Chapter 244

The Wanli Emperor, Zhu Yijun, has occupied the throne for eight years. What kind of image does he have in the scholarly circles and the streets?

Some say that the Great Marshal of the World's troops holds the power of the throne, and his appearance is like a god.

Some say that Zhu Yijun is extremely hateful and private, and immediately destroys the prestige of humiliation.

Some say that the recluse has the greatness of a sage, summarizing the past generations, planning for ten thousand generations, and it is truly something that previous emperors could not reach.

Some say that the Emperor is awe-inspiring with the prestige of autumn, and affectionate with the grace of spring, the heart of heaven is unpredictable, and he is a great monarch of power.

Blind people touching an elephant are often one-sided. Information obtained from different channels, or different stances, naturally lead to completely different conclusions.

But at the same time, in this one-sidedness, there will always be some unanimous consensus.

Like the elephant's body temperature and skin quality.

Like the Emperor's "prestige."

Regardless of praise or blame, no one has ever denied the Wanli Emperor's prestige.

From June of the sixth year of Longqing to June of the eighth year of Wanli, eight years is neither long nor short.

Feng Bao, the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, died in the palace, with conspiracies and tricks;

Censors Jia Daiwen and Hu Xiao were summoned to the Jade Tower by prophecy, involving three clans;

Sun Shizhong, Marquis of Huaining, died suddenly due to illness, his title was stripped and his heir was moved;

The noble princes of Dong'an and Wugang were tragically executed;

Liu Shiyan of the Five Military Governor's Office was beheaded with a sword, Luo Fengxiang, Vice Minister of War, died in prison, Shi Guangzu, Earl of Huairou, was beaten to death in the county government office, and Weng Dali, Minister of Justice in Nanjing, had a small mistake, and his life and death were unpredictable.

Eunuchs, nobles, censors, high-ranking officials, royal family...

Since the Emperor ascended the throne, he has swept away the peace of the six years of the Mu reign, which can be described as slaughtering like grass and birds, chasing the Shizong Emperor.

At this moment, Zhang Fuzi, who had just passed the Shujishi exam and had a bright future, was asked by such an Emperor, "Do you want to rebel?"

That light voice seemed to fall from the sky, and once it fell into his ears, it made people lose their souls.

Rebel?

Who is it talking about?

Zhang Fuzi subconsciously raised his head and met the Emperor's gaze.

In a trance, he only saw a forest of hell reflected in the Emperor's eyes.

The road of the emperor was laid out with mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the dragon chair was cast with piles of white bones, and the wronged souls of the Zhang family of Taicang were wailing shrilly in the Emperor's crown, unable to break free.

Killing intent! Unconcealed killing intent!

Zhang Fuzi was stimulated by the whistling killing intent and suddenly woke up.

It's talking about him!

He will die!

If he answers wrong, he will definitely die!

How to reply! How to react! Think fast! Think fast!

Trembling, Zhang Fuzi was trembling all over. Should he cry out for injustice? Or deny it flatly? Or kneel and beg for mercy?

How did the Emperor know about things far away in Zhejiang? Why Zhejiang instead of Shandong or Nanzhili? Is it confirmation or testing?

Think fast! Think fast!

His brain turned thousands of times, and in reality, it was almost like a flash of lightning.

Finally, Zhang Fuzi took a deep breath, trembling more and more violently, so violently that white foam seeped from his mouth.

The Emperor's cold gaze turned to surprise.

Zhang Fuzi's body suddenly stalled, and he rolled his eyes and fell to the ground.

He had actually fainted!

The Longevity Mountain was quiet and cool, with pleasant scenery, and when the wind blew, it was accompanied by a faint floral fragrance.

The scenery was warm, and it was silent for a while.

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Fuzi's series of flowing movements, dumbfounded.

He then laughed, beckoned to the distance, and signaled the accompanying eunuchs to come over and deal with it.

The accompanying eunuchs hurriedly stepped forward.

Helplessly, after a flurry of patting foreheads and pinching people, the person involved did not wake up.

Wei Chao hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, should we invite a imperial physician?"

Zhu Yijun shook his head.

"It's fine, let Official Zhang think slowly, and wake up when he has thought it through."

After throwing down a mindless sentence, Zhu Yijun walked slowly into the pavilion with his hands behind his back.

