Later generations defined some people who like to stay at home instead of going out to socialize after work and study as otaku, if so, broadly speaking, most of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty in the more than 200 years were otaku, because except for a few things such as worshipping the heavens and ancestors, they almost never stepped out of the Forbidden City. www.biquge.info Of course, this does not include the two immediate emperors of Taizu and Chengzu, who founded the country, and the most unexpected Emperor Zhengde.

And if the definition of otaku is set more harshly, then there are still three impressive otaku sons of heaven in the Ming Dynasty - Chenghua Emperor Zhu Jianshen, Jiajing Emperor Zhu Houxi, and Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun, who has reigned for 48 years but has lived in the inner palace for 30 years, and almost does not meet with courtiers, and only a few cabinet ministers can meet and talk about things.

Many later historians have analyzed the maverick emperor in various aspects, studied why he made such an unbelievable decision, and speculated about what he did during the long thirty years. Some people say that he had a conflict with the ministers because of the establishment of an heir, so he hid in the deep palace to escape reality; Some people analyzed his psychology and said that he avoided people because of his obesity and inconvenient legs and feet, and his inferiority complex; There is even speculation that Wanli is hiding in the inner palace to smoke Fu-Shou ointment, that is, opium-slice smoke.

But in either case, there are some flaws. And the truth of the matter may be simpler than everyone thinks, Wanli is like this, just because of his rebellious psychology.

Since ascending the throne at the age of ten, Wanli has been constrained in all aspects, the ministers and eunuchs and the empress dowager have always not allowed him to do this, he is not allowed to do that, and then Zhang Ju, as the first assistant and master, is like Mount Tai pressing on his chest, making it difficult for him to really have the freedom and power of an emperor.

When this endless pressure continues to increase, Emperor Wanli's psychology will inevitably produce rebellious emotions. As soon as Zhang Juzheng died, this pressure suddenly disappeared, and the rebound erupted with incredible force.

Didn't you ask me to be a wise gentleman, let me be diligent in government and love the people? Then I just want to neglect the government, not only will I neglect the government, but even the courtiers will no longer meet! Didn't you say that as the Son of Heaven, you shouldn't go out of the palace and take risks? Then I won't even come out of the harem, so you don't even know what I'm doing! Maybe at the beginning, Wanli did this just to be angry, but when he felt the infinite relaxation and pleasure brought to him by this behavior, and found that the court and Sheji were not in a big mess because of this, he was out of control.

According to the original historical trajectory, Wanli will inevitably embark on this road, thus bringing the Ming Dynasty to a road of no return. But now, with the emergence of Yang Zhen, the history of the Ming Dynasty seems to have taken a turn for the better.

After listening to Yang Zhen's story, Wanli fell into a long period of contemplation. After a long while, he looked at the young guard in front of him: "Yang Qing, do you mean that the ministers did not allow me to leave the palace because of any rules and my safety considerations, but out of their selfish motives?" ”

Yang Zhen nodded without hesitation: "Only in this way can they master the government, otherwise if all the sons of heaven are wise masters like Taizu Chengzu, it will be difficult for these courtiers to seek personal interests from them." ”

Wanli's mood was a little excited at this moment, not only because Yang Zhen made him understand some things that he couldn't think of before, but also because he finally found a credible person who could really tell the truth to himself. But then, he looked at Yang Zhen a little strangely: "Why are you telling me this?" Aren't you afraid of offending the Manchu officials and causing yourself to be killed? ”

"I'm just a guard, and I don't have any contact with those adults at all, so why be afraid?" Yang Zhen looked very calm, and then said as if he had plucked up his courage: "And I don't only regard Your Majesty as the emperor, but also as a ......."

"Think why?" Wanli saw that he was suddenly stunned, so he asked a little eagerly.

"Friend-friend!" Yang Zhen spit out these two words.

Wanli was stunned for a moment. Friend, this simple and ordinary title for ordinary people is so unattainable for him, the king of a country. No matter who you are, when you put on this dragon robe and sit in this position, it means that you will be lonely and old, and you will no longer have a real friend to make friends with.

Wanli is growing older, and his understanding of this aspect is also deepening. In the past, he regarded Feng Bao's companion as his friend, but in the past two years, he has clearly felt the change of the other party. Feng Bao is no longer the big companion who defends him everywhere, helps him, and plays with him, but has become a power machine, and even imprisons him, the existence of freedom and power as the emperor.

Young people, on the other hand, always have more dreams and want to get the sincere attention of others. Now that Yang Zhen has come to his side in such a way, how can he not be moved?

