readx;

After Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang executed Prime Minister Hu Weiyong, he revoked the position of prime minister that had existed for thousands of years, and at the same time abolished Zhongshu Province and Menxia Province, leaving only Shangshu Province, but did not set up the chief official Shangshu Order, and even did not set up the left and right servants. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

During the period of Zhu Yuanzhang, the central government agency of the Ming Dynasty, there were Taishi, Taifu, Taibao (three dukes) and Shaoshi, Shaofu, and Shaobao (three orphans), as the emperor's adjutants, assisting in governance. After Ming Chengzu came to power, he abolished the three princes and three orphans, set up a cabinet, placed a cabinet bachelor, and had five official ranks, helping the emperor to deal with court affairs. At this time, the cabinet was only a state advisory body, and in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, it gradually evolved into an important force in decision-making state affairs.

After Ming Chengzu established the cabinet, the decision-making power of the original prime minister was firmly controlled in his own hands, the parliamentary power was divided into the cabinet, and the administrative power was divided into six ministries (the criminal department exercised judicial power, and the military department exercised part of the military power), and part of the judicial power was assigned to the Inspectorate and Dali Temple. The military power is firmly controlled in the hands of Ming Chengzu, although the Inspectorate has jurisdiction over the army of the guard, but does not have the power to mobilize, and the military department is only responsible for the army's training and weapons and equipment management and other administrative affairs. However, the governors of the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies are all heroes who followed Ming Chengzu to seize the country, and the princes and princes of the country with prominent status.

The people named by Ming Chengzu just now can be said to be the highest power group in the Ming Chengzu period. Last night, the crown prince Zhu Gaochi was seriously ill, and the imperial doctor said that he would have three or five years to live at most, and three or five months at the least. In the early days of the Ming Dynasty, Ming Chengzu gathered these supreme auxiliary officials in Wenyuan Pavilion to discuss matters, and I am afraid that it is related to the prince's affairs.

Unexpectedly, after entering the Wenyuan Pavilion, the first thing Ming Chengzu did not say about the prince, but said to Ji Gang with a gloomy face: "Ji Aiqing, there are some things that I can't say in the court just now, and now I ask you, do you already know that Lin Yuan was acquitted by Yang Aiqing, so I deliberately used the excuse to collect the body, and wanted me to pay attention to this matter, so as to cure him for the crime of resisting the decree, right?" ”

Ji Gang was so frightened that he knelt on the ground with a grunt and kowtowed repeatedly.

Ming Chengzu snorted heavily: "I have said many times that you should not fight in the nest, do you take my words as a deaf ear?" You fancy intestines think I don't know? Just by virtue of the fact that you are bending around Yang Aiqing, it is a disobedience to the order, and his heart can be planted! ”

Ji Gang had never heard Ming Chengzu speak so harshly to him. Suddenly frightened, his face turned pale, and he didn't dare to say anything except kowtow.

Regarding Ji Gang's previous framing of other ministers, Ming Chengzu has always been obedient and smooth sailing, but since Yang Qiuchi entered the capital, Ji Gang found that he was controlled everywhere, and the emperor didn't listen to him much. Now that the emperor has pointed out his ghost idea again, and even directly named his surname as a disobedience to the order, this is a felony of beheading, how can he not be frightened.

Ming Chengzu said again: "Ji Aiqing, you have to remember, don't take it as an example!" From now on, whether you two are directly facing each other or going around the bend and letting someone else help you straighten it out, as long as I find out, I will definitely punish him for the crime of resisting the decree. Do you understand? ”

Ji Gang kowtowed and said, "Weichen...... Weichen is engraved in my heart! Don't dare again. ”

Yang Qiuchi also bowed down and said, "Weichen understands. ”

Although Ming Chengzu exposed Ji Gang's trick of killing people with a knife just now and scolded him heavily, Yang Qiuchi was not happy at all, because this was tantamount to blocking his interception of the emperor's show girl through the inspectorate Ji Gang, and the second prince's expansion of troops and horses, because there is no sufficient evidence to prove that he recruited soldiers and horses in order to rebel, it cannot be exposed.

Although Ming Chengzu blocked Ji Gang's way to rectify Yang Qiuchi, he also blocked Yang Qiuchi's way to expose Ji Gang's crimes. From this point of view, it is obvious that Ming Chengzu still maintains Ji Gang, and he also knows that Ji Gang has done a lot of bad things, and if he really wants to investigate, any few things are enough to cut off his head, but this is not the result that Ming Chengzu wants.

