People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Zhang Yi was waiting for this interview almost a month after he entered Beijing.

Following the eunuch into the Meridian Gate, he could feel a vague sense of alienation from the eunuch who had been very polite to him before.

Arriving in front of the imperial study room, the eunuch announced.

After getting the emperor's permission, he finally entered the imperial study room that he had not seen for a long time.

The last time Zhang Yi was here, it was Hu Weiyong who rebelled, and he saved Zhu Yuanzhang once.

But now that Wuying Palace was rebuilt, Zhang Yi stepped in again, and a strange feeling came over him.

The Zhu Yuanzhang in front of him also felt strange to Zhang Yi.

After four years of not seeing each other, Zhu Yuanzhang was still so busy. When he came in, Lao Zhu didn't even raise his head.

"I, Zhang Yi, have met Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yi bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang according to etiquette, and Lao Zhu only raised his head at this time.

Looking at the child who was already a father in his early twenties on the ground, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly had mixed feelings.

In the blink of an eye, sixteen years have passed.

The child who was seven or eight years old at the time is now a husband and a father.

Just a touch of warmth in his eyes was quickly replaced by the cruelty of reality, and Lao Zhu's eyes gradually became fierce.

He took a deep breath, and the coldness in his eyes turned into formulaic joy.

"You came!"

"Ok!"

The lines are still the same as a few years ago, but the atmosphere is extremely awkward.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Yi were relatively speechless. Lao Zhu simply got straight to the point and started discussing work with him.

Talking about the changes in the industry over the years, there are also plans for the future.

Zhang Yi acted like a normal person and gave Lao Zhu advice.

Zhu Yuanzhang also listened carefully.

The monarch and his ministers were chatting, and before they knew it, it was time for the afternoon court.

"Your Majesty, Master Yao wants to see you!"

Noon is a small morning. It is usually the time when Lao Zhu meets with senior officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stingy. Although Zhang Yi suggested to him to increase the salary of officials, the working hours of officials in the Ming Dynasty were always the highest in the history.

Officials from other dynasties only attended one morning dynasty, not necessarily every day.

Officials of the Ming Dynasty not only attended the morning dynasty, but also attended the afternoon dynasty and evening dynasty.

Although Mr. Zhu has tried to reduce the working hours of officials in these years, the habit of reporting at noon has remained.

Of course, not all officials came. The person Lao Zhu had met the most over the years was Yao Guangxiao.

"Let him in!"

Zhu Yuanzhang called Yao Guangxiao over, and soon Zhang Yi saw his long-lost disciple.

Yao Guangxiao was dressed in black. When he entered the court, he took off his monk's robe.

However, his bald head is very obvious.

He was not surprised when he came in and saw Zhang Yi.

"I've met the Imperial Master!"

Yao Guangxiao's expression was calm, but when he called Zhang Yi, he said "National Master", which made people hesitate.

Zhang Yi's expression remained unchanged and he just replied:

"Hello, Mr. Yao!"

There was no anger, no put-down.

Master and apprentice are strangers to each other.

Zhu Yuanzhang silently observed Zhang Yi and Yao Guangxiao and nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty, I have already written out the plan for restructuring..."

Yao Guangxiao handed a memorial to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Reform?"

A curiosity arose in Zhang Yi's heart. Is the Ming Dynasty's political system going to be reformed again?

With the development of economy in recent years, industry has indeed achieved sufficient development based on agriculture.

Zhang Yi can already vaguely feel the so-called sprout of capitalism.

Changes in productivity at the grassroots level will soon feed back to political changes at the upper level. Lao Zhu is a beneficiary of the reform, but at the same time, he must also become a promoter of the reform.

Although Zhang Yi does not care about politics, he also knows that the position of prime minister of Zhongshu Province has been vacant for four or five years.

Since Hu Weiyong was killed, Zhu Yuanzhang never appointed any prime minister again.

But now Yao Guangxiao is mainly focused on being real but not famous.

He does the work of the prime minister, but he has no status at all. If I have to say it, his position in the treasure bank is not bad.

But now, with the development of industrialization, more functional departments have emerged.

The Ming Dynasty may need more detailed government institutions, but such reforms are equivalent to changing the official system that has lasted for many years.

Both Yao Guangxiao and Zhu Yuanzhang are crossing the river by feeling the stones.

Lao Zhu and Yao Guangxiao were talking, while Zhang Yi just listened quietly.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he was peeking into the future, so he just asked him.

Although he cannot completely decide how to reform, he has the most experience for future generations.

