Since Zhu Yuanzhang captured Nanjing in the sixteenth year of Zhizheng (1356), Nanjing has always been the political center of the Ming Dynasty, coupled with the superior geographical location, the life of the people of Nanjing has also become better and better. After entering the Jianwen Dynasty, although the rebellion of King Yan caused some trouble to the imperial court, it was pacified by the imperial court in only half a year; In the days that followed, although the imperial court launched a large-scale campaign to open up the northeast, pacify Korea, and sneak attack on Helin, the scale of the war was not large, among which the Xu Huizu who attacked Helin suffered the largest casualties, but it was only more than 8,000 people, while the casualties in Korea and Northeast China were only four or five thousand, which can be described as brilliant.

Although a large number of people have also been mobilized, many of them are buried in a foreign land, but these have nothing to do with the people of Beijing, what they hear and see is the most glorious side of the Ming Dynasty, the first two days Mongolian, Jurchen, and Japanese captives entered Beijing and caused a sensation in the whole city, and everyone praised the emperor's eloquence and strategy, and felt extremely happy to survive under the rule of this ancient saint. In addition, after the emperor returned to Beijing, he immediately relaxed the restrictions on entering and leaving the city, so that everyone quickly entered the trend of buying New Year's goods for the New Year, the market in the city was full of people, the flow of people on the street was shoulder to shoulder, the merchants counted the money to the hand cramps, and the guests were smiling, and although the people spent money, but the mood was very happy, thanks to the development of business in the past two years, everyone had some surplus money in their hands, and the price of goods also dropped a lot, so everyone happily prepared for the New Year.

By the afternoon of the Chinese New Year's Eve, the flow of people on the streets began to gradually decrease, and every household in the streets and alleys was busy pasting Spring Festival couplets, making dumplings, and even some families set off firecrackers in advance, and the whole city was filled with a lively and peaceful scene.

However, the feeling of the common people was completely different, but the officials of the Beijing Division were immersed in a panic, the rebellion continued to ferment, and various gossip began to circulate. Although everyone does not know the details, in the Liuhe area of Jiangpu County, Wu Kou and Cao Guogong Li Jinglong conspired to sneak attack the imperial camp is a sure fact, the emperor is thunderous and angry, so even in the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, the personnel of the Three Law Division and the Third Intelligence Department still do not go home from work, but keep interrogating and arresting people.

Despite this, many officials are still paying attention to the news of the Wei State Mansion, because there has been a lot of gossip about the Xu family recently, which is dizzying. The first thing that circulated is that Xu Miaojin and the emperor are in love, and the news that they will enter the palace soon, this news does not know how many people sigh, among which there are many princes and nobles who have a crush on Xu Miaojin's elegance, but more people are envious of the good fortune of the Xu family, there are not many concubines in the emperor today, there are only a few concubines in the palace, and there are only queens and concubines above the concubine position, and most of the rest are concubines, according to the status of the Xu family, Xu Miaojin can't run away from a concubine; But the day before the emperor entered Beijing, things suddenly changed, Xu Zengshou died in the hands of the security department, which made the wind in the capital change suddenly, and some people were even more gloating, thinking that this was the precursor of the emperor's eradication of the Xu family, and after the emperor arrived in Beijing, he immediately ordered Xu Huizu to return to Beijing. As for Xu Yihua's death later, it confirmed other rumors, and this woman also participated in the rebellion, so the Xu family must be finished. At this moment, I don't know how many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief, including those who hoped that the Xu family would fall, and those who were secretly glad that the woman died too timely.

It's just that to everyone's surprise, Xu Huizu did not hesitate at all after receiving the order, immediately returned to Beijing, and after arriving in Beijing, he was quickly summoned to Xiaoling, and the next day, that is, on the afternoon of the thirtieth day of the Chinese New Year's Eve, returned to the mansion safely. But even so, everyone still believes that the affairs of the Xu family are not over......

The Mansion of the Duke of Wei.

Different from the festive celebrations of previous years, this year's couplets and blessing characters in the Wei Mansion are blue, because someone in the mansion has just passed away. And the oppressive atmosphere in the house also made the subordinates cautious, not daring to speak loudly, for fear of attracting the reprimand and scolding of the master. Because Xu Huizu's wife Chen, who was in charge of family affairs, was also a little restless, she was a little absent-minded when assigning people to work, and her eyes turned to the direction of Xu Huizu's study from time to time......

