The redefinition of Luzon by the Ming court was a major event, but this was only for Luzon, and this decision could only be regarded as a minor episode in this imperial meeting.

In the face of absolute strength, Luzon has always been an insignificant existence.

Since Luzon was a title given by the Ming court, it is naturally very reasonable to take it back now, not to mention that the practice of Luzon envoys sending hemp rope carpets is indeed not worthy of the title of a vassal state.

"Thanksgiving!" The color knew that the Ming court's redefinition of the title was equivalent to depriving them of the identity of the master of Luzon, but in the face of the Ming Emperor, they could only obey their orders.

In fact, what the Ming Emperor said was not wrong, there are six forces in the Luzon Islands in a broad sense, namely: independent kingdoms and tribes such as Marani, Mayi, Gumaralang, Huluo and Sulu.

Even in terms of race, there are two major races in Luzon, the indigenous tribes of Luzon and the Malay immigrants, and there has always been a natural opposition between the two races.

Until now, the Luzon Islands have never really been reunified. Not only are there large and small forces, but even a kingdom belongs to a loose tribal federation, and there is no real lord of the Luzon Islands.

In fact, they Luzon only occupied Marani and other areas in the central part of Luzon, so naturally it could not be regarded as a real Luzon state, and now it was more worthy of the name to be reduced to the Marani Kingdom.

Seeing that the Ming court would take back the title of Luzon that had been given to them and change it to a more matching Marani vassal state, it seemed that none of this had changed substantially, but a strong uneasiness faintly arose in his heart.

The Ming Emperor in front of him is not only wise, but also very pragmatic, once he suddenly points the finger at their small Marani country, the Marani country will definitely become history.

Zhu Youzhu saw the reaction of the color in his eyes, but he had no intention of conquest of the insignificant Marani country in his heart, but was a little interested in the Marani carpet in his hand.

Affected by the difference in resources, before the birth of nylon, Mala hemp is indeed a rare natural fiber, especially used for weaving sea rope has stronger corrosion resistance.

No matter how the Malani Kingdom reacts, something is destined to be unstoppable, and no one can stop the Ming Dynasty from officially moving towards the South Seas. Unlike the previous finger attack on Indochina, this time the focus is on the eastern side of the South Sea, and more accurately, to control the entire Luzon Islands.

In other words, this is the most important strategic goal of Hongzhi in the past three years, and a key step containing the code of China's revitalization.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the temperature is still very low.

The officials inside and outside the palace all felt a chill, but when they saw that their emperor had simply erased the title of Luzon, they were even more in awe of their own emperor.

After the Malani envoys retreated, the Japanese Ouchi, North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese, and Champa envoys offered gifts one after another.

The Ouchi family has become the largest weapon buyer in the Ming Dynasty, and now the relationship with the Ming is getting closer and closer, and even has the intention of recognizing the Ming Emperor as his father.

Although North Vietnam, South Vietnam and Champa maintained hostile camps, they all hoped to get the support of the Ming court, and they also sent a generous gift, and even Gu Lai, the king of Champa, personally came to Beijing to congratulate him this time.

With the end of the dedication session, the subsequent feast was held as in previous years.

Faced with the delicacies brought to them, the civil and military officials and foreign envoys knew very well that this was not a place to eat at all, and they followed etiquette like marionettes.

The flowers are similar every year, but the people are different every year.

Zhu Youzhu looked at the familiar scene in front of him, but the personnel had always changed, like Du Ming, the secretary of the Criminal Department, was no longer here, and he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

On the first day of the new year, there is a smell of festivities, and even the occasional sound of cannonballs can be heard in the palace.

After the end of the court meeting, Zhu Youzhu returned to Qianqing Palace by dragon chariot, but he knew that he had ushered in a long vacation in the true sense.

Although it is impossible to be restrained as an emperor, he is ultimately shouldering the mission of revitalizing China, so he handles government affairs seriously on weekdays.

Now it's completely different, and now you can put aside all the troublesome government affairs and enjoy a full six days of royal vacation in peace.

The trees want to be quiet, and the wind does not stop.

It was only the second day of the holiday, and the entire Forbidden City suddenly became tense.

Chirping......

It was still noon, but the four gates of the palace were closed, and Chang Feng personally led the personnel to leave the noon gate.

"No one is allowed to approach the palace garden!"

"What the hell is going on?"

"Everybody doesn't ask much! Spread the word of His Majesty, and everyone will return to their own residences!! ”

……

Guo Yong, as the eunuch in charge of the seal, can be said to be the chief manager of the palace, and at this time he personally led the personnel to arrange the personnel in the palace, looking like a great enemy.

