Gu Zuo is an absolute alternative in today's Ming officialdom.

First of all, his ancestral home is Taikang, and he has no help from his fellow villagers in the court.

Secondly, his ancestors were officials in the Yuan Dynasty, which belongs to black history in today's era.

Then, he can be literate and martial, strong in martial arts, and is a rough man in the hearts of literati.

In the end, he has a square personality and is known as the Ming Bao Zheng, and he never forms a party for personal gain.

After being hung with the title of Shangshu by Zhu Di, Gu Zuo had the right to enter the inner court to work and discuss matters, but he was alone in a small mezzanine room every time, not to discuss politics and sit in groups with officials. got a nickname "Gu sits alone".

Although Ying Tianfu Yin is a high and powerful official, although he is the parent official of the capital, he actually belongs to the local official, not the Beijing official. It's just that because this position is in the capital, it has been counted into the ranks of Beijing officials.

When he became Ying Tianfu Yin, it was when everyone was not optimistic. But since he took office, he has won praise for his outstanding ability, clean conduct, resolute character, and never favoritism.

Since Yongle ten years, he has served as Ying Tianfu Yin, and he has been sitting in this position for eight years, and no one can find fault with him.

Zhu Di wanted to promote him, but he couldn't find a suitable person to take over this position, so he could only let him continue to work.

Zhu Zhanji actually admires such an official very much, he does not use his friends for profit, but only supports himself, and he is a good official who can do things.

But the current Daming officials who can do things, but do not form gangs, are often not reused.

Like Huang Fu, he served as the secretary of the Ministry of Industry in the first year of Yongle. was framed and left Beijing.

After tossing outside for nearly ten years, he returned to Beijing under the guidance of Zhu Zhanji and served as the secretary of the military department.

Even when he returned to the capital, he was still excluded, and most of his proposals in the court were vetoed. In the court, he was often beaten by other ministers who mentioned him for corruption during the period of the Ministry of Justice.

If it was before, Zhu Di probably would not offend the Manchu Dynasty ministers for him alone, but he has also been influenced by Zhu Zhanji over the years, and he attaches great importance to officials who can do things.

In the past few years, he has insisted that he serve as the transshipment commander of the Western Expedition, responsible for the preparation of the entire Ming Dynasty's Western Expedition.

And Gu Zuo was called Gu Sitting alone, also because he was ostracized by the sexually exaggerated ministers. It's just that his own position is Ying Tianfu Yin, and he is directly responsible to the emperor, even these ministers have nothing to do with him.

For eight years as the Yin of Yingtianfu, Gu Zuo has been living in the official office behind the government and has not purchased property in the capital.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Gu Zuo, with his wife and four children, dressed up and got into the carriage of the official office.

The concubine and the two children born to her could only watch the carriage leave with envy, and with their status, it was impossible to enter the palace.

He was in a carriage with his three sons, and although they were a little nervous, they were more excited. Although they have lived in the capital for so many years, it is the first time they have entered the palace.

Thinking of his wife's soul for several days in a row, he couldn't help but smile.

The eldest son, Gu Cheng, is nineteen this year and has been engaged, but in order to get a lifter, he has not yet married. If you can successfully go to high school this autumn, the Gu family will also be happy.

"Father, why did His Royal Highness the Grand Sun specially entertain his father and let him bring his family into the palace together?"

"Don't guess what His Highness means, we are courtiers, it's enough to do our duty." The son's personality is still a little impetuous, and he has been practicing martial arts with him since he was a child, so he acts a little impulsively. Gu Zuo has high hopes for him, and he always teaches by word and deed on weekdays.

Gu Cheng responded in a low voice, and couldn't help but ask, "Father, if you ...... this year?" Autumn is not smooth...... Can my son go to the assessment of Yulin Health School? ”

Gu Zuo shook his head and said: "There are many powerful people in Yulin Weixue, although you can really learn some skills there, but my father doesn't want you to take the road of joining the army." ”

Thinking that the treatment in the army has improved now, and although the military and government have not been separated, Wenchen no longer has much opportunity to meddle in military affairs. As the military academy that His Royal Highness attaches the most importance to, the soldiers who come out there can at least serve as middle-level generals.