There are now four people in the study, and the one sitting on the main seat is Xu Huizu, compared to yesterday, his brows are no longer wrinkled, but he can't say how happy he is, and there is an inexplicable sadness between his eyebrows; Sitting on Xu Huizu's left was the second brother Xu Yingxu, Xu Yingxu's expression was a little frightened, and he couldn't stop staring at the eldest brother's face; There were two women sitting opposite Xu Yingxu, both dressed in filial piety clothes, the first woman's eyes were red and swollen, and her expression was a little trance, it was Xu Zengshou's wife Liu, and the next one was Xu Miaojin, both of them stared at Xu Huizu with some puzzlement.

"Big brother, what's going on?" Seeing that Xu Huizu seemed to be a little wandering, Xu Yingxu couldn't help it a little and asked.

Xu Huizu settled down, first owed to the Liu family, and said in a deep voice: "Brother and sister, the emperor has made a conclusion on the matter of increasing longevity, he is responsible for the emperor's order to deal with the rebel party, unfortunately he was killed by the traitor Zhang Kai, the emperor has ordered the deputy director of the security department Ji Gang to be executed, and the director Hu Hu has been removed from his post for investigation. ”

"In addition, the emperor will posthumously crown Zengshou as Marquis of Helin, entitle you as Mrs. Marquis of Helin, and Jingchang as the hereditary earl, and the will will will be issued soon."

As he spoke, Xu Huizu stared at Liu's face tightly.

Liu's face was blank, after hearing the news of the execution of Ji Gang, her eyes moved slightly, and after hearing the news of the knighthood, her expression was a little shocked, but she hesitated for a while before she sobbed: "Big brother, the matter of the knighthood is good, but, but if he doesn't die, how good would it be?" Now that he's gone, leaving us orphans and widows, how can we live? ”

As he spoke, Liu couldn't help but cry again.

After hearing the news of the knighthood, Xu Yingxu's eyes lit up, he subconsciously pursed his lips, clenched his fist gently, and when he saw Liu crying, he hurriedly said: "Brother and sister, don't be too sad, Zengshou finally left the title, Jingchang will be old in a few years, and he can come out to do things, and by then, everything will be fine; Besides, with me and my eldest brother, there's nothing to worry about! ”

"Yes, sister-in-law, this result is already quite good!"

"Okay? But," Liu hesitated, looked at Xu Huizu's face, and said, "I heard that the real culprit is that Wang Du, our family has no grievances with him, why should he make such a dead hand?" Since the emperor has said that increasing longevity is wronged, how should Wang Du deal with it? ”

"Who did you listen to about Wang Du?" Xu Huizu's color changed suddenly.

Liu Shi looked up at Xu Huizu and said, "Big brother, don't care where I heard it, I just want to ask, is this news true?" ”

"Nonsense! Nothing to do! ”

"Okay, I got it." Seeing Xu Huizu's anger, Liu was also a little scared, so he had to bow his head and say nothing.

Xu Huizu suddenly found that the Liu family was a trouble, this woman has always been a person who does not suffer losses, and at this point, his son is not satisfied with having a hereditary title, and he still wants to continue to pursue it, does he have to let the Xu family destroy the door to be willing! So he said sharply: "Brother and sister, this is the end of the matter of increasing longevity, any rumors are not credible, this is to bring trouble to the Xu family, do you understand?" ”

"Well, I see!" Liu lowered his head and said in a low voice.

"Alright, you go out first!"

"Okay!"

Liu stood up a little stunned, secretly looked at Xu Yingxu and Xu Miaojin's expressions, and saw that they didn't say anything, so they had to turn around and go out.

After the Liu family went out, Xu Huizu turned his head to look at Xu Miaojin, smiled, and said: "Miaojin, my brother has good news for you, the emperor said that he will take you into the palace in three months, and Concubine Chen!" ”

"Ahh Xu Miaojin was stunned for a moment, then her face turned red, and she quickly lowered her head.

"Great, Miaojin, this is a great joy!" Xu Yingxu heard this and said happily.

