Chapter 21 Snow on the Lakeside Pavilion (V)
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"Get up."
Although it was winter in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, it was still as warm as spring.
Zhu Yijing stood up, and a child ran up to her. It was the eldest prince, Zhu Hemo. He recognized Zhu Yijing's identity and said, "It's Lord Zhu!"
Zhu Yijing quickly stepped aside, knelt on the ground, and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the eldest prince..." The palace servant who was responsible for taking care of the eldest prince hurried forward, first carried the eldest prince aside, and then apologized to the emperor, "Holy Mother, please forgive me..."
The emperor did not say a word, but the eunuch next to him raised his hand and ordered someone to take the palace maid away, probably to punish her privately.
Recently, the palace has been punishing palace maids all the time. It is said that when the emperor is in a bad mood, he also beats palace maids, but Zhu Yijing has never seen it with his own eyes.
In Zhu Yijing's view, the situation was getting worse and worse, and it was inevitable that the emperor was in a bad mood and wanted to vent his anger. Compared with those people outside who were beheaded, tortured to death, and exposed in the wilderness, these palace people were not much better, but they would not be worse either.
The emperor spoke in a very gentle tone, saying, "My dear minister, you have worked hard. I heard that a few days ago, workers from two factories were causing trouble, and it was you who went to handle it. Thank you for your help."
Over the past few years, with Zhu Yijing in charge, the power in the court has been cleared away more and more. Although Zhao Yucheng, who once helped promote Zhu Yijing, is the chief minister, his power has long been hollowed out by the emperor and Zhu Yijing, and he can only do his work in a submissive manner.
Many high-ranking officials were purged and replaced by young officials who were promoted. Regardless of their qualifications and abilities, they were at least obedient enough to follow the emperor's lead.
While the imperial court seemed to be in good shape, the nation clearly showed no signs of improvement. Unrest had even intensified in recent years. Troops had officially withdrawn from places like Annan, India, and overseas submission to the Ming dynasty remained superficial. Local leaders of the Three Divisions began relying on a hereditary system of imperial titles to continue their rule. Commerce was no longer something that could be stopped simply by imperial decree. Faced with the emperor's blockade of the border, merchants even began secretly supporting rebellious refugees and even rebellious workers.
Today's rebellions are popping up one after another. It is no longer possible to completely solve the problem with just a few elite troops.
Zhu Yijing had a vague premonition that everything seemed to be coming to an end just as his son had said.
Zhu Yijing pondered for a long time before finally speaking: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that suppressing the current chaos alone is not the solution..."
Especially in recent years, the emperor's means of suppression have become more and more brutal, even more cruel than the Ming Dynasty's treatment of barbarians. This will only intensify the conflict between the emperor and the people, and even push them into the ranks of resistance.
The emperor, seated at the head of the table, spoke coldly, "I know this, but if we don't seal off the borders, these people will flee overseas. I'm afraid they'll help the people of Jinghai, Pengzhou, and other places to attack us here... In that case, it's better to stay here and 'wait for death.'"
It is almost the 16th year of my life, and saying something like this at the end of the year does have a certain ominous meaning.
The emperor seemed completely oblivious and continued, "When I went to Shunde to pay homage to my ancestors, I wanted to emulate her and 'turn the tide,' but over the years, I have only seen two words: 'hopeless.'"
Zhu Yijing didn't expect that the emperor would suddenly open up to him. He was stunned and subconsciously looked around.
The emperor simply said, "What happens in the Qianqing Palace won't reach the newspapers outside."
Zhu Yijing remained silent.
"Do you really think I don't know? There are evil people among the people who want me to revise the laws of the Ming Dynasty and delegate the power in my hands to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the six ministries. I will only be a 'Yao and Shun' saintly ruler on the throne in the palace..." The emperor sneered and said, "A wise ruler? How can I be a wise ruler if I hand over the foundation laid by my ancestors for nearly three hundred years to my subjects? I am afraid that I will not be able to face my ancestors in the underworld. I asked you to execute them by slow slicing to tell everyone that the Ming Dynasty will always be the Ming Dynasty. Even if I am overthrown, I will never be such a 'wise ruler'!"
Zhu Yijing said in a deep voice, "I understand. Your Majesty, rest assured. I will go through fire and water for you without hesitation."
The emperor chuckled and said, "I heard that your daughter has been hired to build a railway in the south."
The South was only separated from the overseas by an ocean. Thinking of what the emperor had just said about closing the border, Zhu Yijing's heart tightened. He immediately knelt down and apologized, "I know my crime..."