Forbidden City, East Warm Pavilion.

Zhu Youjiao, who was wearing regular clothes, had a solemn face and sat behind the bead curtain without saying a word.

The two old imperial doctors were led in by the little eunuch, and knelt down respectfully and said, "Back to Your Majesty, the condition has been clarified!" ”

"What kind of disease does that palace maid have?" Zhu Youzhu picked up the teacup and asked quietly.

The eldest Imperial Physician Cui swallowed and spitted at the mouth, and said cautiously: "Back to Your Majesty, judging from the experience of the minister and Imperial Physician Li, this person is smallpox!" ”

As soon as these words came out, Liu Jin and the other eunuchs were suddenly horrified.

Smallpox is not recorded in ancient books, probably introduced to China during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

According to historical records, the Eastern Han Dynasty Fubo general Ma Yuan Zeng went south to Jiaozhi and captured a large number of prisoners. It wasn't long before smallpox among captives began to spread.

This is because smallpox infection is covered with a rash all over the body at the onset of the disease, which then scabs over and eventually leaves permanent scars on the face, and even leads directly to death.

Since the disease was brought by captives on the battlefield, it was originally called "sores".

Once a person is infected with smallpox, there is no cure other than relying on autoimmunity and drugs to relieve symptoms. Those who survived would also be scarred by a rash all over their bodies, hence the name "smallpox".

It is smallpox that is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate, and the fatality rate of severe smallpox is about 25.5%, so people in the world have always smelled "smallpox".

But no one thought that such a vicious infectious disease would appear in the palace, and now it may endanger the emperor's life.

"Smallpox? Well, how could smallpox suddenly appear in the palace? Zhu Youzhu faintly felt that things were a little strange, and asked seriously.

Imperial Doctor Cui swallowed and spit, but responded stubbornly: "I don't know where smallpox came from, but this disease can be transmitted by humans and animals, and it is simply impossible to prevent it!" ”

"According to the usual inertia, how should the palace respond to smallpox?" Zhu Youzhu knew that the imperial doctor in front of him couldn't relieve the doubts in his heart, so he softened his tone and asked.

Imperial Physician Cui was naturally aware of this matter, so he replied truthfully: "All personnel are ordered to stay in their own residences temporarily to reduce the flow of people. If a new case is found, it will be immediately isolated, and personnel will be disinfected, and a temporary treatment room must be set up in the uterus......"

"In that case, let's handle it according to the previous regulations first!" Zhu Youzhu knew that the experience of the ancients was worth adopting, so he turned his head to look at Liu Jin: "The word of the Messenger is that all offices should ventilate frequently, wash their hands with soap more, and don't wear other people's clothes indiscriminately!" ”

Liu Jin knew that the matter was not trivial, and immediately said respectfully: "The slave obeys the order!" ”

"Imperial Doctor Cui, will I get smallpox? Or am I actually infected with smallpox now? Zhu Youzhu took a deep breath and asked the question he was most concerned about.

Even as a dignified emperor, in the face of this incurable disease, he is actually just a weak individual. In the more than two years that have passed, I can be said to be the closest to facing death.

Not to mention that my throat is a little dry, even if there is really no problem, but the incubation period of smallpox is 7 to 17 days, but there is no guarantee that I am still safe now.

Once I really contracted smallpox, then all the efforts I had made over the years would probably be in vain.

Imperial Physician Li next to Imperial Physician Cui replied: "Your Majesty, the minister has just diagnosed Your Majesty's dragon body as normal, and there are no symptoms of fever. It's just that in the near future, there should be less sexual intercourse, first, His Majesty's spirit has been damaged, and second, in order to prevent infection, you can't contact your concubines again! ”

"All of you go down!" Zhu Youzhu knew that he probably couldn't see it before he showed any symptoms, so he raised his hand gently.

I thought that as long as I stayed in the palace honestly, and didn't drink medicine and fall into the water on a dragon boat, how could I, the emperor, live for ten more years.

It's just that now it seems that he is still too naïve, danger can be everywhere, and he can even kill the emperor invisibly.

Regardless of whether this smallpox is a natural disaster or a man-made disaster, if you contract this disease, then your life may end here, and you still can't get rid of the fate of being an heir.

Imperial Physician Cui and Imperial Physician Li didn't know what Zhu Youzhu was thinking, and they also knew that the current situation was unclear, so they saluted respectfully and said, "The ministers are leaving!" ”

The sky was overcast, and the entire Forbidden City was covered in snow.

