Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 143 Disaster to Chiyu

"Tell me, how did you come up with the idea of ​​supplementing this "Illustrated Notes on the Girlfriend"?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, it's not the Queen Mother's birthday. I don't think there is anything new in sending some gold, silver and jewelry. Now that the court is tight on expenses, I want to get something else. It happened that Eunuch Chen sent this book "Girls" to the palace. "Fan Tu Shuo", I thought the book was good, but it did not contain the deeds of women of this dynasty, so I added this part of the content." Concubine Zheng explained.

"Did any courtier or someone encourage you to write this book?" The emperor thought for a moment and then asked.

"Your Majesty, no one is trying to persuade me."

"Think again, tell me the truth, what exactly do you think? The concubines in the harem all have one copy, why are you the only one who suddenly wants to add to it?"

"Your Majesty, this is how it is. I heard that Princess Yongning was continuing to write "The Biography of Women". I heard that Ban Zhao of the Han Dynasty wrote "Nv's Training", and Empress Changsun of the Tang Dynasty wrote "Nvzi". Empress Renxiao, the founder of this dynasty, also wrote I am writing a book called "Internal Training", so I also want to write another one. Since "Illustrated Notes on Girlfriends" is already well written, I just thought of adding some additions to it."

"In other words, you just saw that Princess Yongning also wrote a book and wanted to compare with her? My sister is now a widow, so she just treats writing books as a hobby. Why do you just write books casually? Why did you include yourself in the book and write the preface? Well, you just printed it without consulting me after writing it. What will the ministers think when they see this book? Have you passed?"

"What will the minister think? I don't know. Isn't this just a book?" Concubine Zheng still looked confused.

"My dear concubine, the ministers will think that you are plotting to seize the position of queen and want to create public opinion to promote Xun'er as the crown prince. Today, Zhao Zhigao, the cabinet minister, did not go through the normal writing process and went directly to the palace to report this book Where is this book printed? How many were printed? Who is responsible for engraving and printing the book? Dear concubine, please tell me quickly. I hope it is not too late." The emperor said seriously.

"I'm not coveting the throne. I'm just writing books. My brother helped me with the engraving and printing of books. The books should have been sold three months ago."

"Please stop talking about these 'most' words, Mr. Li. Zhang is just a bit more knowledgeable. When it comes to erudition, there are countless officials in the DPRK who are more knowledgeable than me. Mr. Li, I am I really admire you missionaries. If the scholars of our dynasty had the spirit of traveling across mountains and rivers like you, the thoughts of the Confucian sages would have spread all over the world. I heard what you said just now, do you want to meet the sage? ? What kind of demands do you want to make when you want to meet with the Holy Father? In fact, it stands to reason that you are coming on behalf of the Holy Cross, so you are considered an envoy. Then you should go through the Ministry of Rites. No matter how you come, you can reach me. Here it comes." Zhang Xiao asked.

"Your Majesty, is there really nothing we can do about Xun'er's matter? You are the emperor. No matter what the ministers say, they are just ministers. How can Your Majesty still be controlled by his ministers?"

"At that time, His Majesty was busy with military and national affairs. I thought printing a book was just a small matter, so I didn't have to tell you in time. Later, I forgot to tell you."

At Zhang Xiao's house, Zhang Xiao and Matteo Ricci were still talking about the past and present.

"Zhang Shidu, we missionaries have made an oath to the Lord and cannot lie. Although I am a Jesuit priest, I am not the special envoy sent by the Pope to Daming. I have been in Daming for more than ten years. For Daming My understanding is still not deep enough. At the beginning, I was still wearing a Taoist robe, thinking that the officials of the Ming Dynasty would respect Taoist priests more. Later I learned that the most respected people in the Ming Dynasty were Confucian scholars who were familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics, so in the past few years I have Put on this Confucian robe."

"Zhang Shidu, you are the most enlightened and knowledgeable person I have ever met among the officials of the Ming Dynasty. After talking with you in the past few days, I admire you more and more, Zhang Shidu. I still hope that you can increase your understanding of Zhang Shidu. The understanding of the Lord, even though you still cannot believe in the existence of the Lord. May the Lord bless you," said Matteo Ricci.

"Concubine..." Concubine Zheng opened her mouth to defend herself.

"Kneel down, who taught you to say this."

In this way, the emperor, who had come to Yikun Palace with a heavy heart, felt even heavier when he left.

"Thank you for your kindness. Don't say it next time." Zhang Xiao declined directly.

"I will pay attention to these things. Thank you Zhang Shidu for the reminder."

"I'm just too spoiled to you. Don't worry about this matter. I'll handle it myself. Don't say anything, and let the Zheng family say nothing. I will protect the prosperity of your mother and son. On."