"Thank you!" Wanli suddenly spoke and nodded slightly to Yang Zhen. This rare thank you from the Son of Heaven contains too many meanings, not only to thank Yang Zhen for untying the knot that has plagued him for a long time, and not to worry about the right and wrong of leaving the palace, but also to thank him for his attitude towards himself.

Just when Wanli opened his mouth and was about to say anything more, he saw a waiter walking over quickly, looking at his eager steps, it was obvious that he had something to report. This made Wanli swallow back the other words that came to his mouth, and only glanced at Yang Zhen deeply before turning to the man: "What's wrong?" ”

"Your Majesty, it was Zhang Ge Lao who came to see His Majesty but did not see His Majesty, so he ordered the slaves and maids to come to look for him." The chamberlain hurriedly said.

"Oh?" If it was Wanli before, he would have been apprehensive after hearing this. But this time, after listening to Yang Zhen's words, he was a lot more confident, and only nodded slightly and said, "I know, let's go back." As he spoke, he nodded at Yang Zhen and asked him to follow.

After returning, Yang Zhen stood outside the hall and listened to a discussion between the monarchs and ministers on the governance plan. said that it was a discussion, but in fact, it was no different from any previous time, it was Zhang Juzheng who explained the pros and cons of all aspects clearly, and then gave a conclusion according to his own meaning. And all Wanli has to do is nod his head in agreement and implement this policy in the name of the emperor.

But what was different from the past this time was that although Wanli still didn't have any objections, Yang Zhen could clearly see the suspicion between his words and expressions. The young emperor had already begun to have a suspicious attitude towards his first minister, and he no longer trusted him as completely as before.

This is exactly the effect that Yang Zhen ventured to say that he wanted to achieve.

In fact, he said this to Wanli with a clear purpose, and his goal was to point to the high-ranking first assistant Zhang Juzheng. Because Yang Zhen knows very well that with his own status, it is almost impossible to defeat the Zhang family while Zhang Juzheng is alive, and the only chance is in this person who has more power and higher status than Zhang Juzheng - Wanli.

And today's speech only opened a small gap, causing a trace of distrust between the monarch and the minister. Yang Zhen believes that as long as he is a son of heaven with a certain desire for power, he will definitely not tolerate such deception by his subordinates, and one day, this kind of crack will become a huge gap that will wash everything away.

Thinking of this, the corners of Yang Zhen's mouth couldn't help but hook slightly, and he felt that he was one step closer to the biggest target.

But his pride did not last long, and when it was around dusk, Feng Bao sent someone to call him over. As soon as they met, Feng Bao went straight to the point: "What did you say to the emperor when you were alone with him today?" Why did the emperor's words and deeds after that be a little different from before? ”

Since even Yang Zhen can see a little change in Wanli, it is not strange for Zhang Juzheng, who is closer to him and has been with him for a longer time, to see it at a glance. Zhang Juzheng did not inquire about the matter in person, but after leaving, he conducted an investigation and asked Feng Bao, the chief steward of the palace, to find out the truth.

Facing Feng Bao's squinting eyes and some dangerous inquiries, Yang Zhen seemed very calm: "Actually, father-in-law, you don't let people call him lowly, and he will come to report to his father-in-law after he is on duty." His Majesty was worried that he had not yet done what a gentleman should do, so he went to talk to him. And the humble position enlightened His Majesty a few words, saying that he is only young now, so he is still lacking in serving the king. But as long as we reuse loyal and capable ministers like Zhang Shoufu and Gonggong Feng, we will definitely be able to create a prosperous era of our Ming Dynasty again. ”

"Is that so?" Feng Bao looked at Yang Zhen with some disbelief, but then he felt that a guard like Yang Zhen was not necessary at all, let alone had the courage to deceive himself. Sometimes, the superior is more likely to be deceived by the people below, because they have a habit of being high above and despising the people below.

"It's true, how dare you lie in front of your father-in-law."

"In that case, then why did Taiyue say that the Son of Heaven was a little hostile to him today?" Feng Bao thought in his heart, and muttered a few words on his lips.

"What?" Yang Zhen asked subconsciously.

"It's nothing, you stand down. In the future, if there is anything unusual about Your Majesty, whether it is in your demeanor or in words, you must report it to me in time. ”

"Yes." Yang Zhen hurriedly agreed, and then retreated.

"Perhaps...... His Majesty's change is just that he feels that the gap between himself and Taiyue is too big, and he has a trace of jealousy. Young people always don't want to be worse than others, especially when he is still an emperor. Feng Bao reluctantly made an excuse for himself, but he didn't know that a crisis that could bring them to a complete end had been quietly born.