"Is there anyone in the world without selfish motives?" The emperor gestured to the eunuchs beside him to help Zhu Yijing up. After she stood up, the emperor said, "I have my own children too. How could I not understand this? He is also naughty at times and doesn't even listen to me. The child is growing up day by day. Even if I am the emperor, can they still obey me forever?"
Zhu Yijing remained silent.
The emperor looked at her for a long time, and finally said: "You are old, and you have been working hard for me and this country all these years. Now the situation is not good, you should return home early."
These words sounded unusually gentle, and the emperor's violence and impatience seemed to have completely disappeared, leaving only nothingness.
"When I was young, I aspired to be a wise and holy ruler like my ancestors. But now it seems that I am nothing more than a mediocre person. I am afraid that there is no hope for me to restore the majesty of my ancestors."
Zhu Yijing was stunned for a moment, then quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life, why say such discouraging words..."
"My dear, please raise your head."
Zhu Yijing was stunned for a moment, but finally raised his head obediently, met his king's eyes for the first time, and stared at her face.
Only then did Zhu Yijing realize that Zhu Cizhou was not the holy and stern monarch she had imagined, but a pretty woman. She had a thin face, slightly high cheekbones, and her complexion looked a little pale against the backdrop of the bright red robe. In this situation, she felt even more powerless.
Zhu Ci Zhao stared into her eyes for a long time, and finally sighed softly and said, "Go."
Zhu Yijing was still in a daze until he got on the sedan chair to go home. He never expected that he would have such an ending.
Ten years earlier, he was almost unemployed when he was working in Jiangxi. In the past ten years, his hands were stained with blood for the stability of the country, but in the end, he got the ending of "returning home" from the emperor's mouth.
There was neither the tragic ending she had expected nor the "success and fame" she had imagined. Everything seemed to end so easily.
Zhu Yijing knew very well that he was the sword in the emperor's hand, but the emperor had now thrown away the sword. The meaning of this action was self-evident.
One possibility is that the world is at peace and the emperor no longer needs a sword.
Another possibility is that the emperor had foreseen that all this was irreversible, so he no longer needed the sword.
Zhu Yijing knew exactly which possibility it was.
She is loyal to the emperor. Now that the emperor no longer needs her, what can Zhu Yijing do?
Not to mention that the emperor had already done his utmost to be kind by treating such a minister with a blood debt lightly instead of using her head to appease the public anger.
"Mom is back."
Zhu Yijing looked at his daughter-in-law, then finally came to his senses and nodded slightly.
The granddaughter in the arms of daughter-in-law Li Suyu stretched out her hand and said, "Grandma, hold me."
Zhu Yijing reached out and picked up his granddaughter, then asked, "Where is Chang Tian?"
"He has a social outing today, so I'll come back and play with Ning'er." Li Suyu saw that her mother-in-law was a little distracted and said, "Did something happen at the court today? Why doesn't your mother look so good? How about I have the kitchen bring over the red date and white fungus soup right now..."
Zhu Yijing waved her hand and said, "No need." She sat down with her granddaughter Zhu Youning in her arms. After a long silence, she asked, "Get ready and pack up. We'll go back home later."
Li Suyu exclaimed and immediately understood the implication of Zhu Yijing's words.
If an official in Beijing lost his job, most of them would return to their hometown to retire. What Zhu Yijing meant was that the emperor had dismissed her from her job.
Looking at Zhu Yijing's expression, one can tell that the emperor did not reward Zhu Yijing with a position and gold and silver like he did to other ministers when they begged for their remains. It is also unknown what the deep meaning of this sudden dismissal is.
However, this may not be a bad thing. After all, Zhu Yijing offended many people when he was an official. Over the years, everyone in his family has been implicated to varying degrees. Even Zhu Changzhou, a student who was only responsible for designing drawings, could not escape. That's why he went to the south to study and work in order to avoid his mother Zhu Yijing's affairs affecting his future.
Since the emperor took the initiative to dismiss them, Zhu Yijing and his family can keep a low profile, but they also need to be more careful to avoid being visited by their "enemies".
Li Suyu's mind was full of thoughts, but when she caught a glimpse of Zhu Yijing's lost expression, she took the initiative to speak, "Ning Jie'er has started to learn to read recently, but I'm not very knowledgeable. Now that I'm at home, I can still give Ning Jie a few pointers. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you a lot."
Hearing this, Zhu Yijing looked at his granddaughter in his arms, who was also looking at him in confusion.
