Chapter 4

"Your Highness the Crown Prince"

"Your Highness."

The officials bowed one after another.

Many officials were seeing this successor of the Great Ming Dynasty for the first time, but they had heard what kind of temperament he had—pure in thought, cautious and subtle.

During the previous urging to ascend, he was intimidated by the large number of military and civilian officials and didn't even dare to show his face.

In the hearts of the officials, a rating of mediocre talent was inevitable.

But today, seeing him, he was unexpectedly measured in his behavior and clear in his speech, completely unlike the stuttering and dull person in the rumors.

Everyone couldn't help but look at him either openly or secretly.

Gao Yi, as the head of the Crown Prince's attendants, was the most familiar with Zhu Yijun among the officials, and at this time he looked at him frequently, only feeling that this Crown Prince seemed to have been reborn, which surprised him endlessly.

Gao Gong, on the side, watched with interest while bowing, estimating in his heart how long this Crown Prince had been forcibly trained by Noble Consort Li to have this demeanor and speech.

Only Zhang Juzheng's expression remained unchanged, his gaze sweeping over him peacefully.

Zhu Yijun felt these gazes and felt a bit helpless, thinking, "Can't you see me peeking?"

Why is it different from the queue-drama, where it was said that looking up at the Emperor was a capital crime?

Fortunately, this was the first time he had attended court today, and the officials had come out to welcome him as a formality; it wouldn't be so troublesome in the future.

This scene reminded Zhu Yijun of the first time he stepped into the municipal government gate...

Zhu Yijun tried hard to shake this sense of déjà vu out of his mind.

This inquiry didn't last long before Gao Gong stepped out of the crowd: "The late Emperor has abandoned the world, the main seat of Wenhua Hall is vacant, today Your Highness the Crown Prince attends court, and we officials are like a long drought meeting rain, unable to contain our joy."

Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi followed closely: "Respectfully welcome the Crown Prince to ascend the hall."

The officials echoed, and then invited the successor to enter the hall.

Zhu Yijun followed the trend and stepped forward, looking around at the officials again on the way.

The key personnel of the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers were all present, and he roughly matched the names and appearances with the memories of his predecessor.

He walked with his head held high, and when he reached the Cabinet, he looked up carefully at the three of them.

The Chief Zhang Gelao Gao Gong, who advocated for rectifying the administration and clearing corruption, known in later generations as the "old angry youth."

The Assistant Zhang Gelao Gao Yi, who couldn't afford a house and couldn't even gather the funeral expenses.

And the Second Zhang Gelao Zhang Juzheng, whom he had been friends with in spirit for a long time, who was skilled in planning for the country but clumsy in planning for himself.

These were the members of his team now.

Looking at the expressions of these three, I'm afraid they didn't even have half a heart for him, the new ruler.

It was not easy to carry out work.

Sighing inwardly, Zhu Yijun stopped his steps, turned to face Gao Yi, and said very respectfully: "Teacher."

Gao Yi's heart jumped, and he quickly turned to avoid it!

"Your Highness, this is not a daily lecture, there is no need to perform the teacher's ritual to me!"

As the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor and the head of the attendants, receiving the teacher's ritual during lectures was in accordance with the ritual system, but what time was it now? The Crown Prince was ascending the hall to attend court! How could he dare to accept this ritual, so he quickly turned to explain.

Unfortunately, Zhu Yijun was already prepared to rely on him, showing a look of sudden realization on his face, but he didn't change his words: "Oh, Teacher's instruction is right."

Gao Yi was speechless, looking at the innocent and simple successor before him, opening his mouth to speak.

Zhu Yijun didn't give him a chance to speak and turned to look at Zhang Juzheng.

His gaze was inquisitive: "Zhang Gelao Zhang, I have admired you for a long time."

His words were double-entendre, but he only paused slightly and continued: "Thank you for your hard work, Zhang Gelao Zhang."

The persona Zhu Yijun had established now was that of a smart child.

Naturally, his actions could not deviate from the scope of a child; he could learn fast, but he couldn't suddenly understand everything.