"Mr. Li, your knowledge is actually quite good, and although you are not the Pope's envoy, you were sent to our Ming Dynasty by the Pope. You are a guest from afar, and it is not impossible for you to see His Majesty, but You have to show something, such as knowledge of astronomy and geography, some knowledge of Western countries, or rare and exotic objects. Your Majesty still values ​​talented people."

"No one taught me, I am just not convinced. This is His Majesty's family matter, why should these ministers make irresponsible remarks." Concubine Zheng knelt down in grievance.

"Also, a reminder, don't ask everyone you see in the Ming Dynasty if they want to preach. Although the Central Plains is eclectic towards foreign cultures, if you form a private missionary association, this is definitely a taboo, and you will be treated as monsters. Dao directly suppressed it.”

"Hey, this is not a small matter, this is a big deal. Next time, forget it, there will be no next time. You are not allowed to mess around in the future. Stay in the palace peacefully and do your best to be a female celebrity. never mind."

"Kneel down."

"Lee understands. Lee doesn't preach casually now. He still talks about astronomy, geography, and calendar making. I just think Mr. Zhang, you understand our European culture better, and I think you should fall into the arms of the Lord earlier."

"Your Majesty, you made an agreement with my concubine before about Xun'er..."

"My beloved concubine, if I just give Xun'er enough glory and wealth, except for that position, I can give him everything else, how about that?" The emperor was silent for a long time before replying.

"Why didn't you tell me about such an important matter?"

"Thank you Zhang Shidu for your understanding. Please also ask Zhang Shidu to say some kind words in front of the emperor. Li doesn't ask for much. He just wants to settle here in Ming Dynasty. It would be better if he can build a church."

"It shouldn't be a big problem to settle down. I'm afraid it won't be that easy in the church. You still have to show your skills. If you have enough skills, the people of Ming Dynasty and even the officials will be interested in you. Also, the astronomical calendar is It is an important matter for the imperial court. Although you have some attainments in astronomy, you should not discuss it casually. As for why you cannot discuss it casually, just read the official history or Dong Zhongshu's book."

"Thank you Zhang Shidu for the reminder."

Ricci thanked him and left.

Just when Zhang Xiaogang wanted to take a rest, Lu Zhang hurried in.

"My boss, the father-in-law from the palace is here. Please go out to greet him now."

"Oh? I'll get up now." Zhang Xiao hurriedly tidied up his appearance and hurried out the door.

"This father-in-law is a bit unfamiliar, what should I call him?" Zhang Xiao saw the eunuch waiting in front of the door and asked quickly.

"Zhang Shidu, you don't have to worry about our family name. Your Majesty has summoned you for something urgent, so hurry up and get in the car." The father-in-law who was waiting in front of the door pointed at the carriage.

"So anxious?" Zhang Xiao was also a little surprised, but still got on the carriage.

After entering the palace, there seemed to be faint sounds of heated arguments in the royal study. Zhang Xiao was wondering when he saw Chen Ju waving to him.

"Eunuch Chen, what's going on? Why did you summon me here in such a hurry?" Zhang Xiao said in a low voice.

"Hey, it's hard to say. Zhang Shidu is coming with me, and I'll tell you." Chen Ju also said in a low voice.

Chen Ju took Zhang Xiao to a nearby side room and handed a book to Zhang Xiao.

As soon as Zhang Xiao saw the title "Pictures of a Girlfriend", he flipped through the book again and read the following chapters, and then he understood what had happened. Wasn't this the trigger for the vigorous, anticlimactic, and inexplicable demon book case that happened in the Wanli Dynasty? Well, the demon book case is a big part of the national dispute. "This..." Zhang Xiao didn't know how to speak. The key was why he was asked to do such a thing, and what identity he had to participate in the battle for the heir.

"Zhang Shidu, actually this matter has something to do with you."

"Eunuch Chen, don't talk nonsense about this kind of thing, and don't dare to make jokes. I have no personal relationship with the harem and the princes. It is His Majesty's order to give lessons to the two princes."

"Zhang Shidu, this is not the relationship you are talking about. Forget it, Zhang Shidu, let me tell you clearly, do you often reply to letters from a female reader?"

"Yeah...wait a minute, Eunuch Chen, how do you know this? I just replied to the letter normally, and I didn't molest a decent woman."

"How do I know? This matter is not important. Zhang Shidu, do you know who this female reader is?"

"I do not know."

"Zhang Shidu, do you really not know?"

"really do not know."

Chen Ju approached Zhang Xiao and said a name.

"Ah? Eunuch Chen, don't scare me." Zhang Xiao was startled.

