After hearing this, Zhang Weixian smiled, reached out and put down the teacup in his hand, and said with a smile: "Expected thing." ”

"Father, do you think there is a conspiracy in this matter?" Zhang Zhiji looked at Zhang Weixian and asked with a slight hesitation.

Listening to his son's words, Zhang Weixian suddenly became interested, and he asked with a smile: "Okay, then tell me your opinion." ”

After getting older, Zhang Weixian was willing to train his son.

After listening to his father's words, Zhang Zhiji nodded and said, "The whole thing makes people feel a little weird, is Cheng Guogong really so stupid?" And I always feel that there is a problem in this matter, do you say that His Majesty forced him? ”

"It doesn't seem to be any good for him to do this, although His Majesty gave him a reward and made him the governor of the capital camp, but now everyone knows that these things are false, can he offend all the nobles and relatives for this benefit?"

Glancing at his son, Zhang Weixian nodded, and said with emotion: "It's good that you can think of this, but this idea is not allowed to be repeated in the future, and all thoughts must rot in my stomach." ”

"From today onwards, you can only remember that this matter was done by Cheng Guogong, that is, he did it voluntarily, and there was no persecution. He is such a person who asks for rewards for merit and for the sake of His Majesty's favor. ”

"Father rest assured, the child understands." Zhang Zhiji hurriedly said.

Then his face showed a tangled look, and he said with some helplessness in his tone: "What should we do?" In the past two days, there have been a lot of worship posts in the house, and all of them have come to the door. Our family is the first of the nobles, if we don't come out, I'm afraid that no one will dare to come forward. But if our family comes out, I'm afraid we will offend Your Majesty. ”

"What do you think of Your Majesty today?" Zhang Weixian looked at his son and asked.

"Killing decisively is not something to be served." Zhang Zhiji said slowly: "Judging from what His Majesty has done since he ascended the throne, he should not care about the old ministers, let alone the grace of the country. It can be seen from the matter of the old Fu Wang that His Majesty is not soft-hearted. ”

Zhang Weixian nodded, sighed softly, stood up and said, "Don't talk about Your Majesty today." After so many years, are there still few nobles and relatives deposed by the Ming Dynasty? ”

"In my opinion, His Majesty is going to be the ancestor and the ancestor today. No matter what the outside evaluation of Taizu and Chengzu is, the nobles and relatives have their own set of evaluation standards. ”

"First of all, it's about Emperor Taizu, and Emperor Taizu is rewarded. As for the nobles and relatives who were killed by Emperor Taizu, just look at what they did. But at the same time, it also shows one thing, that is, Emperor Taizu kills people without blinking, and he is definitely a ruthless and black-hearted person. ”

"As for Emperor Chengzu, he is also a master of great talent. The people who fought with him back then also ended well. But in fact, the nobles and relatives of Chengzu had already learned to be obedient, and they didn't dare to be as arrogant as those during the period of Emperor Taizu, otherwise they would also be cleaned up. ”

Zhang Zhiji instantly understood, his father said that His Majesty should learn from Taizu and Chengzu today, rather than simply learning one, then it can only mean one thing, His Majesty can be as ruthless and ruthless as Taizu, and at the same time, he can also give his courtiers a good death like Emperor Chengzu.

Seeing the enlightened expression on his son's face, Zhang Weixian said with a smile: "It's best if you can understand." ”

"From the time Your Majesty succeeded to the throne to the present, has Your Majesty ever treated any of those who have done things for Your Majesty? Those who went against His Majesty, where are the people now? ”

"What the nobles and relatives rely on is the royal favor. Without royal favor, what are we left with? ”

"If we have military power, Your Majesty may take care of some more. But more than 200 years after the Ming Dynasty, what do we have left? ”

"By the time of the Jiajing Dynasty, we had almost lost it. At that time, it was Qi Jiguang who was fighting, and all the people who could fight were recruiters, and the people under us were already unreliable. If it weren't for the royal family still having us in their hearts, we would have been gone a long time ago. Isn't the main reason why our British government has been able to maintain its current position because we are doing the right thing at the right time? ”

"Yes, that's what my father taught." Zhang Zhiji hurriedly said.

