Passionate as fire! Thinking of last night's bedtime pleasure, Zhang Yan's face flushed. She didn't need to look in the mirror to know that it must be as red as if she was drunk.
Looking at her husband's calm and peaceful face, the normally quiet little queen felt the urge to reach out and touch him. But as soon as she raised her hand, it dropped again. This was the emperor, the supreme ruler!
Zhang Yan's eyelids grew heavy as she lost herself in thought. Without knowing when, she too fell asleep.
Zhu Youxiao's biological clock is basically fixed, and there is not much difference even when he has a beautiful woman in his arms.
Although Zhang Yuer usually helped him dress and tie his belt, Zhang Yan's attentive service today still made him feel different.
Perhaps it was due to his status, or perhaps it was psychological factors, but seeing the graceful, beautiful, and unparalleled woman taking care of him carefully, Zhu Youxiao naturally accepted her identity as "wife".
"Your Majesty, isn't it not solemn enough for me to wear light makeup to pay a visit to the elders?" Zhang Yan knew that her husband did not like yesterday's wedding "makeup", but since he was going to pay a visit to Concubine Liu and Concubine Li Kang, wouldn't people think it was too casual?
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "I will explain. Concubine Liu and Concubine Li Kang are also calm and peaceful. They won't find fault with me."
That "makeup" was too weird, like a mannequin, lifeless at all. Zhu Youxiao really couldn't accept it.
Zhang Yan followed her husband's lead, lightly applying makeup and lightly painting her lips red, but she still had to wear a phoenix crown and a red robe before she went to the harem with the young emperor to pay a visit.
Shenzong and Guangzong left behind many concubines, so Zhu Youxiao only designated Consort Liu and Consort Li Zhuang as representatives. After the visit, Zhang Yan returned to Kunning Palace, while he returned to Qianqing Palace to handle state affairs.
The Ministry of War has not yet received any urgent reports from Liaodong. According to normal procedures, it is normal to wait for two or three days at night.
Zhu Youxiao temporarily ignored the other reports and ordered Liu Ruoyu to find out Xu Guangqi's thoughts.
After listening, he still approved it. Then he dictated to Liu Ruoyu to write down his thoughts and suggestions, and prepared to send them back to Xu Guangqi by the eunuchs.
Then, Zhu Youxiao drafted another imperial edict, appointing Xu Guangqi as the Grand Secretary of the Dongge, and directly delivered it to the emperor without bothering the cabinet to sign it.
Because he knew that Xu Guangqi would accept the order, and in order to realize his life ideals, Xu Baoluo would not care about other people's comments.
The cabinet repeatedly disappointed Zhu Youxiao, and he repeatedly despised the cabinet. Hurt each other, come on, I am the emperor, why should I be afraid of you?
Moreover, judging from the effect of the imperial edict, it was quite good. Although this may have been due to the supervision of the Jinyiwei, Zhu Youxiao achieved his goal.
"Your Majesty, Denglai Governor Tao Lang has already made a memorial concerning the descendants of Qi Shaobao." Liu Ruoyu had already roughly sorted out the memorial and knew what the emperor was more concerned about.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and ordered, "Read it!"
Qi Jiguang's eldest son Qi Zhaguo and his four brothers were living in Dengzhou at the time, jointly editing the "Chronicle of Qi Shaobao".
When Jinyiwei Commander Luo Sigong went to Denglai, he told Tao Langxian that the emperor wanted to summon the descendants of Qi and asked him to do it.
Tao Langxian mentioned in his memorial that the Chronicle of Qi Shaobao had been completed, but Qi Zhaguo and others were unable to publish it. He had already provided financial support, and this chronology of Qi Shaobao's life would soon be published.
At the same time, Tao Langxian also reported to the emperor that the brothers Qi Zhaguo and Qi Anguo had already set off from Dengzhou and would be able to come to Beijing for an audience with the emperor soon.