But what is strange is that neither Zhu Yuanzhang nor Yao Guangxiao asked him.

It seems that Zhu Yuanzhang is ready to get rid of his dependence on him?

Zhang Yi secretly laughed at himself, but acted as if nothing was wrong.

Lao Zhu and Yao Guangxiao would look at him from time to time.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Zhu Yuanzhang felt inexplicably angry, but he still suppressed the anger in his heart and continued to discuss with Yao Guangxiao.

After a while, the two finished their discussion.

Lao Zhu said to Zhang Yi:

"The Queen misses you very much, go and talk to her!"

Zhang Yi just smiled and agreed to the matter.

Yao Guangxiao happened to be leaving, so the two of them said goodbye together.

"Master, why not go back..."

Yao Guangxiao and Zhang Yi stepped out of the imperial study room almost at the same time. Zhang Yi only heard a reminder. When he turned around, he found that Yao Guangxiao had already left quickly.

There was something extra in Zhang Yi's hand.

This is the second person urging him to leave.

Zhang Yi can feel the incense in Yao Guangxiao's "Master".

The prince let him go, and Yao Guangxiao also let him go.

Zhang Yi has already felt Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous intention.

However, if you let him go without telling him, how can you leave?

Zhang Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he could only follow the eunuch to Kunning Palace.

Queen Ma still made him feel very warm as before, but there was a hint of sadness between her brows.

That kind of attitude that was obviously caring, but he hesitated to speak, made Zhang Yi even more chilling.

It was obvious that although the Queen sympathized with him, she did not reveal his current situation.

There is only one possibility, that is, the queen also failed to persuade the emperor to change her decision to kill him.

Queen Ma, Zhu Biao.

These two people are the most important people in Lao Zhu's mind, but they can't persuade each other. This shows that Zhu Yuanzhang is determined to kill.

"Child, leave after dinner!"

"Queen, if you have had dinner, the palace door..."

"It's okay, stay and talk to me. If it's really late, just stay here!"

This was not the first time that Zhang Yi stayed at the palace. The last time he stayed at the palace was when Hu Weiyong rebelled.

Queen Ma was having a great time chatting with him, and it was hard for him to refute the queen.

In this way, the two of them chatted until midnight.

According to the queen's instructions, the eunuch arranged accommodation for Zhang Yi in the palace.

But Zhu Yuanzhang never appeared from beginning to end.

The palace was very quiet at night.

Only the guards and eunuchs who came to patrol could vaguely hear the footsteps.

Zhang Yi read at night, the light of the candle was a little dim.

He complained that electric light had not been invented yet, but he was worried about the reaction of the emperor and empress today.

He was not someone who looked down upon death, but Zhang Yi also had a sense of resentment in his heart.

He obviously didn't do anything, but he was bought off because of the king's unwarranted suspicion.

"Real!"

Zhang Yi suddenly heard someone calling him, and he immediately recognized the other person's voice.

"Lao Mo..."

Zhang Yi heard a thud and Lao Mo fell down from the wall.

"Real..."

When he saw Zhang Yi, he knelt down directly.

"Have you returned to the palace after all these years?"

Zhang Yi had mixed feelings when he saw his old friend again.

Lao Mo nodded silently. He and Chen Ke were found later after being plotted against.

Later, when everyone was really separated from Zhang Yi, he let nature take its course and stayed in the court.

Zhang Yi heard this and said hello.

He pointed to the tea next to him and asked him if he wanted to drink it.

Lao Mo had a serious flash of guilt, but he continued:

"Master, this time the emperor asked me to take charge of the Chang Mao case..."

Zhang Yi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Your Majesty, you are very cruel!"

Li Qingmo was the Jin Yiwei who had been with him the longest, and he even left Jin Yiwei for a while.

But Lao Zhu actually asked him to handle this case, which was obviously an unjust, false and wrongful conviction. This was also a manifestation of isolation and surrender of names.

Lao Zhu is using various methods to gradually peel off the people around him.

Zhang Yi only felt that the resentment in his heart was getting stronger and stronger.

"Then you come looking for me at night, but you want to catch me?"

Lao Mo shook his head and said:

"No, but Your Majesty should take action soon!

I'm in charge of the case and it's almost confirmed. I'm just waiting for His Majesty to convict the real person! "

"I'm just curious, how did your majesty convict Pin Dao?"

"The matter about Chang Mao was leaked by Shi Ling, and he used it to win over Lan Yun..."

Li Qingmo told Zhang Yi everything about how the case broke out.

