The news that King Jing's concubine Zhang was pregnant was like throwing a pebble into the lake, and only caused a few ripples in the court and the opposition.

After all, King Jing has now officially taken up the throne and has no hope of inheriting the throne.

Some people can't help but sigh that if this news had appeared a year and a half earlier, many things might have been different.

Sighing to sighing, when it really comes time to press the chips, these people still have a clear share.

At present, the most promising person to inherit the unification, except for the infant Zhu Zaiyuan, is only King Yu.

And because Zhu Zaiyuan was still in infancy, coupled with the reason why Jiajing had warned him before, many officials in the court bet on King Yu.

Although Zhu Zaiyuan is the child born to Jiajing and the empress, and has a natural advantage in terms of reputation, no one dares to guarantee that Zhu Zaiyuan will not die halfway and grow up smoothly.

After all, before this, Jiajing had a total of eight sons, six of whom died young, and only two people, King Yu and King Jing, grew up.

If all the bets are placed on Zhu Zaiyuan, once he encounters any accident and dies halfway, it means that the previous investment has been wasted.

In contrast, it is safer to bet all the bets on Yuwang.

With such thoughts in mind, more and more officials in the DPRK and China have joined Zhu Zaikun's camp.

After Zhu Zaikun accepted Xu Jie's suggestion and took the initiative to show favor to Zhu Zaizhen, the government and the opposition even circulated praise for Zhu Zaikun, and many officials praised him for his open-mindedness and generosity, regardless of past suspicions.

……

Forbidden City, inside the Qianqing Palace.

At this time, Jiajing was sitting cross-legged on the futon, his eyes seemed to be closed, and Jiajing at this time had already entered a meditative state.

In the meditative state, Jiajing only felt his senses, which were countless times sharper.

At this time, Jiajing could even faintly hear the sound of the larvae of the cicadas that lurked underground and survived the winter.

In this process, Jiajing's breathing gradually became smoother, and the aura escaping from the air was also absorbed by Jiajing in the process of spitting and absorbing.

The aura absorbed by Jiajing, through the limbs and hundreds of remains, circulates in the body for a week, and then fills the cyclone in the Jiajing dantian like a mud cow entering the sea.

Gradually, Jiajing's whole person's aura gradually became unfathomable.

Time passed slowly, I don't know how long it was, I saw Jiajing exhale a long breath of turbidity, and then quit the meditative state.

After roughly perceiving the condition of his body, he saw Jiajing nodding slightly, and said to himself: "Well, yes, the speed of mana growth is much faster than before, continue like this, I will soon be able to build a foundation!" ”

After that, I saw Jiajing slowly get up from the futon and sit back on the dragon chair.

Just as Jiajing casually looked at the music sent by the celebrant supervisor, he saw Lu Fang enter the Qianqing Palace with a silent step.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, I saw Lu Fang come to Jiajing's face, lean down, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the matter you asked the slave and maid to investigate, the slave and maid have already found out!" ”

When Lu Fang said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "Recently, in the government and the opposition, those remarks about His Royal Highness King Yu are all fueled by some officials......

When Jiajing heard this, there was no surprise on his face, but he sneered, his face was full of mockery, and he said to himself: "This group of bastards, it's just a matter of not being honest, and they are still playing these unpopular tricks in front of me all day long!" ”

"Hmph, open-minded, brother and brother, they are fooling me as a fool!"

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, after considering the tone in his mind, he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, do you need to let the slave maid ......?"

When Jiajing heard this, he glanced at Lu Fang quite casually, nodded, and commanded: "Well, Lu Fang, you can do it, just grab a few people and warn them, don't make too much movement!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, his expression immediately turned grim, and he responded respectfully.

……

After instructing Lu Fang, I saw Jiajing stretch out his hand, pick up a note from the bookcase on the side, and look at it casually.

And Lu Fang, as usual, waited quietly beside Jiajing, like a sculpture.

Just as Jiajing was intently browsing the notes in his hand, he saw the guide eunuch step into the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, I saw the guide eunuch subconsciously looking in the direction where Jiajing was, bowing his head, and respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, Chengguo Gong is asking to see you outside!" ”

After Jiajing learned the news, a trace of surprise flashed on his face, and he said secretly: "What is Cheng Guogong doing here at this time?" ”

Immediately, I saw Jiajing shake his head, suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, waved his hand, and commanded: "Well, I know, let him in!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's specific instructions, the guide eunuch did not stop in the Qianqing Palace, and immediately left.

At this time, Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, who was waiting outside the Qianqing Palace, had a worried look on his face.

