The next morning, Mou Bin wore the Qilin robe bestowed by the emperor, a Zhongjing crown on his head, and entered the palace with the golden medal of the commander to meet the emperor.
Soon, news spread from the palace that the emperor was furious. The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War were dismissed. The Imperial Censor made suggestions but was dismissed one after another. Even the three scholars of the cabinet were dismissed.
Emperor Hongzhi was kind and merciful, and had not yet exterminated all of the remnants of the Wan Fei faction. In just a few days, he threw several memorials in a row during the morning court session, and was furious, which frightened the civil and military officials in the court. With the commander of the Jinyiwei at his side and the general of the Jinwuwei standing outside the palace, he felt even more frightened and his scalp was numb when he was in the court.
After the morning court session ended, the ministers left the Fengtian Gate, their hearts still in their throats.
Officials in the capital who were not qualified to attend the court, or nobles who were exempted from attending the court, all cowered and dared not say a word after hearing the news.
What is truly frightening is when an honest person turns against you.
The current emperor's move can't help but remind people of Emperor Yingzong in his early years.
The Zhang brothers, who usually went with the emperor at will, also stayed in the mansion nervously, not daring to enter the palace to inquire about the news, for fear of running into the trap.
Because of Empress Zhang's relationship, the emperor was very tolerant towards the Zhangs. However, from the ministers in the court to the eunuchs in the inner court, they all disliked the Zhang brothers.
For example, He Daban, who was beside the emperor, once chased and beat Shouling Hou with a golden gourd in his hand. Although the latter was misbehaving and offended the emperor's majesty because of his drunkenness, it was rare for a eunuch to dare to directly beat the emperor's brother-in-law.
Now, the emperor is furious, and all the civil and military officials in the court are confused. Even the relatives and nobles dare not act rashly. They just want to wait until the storm passes before making plans.
Unexpectedly, after the court was dismissed, the emperor returned to the Qianqing Palace. The eunuchs rushed to the Imperial Hospital, and the eunuchs drove out of the palace in a carriage. The on-duty judges, the off-duty envoys, and the four imperial doctors were all summoned to the Qianqing Palace.
Afterwards, a eunuch issued an order to adjourn the court at noon that day.
Emperor Hongzhi suffered a great loss at a young age, which damaged his health. He was ill for a long time and had to take medicine all year round. Even though the Imperial Hospital racked its brains and helped the emperor recuperate by reading pulse records, it was still difficult to cure his serious illness.
In the 17th year of the Hongzhi reign, when the court officials heard that the Jinyiwei had been ordered to leave the capital in secret to look for a "Taoist master" to make medicine for the emperor, they were all shocked.
Given Emperor Hongzhi's character, he would not seek immortality.
The most likely possibility is that the prescriptions issued by the Imperial Medical Bureau are useless. They can only cure diseases but not save lives. The emperor can only seek help from elixirs to barely hold on and force himself to handle state affairs.
According to the words of later generations, the effect of the elixir made by the Taoist priest for Emperor Hongzhi to take was similar to the "stimulant" of later generations. For the emperor who had been ill for a long time, it was tantamount to overdrawing his energy and committing chronic suicide.
However, the Imperial Medical Bureau was helpless and there was nothing they could do without seeking help from elixirs.
After enduring the hardships since last year and suffering from a series of outrages, Emperor Hongzhi's body finally couldn't take it anymore.
Inside the Qianqing Palace, the Imperial Hospital's Director and Judge looked solemn as they took the patient's pulse and discussed the prescription. After confirming that the medicine was suitable, they personally went to the side hall to boil the medicine without the help of the eunuchs.
Outside the palace, the queen came to visit the emperor in person, but was stopped by the emperor's attendant.
"Your Majesty is ill and cannot see the Queen. I have received your order and ask the Queen to return to the palace for the time being."
The queen was anxious, but she knew that Ning Jin dared to do this, and must have received the emperor's order. After being married for many years, she knew that it was impossible to do anything, so she could only suppress her anger and said, "If the emperor gets better, you must send someone to report to me."
"yes."
Ning Jin bowed and respectfully sent Empress Zhang off. After the red-skirted palace maid had walked away, he turned around and returned to the inner hall.
There was no incense lit in the room, only the bitter smell of medicine wafting around.