"Look at the civil servants. Which of those civil officials in the court is good to get along with? None of them are aggressive, don't they know the truth of cold lips and teeth? If we all paid our taxes, would they be able to run?

"But they still support Zhuang Tian to pay taxes, do you know why? The reason is very simple, whether it is in the cabinet or in the six departments of the court, all of them are His Majesty's people. Even if someone wants to oppose it, they will be eliminated immediately. ”

"Although Your Majesty now lives in the West Garden all day long, everything in this court is a matter of Your Majesty's words. Where are the people who shouted a few days ago? It's all gone! ”

"And Father means we do the same?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly.

"Okay, there is one thing I want to tell you, you have to remember: our family is the British Duke, the first of the Ming Dynasty, it seems that there is no promotion and no reward, but if you want to keep our position, it is the most difficult thing. If we don't come out this time. Do you believe it or not, your dad, I'm going to be taken down soon? ”

"At that time, our family just had an empty name. Besides, this time it's not a big deal, it's just some farm tax, how much can you pay? Every year is nothing more than spending a little less, which is not a big deal. ”

"You have to remember that when it comes to the critical moment, in order to save the family, you can give up your life." After saying this, Zhang Weixian reached out and patted his son's shoulder and said, "Get ready, I want to enter the palace." ”

"Father, are you going to see Your Majesty about the Zhuangtian tax?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly.

"This kind of thing should be sooner rather than later, because the nobles you are worried about can understand it, and what you can't understand is Li Lingzhi's faintness, and I'm afraid there won't be much left after this time."

"Since you have to admit it sooner or later, it's better to take credit for it early. Maybe this time, your father and I can get you a reward back. ”

After saying this, Zhang Weixian patted his son on the shoulder, turned around and walked outside.

Seeing his father leave, Zhang Zhiji stood in place pondering his words.

In the West Garden.

The weather here today is not bad, Zhu Youxiao did not hide in the house, but took Concubine Yuan to wander outside.

After a few days of getting along, Concubine Yuan's attitude towards Zhu Youxiao has also changed a lot. Although there is still fear, it is more intimate.

The two of them were walking outside, basking in the sun, and the atmosphere was harmonious and harmonious.

At this time, Chen Hong walked over from outside, came to Zhu Youxiao and said, "Emperor, the British Duke asks to see you." ”

"It's early." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

Reaching out and patting Concubine Yuan's hand, Zhu Youxiao said, "You go back first." I'll go to you when I'm done with all this. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Concubine Yuan said in a soft tone: "But Your Majesty, don't stay outside for too long, although the weather is good today, but after all, it's winter, and it's not good if you suffer from the cold." ”

"Don't worry, concubine, I'll be done soon." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

After Concubine Yuan left, Zhu You said to Chen Hong: "Let's go!" Go meet our English duke. ”

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao walked to the front first.

With the arrival of the British public Zhang Weixian, Zhu Youxiao was probably able to guess the purpose.

The reason is very simple, that is, because of the Zhuang Tian tax. As for whether Zhang Weixian is against or in favor of this matter, there is no need to think about it at all, he must be in favor; If it's against it, he won't come.

An old minister like the British public, who has experienced several generations of emperors and several major cases, has a number in his heart, and it is impossible to represent the opposition at all, and he will not do that kind of stupid thing. So now that he's here, he can only agree to it.

When he saw the British duke, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand directly and said with a smile: "Okay, no need to kneel." It's cold, and you have old arms and legs, so it's not good to hurt again. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Weixian hurriedly said.

After Zhang Weixian stood up, Zhu You said to Chen Hong: "Move a chair for the British public." ”

"Yes, Emperor." Chen Hong hurriedly moved a chair and sent it to the British duke.

Zhang Weixian hurriedly said: "There is Father-in-law Lao." ”

After saying this, Zhang Weixian sat down gently, with a very indifferent expression on his face.

He said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the minister entered the palace today because he wanted to tell His Majesty something. ”

"Really? Let's talk about it. Zhu Youxiao also said with a smile, with expectation in his eyes.

"The minister recently heard a news outside: Chengguo Gong wants the imperial court to levy a tax on Zhuangtian, and the minister heard that His Majesty is unwilling, so he came to the palace today to talk to His Majesty." Zhang Weixian said.

