1

"Your Majesty, Li Banghua and others have a piece here." The emperor was finishing the chapter, and just put down the pen, Wang Chengen cautiously reminded.

"Read, I want to hear what they have to say." Emperor Chongzhen reclined on the dragon chair, slightly closed his dragon eyes, and his face was gloomy.

Wang Chengen unfolded the recital and read:

Eight ministers and other eight people on the Shu Holy Emperor long live long live long live:

The sage system of three steels, the five constants, the respect and humility, the advocacy of relatives, the order of the world, and the stability of the world. However, Cao Yin made a new decree to promote equality, the county order was excessive, the people were not guilty, the officials were at fault, the subordinates imitated it without punishment, the king was at fault, and the ministers were responsible for it and obeyed the law. How can such laws, without superiority or inferiority, without respect or inferiority, without fathers and sons, without kings and ministers, stand in the world? To err is human? Such a bad law, directly teach the people in the world to commit no crime, Li and Zhang thieves are justified in rebellion, and Tang Hai is meritorious in stealing Tang Hai and killing people.

Our criminals, the law is not strict, causing relatives and subordinates to violate the law and harass the people, and all the ministers are guilty, dare to avoid the crime and defend themselves? The monarch's father is humble and still sins against the world, but the monarch and the minister are different, and the respect and humility are shared, and those who are courtiers can ask for forgiveness because of the edict of the monarch's father?

Gai Wen Guqi Guotian Chengzi, as a minister, kidnapped the country, borrowed the people's grain and rice with a big fight, took it back from the small bucket, generous to the country, accepted the name of the individual, and finally showed his ambitions, killed Qi Jiangong, and monopolized the power. Today, Cao printed the law, and there are many people who are happy to be happy, and they must be guarded against through the ages.

Hearing Cao Yin again, he fought with the thief leader Tang Hai Xiangshan Mountain, and the thieves fled far away, so as to become today's disaster. Now they are suspicious, chaotic rituals, confusing the people's hearts, clearly pushing new orders, stealing imperial power, loyal and righteous people must not be surprised, and the holy king must not be unaware.

Heaven and earth are humble, and kings and ministers are determined. The humble and the high have been revealed, and the noble and lowly are in a position. The ministers offended Tianyan and were not afraid of punishment, but begged the monarch to see through the tricks, so as not to make Cao thief destroy my Chinese etiquette and mess with my Ming Dynasty.

The criminals Li Banghua, Qiu Hao, Xu Wei, Mao Yujian, Zhang Shun, Zhu Yuan, Shi Huai, and Qin Cheng presented it.

After Wang Chengen finished reading the recital of Li Banghua and others, the emperor suddenly grabbed the recital and read it carefully over and over again, thinking about it repeatedly, and couldn't help but worry.

Wang Chengen whispered: "Your Majesty, although Li Banghua and others have violated the law and embezzled money, they can be loyal. ”

The emperor asked, "What about Cao Yin?" ”

Wang Chengen said: "Sage Cloud: Fire is born in wood, and fire burns wood. Adultery is born in the country, and adultery is made and the country is destroyed. Fire is hidden in the wood, and the fire begins invisible; There is a traitor in the country, and the traitor begins without an elephant. ”

Emperor Dao: "You mean Cao Yin is the fire in the wood, the traitor in the country?" ”

Wang Chengen said: "The old slave doesn't dare to make a judgment, but ......"

Seeing Wang Chengen hesitating, the emperor scolded: "There is something that is very spitting, just say it." ”

Wang Chengen was still silent, but he seemed to be thinking, as if he had never heard the emperor's words.

The emperor shouted angrily: "Wang Chengen." ”

Wang Chengen was startled, and hurriedly knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, the minister was thinking about the ancestors just now, so that he didn't hear the king's order, and he deserved to die." ”

Emperor Chongzhen was not angry when he heard this, and scolded: "You dog slave, I ask you, what do you think of the ancestor?" ”

Wang Chengen said: "The slave just thought of the ancestor Wang Mang. ”

The emperor was shocked: "Wang Mang? ”

Wang Chengen said: "Yes, the ancestors also promoted new orders for the sake of Zhongxing Han, and the law was enforced, and the people's hearts were attached to ......."

