"Your monarch and ministers are jealous of each other, and your subjects are not straightforward to the king for a long time?"

In the blink of an eye, it is the end of the month. In the Heart Nourishing Palace, Zhu Houxi had a heart-wrenching question about Li. Zhu Zaiqian looked at Li curiously, and Zhang Juzheng stood beside the prince without squinting.

In the imperial study, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Li Kaixian were shocked, and they didn't know why the emperor asked such a question to the son of the Korean lord.

Lee was the most confused.

The Ming Emperor summoned him, and of course he was coming.

As a result, I not only met the son of Da Ming, but also saw the prince of Da Ming. After the emperor asked for warmth and concern about his life in the capital in the past few months, he suddenly asked such a sentence.

The minister was terrified...... How can Your Majesty take these gossips seriously? ”

Li Zi couldn't echo and said, "That's true," and he suddenly fell into great fear.

Zhu Houxi smiled dumbly: "I invite you to stay in Daming to study, and I ask me to send Confucianism to North Korea to give lectures, and then there is the matter of Li Yici's eldest son." I can do this big tomorrow steadily, can't I see through it? Unexpectedly, Daming was used as a tool by Li Yi and various factions in North Korea. You want to live, they fight for power, what can't be said explicitly? Xie Biao came, I asked, how dare Tian Rucheng not say it? ”

Li's legs weakened, and he immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty forgives ...... sin"

"Family ugliness should not be publicized, I understand the difficulties of you." Zhu Houxi sighed, "This grace is the relatives of the clan. Unexpectedly, the selection of scholars studying abroad made a big disturbance in the Korean court. Gong Yongqing came back to me, and I sighed when I saw it. Sending the Great Confucian to North Korea to give lectures, then there is no need, don't let the people of the world think that I have the intention to meddle in the internal affairs of North Korea. It's you, since you're in the battle for the crown prince of North Korea, it's inconvenient for me to look at you differently, otherwise it will help you after all. ”

Li was still kneeling on the ground, and when he heard this, his heart was cold, and he couldn't help but plead: "Your Majesty ......"

Zhu Houxi raised his hand to interrupt what he wanted to say: "I personally led the soldiers to break through the northern captives, and the military was mighty. He also disposed of the Jiaozhi dispute, and set up two Xuanwei Divisions in the north and south, both of which were canonized as the lords of the country. Sent a sea division to drive away the Western thieves, help the descendants of the Manchurian royal family to restore the country, and set up the Nanyang Protectorate. On Halloween Day, the feudal clans came to congratulate me, and I paraded and rewarded them, not to sharpen their swords. ”

After a pause, Zhu Houxi said slowly: "At this time, all the vassals were panicked, and they were all worried that the Ming soldiers were going outward, and they had the intention of opening up the territory and merging the territory, but this was not the intention of me to hold the longevity ceremony. ”

Xu Jie slowly lowered his head: What the emperor said is better than what he does, isn't Da Ming sharpening his sword? In the next few years, it was just the first to cut and train elite soldiers, and it was to sharpen the knife.

Li thought about what Jin Qi said to him, and couldn't help but panic, not knowing what to say.

Why did the Great Tomorrow say these things to him so bluntly?

"The things that the North Korean thanked the table for all the things I asked for were because I saw that you talked extraordinarily that day, and I kept you down with a thought. In my mind, border trade is mutually beneficial, and this is very important. You are a prince, if you know the border trade policy of the Ming Dynasty, you can help North Korea and the Ming Dynasty to communicate with each other after returning to China. ”

Zhu Houxi shook his head helplessly: "Since you have been a prince for many years, and you are the second son of the concubine, why are the Korean monarchs and ministers still undecided?" It seems that I want to fan the flames. Therefore, this time your father will not allow either of these things. Korea has been obedient to the Ming Dynasty for many years, and although I appreciate you, I can't spoil the friendship between the clans and vassals. ”

Li was completely cold at this time: in this way, he must return to China.

Zhu Houxi really continued: "Spend another year in the capital, and when the weather is warm, bring my advice back to play your father: I only hope that North Korea will be stable, and I don't want North Korea to be chaotic, so that border trade will be blocked and exchanges will be cut off." I don't want his future heirs to do it again anyway, in the same room. ”

Li was trembling, in this case, how could he dare to play in front of Li Yi?

