The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 438
Morning the next day.

The weather was calm that day, except for Huosai's attack on Dayan Khan. The dog biting the dog was a major event worth talking about. It was the end of autumn itself. After the collection of autumn grain from all over the country, it was also a relatively peaceful period during the imperial court's winter slack.

When the three members of the cabinet reunited and walked to the palace, Li Dongyang informed Liu Jian and Xie Qian of the news he had learned from Wang Yuna yesterday.

"Who went to the palace for treatment? What kind of disease was treated?" Xie Qianben was behind, and couldn't hear clearly, so he leaned forward and asked.

Li Dongyang said: "Or the daughter of the Ning family who was expelled from the Chengguo Mansion entered the palace to treat the third prince. The people in the Tai Hospital did not clarify what the illness was, but it is expected to be an emergency. As for the method used, I don't know. , I only know that Li Rong personally sent him out of the palace yesterday, which seemed very respectful."

Liu Jian said: "If an outsider enters the palace for medical consultation and skips the imperial hospital, then it is not up to the concubine Xian to decide, but His Majesty's instruction."

"Yes." Li Dongyang nodded.

Liu Jian frowned again and said, "But why does Your Majesty want to use so many people in Taitai Hospital instead of using someone who doesn't know medical skills? Is this woman proficient in medical skills?"

Li Dongyang couldn't answer.

Ning Tong himself was not a famous figure. He was known to the cabinet ministers not because of his messy affairs with Zhu Feng, but more because she had taken care of the concubine Xian before entering the palace.

In other words... Daming's third prince, the second in line to the throne, was born under her care.

Equivalent to a stable woman.

"Hehe." Xie Qian said with a smile, "That's rare. Zhu Zhijie has such a good helper, and he didn't cherish it, but he was kicked out. What is he trying to gain?"

Li Dongyang said: "After I went back yesterday, I asked someone to inquire, and they said that when this girl left the Chengguo Mansion in the first year, she caused a lot of trouble, and in the end Mrs. Cheng Guotai specially allowed her to leave the mansion. The specific reason is unknown. .”

Xie Qian said: "She left the house by herself? What is she trying to do?"

Obviously, in the era of machismo, there is basically no such thing as divorce, it is all "divorce".

Especially for the three members of the cabinet, they usually don't bother to pay attention to such matters. It is only because Ning Tong is involved in the affairs of the royal family that they deserve to be brought up on the table.

If they knew that Ning Tong was "bewitched" by Zhang Zhou and used some vulgar books to make Ning Tong go forward and leave Zhu Feng, who had already made a fortune, then they would definitely say that Zhang Zhou was destroying the ethics of Confucianism, and even Destroy the harmony of Ming Dynasty.

However, no one really knows about this kind of secret, and people in high positions like them naturally can't find out so clearly.

……

……

Court meeting.

Zhu Youtang looked very tired, and his whole body seemed listless.

Even Liu Jian and the others seemed to realize that the emperor's spirit was getting worse day by day.

The emperor did not disclose the matter of Zhu Houxuan's illness before, but in fact, the prince's illness is also a major issue related to the stability of the court. As usual, he can talk to the ministers and seek countermeasures or comfort. The ministers will also understand the emperor's difficulties. I will delay time with some trivial matters.

Liu Jian took the initiative to come out and said: "I heard that the third prince is ill. Your majesty must have been worried about it for the past few days. If your majesty is sick recently, you should rest more. You must also pray for the prince. Hope he Get well soon."

All the ministers present held their breath and concentrated.

Not to mention that no one knows that Zhu Houxuan is sick now, even if someone knows, no one will come out like Liu Jian to persuade the emperor to take more rest.

In other words, no one is more qualified than Liu Jian.

Liu Jian himself is expressing concern, but this kind of concern is not something that everyone can express... The emperor doesn't say it, so there is a reason for it. As a courtier, it is best not to break this delicate balance, but to break it. Either you have enough prestige to bear the change of the emperor's mentality, or...you have the courage to bear the consequences.

Zhu Youtang is not the kind of emperor who is too harsh, at least he is actually good to civil servants.

Of course, it must be based on the fact that civil servants do not oppose Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Liu Ge is always concerned. I have been worrying about the emperor's illness recently, but since yesterday, the emperor's illness has improved a lot."

Having said that, there was a little relief on his face.

I also thought about it, Bingkuan was not in the capital, and I didn't go wrong when I encountered a big trouble... It's not that the gods blessed the ancestors to show their spirits, but Bingkuan's light is everywhere.