After Ming Chengzu calmed Ji Gang, he said: "I think you Aiqing already knows, the prince has always been in poor health, and he often has heartache, and he had another attack yesterday, which is very critical, but fortunately, the treatment is timely, and there is no major problem." However, with the current physical condition of the prince, I am afraid that it is difficult to be qualified for the position of prince. I'd like to hear what you have to do? ”

Yang Qiuchi listened to Ming Chengzu's words, and sighed in his heart, although Ming Chengzu did not say directly that he wanted to change the prince, but the meaning was almost the same, and smart people knew it when they heard it. Sure enough, Qiu Fu, the Governor of the Zuo Capital of the Chinese Military Governor's Mansion and the Duke of Qiguo, stepped out of the ranks first and said: "Long live, since the prince is no longer physically qualified for the position of the prince, the prince should be reappointed as soon as possible." Weichen thought that the second prince was brave and good at fighting, leading the troops well, and the battle of Jingjing followed Banzai to fight on the battlefield, worked hard and made high achievements, and established a high prestige among the soldiers, so Weichen dared to propose to change the second prince to the crown prince. In order to protect my Ming Dynasty for thousands of years. ”

Qiu Fu opened his mouth, and the governors of the five armies also expressed their positions, seconding Qiu Fu's proposal, and even Xue Lu also seconded it. They all formed a fighting friendship with the second prince Zhu Gaochi in the Battle of Jingjing, so of course they supported Zhu Gaochi. Xue Lu has a grudge against Ji Gang, but he also supports the second prince Zhu Gaochi.

Ming Chengzu smiled and nodded, and turned his head to look at the group of ministers: "You can also talk about it." ”

Ji Gang stepped out: "Weichen thinks that what the generals said is very true, we now have Tatars and Thorns in the north, and Japanese in the east, these strong enemies have been peeping at our Ming Dynasty for a long time, and have repeatedly attacked my border, killed my border people, and plundered my property. Long live many times after the royal expedition, the enemy army is afraid of the long live civil attack strategy, do not dare to start the war, the second prince is wise and martial, repeatedly made military exploits, such as the crown prince, in order to protect my Ming Dynasty as stable as a rock. ”

Hu Guang, the first assistant of the cabinet, stepped forward: "This matter must not be done!" Although the prince is in poor health, but the eldest son inherits the unification, all dynasties and dynasties are this rule, the prince is not a big mistake, only to abolish the prince on the grounds of physical illness, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public, as for the protection of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor is a last resort, but can not be extended, otherwise, once lost, how to the government and the opposition, if the war needs the emperor to bow down, then what to do with the military generals of the Manchu Dynasty? ”

Although Hu Guang's words were harsh, they hit the center of gravity of the issue of replacing the prince, which is difficult to refute.

Cabinet scholar Yang Shiqi came out and said: "Long live, the prince is benevolent and filial, everything has something to do in the temple, sacrifices, sacrificial utensils are all read, last year will be enjoyed, the head wind is made, and the doctor is sweating." His Highness said, 'Khan does not dare to offer sacrifices. 'Left and right, please represent. The prince rebuked him: 'I have ordered me, and I have sent someone to replace me?' Then he sacrificed himself. After the sacrifice, sweat all over the body, do not heal yourself with medicine. Therefore, Weichen thinks that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is highly talented, that is, he must know if he has passed, he must change if he knows, and he will never live up to His Majesty's trust. Such generosity and benevolence is the way to be a king. Therefore, Weichen thought that the position of the prince could not be changed. ”

Yang Rong, a cabinet scholar, also said: "Long live, Weichen seconded the words of the two bachelors, and the prince cannot be replaced." Although the tile thorn and the Japanese are eyeing each other, they are not enough to shake my Ming Dynasty, such as today's peace, the king of the peaceful and prosperous era since ancient times, all of them are benevolent kings such as the prince. In the future, the crown prince will inherit the unification, and he will be able to protect my Ming Dynasty for thousands of years. ”

Ji Gang sneered, as if saying to himself: "The prince himself is already terminally ill...... What's that, how can it be thousands of years? ”

Yang Qiuchi said with a smile: "Lord Ji, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is only 'heart paralysis', it is a deficiency of heart, spleen and blood, and the blood of evil criminals, this is a minor illness, calm and recuperate, and you will definitely recover, how can you be terminally ill...... So what? ”

Ji Gang said: "Oh? Hearing this, Lord Yang is also proficient in medical skills? ”

"Don't dare to be proficient, know a little bit about it."

