Chapter 598. Omen (II).

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Sow discord and fabricate rumors. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

Obviously, these words of Liu Xiu, the eunuch of the imperial study, were all from the instructions of the seventh prince, Zhu Hejian.

As for the rumors mentioned by Liu Xiu, they are naturally also false, and they are all made up by Zhu Hejian, the seventh prince.

It's not a particularly clever trick, it's just a very common divisive trick. For thousands of years, this method has been used countless times, regardless of ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign, rich and poor, and it is not new at all.

However, although it is a very common method, it is still a very useful strategy as long as you find the right direction to sow discord.

The reason why many discordant schemes fail is nothing more than that the direction of provocation is wrong, or they do not find what the other party really cares about, or these provocative words simply do not stand up to scrutiny.

For example, this time, if this rumor says that the crown prince Zhu and Yu formed a party to seek power and frame the ministers, then even if Emperor Deqing believes it, he will not really care, but will feel that the crown prince Zhu and Yu have finally grown a little, and may even be deeply gratified; If this rumor says that the crown prince Zhu Heyu has bad intentions and covets the throne, then Emperor Deqing will not believe it at all, because this is completely inconsistent with the temperament of the crown prince Zhu Heyu.

However, the rumors mentioned by Liu Xiu did say that the crown prince Zhu Heyu planned to compile the history of the Ming Dynasty, and also "objectively" evaluated the merits and demerits of Emperor Deqing, so that Emperor Deqing finally ended up with a "faint" evaluation, which directly touched Emperor Deqing's reverse scales!

The evaluation of historical books and the reputation of later generations have always been something that Emperor Deqing is very concerned about - if it weren't for the fact that Emperor Deqing didn't want to get the reputation of a slaughtering minister, so he directly used the power of the factory guard or the army, then even Zhou Shangjing had no power to fight Emperor Deqing at all - so Liu Xiu's words directly touched the sensitive nerves of Emperor Deqing.

However, after thinking about it, Emperor Deqing had to admit that although the rumors mentioned by Liu Xiu did not know whether they were true or false, judging by the temperament of the crown prince Zhu and Yu, this kind of thing is indeed very likely to happen!

In addition, the timing of this rumor is also just right, just when Emperor Deqing's patience with the crown prince Zhu Heyu has reached the limit, just one foot away, Emperor Deqing will completely give up the crown prince Zhu Heyu!

So, it was just a simple divisive scheme, a rumor that I don't know whether it was true or not, but it did succeed.

After listening to the rumors, Emperor Deqing had already made up his mind - whether it was for his reputation in future generations or for the stable inheritance of the Ming Dynasty, the crown prince Zhu Heyu was indeed not a qualified heir to the throne!

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Of course, Emperor Deqing is the most proficient in the emperor's mental arts, and the scheming of the city government is also extremely deep, so although he made up his mind, he did not show any emotions.

He just stared coldly at the eunuch Zhang Xiu in front of him, and said slowly in a cold voice: "Talking about the prince in vain, stirring up right and wrong, and spreading false rumors...... Liu Xiu, do you know how big a crime this is? ”

At this time, Liu Xiu was already covered in cold sweat, and after hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, he was even more frightened.

So, Liu Xiu kowtowed again and again, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the slave knows that he is guilty of death, but the slave really can't bear to damage Your Majesty's reputation in future generations, so he risked his life to say it, and I implore Your Majesty that you must know the loyalty of the slave!" ”

Emperor Deqing's eyes narrowed, and suddenly his tone was a little softer, and he said softly: "Of course, you are guilty of capital crimes...... However, if you confess to me who secretly instructed you to say these words to me, then I will also open up and avoid your capital sin for the sake of your years of service to me! ”

Emperor Deqing's temperament has always been cautious and suspicious, although this rumor eventually affected Emperor Deqing's decision, he still maintained enough calm and keenness, and subconsciously noticed something strange, suspecting that someone was using rumors to frame the crown prince Zhu and Yu.

Although Emperor Deqing already thought that the crown prince Zhu Heyu was not a qualified successor to the throne, and decided to completely give up the crown prince Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing also did not intend to spare the main messenger behind the scenes of framing the crown prince Zhu Heyu by such a shady means!

On the other side, Liu Xiu hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty is aware of what the slaves are doing, no one is secretly directing it, but I just don't want Your Majesty's holy name to leave a stain in the history books of future generations!" The loyalty of the slave can be learned from heaven and earth! This rumor was heard by the slave from Feng Desheng, the eunuch of the East Factory...... Feng Desheng can testify to this for the minions! ”

"Feng Desheng? East Factory? Hearing Liu Xiu's defense, Emperor Deqing seemed to be completely unconvinced, and sneered: "Since Dongchang has received quite a lot of information, why didn't it report it to me, but concealed it and just let you know the news?" ”

Liu Xiu hurriedly explained again: "Because this matter involves His Royal Highness the Prince, and it is a rumor that I don't know whether it is true or false, it is very sensitive, and before Dongchang can find out the details, he naturally does not dare to report it to His Majesty, after all, Dongchang is also worried that Your Majesty will blame Dongchang for provoking the relationship between Your Majesty and the Prince...... The slave had some friendship with Feng Desheng of Dongchang, and after Feng Desheng received the information, he was a little hesitant, and knew that the slave had been serving by His Majesty's side, and he knew His Majesty's mind better, so he asked the slave for ideas, and the slave only learned about this rumor because of this......"