The emperor, who should have been lying on the dragon bed, was now sitting up with a low table on his legs. Two eunuchs were serving him with pens and ink, and were writing something quickly.
Emperor Hongzhi was less than 40 years old, but his temples were already gray and he was skinny. His eye sockets were sunken and dark under his eyes, like someone who had been ill for a long time. However, his face was strangely ruddy and his fingers were extremely strong.
Looking at the jade box that the eunuch touched, Ning Jin knew that the emperor had taken the elixir again.
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
"I know what my wife is thinking." Emperor Hongzhi did not stop writing, and sighed, "Time waits for no one."
Ning Jin's eyes turned red and he could no longer speak.
"The Queen is gone?"
"Your Majesty, the Queen has returned to Kunning Palace."
"Where's the prince?"
"I have sent someone to Wenhua Palace. The prince has finished his morning reading and should..."
Before Ning Jin could finish his words, the voice of a eunuch reporting could be heard outside the palace gate, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
In the blink of an eye, a young man wearing a bright red robe with a coiled dragon pattern, a winged crown on his head, a jade belt around his waist, and leather boots on his feet rushed in.
"Father!"
The young man was anxious, and without caring about anything else, he rushed to the front of Emperor Hongzhi. His handsome face was very similar to that of Emperor Hongzhi in his early years, but he was not pale or weak at all, but healthy and plump.
The young man was the crown prince of the time, Zhu Houzhao, who was only fourteen years old.
Zhu Houzhao saluted, and Emperor Hongzhi coughed twice and said, "Come closer, I have something to tell you."
Without the emperor's order, Ning Jin and other eunuchs quickly left the inner hall, closed the hall door, and stood guard behind the door.
"Father's health is very important. We can talk later if we have anything to say."
"There is no future." Emperor Hongzhi shook his head slightly.
"Father..."
"It's okay. I've been ill for so many years, and I've let it go."
Emperor Hongzhi never had Concub!nes in his life, only one wife, the Empress. His youngest son died young, and Zhu Houzhao was his eldest son and only son. To Zhu Houzhao, he was both a strict father and a loving father.
"I wrote this down, please remember it well."
Written on the paper were the names of court officials, both civil and military. Some were outlined in ink, while others were dotted with red marks.
"Those who are marked with ink are important officials and can be used. Those who are marked with red dots will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple for strict investigation after the palace examination."
Without waiting for Zhu Houzhao to speak, Emperor Hongzhi pointed out several names and said, "Remember these people. No matter what the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple say, they will not be pardoned. I have already told Mou Bin, he will do a good job of this."
The tone of Emperor Hongzhi sounded as if he was making arrangements for his final affairs.
Although Zhu Houzhao did not like reading and had a reputation for being naughty, he was naturally filial. When he saw his father acting like this, his eyes turned red and tears rolled down.
"Father!"
"Don't cry."
Emperor Hongzhi gently patted his son's shoulder, his expression showing helplessness, reluctance, and even more regret. The child was still young, but he was already terminally ill. He didn't ask for much, even if he could give him another ten or five years! After exhausting his efforts in educating him, he could leave with peace of mind.
nowadays...
Sighing deeply, Emperor Hongzhi recalled what his great-grandfather Gaohuangdi once said to Prince Yiwen: The stick has thorns, I will remove them for you before you can hold it.
He could give up his reputation and make up his mind to imitate the emperor, but time was not waiting for him and he could no longer do anything.
"Father, you are blessed by heaven and will be in good health!"
"Silly talk." Emperor Hongzhi laughed, without using the honorific title, and said, "Did you remember all of what your father told you?"
"remember."
Zhu Houzhao wiped away his tears, but his eyes were still red.
Emperor Hongzhi also felt sad.
The destiny cannot be violated, and he can only hold on for one more day, try his best to pave the way for his son, and select good ministers to assist him. As for what Mou Bin reported, it should be left to the prince to deal with, in order to deter the ministers.
Emperor Hongzhi, despite his illness, taught the crown prince in the Qianqing Palace.
Mou Bin returned to the Northern Pacification Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and sent out three teams of Tiqi, two to the north and one to the south.
Those heading north, the destination is Xuanfu Datong. Those heading south, the destination is Nanchang, the place where King Ning was conferred the title.
The wind in the court was blowing, and Logan Yang, who had been diligent in his policy essays, was not affected. He only heard from Li Chun that the tribute scholars who had sent visiting cards and essays to the Zhang and Yang residences had not seen them, so he frowned slightly.