However, Zhu Houxi said to him: "This is my private advice to him. Thou art a son of man, thou shalt be faithful and filial, and thou shalt help the prince and counsel thy father. I asked the crown prince to come over today to observe, just to know that I will help you take the crown prince's throne? Won't I do this so that my sons will be uncertain in the future? If you show your heart and help your father and brother wholeheartedly, it will not be in vain in these few months in Daming. ”

Zhu Zaiqian blinked: Is it because of this?

Li left the Forbidden City in despair, and he couldn't think deeply for a while: if the Ming Emperor just wanted to show his attitude, rejected Li Yi's invitation, and then let Gong Yongqing explain the reason and position in a righteous and awe-inspiring manner, why did he need to be so preferential?

The longevity ceremony of the feudal clans came to congratulate, in addition to the theme of the military parade and reward, it is indeed to open the border market and communicate with each other.

But if he goes back and plays the advice of the Ming Emperor, saying that he has no intention of being the crown prince, and must be loyal to the king and the prince, will there be a way to live?

Father and Shizi faction, such a big contradiction, how can it be resolved by showing one's heart and good words and advice?

In the Heart Cultivation Palace, Zhu Houxi had already asked Xu Jie's to leave.

Meeting Lee was the last thing for the day.

After today, Xu Jie's family will have a holiday and will celebrate the New Year immediately.

Only Zhang Juzheng still stayed here with Zhu Zaiqi.

If you want to compare something or something, it's naturally just a formality. Although Zhang Juzheng is only nine years old, his memory, expression ability, and even the temperament of a knowledgeable little adult are very rare at this age.

The experience of the Zhang family over the years, Zhu Houxi naturally listened to what Zhang Juzheng said, and naturally understood that he was more motivated because his family was poor since he was a child.

In addition to being satisfied, Zhu Houxi did the right thing to give him a name this time, which was another grace.

The emperor changed his name and gave him the word, and there was Zhang Xuan before, and now he is the prime minister and minister of state; Later, there was Zhang Juzheng, and now he is only a prince who reads with him.

But this prince's companion is now living in the Liao Palace, and he usually enters the palace with the Liao heir who has not yet reached the age to take the throne of the Liao King and succeeded to the Liao princess Mao as his son, and then accompanied the prince to study in the imperial school, and he is about to grow up under His Majesty's nose since he was a child.

There are four more princes accompanying him, but the other four people Lu Bing found are "two literaries and two martial arts", which can be called two little scholars and two little guards. Only Zhang Juzheng can be called the "chief" companion.

Now the two little ones have arrived in the backyard of the Yangxin Palace, and the queen has also come with the fourth prince Zhu Zaiqi.

Zhang Juzheng also participated in the most hardcore family banquet in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Although it was just a regular dinner.

"You don't have to be formal, you have finished eating, and then go back to the Liao Palace."

Zhang Juzheng hadn't changed his voice yet, but he replied in a low voice and solemnly: "The kid doesn't dare." ”

"That is a gift from me." Zhu Houxi smiled and beckoned, "With you on the side to supervise, the prince's studies can also be relieved." ”

“…… Thank you, Your Majesty, Long. ”

Zhang Juzheng has been in this dream-like day for more than a month.

He never expected that the emperor was usually so informal and amiable, and he loved him as a son.

The dining table in the Heart Cultivation Hall is the most casual, and Sun Ming is also used to it, she didn't even understand and asked: "When you see the Korean foreign minister, what are you doing with the load?" ”

"It's okay if you don't understand it now, just remember it in the future." Zhu Houxi looked at his son, "I also supervised the country last year, and I audited many meetings on returning to China. It doesn't hurt him to let him hear it today, the more experiences like this, the better. ”

“…… Father, the king of Joseon gave his son to death? Zhu Zaiqian was very shocked in his heart.

In his eyes, although his father was also strict and serious, he was kind to his children.

Zhu Zaiqian also knows that there are always many tragic things in the royal family. Although he was still young, his mother and no one else would mention it to him, but there were many such things in the history of his studies.

