Zhou Renyuan and his entourage bid farewell to Chen Yuanyuan from Suzhou and arrived at Nanjing Yanziji Wharf on December 26.

In order to avoid trouble, they did not alarm the local government along the way, but when they arrived in Nanjing, they had to disembark and enter the city. Since it is a southern tour on behalf of the sky, this southern capital (Nanjing) must be inspected.

In addition to the absence of the emperor and the cabinet, the other imperial court institutions are very sound and exactly the same as Beijing, to put it bluntly, these are some unpopular and unsatisfactory officials in the imperial court to retire, and Nanjing also left a lot of descendants of the founding heroes of the Ming Dynasty, lying in the ancestors' merit book all day long, pampering, spending all day drinking.

When Zhu Cihong's crown prince Luan arrived at the Yanziji wharf, Zhou Renyuan saw that the previous group of eunuchs and ministers who had stayed in Nanjing were waiting at the wharf to greet them.

When Zhu Cihong, who was dressed in a dark (black with red in the middle) dragon robe, and Zhou Renyuan, who was dressed in a cyan dragon robe, appeared on the deck, these ministers and eunuchs immediately knelt down, "Xu Wenjue, Duke of Wei, Liu Zuochang, Marquis of Anyuan, Zhang Gongri, Marquis of Longping, Chang Yanling, Marquis of Huaiyuan, Li Hongji, Marquis of Linhuai, Tang Guozuo, Marquis of Lingbi, Zhao Zhilong, Bo Xincheng, Guo Zuoyong, Bo Chengan, Liu Kongzhao, Sincerity Bo, Eunuch Han Zanzhou, Eunuch of Nanjing, Eunuch Han Zanzhou, Knock to see the prince Chitose, His Royal Highness King Yongming!" There was also a group of six Jiuqing kneeling on the ground.

Zhu Cihong hurriedly said: "All the ministers are exempt, get up quickly!" ”

Zhou Renyuan didn't have a good impression of these people, except for one or two of these people who went south in history, the rest were all surrenderers. Among them, only the descendants of Chang Yuchun, Huaiyuan and Chang Yanling, did not surrender, planted vegetables behind closed doors, and did not ask about the world. There is also Liu Bowen's descendant Sincerity Bo Liu Kongzhao has been resisting the Qing army, and finally the army was defeated and returned to the sea without knowing what to do.

Among these meritorious heroes, there are only two people who hold the power, one is Zhao Zhilong, the Bo of Xincheng, don't look at him as just an earl, but he is deeply trusted by Chongzhen and controls the army of Nanjing. There is also the eunuch Han Zanzhou of Bingbi, who is Chongzhen's spokesperson in Nanjing, and his favor is even higher than Zhao Zhilong.

When everyone entered Nanjing City and came to the post house, Zhu Cihong was a little strange and asked Han Zanzhou, who had been leading the way, "Father-in-law Han, why don't we go to the palace?" ”

Han Zanzhou knelt on the ground and stammered, "Tell the prince, because-because the palace in the southern capital has already collapsed many rooms, since the Emperor of the Apocalypse, I have asked the imperial court to repair it, but the household department said that there has been no silver, so it's-"

Zhu Cihong's eyes turned red, "This is the place where Taizu ascended the throne and founded the country, and even the palace can't be repaired, is the Ming Dynasty already in ruin?" ”

Zhou Renyuan saw that Zhu Cihong was in a bad mood, and hurriedly comforted him and said, "The prince doesn't have to be like this, the world is undecided now, and the palace in the southern capital has not been inhabited for a long time." Repairs need to be considered in the long term. ”

Zhu Cihong wiped the corners of his eyes, "Uncle Siwang, it's not that Cihong wants to repair this palace, but that I waited all the way into the city, and saw that the city of Nanjing is prosperous, the people are rich, and the people are singing and dancing, but the palace is dilapidated, which has to be sad!"

When the ministers heard this, they immediately knelt on the ground in panic, "The ministers are guilty!" "A few were still wiping tears.

Zhu Cihong waved his hand, "Everyone, please get up, this prince does not blame you, Duke Xu Wenjue of Wei, Zhao Zhilong of Xincheng and Duke Han stayed." Stand aside for the rest. ”

Only Zhou Renyuan, Zhu Cihong, Xu Wenjue, Zhao Zhilong and Han Zan were left in the hall. Xu Wenjue and the others were very worried, and they didn't know why Zhu Cihong left the three of them alone. Zhu Cihong coughed lightly, "The three of them are all ministers trusted by the emperor, Xu Guogong has a prominent status, and he is the descendant of Xu Da, the first general of my Ming Dynasty, I think you should be as loyal and patriotic as Erzu." ”

Xu Wenjue's sweat had already come down, and he didn't know what Zhu Cihong meant.