"I don't want to die!"

"I've heard that smallpox doesn't have to die!"

"If your face is full of pockmarks, then you might as well die!"

……

There is no impermeable wall in the world, and the news of smallpox quickly spread throughout the palace, not to mention those ordinary palace maids and eunuchs, even the concubines have become very uneasy.

Smallpox can not only directly kill people, but also indirectly destroy other people's lives.

Once smallpox is contracted, most people's faces become pockmarked to a greater or lesser extent, which is undoubtedly fatal to the women of the court.

"Why aren't you letting me in?"

"Niu Mengmeng, the miscellaneous family has a few words to ask you!"

"Grandpa Guo, what are you doing so officially? What do you want to ask? ”

……

Niu Mengmeng came back with a raccoon cat humming a small tune, but was savagely stopped in front of the Qianqing Gate, and looked at Guo Yong and the others led by him suspiciously.

"Where did you just go?"

"Uh, I took Huzi for a walk, and I arrived at Gonghou Yuan and Changle Palace!"

"Do you know the palace maid Chuchun?"

"Yes! We've been walking together sometimes lately, what's wrong? ”

"Someone is coming, and Niu Mengmeng is about to be taken away!"

After Guo Yong understood the situation clearly, his face immediately sank, and he gave an order with a wave of his hand.

"Grandpa Guo, what are you doing here?"

"You're quarantined! But don't worry, you're isolated! ”

"Me? To be quarantined? ”

Niu Mengmeng looked very puzzled in the face of the sudden arrest.

Her good luck has come to an end after all, because she has been to the palace and has been in contact with close contacts in early spring, so she naturally has to be isolated alone.

In fact, she has become the focus of attention of the entire Qianqing Palace, not only because she is one of the few palace maids and eunuchs who have contact with the outside world, but also because she is in close contact with the emperor.

Ahh

Zhu Youzhu couldn't help but sneeze heavily, even in the warm East Warm Pavilion, he felt a biting chill at this moment.

Although there is no actual evidence now, he does not believe that things could be so coincidental, and the epidemic of smallpox suddenly appeared in the Forbidden City.

The fundamental reason for this phenomenon must be that he has touched the interests of too many people, from the rectification of the salt administration to the clearing of acres of land, from the crackdown on financial crimes to the extravagant tax introduced after the year, all of which have infringed on the interests of the official gentry and the elite.

"In that case, then I'll take a good look at it, which of us can have the last laugh!" Zhu Youzhu stretched out his hand and rubbed his nose, looking extremely determined.

Retreat and compromise are not his character, since these powerful people have not yet succumbed, and even want to take their own lives in this way, then he naturally wants to rise up again bloody storm.

The Forbidden City is permeated with a sense of panic.

In the face of the unknown, in the face of the virus that may appear around them, the entire palace has become panicked.

In the face of the sudden epidemic, the Qianqing Palace quickly became a small world of its own.

Guo Yong undertook the mission of the palace's chief butler, chose to run at the forefront without fear of smallpox, and personally guarded in front of the Qianqing Gate, while the other personnel of the Qianqing Palace formed layers of defense in an orderly manner.

"Your Majesty, what is a mask?"

"Aren't all assassins covered with a black cloth? I need a white cloth to wrap around my mouth and nose, but the cloth must be well ventilated! ”

……

Zhu Youzhu knew that in addition to direct contact infection, the most important thing was to prevent the spread of droplets, so he immediately decided to introduce mask protection to the palace.

In the following time, the atmosphere of the entire Forbidden City seemed very depressing.

With the continuous investigation of the imperial doctors, the epidemic situation in the palace is becoming more and more serious, and the number of people infected with smallpox has reached ten, and it has reached double digits.

No one knows when smallpox entered the palace, how long it has been dormant in the palace, and how many people have been carriers of the virus, so that the entire palace people are frightened.

Fortunately, the masks were quickly produced, and everyone in the palace wore masks, which effectively suppressed the spread of smallpox.

Zhu Youzhu followed the advice of the imperial doctor and recently quit sex directly, but there was always an anxiety in his heart.

At this time, Niu Mengmeng suddenly developed symptoms of fever, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which was the symptom of the early stage of smallpox.

If he could comfort himself earlier, after all, as the emperor, he had no contact with the sick palace maids and eunuchs, but Niu Mengmeng was one of Zhu Youzhang's closest palace maids, making the emperor a close contact.

Due to the long-term pampering relationship, Zhu Youzhang's physical fitness is worse than ordinary people, so the possibility of death is higher than others.