Chapter 217

Shanxi Provincial Administration Commission, Pingyang Prefecture, Puzhou.

As the New Year approached, every household was busy visiting relatives and friends; as a prominent family in Puzhou, the Zhang family naturally could not be an exception.

Today, Zhang Siwei enthusiastically received one batch of guests after another.

Regardless of their status, high or low, whether they were merchants, scholars, or officials, he was full of courtesy.

Even when the currently propertyless commoners from outside the Great Wall were face-to-face, Zhang Siwei still sat opposite them, politely serving tea.

"In the current Bansheng, there is a population of tens of thousands, stretching for dozens of miles, with forty thousand horses, twenty-three thousand cattle, and fifty thousand hu of grain collected..."

Lü Nanchuan had excellent business capabilities, summarizing the development of Bansheng this year in a straightforward manner.

Zhang Siwei leaned forward, spreading his hands over the charcoal stove, his eyes staring straight at the ground beneath his feet, listening very carefully.

He interrupted from time to time to ask for details.

There were only two people in the study, and their voices were not loud, so the words could not be heard clearly outside.

Until Lü Nanchuan finished speaking, Zhang Siwei clapped his hands and laughed: "It's almost catching up to the grand occasion of your father's time."

Back then, Zhao Quan and Lü Xichuan gathered tens of thousands of people in Bansheng, with fifty thousand horses and thirty thousand cattle, building a palace with nine halls, which could be said to be at the height of its prosperity.

Unfortunately, after Altan Khan surrendered to the court, he lured and killed Zhao Quan, Lü Xichuan, and dozens of others.

Since then, this Prince Shunyi had been even more mindful of the court's face, no longer allowing Bansheng to recruit exiled Han people on a large scale as before.

Now, more than ten years later, it had finally managed to restore its old appearance.

Lü Nanchuan nodded in agreement: "Since Prince Shunyi Altan Khan moved west, the Tatars under his command have been grazing and living in various places, shooting for profit in two places, and the restrictions on Bansheng have also been much less, which allowed us to recruit exiles on a large scale."

After speaking, he respectfully lifted his buttocks from the stool to pour tea for Zhang Siwei: "Of course, it is even more thanks to the generous assistance of my foster father."

Zhang Siwei's smile did not diminish, and he declined: "It is just business."

The industries of the people in Fengzhou, tobacco, miscellaneous grains, manufacturing oil, wine, tobacco, and other items, had less tax collected by the court, and there was no such thing as tariffs, so the costs were much lower. Coupled with the better-quality camels, horses, cattle, and sheep from outside the Great Wall, it attracted frequent visits from Shanxi merchants.

So much so that merchants and people gathered in Bansheng, gradually forming a market.

Thus, even if Zhang Siwei guided the Shanxi merchants slightly, in terms of names, it would at most count as smuggling—the term "generous assistance" was absolutely non-existent.

Lü Nanchuan finished pouring the tea, his movements paused, and then he pressed his sleeves and sat back down.

Zhang Siwei kept turning his hands over, warming his palms and the backs of his hands, and then earnestly exhorted: "Take it slow, avoid being eager for quick success, and even more so, do not show off in front of others. Back then, Zhao Quan called himself King, and your father called himself the Daoist Ancestor, shaking the court; the overturned cart is truly a lesson in front of us."

Lü Nanchuan naturally kept saying he was taught.

He followed Zhang Siwei's lead and explained: "Foster father's words are reasonable; the name 'White Lotus' was just for gathering people in private. After Altan Khan returned to Guihua City from Qinghai, we changed our name to the 'Merchant Protection Group,' living in peace with the world."

An evil cult of a makeshift troupe, whether there are scholars participating in organizational construction, is a completely different spirit.

The name "Merchant Protection Group" is very good; protecting public order, escorting merchants, being so honest and dutiful, even if the barrier of Guihua City is lost in the future, there is still a future of being recruited by the court.

Zhang Siwei shook his head: "I am not talking about this; it is the slogan you use to gather people; do not promote it anymore."

"Li Xiang gathered the White Lotus Society in Henan, robbing houses and plundering, and nothing happened for several years. This year in April, once they fabricated evil books and shouted slogans, it was a massive army approaching the border, crushing them into powder."