He sighed and said: "Even if you want to join the army, you should be admitted to the juren, or even the jinshi, only in this way will the starting point of the path you choose will be higher." Now that the Ming Dynasty is in peace, this year, Your Majesty will not be able to catch up with you, and there will be fewer and fewer battles in the future, and there will be no place for heroes! ”

"If you join the army, you can go to Nanzhou, go to Xizhou, I want to find a big gold mine, and I will honor my father and mother in the future."

Gu Zuo smiled and touched his head. "Then you have to practice martial arts hard, and you have to learn words well, and Yulin Weixue must also be able to recognize words, otherwise, you won't even be able to use a sextant."

"Hmm!"

The second son, Gu Dan, is fourteen years old this year and is preparing to enter the intermediate class of Yulin Weixue this year. He was not very talented in learning literature, and was influenced by his grandson's voyage to the West, and shouted all day long that he wanted to join the army to go to sea, discover the new world, and discover new gold mines.

For this reason, he was beaten by his mother a lot, and his son was his own heart, how could he stand it and cry out every day to go to sea......

However, Gu Zuo supported his idea, since he has no talent in learning literature, then practice martial arts to serve the country.

Looking at his youngest son Gu Qian, he was still young, and when he saw his father looking at him, he asked weakly, "Daddy, did you have any delicious snacks in the palace?" ”

Gu Zuo couldn't help laughing, nodded and said, "I went to understand the etiquette, I met His Highness, His Highness let you eat, and you will eat again." ”

Gu Qian kowtowed a lot of New Year's money this year, and he was taught some etiquette by his mother in the past few days. I couldn't help but ask: "Is there any New Year's money to kowtow to His Highness?" ”

Gu Dan couldn't help but laugh and scolded: "A little money fan, I fell into the eyes of money." ”

The family talked and laughed, entered the Chengtian Gate, sandwiched the road from the imperial city, and went around to the Donghua Gate.

Their carriage was not allowed to enter the palace, and they got off at the Donghua Gate Urn City. The men were examined by eunuchs. The female dependents were inspected by the palace maids, and not only iron tools could not be carried, but even written letters could not be carried.

The family was a little unaccustomed to it, but at this time, all their attention was attracted by the faint palace.

After the entrainment inspection, he was just about to enter the door, and two more carriages came from behind.

A military general on horseback shouted, "Gu parents, but please stay." ”

Gu Zuo is the parent official of Ying Tianfu, and is generally called Gu's parents by the people. He recognized the person who came as Yuan Yi, the commander of the Dongcheng Soldiers and Horses.

Yuan Yi is Yuan Hong's second son, but unlike his brother Yuan Rong, who likes to cause trouble and has enemies everywhere, he can be described as exquisite in Beijing and has excellent popularity.

The Five Cities of Ying Tianfu were directly under the command of the emperor, although they were nominally equal. However, because the palace is in the east of the city, Zhu Di, the Terracotta Division of the East City, is behind the Ministry of Industry, and is in the same place as the Tai Hospital and the James Mansion, responsible for protecting the safety of all the ministries of the imperial court.

Therefore, although the commander of the Dongcheng Terracotta Division is at the same level as the other four cities, it is actually half a level higher.

The commander of the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division is the same as the commander of Jingwei, the number of people is only 3,000, which is 2,500 fewer than the border army and the first guard, and the rank is only half a level lower than that of the third grade.

Gu Zuo is now hanging the title of Shangshu, and he is a second grade, but he can afford to talk about Gu's parents.

However, Gu Zuo was low-key, and he hugged his fists like him and said: "You and my colleagues, just call me a salute." ”

Yuan Yi jumped off the horse, saluted and said, "Gu's parents are courteous to me, but I can't lose my proportion." ”

However, he couldn't resist Gu Zuo, so he still shouted Gu Zuo's word Liqing at Gu Zuo's insistence.

Later, they introduced each other to their families and greeted each other. Gu Qian only remembered that his mother taught him to kowtow to people, and when he saw the ceremony, he knelt down with a plop, which made everyone else laugh.

Yuan Yi took a look at the appearance of the Gu family, Gu Qian was white and tender, very cute. smiled and said: "Liqing, I see that this kid is lively and smart, but he has a fate with me, why don't we two also form a family?" ”

Yuan Yi is a few years younger than Gu Zuo, and his eldest daughter is about the same age as Gu Qian, and she is also smart and cute.

Gu Zuo glanced at her, and he also agreed a little in his heart, and then thought that the Yuan family was also a first-class noble in the capital, and the relationship was strong, and for a single minister like himself, it was not bad to have such an in-law.