"Well, Miaojin, you go down, prepare well recently, I don't estimate that there will be a will come down in the first month!"

"But, the eldest sister and the fourth brother have just passed away, is that okay?"

Xu Huizu sighed slightly, and said in a low voice: "That's why the emperor said that he only entered the palace in March!" ”

Xu Miaojin immediately understood, this is the so-called Yiyue year, she nodded slightly, got up and saluted: "Big brother, second brother, Miaojin is tired and wants to retire!" ”

"Well, okay!"

While speaking, Xu Huizu inadvertently stood up and gave him away, and Xu Yingxu also reacted and got up to send him off.

Xu Miaojin noticed the movements of the two, but did not say anything, but turned to leave. When he pushed the door open, Xu Miaojin felt a trace of sadness in his heart, the eldest brother and the second brother would make this kind of action, all because they were going to be crowned concubines, and all of this was because of the high imperial power. Two people have just died in the family, and the eldest sister may be considered to deserve it, but the death of the fourth brother is a little unclear, but the eldest brother and the second brother do not have much sadness, and the main thing they show is fear, fear of the disaster that is within reach.

"Big brother, doesn't Your Majesty know about the eldest sister?"

"How is that possible? If you don't want people to know, unless you don't do it, not to mention that so many people have been arrested! ”

"Ahh Xu Yingxu was shocked: "Then Your Majesty will also increase your longevity and seal the marquis, and Na Miaojin will enter the palace?" ”

"Yes, when I saw the confession last night, the eldest brother thought that the Xu family was in a catastrophe! But I didn't expect Your Majesty to be so magnanimous, it's really a great imperial grace! As he spoke, Xu Huizu arched his hand in the direction of the palace.

"Yes, the crisis of the Xu family has finally been lifted!"

"Well," Xu Huizu was silent for a while, and said: "But you still can't take it lightly, Your Majesty is merciful, so the Xu family can survive, but Your Majesty also warned me that if there is a next time, there will be no such good things!" ”

"Now that the White Lotus Sect in Shandong is rebellious, the King of Qi is nowhere to be found, the emperor has ordered the eldest brother to lead the army to quell the rebellion, and the army is busy with the transfer of affairs, I don't have much time to stay at home in the past two days, you have to pay more attention to the situation at home, and you can't make any mistakes. What Liu said just now, you go to investigate and see what's going on? Wang Du's matter is too sensitive to be mentioned again, if His Majesty thinks that our Xu family is unwilling, it will be troublesome, do you understand? ”

"Well, big brother, I understand, I'll take care of it!"

"Also," Xu Huizu pursed his lips, it seemed a little difficult to speak, and finally said: "You have to put more snacks on Liu's side, I don't want to be another big sister, in addition, Jingchang must also educate well, and must not have a grudge, once there are any signs, you must report it to me and deal with it as soon as possible, otherwise it will be a disaster sooner or later!" ”

"Well, big brother, I see!" Xu Yingxu's face also changed, and he solemnly agreed.

"Our Xu family can't stand the storm anymore!"

……

Although Changfu's words shocked Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunwen did not fully listen. As the emperor who has been on the throne for six years, he already has his own opinions, will not be easily swayed by others, and is more sensitive to the power in his hands, so he is very angry at what Wang Du did, and at the same time very afraid, Wang Du is not just killing Xu Zengshou on his own initiative, his deeper idea is to force Zhu Yunwen to destroy the Xu family, so that the military generals and nobles will inevitably be hit hard, so Zhu Yunwen has to rely on the civil servants to suppress the military generals, so that the focus of the Ming Dynasty has shifted to the court struggle that the civil officials particularly like; In addition, it can also achieve the purpose of preventing Xu Miaojin from entering the palace. That's why Zhu Yunwen categorically decided to put him to death, he absolutely can't tolerate such a thing, even if Wang Du is very important to him, he can't do it!

Because of the lesson of the last softness, Zhu Yunwen ordered the three law divisions and the three intelligence divisions to follow the vine and vow to exhaust the traitorous party; In addition, he has another purpose, that is, to clean up the court and promote the next reform......

Therefore, the New Year of the seventh year of Jianwen is destined to be a bloody year, because some people must die!