"Zhang Shidu, can I talk nonsense about this kind of thing? It seems that you really don't know, Zhang Shidu. You have already written the letter to Princess Yongning. How can we not read the letter inside."

Zhang Xiao was speechless.

"Eunuch Chen, speaking of Ming law, what is the crime of writing to the princess?" Zhang Xiao asked helplessly.

"Is this something that the Ming Law can control? It should be controlled by the Huangming's ancestral precepts. Later, I will carefully check the Huangming's ancestral precepts and tell you again." Chen Ju thought for a moment and replied.

"Then what should I do now that His Majesty wants to summon me?" Zhang Xiao asked quickly.

"How do I know? You should quickly think of a solution yourself. Chen is in trouble himself. It doesn't hurt to tell you. I bought this "Illustrated Story of Girlfriends" into the palace, and I won't be able to get rid of it. What do you think? Well done, Your Majesty will be happy, so maybe he won't care about your sin of secretly transporting the princess,"

"Okay, thank you Eunuch Chen for your advice." At this point, Zhang Xiao could only summon up the courage to face the saint. If he wanted to run away, it was too late at this point.

I don't know how long it took before Zhang Xiao was summoned into the imperial study.

Entering the Imperial Study Room, Zhang Xiao felt that the atmosphere inside was particularly solemn.

"Zhang Xiao, do you know your guilt?" The emperor's voice sounded neither salty nor cold.

"I wrote letters randomly and caused trouble. I am aware of my guilt."

"Chen Ju has told you everything. How about it? Let's talk about it."

"What do you want to say?" Zhang Xiao asked bravely.

"Of course, tell me how you wrote the letter, and also tell me what you think about the supplemented version of "The Girl Model Illustrated Story". Today I allow you to speak freely and say whatever you want. If what you say does not satisfy me, I will give it to you." And punish the sin.”

"Do you have any other crimes?" Zhang Xiao broke into a cold sweat.

"You made a private promise in North Korea to send students to the capital to take the imperial examination. You also accepted bribes in North Korea. Do you think I don't know about these things? It's just because you made great contributions to the Korean war and you don't want to care about it."

"It has become a common practice for North Korean students to participate in the imperial examinations of the Ming Dynasty. What's more, North Korean students who pass the imperial examinations also return to their country to serve as officials, and will not crowd out the quota of our students. At that time, I saw that the Korean people were unstable, so I came up with this expedient measure. As for bribery, this is It has become a routine. If I don’t get some, I’m afraid the emperor and ministers of North Korea will be even more worried. When I returned to Beijing, I handed over all my belongings, but I didn’t dare to spend a penny.”

"Really? North Korea also gave you two maids as a gift. Why didn't you withdraw?"

"The sin of the humble minister deserves to be punished by your majesty." Zhang Xiao sighed silently in his heart and had no choice but to give in.

"Okay, you can keep those two maids for yourself. Let's talk about it. You have written so many letters to my sister, and you don't even know who she is and you are chatting there. I think you are too idle. What if there is a Japanese spy here, a Jianzhou spy, a Mongolian spy, not even a North Korean spy. You should take care of those two Korean maids. If any information leaks out in the future, I will come to you first."

"Wei Chen is guilty."

"Tell me what to do with this book."

"Your Majesty, please make an early decision."

"Huh? I'm asking you about the book." The emperor was very unhappy.

"Your Majesty, the book written by Concubine Zheng, to put it bluntly, can be either big or small. If Your Majesty wants to downplay this matter, some people will not let Your Majesty get what he wants. If Your Majesty doesn't care, then It is damaging to the Holy Majesty. If you take care of it, it will easily implicate innocent people and make the impact of this matter even worse. Therefore, if Your Majesty does not make a decision, these storms will not stop for a moment in the future."

"Zhang Xiao, you are really brave. Based on what you said, I can now accuse you of being arrogant."

"Your Majesty asked me to state my thoughts truthfully. I will never dare to deceive you."

"Okay, let me ask another question, how will this matter end?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty. The above plan is to make arrangements for the country. In this way, disputes will resolve themselves. The middle plan means that this book is written by an idiot and is directly banned. In this way, everyone will not dare to talk nonsense, but the disadvantage is gossip. I still can't control it, and there is a high possibility that all kinds of weird claims will come out. The plan is for Your Majesty to admit that he asked Concubine Zheng to write this book. This will cause an uproar in the world, and maybe someone will take advantage of it again. The book made a big fuss and even directly impeached Concubine Zheng."

The emperor remained silent.

The imperial study was quiet for a long time. The emperor stood up and touched the globe beside him.

"Zhang Xiao, you are currently holding many positions and it is easy for you to make mistakes while busy. I think you should take a rest first. There will be a new official position for you later. You should go back first." The emperor said.

(End of this chapter)