But today, hearing with his own ears what was happening, and witnessing with his own eyes the panicked and pale face of the son of the king of Joseon, Zhu Jaejae realized something firsthand.

"There is such a thing, and it is not all because of the ruthlessness of the North Korean lord." Zhu Houxi glanced at Zhang Juzheng again, "There are a lot of inside facts about North Korea. The minister is strong and the monarch is weak, and Li Yi himself is also a person with no ambition and no talent, which is why there is such a tragic thing. ”

“…… Your Majesty, don't scare the child. Sun Ming glared at Zhu Zaizhen, and then wondered why the emperor glanced at Zhang Juzheng, the child, before saying the second half of the sentence.

Zhang Juzheng was naturally heartbroken, bowed his head and cooked, so he didn't hear it.

He is much sharper. The emperor obviously valued him, and Zhang Juzheng knew that he already had another destiny, and now he could only go on ignorantly.

There is no doubt that his companionship to the crown prince is only a part, and the emperor taught him together.

Zhu Houxi smiled back at Sun Ming, and then said to Zhu Zaiqi: "What happens next in North Korea, you can ask Zhang Bi more." He led the Ministry of Rites, where there was the latest news. Treat this as a long-term concern, and you can learn from it in the future. ”

"Erchen remembered."

Zhu Zaiqian nodded, and there was a layer of gloom in his little heart.

What my father said, I'm afraid it's just a matter of being in the same room, right? There is also a battle between kings and ministers......

Being a prince is not as easy as it used to be when I was a child.

Now that the subordinate officials of the East Palace have been decided, it is even more difficult.

But this is what Zhu Zaijaw must bear. If he doesn't learn well, I'm afraid that he won't be able to do even half of his father's in the future.

After dinner, Zhang Juzheng left, while Zhu Houxi took Sun Ming and his two sons to pace in the direction of the Imperial Garden.

Relax time, one older and one young children chase and play in the snow in front.

Sun Ming looked at the two children who were protected by the eunuchs and palace maids, and was both happy and worried.

The emperor was so attentive to the cultivation of the crown prince, she was naturally happy. can let the prince care about the affairs of North Korea, is it possible that with His Majesty's ability, he is still worried that the Ming Dynasty will also have the hidden worry of fighting in the same room in the future?

has been married for so many years, and Zhu Houxi can easily see through Sun Ming.

He took Sun Ming's hand and said in a low voice, "Don't think about it." North Korea is a small country, but everything is self-contained. The future of the Ming Dynasty is naturally more complicated than that of North Korea. I took North Korea as an example, and it took me several years to understand some key points. The tragedy of their father and son, Li Yi's temperament is very important, and the struggle for power and profit of his subordinates is even more critical. My sons, I must first cultivate their temperaments, and if there is some arrangement in the future, you can rest assured, don't think badly. The North Korean affair is just a learning material. ”

The emperor no longer runs, but instead practices his fists and feet to strengthen his body. And when he walks, if he can hold the hand of the concubine, it is a very affectionate and warm thing.

Sun Ming suddenly felt a lot more relieved, and then said: "Then the king of Joseon cannot be compared with His Majesty. ”

"Some time ago, I wanted to choose some princes to read with, and you also listened to some gossip, right?" Zhu Houxi knows that many things have their own cause and effect, "You have to understand that the more you think about everything, the easier it is to make things really bad." I set up the crown prince and allowed the East Palace to open a mansion and build a government, and you will settle down. The children are still young, so it's good to let them be brothers and have more opportunities to spend time together. Where can we start talking more about respect and humility and less about friendship now? ”

"The concubine remembered." Sun Ming pursed his lips, "What are Your Majesty's plans on Chinese New Year's Eve this year?" ”

Zhu Houxi smiled: "Everything that should be prepared is prepared, is it to ask the year?" Last year in Mobei, I didn't accompany you and your children. Pass it on tomorrow, and then go to the Qianqing Palace to welcome the New Year together. ”

The emperor stayed in the Forbidden City, and the people in this palace were at ease.

On Chinese New Year's Eve last year, although there was good news such as the Hetao victory, who could really rest assured?

Now, the palace has entered the atmosphere of welcoming the new year.