"So you said that the Crown Princess knew the whole story because of Lan's suicide note, so she told Chang Yuchun!

And was General Chang forcing His Majesty to handle this case? " "Roughly the same! "

Zhang Yi was silent. If this was the case, it would explain part of his doubts.

Chang Mao is just a small person, not worth mentioning. But the influence of Chang Yuchun and the Chang family behind him should not be underestimated.

Zhang Yi also understood that no matter how good he and Chang Yuchun were, they still had nothing better than the relationship between father and son.

Knowing that his son died in his hands, Chang Yuchun's reaction was not surprising.

It is said that the bad guy is the Lan family, but Chang Yuchun indulges the Lan family, which to a large extent explains his attitude towards the education of his children.

Maybe it's the same thing when you're popular.

But in recent years, he has been targeted by the emperor, and with the outbreak of Chang Mao's death, it is normal for Zhu Yuanzhang to make a choice between him and Chang Yuchun.

In addition, the emperor himself had some thoughts about him...

Is this why he should die?

Zhang Yi laughed at himself. Li Qingmo knelt down.

"Master, I have been with you for many years and have witnessed with my own eyes the friendship between you and His Majesty.

As you know about His Majesty's state in recent years, he was also temporarily blinded by lard.

If I touch you, I believe Your Majesty will regret it...

So I risked my life to come here today to remind the real person..."

"Makoto, let's go!

You were supposed to be a wandering immortal in the mountains, and you shouldn't have lingered in the world!

Depending on the situation, Your Majesty will only touch real people this time, and will not involve others!

As long as the real person is gone, everything will be fine..."

Yao Guangxiao let him go, Zhu Biao let him go,

Now even Lao Mo has allowed himself to leave...

Zhang Yi took a deep breath and closed his eyes silently.

The relationship between him and Zhu Yuanzhang should be over.

But if he wanted to leave, why would the emperor be willing?

Zhang Yi looked at Nuo Da's palace and regretted for the first time that he had handed over all the secret passages to Lao Zhu.

and many more……

He seemed to have thought of something.

When Zhang Yi came to his senses, Lao Mo also left.

Zhang Yi just stayed in the palace quietly all night.

"He didn't do anything yesterday?"

Zhu Yuanzhang waited until the morning for news of Jin Yiwei.

The other party gave a positive reply, and Lao Zhu fell into deep thought.

Zhang Yi waited for dawn and left the palace.

He returned to the National Master's Mansion and stayed for a few more days.

A few days later, the Jinyi guards came to the door, and Zhang Yi went straight to the imperial edict.

This incident caused an uproar in the capital.

Everyone is thinking, what did Zhang Yi do wrong?

Messages about Chang Mao's death spread like wildfire.

In the palace!

Zhou Tong knelt in front of Zhu Yuanzhang and said:

"Your Majesty, Master Zhang seems to be really ignorant!

We have all said that, and he would have left long ago...

It turns out that the secret passage in the palace was not dug by a real person..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent, and Zhou Tong continued:

"If he has a guilty conscience, Your Majesty, please place him near the entrance of the tunnel. He must have left through the tunnel...

But the Imperial Master didn't, and his behavior didn't look like he knew the existence of that tunnel at all!

The younger one felt that someone else was digging the tunnel! "

"Who do you think it is?"

"Hu Weiyong, right? He has also managed Beijing's affairs for a long time..."

Zhou Tong's words made Lao Zhu take a deep breath. In fact, why didn't he understand this truth?

If it were Hu Weiyong, it would actually make sense.

Because Hu Weiyong was preparing to rebel, it was possible for him to dig several tunnels to enter the palace.

Especially, with Ling Shuo's cooperation.

But now that Hu Weiyong is dead, this matter has become a headless case.

Zhu Yuanzhang could not bet on this possibility, he could only nip the danger in the cradle.

"Your Majesty, your temptation has come to an end...

Do you really expect Mr. Zhang to be what you imagined? "

Zhou Tong knelt down and couldn't help but plead for Zhang Yi.

Test.

That's right!

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath. Although he had killed many people over the years, when it fell on Zhang Yi, he had not chosen to take action directly.

From the beginning to the end, everyone who appeared was just forcing Zhang Yilu to do something.

If Zhang Yi had walked through the tunnel that night, maybe he would have bumped into Lao Zhu's royal guards when he came out.

But Zhang Yi did nothing, even though he had created so many opportunities for him to leave.

He didn't even leave?