Xu Jie in the pavilion saw the Emperor walking over and almost jumped up to give the Emperor a seat: "Your Majesty, this matter has absolutely nothing to do with this subordinate!"

Heaven can see pity, these years he has been more trembling than in front of the Shizong Emperor!

What Huzhou Prefecture civil unrest, it has nothing to do with him!

He had calculated it correctly before going out. Being invited to climb a mountain early in the morning is definitely an ominous sign.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun glanced at Xu Jie.

Perhaps because of the fatigue of climbing the mountain, the Grand Secretary Xu's complexion was like a revolving lantern, uncertain.

Zhu Yijun found it funny in his heart, but his face remained gentle: "Junior Tutor Xu, don't worry, I just asked Official Xu to come and watch, and advise me."

He waved his hand, signaling the old Xu to sit down.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jie was still suspicious, really not understanding what there was to advise on such matters. They organized civil unrest, why not kill them?

He had never seen the dog Emperor show mercy.

Zhu Yijun laughed and sat down on a stone stool: "How much does Junior Tutor Xu know about the Huzhou civil unrest?"

As soon as the words fell, Zhang Fuzi's ears outside the pavilion moved imperceptibly.

Xu Jie sat down carefully following the Emperor, thought for a moment, and then answered cautiously: "Your Majesty, this subordinate is living in retirement, and my ears do not hear things outside the window. The Huzhou civil unrest is thousands of miles away, and I only know the fur."

"I heard that at the beginning of the land survey last year, the Huzhou Prefecture received many cases of the Dong and Fan families occupying fields and hiding poll taxes."

"Although the government office handled a few cases of right and wrong, the accumulated cases were still increasing, which can be described as competing to submit petitions and filling the streets."

"Seeing this situation, and deeply understanding the imperial court's determination to survey the land, the Dong and Fan families did not dare to disobey, so they used the old wisdom of 'Feng Xuan burning the coupons', and found the original sellers of the land deeds in their homes one by one, allowing the sellers to redeem the land at half the price of the year."

"Returning land is a good thing, but this move not only did not calm the public anger, but instead involved the common people who were originally watching."

"It is said that rumors were flying everywhere at that time. As long as you go to the door to make trouble, you can get a sum of money to 'settle things peacefully'. For a time, thousands of people swarmed in, calling at the door and scolding."

"Then it got bigger and bigger, and the matter got out of control."

"These are all things I heard from the streets, and they may not be accurate."

Xu Jie's way of telling the story obviously didn't look like he didn't hear things outside the window.

Especially just relaying some street rumors, the scale was really in place.

Zhu Yijun smiled and asked back: "Then when Junior Tutor Xu heard about this, did you think it was an accident, or was someone calculating?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jie couldn't help but look at Zhang Fuzi, who was still unconscious outside the pavilion.

Announce the answer and then test?

Xu Jie couldn't grasp the Emperor's way, so he had to be ambiguous: "The Dong family occupies 20,000 acres of land, 160 pawnshops, a thousand servants, and 300 large ships. Although the Fan family is not as good as the top, it is not far away."

"With such assets, there must be many acts of bullying the market. It is reasonable for the common people to compete to file lawsuits."

"However, the rumors after this were too strange. Feng Xuan burning coupons has always been a good way to buy people's hearts, and it shouldn't have intensified."

"This subordinate heard about this at the time, and couldn't distinguish it for a while."

"I didn't expect that someone was really fanning the flames behind the scenes!"

Xu Jie pointed his trembling finger at Zhang Fuzi and shook his head: "Fortunately, His Majesty has clear eyes and sees through the fire. Otherwise, if this thief entered the central government, he might be the reincarnation of Yan Song and Qin Hui!"

Clear eyes and seeing through the fire is not flattery, but Xu Jie's heartfelt admiration.

Zhejiang is thousands of miles away, let alone any conspiracy. Even if someone raised an army to rebel, the imperial court would have to wait for the memorials to go back and forth several times before knowing whose flag was raised.

In the case of Zhejiang Provincial Governor Wang Daokun's inaction, the Emperor could directly call out the name of the Zhang family of Taicang. Who could not be terrified?

Zhu Yijun naturally knew what Xu Jie was thinking. He had an expression of being in control and explained calmly: "It's not that I see through the fire, it's that the Northern Town Fushi is loyal."