The emperor sat paralyzed on the throne, demented, and muttered to himself for a long time: "No, Cao Yin is not that kind of person. ”

Wang Chengen said: "The ancestor Wang Mang was also thinking about the Jiangshan Society at the beginning, but after the implementation of the new order, the people supported it, and the world returned to the ......heart" Seeing that the emperor was silent, Wang Chengen said: "What justice does Cao Yin pursue in the law, this is very much in line with the appetite of the people, and now what is being talked about inside and outside the capital's 'Cao Gong New Law', as if this law is Cao Yin's, if the new law is implemented, the people are afraid that they will be surnamed Cao." Moreover, the emperor said in his edict: 'Unexpectedly relying on non-human beings has led to rampant captives.' ''All are caused by immorality, sin is bowing, don't dare to forgive yourself.'' This edict is known to everyone in the world. If Cao Yin's new decree is implemented, once the people find out that the official family has violated the law, they can also enjoy the right to violate the law, then, after that, those ministers will have an excuse for making mistakes? The emperor admits that he is wrong, of course the courtiers can also make mistakes? Even Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, Tang Hai, Luo Rucai and other thieves can justify themselves in a grand manner: Corrupt officials and corrupt officials oppress the weak people, why can't we rob the people? ”

The emperor grabbed Wang Chengen's collar and said angrily: "I have high hopes for Cao Yin, why don't you say it earlier?" ”

Wang Chengen cried bitterly: "The old slave has always admired the talent of Lord Cao, and after seeing this movement, he was shocked into a cold sweat after careful consideration. ”

The emperor let go of the old eunuch who had followed him for nearly thirty years and sat down on the dragon chair......

2

During the Dragon Boat Festival, the palace is lit up with lights, and it is full of joy.

Emperor Chongzhen pointed to a large group of mediocre courtiers above the court and scolded him, and after the dispersal of the court, his anger did not subside, and he was half lying in the palace of nourishing his heart and sulking.

Wang Chengen entered the hall and said: "Enlighten the emperor, the queen set up the Dragon Boat Festival in the back garden, and the old slave came to invite the emperor to the banquet. When the emperor saw that Wang Chengen was coming, he ordered: "Wang Chengen, tomorrow you will announce Cao Yin, I will promote him to the secretary of the criminal department, give the Son of Heaven the sword, and preside over the implementation of the law. As for whether he Cao Yin has different ambitions, I can't care so much for the time being. ”

Wang Chengen was shocked, the emperor is going to use Cao Yin again?

Wang Chengen is a clever person, and he hurriedly said: "The old slave obeys the order. Fu said: "Your Majesty, the queen has set up a banquet in the back garden, and invite the emperor to the banquet." Emperor Chongzhen said: "Why is there a banquet in the back garden today? Wang Chengen said: "The emperor works for the country and the people, and he forgot that this is the Dragon Boat Festival?" Emperor Wu said: "Oh, yes, today is the Dragon Boat Festival." ”

The emperor strode out of the palace of nourishing the heart, Wang Chengen followed closely, and the two went to the back garden, Queen Zhou, Yuan Guifei, Tian Guifei, Princess, Concubine Liu, Concubine Fang, and Concubine Shen were all all in Qi, and the prince Zhu Cihong, the prince Zhu Cixuan, Zhu Cijiong, Zhu Cihuan, Zhu Cican, and Princess Kunyi, Princess Changping, and Princess Zhaoren had already sat down. Seeing the emperor arrive, everyone got up to pay respects, and the emperor looked around the table and asked, "Queen, why do you make such a little dish during today's festival?" ”

Empress Zhou said: "Your Majesty, today is the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month of May, and the concubine specially instructed the imperial chef to make these fifty-five dishes to commemorate Dr. Qu. Dr. Qu was loyal and patriotic all his life, admired by future generations, although today's dish is a little simpler, but it can express the emperor's thoughts and talents to the people of the world. ”

Wang Chengen said: "The queen is virtuous and thoughtful, and she deserves to be the mother of the world." ”

The emperor was overjoyed, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, I've been depressed for a day today, and I can finally have a happy Dragon Boat Festival Sixian banquet." ”

"Dragon Boat Festival Sixian Banquet? Good name, good name, the emperor is quick to think, and he comes casually, and the old slave admires it. Wang Chengen did not forget to pat himself at any time and flattered the emperor's words.