Moreover, going too far is as bad as not going far enough; the lesson of the past was that a young emperor who was too smart was prone to "accidentally falling into the water," and he hadn't learned to swim yet, so he couldn't be careless.

So he could only do some simple words and actions within the limits.

Zhang Juzheng thought that as a successor, he was using these polite words to show the status of ruler and minister, so he quickly bowed and humbly declined.

Zhu Yijun wanted to say more to him, but he knew that the days were long, so he pressed the thought in his heart.

Only then did he turn to look at the protagonist on the stage today, Gao Gong.

Gao Gong stood calmly on the spot, waiting.

He was the Chief Zhang Gelao of the Cabinet, and the successor exchanged pleasantries with the Cabinet but put him last, which made him somewhat dissatisfied, wondering if this successor was ignorant or if Noble Consort Li hadn't taught him well.

Or, his peripheral vision swept over the great eunuch Feng Bao, was it this person who secretly taught the successor badly?

Zhu Yijun didn't make him wait long and pulled his thoughts back: "Chief Zhang Gelao, you sent someone to tell me just now that I definitely wouldn't come, now I'm here, please take back those words."

He held his neck stiffly, his eyes serious, looking exactly like a child sulking.

Feng Bao's mouth opened in astonishment.

Gao Gong raised his eyes in a daze.

Gao Yi and the officials were all full of doubts.

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Feng Bao obscurely.

For a moment, all kinds of attitudes were revealed, and Zhu Yijun took them all into his eyes.

Surprised? Don't understand political rules? That's right! This palace is young and ignorant, where would I understand political rules? What stands out is a child's temperament of being straightforward! These words can't be put on the table? Non-existent!

He had already thought of an idea when he came.

Feng Bao had set this stumbling block in front of Noble Consort Li, and Gao Gong was destined to suffer a dark loss.

After all, Feng Bao's move could be called a conspiracy.

Even if Gao Gong explained to Noble Consort Li, he couldn't recover a bit.

First impressions are the most important, hmm, especially for women; in Noble Consort Li's heart, the label of Gao Gong being arrogant and overbearing, threatening the ruler, could not be removed.

What's more, Gao Gong must have had similar words, and Feng Bao could throw the responsibility to the eunuch who passed the message in a few words, and continue to smear Gao Gong, with half the effort.

But, Gao Gong suffered a loss, but Feng Bao couldn't retreat unscathed.

Noble Consort Li acting as a referee was fine, but it was a pity that this matter fell into his own hands.

This was why he stopped in front of Wenhua Hall and pointed this out.

Outside the hall, it was neither state affairs nor did it hinder him from questioning as Gao Gong's ruler.

Furthermore, the eunuch was his family slave, and he was the person involved, so as long as he threw this matter out, he naturally had the qualifications to be a referee.

Unless both sides joined forces to exclude him, no one could shake him.

Don't look at this as a small matter; real power is slowly accumulated from being a referee.

Against the background of his young age and inability to decide state affairs, there were not many opportunities to get a chance to be a referee.

Zhu Yijun looked at Gao Gong quietly, waiting for his answer.

Gao Gong was worthy of being called an old angry youth; suffering an injustice, his voice was loud and he fought: "Your Highness! I only sent someone to the Eastern Palace in the hall, if the Crown Prince insisted on not coming, then I would ask for an oral decree. Even the person didn't go, and was stopped by my colleagues in the Cabinet."

"I never said the Crown Prince definitely wouldn't come! I don't know which eunuch caused this! Please Your Highness, clarify!"

Zhu Yijun secretly gave a thumbs up.

Although Gao Gong's political wisdom was not high, finding the enemy was no problem; he opened his mouth and called him a eunuch, paving the way for him.

He immediately said: "Ah? Just now a little eunuch came to report, saying the Chief Zhang Gelao expected I definitely wouldn't come, and made me feel very sad."

Zhu Yijun showed a look of embarrassment, as if he was a bit embarrassed because he had misunderstood this Chief Zhang Gelao of the Cabinet.

Saying this, he turned his head to look at the little eunuch.

The little eunuch was suddenly surrounded by other eunuchs who made way for him, terrified, but still holding the last glimmer of hope, his peripheral vision looking at Feng Bao.