Ming Cheng Zuqi said: "Yang Aiqing, will you cure the disease?" ”

Yang Qiuchi graduated from Medical University, and before studying forensic professional courses, he received systematic Western medicine education and clinical practice. However, he also knows the common sense of Chinese medicine that the "heart paralysis" mentioned in Chinese medicine is rheumatism and heart disease, which is an immune disease, which can cause heart valve thickening and narrowing or insufficiency in severe cases. The main treatment for this disease is surgery, such as valvuloplasty or even valve replacement.

Traditional Chinese medicine has a certain effect on early rheumatic heart disease, but when it is serious, the effect is not great, and it can only be relieved, but there is no cure for it. Although Yang Qiuchi knew this, firstly, he did not have surgical instruments and equipment, and secondly, he did not understand thoracic surgery. For traditional Chinese medicine, he also knows a little bit of skin, and the two doctors who are proficient in traditional Chinese medicine are not in a rut, what can he do. The reason why he deliberately weakened the prince's illness was nothing more than to prevent the replacement of the prince.

Now that the emperor asked, Yang Qiuchi's cowhide didn't dare to blow indiscriminately, and this medical treatment was also interlaced like a mountain, so he couldn't get it to die, so he had to smile awkwardly: "Weichen...... Wechen can only solve the case, this is a disease, but he is not good. ”

Yang Shiqi, a cabinet scholar, said: "If the emperor is worried about the prince's health, he can add Zhu Zhanji, the emperor's grandson, as the prince in case of accidents." ”

Yang Shiqi's suggestion was immediately seconded by other ministers. After all, it is an indisputable fact that the crown prince Zhu Gaochi is in poor health, and there is no way to avoid it. The main purpose of Ming Chengzu's convening today is to solve this problem, if he only insists that the crown prince Zhu Gaochi cannot be abolished, the problem is still not solved, but if Zhu Gaochi's son Zhu Zhanji is added as the emperor's grandson, this problem will be solved.

Yang Qiuchi admired in his heart, it was still the head of these Zi Wenchen, who came up with such an idea of subrogation, absolutely! Absolutely stunning!

Ming Chengzu was also moved in his heart, he had this idea before, but at that time, the prince's condition was not so serious, and now that he mentioned this matter again, he couldn't help but light up.

Although Ming Chengzu didn't like the crown prince Zhu Gaochi very much, he loved Zhu Gaochi's eldest son, that is, Zhu Zhanji, the eldest grandson of Ming Chengzu. It's a bit of a generational relationship.

According to legend, when Ming Chengzu was still the king of Yan, on the night of Zhu Zhanji's birth, Ming Chengzu had a dream, and dreamed that his father Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a jade gui, which was written with the words "descendants of the heirs, eternal and prosperous", Ming Chengzu thought that this matter was passed on to him by his father, and when he woke up from the dream, when he was thinking about the scene in the dream, news came that the eldest grandson was born, which made Ming Chengzu believe that the scene in the dream would be confirmed in the grandson in the future.

When Zhu Zhanji was full of 100 words, Ming Chengzu learned that Taizu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had died. Ming Chengzu always felt that the heroic spirit of his father Zhu Yuanzhang had entered the body of this eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji, similar to the reincarnation of the spirit child, and he was more kind to this child. In addition, Zhu Zhanji has been smart since he was a child and likes to read, which won the love of Ming Chengzu.

On the issue of who to appoint as the crown prince, Ming Chengzu has been hesitant, and has never been able to make up his mind to make his eldest son Zhu Gaochi, who he does not like, as the prince. Cheng Zu was silent. Xie Jin said again: "Good holy grandson! It means Zhu Zhanji, Chengzu is the first to make Zhu Gaochi the crown prince. Therefore, Zhu Gaochi was able to become the crown prince, largely thanks to the fact that his son Zhu Zhanji was deeply loved by Ming Chengzu.