Everyone sat down, and Emperor Chongzhen looked at the table full of delicacies and asked, "Empress, what are the names of these fifty-five dishes?" ”

Queen Zhou stood up and said: "Concubine Rong one by one, this is the yellow squirrel and half-winged chicken outside the plug, this is the bamboo shoots and roast goose in Hunan, this is the crispy dough and sheep intestines in Jiangxi, this is the goose paw and artemisia bamboo shoots in Guangxi, this is the sea cucumber and fresh shrimp in Fujian, this is the clam and shrimp dumplings in Guangdong, this is the amniotic membrane and sheep tail in Shaanxi, this is the goat milk and steak in Mongolia, this is the shark and finch eggs in the Ryukyus, this is the whitebait and tilapia in Yunnan, this is the salty rice dumplings and crispy lotus root in Zhejiang, this is the black rice and sorghum in Shanxi, and this is the oil dumplings and pork knuckles in Sichuan. This is Guizhou's potato chips, mustard greens, ......"

After Queen Zhou introduced them one by one, the emperor said happily: "This Dragon Boat Festival Sixian banquet is not an ordinary feast, today I don't appreciate singing and dancing, I can't afford music, I talk about the past and the present with the queen, the concubines, and the prince, how about chanting poems?" ”

Queen Zhou and all the concubines said: "The concubines should have obeyed the order, but they didn't have this talent and didn't dare to receive the order." ”

Emperor Dao: "You might as well do it according to your talents." By the way, Wang Chengen's talent is good, and he must also make a song. ”

Wang Chengen hurriedly shook his head and waved his hand and said: "Ouch, ask the old slave to compose poems in front of the emperor, isn't that to let the old slave get an axe, if it doesn't work." ”

The emperor smiled and said: "If you dare not do it, it is to resist the decree, and I will punish you to go to the border to kill the enemy." ”

Wang Chengen said: "If the old slave has the strength to kill the enemy, he will definitely rush ahead of the three armies and share the emperor's worries." ”

Concubine Tian smiled: "The prince is loyal. ”

At this time, the palace maid had poured wine for everyone, and the emperor said: "I have a rare gathering with all the concubines and princes, come, everyone drinks this cup together." ”

Wang Chengen also raised his glass and said: "I wish the emperor a long life, I wish the queen flowers will stay forever, and I wish the Ming Dynasty will be forever." ”

Everyone applauded in unison and drank together with the jade cup. The palace maid was about to send the dishes to the emperor and the queen, and the emperor said: "You wait to step down, today I will personally serve the queen with vegetables." Then he picked up the chopsticks and took a red shrimp to Queen Zhou, and Queen Zhou also peeled a salty dumpling for the emperor, and everyone looked at the two with a smile. The emperor said: "Today, there is no distinction between dignity and inferiority, everyone is not formal, and they can eat whatever they want." And they were overjoyed, and they began to eat their own vegetables.

Drinking to the head, Emperor Chongzhen was slightly drunk, and mentioned the matter of poetry, Wang Chengen said: "Sixian Sixian, only the emperor in the world is worthy of the word 'Sixian', except for the emperor, who dares to compose poems at this Sixian banquet?" All the people chimed in, "Yes, how dare we and the others trespass." When the emperor saw this, he also felt reasonable, so he said: "Okay, since this is the case, I will compose a poem by myself." ”

Everyone clapped their hands and applauded, the eunuch prepared the pen and ink, the emperor came to the dragon case, suddenly heard the sound of the wind blowing the willows and hula, the emperor pondered for a long time, got inspiration, held the pen in his right hand, rolled up his sleeve with his left hand, worked hard to draw the dragon, and waved it. The prince leaned over to look at it, and the emperor said, "Cihong, read it to everyone." The prince received the order and read aloud:

Ask the wind poem

The mighty long wind always stops, blowing around the world for a few springs.

Back then, Yao Shun was a guest, how could he not send a good word to this gentleman?