After all, this was the second time he took the initiative to come to the Qianqing Palace to meet Jiajing, and the last time he came was to persuade Jiajing to let him command the Shenji Battalion to participate in the war.

"I don't know if Your Majesty will agree to go to inspect the army, if it is ...... Your Majesty's side then"

Thinking of this, Zhu Xizhong's heart couldn't help but feel a little troubled, and after taking a deep breath, he calmed down.

At this moment, I saw the guide eunuch quietly come to Zhu Xizhong, arched his hand to him, and said respectfully: "Chengguo Gong, you can go in, Your Majesty is waiting for you inside!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard this, he immediately came back to his senses, arched his hand, and the guide led the eunuch to express his gratitude: "Well, I'm tired of my father-in-law!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong's words fell, he saw that the face of the guide eunuch was full of panic, and he hurriedly returned the salute to Zhu Xizhong: "Chengguo Gong, you are polite, this is our family's responsibility!" ”

After a few words of greeting, I saw Zhu Xizhong walking with a steady pace, climbing the stairs, and stepping on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace step by step.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Xizhong only felt a burst of warmth coming, and his fingers, which were originally a little frozen, gradually regained consciousness and became lively.

After this, I saw Zhu Xizhong raise his head, look in the direction where Jiajing was, kneel on the ground with a 'plop', and said in a deep voice: "Weichen knocks on Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

Seeing this, Jiajing hurriedly got up from the dragon chair, walked quickly to Zhu Xizhong, personally lifted him up from the ground, and then said: "Chengguo Gong, please get up quickly, you don't have to be so polite to me!" ”

After lifting Zhu Xizhong up from the ground, he saw Jiajing turn around, look at the eunuch waiting on the side, and command in a deep voice: "Come here, give a seat for Chengguogong!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When the words fell, a eunuch soon stepped forward and prepared a seat for Zhu Xizhong, and out of the need to keep warm, he also thoughtfully covered the seat with soft cushions.

Seeing this, Zhu Xizhong couldn't help but be a little moved, and then, he saw him leaning down and expressing his gratitude to Jiajing: "Thank you, Your Majesty!" ”

After that, I saw Zhu Xizhong sitting down on the chair next to him, and the whole person was sitting in a precarious position.

……

Then, Jiajing sat back on the dragon chair, turned his gaze to the direction where Zhu Xizhong was, and began to inquire about the intention.

"Cheng Guogong, are you looking for me, is there something wrong?"

When Zhu Xizhong heard Jiajing's words, a trace of entanglement flashed on his face, and then, he saw that he had organized his language in his mind and was determined to explain everything.

"Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, at that banquet a year ago, Weichen accidentally discovered two rare talents!"

"Oh, who is it?"

Although he knew which two people Zhu Xizhong was referring to, Jiajing still looked interested and confirmed to him.

"Your Majesty, these two people were personally recommended by Hu Ge Lao before, and then sent by Your Majesty to train troops, General Qi Jiguang of Zhaoyi, and General Yu Dayou of Huaiyuan!"

"These two are both resourceful, brave and good at fighting, and very good at using soldiers, among them, Qi Jiguang's talent is even more outstanding, and he is a rare handsome talent!"

Zhu Xizhong paused for a moment when he said this, and then continued to add: "Weichen found that these two people's opinions are quite unique, so he took it upon himself to invite these two people to the mansion for a talk!" ”

After listening to Zhu Xizhong's words, Jiajing nodded imperceptibly, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Whether it was Zhu Xizhong's exchange with Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou at the banquet held a year ago, or the subsequent invitation of Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou to the Chengguo Mansion, Jiajing actually knew it.

If this matter is put on other people, the next thing is the round of Dongchang and Jinyiwei.

After all, this is a private friendship with generals, you must know that the current Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou are in the hands of more than 25,000 elite soldiers drawn from guards all over the country.

Even if it is described as a sentence with heavy troops, it is not an exaggeration!

What's more, at present, this army is still stationed not far from the capital.

As an emperor, it is inevitable that he will suffer from "suspicion", and he will subconsciously leave a sense of vigilance against anyone.

And now, Zhu Xizhong took the initiative to explain the ins and outs of the matter in front of Jiajing, which indirectly showed his attitude.

After listening to Zhu Xizhong's praise for Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, Jiajing nodded, and said with a smile: "Cheng Guogong's evaluation of these two people is so high, it makes me feel a little curious, and I will take time to see the situation in person another day!" ”

When Jiajing said this, he looked in the direction where Zhu Xizhong was, and proposed: "When the time comes, Chengguo Gong will also go with me, right?" ”

Hearing Jiajing's words, a trace of excitement flashed on Zhu Xizhong's face, he leaned down and responded in a deep voice: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

Zhu Xizhong never expected things to go so smoothly, after all, this matter was raised by the emperor himself, which saved him from embarrassment.