What he said was exactly what Liu Jian wanted to find out.

By the way, Liu Jian can also follow the topic.

Liu Jian said: "Your Majesty, I don't know what's wrong with the third prince? Is it related to the evil spirit in the palace? The old minister means that the prince's birth date is short, so he should rest in his body and find out the cause of the disease to prevent future illnesses. Palace In the past few years, there have been incidents of Longevity Mountain, and I ask Your Majesty to consider the reasons as appropriate."

Don't mention Zhang Zhou, don't even think about Zhang Zhou.

But it mentioned the repair of the Yuxiu Pavilion on the Longevity Mountain of Li Guang. After the repair, Zhu Xiurong fell ill and almost died of the disease. In the end, Li Guang was so frightened that he committed suicide.

Your Majesty, you must also think that your previous son, Zhu Houwei, also died of illness not long after he was born.

We have to find the root cause.

Is the feng shui in the palace bad?Or where did you make a mistake?
Don't you believe in this most recently, Your Majesty?If you don't believe it, why did you use Li Guang and Zhang Zhou, two awesome "Alchemy Masters" one after another?Of course, we also know that Li Guang is a half-assed person, and your Bingkuan is the master you appreciate.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "I don't know what the disease is. I will ask Bing Kuan about the specific cause after he returns to Beijing."

"what?"

When the ministers present heard it, they instantly felt the distress of being pressed on top of their heads.

It's not that they think they can cure diseases, or that they know what Zhu Houxuan's disease is.

It's because... the emperor now asks Bingkuan if he has nothing to do. If he can't get Bingkuan for a cure, it's fine, but he has some kind of illness. Instead of asking the imperial physician, he has to wait for Zhang Bingkuan to ask him after he returns to the capital?

It doesn't make sense.

If the little prince's illness could only be diagnosed after Zhang Bingkuan returned to the capital, he would either have died or he would have been cured long ago.

Could it be that Zhang Bingkuan held a fasting ceremony and asked the heavens?
Liu Jian said: "If the third prince is sick, he should listen to the opinions of the imperial doctors in the imperial hospital, and not just wait for Zhang Zhou, who is thousands of miles away."

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "You don't understand. I don't want to tell you too much."

In fact, the emperor still has to face.

In other words, he also wanted to save some face for the people in Tai Hospital.

After all, when his son was sick, he insisted on finding a woman from outside the palace who had just studied medicine to enter the palace for treatment. The emperor himself felt ashamed when he said it.

The imperial court has so many imperial doctors, and in the end only Bing Kuan and his people can treat the emperor's illness. The people in the Tai Hospital are ashamed, and I also feel that the imperial court has really raised a bunch of useless people.

As for making Zhang Zhou famous, it is said that Zhang Zhou is thousands of miles away, and he can cure the prince's illness by teaching a woman a few hands at random...Let's not say that the disease has no definite result, after all, it is still being treated... Just talking about fame alone, Zhu Youtang also felt that it was unnecessary.

Zhang Zhou can even cure acne and plague, and the war in the north was planned by Zhang Zhou... I don't think treating the emperor's illness will add much glory to his face.

But what he said...it was a bit hurtful to the minister.

What is... You don't want to tell us more?We only deserve to hear the results of our feelings, and we don’t even deserve to hear the results?

Liu Jian stood there, and was pushed back by the emperor with words, somewhat losing face.

Upon seeing this, Li Dongyang came out and said, "Your Majesty, I learned from the imperial hospital a few days ago that your majesty used people from outside the palace to enter the palace for treatment. It seems that a woman was used. I don't know what kind of treatment this woman used ? If Your Majesty is dissatisfied with the imperial hospital, you should abolish the staff, and if you rashly use people from outside the palace to enter the palace to hang the pot, I am afraid that the rules will be violated."

Zhu Youtang said with a stern expression: "The group of people don't have much ability to cure diseases, but they talk too much!"

In one sentence, the emperor's true inner thoughts were exposed.

Now the people in the court understood even more. It turned out that the incident came from the Tai Hospital. It was because people from outside the palace entered the palace for medical treatment, which caused dissatisfaction from the Tai Hospital, so they found the cabinet here, and the cabinet raised questions.

The cabinet itself does not need to protect the people from the Tai Hospital, the cabinet just wants to keep a "rule".

The so-called perform their duties.