As soon as the words fell, not only did Xu Jie show a stunned expression, but even Zhang Fuzi outside the pavilion couldn't help but groan slightly.

Northern Town Fushi? Did the Emperor send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to Zhejiang?

Counting the time back and forth, how long in advance did the Emperor see the trend of the situation!?

Seeing Xu Jie's look of looking up at the high mountains, Zhu Yijun's smile became more mysterious.

In fact, this time it was really a coincidence.

As early as when Fan Yingqi was promoted to Governor of the Granary, Zhu Yijun hesitated because of the Fan family's style (Chapter 186).

Therefore, in order to avoid the tragedy of "the family engaged in annexation, accidentally caused a mass incident, and finally the father and son were forced to commit suicide," Zhu Yijun ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to take Fan Yingqi's family letter and rush to Huzhou to watch the Fan family return the land and rectify the family style.

Returning land is not a matter of a moment. Therefore, this civil unrest happened to hit the Northern Town Fushi who was on official business in Huzhou!

If it weren't for this, Zhu Yijun is not a god, so how could he directly find the head of the Zhang family of Taicang.

"According to the secret memorial sent back by the Northern Town Fushi, the chaos in Huzhou was indeed the injustice of the two families and the spontaneity of the common people at the beginning."

"But after the two families began to return the land, things were not right."

Zhu Yijun's voice was clear, intending for Zhang Fuzi, who was unconscious outside the pavilion, to hear: "A newspaper office concerned about this matter appeared in Huzhou Prefecture without warning."

Xu Jie was stunned: "Newspaper office?"

Zhu Yijun nodded to the accompanying Secretariat Drafter.

The latter found a pile of newspapers from somewhere, walked forward with them, and placed them on the stone table of the pavilion.

Zhu Yijun took the newspaper on the top and handed it to Xu Jie.

Xu Jie took the newspaper respectfully.

He didn't take the newspaper to heart, thinking it was just an alternative to the posted notices, but he was shocked when he saw it!

The first newspaper of this newspaper office was about the deeds of the Dong and Fan families bullying the market, which invisibly brought a lot of trouble to the two families.

This was still okay.

What was published were the evil deeds done by the servants of the two families themselves, some acts of buying and selling by force, and the practice of high-interest loans to mortgage land. Some textual modifications were not fabricated.

When the Dong and Fan families bowed their heads, burned the IOUs, and returned the land, the Dong family personally visited the newspaper office, hoping that this move could get a few words of praise and restore some prestige.

As a result, the next day, the newspaper office published a newspaper about the Dong family returning land on the surface, but secretly plotting revenge and threatening people at the door.

The Dong family was so angry that they had seven orifices smoking.

The Fan family was honest, so they had to swallow their anger and increase their efforts to return the land, thinking of spending money to eliminate disasters.

But this move didn't stop for a few days.

The newspaper office inexplicably began to edit the Fan family, saying that the Fan family had millions of unjust wealth and was guilty, and as long as you go to make trouble, you can get a large sum of money.

A few newspapers fanning the flames went down, and the situation was immediately different.

More than a hundred people beat gongs and drums, surrounded the two houses with large white flags, demolished the Dong family's houses, cut down the trees of the Fan family's ancestral graves, and even killed pigs and sheep to hold a banquet in the two houses, and even harassed the inner family members.

Things reached this point, and the prefecture and county's plan of "fairly judging the case, and the common people will naturally disperse" completely failed.

Therefore, the county government led the catchers to block the troublemaking common people, arrested the chaotic people, and turned to persuade the two families to take out some money to appease the common people, each taking a step back to settle things peacefully.

The government office coming forward to mediate is naturally a good thing. With carrots and sticks, the troublemaking common people were about to disperse.

As a result, the newspaper office came out to make trouble again.

The next day, they published again to confuse right and wrong, saying that the government officials, in order to show favor to Dong Fen's student Shen Shixing, Fan family's third room's Fan Yingqi and other high-ranking officials, were partial to the two families, arresting innocent common people, helping the tyrant to abuse, and forcing confessions.

If the common people easily accepted the benefits and dispersed, they would only be broken one by one and liquidated afterwards.