"Mr. Zhang is about to retire, and not many people have sent their names to him. But Mr. Yang is nowhere to be seen, which is a little strange."
When Li Chun and the other two were talking, Logan Yang rarely spoke. When he spoke occasionally, it was mostly to discuss policy papers. He never showed his sharp edge again, as he did when confronting Blake Yan.
He didn't mention it, but Li Chun and others would not remain silent.
They had already become enemies with Blake Yan, so they naturally did not want Blake Yan to shine in the palace examination and win the emperor's favor.
Seeing that the three people were indeed worried, Logan Yang had to speak out to comfort them.
"There is a 90% chance that what you three are worried about will not happen."
"Do you have any evidence, my dear brother?"
"nature."
Logan Yang put down the book and began to analyze point by point why Blake Yan would not succeed overnight and get the first place.
First, the top three candidates in the imperial examination are all talented and, if nothing unexpected happens, they will occupy at least two places in the first class. Otherwise, it would be a slap in the face of the chief examiner. The palace examinations throughout the history have also proved this point.
Secondly, although Blake Yan ranked high, he was ahead of Dylan Xie! As the son of the cabinet minister, he was excellent in both talent and conduct, and he was also handsome. During the palace examination, he was the only choice for the third place.
The third and most important point is that because of Yan Huan, there were more than just a few small tribute scholars who wanted to suppress Blake Yan.
Logan Yang paused, then said, "I have heard that Grand Secretary Yang and Censor Yan are not on good terms, and the latter also has some disagreements with Academician Li of the Cabinet and Doctor Li of the Ministry of Revenue."
The inn is a place where information is gathered. He stayed at home reading, but his servant Riley Yang could ask around and got a lot of information.
Blake Yan had real talent and knowledge, so it was not surprising that he ranked among the top in the Spring Examination. But when it came to the Palace Examination, the situation was completely different.
With the son of Grand Secretary Xie in front, Grand Secretary Li and Doctor Li were both unhappy. Also, with Grand Secretary Yang just moving his finger, it was impossible for him to be demoted, and it would be extremely difficult for him to get the first place.
After listening to Logan Yang's analysis, Li Chun, Ethan Cheng and others suddenly understood the truth.
"Brother Yang is very insightful and to the point. We admire him."
Logan Yang said with a smile: "It is only a little opinion, I dare to ask you three to laugh at me."
"where!"
"I am not talented enough, and I still have some questions about the policy. Can you please give me some advice?"
"Of course, what's wrong with you, my dear brother?"
Logan Yang opened the finished article and pointed out the difficult parts of the writing. Although Li Chun, Ethan Cheng and others did not rank as high as him in the imperial examination, their ability in writing policy essays was quite good.
After a discussion, everyone gained something and couldn't help but sigh: The sage said "When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher", which is indeed a wise saying.
The capital city is in turmoil and undercurrents are surging.
A few hundred miles away in Zhuolu County, Bao'an Prefecture, white flags were hung high and the sky was gloomy.
In front of the Yang Family Ancestral Hall, men, women, old and young all tied hemp belts around their waists and white scarves on their heads.
Inside the ancestral hall, sixteen tablets and sixteen coffins indicated a bloody tragedy.
The Yang clan leader was hunched over, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant. The Yang clan's male members stood in the hall, the old ones burst into tears, the strong ones clenched their fists and gritted their teeth, and the young ones cried in confusion.
The crying sounded against the north wind, pulling the white flag, with an indescribable sadness.
Outside the ancestral hall, the women of the clan were also crying. The injustice, grievance, and resentment were all condensed in their cries and lingered for a long time.
After a long time, the door of the ancestral hall opened, and the clan leader walked out first and asked a clan member who was limping and had a wound on his head: "Is Silang's family settled?"
The tribesman's lips trembled and his words were choked with sobs.
"Both of Silang's brothers are gone. Uncle San held on for a breath and said..."
"say what?"
"Tell the clan leader not to worry, he won't die, he can't die. Even if he has to fight against the heavens for his life, he will hold on until Silang passes the imperial examination and the Yan family receives retribution one day!"
"Third brother!"
Hearing this, the Yang clan leader finally couldn't hold back anymore, cried out in grief, and burst into tears.
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