Feng Bao didn't change his expression, slightly closing his eyes.

The little eunuch knew he couldn't escape, knelt down to Zhu Yijun with a thud, terrified and glancing at Gao Gong from time to time, stammering: "Your Highness! The slave... the slave has an ear disease, perhaps I heard wrong!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

This person was going all the way to the dark.

If this eunuch only feared Feng Bao and admitted this, taking all the responsibility, he could still leave him a way to live.

But he was talking nonsense to excuse himself, and even made a look of being intimidated by Gao Gong to change his words, so that Feng Bao could slander Gao Gong to Noble Consort Li.

He didn't put him, the successor, in his eyes at all; he was truly seeking his own death.

Gao Gong was immediately furious: "You eunuch, how dare you sow discord between ruler and minister! Who incited you, why don't you tell the truth!"

Zhu Yijun wished he could support his forehead with his hand; no wonder Gao Gong couldn't play Feng Bao, his methods were too crude.

The little eunuch kowtowed repeatedly: "The slave won't dare again! The slave won't dare again!"

Zhu Yijun was in no mood to watch the little eunuch perform, nor did he need this person to bite Feng Bao; he looked at Gao Gong and said seriously: "Chief Zhang Gelao, it was I who mistakenly believed the slander, I will definitely give the Chief Zhang Gelao an explanation!"

Without looking at Gao Gong's reaction, he turned to Feng Bao and said: "Zhang Daban, this person deceived the ruler, what is the crime?"

Even if he hadn't ascended the throne, he was still the successor, so naturally, he could say it was deceiving the ruler.

Treating eunuchs and family slaves didn't need any imprisonment and trial; he could dispose of people on the spot.

Facing this questioning, Feng Bao was like an outsider, his voice not even carrying much fluctuation, respectfully saying: "Reporting to Your Highness, the crime of deceiving the ruler is punishable by death!"

In front of Wenhua Hall, the successor came head-on with the pressure of the Cabinet; Feng Bao wouldn't go crazy to protect a little eunuch.

This was originally a prepared abandoned child; he had already arranged the family of the little eunuch before he entered the palace; did he dare not die for him?

Gao Gong was naturally not satisfied with just punishing a little eunuch; he knew clearly who was calculating him: "The eunuchs on duty in Wenhua Hall were inexplicably changed, and as soon as this new one came, this happened, Huangmen Feng, is this not a good show intentionally arranged by the Ceremonial Secretariat?"

Feng Bao lowered his eyelids and said listlessly: "Chief Zhang Gelao, don't be suspicious, the few people on duty before were dismissed by Noble Consort Li along with Meng Chong, it was just filling the vacancy as usual."

He brought up Noble Consort Li, and no matter how angry Gao Gong was, he couldn't continue to speak in this direction, so he could only angrily say: "Such a great crime of deceiving the ruler, how can a mere little eunuch dare to do it, how can there be no one inciting it!?"

The Chief Zhang Gelao of the Cabinet and the Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat were confronting each other outside Wenhua Hall like this, and the officials couldn't help but look at each other.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng suddenly said: "Chief Zhang Gelao, this matter can be discussed again, today the Crown Prince's attendance at court is important."

Gao Gong suddenly woke up, only then realizing that the Crown Prince and the officials were all stopping outside Wenhua Hall, and couldn't help but hatefully restrain his anger.

Feng Bao saw Gao Gong vent his temper and also said something neither yin nor yang: "Yes, Chief Zhang Gelao, the Crown Prince attends court, it cannot be neglected, this matter will be properly disposed of when I return to the Ceremonial Secretariat, and I only hope the Chief Zhang Gelao will say fewer shocking words, causing people to have wild thoughts for nothing."

He did things cleanly and wasn't afraid of being said anywhere, otherwise he wouldn't dare to give Gao Gong a stumbling block so blatantly.

Since he was the Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat, this position, which had always been called the inner prime minister, was really not afraid of arm-wrestling with the Cabinet.

This attitude made Gao Gong furious again.