At the same time, they united with students and famous Confucians to write to the Provincial Governor's office, confusing right and wrong, and also putting pressure on Provincial Governor Wang Daokun, claiming not to "disregard public opinion and damage one's reputation."

Xu Jie read the newspapers tremblingly, his forehead already covered with a layer of cold sweat.

What a hand! What a calculation!

Is this a newspaper? It actually has such power.

One copy per person, it is much stronger than the posted notices that are stolen and posted in the streets!

If he had this thing back then...

Thinking of this, Xu Jie hurriedly cut off his thoughts.

He looked up at the Emperor: "This newspaper office is operated by the Zhang family of Taicang?"

As soon as the words fell, a groan was heard.

Zhang Fuzi, who had fainted outside the pavilion, finally woke up leisurely.

Zhu Yijun looked at the sound and responded to Xu Jie without forgetting: "The Zhang family has opened more than a dozen newspaper offices in the south, and the Huzhou newspaper office is one of them."

"Perhaps it is because I have been too tolerant to scholars since I ascended the throne, and have never carried out extermination, so that they dare to incite the common people and stir up civil unrest."

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Fuzi who had woken up, disappointed: "Zhang Zizan, your family is going to take the lead."

Zhang Fuzi's body shook, and he hurriedly bowed to the ground.

He seemed to only hear the last two sentences, looking blank: "Huzhou newspaper office? Inciting the common people? It's such a misunderstanding! Your Majesty, please see! The Huzhou newspaper office is definitely not opened by my family. Someone must have stolen my family's reputation to do illegal things!"

After saying that, he kowtowed repeatedly and shouted shrilly.

Seeing this, Zhu Yijun found it even more funny.

He ignored Zhang Fuzi and explained to Xu Jie: "Although the Zhang family of Taicang does not operate newspapers, they often generously donate money and offer advice to various newspaper offices in secret."

"After controlling these scholarly tongues, internally, they can edit stories and spread fame; externally, they can confuse right and wrong and suppress people with power."

"Once a newspaper has a problem, it's like this, immediately drawing a line and shouting that the Zhang family never operates newspapers."

Don't be clever, don't empower in the dark, don't think you can't be found.

Zhang Fuzi's philtrum was pinched red.

When kowtowing, he broke his forehead again.

Plus the flushed face and neck at this moment, he really looked like he was burned red: "Your Majesty is wrong!"

"There must be hidden feelings in this, I humbly beg Your Majesty to allow me to return home and find out the truth!"

After saying that, he kowtowed again.

This statement was already the result of Zhang Fuzi's deep familiarity.

If it were ten deaths and no life, he should be in the prison of the Northern Town Fushi now.

The Emperor specially summoned him to the imperial presence, it couldn't be to push him down the Longevity Mountain and vent his anger personally.

Perhaps the Emperor didn't have full confidence, just cheating the children of several newspaper offices in the south.

Perhaps the Emperor didn't want to tear his face at all, deliberately using harsh words, just to make him bow his head and listen.

Perhaps...

There are too many perhaps, but there must be a glimmer of life!

Bang, bang, bang.

The sound of kowtowing was endless.

Drops of blood splashed, staining the Emperor's boots.

Zhu Yijun sighed and wiped the blood off his boots with Xu Jie's hem.

"Official Zhang, don't misunderstand."

"I will really kill people this time, many, many people, many, many scholars, including 1,362 people of your Zhang family of Taicang."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and signaled to the left and right.

The eunuch immediately helped Zhang Fuzi up, and Wei Chao brought paper and pen from somewhere.

Zhang Fuzi stood up blankly, his soul lost, only the Emperor's cold voice followed like a gangrene, drilling into his brain: "I only give you one chance now."

"Write, write down the connection of this resistance to land surveying, write down a name, and trade it for a life of your Zhang family."

Zhang Fuzi raised his head suddenly, his pupils shrank!

His flushed face almost turned into a pig's liver color, and the blue veins on his neck burst out.

How could it be like this!

How can it be like this!

Where is the faint monarch, this is clearly a tyrant! A tyrant who chases Zhu Yuanzhang!

Zhang Fuzi looked at the Emperor's face, only feeling the boundless blood rushing toward him!

He gritted his teeth tightly, trembling uncontrollably, not knowing where he bit, the blood in his mouth became more fishy and sweet, and strands of blood seeped from the corners of his mouth.