The weather was cold, Zhu Houxi and Sun Ming only walked a short circle, then turned to the east from the Rijing Gate, and went to the Empress Dowager Jiang to talk first.

When they returned to the Heart Cultivation Palace, Mu Wan and Wang Qingyin, who had been summoned, were already warming the quilt.

Speaking of which, this is still a habit they developed when they accompanied the northern expedition last year. It's cold, of course the emperor has to take care of the warmth, and no one will say that the emperor is indulging in pleasure.

He was a very diligent emperor, everyone knows that. Although there are many concubines in the harem, there has been no major incident over the years, and the courtiers will not use these to make Zhu Houxi unhappy.

In the harem, Zhu Houxi except for the first indulgence with Carolina and Qu Mei, but he never did this to other concubines.

Now there are two exceptions, Mu Wan and Wang Qingyin, after all, they are used to it.

Both of them were also sealed Jieyu.

After Zhu Houxi indulged in pleasure, he couldn't sleep for a while. Between the warm fragrance of nephrite, he remembered some arrangements in the thirteenth year of Jiajing.

There is no need to worry about the affairs of the DPRK at all, Li was pulled and thrown off by him, and after he went back, after the DPRK made it clear that there was no "external trouble" of the Ming Dynasty, he would fight even more jubilantly.

They actually have another external problem, that is, the Jurchens.

is also a member of the Ming Dynasty, and now that the Ming Dynasty is powerful, the Jurchens naturally dare not provoke the Ming Dynasty. However, after the surrender of the three tribes of Duoyan, they will reproduce with peace of mind under the protection of the Ming Dynasty, which will naturally compress the living space of the Jurchens who are a little further away. And I replied that I robbed the Jurchens once last year, and I will naturally be like this every year in the future.

Over the years, North Korea has "appealed" to the Jurchens to rob them quite a few times.

Let them fight first.

With today's productivity and technical level, Daming actually can't control such a large amount of solid land.

There is no other way to achieve tranquility in the neighborhood after many years, than to gradually assimilate culture and economic bondage.

But the age of the sea is coming, and there are some key outlets to the sea that must be planned.

Zhao Jun is afraid that he has just received the order to set off for the court, and next year, all the other armies will be reduced, and only the naval division will be increased.

Considering the risks of ocean voyages, Zhu Houxi sighed slightly: Next year, let's spend more time on the primitive steam engine, at least go out the direction.

The prototype is run through first, and then the rubber is found, and there is better steel, which is continuous improvement.

Datong is safe, and there is coal ...... on the Mongolian plateau in the buffer zone

Hearing the emperor's sigh, Mu Wan asked softly, "Your Majesty, but the concubines are not well served?" ”

Zhu Houxi was stunned for a moment, and then stroked his hands slightly hard: "I'm thinking about state affairs." ”

“…… Your Majesty, why is this happening, are you still thinking about state affairs? Wang Qingyin's voice was strange, "Daming is now prosperous, and His Majesty is still sighing?" ”

When they arrived at the palace, they knew that their pair belonged to a special pair. There had been a long time when they had been fighting each other night after night, and they were no longer as cautious and cautious as they had been.

Zhu Houxi chuckled: "What a prosperous age......"

It is he, that is, the powerful officials and wealthy merchants, who enjoy the warmth and warmth of such a night.

Every family in the Ming Dynasty doesn't know how many are worried about the New Year.

Just like Zhang Juzheng, before this year, every year in his family was just a temporary suspension of troubles.

However, because of Zhu Houxi, their family will be different this year.

Thinking of this, Zhu Houxi also put aside his troubles for the time being.

After all, he is changing little by little.

In most corners of the planet right now, this year has not changed much compared to the past, and it has been the case for hundreds or thousands of years.

And at this moment, the royal family of Portugal has ushered in a drastic change.

The expeditionary fleet returned, appearing in the port of Lisbon.

But instead of coming to the palace, they had a letter delivered.

The person who wrote the letter was not Enrique, but Alfonso.

He said: He has long been the earl of the Ming Dynasty of the Eastern Empire, and his daughter is the imperial concubine of the Eastern Emperor. The Portuguese expeditionary fleet had been wiped out, and now it was the captives who had been loyal to him.