Is Zhang Yizhen unaware, or does he have confidence in himself?

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a cold face:

"Then let's try him one last time..."

The emperor's voice was cold, and Zhou Tong had no choice but to kneel three times and kowtow nine times before leaving silently.

Zhang Yi was in prison and did not receive any punishment.

He seemed to be forgotten.

It's just that today's imperial prison is much empty after the emperor deliberately weakened the power of the imperial guards.

This place is different from what it was in 4 or 5 years. It is no longer a nightmare for officials.

But entering the imperial prison is equivalent to having half a foot in the gate of hell.

Zhang Yidao doesn't understand now, why did Lao Zhu want to kill him?

Because of that damn inferiority complex?

Zhang Yi closed his eyes and sat quietly in meditation.

He thought of his father, Lao Zhang, who had also faced life and death. He didn't know why Lao Zhang could be so indifferent to life and death at that time.

But his current state seems to be similar.

"Real..."

Lao Mo's voice sounded again.

Zhang Yi raised his head and saw him sneaking towards him.

Without any hesitation, Lao Mo opened the cell and let Zhang Yi out.

Zhang Yi was slightly startled, what is going on?

"Master, don't be surprised, I'm here to save you..."

After he finished speaking, he sent a man in prison uniform.

Zhang Yi saw that the man looked somewhat similar to him.

He was stunned and immediately understood Lao Mo's method.

"This is the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and also has the support of the Queen..."

Lao Mo knew Zhang Yi's doubts and quickly explained to him.

Zhang Yi was in a daze. It turned out that Zhu Biao was in charge of this operation?

For the prince to confront the emperor was to risk his own political life. Even Zhu Biao could not decide this matter easily.

But if the Queen also acquiesces, the success rate of this matter should be very high.

Before Zhang Yi could agree, Lao Mo had already taken his hand and left.

Under his guidance, Zhang Yi has been released from prison.

At this time, there was already a car and horses parked in front.

The carriage was Jin Yiwei's carriage, and Lao Mo urged Zhang Yi to get on.

Zhang Yi followed Lao Mo in a daze and got into the car, heading all the way to the city gate.

At this time, the sky was already dim, and the curfew was coming soon.

They walked smoothly. If they could get out of the city before dark, Zhang Yi would naturally have a bright future and leave smoothly.

But all good things come to an end. Zhang Yi heard someone shouting in surprise while in the carriage. Immediately, there was a figure of a horse galloping behind him, chasing after him.

Lao Mo, who was driving ahead, secretly said something bad.

He suddenly opened the curtain and said to Zhang Yi:

"Master, I'll lure them away. You can avoid them first. Next, let's see what happens to you..."

After he finished speaking, a crossbow arrow was inserted into the carriage.

Zhou Tong's angry voice came.

Immediately afterwards, more crossbow arrows were fired towards the carriage.

The old stranger said:

"Master, please leave. If you are unfortunately caught, please don't implicate His Highness the Crown Prince!"

After he finished speaking, he drove the carriage hard with the determination to die.

Zhang Yi seemed to understand what Lao Mo meant, and quietly jumped out of the carriage.

With the help of the night, Zhang Yi had no trouble.

Waiting for Jin Yiwei's carriage to pass by, the entire city of Beijing fell into a state of martial law again.

He took a deep breath and looked around.

I saw another empty house around me and jumped in without thinking.

Outside, the sound of searches everywhere soon sounded. Zhang Yi stood in this courtyard like an island.

If you say you're not afraid, that's a lie.

When people face life and death, who can escape fear?

But he thought for a moment and didn't run away.

Just quietly in the empty house, waiting for the end to come.

He didn't know that not far away, through the telescope, Zhang Yi's situation was reflected in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

"Your Majesty, those secret passages were really not dug by the young master...

For this reason, if he is really the master of the secret passage, he has already escaped..."

"Father, you are wrong..."

Zhu Biao stood next to Lao Zhu with a calm tone.

"My son, don't you know what result your father wants?

If you want the Zhang family brother to die, just give him a happy life.

But if you hope he is innocent, have you ever thought about the consequences you will face next?

Ten years of trust, destroyed in one day!

Is it just because of the suspicion in your heart? "

Zhu Biao's words, every word, pierced Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

Lao Zhu's expression was complicated. He listened to Zhu Biao's words and didn't know how to respond.

However, when he looked at Zhang Yi in the yard, his pupils suddenly shrank.

"He wants to commit suicide, stop him quickly..."

Lao Zhu instantly became panicked. (End of chapter)