Zhang Fuzi raised his hand and took the paper and pen with difficulty.

Seeing Zhang Fuzi's appearance of being overly frightened, Zhu Yijun shook his head.

Youth is really not good at cultivating energy, or there is no composure of not being chaotic even if the whole family dies.

Zhu Yijun called Xu Jie and walked down from the other side of the pavilion, getting further and further away: "I'm going for a walk, you write slowly."

"The country treats students well, you are a Shujishi, I called you first, if you can't write it out this morning, I will go to Luo Xianshu and Zhao Nan Dou."

Zhang Fuzi's hands stalled, and the paper and pen fell to the ground suddenly.

He had no time to pay attention to the eunuch who squatted down to pick it up, his face became more and more ugly.

Luo Xianshu is the son of Luo Yuren, Zhao Nan Dou is the younger brother of Zhao Nanxing, both are candidates seeking studies in the Imperial Academy.

The Emperor really knows everything!

Zhu Yijun naturally knows, otherwise Li Chunfang's granddaughter wouldn't have been married in vain?

As for the reason, it was naturally said casually. Treating Shujishi well doesn't mean treating rebels well.

In fact, it was just that Zhu Yijun was unhappy when he thought that Zhang Fuzi's generation of nephews easily sat in the position of the folk emperor.

Inviting fame and raising hope is good, often designating the champion, dismissing the prime minister.

Inviting fame and raising hope is good, organizing riots to attack the government office, setting fire to the city is nothing more than waiting for leisure.

Inviting fame and raising hope is good, calling out from a high place, ten thousand people forming a society, the direction of the literary style, the court and the public are shocked.

Since you like inviting fame so much, the infamy of informing is not impossible.

Zhu Yijun was thinking about things, and Xu Jie's voice suddenly came from behind.

"Your Majesty, my body is not as good as before. If I toss and turn again, I'm afraid I can't bear it anymore."

Xu Jie looked aggrieved and looked over.

Zhu Yijun reacted to what Xu Jie was referring to after a while. While admiring in his heart, his face was displeased: "You are smart."

Xu Jie was helpless. He didn't say it clearly, and kept letting people guess. If he guessed too fast, he was unhappy.

How is it the same as Shizong!

He was about to speak, but heard footsteps behind him.

The two turned their heads in unison.

Only then did a eunuch walk quickly to the front and salute the Emperor: "Ten thousand years old, the Grand Secretary is asking to see you at the foot of the mountain."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

It was agreed to report tomorrow, could it be that the four things he assigned were all discussed?

He looked at Xu Jie and turned to the eunuch: "Is the teacher's court deliberation over?"

The eunuch hurriedly replied: "Returning to the ten thousand years old, the Grand Secretary did not go to the court deliberation this morning. Hearing that His Majesty was relaxing on the Longevity Mountain, he rushed to ask to see you."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help rolling his eyes.

Things haven't been done yet, and he rushed to get closer. Mr. Zhang became lazy after being diligent for a day, which is improper.

Look at himself again. He said it was relaxing, but which one wasn't a serious matter?

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Please ask the teacher to come up."

People have arrived at the foot of the mountain, so they can't not see them.

Seeing this, Xu Jie simply cut off the words just now and followed the Emperor silently.

The two walked one after another on the Longevity Mountain.

After a while.

Only then did Wei Chao lead Zhang Juzheng into sight.

Xu Jie clearly saw the Emperor's complaining expression just now, immediately sunny, squeezed out a smiling face and greeted him: "Teacher!"

Zhang Juzheng was happy in his heart, but not losing his restraint: "Your Majesty."

He walked to the front and bowed down.

Zhu Yijun hurriedly stretched out his hands and helped Zhang Juzheng up.

After the monarch and minister finished the ceremony, Zhang Juzheng and Xu Jie looked at each other. The former bowed, and the latter nodded slightly.

Zhu Yijun took Zhang Juzheng's hand, his smile undiminished: "I thought only I missed the teacher, but I didn't expect the teacher to be affectionate, and as soon as I got free, I couldn't wait to ask to see you."

Zhang Juzheng took a step back and broke free from the Emperor's hand.

He took out the handwritten edict from his sleeve and bowed again: "I have discussed the four things in the handwritten edict, and I have come to hand over the edict with the oral edict."

