The soldiers quickly carried the corpses away, washed the blood off the ground, and lined up in the streets outside the four gates of the imperial city. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

When everything was ready, the four gates of the imperial city slowly opened at the same time.

The nobles came out of Dong'anmen, which was one of the two main directions of attack, and the number of dead people was no less than that of Bei'anmen. After washing, mottled blood stains can still be seen on the ground, and there are some broken flesh and skin scattered in the brick cracks on the roadside, which is shocking!

What made the nobles even more frightened was the hatred on the faces of those officers and soldiers on both sides of the road, which were their children! Now they are looking at them like enemies, so that the nobles clearly feel that the last reliance in their hearts is crumbling......

Fear, boundless fear; Helplessness, extreme helplessness, spreads in the heart of every nobleman. Now there is no more generosity and fearless heroism, even if it is just a pretended heroism, they are like quails that have been beaten by water, one by one they are dejected, pale, and dare not make contact with others, they just want to hurry up and finish this road of shame and go to the **** wound where no one is.

However, the nobles wore foundation and boots, and it was naturally extremely difficult to walk on the watery, slippery stone road. Someone walked a little faster, and he fell to the ground, and the new python robe on his body was stained with sewage and blood. I hurriedly got up from the ground, and there were oval mud marks on my buttocks, how embarrassed and embarrassed I was.

Amid the laughter of the officers and soldiers, the nobles supported each other and escaped from this sad road that made them lose face......

Zhu Zhanji did not leave the palace with the nobles, but quietly returned to the Qianqing Palace and asked to see His Majesty the Emperor. The eunuch told him that the emperor was discussing important matters with the prince of Zhenguo, and asked His Highness to go back first.

However, Zhu Zhanji did not leave, in the shocked gaze of the eunuch, he took off the gauze crown, took off the python robe, only wore a white middle single, and knelt under the steps.

"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" Zhu Gaochi's chief eunuch Zhang Cheng, who was also the former head of the East Palace, was honest and kind, looking at His Royal Highness Taisun's actions, he hurriedly stepped forward and persuaded him: "I can't help it, get up quickly......"

"Grandpa Zhang, don't worry about me." Zhu Zhanji's face was full of sadness, and he shook his head gloomily and said, "In this way, I can feel better in my heart......"

"Alas......" Although Zhang Chengren was honest, he knew everything, sighed, and no longer persuaded.

In the palace, Zhu Gaochi and Wang Xian were having a serious conversation, and when they returned from Bei'anmen, both the monarchs and ministers realized that they had to talk openly and honestly.

At this time, Zhang Cheng came in and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Emperor Sun has removed his crown and taken off his robe outside, and knelt on the ground to plead guilty." ”

When Zhu Gaochi heard this, he frowned and said, "Just let him kneel, don't disturb me talking to Zhenguogong." ”

"Yes......" Zhang Cheng bowed and retreated.

Having said that, Zhu Gaochi's mood was obviously affected. After a moment's fugue, Fang Youyou said, "Zhongde, what did you say I did wrong?" Why is it so messy? ”

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, all reformers of the overall situation have been bruised all over their bodies, without exception." Wang Xian said softly.

"Yes, there are always those people who turn a blind eye to the crisis that exists in the country. Or even if they see it, as soon as they touch their interests, they will immediately burst into flames and fight with you! Zhu Gaochi said with deep feelings: "I once naively thought that everyone was in the same boat, and those people should also know very well that if the boat sank, they would also drown together." Even if you don't help me save the day, you shouldn't stab me in the back, right? ”

Wang Xian listened to the emperor's words silently, and was not in a hurry to echo it.

"I did let them throw some luggage into the water, but because they had too much luggage, they were about to sink the boat......" Zhu Gaochi looked sad, but his eyes were full of anger and said: "What's more, the remaining luggage is enough to ensure their glory and wealth, why aren't they satisfied?!" ”

"Your Majesty, there will only be too few people, never too many. What they had in the past, has been taken for granted, and if you want to redistribute it, of course they will be unhappy. Wang Xian said softly.

"It's up to them, the pattern of the previous dynasty must be completely changed, and the Ming Dynasty can usher in a new life!" Zhu Gaochi said with a firm expression, and sighed after speaking: "Actually, I also know that I should suppress them first and then implement reforms. However, you also know the real body, I'm afraid I don't have that much time......"

Wang Xian nodded solemnly. "The minister can understand the emperor's concerns, the emperor, please rest assured, from now on, Xungui will not become an obstacle to reform......" After a pause, Wang Xian said slowly: "It's just that the emperor is not overkill, civil officials can govern the country but not strengthen the army, if the Ming Dynasty wants to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Song Dynasty, it must be both civil and military, and it cannot be wasted!" ”

"I know." Zhu Gaochi nodded, looked at Wang Xian and said, "So the affairs of the army are all entrusted to you." ”

Zhu Gaochi's words are an understatement, but the weight is ten thousand pounds, this is to hand over all the military power of the Ming Dynasty to Wang Xian!

"The minister didn't dare to accept the order." Wang Xian shook his head and sighed: "This power is too great for the minister to bear." ”

"I'm deliberate, and I have no other choice." Zhu Gaochi said in a deep voice: "The military power of the nobles must be withdrawn, and the army cannot make any more trouble, and no one can do it except you." And I only believe in you......"

After Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, he stared deeply at Wang Xian, and Wang Xian also looked at the emperor. The monarchs and ministers all knew that this conversation was not actually frank, and there were many meanings that both sides did not express.

For example, Zhu Gaochi couldn't say to Wang Xian, I hope that when my reform is successful, you can take the initiative to hand over the military power.

Wang Xian couldn't say to the emperor, can you guarantee that your heir will not attack me in the future?

Both sides are well aware that they need this result at the moment, but no one can guarantee how things will play out in the future. They are all entangled in the interests of too many people, and many times, their own will is insignificant......

But the two still try to give each other some promises so that the other feels better......

"The minister can only do his best." Wang Xian's expression became more serious and said: "The minister assures the emperor that as long as I am in office, the army of the Ming Dynasty will always be loyal to the emperor." ”

"I also promise you that as long as I reign for a day, I will never doubt you." Zhu Gaochi also said solemnly. After a pause, he said slowly: "If one day I am gone, I will also ......" Zhu Gaochi still wanted to promise the future, but found that he could not give any guarantees, just like he could overthrow everything from the previous emperor, his successor could naturally overthrow everything from him.

All fathers want their sons to follow their own path, but not necessarily those who are sons......

"The emperor doesn't have to worry about it, let's talk about the future in the future......" Wang Xian smiled slightly.

"Hmm." Zhu Gaochi nodded, looked at Wang Xian with complicated eyes, and said, "Go ahead, there are still a lot of things waiting for you......"

"Yes, Weichen retired." Wang Xian stood up and saluted and exited the dormitory.

When Wang Xian's figure disappeared behind the curtain, a heavy sigh from Emperor Hongxi came from the depths of the palace.

After Wang Xian left, Zhu Gaochi still did not summon Zhu Zhanji and hung him until dark.

When it was dark, it rained in the capital, the rain was rapid and icy, mixed with fine hail, Zhu Zhanji was soaked, his face and hands were full of bruises and spots, and he was extremely miserable. But he didn't move, kneeling straight in the freezing rain.

Zhang Cheng hurriedly asked people to hold up an umbrella for His Royal Highness the Grand Sun, but Zhu Zhanji resolutely refused to allow it. The two sides argued, and His Royal Highness Taisun roared angrily and said, "You guys get out of the way, do you want to kill Lone?!" ”

The eunuchs stopped insisting, put away their umbrellas, and accompanied him in the rain.

Zhang Cheng had no choice but to run into the dormitory again and plead with the emperor: "Your Majesty, the rain is pouring outside, and there is hail, His Royal Highness Taisun has been kneeling for a whole day, and if he kneels any more, he will die!" ”

Zhu Gaochi was not as ruthless as Zhu Di after all, and his black face made Zhang Cheng call Zhu Zhanji in.

When Zhang Cheng went to invite Zhu Zhanji into the hall, His Royal Highness Taisun could no longer stand up. Zhang Cheng hurriedly and another eunuch, one left and one right, carefully set up the grandson, and helped him into the hall with difficulty.

"Quick, dry your highness, and then change your clothes!" As soon as he entered the hall, Zhang Cheng hurriedly gave orders, but was rejected by His Royal Highness Taisun.

"Grandpa Zhang, thank you for your kindness, you really don't have to." Zhu Zhanji's face was pale, his lips were blue, and his teeth chattered: "Hurry up and help me in, don't let my father wait for a long time." ”

"Your Highness......" Zhang Cheng stomped his feet. He knew that Taisun was trying to use bitter tricks with the emperor, you see that I am so miserable, are you embarrassed to punish me to death?

"Father-in-law Zhang, I'm begging you......" Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhang Cheng with a pleading face, reminding the old eunuch of the little grandson who was pulling his sleeve and twisting around to ask for candy twenty years ago, he couldn't help but soften, sighed and said, "Okay." ”

"Thank you, Father-in-law Zhang, I know that you love me the most......" Zhu Zhanji threw a grateful glance at Zhang Cheng.

"Alas......" Zhang Cheng shook his head helplessly, and whispered to the grandson: "Don't go with the emperor later, you are the one who suffers." ”

"Thank you father-in-law for reminding me, how dare I go up with my father?" Zhu Zhanji smiled bitterly: "If I can pass the test this time, I won't dare to make my father angry in the future......

"That's good, that's good." Zhang Cheng nodded with satisfaction, and when he was about to enter the dormitory, he suddenly whispered: "The old slave will also say a few good words for His Highness one after another." ”

"Thank you so much for your kindness, I can't forget it." Zhu Zhanji smiled gratefully.

Entering the dormitory, everyone fell silent, Zhang Cheng and the eunuch helped Zhu Zhanji to kneel on the carpet, although the thick Persian carpet was as soft as fur, but Zhu Zhanji knelt on it, his knees were still like thousands of steel needles pierced, and he couldn't help moaning in pain.

This sound detonated Emperor Hongxi, who had been silent, Zhu Gaochi snorted coldly and said angrily: "You look like a ghost, who are you going to show it to?!" (To be continued.) )