family in Qufu actually wants to avoid taxes by falsely reporting the drought, so it is natural that they must be punished.

It's just that some things are always unexpected. Liu Zhong, the governor of Huguang, was attacked on the way to Anlu, and Li Hu, a hundred households in brocade clothes, died on the spot.

(End of this chapter)