If Your Majesty, you are dissatisfied with the people in the Tai Hospital, then replace them all, and don't just let them watch others treat diseases without shame.

This is not slapping them in the face, it is slapping the court in the face.

It's as if you used Zhang Bingkuan. Obviously, what Zhang Bingkuan did should be done by us, and you have slapped us in the face time and time again.

Zhu Youtang said: "Originally, I didn't want to bother your family with family affairs. The emperor is still in his infancy, and it is normal for his body to get sick. It's just that this time the emperor's condition is more serious, so I used the money left by Bingkuan." Some methods, and by the way, I also called a disciple who had been taught by Bing Kuan, so she went to the palace to treat the emperor's son, and she is still taking care of her in front of the couch in the inner garden."

The ministers present at first thought it had nothing to do with Zhang Bingkuan, after all, Zhang Bingkuan's shadow still lingers.

But Li Dongyang had revealed to Liu Jian and Xie Qian before that there was a connection between Ning Tong and Zhang Bingkuan. Since Ning Tong was able to enter the palace for medical consultation, it must have something to do with Zhang Zhou.

Li Dongyang looked very bold and said: "Zhang Zhou's medical skills are excellent. The ministers have seen it before, and he is daring when he treats diseases, and he has the benevolent style of hanging the pot to help the world. But if others are outside, they use others to diagnose diseases. It also asked His Majesty to alienate the people in the Imperial Hospital, and if any inappropriate things happen, it may affect the future prestige of the Imperial Hospital, and it will also affect Zhang Zhou's position in the court."

Hearing this, Zhu Youtang almost thought that he had heard it wrong.

When did the cabinet praise Zhang Zhou so publicly?
Also said that he has excellent medical skills?
Thinking about the deep meaning of these words again, I suddenly felt that what I said was digging a hole for Bing Kuan again.

Moreover, Zhu Youtang also heard a change, that is, whether Liu Jian or Li Dongyang called Zhang Zhou by his first name today, instead of addressing official titles or titles, although the main reason was that before Zhang Zhou returned to the court, he didn't even do anything when Zhang Zhou came back. Sure, but he always felt that the cabinet was holding back Zhang Zhou.

"Hey! For things like medical treatment, let the family members of the patients decide who will treat the disease. Does everything have to be involved in the affairs of the family and the country?"

When Zhu Youtang said this, he also rolled his eyes.

Probably means.

I have really convinced you people, everything has to be on the line, you insist that if the prince's illness can't be cured this time, it's his lenient responsibility?
Li Dongyang seemed very indifferent and said: "Your Majesty should make rules in everything."

"Okay." Zhu Youtang said, "The illness is still being treated, so let's talk about it later."

……

……

Before the court meeting was dissolved, no one mentioned the prince's illness.

Zhu Youtang is also relieved because his son has Zhang Bingkuan's "female disciple" in the palace for treatment. When his father's mood improves, he will no longer bring many negative emotions to the court.

After the court meeting.

The ministers didn't talk about Zhang Zhou's matter in front of Liu Jian... Now they are not as decisive as Tu Yu, Bai Ang, Min Gui, and Zhou Jing when they were in court.

If they insist on holding on to Zhang Zhou's affairs, they are also afraid that they will soon withdraw from the court and give up their positions to others.

The three members of the cabinet returned to the value room.

Xie Qian was the first to question and said: "Binzhi, something is wrong today. You know that it is not Zhang Bingkuan's own self-government disease for a medical treatment. It is meaningless to mention that to His Majesty, but you seem to be obsessed with it, causing His Majesty's displeasure. Yue, what is this plot?"

"Hehe." Li Dongyang smiled and did not answer.

"Playing charades?" Xie Qian frowned.

Liu Jian said: "You want Zhang Bingkuan to make enemies, right?"

Xie Qian was taken aback.

Zhang Zhou's rise in the imperial court seemed inevitable.

In order to prevent Zhang Zhou from holding the court in his own hands in the future, more people need to guard against Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou's people took over the work of the Imperial Hospital today. Will it be the same in other yamen in the future?There have been cases of Qin Tianjian before... Don't the yamen not be afraid that in the end their errands were all contracted by Zhang Bingkuan alone?
Xie Qian thought of this, and said, "Binzhi, you have long-term concerns."

Li Dongyang raised his hand to stop Xie Qian's flattering words, and said: "I have seen Zhang Bingkuan's ability to cure diseases a long time ago, and I also owe him his kindness."

Xie Qian looked embarrassed.

