The level of science and technology in the Ming Dynasty could not explain the astronomical phenomenon of comets. Astronomical institutions such as Qin Tianjian and Yin Yang Sheng, in terms of research direction, still do not deviate from the five virtues and the category of heaven and man induction. In fact, there is nothing to criticize about this, and it is the widespread existence of this kind of thinking that can ensure the stability of imperial power.

Although the emperor nominally owns the entire country's armament, not all emperors have the ability to lead troops into battle, and no matter how centralized the power is, the military power can only be handed over to the military attachés below to manage. In this way, a problem is formed, the emperor seems to be powerful, but the troops directly under his hands are actually not as many as the generals of the foreign domain. Especially in the military layout of the Ming Dynasty, the most powerful troops were in the hands of the military attachés of the nine sides. And the living conditions of these people are undoubtedly inferior to those of the officials in the hinterland, let alone the emperor.

If it is one-sided propaganda that whoever is strong is the emperor, then the warriors and the people will follow suit, although there is no peace in the country, and as far as the emperor is concerned, he is even more self-defeating. It is based on the statement that the imperial court needs to use the unity of heaven and man, add a mysterious cloak to its identity, and rely on the ethereal but convincing power of heaven and earth to increase the legal system for its own status.

But there are pros and cons to everything, and this occultism became an arm of the emperor's rule, and at the same time, it also put a shackle on the emperor. Earthquakes, floods, droughts, and even the most normal comet phenomena were seen as warnings from heaven to the emperor's displeasure, or the displeasure of a minister, to show off his might to the emperor and demand that he do what he wants. Heaven will not forgive the emperor until the emperor makes corrections, otherwise it will keep bringing disasters down.

Comets, a natural phenomenon, were regarded by the ancients as some kind of forewarning from heaven because of the long interval between the two events. And because of the time and shape of its appearance, etc., an ignorant comet is defined as a demon star. Whenever a demon star appears, it means that there are traitors in the court, or there are traitorous concubines in the court who destroy the government. No matter how reluctant the emperor is, he must behead or behead this person or imprison him in the cold palace, otherwise he will be working against God, and there will be no ministers and no people in his heart, and the hundred officials will not agree.

This time, the comet came at a bad time, and the Son of Heaven was just about to take Zhang Juzheng for love, and there was a demon star. Thinking about it, I also know that someone will lead this matter to Zhang Juzheng. Fan Jin also gave up his plan to continue to enjoy the beauty at this time, and got up in his clothes and said, "Cailian, you leave later, I have something to tell you." I'll write a piece of music and hand it to the palace early tomorrow morning, and you'll have to help me ......."

"The slave family gave Fan Lang everything, so he will naturally help you, just say it."

Li Cailian listened to Fan Jin's words, kept nodding, and said with some worry: "The slave family knows that Fan Lang knows everything, but this matter is not trivial. If you really make a mistake, will you be damned? ”

Fan Jin smiled and hugged Yuren Xiang's shoulder, kissed her on the cheek and said, "If you say that God will curse, I have already done what should be punished by God." Now that His Majesty's aunt and aunt have been stolen by me, what could be more reprehensible? Don't you think I'm still standing here now? You don't have to think about it so much, it makes sense no matter how this kind of thing is solved, it just depends on who the emperor believes, and you won't be wrong if you say that. ”

He looked out the window again, "Now it depends on whether Feng Bao and the Empress Dowager can appease the emperor, I'm afraid that Banzai will retreat first, and that matter will be more tricky." ”

At this time, in the palace forbidden, Wanli had also been awakened, listening to the little eunuch report on the appearance of a demon star, and scolded a few words to drive people out, and when he was the only one left in the palace, he came to the window in three or two steps and looked out of the window.

The little fat man's face grew pale, and his fingers clenched into fists, but this strength was clearly not due to anger or encouragement, but to a stress response to fear: he was afraid.

Wanli is not a person who is not afraid of ghosts and gods, no matter how much he emphasizes the help of the Holy Son of Heaven, deep down he is still full of fear and awe of all kinds of unknown forces. Longqing worships Buddha and makes offerings to monks. After Zhang Juzheng took charge, he expelled these monks from the court. Wanli imitated his grandfather and believed in Taoism, but with Zhang Juzheng, it was obvious that there were not a few Taoist priests in the palace to worship. He now regrets and complains a little about his father, if he allows a few Taoist priests to be by his side, he can let them escort him at this time, and he doesn't have to let himself be so frightened.

At this moment, Feng Bao's voice came from outside the hall gate, "Your Majesty...... Are you woken up again? ”

Wanli turned his head in a hurry, and when he saw Feng Bao's face, he hurriedly greeted: "Big friend, come quickly!" Look at this demon star......"