Now Yang Shiqi mentioned this matter, so that Ming Chengzu moved, although he does not like the crown prince Zhu Gaochi, and prefers the second prince Zhu Gaochu, but Ming Chengzu's love for the emperor's grandson Zhu Zhanji is no less than that of Zhu Gaoxu, if Zhu Gaochu is changed to the crown prince, then Ming Chengzu's very favored eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji will not be able to be the emperor in the future. Therefore, Ming Chengzu had to choose one of these two.

Ming Chengzu was very hesitant, raised his eyes and swept around the group of Wencheng generals in the audience, the generals supported the second prince Zhu Gaoxu, and Wenchen supported the eldest grandson Zhu Zhanji, and these two people were deeply favored by themselves, how can this be good. When he was hesitating, he saw Yang Qiuchi at a glance, and he didn't say anything, so he asked casually: "Yang Aiqing, what is your opinion?" ”

At this moment, Yang Qiuchi was fetching water from fifteen buckets in his heart, he knew that it had reached the most critical juncture, and when it was time to decide his life and death, Ming Chengzu's different choices at this fork in the road would directly determine his future and fate.

If Ming Chengzu chooses to maintain Zhu Gaochi's position as the crown prince, and at the same time adds Zhu Zhanji as the emperor's grandson, then the head on his neck will basically be stable, and his future will be bright; If Ming Chengzu chooses to abolish the crown prince and replace the second prince Zhu Gaoxu, who claims to destroy his nine clans after ascending the throne, as the crown prince, then the head of his family will be on the ground.

The second scenario must not be allowed to happen! Do whatever it takes!

At this moment, listening to Ming Chengzu ask about his opinion, Yang Qiuchi had no choice, he had to take a gamble, and if he didn't succeed, he would become a benevolent.

Yang Qiuchi stepped out of the ranks, bowed down and said: "Long live, Wei Chen has something to report, this matter has a lot to do with who is appointed as the prince, and Wei Chen needs to report to Wan Sui alone." ”

Ji Gang stared at Yang Qiuchi suspiciously, not knowing what the hell he was doing, and he didn't know what he was going to report.

Ming Chengzu was also a little surprised, however, Ming Chengzu knew that Yang Qiuchi had served as the deputy envoy of the Jinyi Guard for nearly half a year, and he had established his own intelligence network in the capital, so he might have discovered something important. Nodding slightly, he said: "The matter of Lichu is uncertain for the time being, Yang Aiqing will stay, and the rest of Aiqing will disperse." ”

After the officials knelt down and kowtowed, they retreated to the door of Wenyuan Pavilion, and then turned around and left.

Ming Chengzu said: "Okay, Yang Aiqing, you can say something." ”

Yang Qiuchi looked at the eunuchs and palace maids who were waiting beside Ming Chengzu and coughed lightly.

Ming Chengzu was even more surprised when he saw Yang Qiuchi being so cautious, waved his hand, and the eunuchs and palace maids behind him bowed down and retreated, leaving only Gonggong Li.

Yang Qiuchi bowed down and said: "Weichen thinks that in order to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty, the second prince should be renamed as the crown prince. ”

Ming Chengzu couldn't laugh or cry: "You...... Did you just say no? It's so mysterious, what really is the big deal for me? ”

Yang Qiuchi shook his head slightly: "The reason why Weichen advocates the establishment of the second prince as the crown prince is different from them. ”

"Oh?" Ming Chengzu was a little curious, "Can you come up with any new reasons?" ”

Yang Qiuchi took a step forward, lifted his robe and knelt down and said: "Weichen's reason is too shocking, and he is suspected of resisting the will, so Weichen doesn't dare to speak out." ”

Ming Chengzu frowned and stared at Yang Qiuchi: "This matter is related to Ji Aiqing?" ”

"Yes!"

"Then don't talk about it. I've already said ......"

"Hooray! If this matter is not taken care of as soon as possible, I am afraid that there will be worries about the change of the Xuanwu Gate in the former Tang Dynasty! Even the emperor's martyrdom battle will be repeated on the prince's sons and grandsons! ”

Ming Chengzu's brows tightened, and he stared at Yang Qiuchi for a long time: "Are you saying that this matter is also related to Gao Xu?" "The matter of the three sons competing for the position of the crown prince, Ming Chengzu knows better than anyone else, the third prince Zhu Gaosui was stupid by Yunlu and withdrew from the competition, if you want to talk about the change of Xuanwumen, then only the second prince Zhu Gaoxu.

"The emperor is wise!" Yang Qiuchi kowtowed.