He sat up straight: "Some things can be done, but they must never be shouted from the rooftops."

With the expansion of power, everyone will eventually have more ideas.

The idea of Lü Nanchuan's father back then was to incite Altan Khan to proclaim himself Emperor and call himself the Daoist Ancestor.

And this White Lotus Society leader was increasingly urgent to recruit people from inside the pass, even shouting the slogan: "Born inside the pass, raised outside the Great Wall, no corvée, no taxes, everyone has a happy time."

Bansheng had no government leadership, so the people really didn't have to do corvée or pay taxes.

For the people of the Nine Borders who suffered from abuse, this naturally had a great attraction.

But precisely because of this, if it really reached the ears of the court, this kind of slogan would inevitably lead to a heavy blow.

A slogan is a guideline; whoever dares to shout it out is no longer a small-time refugee bandit in the eyes of the government, but a thorough rebel!

Once pointed out, Lü Nanchuan was startled, seemingly realizing this layer of connection, and he immediately avoided his seat and stood up: "Foster father, I will stop the slogan when I go back!"

Zhang Siwei waved his hand, not caring much.

Now the court was acting arbitrarily, and the new policy had reached the step of measuring fields; it would inevitably not turn back until it hit the southern wall.

After that, there would be a dispute over the reform of the tax system that would last for fifty years, following closely behind.

The Emperor and Zhang Juzheng were almost reproducing the actions of Emperor Shenzong of Song and Wang Anshi, intensifying the contradictions between the central government and the pillars of the country to the extreme.

If he, Zhang Siwei, were still in the central government, he might be able to set things right, advocating for stopping the new laws and letting the people rest.

Unfortunately, the Emperor was muddled and devoid of virtue, unable to distinguish between loyal and treacherous... refugees were rising everywhere, and being the vanguard for the King would inevitably be a matter of time.

At that time, it would be the moment for Lü Nanchuan to shout his slogan.

Zhang Siwei shook his head, suddenly remembering something, and brought up another matter: "Has Minister Shi been settled?"

Lü Nanchuan nodded, just about to speak in detail.

Zhang Siwei interrupted immediately: "Don't tell me how you settled him; if things are not secret, there will be harm. Previously, Liu Shiyan's family members were harmed; the failure was because you didn't silence the people Li Xiang sent to handle things, otherwise, how could the Embroidered Uniform Guard have followed the vine to find the melon?"

Lü Nanchuan stopped abruptly.

Mentioning this, a look of guilt could not help but appear on his face.

"Learn from your mistakes, let's talk about the situation outside the Great Wall."

Zhang Siwei lightly brushed off the accusation.

Lü Nanchuan took a deep breath, quickly collected his mood, and brought the topic back to business: "Yes, foster father."

"As Altan Khan has been unable to recover, Eastern Mongolia has essentially become alienated."

"Last month, Sengge Huangtaiji split the family and set up his own stove."

"The chieftains of Songshan Bintu and others are lingering at sea, with no news."

"Last month, Wei Zheng Qia was shot to death by an arrow for robbing the savages, and his remains have been burned and carried back outside the loop."

"The tribes of Chaohuqing, Baduer Kusai, Aimusuji, the brothers and uncles, as well as Duer Tabunang, Mangsuer Tabunang, Daiya Qingshan Tabunang, Wei Zheng Tabunang, Wang Baduer, and others, gathered tens of thousands of cavalry, seven hundred miles outside Jiayu Pass, intending to attack the Oirats after spring and advance westward."

"News came this month that the Chaohu brothers took advantage of the situation to occupy the water pond."

"..."

"Now, only Third San San Niangzi, in the name of the Khan's wife, firmly holds Guihua City, commanding Buyan Huangtaiji and others."

"However, before I came, Third San San Niangzi had already set off for Yanghe, saying that the Emperor had issued an edict, urgently summoning Prince Shunyi and Third San San Niangzi to the capital."

Yanghe was the residence of the Viceroy of Xuan-Da; since Third San San Niangzi had gone to Yanghe, she was clearly preparing to enter the capital.