Zhu Yijing sighed softly and said, "You're right. Isn't teaching and educating people a way to repay our country? Although I'm not in the court, cultivating talents for our country is still a contribution."
Li Suyu felt somewhat helpless about Zhu Yijing's persistence, and hoped that her husband could come back soon so that she could persuade her mother.
Everyone knows that Zhu Yijing has a bad reputation and is a "running dog of the emperor" who is guilty of heinous crimes. So how could anyone be willing to send their children to Zhu Yijing for education?
In today's world, people only pursue wealth and official careers. It is not a good thing to follow Zhu Yijing all the way to the end, not to mention that people are in panic now. Many ministers in the court have close contacts with businessmen, and many of them even have considerable family wealth. Except for the difficulty in raising an army, there is nothing they dare not say or do. Not to mention that some of them will facilitate the rebels, and they can be regarded as indirectly owning their own "army" and have long been local emperors.
The Ming Dynasty is no longer the same Ming Dynasty as it used to be. All the people here have to do is to live well.
Only the young Zhu Youning didn't understand what was going on. She just snuggled in Zhu Yijing's arms and acted coquettishly, stammering that she wanted to eat rice candy.
In just a moment, Zhu Changtian came back, but he looked a little haggard and seemed to be in low spirits.
Li Suyu stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong with you today? You look listless?"
Zhu Changtian muttered softly, "The factory was doing an inventory of the warehouse today, and something was missing, so they kept a few of us here to do the inventory. Luckily, the warehouse wasn't under my control, so the Imperial Guards only took away the people in charge and allowed me to go home and rest... But I'm afraid I can't continue in this position of manager. I'm just trying to figure out what kind of job I should do next..."
Li Suyu covered her mouth with a look of surprise and asked, "Those people..."
Zhu Changtian shook his head. It was obvious that the things lost in the factory were not simple.
He worked in a factory that was responsible for forging and making armor all year round. The things lost in the warehouse were either finished armor or iron ore that had not yet been forged. No matter which one was lost, the punishment would not be light. The people in charge who were caught would probably have a hard time surviving.
Li Suyu could no longer sit still and said to Zhu Changtian, "My mother's official title has been dismissed. It's difficult to go out to sea now. Why don't we hide back in the mountains of our hometown to avoid disaster..."
Zhu Changtian looked surprised and asked his mother, "Your Majesty... has you dismissed me?" Seeing Zhu Yijing lowering his head to tease Zhu Youning, he knew his wife's words were true. After a long silence, he said, "That's good. Zhou Zhou's letter arrived today. She said her work in Hangzhou is going well, and their ironworks over there are in need of experienced workers. Why don't we move to Hangzhou too? Not only can we look after each other, but it can also avoid some trouble. I can also find a new job."
Zhu Yijing noticed that he was secretly observing him and said calmly, "Since you have already made up your mind, why are you looking at me?"
"Once the affairs in the capital are settled, we will pack up and head south." Zhu Changtian warned, "There's no need to rush, otherwise it will make others think we are guilty."
Li Suyu nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right, my job isn't that important. If I don't have a job in Hangzhou, I could work for some big boss or start some small business. Mother just told me that she could become a teacher in Hangzhou. After all, she's a second-class Jinshi. Isn't teaching a piece of cake for me?"
"I wrote to Zhou Zhou and asked her to see if there's a house for rent there. After that, our family can be together and everyone will be safe and sound. That's always good."
"Yes, Jiangnan is much more stable than the northwest, and it has a dense population. Even if something really happens, it won't happen to us."
Zhu Yijing didn't want to listen anymore, so he handed his granddaughter to his son and daughter-in-law and left.
Li Suyu was a little nervous and said, "Did I say something wrong just now..."
Zhu Changtian just smiled bitterly, "Even if we say ten words, none of them can hurt mother's heart more than one word from your majesty."
He vaguely understood in his heart that the emperor had probably realized from the current situation that even if a god were alive, it would be difficult to resolve the crisis.
Some people in the society even dared to openly propose to undermine the emperor, and even received support and response from many people. Such thoughts were everywhere, and it was no longer a problem that could be solved by strengthening the imperial power.
The emperor probably had only two choices: die with dignity or live in humiliation.
Zhu Changtian now only hopes for one thing, that after the whole family moves to Hangzhou, his mother will be able to be more open-minded about these things.
Zhu Yijing seemed calm, but only Zhu Changtian understood that Zhu Yijing, who had devoted his efforts, reputation and sweat to this country, cared about the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty more than anyone else. Now, perhaps only going to Hangzhou could inspire his mother's spirit and let her persevere.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