Since this issue is involved, it is really related to who to appoint as the prince. Ming Chengzu pondered for a long time, and then said, "Okay, you can say it." ”

"I don't dare." Yang Qiuchi saw that Ming Chengzu's appetite had been lifted, so he kept himself first, leaving the green mountains behind, not afraid of running out of firewood.

Sure enough, Ming Chengzu snorted, and then said: "Okay, since this matter involves the matter of Lichu, and sometimes it is related to Ji Aiqing, so let's do it, you only talk about things related to Gao Xu." I will forgive you without sin. "Before Ming Chengzu figured out the truth of the matter, he didn't want to give Yang Qiuchi a loophole.

"Thank you, Lord Longne!" Yang Qiuchi kowtowed.

"Get up and speak."

"Yes, Emperor Xie." Yang Qiuchi stood up, bowed down and continued: "The reason why Weichen advocates that in order to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty and the society, the second prince Zhu Gaoxu should be appointed as the crown prince, because if this is not the case, Zhu Gaochu will launch a coup d'état and threaten the safety of the prince and even the saint. At that time, the change of the Xuanwu Gate sword soldiers was still light, and if it was serious, I am afraid that the Ming Dynasty would fall back into the endless sword and soldier disaster. ”

"Do you have any basis for that?"

"Yes!" Yang Qiuchi said, "Weichen has found out that the second prince has recruited 10,000 soldiers to train in the secret camp of Xingziao outside Dongcheng, and to ...... with Ji And with an important person in the capital, he tried to rebel! ”

Ming Chengzu was taken aback, of course he understood what kind of threat it was to ambush such an army of tens of thousands of people on the edge of the capital, and asked in a deep voice: "How do you know?" ”

When Weichen was investigating the murder of Xue Dudu's concubine, Lin Yuan, the personal guard of Commander Ji, was acquitted, Lin Yuan was grateful, and said that the more than 100 mysterious people who attacked Yun Du that night were the soldiers and horses recruited by the second prince privately, and said that their camp, Weichen sent secret agents to investigate, and sure enough. If the emperor doesn't believe it, he can send someone to investigate, and he will find out after checking. ”

Ming Chengzu frowned: "Such a big thing, why doesn't Ji Gang's Jinyiwei know any news?" ”

Yang Qiuchi smiled and didn't answer.

Ming Chengzu stared at Yang Qiuchi: "I ask you, why is it that only you know this news, why didn't Ji Gang's Jinyi Wei hear the report to me?" ”

Yang Qiuchi bowed down and said: "The emperor just said that he would not let Weichen talk about Commander Ji, so Weichen didn't dare to speak out. ”

Ming Chengzu thought to himself, this matter is very important, looking at this situation, it is not like Yang Qiuchi is lying, and it is not like deliberately fabricating facts to frame Ji Gang, this is a felony of rebellion to destroy the door, Yang Qiuchi does not dare to joke with this, because he must know that this kind of thing will definitely be found out.

If Ji Gang is involved in rebellion, then Ming Chengzu will no longer be polite, whether it is Ji Gang or who, even if he has the ability, he dares to rebel and kill him!

Ming Chengzu said with a gloomy face: "Yang Aiqing, do you know the serious consequences of what you said?" If it is verified that there is no such thing, but it is the crime of deceiving the king, I will not tolerate you. ”

"Wechen understands." Yang Qiuchi bowed down and said, "It's not real, but it's not real!" As soon as the emperor checked, he knew that if it was verified that the minister was falsely accused and framed, the minister was willing to die! ”

Yang Qiuchi thought to himself, anyway, if he didn't bring down the second prince and Ji Gang this time, he would be a dead end, and he had to fight to the death now.

Ming Chengzu nodded: "Okay!" You say, why didn't Ji Gang's Jinyiwei know this news? Could it be that he is one of the Cowhs? ”

"The emperor is wise!" Yang Qiuchi was a little surprised by Ming Chengzu's quick reaction, after all, Ming Chengzu started a rebellion, so of course he was the most sensitive to rebellion.

Ming Chengzu said in a deep voice with a gloomy face: "Okay, you can tell me in detail about the rebellion between Gao Xu and Ji Gang that you have found." ”

Ming Chengzu called Ji Gang directly, indicating that he had subconsciously believed Yang Qiuchi's statement. This made Yang Qiuchi secretly happy.

―――――――――――――

(To be continued)