And inviting yourself to go to the school with you is a different kind of grace.

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Zhu Xizhong looked in the direction where Jiajing was, plucked up his courage, and asked: "Weichen dares to ask Your Majesty, when will the news of the Shenji Battalion be announced that the Shenji Battalion will join the war together?" ”

When Jiajing heard Zhu Xizhong's words, after pondering for a while, he waved his hand and responded: "Cheng Guogong doesn't have to worry, I plan to raise this matter in public during the next cabinet meeting!" ”

Jiajing's words, without a doubt, were a shot in the arm for Zhu Xizhong.

After all, this matter is not only about himself, but also closely related to the return of the Ming clan and nobles to the court.

If he leads the Shenji Battalion and makes great achievements, the emperor can bring the power of victory and push the boat down the river to send the clan and nobles into the court.

As long as the clan and nobles are allowed to regain the right to speak above the court, then the day of complete revival is not far away.

"This battle is not only a battle for my Ming revenge, but also a battle for the clan and nobles, Zhu Xizhong, what you are carrying on your shoulders is the millions of clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty!"

Thinking of this, Zhu Xizhong subconsciously clenched his fists, his face full of determination.

Seeing that the matter had settled, Zhu Xizhong had no intention of staying any longer, only to see him get up from his seat and say goodbye to Jiajing.

After walking out of the Qianqing Palace, I saw Zhu Xizhong retract his gaze from the distant scenery and unconsciously quicken the pace of his feet.

……

In the evening, after leaving duty, Zhang Juzheng took a sedan chair and returned to his mansion in the capital.

All along, Zhang Juzheng has maintained the habit of living in a deep and simple place, and does not participate in any other than necessary banquets.

At this time, I saw Zhang Juzheng sitting behind the bookcase, and in front of him, there was also a report sent by Yang Mu, the driver of the car.

After Zhang Juzheng finished browsing the report in his hand, the whole person couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, put it aside casually, and said with emotion.

"Well, the progress is not bad, thirty-five post stations have been abolished, as long as time passes, the remaining post stations can also be gradually abolished, and then, post stations across the country will also be under the jurisdiction of the Frame Clearance Division!"

"Alas, it's been a while since the Sixth Branch came to supervise those officials who issued post charms without authorization and fought the autumn wind in the post station, why haven't you caught the typical ones?"

After Zhang Juzheng finished speaking, he took the opportunity to pick up the teacup soaked in wolfberry water on the table and took a sip.

Since Yan Song proposed in public at the Imperial Council that the original post talisman be abolished and a new version of the post talisman with a new version of the post talisman indicating the user and the period of use, those officials in charge of the issuance of post talisman have become much more cautious.

Except for official needs, no one dares to issue post charms at will as before.

After all, if you send post charms indiscriminately as you have done in the past, if something happens at that time, the responsibility for not being able to keep it up will fall on your head.

Some officials have already seen that the imperial court intends to make an example of chickens and monkeys, and is ready to find out a typical example and punish it severely.

Therefore, for the sake of the black gauze hat on the top of the head, it is better to observe the situation first.

And everyone is tacitly waiting for that unlucky guy to appear.

……

At this time, the criminal department is in the duty room in the matter.

After dealing with today's affairs, I saw Ouyang Yijing get up from behind the bookcase and move his limbs.

It's been a while since the cabinet has put the Sixth Section in charge of supervising officials who distribute post charms without authorization and fight the autumn breeze in the post station.

For the six subjects, finding out a model as soon as possible is the most important thing at the moment.

Since the imperial court has asked the six departments to be responsible for supervising, the six departments naturally have to come up with corresponding results to prove themselves.

Although the six departments have been working hard and dare not relax in the slightest, they still haven't found anything that can be regarded as a typical case.

"It's really strange, in the past, wasn't it common to issue post charms without authorization and fight the autumn wind in the post station?"

"Why now, it seems to be completely extinct?"

After Ouyang Yijing finished speaking, he shook his head helplessly, and prepared to leave the duty room.

Unbeknownst to him, at this moment, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the door.

After a while, the door of the room was pushed open suddenly, and I saw a panting Hu Yingjia walking in quickly.

After entering the room, Hu Yingjia didn't care about anything else, and immediately looked in the direction where Ouyang Yijing was, and reported breathlessly.

"Big ...... Sir, I caught a typical! ”

"What, caught typical, who is it?"

After learning the news from Hu Yingjia's mouth, Ouyang Yijing was stunned at first, and then the whole person fell into ecstasy, and asked.