"Very good." Zhu Youxiao was not too excited, but just smiled and said: "Tao Langxian is sensible. He funded the descendants of the Qi family to publish a book. This is a flattery to me!"
Liu Ruoyu smiled and echoed, "Your Majesty has summoned the descendants of the Qi family, which shows how much he values them. Lord Tao's sponsorship of the publication is such a timely help, shouldn't the descendants of the Qi family be grateful? Your Majesty will surely be pleased."
Zhu Youxiao deeply agreed. If he couldn't figure out such a simple thing, how could Tao Langxian be promoted to governor? After so many years of being immersed in officialdom, he had already become a master.
"Your Majesty, the imperial examination begins today. Our Ming Dynasty has a new group of young talents serving the country." Liu Ruoyu reminded Zhu Youxiao tactfully.
The metropolitan examination was held in three sessions, one every three days. The test items in the three sessions were essays from the Four Books, five-character eight-rhyme poems, essays from the Five Classics, and policy questions, which were the same as the provincial examination.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Remember to remind me to send the third round of policy questions to the Imperial Examination Hall on the appointed day."
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao remembered something and said, "Xu Guangqi is the deputy chief examiner, and the Imperial Examination Hall is locked. He definitely can't get out. Let's wait until the examination is over before sending someone to announce it!"
Liu Ruoyu hesitated for a moment and suggested, "Since we are going to delay the process, why not submit the decree to the cabinet for countersignature?"
Zhu Youxiao frowned, thought for a while, then pursed his lips, revealing a wicked smile, and nodded, "Okay, let's hand it over to the cabinet for discussion first!"
Among all the officials in the court, Zhu Youxiao could not accurately judge a person's ideological inclination or the camp he belonged to.
But he also had a simpler method, which was to distinguish them through the approval and opposition in court discussions.
For example, Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen were at odds with each other, and the faction that supported Wang and criticized Xiong had been included in Zhu Youxiao's list of those to be demoted and dismissed.
This time, the imperial decree to promote Xu Guangqi and his memorial proposing the introduction of Western firearms were submitted to the cabinet. Zhu Youxiao was able to identify which officials were conservative and which were unreasonable, and they would no longer be reused.
Zhu Youxiao might even choose the opportunity to clean up a group of people, clearing obstacles for Xu Guangqi and laying a solid foundation for his own reforms.
If we simply label a certain official as a member of the Donglin Party, or the Chu, Zhejiang, or Qi Party, and then expel or dismiss him, it would be not only crude but also unscientific.
For example, Yuan Keli, although ideologically inclined towards the Donglin faction, was able to maintain a fair and just mind. When the party struggles intensified, he was able to prioritize national affairs and maintain neutrality.
There is also Sun Chengzong. Although there were differences in strategy, Zhu Youxiao looked at the issue from the perspective of later experiences and lessons, so there is no comparison.
No one can stop us from agreeing with the ideology and taking it as a belief. Who made Donglin’s doctrine and purpose so noble and correct?
Gu Xiancheng, Zou Yuanbiao and other founders of the Donglin School probably would not have expected that there would be a group of bastards who would use their beliefs as a cover to engage in shameless activities such as forming cliques for personal gain and engaging in thieves and prostitutes.
Of course, although the theories and doctrines are lofty, the behaviors are deviant, even dirty and shameless, which gives Zhu Youxiao the standards and means to differentiate and attack.
Those who gang up on others and attack others, get out; those who attack without restraint, get out; those who embezzle and accept bribes, get out; idiots, get out; bastards, get out; trolls, get out... all of them, get out.
The plan to purge the court was being carried out in full swing. The intelligence collection and situation investigation by the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang gave Zhu Youxiao more and more confidence and an increasingly urgent mentality.
When the battle in Guangning subsided, it would be time for Zhu Youxiao to strike. Now, the preparations for public opinion had already begun with the imperial examination.
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