Zhu Yijun watched with relish; in his previous life, big meetings were all harmonious on the surface, but this scene full of gunpowder was truly rare to see, making him couldn't help but watch it as a curiosity.

Seeing that the heat was almost there, he immediately took over the conversation: "Chief Zhang Gelao, Zhang Daban, allow this palace to say a word."

Feng Bao immediately shut his mouth.

Gao Gong still wanted to argue, but didn't give any face at all.

Zhu Yijun saw this and quickly continued to speak, not daring to give him a chance to interject: "This palace is young and ignorant, which made someone bully me, an orphan and a widow, and mistakenly believe the slander, I should reflect on myself first."

This was a common political correct humble phrase for the royal family, and the officials also knelt down reflexively.

"We officials deserve death!"

In this situation, no matter how old the qualifications were, they had to kneel.

Gao Gong couldn't say more, so he could only bow down immediately: "The thief is lawless, how dare he blame Your Highness!"

Zhu Yijun quickly helped him up: "When the late Emperor was still here, he often said to me, 'If there is guilt in the world, the guilt lies in me,' although this palace is not the Emperor, now that I am attending court as the successor, I should also be responsible."

The officials knelt down again.

Gao Yi felt even more that he hadn't seen him for a few days, and this successor's words and speech truly made him look at him with new eyes.

Zhu Yijun turned to look at Zhang Juzheng and said seriously: "Zhang Gelao Zhang's words just now were reasonable, the procedures decided by the Ministry of Rites are important and cannot be delayed. But, this palace has just promised to give the Chief Zhang Gelao an explanation, why don't I make a decision and cut the Gordian knot, how about it?"

Zhang Juzheng pursed his lips and met his gaze: "Your Highness's heart is decisive, we officials listen respectfully."

When he bowed, his hands were tucked into his sleeves, and he kept rubbing his thumbs, his thoughts churning endlessly.

Zhu Yijun nodded and looked at Feng Bao: "Zhang Daban's words are steady and prudent. The change of duty in Wenhua Hall this time, since my Mother Consort has an edict, then there is nothing to investigate, there are always people who have no ruler or father, and it is not surprising that they do anything, drag him out and beat him to death."

He pointed at the little eunuch, and for a moment no one moved.

After Feng Bao secretly made a slight gesture, eunuchs immediately stepped forward to stuff his mouth and forcibly dragged him away.

Feng Bao saw that sacrificing a little eunuch ended this farce, smiled disdainfully in his heart, and prostrated himself on the surface: "There is no wisdom greater than Your Highness!"

Zhu Yijun nodded.

Gao Gong was not satisfied: "Your Highness!"

Zhu Yijun only felt a headache, what are you anxious about?

He immediately interrupted and changed the subject: "But, the Chief Zhang Gelao's words also make sense! It is not surprising that this person has no ruler or father, but he was able to mix into Wenhua Hall to be on duty, which really makes me feel uneasy!"

"Zhang Daban, who is responsible for assigning duties in each hall?"

Feng Bao's eyelids jumped, and he was about to speak.

Zhu Yijun waved his little hand: "No matter who it is, remove him, I will ask my Mother Consort when I go back and then re-propose candidates."

Assigning duties has always been the responsibility of the Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat, this is an inner official with a rank, it must be Feng Bao's confidant, if this is removed, it is enough to make him feel heartache for a long time.

As for suitable candidates, he had some faint plans, but he still needed to convince Noble Consort Li, and it would be better to take this opportunity to arrange some people for his own use.

Feng Bao seemed to have some arguments: "Your Highness..."

Gao Gong immediately interrupted him: "It should be so! Your Highness is decisive, I admire you!"

Although he was dissatisfied, he had other plans, and now that he could vent his anger, he naturally wouldn't let Feng Bao go.

Zhang Juzheng also echoed: "There is no wisdom greater than Your Highness!"

Feng Bao was stunned.

If Zhu Yijun spoke, he could pretend not to hear.

But at this time, it was the joint will of Zhu Yijun and the Cabinet, and he was powerless to refute.

He could only clench his toes and kowtow to Zhu Yijun repeatedly: "There is no wisdom greater than Your Highness!"