However, he and Yuan Yi used to only have a relationship with Pingshui, and there was no contact except for official business, and there was even a dispute because of the case dispute between Ying Tianfu and Dongcheng Terracotta Division.

couldn't guess why the other party was so close for a while, so he pushed it to his wife. "It's better for their women's family to find a time to talk about this matter, and we two old men ......"

"That's right, it's just that I was excited to see this little guy." Yuan Yi laughed and touched Gu Qian's head. "Cheap you kid."

They also went through the inspection, and only then did a few eunuchs and palace maids ask if they wanted a carriage, they were not old, weak, sick or disabled, and they also knew that the grandson did not like to enjoy it, so they all decided to enter the palace city.

Seeing that Yuan Yi's wife was close to Gu Qian and flattered his wife, Gu Zuo guessed that they were intentionally close.

He has no upper-level relationship in the capital, and it is still unclear why Taisun would give him a post, but presumably this Yuan Yi knows.

Gu Zuo's heart jumped violently, does this mean that His Royal Highness has taken a fancy to my ability and wants to reuse me, so he has attracted Yuan Yi, a noble son, to get close?

He took a deep breath to calm himself down. After so many years of ups and downs, why is a little happy event so impetuous!

"Anzhi, I thought I would come early today, but I never thought that you would come so early."

He originally wanted to be a little tempted, but Yuan Yi said in a low voice: "I won't tell you, I was ready for a long time, but I can't be the first, so let the subordinates keep an eye on you, no matter who comes, they will enter the palace together." ”

didn't expect the other party to confess so much, he didn't know how to answer for a while. Yuan Yi nodded slightly, lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness favors Liqing, you have been sitting in the position of Ying Tianfu Yin for eight years, and you should have been promoted a long time ago." ”

After taking the risk of saying this, Yuan Yi didn't dare to take any more risks and began to introduce them to the situation of the palace.

Gu Zuo often enters the palace, but he directly enters the three major halls from the noon gate, and it is also the Wuying Hall to participate in the banquet, and it is the first time he has come to the East Palace.

As a noble son, Yuan Yi has often entered the palace since he was a child, and he is very clear about some of the layouts in the palace.

Out of the Donghua Gate, I saw a crooked river, south of the river is the scripture library and the eight treasure house. Opposite is the prince's Wenhua Palace, a large building, and Gu Zuo doesn't know that it is the Wenhua Palace.

Leaning on the right hand of the Imperial City is a new house, which is the counselor who has only become famous in recent years. Heading north along the entrance of the Counselor's compound, passing through a clearing, you can see a large continuous complex of palaces.

"There is His Royal Highness's Xingqing Palace, which was originally a palace built by Taizu for himself to put treasures, and now His Highness lives, in addition, even Yongfu Palace is used by His Highness."

He lowered his voice and said, "The regulations of Xingqing Palace, but the three sizes of Wenhua Palace......"

Gu Zuo knew for a long time that the grandson was more favored and valued by the emperor in the palace, but seeing the gap between Xingqing Palace and Wenhua Palace, people could feel it definitely.

Because it snowed again after the year, except for the roads that were cleared, the rest of the palace remained the same, and the snow was still covered on the trees and grass.

"Your Highness likes nature and wild fun, so I specially told you not to clean up the snow that is not in the way, there is no snow everywhere in the city, and the snow here is still so thick."

Gu Zuo asked softly, "Your Majesty doesn't care?" ”

"As long as the palace is not demolished, Your Majesty will be reluctant to take care of His Royal Highness."

came to the door of Xingqing Palace, and with the spread of the word, Zhu Zhanji took the crown princess Sun Xian, Lan Liangdi, and Hu Liangdi to greet them together.

Gu Zuo and Yuan Yi were both startled, and hurriedly took a few quick steps with their families and knelt down first. "The minister didn't dare to greet His Highness, so please stay with His Highness."

Zhu Zhanji laughed and said: "Today, regardless of dignity or inferiority, only celebrate the New Year." Hurry up, please. ”

On the other side, Sun Xian took two Liangdi to help their wives and daughters, and each of them gave a red envelope to several children. A few children got three red envelopes, and they were all very happy.

They welcomed a few female dependents and Gu Qian, who was less than ten years old, to the apse, and Zhu Zhanji took them to the main living room of the west hall.