They belonged to the Portuguese East India Company and together with Governor Juan brought the will of the Emperor of the East.

Portugal needs to be sincere and pay the price for the invasion of the Ming Dynasty. The defeat of the expeditionary fleet was a necessary move to bring the King of Portugal to his senses.

If the Ming wanted to establish a real peace with the Ming and achieve trade on a larger scale, the Ming needed a letter of surrender from the King of Portugal, reparations for defeat, and a man he could trust to preside over Portugal's naval power and maritime trade.

Otherwise, Count Alfonso of the Ming Dynasty would take the fleet with him and take complete control of all Portuguese colonies outside the mainland to the East.

If the King of Portugal is still not awake, or wants to rally Spain and other countries to try to regain control of the route to the East and continue to extend its tentacles to the subject countries of the Ming Dynasty, then starting with Portugal, Europa will once again experience the nightmare of conquest by the Eastern army.

The last time it was Genghis Khan and his descendants, coming from land.

This time it was the Ming who defeated the descendants of Genghis Khan, who came together from land and sea.

Now, Alfonso, who is obviously the Portuguese, represents Da Ming, and he really came over from the sea and "knocked knock" at the door of Portugal.

"What a joke!"

It was almost dusk here in Lisbon when João III dropped the letter in disbelief: "What the hell is going on in the port?" ”

"All is normal, my honorable majesty." "But they have taken control of the whole port for the time being," said his detainers, "and the news is that the expeditionary fleet has returned from the east, and that all the cargo will be to be inspected by His Majesty himself before deciding what to do." ”

"What about the merchant ships that went with Enrique? Don't they report to their investors either? ”

"Your Majesty, they also joined Alfonso in saying that those goods were trophies, not bought, so they have to wait for Your Majesty to come and make a decision in person?"

João III's face was full of uncertainties: "Do you want me to go there in person?" ”

"Your Majesty, it is already a fact that the fleet and those merchants are at his command." The favored minister's face was still full of horror, "But now their statement to the outside world is different from what they said in this letter, they should want to negotiate with Your Majesty." Time is running out, and now that the other ships have been sent to the New World and other colonies, Lisbon is empty, with only your most loyal guards and less than ten ships anchored in the port. ”

"How dare you do this, how ......"

Seeing João III's angry appearance, the man hurriedly persuaded: "Your Majesty, you must not fight in Lisbon, you must not!" If there is a fight in Lisbon, the news will surely get out. The Portuguese expeditionary fleet was completely wiped out, and what Spain will do next, you must understand! ”

"The compensation demanded by the Eastern Empire is an astronomical amount of silver! Astronomical quantities! ”

"You must restrain your anger, be sure! Your Majesty, now, they must have been secretly discussing with those investors and big families. If you have such strength and have their support, even a palace coup is possible! In addition to you, the people of the Habsburgs have always longed for the Portuguese throne! ”

Even though the climate was warmer in the northwestern Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic than in Britain and France further north, João III still felt bone-chilling.

Now he regrets it, and he hates Enrique even more for that fool.

"Go ahead and ask what the hell Alfonso wants! He put it differently, what exactly he wanted from Portugal! ”

Then, there was another order: no matter what, first control Enrique's family, including their family wealth.

On the other side of the port, Alfonso looked at Lisbon after a long absence, and his heart was full of emotion and joy.

In the face of such a situation, the self-proclaimed and proud King João should also bow his noble head and come here in person, right?

"Remember, my friends." Alfonso happily admonished, "We remain loyal to His Majesty the Honourable João, and if I can get the status of duke, the official position of Prime Minister and Minister of State, and you can become a marshal and a general." We are still loyal ministers of Portugal, fighting for the interests of Portugal, and who gave us back the opportunity to completely open up the entire trade route of the East? ”

"You're right!"

There was laughter and laughter in the harbor, prostitutes were allowed to enter, and soldiers had been on board for a long time.

But these noble figures, along the way, have been very clear about what kind of voice they have, and what kind of huge interests are in front of them.

Unlike in the past, when goods could only be brought back from India and the Spice Islands, this time it was the interest of truly establishing the most important trade routes in the East.

A steady stream of porcelain, tea, silk!

(End of chapter)