Gao Gong glared at Feng Bao, secretly recording this account in his heart.

Zhu Yijun saw that the dust had settled, and he also took a deep breath, feeling relieved.

Authority is power.

Using the Cabinet's power to make Feng Bao bow his head, even if it was just the personnel power of a eunuch, for him, the significance was not small.

It was truly a good start.

The road ahead was still long, Zhu Yijun sneered inwardly, but his face showed no flaws, only asking everyone to get up and ending this episode.

Since this matter was settled, he didn't delay any longer.

He nodded to the ritual official and walked slowly toward Wenhua Hall, saying without looking back: "Ascend the court."

The ritual officials were still immersed in the good show just now.

Only when they got the order did they suddenly come back to their senses and straightened their waists one after another.

The moment Zhu Yijun stepped into Wenhua Hall, the official of the Court of Ceremonial immediately sang: "Please the Crown Prince ascend Wenhua Hall."

Zhu Yijun walked with his head held high and stepped into Wenhua Hall.

The rustling sound was endless, as four little eunuchs carried the golden dragon chair and carefully placed it on the imperial desk.

Two more executive officials guided Zhu Yijun, bowed and said: "Crown Prince, ascend the hall and take your seat."

As soon as the words fell, guards with armor and swords walked and stood in separate positions, guarding the key positions, stern and severe.

Zhu Yijun walked to the steps.

He walked up to the imperial desk step by step, walking exceptionally slowly.

He was walking not only on the stone steps of Wenhua Hall but also toward the height of the Great Ming Dynasty's power.

He slowly stood in front of the imperial desk and gently touched the armrest of the dragon chair.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly sat down.

Slap!

A sound of a whip rang out.

The little eunuch stood at the entrance of Wenhua Hall and sang loudly: "Civil and military officials enter the hall! Line up according to rank!"

Zhu Yijun opened his eyes and looked down at Wenhua Hall, watching the scene he would never forget in his life.

He saw the officials divided into civil and military, entering one after another.

Wearing belts and ribbons, lining up in their respective classes.

The court officials in robes and hats were bustling, with high-ranking officials in scarlet robes leading the way, and green and blue ones behind them.

All of them knelt inside and outside Wenhua Hall, spreading all the way to the end of his line of sight.

Behind the hall, the yellow bell ritual music played leisurely.

Dang! Dang! Dang!

The crowd in the hall bowed five times and kowtowed three times.

In unison, the sound shook Wenhua Hall: "We officials, respectfully welcome the successor to attend court!"

In his eyes, there were only court officials, but in his ears, it seemed as if he heard the entire Great Ming world shouting his name.

From the banks of the surging Yellow River to the northwest desert filled with yellow sand, from the beautiful scenery of the southeast with smoke and willows, to the dangerous passes of Bashu that are harder to climb than the blue sky, it seemed as if millions of people were shouting together.

Zhu Yijun sat on the dragon chair, almost unable to distinguish reality from illusion, only feeling his soul leaving his body.

Is this the great position of the world?

Is this the body of the thirteenth new ruler of the Great Ming Dynasty, which stretches from Korea in the east to Tibet in the west, Annan in the south, and the Great Desert in the north, 11,750 li from east to west, and 10,904 li from north to south?

True? Illusion? Transmigration? Dream?

Shi Yue? Zhu Yijun?

Finally, he stopped his thoughts, and a smile appeared on his face.

He slowly opened his mouth: "Officials, rise."

A breath of turbid air was exhaled.

A light sentence, but suddenly it was as if it had the weight of a thousand catties, pressing on his body.

It was the two capitals and thirteen provinces, the common people, the Great Ming world!

To bear the filth of the country is to be the master of the country; to bear the misfortune of the country is to be the king of the world.

From now on, he would be Zhu Yijun.

He would bear all the fortune and misfortune of this world!

——

Note 1: The Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat is responsible for supervising all rituals and punishments in the imperial city, and restraining all attendants, duty-bearers, and listeners, closing doors and gates, and urging the supply of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. — "History of Ming, Records, Volume 50, Eunuchs"

(End of chapter)