There were too many confidential documents in the study, and there were not many people, so it was not suitable to sit in the empty hall, so the reception room in the west hall was properly used.

And because it's in the harem, it can't welcome guests a few times a year.

Zhu Zhanji took the lead in sitting on a single sofa, waved his hand, and asked a few people to sit down. But they trembled, sitting on the soft sofa and only sitting on one side of the buttocks, Zhu Zhanji was tired for them.

"It's all casual, let me sit down." Under Zhu Zhanji's gaze, several people sat down a little cramped, leaning their backs on the sofa.

Gu Zuo and his two sons are really cramped, but Yuan Yi is purely pretending. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, he ate more than anyone else in the palace, and he didn't think he had enough wine to drink!

However, he was able to take care of the emotions of the Gu family's father and son in this way, which made Zhu Zhanji a little unexpected.

Seeing that Zhu Zhanji was a little confused, he took the initiative to "confess": "Your Highness doesn't know, I was still talking to Liqing about the marriage of the two families just now, and we will become in-laws in the future." ”

Zhu Zhanji didn't know that the matter had not been discussed yet, and when he heard the words, he said: "This is a good thing, when the time comes, I will drink the wedding wine, and I will also go to join in the fun." ”

As soon as Zhu Zhanji's "Chrysostom and Jade Words" came out, Gu Zuo lost his temper, and this matter became a certainty. He had no choice but to clench his fists and say: "I am grateful to be loved by His Royal Highness." ”

"As long as you work hard, Lonely will reuse you." After Zhu Zhanji finished saying this, he didn't talk about business, and turned his head to ask Gu Cheng. "How are you studying in Guozijian now?"

Gu Cheng hugged his fists and said: "Your Highness, the minister consciously has returned to his studies, but there are many talents in the world, and he is still a little sure of the autumn season, but he is not sure about the spring of next year." ”

Gu Zuo is a second-rank member, and Gu Cheng, as his eldest son, also got the title of Shi Zuolang, a general from the ninth rank of Wensan, and can call himself a minister.

However, the Ming Dynasty's Wensan rank is completely different from the Wusan rank, there is no official position, and it may be this from the nine-rank scatter rank in a lifetime, and it is impossible to rise.

Zhu Zhanji said gently: "Confucian studies only let you understand the principles of the world and lay your foundation. If you want to be a good official, you also need to be like your father, you need to know how to distinguish between right and wrong, do things sincerely, uphold fairness, and be strict with yourself. As long as you are willing to learn and have the courage to do things, you will naturally have a chance to stand out. Therefore, it is not necessary to take a person and a jinshi so seriously. ”

"Your Highness Thank you for your guidance!"

He turned to Gu Dan, who had been a little excited, and said with a smile: "Why are you trembling?" ”

Gu Dan stammered and said, "Xiaomin, I admire Your Highness, and I am happy to see Your Highness." ”

"Your father has already enrolled you in the intermediate class of Yulin Weixue, and after entering the school in the fall, you must remember that in Yulin Weixue, all identities are blank, everyone is a small soldier, and you can't rely on your father and brother to bully others."

"Xiaomin doesn't dare."

Zhu Zhanji said with a smile: "Study hard and be a useful person to the Ming Dynasty in the future." ”

"Yes!" Because I was so excited, this answer was almost like shouting.

Zhu Zhanji smiled: "Is it a pity that I didn't get the red envelope today?" There are also gifts for you here. ”

Hearing his words, Li Liang beckoned, and four eunuchs came out, two of them were holding the four treasures of the study, giving them to the two children, and the other two took out two horizontal knives.

Only then did Zhu Zhanji face Gu Zuo and said: "Since I was twelve years old, I have built a total of 100 Hundred Refining Horizontal Swords, and I haven't given them all out yet. Gu Fu Yin, you are known as the Ming Bao Zheng, is a lonely minister, today give you a hundred refining horizontal knives, I hope that in your hands you can cut the evil spirits, get rid of the villains, and return me to a bright blue sky. ”

Gu Zuo had already guessed that he was valued by his grandson, but he didn't expect that he would make no secret of his admiration for himself.

This kind of direct praise can be exciting for Westerners, but too ostentatious for introverted Easterners.