Zhu Cihong said to Zhao Zhilong again, "Although General Zhao is said to be the earl of the attack, but his military achievements are outstanding, the emperor has handed over the city defense of Nanjing to you, don't let the court disappoint the emperor!" ”

Zhao Zhilong knelt down on one knee and said loudly: "The last general will serve the court and the emperor as always, and he will not hesitate to break his bones!" ”

Zhu Cihong nodded with satisfaction, "As for Gonggong Han," he paused, "As a Nanjing garrison eunuch for many years, the emperor is very relieved." ”

Han Zanzhou fell to his knees, and said with tears in his eyes, "Thank you for the trust of the emperor and the prince, this is the duty of the old slave!" ”

"Okay, Grandpa Han, you don't have to be like this, hurry up." Zhu Cihong helped Han Zanzhou up.

"However, since this prince and King Yongming are patrolling the heavens, there are some things that they might as well say directly!" Zhu Cihong's voice suddenly turned cold, and he said coldly, "How are the officials in Jiangnan governing the people's livelihood?" Can the people bear the taxes of the imperial court? ”

When Xu Wenjue heard it, this prince is here to play really. Hurriedly said, "This Jiangnan official is clean and clear, the people's livelihood is rich, and the taxes of the imperial court are still bearable!" ”

Zhu Cihong listened, was silent, waved his hand halfway, and said a little sadly, "You guys go down!" ”

After Xu Wenjue and the others left, Zhou Renyuan hurriedly asked Zhu Cihong, "Prince, what happened just now?" ”

Zhu Cihong's tears suddenly fell, and he choked up, "Uncle Siwang, these ministers are deceiving you and me, and deceiving the court!" ”

"Huh? What the hell is going on? Can the prince explain? Zhou Renyuan said urgently.

"In October this year, Fengyang Governor Lu Zhenfei had a twist, the imperial court collected taxes, and there were more than 13,000 gentry in Jiangnan who collectively resisted grain and did not pay, these gentry said that the imperial court taxes were too heavy, and they could not afford to pay the grain. Uncle Wang, where did this extra apportionment come from and where did it go? Zhu Cihong touched his tears, "Before leaving, my father specially told Cihong to inquire when he passed through Jiangnan. ”

"I see!" Zhou Renyuan pondered for a moment and said, "When I was in Hengzhou, I also heard that the people complained that the taxes were too heavy, and the imperial court suppressed the salaries of the thieves, resisted the Liao salaries of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the training salaries used for military training. Zhou Renyuan felt that the situation was serious, and kept walking around the house, shouting to Mozhu outside the door, "Mozhu, go and invite Lord Wang." ”

After a while, Wang Fuzhi came in, and Zhou Renyuan said the problem of taxation, and Wang Fuzhi sighed when he heard it, "This is all the rule of officials, and it has reached the point of non-rectification!" ”

"How to remediate? This is a national problem, and the prince and I can't stretch our hands that long! Zhou Renyuan said helplessly.

"Other places are out of reach, but at the moment, Nanjing can still be moved!" Wang Fuzhi looked at Zhou Renyuan and Zhu Cihong meaningfully.

Zhu Cihong was shocked, "What does Lord Wang mean that we will start with Nanjing and knock on the officials here first?" He looked at Zhou Renyuan again. Zhou Renyuan nodded in agreement, he, the prince, couldn't call the shots, because this time he was just a cover for going south, and the real decision was all on Zhou Renyuan.

Zhou Renyuan thought for a while, nodded and said, "Although what we are doing now is a drop in the bucket, at least we have to deter a group of officials." Well, I agree. But where do you start? ”

"Aren't there two masters of the brocade guards who are guards by the prince's side? Don't forget, Jinyiwei is better informed than us. Wang Fuzhi smiled.

"yes, why didn't I think of that?" Zhou Renyuan patted his head, "Mozhu, you go to Shen Tieshan and ask him to invite Li Baihu and Lu Zongqi from the prince's side, and say that the prince has something to look for them." ”

At half a cup of tea, Li Chao and Lu Yiqi, dressed as guards, came to the hall.

"Have you ever been familiar with this Nanjing Jinyi Guard?" Zhou Renyuan asked.

"The lower officials are familiar, and the leader of the Jinyi Guard stationed in Nanjing is Tong Haichuan and Tong Qianhu." Li Chao replied.

"How is that Tong Qianhu's character?"

"Xiaguan once worked with him in the capital, Tong Qianhu was bold, love and hate, so he didn't like his boss, so he was sent to Nanjing to take office." Lu Yiqi replied.

"Very good, you guys do something for the crown prince and this king, go to the Nanjing Jinyi Wei Command Division, and ask him to send here the information on the property and land situation of Nanjing officials that he has mastered over the years." Zhou Renyuan commanded.

As soon as Li Chao and Lu Yiqi left, Shen Tieshan came in to report that Ma Shiying, the governor of Fengyang, and Lu Zhenfei, the governor of Fengyang, had come to pay a visit.