Thinking of Li Zhaoxian's life because of Zhang Zhou, Xie Qian also seemed to understand that if Li Dongyang insisted on attacking Zhang Zhou's treatment, it would be a bit "revenge".

Li Dongyang said: "Actually, I think that when it comes to treating diseases, the people in the Tai Hospital are too pedantic and follow the rules."

"Hehe." Xie Qian smiled, "You are really confusing."

It means, we thought you were stepping on Zhang Bingkuan, but you were lifting him emotionally?
Li Dongyang sighed: "The rules are like this. In fact, I also want to remind Your Majesty that if Zhang Bingkuan gets too involved in matters outside of his duties, I'm afraid it will attract criticism from others. I do it out of goodwill and don't think about it elsewhere. "

"Okay, it's my villain's heart." Xie Qian went to the inner room in a fit of anger, probably to draft a ticket.

The three members of the cabinet will also have emotions, and Li Dongyang is not surprised.

……

……

Wait for Xie to move away.

Liu Jian called Li Dongyang to the west hall, and after closing the door, Liu Jian asked: "I also feel that His Majesty is a little paranoid about the treatment."

Li Dongyang said: "As far as I know, His Majesty also completely adopted the diagnostic prescriptions of the Imperial Hospital in the first few days, but with little effect, but after using Ning's daughter's method yesterday, the prince's condition improved that day."

Liu Jian frowned and said, "You also heard from the Tai Hospital?"

Li Dongyang nodded and said, "It's from Eunuch Li."

Liu Jian said: "Didn't the people in Taitai Hospital mess themselves up?"

Li Dongyang said: "The Taiyuan Hospital is a special yamen in the imperial court. It has a close relationship with the inner government, and there is little overlap in what we do. I am afraid that your majesty will use Zhang Bingkuan's people in the imperial court. Everywhere."

"Oh." Liu Jian nodded knowingly, "You are still guarding against Zhang Bingkuan."

Having said that, Liu Jian is also very "satisfied" with Li Dongyang.

You, Li Binzhi, can do whatever you want, just don't flatter Zhang Bingkuan's stinky feet. What you said to Xie Yuqiao earlier made me very sad.

But Li Dongyang has a clear mind, how could he fail to see Liu Jian's attitude?

Who knew it was his true words?Or are you prevaricating and perfunctory Liu Jian?

Liu Jian said: "When will Zhang Bingkuan return to Beijing? I asked you to inquire about it earlier. Is there any news?"

Li Dongyang shook his head and said: "The journey is too far to know, but since we are going north with the crown prince, it is estimated that the halfway will not be too ostentatious. His Majesty has clearly stated that he will be in the Ministry of War after returning to Beijing. We will only wait for military affairs. Just be prepared. If you pay too much attention, you may be distracted."

"En." Liu Jian nodded again.

This is equivalent to his "investigation" on Li Dongyang.

Obviously, Li Dongyang's answer satisfied him.

Not only has he maintained his inner defense against Zhang Bingkuan, he also likes to "pretend" in front of others, and he can even hide his "true thoughts" in front of Xie Qian, and he already has the potential to "do great things".

Liu Jian also seemed to understand that, except for Li Dongyang, no one could be his successor.

After all, even Xie Qian seemed "immature" when it came to dealing with Zhang Zhou.

Hostility and harmony are not expressions of maturity, but the kind of inconsistency, which is the potential that Shoufu should have.

"Binzhi, I've been in the cabinet for so many years, these two years are the hardest, but I've made it through, and I may depend on you more in the future." Liu Jian said with feeling.

Li Dongyang nodded helplessly.

Liu Jian succeeded Xu Pu as the first assistant in the 11th year of Hongzhi, and it was during these two years of his career as the first assistant, and also the two years of Zhang Zhou's rise, that Liu Jian really saw the embarrassment of "I was born, why should I give birth to him".

If I'm not the chief assistant, you still don't show up, and once I become the chief assistant, you show up everywhere?
"But it cannot be said that Zhang Bingkuan has no intention of doing things for the court."

Liu Jian said as if explaining the future, "I used to hope that he would go on the right path, but now it seems that even he has no choice. If His Majesty wants to use him, he must let him form a line of his own. For the balance of the situation between the DPRK and China. I thought, in the future, no matter whether it is the cabinet or the people in the DPRK, it is better to be submissive. Excessive paranoia will not have any good results. If you understand the meaning, I can feel more at ease Leave the cabinet to you!"

(End of this chapter)