Gu Zuo was a little embarrassed, but he was even more excited, before entering the palace, he had been guessing why Taisun would meet him, but now, he only had the urge to die for his confidant.

He knelt down on his knees and took the horizontal knife, and said excitedly: "The minister must obey His Highness's orders, bow to the best, and die!" ”

Zhu Zhanji personally helped him up and said, "These few Japanese Lantern Festivals are on duty for the last shift." ”

He was stunned and looked at Zhu Zhanji with some surprise.

Zhu Zhanji nodded and said, "There will be news after the festival to take over Wu Shangshu's position." ”

From Ying Tianfu Yin to the Shangshu of the Criminal Department, although it is only from the third grade to the second grade, it cannot be simply counted as such.

Because this is from a local official directly into the center of the imperial court, as one of the six ministry officials.

Even if Gu Zuo had already hung up the title of Shangshu before, it was just a fictitious title, but now he was holding the national punishment of the Ming Dynasty.

In addition to the Criminal Department, the Ming Dynasty also has the Metropolitan Procuratorate responsible for supervision, and the Dali Temple in charge of trial and review, which is collectively known as the "Three Law Divisions".

Among them, the Criminal Department has the greatest power, because the Criminal Department is not only responsible for investigating cases, but also has the right to act, but also has the right to try, including most of the prisons are also under the management of the Criminal Department.

Zhu Di wants to go on an expedition, and he must control this department in order to legally restrain all the ministers.

If he doesn't control the power organs, he only relies on his status as a prisoner to fight with the ministers, and if the other party grinds foreign workers and does not cooperate, he has no way to deal with the other party.

Moreover, letting Gu Zuo, who was excluded by a number of ministers, serve as the secretary of the Criminal Department, from the overall situation, also directly divided the power of the six departments.

Now the Ministry of Industry is almost under Zhu Zhanji's control, and the Criminal Department is controlled by him again, a Shangshu Fangbin of the Ministry of War is held by Zhu Zhanji, and another Shangshu Huang Fu is regarded as his own person.

In this way, Zhu Zhanji has already controlled three ministries.

Of course, it can't be counted like that. Because the ministers who really sit in the position of Shangshu are all capable and know how to see the wind and steer the rudder.

It is the middle-level officials who are really difficult to control, who are truly rigid in their thinking and full of idealism.

However, mastering the three ministries in the general trend is enough to make Zhu Zhanji feel at ease.

Yuan Yi on the side laughed and said to Gu Zuohe: "Congratulations to Liqing......"

Zhu Zhanji was not so polite to him, and said with a smile: "You picked up a bargain today and mixed a knife with you." ”

Yuan Yi seems to be a gentleman, that is just his cover, otherwise, he would not be able to mix up when his brother offended a large number of people.

He smiled and said, "Your Highness, if the other commanders of the four cities are not rewarded, I will accept this ......."

Zhu Zhanji likes to deal with smart people, and when he heard this, he said: "Grandpa Huang is going on a campaign, and the guards of the capital will all depend on you, but you have to cheer up." ”

Yuan Yi restrained his smile and said solemnly: "Your Highness, rest assured, none of the soldiers and horses in the five cities are idle meals. What's more, we only need to take care of the bulls, ghosts, snakes, and gods on the ground, and His Highness's Yu Linwei and the young army are really useful. ”

At this time, the eunuch's report came in, and the commander of Zhongcheng made Ha Liang, the commander of Nancheng Fei Tong, the commander of Xicheng made Yao Qicheng, and the commander of Beicheng made Han Tong and his family to meet ......"

Although Zhu Zhanji mainly wanted to entrap Gu Zuo today, he would not forget the envelopment of several other commanders.

They are equivalent to the armed police of later generations, and they still play a very big role in stabilizing the entire capital.

They do not belong to the civil ministers, but to the military generals, and Zhu Zhanji has a very high status among the military generals. As long as it takes a little effort, a little favor can bring them away, cuddle the grass and beat the rabbit, and it's a convenient thing.

This time, however, he didn't greet them, but met them directly in the living room.

Yuan Yi relied on his close relationship with Zhu Zhanji, and the gags between him and several other commanders really enlivened a lot of atmosphere.

In fact, his heart was shocked, because he didn't expect that Zhu Zhanji would directly take a criminal department book to envelop Gu Zuo.

He was even more suspicious, Zhu Zhanji is now gathering the power of the capital, where is the earth going to place the prince?

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