Zhu Yijun was stunned when he heard this.

Zhang Juzheng discussed the Lotus case yesterday, and this morning he at most discussed the matter of spreading poll tax into land with the Ministry of Revenue. How could the four things be discussed?

Without waiting for the Emperor to ask, Zhang Juzheng spoke again: "His Majesty's oral edict, the four things in the handwritten edict, whether it is appropriate or not, I will discuss it with His Majesty when reporting."

"I think, rectifying the court officials is appropriate, spreading poll tax into land is appropriate, the other two things are clearly one thing, no need for court deliberation, I can tell His Majesty, this matter is very inappropriate!"

Xu Jie leaned forward and saw the other two things in the handwritten edict.

Third, Huizhou infighting.

Fourth, southern newspapers.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun was somewhat displeased: "Clearly two things, how can you say it is one thing; clearly there is quite a bit of controversy, how can you decide without discussion?"

The situation of the civil unrest in Huzhou Prefecture is a bit complicated, and Sun Piyang cannot handle it.

The public opinion on the newspaper makes the court officials throw the rat and fear the weapon.

How can this be something that can be bypassed without discussion?

Zhang Juzheng refused to get up: "Your Majesty clearly uses two things as a raft, and has other plans. I dare not follow!"

"Not only can I not follow, but I also have words of blood to remonstrate with His Majesty!"

After saying that, he raised his head and looked at the Emperor with burning eyes.

Now it was Zhu Yijun's turn to be silent.

Smart people are good to use, but they see things too thoroughly.

Clearly just returned to Beijing, clearly he didn't show this meaning, but he still taught Zhang Juzheng to see it at a glance.

It's really hard to fool.

Zhu Yijun sighed and waved to Wei Chao.

The latter sensibly led the left and right to retreat silently, leaving only three generations of teachers and students in the field.

Zhu Yijun didn't say a word, walked forward with his head buried. The Emperor didn't want to talk, so the minister could only follow silently behind.

The sun rises on the Lingshan Mountain and the fog disappears, clearly the Yuanqiao wears the golden turtle.

The light shone through the shade of the trees, and the three bathed in the sunlight, pacing in the mountains, looking quiet and peaceful.

I don't know how far they walked, and I don't know how long it took.

The Emperor finally stopped.

"This is the Qiu Long Tomb."

Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng were both stunned when they heard this, and then looked in the direction pointed by the Emperor in unison.

Sure enough, in an inconspicuous corner, they saw an earth bag up to the ankle, with a tombstone the size of two palms erected on it, with the three characters "Qiu Long Tomb" written on it.

Xu Jie couldn't help but walk up and squat in front of the tombstone.

He reached out and touched the inscription on the tomb, his tone complex: "If His Majesty didn't say it, this subordinate wouldn't have reacted. It is indeed the inscription of the World Temple."

Xu Jie's eyes were full of emotion.

During the Jiajing reign, the Shizong Emperor raised a curly-haired lion cat named "Frost Eyebrow."

Because the hair was slightly cyan and the eyebrows were white, it looked very pleasing. The Ming Shizong almost always carried it with him. When traveling, he used it as a guide, and when sleeping, he slept on the same bed.

With such love, it was naturally extraordinary when it died.

Shizong ordered the court officials to write sacrificial essays with great fanfare. At that time, Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng both wrote them, and because they were not good at sacrificial essays for non-human things, they were scolded by the Shizong Emperor.

Later, it was won by the ritual attendant Yuan Wei with the four characters "Turning Lion into Dragon," which is also the origin of "Qiu Long Tomb."

Zhu Yijun walked slowly to the monument and shook his head lightly: "But I think Yuan Wei's sacrificial essay is not written well, and the name Qiu Long Tomb is also not true to its name."

Zhang Juzheng followed the Emperor: "The wording is too big?"

As soon as the words came out, he vaguely guessed what the Emperor wanted to say.

Zhu Yijun hummed lightly: "Exactly, the wording is too big, it's hard to call it a real dragon."

"A real dragon can be big or small, can rise or hide; big can swallow clouds and spit fog, small can hide and hide; rising can fly between the universe, hiding can lurk in the waves."

He turned to look at Zhang Juzheng and said seriously: "This cat has lived in the Forbidden City for eight years, how can it be called a real dragon?"

(End of chapter)