Speaking of this, Lü Nanchuan paused: "Foster father, I am a bit worried; Third San San Niangzi has always been friendly to the court; should we do something..."

The better the relationship between the court and the right wing of the Tatars, the less room there was for the Han people outside the Great Wall to maneuver; Lü Nanchuan still understood this point.

Third San San Niangzi, back when the Longqing peace talks were held, firmly advised peace, and since then had restrained the various tribes, presiding over the tribute matters with the court.

Even the construction of Guihua City and the request for the court to bestow a name were all advocated by Third San San Niangzi.

Now that she had lowered her posture so much and was responding to the summons to enter the capital, it was not a good thing for Lü Nanchuan.

Zhang Siwei, upon hearing this, did not respond immediately.

The study fell into silence.

Lü Nanchuan was a bit restless for a moment.

Finally, Zhang Siwei slowly turned his head and looked at Lü Nanchuan: "Tumen Khan of Western Mongolia integrated the three ten-thousand-household units of the left wing, totaling eight major camps and twenty-four tribes, with twenty thousand fierce warriors, from Liaodong in the east to Tao River in the west."

"He held high the 'Tumen Khan Code' to restrain the tribes, making the tribes of Southern Mongolia pay homage to the Khan again."

"Carrying the momentum of the Khurultai assembly, he forced the Khorchin, Inner Khalkha, and other tribes to bow their heads and submit."

"He also promised the position of Great Administrator to buy over Altan Khan's grandson Chekeli, and then used the Yellow Sect to win over Qijin Huangtaiji of the right wing."

"If it weren't for Third San San Niangzi's great prestige, this scattered sand of Eastern Mongolia would have been swallowed up in one go, reproducing the old scene of Dayan Khan."

Zhang Siwei looked at Lü Nanchuan, shaking his head with a solemn face: "Han family affairs, Han family ends."

"The Tatars will sooner or later be the enemies of the Han family; it is fine for you and me to treat the Tatars as claws and teeth, as the vanguard for the King, but we must never degenerate ourselves and do wedding clothes for others."

The words were neither fast nor slow, and the two looked at each other quietly.

After a long time.

Lü Nanchuan smiled awkwardly: "Foster father's insight is true; it was I who thought wrongly."

"It's just that Fengzhou Beach relies on Guihua City as a barrier after all; I was just afraid that Third San San Niangzi would reach some tacit understanding with the court, and the old story would repeat itself, which is why I lost my composure for a moment; I ask foster father to punish me."

Zhang Siwei's face remained stiff for a moment, then he also smiled: "It is human nature; how could I blame you."

He paused: "As for Bansheng... you don't have to worry too much; you are different from your father, holding thousands of elite cavalry and sophisticated firearms; even Third San San Niangzi has to look at you squarely; how could you be like your father back then, tied up and sent to the court in a few words."

Lü Nanchuan, upon hearing this, seemed to be comforted, nodding in agreement.

The unpleasantness between the two passed away in a flash, and they were chatting happily again, father kind and son filial.

I don't know how long they talked.

Lü Nanchuan then used the excuse that it was getting late to respectfully stand up and salute, saying goodbye to Zhang Siwei.

The latter made a gesture to send him off, but the former declined repeatedly.

After another round of pulling, congratulating, and saying goodbye, Lü Nanchuan finally persuaded Zhang Siwei to stop, and then swaggered out of the Zhang family mansion, with his entourage hurriedly greeting him.

Not until he turned around did Lü Nanchuan pull down his face, gritting his teeth in indignation: "Old thing."

Nurhaci hurriedly stepped forward: "Foster father, is this trip not going well?"

By the time he spoke, it was already fluent Chinese.

Lü Nanchuan snorted coldly.

Not until he mounted his horse did he say: "The old thing has no idea how many caves a cunning rabbit has; he will never place a heavy bet on us!"

After speaking, Lü Nanchuan seemed to have made up his mind.

He turned his head to look at Nurhaci: "I will agree to what you said before, foster father agrees now!"

Nurhaci's face was filled with wild joy: "Foster father agrees to let me borrow cavalry to return to Jianzhou!?"

Lü Nanchuan nodded and said nothing more.