As he spoke, Liu Xiu kowtowed to the ground again, and his forehead was soon bruised, but Liu Xiu didn't feel pain at all, just sobbed: "What the slave said, everything is true!" Your Majesty, you must be aware of it! ”

Liu Xiu's explanation can be said to be reasonable and well-founded, without any flaws, and after Emperor Deqing heard it, the suspicion in his heart also decreased slightly.

However, Emperor Deqing was too suspicious, so naturally he would not let Liu Xiu go like this.

Therefore, after listening to the explanation, Emperor Deqing just asked in a cold voice: "So, you really don't plan to confess the mastermind behind the scenes?" ”

Liu Xiu cried again and argued: "Your Majesty, the slave really has no mastermind behind the scenes......

However, this time, before Liu Xiu finished speaking, Emperor Deqing had already waved his hand and said, "I gave you a chance, but you are unwilling to seize it!" In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless! Come on, drag Liu Xiu out and kill him with a cane! ”

As Emperor Deqing's words fell, I saw two eunuchs hurriedly walking to Liu Xiu's side, dragging Liu Xiu away from Emperor Deqing, and planning to drag Liu Xiu out with a cane.

During this period, Emperor Deqing had been staring at Liu Xiu coldly, and Liu Xiu was naturally frightened and cried loudly.

"Your Majesty, the minions are completely out of loyalty!"

"Your Majesty, the minions are all for Your Majesty's reputation in the future!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! The minions are wronged......"

Liu Xiu's cries continued, but Emperor Deqing's complexion did not change from beginning to end.

It wasn't until the two eunuchs were about to drag Liu Xiu out of the imperial study, and Liu Xiu still didn't confess to his mastermind behind the scenes, that most of the doubts in Emperor Deqing's heart were finally dispelled.

"Liu Xiu is not a person who is not afraid of death, and he did not confess the person behind the scenes when he died, I am afraid that this matter is not that someone framed the prince, at least this matter has nothing to do with Liu Xiu......"

Thinking of this, Emperor Deqing suddenly raised his hand and said, "Wait! ”

As Emperor Deqing's words fell, the two eunuchs also stopped dragging Liu Xiu.

And Liu Xiu came to the imperial case of Emperor Deqing with a roll, and kowtowed again and again, constantly crying out about his injustice and loyalty.

Emperor Deqing looked at Liu Xiu deeply, and said slowly: "That's it, for the sake of your loyalty, I will spare you for the time being!" But if you chew on the root of your tongue in the future, it won't be so easy! ”

Hearing that Emperor Deqing had finally forgiven him, Liu Xiu was naturally overjoyed, and said again and again: "Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness, you will definitely abide by your duties in the future, and never dare to talk nonsense again!" ”

Emperor Deqing's face became more and more serious: "Also, what happened in the imperial study today, don't let anyone know, if the slightest news spreads, everyone in the imperial study will be killed today!" You are the eunuch of the imperial study, and how to seal your mouth is up to you. ”

Emperor Deqing certainly made up his mind at this time and decided to abandon the crown prince Zhu Heyu to find a new heir to the throne.

However, the abolition of the prince is by no means a trivial matter, especially the crown prince Zhu Heyu is not obviously immoral, and the reputation in Qingliu and Shilin is very good, if Emperor Deqing suddenly deposes the prince Zhu Heyu, it will inevitably cause great backlash and controversy.

Therefore, this matter still needs to be considered in the long run, and must not act recklessly!

Because of this, the things in the imperial study room today must be kept secret, otherwise it will easily lead to some conjectures.

Before Emperor Deqing officially deposed the crown prince Zhu Heyu, Zhu Heyu was still the prince, and Emperor Deqing still had to support the crown prince Zhu Heyu to a certain extent, so no one could see any clues!

On the other side, although Liu Xiu was still shocked, after hearing Emperor Deqing's instructions, he still didn't dare to slack off, and promised repeatedly.

Finally, when Liu Xiu's mood stabilized a little, Emperor Deqing said again: "You clean up, as the eunuch in charge of the imperial study, it represents my face, but now it is full of tears and snot, what kind of system is it?" After you clean up, go and find Feng Desheng from Dongchang to see me, I have something to ask him. ”

After hearing the order, Liu Xiu thanked the emperor again, and then left the imperial study to summon Feng Desheng, the eunuch of Dongchang.

And Emperor Deqing stayed in the imperial study with a contemplative look on his face.

*

After some changes, calm returned to the Imperial Study.