Facing Ouyang Yijing's eager gaze, I saw Hu Yingjia forcibly suppress the tension in his heart, and reported in a deep voice: "My lord, we received a report from the post man of Wuning Station, saying that Hou Wenqing, a member of the Ministry of Works, took the opportunity to blackmail the post man after he was drunk!" ”

After this, I saw Ouyang Yijing come back to his senses, look in the direction where Hu Yingjia was, and command in a deep voice.

"Okay, okay, without further ado, hurry up and announce this matter, so that our six departments can be regarded as having an explanation to the imperial court!"

"Yes, sir!"

When Hu Yingjia heard this, after bowing his hand to Ouyang Yi, he did not hesitate at all, and immediately left the duty room.

……

Soon, with the help of the officials, Hou Wenqing, a member of the Ministry of Labor, extorted money from the postman after being drunk, and soon spread throughout the government and the opposition.

As soon as this news came out, many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief, because the imperial court finally caught the typical.

I don't have to be trembling like I used to be walking on thin ice and being scared all day long.

Next, it is to see what punishment the imperial court will give to this foreign engineer who hit the muzzle of the gun.

Beijing, Yanfu.

In the room, after learning the news from the housekeeper's mouth, the expression on Yan Shifan's face was gloomy and terrifying.

Seeing this, the housekeeper had to look at his nose and nose and heart, and try to reduce his sense of existence.

At this moment, I saw Yan Shifan slam the table and said in a deep voice: "What a bastard, a dignified member of the Ministry of Labor, a five-grade official, is the money issued to you by the imperial court not enough?" I still want to be greedy for this little bargain! ”

"The face of the Ministry of Works, even the face of the old man of the Pavilion, will be lost!"

This sudden scene startled the butler, and then, he quickly reacted, like a sculpture, lowered his head and remained motionless.

In fact, as early as after the end of the imperial meeting, Yan Shifan knew that the imperial court would find out a typical example and punish it severely.

But what Yan Shifan didn't expect was that this model would actually come from the Ministry of Industry, and he was also a member of the Ministry of Industry, from the fifth grade official.

In this way, isn't it equivalent to a slap in the face of him, who is the secretary of the Ministry of Works?

After venting his emotions, he saw a helpless expression on Yan Shifan's face, stroked his forehead, looked in the direction where the housekeeper was, and commanded: "Go down first!" ”

"Yes, Little Pavilion Elder!"

When the housekeeper heard Yan Shifan's words, the whole person was like being pardoned, and without the slightest hesitation, he immediately left the room quickly.

"Alas, it's a shame for an adult!"

At this time, Yan Shifan could even predict in advance what the future scene would be like.

"Alas, that's it, now that it's over, let's hurry up and go to my father to discuss and see if there is any way to remedy it!"

After making up his mind, he saw Yan Shifan sigh helplessly, and then walked towards the room where Yan Song was.

Yan Shifan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down before knocking on the door of Yan Song's room.

Then, I only heard Yan Song's voice in the room: "Who?" ”

"Father, the child has something to discuss with you!"

"Well, come in!"

When the words fell, I only heard Yan Song's deep voice sound.

After that, Yan Shifan did not hesitate at all, and immediately pushed the door in.

At this time, in the room, Yan Song was sitting behind the bookcase, browsing the books in front of him with great concentration, and the charcoal fire in the room was burning.

Seeing Yan Shifan coming, I saw Yan Song take his attention away from the book, raised his eyebrows, and said slowly: "Say, if there is something to discuss with me." ”

When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he had no intention of concealing it, and after considering his tone, he narrated the ins and outs of the matter to Yan Song.

"Father, here's the thing, not long ago, the six branches ......"

After patiently listening to Yan Shifan's narration, I saw that Yan Song's face was full of surprise that could not be concealed.

Then, I saw Yan Song look in the direction of Yan Shifan with an incredulous expression, and confirmed to him: "What are you talking about, a dignified official from the fifth grade, actually went to the post station to fight the autumn breeze under the pretext of performing official duties?" ”

When the words fell, I saw that the expression on Yan Shifan's face became stiff, and he responded stubbornly: "Yes, father, no matter how bizarre this incident is, it did happen!" ”

When Yan Shifan said this, he cast a distressed gaze at Yan Song again: "Father, in your opinion, what should the child do next?" ”

"If it goes on like this, the child's face, and even the face of the Ministry of Works, will be lost!"

When Yan Song heard this, after pondering for a while, he shook his head helplessly, and gave his own advice: "Alas, what else can I do now, I can only deal with it impartially, and then hope for time!" (End of chapter)