"Old Six, you go and respond to Chekeli, saying that I am powerless regarding Third San San Niangzi, but compared to Third San San Niangzi's son Butashili, I naturally support him more in occupying Guihua City."

After speaking, Lü Nanchuan turned his head to look at another follower: "Old Seven, still follow the rules of previous years; you go and find those clansmen in Ningxia who are Vice Generals, send them gold and silver treasures, and pay a New Year's visit for me."

The two who were ordered clearly had Mongolian faces, and upon hearing this, they hurriedly patted their chests.

Fengzhou Beach (Wuyuan County) was located between Ningxia and Guihua City (modern Hohhot), and there was room for maneuver.

After giving instructions, Lü Nanchuan looked back at the Zhang mansion and spat disdainfully.

Then he greeted everyone and rode away.

The twenty-first day of the twelfth lunar month, Great Cold, West Garden Gu Gu Chengguang Palace. The brocade waves from Taiye Lake come flat, the small hibiscus palace overlooks the void and brightness.

The Emperor just sat down in the Gu Gu Chengguang Palace, and the whole day's time was submerged by complicated personnel matters and memorials.

Not until the sunlight was dim and yellow did Zhu Yijun send away the last minister who approached today.

"I forgot to ask just now, how was Ling's performance review after three years?"

Zhu Yijun had already sent away Ling Yunyi before he realized he had been negligent.

Zhang Hong hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, since the fourth year of Wanli, Governor Ling has successively pacified the various Yao tribes of Hechi, Buhe, and the North Three with Governor Wu Wenhua, and also captured and beheaded the various mountain bandits of the Great Temple in Guangdong; his military achievements are brilliant, and all three years were excellent."

Zhu Yijun nodded and instructed Zhang Hong: "Then, Great Attendant, issue an edict to the Grand Secretariat tomorrow on my behalf, stating that because of Minister Ling's three-year review, his son Ling Xiaodong is to be sheltered as a student of the Imperial Academy."

Zhang Hong silently recorded it.

Zhu Yijun flipped through the memorials on the table, confirmed that they had all been reviewed, and then stretched his palms toward the sky, giving a big stretch.

He yawned: "Another year has come to an end."

There were only a few days left until the New Year, and thinking of the many big and small things this year, he couldn't help but feel some emotion.

In one look/p>

Wang Yingxuan silently closed the Diary of Activities and Repose beside him: "Your Majesty, after I send the diary to the Orchid Terrace for safekeeping tomorrow, there will be no official business for the rest of the year. This subject would like to request leave for two days early."

New Year's Eve is the twenty-ninth; the various departments and offices generally wait until the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth to hang up their signs and take leave—they will also leave a few people to take turns on duty.

Like the Hanlin Academy and the Supervising Secretaries, these leisurely offices were gone by the time of Great Cold.

"Granted." Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said casually, "The annual meeting is the day after tomorrow; who did the Orchid Terrace arrange to record history?"

Young scholars taking leave early to enjoy flowers and snow is naturally expected.

Not to mention that Little Wang, as one of the "Four Men of the Yan School," was a romantic figure, so there was no reason not to approve this leave.

It was just that official business still had to be handed over properly, for example, the annual meeting—over the years, the Emperor and the ministers of the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers discussing state affairs at the end of the year and formulating work strategies for the coming year had already become a not-so-small tradition.

Wang Yingxuan hurriedly replied: "Yao Sanrang will take the shift for this subject."

Zhu Yijun said "Oh" and waved his hand again: "Minister Yao, forget it, let Wang Shizhen come to record it himself."

Recording history is not about relying on so-called fearlessness, coming one after another to stand up to the Emperor; these people have their own set of jargon to avoid review.

Just like the fall of Gao Gong in history, and the death of Gao Yi within a few days, the Veritable Records recorded: "Sent a eunuch to visit the illness of Zhang Gelao Gao Yi, and bestowed various foods; Yi thanked, and soon died."

This word "soon" is very thought-provoking; "Zhu Zi Bian Lue" says that whenever there is a causal relationship, it is called "soon"; the subtle causal relationship here is the so-called subtle words and great meanings.

Therefore, whenever it involved important meetings and key discussions, Zhu Yijun could only let people whose stance was confirmed to be correct record them.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yingxuan naturally had no objections.