But the calm did not last long, and a eunuch cautiously pushed open the door of the imperial study, walked quickly to the imperial case of Emperor Deqing, and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo, asks to see you." ”

Emperor Deqing was interrupted from thinking, and an unhappy look flashed between his eyebrows, and he said, "Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo? What is he here for? …… Let him in. ”

At this time, Emperor Deqing originally did not plan to see Chen You, the Duke of Jing, but considering that the eldest daughter of Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo, was married to Zhu Hejian, the seventh prince, and it was also his own in-laws, and because the seventh prince Zhu Hejian's physical condition was not good, he had not completed the marriage for a long time, so it could be regarded as a royal debt to the Chen family of Jing Guogong, and Chen Zhirong, the youngest daughter of Chen You, Jing Guogong, may also be Zhao Junchen's wife, so after a little hesitation, Emperor Deqing decided to summon Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo.

Soon, Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo, had already come to the imperial study, and after saluting Emperor Deqing, he presented his own note to Emperor Deqing.

Emperor Deqing unfolded his music and looked at it, his face showed surprise, and then his eyes looked at Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo, and asked, "Do you want to ask me to canonize the throne and fief for the Seventh Prince, and let him leave the capital?" ”

Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo, looked serious and replied: "Your Majesty, according to the rules of our dynasty, except for the prince and the prince, all the princes must be crowned princes and given fiefs when they reach adulthood, so that they can stay away from the capital, and they cannot easily return to Beijing without being summoned by the imperial court!" And the Seventh Prince has been an adult for many years, but his physical condition is not good, and he can't stand the fatigue of the carriage and horses, so he has been dragging it, but recently, under the diagnosis and treatment of the divine doctor Zhang Decheng, the Seventh Prince's physical condition has greatly improved, and there is no reason to continue to stay in the capital, so the minister implores His Majesty to canonize the throne for the Seven Princes and let him go to the fief town to station! ”

After a pause, Chen You said again: "In addition, the little girl Chen Jiarong and the Seventh Prince have been engaged for many years, but the Seventh Prince's health has not been very good, so this marriage has been delayed, and the minister's request also contains a little selfishness, I feel that after the Seventh Prince was canonized by His Majesty, the minister's daughter can marry more beautifully, and I hope Your Majesty will be clear!" ”

After hearing Jing Guogong's explanation, Emperor Deqing's face softened slightly, and he nodded: "Jing Guogong's request is not unreasonable, but it's just ...... The Seven Princes ......"

As he spoke, Emperor Deqing looked thoughtful, and his fingers lightly tapped on the table of the imperial case.

The Ming Dynasty's reserve system has always strictly adhered to the principle of the eldest son, that is, the so-called "there is a grandson, no grandson is long", and although the empress of the Deqing Emperor once gave birth to a prince, but died very early, and now the crown prince Zhu Heyu and the seventh prince Zhu Hejian were born to the imperial concubine.

Therefore, among the princes of Emperor Deqing, Zhu Heyu and Zhu Hejian have the most noble backgrounds, and in addition to Zhu Heyu, it is also the oldest of the seven princes, Zhu Hejian.

In this way, if Emperor Deqing finally deposes the crown prince Zhu Heyu, then the seventh prince Zhu Hejian will be the expected successor!

In addition, Zhu Hejian's personality on the surface has always been humble and filial, but occasionally you can see that he is soft and strong, shrewd and intelligent, and has always been quite liked by Emperor Deqing.

Thinking of this, Emperor Deqing asked: "I have also heard that the physical condition of the Seventh Prince has improved greatly in recent days, and it seems that the physical condition of the Seventh Prince is even better than I imagined, is his body no longer afraid of fatigue?" ”

Chen You hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, that Zhang Decheng's medical skills are worthy of being a Buddha born with incense in ten thousand families, far surpassing those imperial doctors in the palace, the Seventh Prince under his careful recuperation, but in just two months, he has almost completely recovered, and now he is like an ordinary person, and he no longer has the sick and weak appearance of the past, not to mention the ordinary carriage and horse, even if it is horseback archery." ”

Emperor Deqing smiled: "I'm used to seeing Lao Qi's illness, and I really can't imagine what he will look like when he rides a horse and shoots arrows!" However, Lao Qi's health has only improved recently, and I don't want him to leave the capital too soon, if his condition recurs, and there is no Zhang Decheng by his side to treat him at any time, maybe it will be a big trouble...... That's it, your performance is in the middle for the time being, but it's better for the seventh to stay in the capital for the time being and continue to observe for a while. ”

Hearing Emperor Deqing's decision, Chen You's face was full of disappointment, and he lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty is still thoughtful, and the ministers obey the order." ”

However, when he lowered his head, Chen You's eyes flashed with ecstasy.

He knew very well what it meant for Emperor Deqing to let the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian stay in the capital!

It is not far from the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian officially walking to the front desk!

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PS: Well, it's still a two-in-one chapter! Also, thank you for your encouragement and keep up the good work!

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