Everyone praised and said that it was well written, and the only king Chengen had tears in his eyes, blinking and blinking. Empress Zhou asked, "What's wrong with the princess?" Wang Chengen wiped his tears and replied sadly: "The emperor is better than Yao Shun, and he is better than Tang Wu, but there is no virtuous minister to complement him, and he supports this huge country alone, and the old slave can't help but grieve for the emperor when he sees this "Asking the Wind Poem", woo woo woo ...... "When everyone heard this, they all grieved, and Queen Zhou said: "Don't be sad, it's rare for you to be loyal!" He also comforted Emperor Chongzhen and said: "The emperor doesn't have to worry, since he builds a phoenix platform, he has his own phoenix." ”

The emperor sighed and said: "Yes, Wang Chengen is right, since I ascended to the great treasure, how have I enjoyed a moment of entertainment, but it is these mediocre ministers in the court who sing and dance every day, and mistakenly destroy the country, which is hateful." ”

Wang Chengen collected his tears, hurriedly knelt on the ground, slapped himself a few times, and blamed himself: "The old slave deserves to die, but today the festival said such sad words, which ruined the emperor's celebration, please punish the emperor." ”

Emperor Chongzhen didn't bother to punish this minion, he was in a bald mood, and muttered to himself: "Get up, if you want to be punished, all the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty should be punished." When Wang Chengen heard this, he had to stand up and stand beside him sadly.

Empress Zhou helped the emperor sit down, poured a glass of wine herself, and then persuaded: "When the emperor first ascended the throne, he calmly eliminated traitors, and he was young and graceful, and there were few ancient kings who could compare with him. Now that he is in the prime of life, he will come to Japan for a long time, thinking about King Wen of Zhou, he only met Jiang Ziya at the age of seventy-six, and then look at the Han Gaozu, he only got Han Xin at the age of fifty, the emperor is thirsty for talent, why worry that he will not meet a great sage in the future? ”

After listening to Empress Zhou's persuasion, the emperor's heart was a little calmer, and he asked: "The queen thinks that I can compare with which king in the past?" ”

Empress Zhou thought about it, and didn't know how to answer for a while, Wang Chengen said: "The emperor is only over thirty this year, and in terms of slaves, the emperor can be compared to the two emperors of Han Wu and Guangwu." ”

The emperor shook his head and said: "If you compare it with the emperors of the Han Dynasty, I think I can compare it with Wen and Jing. ”

Wang Chengen said: "The emperor is too humble. ”

The emperor sighed and said: "Emperor Wen has Zhou Yafu, Emperor Jing has mistakes, but I hate that I have no talents to help, although I have the talents of literature and Jing, but I want to end up with the life of Chen and Queen Li, how can I be willing?" ”

Empress Chen died in Sui, Empress Li died in Song, and everyone saw Emperor Chongzhen compare himself to Chen and Li, the two monarchs of the dead country, and they were so frightened that they panicked and didn't know how to answer.

Empress Zhou was worried that the emperor was too sad, so she glanced at Concubine Tian, and Concubine Tian understood, and proposed: "There are a few pomegranate trees over there in the stone pavilion that are blooming just right, and we will enjoy the flowers in a while." Queen Zhou said: "Okay, today's festival is just right to enjoy the flowers." Emperor Chongzhen had no intention of eating, so he said, "Why don't you go now." "Everyone saw that the emperor proposed, so they had to put down their chopsticks and say yes.

When the group came to the stone pavilion, there were a few pomegranate trees in full bloom, and the emperor stood in the pavilion and said: "I remember that these pomegranates were planted by the queen herself. Queen Zhou said: "The emperor has a good memory, when the emperor first ascended to the treasure, the concubine planted this five-baht auspicious pomegranate, symbolizing good fortune." The emperor sighed: "Fifteen years! Then he chanted "Sleepy Dragon Poem" and said:

For fifteen years, I have never visited Lantai.

Just because the mountains and rivers are broken, the trapped dragon and the snake are in the cave.

Empress Zhou, Concubine Tian, Wang Chengen and others looked at each other, and the emperor seemed to recall the meeting when he first entered the palace, when he was the first master, he secretly vowed to be a ruler of the ages, to govern the Ming Dynasty in an orderly manner, to let the people of the world live and work in peace and contentment, to let the four seas come to the court, and to worship from all directions, but now, alas...... Thinking about it, the emperor sang "Sixian Song" in the wind:

Fifteen years of diligentness, miserable and embarrassing.

Thinking about good generals day and night, dreaming of flying bears every night.

The period is also festive, and I look forward to the waning moon.

Build an altar high, where will the fly be?

After chanting, the emperor's face was full of sadness, Queen Zhou's heart was sour, and she couldn't let the tears roll out, and made a smile and said: "It's late tonight, the emperor should go back to the palace to rest early." Everyone persuaded him, and the emperor was also eight or nine points drunk, and was helped out of the back garden by everyone.