Zhu Yijun slowly stood up, stretching his muscles and bones.

Since the annual meeting was mentioned, he asked Zhang Hong: "Great Attendant, has the Grand Secretariat set the agenda for the annual meeting?"

Zhang Hong, upon hearing this, bent his waist slightly and replied: "Your Majesty, for the annual meeting the day after tomorrow, besides the minor details, there are seven major discussions: annual tax revenue, public disclosure of imperial property, supplementation of hall officials, revision of the Great Ming Code, general strategy for maritime trade, changing native offices to regular ones in Guizhou, Liangguang, and other places, and mobilization for measuring fields and clearing households."

Zhu Yijun walked back and forth in the hall, activating his blood circulation.

After pondering for a moment, he instructed Zhang Hong: "Order Pan Cheng to attend and listen to the matter of supplementing hall officials."

"Order Li Youzi to attend and listen to the matter of taxation."

"Order Shen Li to attend and listen to the matter of measuring fields."

The annual meeting depends on the situation each year, and the content of the discussions also varies.

Similarly, besides the Grand Secretariat, the ministers of the Six Ministries, and the two Supervising Secretaries, the people attending to listen also vary each year.

But without exception, the court officials who can attend are the batch of people who are now or are about to be closest to the center of power of the Great Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Hong hurriedly agreed.

After Zhang Hong finished a long list, Zhu Yijun asked again: "Li Zaiting entered the capital today, where is he?"

Li Jin was originally watching his nose and heart, guarding the side peacefully; at this moment, hearing this, he couldn't help but feel emotional. He was truly a former official of the Eastern Palace; even after being sent out for years, he was still kept in the Emperor's heart.

He stepped forward and took over the conversation: "Your Majesty, Governor Li entered the capital at noon today, submitted his posts to the Ministry of Personnel and the Office of Transmission, and after requesting an audience with Your Majesty tomorrow, he went to Zhang Gelao Gao's mansion to visit his teacher."

"He spent the whole afternoon helping Zhang Gelao Gao repair the courtyard and roof."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but curl his lips upon hearing Li Jin's words.

Gao Yi's house was rented, and after it was smashed, he had sent people to repair and compensate for it immediately.

This made it seem as if he hadn't cared at all.

No wonder the court officials all viewed him as a treacherous official; isn't this Li Tongwei, who went to plow the fields at the retired official's house?

Of course, while he was secretly criticizing, Zhu Yijun nodded very seriously on the surface: "I won't see him tomorrow; let him attend the annual meeting the day after tomorrow and discuss maritime trade with the ministers."

Subsequently, Zhu Yijun gave some instructions to the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Supervising Secretaries regarding tomorrow's matters.

After sending away the Supervising Secretaries, he took off his crown and tidied his hair slightly.

"Who is serving tonight?"

Wei Chao, who was in charge of these matters, hurriedly stepped forward to reply: "Ten Thousand Years, today it is Consort Zhang's turn."

Although the Emperor seemed to have some prejudice against the title of Consort Zhang, the harem emphasized equal distribution of favor, so whoever was picked was picked.

Zhu Yijun put on his crown again: "Consort Zhang... let's leave it for tomorrow; I want to go find the Empress today."

This was obviously a bit against the rules.

After all, the Emperor seeing the Empress required an explicit edict from the two palaces, and it had to be announced with gongs and drums; there was no such thing as a sudden decision.

But then again, the Emperor was different from the past.

What could Wei Chao say?

He could only silently agree.

Zhu Yijun tidied his collar and led a group of internal officials and female officials, swaying out of the Gu Gu Chengguang Palace.

Thanks to Emperor Shizong's hobbies, there were many palaces in the West Garden, and the harem concubines living together did not seem cramped.

The Emperor lived in Wan Shougong, Longevity Without Boundaries.

The Empress lived in Yong Shou Palace, the Noble Imperial Consort lived in Ren Shou Palace; Yong Shou and Ren Kang were just right in terms of ritual system.

After finishing his evening meal, Zhu Yijun went straight to Yong Shou Palace.