"Your Majesty doesn't have to worry, there are slaves and maids, no matter what kind of demons and evil things you have, you don't have to be afraid." Feng Bao walked to the emperor's side as he spoke, as if taking care of the emperor's childhood, hugging Wanli and comforting him. Wanli whispered: "Big companion, do you say it will be...... Am I wrong? Shouldn't I let Mr. Zhang take away his love? ”

"Why did Your Majesty say this? The demon star violated the ban, and the reason was not clear for a while, how could he conclude that it was His Majesty's fault? When the day comes, invite a few wise men with profound practices to account for one or two, and know why. According to the slave maid, this omen should definitely not be on Zhang Ge Lao. Besides, His Majesty's third decree to seize love has been issued, and there is no easier reason, at this time, Zhang Xiang is most likely on the way back, and there is no reason to change it. ”

Although Feng Bao said categorically and resolutely, he was also faintly suspicious in his heart: This omen can't really be on Taiyue, right? No matter how good the relationship between the two is, they can't offend God for him, that's really not a crime.

Empress Dowager Li also stayed awake in the middle of the night because of the demon star. She knew very well that those ministers who supported Ding Wei must be greatly encouraged when they saw this demon star, and the situation that had been arranged with great difficulty here was afraid that it would be disrupted again, and the situation would become passive. As soon as I thought of this, I couldn't help but think of the name Fan Jin. If it weren't for her cousin talking about it, she wouldn't have known that Fan Jin actually had this kind of means, relying on the affairs of the Qianguo Mansion to manipulate the Qing Dynasty, which greatly reduced the attention of the following to Zhang Juzheng's matter.

The topics discussed in private by those palace people in the palace have also changed from Zhang Juzheng to Mu Chaobi or sister-in-law, which made Empress Dowager Li cry and laugh, but also had a new understanding of Fan Jin's talent. originally thought that this person was good at writing scripts, and he was good at drawing, but through the introduction of his cousin, he knew that this person was also so good at doing things.

agreed to Fan Jin to accompany him in the palace, of course, the main purpose was not to really think that Fan Jin could supervise the emperor's homework to make any improvement. I just hope that after my son becomes in power, he can have a more capable and caring subordinate by his side, and Fan Jin is obviously the best candidate. But it is far from urgent, no matter how capable Fan Jin is, it will be twenty years before he wants to take the lead. At present, if this comet incident really causes Zhang Juzheng to be unable to return to the court to take charge of the center, who can support the center, and how to solve the problem of the Qianguo Mansion?

All kinds of problems occurred at the same time, which made Empress Dowager Li's headache split, and when the sun rose, Empress Dowager Li looked in the mirror and found that her face was much haggard. She shook her head and whispered, "It's still good luck for Rensheng, he doesn't care about anything, and only those who wait for him to live a long time." ”

Before breakfast, a eunuch came to report to Li Cailian to ask for a meeting. The two sisters have a close relationship, and the Empress Dowager Li just needs someone to relieve her knots, and Li Cailian is also a cultivator anyway, so she came at the right time, so she hurriedly summoned and ordered Li Cailian to prepare chopsticks and eat together.

Li Cailian did not shirk, and said to the Queen Mother after sitting down: "The Queen Mother must have known about the demon star attacking the moon last night. ”

"Yes, I'm worried about this, you are practicing in Baoming Temple, what do you say?"

"Last night, the concubines chanted scriptures all night, praying for the blessings and prayers of the Ming Dynasty, and begging the heavens to give the Ming blessings and avoid disasters. At dawn, I only felt a trance, as if I heard someone talking in the ear of the concubine. ”

Empress Dowager Li was born in a poor family, she was convinced of the theory of ghosts and gods, and she was also a devout believer, so she completely believed Li Cailian's statement, and hurriedly said: "This is the decree of heaven!" The mourning family has long said that the imperial sister is a wise person, and it is really good. What does this divine decree say? ”

"Whether it's the decree or not, the concubines don't dare to say nonsense. I just listened to the voice that the rebellious ministers in the court, who rebelled against humanity and killed their brothers and imprisoned their mothers, will not be eliminated for a day, and the disaster of the Ming Dynasty will be difficult to eliminate one day. Just such a sentence, after listening to the concubine, she opened her eyes, and her body was sweating. After this is not bathing, I came to see the Queen Mother? ”

After Li Cailian said this, she carefully observed the Queen Mother's reaction. Strictly speaking, this kind of thing is also a crime of deception, and it will be very troublesome if it is investigated. Even with her relationship with the Queen Mother, she did not dare to take the Empress Dowager Li seriously unscrupulously. It leaves a lot of room for saying this, if it really has a seizure, it can be said that it is a sleepless night and a dream in the early morning, and it can be pulled back anyway.