"What are they doing here? What about this Fengyang is a few hundred miles away from Nanjing? Is there something urgent going on? Zhou Renyuan and the three of them were confused for a while.

At this time, the Mansion of Wei Guogong, Xu Wenjue, Zhao Zhilong and Han Zanzhou were drinking tea in the living room, and their faces were all worried.

"I said Gonggong Han, you have been with the emperor for many years, why can't you guess the purpose of the prince's visit to Nanjing this time?" Zhao Zhilong couldn't hold his breath anymore.

"Oh, Lord Zhao, when our family served the emperor, the prince was still young, and five years have passed. How do we know what the purpose of the prince's trip is? Han Zanzhou said helplessly.

"It's a bit bad to listen to the prince's tone today!" Xu Wenjue took a sip of tea and said.

"That's for you, I don't think it's Gonggong Han." Zhao Zhilong glanced at Xu Wenjue dissatisfied, isn't he just a national prince, where is there still a little bit of the demeanor of his ancestor Xu Da, the famous founder of the country, less than forty years old, he is already old, and he spends all his energy on the belly of the courtesan in Qinhuaihe. Annexation of the fields outside Nanjing, although he Zhao Zhilong also annexed the fields, but where is it as blatant as Xu Wenjue.

Xu Wenjue was a little annoyed when he heard this, but he didn't dare to get angry. It is true that he is the prince of the country, and he has suppressed Zhao Zhilong, the earl of several levels, but he holds the military power, and he is an empty bucket of the prince, and he usually has to look at Zhao Zhilong's eyes. So he laughed twice, "General Zhao, now we are grasshoppers on a rope, if the prince really wants to sit on me for something, you General Zhao can't run!" ”

With a "whoosh", Zhao Zhilong stood up, blushed and said, "What, Guogong is threatening me?" ”

"Okay, Xu Guogong, General Zhao, can we not fight in the nest?" Han Zanzhou saw that the atmosphere was not right, and hurriedly got up and persuaded, "You guys just stare at the prince, why don't you just stare at that Yongming County King?" ”

"What do you mean? Father-in-law Han, please explain! Xu Wenjue and Zhao Zhilong asked in unison.

"You two think about it, the decree says that the prince will patrol the heavens on behalf of the prince, and the king of Yongming County will accompany the prince on patrol. But since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, has there been such an arrangement? Have you noticed, since you entered the post house, the prince has been saying, has the prince ever said a word? After all, Han Zanzhou was still a little sober.

"That can only mean that this trip is the prince's patrol, and the king of Yongming is just an accompaniment!" Xu Wenjue muttered.

Han Zanzhou glanced at Xu Wenjue with disdain, he was really a stupid pig. "Haven't you heard that this is the matter of the prince of the county meeting the emperor secretly twice in the capital, staying in the Qianqing Palace and making trouble in the court?"

"yes, how did you forget about it?" Xu Wenjue and Zhao Zhilong suddenly realized, "The holy decree says that it is going south, maybe this destination is Nanjing?" Grandpa Han, what should we do now? ”

"What can I do? To put it bluntly, our family has a courtyard in Nanjing City, and there is 100,000 taels of silver pension money, but Guogong, General Zhao, how much silver you have made over the years, our family doesn't know? Han Zanzhou crossed Erlang's legs and said nonchalantly.

"Oh, my father-in-law Han, you have to think of a rut for us, after all, we have been working together for so many years, I still have celadon for the Song Dynasty here, wait for you to bring it back to decorate it." Xu Wenjue said anxiously. Zhao Zhilong also hurriedly looked at Han Zanzhou, hoping that he could come up with an idea.

"Okay, then let's talk about it!" Han Zanzhou didn't put on a score anymore, "Do you think, how many of the big and small officials and meritorious relatives in Nanjing City have clean butts?" In case the prince wants to rectify the officialdom here, no one will be able to escape. When they see so many people, will they be able to do it? Even if they want to start, the emperor in the capital will see it, can the emperor do it? He must not weigh it? The north, northwest, and southwest are all in chaos, but the Dao Emperor thinks that the south is also in chaos? This is called the law not being accountable to the public. And the most important thing is that the prince and his entourage have just arrived in Nanjing, and their eyes are black, and they don't know how deep the water in Nanjing is! ”

"It makes sense, haha-Gonggong Han is worthy of being an old man who has been waiting by the emperor's side for many years, and the emperor's temper is clearly felt by you." Xu Wenjue and Zhao Zhilong relaxed their hearts and praised Han Zanzhou.

"Oh no, Guogong, there are two people who look like guards who have left the post house and gone to the Jinyi Guard Command Division." Xu Wenjue sent someone to keep an eye on the people in the post house to report outside the door.

"Bang" The cup that Xu Wenjue held in his hand fell to the ground and shattered. It's so insidious, they actually went off the rails and went directly to Jinyiwei! The three people in the living room suddenly felt that there was a feeling that the mountain rain was about to come and the wind was full of buildings!