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's face sank. said directly: "This matter must not be taken seriously, it is just a drunken drama of Cheng Guogong!" ”

"I have given him a reward, a reward for his devotion to the kingdom and his kingship. This farmland tax exemption is a rule set by the ancestors, how can it be changed if it is said? ”

"It's good that I understand your patriotism in my heart, how can I really implement it?"

Seeing that Zhu Youxiao's face became serious, Zhang Weixian's expression also became serious, and he said directly: "Your Majesty's words, the minister does not agree. Our nobles and relatives can be said to have received the grace of the Ming Dynasty, and they have been glorious and rich all these years. The minister said a heart-wrenching word, only if the Ming Dynasty gets better and better, the ministers will get better and better. ”

"Now that the imperial court is insufficient, those of us who are courtiers should naturally express something. If you send money directly to the palace, it is inappropriate and will damage your majesty's reputation. But we haven't paid the taxes on this farm for more than 200 years, and to put it bluntly, it's enough. Even if the ancestors have great credit, it is really enough to get to this point. ”

"What's more, it's just Zhuangtian paying taxes, who of these nobles and nobles in the court lacks this bit of rice and grain? If anyone lacks rice and grain, let them come to the minister. ”

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao still shook his head and said in a firm tone: "This is not good. Since ancient times, the monarch did not compete with the people for profit, how can I compete with the nobles and relatives? ”

"Your Majesty, this is not a competition for profit, but a gathering of people's hearts. At present, most of the nobles and military nobles in the DPRK are degenerate, and many of the younger generations are not successful, and they are also walking on the stage all day long, and there are not many who can ride horses to contribute to the country on the battlefield. ”

"Many people know it in their hearts, but everyone still has the heart to serve the country. Chengguogong's proposal is good, although we can't go on horses to fight, but we are still loyal to the country, but in a different way, this is the heart of the courtiers. If Your Majesty refuses to do this, I'm afraid it will cool the hearts of the courtiers! ”

"The gathering of people's hearts and the rise and fall of the country have been said since ancient times. The minister is a big old man and doesn't understand these truths, but he also knows that this person's heart is changed for people's hearts, and four taels are exchanged for half a catty. The courtiers have the intention of serving the country loyally, and Your Majesty can't help it! ”

After saying this, Zhang Weixian stood up, knelt directly on the ground and said: "Your Majesty, this is for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, please think deeply about it!" ”

Zhu Youxiao, who was sitting on the dragon chair, looked at Zhang Weixian who was kneeling on the ground, and felt quite emotional in his heart.

Old fritters are old fritters!

Look at this attitude, look at this style, and listen to this rhetoric.

Ginger is still old and spicy, and it won't work if you're not convinced.

Standing up from the dragon chair, Zhu Youxiao hurriedly walked down the steps, came straight to Zhang Weixian, stretched out his hand to help him up, and said, "Aiqing, what are you doing?" Hurry up, hurry up! ”

After helping Zhang Weixian up, Zhu Youxiao turned his head to Chen Hong and said: "The British Duke is old, so if you enter the palace in the future, you will take the car, and you don't have to pay a big salute when you see me." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. The slave and maid wrote it down. Chen Hong hurriedly agreed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Weixian's face suddenly showed excitement, and his tone was quite ashamed and thanked him.

Zhu Youxiao frowned, looked at Zhang Weixian as if hesitantly and said: "What Aiqing said makes sense, but after all, this matter is very important, I have to think about it carefully, and then listen to what others have to say." Aiqing will step back first. ”

The words that should be said have been said, and the loyalty that should be expressed has also been expressed, Zhang Weixian naturally knows that he should go.

So he bowed down and said respectfully, "The minister has retired." ”

At the same time, Zhang Weixian also understood Zhu Youxiao's subtext, and was ready to go back and pull some people to come out in favor.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, looked at the back of Zhang Weixian leaving, thought for a while and said, "It's almost time, you go and tell Wei Zhongxian that the Metropolitan Procuratorate can move." Don't make it too big yet, just let the wind go. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. The slave and maid immediately went to deliver the message. Chen Hong was excited, hurriedly agreed, bowed and retreated, and then ran out of the West Garden with fast steps.