The female official on duty at the door didn't seem to expect the Emperor to come so hastily, and hurriedly greeted him: "Please wait a moment, Your Majesty; the Empress is bathing and changing clothes; she will lead the whole palace to greet you later."

Unsurprisingly, Zhu Yijun was blocked outside the door.

Unlike the Li Imperial Consort, who came from a first-class family that could be counted on one hand in the world, Empress Liu's ancestors only held a small official position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Coming from a small family, Empress Liu had developed a cautious personality.

While she followed the rules herself, she was also extremely particular about ritual systems in front of outsiders.

However, the Emperor listened to advice on big things, but was extremely stubborn on small things.

Zhu Yijun turned a deaf ear and swaggered straight in: "No need to make a big fuss; I will just wait for the Empress in the warm pavilion."

One certainly couldn't barge in while she was bathing; after all, she was the female monarch, and the Emperor had to maintain respect.

Waiting in the warm pavilion was just right.

Several female officials couldn't stop him anymore, so they stomped their feet and hurriedly went past the Emperor to report to the Empress.

Zhu Yijun smiled.

Next, naturally, he drove straight in, crossing the corridor in a few steps and stepping into the warm pavilion.

Although Empress Liu was the female monarch, she kept her expenses synchronized with the Emperor's at all times and was never extravagant.

Except for food, drink, and books, Empress Liu saved wherever she could, so the huge Empress's bedroom was cold and clear.

Zhu Yijun walked to the bookshelf, picked out the "Investiture of the Gods" that the Zhongshan Hermit had only finished this year, and sat down behind the desk.

It must be said that Empress Liu was indeed dutiful, but these family members really had a lot of tricks; even a book like "Investiture of the Gods" was presented to the palace; who is this pointing at as Su Daji?

Zhu Yijun shook his head and read with relish.

At this point in time, it was no exaggeration to say that culture was blooming.

The Empress liked to read stories; not only were there classical long novels like "Investiture of the Gods," "Three Kingdoms," and "Journey to the West," but also short stories like "Rain Window Collection," "Long Lamp Collection," and "Follow Voyage Collection."

Especially with the flourishing trend of scholars imitating vernacular short stories, the creation of novels now began to sink, gradually reflecting the class appearance of the scholar-official class one level down.

Therefore, Zhu Yijun never stopped the Empress's little hobby of not attending to proper business, and sometimes would even ask the Empress to recommend one or two.

Precisely because this was a little habit after marriage, Zhu Yijun sat in the Empress's warm pavilion and naturally became engrossed in reading.

I don't know how long it had been.

By the time Zhu Yijun had criticized women for bathing too long for the twelfth time, there was finally movement outside.

The Emperor withdrew his attention and gently closed the novel.

As soon as he raised his head, he saw the door of the warm pavilion pushed open, and a figure stepped in.

Empress Liu was not wearing a crown, but she was still wearing her ceremonial dress.

Walking gracefully, she was chaste and self-restrained, her manners were calm, and the Empress's temperament was like it was tailor-made, truly dignified and virtuous.

"This subject greets Your Majesty."

Empress Liu bowed gracefully and saluted the Emperor.

Zhu Yijun did not stand up to return the salute.

Instead, he stared at the Empress and suddenly slammed the book in his hand onto the table!

"Empress, your matter has been exposed! Do you know your crime!"

Empress Liu raised her head and glanced at the Emperor, showing a hesitant expression.

After struggling for a moment, she still took action.

She moved to the Emperor's side and slowly knelt down, revealing a miserable state: "Your Majesty, this subject knows her crime; please punish me, Your Majesty."

After speaking, she was about to bury her head.

Seeing the Empress's reaction, Zhu Yijun finally couldn't hold his expression and broke his composure on the spot.

He hurriedly grabbed the Empress's hand that was loosening his clothes and explained helplessly: "Empress, this time it is truly exposed, a serious matter."

The Empress raised her head in confusion.

Zhu Yijun hurriedly helped Empress Liu up.

He pondered for a moment, then looked into the Empress's eyes and took the initiative to break the news: "The Duke Yansheng's family bribed the Empress's family with ten thousand mu of fertile land, and it has already reached me."

"Does the Empress know about this?"

(End of this chapter)