Empress Dowager Li did not show anger on her face, but a hint of sudden realization, and soon showed a smile again, as if a great problem in her heart had finally been explained clearly. Nodding his head:

"yes...... Sure enough, it was a warning from heaven, but this warning was not shown to the Beijing officials, but to the emperor. Such a rebellious thing, who has been on the throne for many years, has even given birth to evil obstacles, and if he does not do it, there will be no reason. Sister Huang, you're here! If it weren't for your guidance, I'm afraid the mourning family's brain would have been bad. If you are fooled by people who do not know the truth and make wrong claims, this sinful karma of the Ming Dynasty will never be diminished. After a period of time, the mourning family will donate a sum of silver to rebuild the Bodhisattva Dharma body in Baoming Temple to thank God for his kindness. ”

Li Cailian saw that her cousin was in the middle of the plan, and she put down a stone in her heart, restored to her authoritative status in the professional field, and said with a smile: "The Queen Mother has such a pious heart, and the Bodhisattva sees it in her eyes." The concubines have always been able to get warnings, and they must have felt the sincerity of the Queen Mother, and they just relayed it through the mouth of the concubine. ”

Empress Dowager Li was in a relaxed mood, and her mood was also high, and she talked to Li Cailian for a while, and suddenly found something and asked, "Sister Huang didn't sleep all night last night?" ”

"yes. I didn't sleep all night. ”

"But from the point of view of the mourning family, Sister Huang, your complexion is getting better day by day. When I entered the palace two years ago, although it was well maintained, my spirit was always a little sluggish. Now I see that you are radiant, as if you were ...... It's like we're back to when we were younger. I wonder what kind of panacea or what good tonic you used? Speak and listen to the mourners. ”

Empress Dowager Li has a noble status, so she couldn't say anything, so she swallowed back the words like a bride and changed it to a girl. Women have a love for beauty, especially in the concept of the Ming Dynasty, a thirty-year-old woman has entered middle age. The court is full of young women, and in such an environment, Empress Dowager Li doesn't say that she actually cares more about her appearance in her heart. Seeing that he was haggard like this without sleeping all night, and then looked at the radiant appearance of the imperial sister, who looked a few years younger than himself, his heart was a little budding.

Holding on to the youth and letting time stay on you for a while is almost the common feature of all women, and it is not surprising. But Li Cailian's face flushed slightly when she heard this, she had always had the demeanor of a fairy, but she showed a little rare twist. After a while, he said:

"Yes...... It's not a tonic anymore, it's just a ...... Something that can't be on the countertop. ”

"Sister Huang said this, we are from a small family, how can we have those problems of big families, when we are poor, we can eat anything, and we can't get on the table. Say what it is, and bring it to the mourning family next time you enter the palace. ”

"It's not...... Things outside the palace...... It's not easy to bring. Li Cailian thought about it for a long time, but she couldn't find the right wording, she couldn't say that she could enjoy this thing, but you couldn't enjoy it. Empress Dowager Li said suddenly:

"I understand, what kind of earthwork herb is it, and the palace is not allowed to use it. Speaking of which, we are beautiful, who knows the bitterness in the palace, even stuttering and drinking medicinal herbs, you can't use them as much as you want, and you have to abide by the rules, but it is better for you to be free and easy, sister. In a few years, the mourning family will be old, and at that time, the imperial sister is still so beautiful, and the mourning family will envy you. ”

"Queen Mother, you are not old, as for this recipe, I will pay attention to it. He has a chance to ...... Again. Li Cailian used a strategy to stabilize the queen mother's mood first, thinking in her heart, that medicinal herb will enter the palace to accompany your son in a few days, and you will see it clearly when the time comes. In order to divert the topic, I had to talk about something else. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager Li was deaf and blind in the palace, and she relied on the imperial sister to find out the news, so the two of them had nothing to say.

Just when the two were talking lively, Feng Bao's henchman Zhang Dashou came in and reported: "Cisheng, Feng Sili asked the slave to send a letter to Cisheng." Someone in the foreign dynasty took advantage of the matter of the demon star to impeach Mr. Jiangling, and the words were extremely vicious, so please send a decree to the saint. ”

"Bai Jian should ask Your Majesty to see it first, what did Your Majesty say?"

"Your Majesty said that things are not easy to do, because there is a very tricky person in this recital." Zhang Dashou muttered quietly.

Li Cailian said on the side: "Cisheng, according to the concubines, in order to prevent external discussions, it is better to quickly announce the warning of the gods and Buddhas to calm the hearts of the ministers." Otherwise, I don't know how many people want to gossip. ”

Empress Dowager Li nodded, and asked Zhang Dashou again: "Tricky?" Which minister has written this chapter that has made His Majesty feel embarrassed? ”

"The new Shang Bao Si Shaoqing, Gu Shi Gu Shou ......"