Chapter 54: Monarch and Subject Meet, Deeply Concerned

Capital, October 28, early morning.

The Emperor ascended the Huangji Gate to issue the Great Unified Calendar of the first year of Wanli.

And having already enjoyed the Taimiao, the Emperor wore regular clothes to sacrifice and inform, respectfully inviting the Holy Spirit to visit the temple for sacrifice.

After Zhu Yijun finished sacrificing to the Taimiao, he did not return to the palace immediately.

Instead, he came to the Zhenwu Temple accompanying the sacrifice next to the Taimiao.

Accompanied by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Zhu Yijun performed sacrifices to the Zhenwu Great Emperor.

And then cordially received the three temple masters of the Daoist sect.

The three temple masters were not all from the Zhenwu Temple.

They were the Daoist leaders selected from the East Peak Emperor Temple, the City God Temple, the Three Pure Ones Temple, etc., to accompany the Emperor.

Although each of them had extraordinary cultivation, they were all frowning at the moment.

Zhu Yijun saw that the three were not very cooperative, and couldn't help but pull his face down: "Three high-achievers, don't deceive me. I have already checked the bottom line before."

"You have more than just that little incense money."

"In the eight prefectures and two prefectures of Beizhili, you all have lending businesses, and some Daoist temples have even lent to Hebei!"

"Why are you unwilling when I want to borrow some? Is my business not doable?"

Seeing the Emperor pull his face down, the three Daoist leaders were a bit cramped.

One of them, Daoist Yuanshen, smiled bitterly: "Your Majesty, although the three of us were pushed out to be leaders, we are not as good as Your Majesty's words."

"There are nearly a hundred temples in the capital, which is not something we can decide."

"Your Majesty... after all, it's not a small amount."

Everyone knew the reason for this excuse.

Common people borrowed high-interest loans, not afraid of not being able to pay back; at worst, they could be collected as tenant farmers.

If you, the Emperor, come to borrow money and don't pay it back, what should we do? You can't start a White Lotus Sect or Five Pecks of Rice Sect again to collect debts violently, right?

It would be fine if it was a small amount, but opening your mouth for a huge amount, who could agree?

Zhu Yijun was not an unreasonable person.

He reasoned with them: "That's not how you say it, three high-achievers. The imperial family exempts you from taxes on good fields, which was connected with the three of you."

"Why can you speak when there are benefits, but you can't decide when you are solving difficulties for the monarch and father?"

The Daoist sect has always been an extension of imperial power.

It can be said that the most obedient among these religions is the Daoist sect.

The share money that should be handed over is generally paid in full.

Even if they lend money to the outside, they are more restrained than the bald ones.

But what goes into their own pockets naturally won't be less.

Now Zhu Yijun is just short of money, originally hoping that raiding Feng Bao's house would produce some goods.

In the previous life, it could exceed one million taels. In this life, he died early, so a discount, 200,000 taels is not too much, right?

As a result, Shuntian Prefecture's eating was too ugly, only reporting 20,000 taels to deal with it.

It was still him who got angry and was ready to send the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which forced the Cabinet to press Shuntian Prefecture to spit out 40,000 taels.

Of course, it was only silver.

As for antiques and calligraphy? Looking like Shang and Zhou, it was actually from last week.

This is also no way.

Historically, Qianlong let Chen Huizu raid the house, but Chen Huizu swallowed three million himself and only gave the imperial court one million.

Even more outrageous is Wei Zhongxian. With this status and position, raiding the house only produced a few thousand taels. Those who didn't know thought it was some kind of clean official.

Everyone knows what's going on, but when it comes to implementation, it's hard to handle.

The Emperor could only keep it in his heart, preparing to settle accounts after the autumn.

The silver was not enough, so he could only go everywhere to hit the autumn wind.

Isn't it, today just happened to be the sacrifice to the Taimiao, so he was ready to pluck some from the Daoists.

Daoist Yuanshen confessed, led the other two Daoist leaders, and hid to the side to discuss.

Zhu Yijun waited patiently.

Before long, the three Daoist leaders finished discussing.

Daoist Yuanshen said: "Your Majesty, we have calculated that we can gather 97,200 taels for the inner treasury. Although it is a little less, to show our sincere heart, the interest is halved."

"Your Majesty, although our Daoist sect..."

Zhu Yijun interrupted him directly.

Pursuing the victory: "High-achiever, this is deceiving me..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw Jiang Keqian come in from the outside and whisper in the Emperor's ear.

Zhu Yijun immediately changed his words: "Good, then that's it! The three of you's heart of loyalty to the monarch and patriotism, I will definitely keep in mind!"

First, take as much as you can. Now there is something, and we will discuss it in detail next time.

Anyway, internal debt is not debt, and there is nothing to discuss about interest.

After speaking, he hurriedly abandoned the several Daoist leaders and went straight out of the Zhenwu Hall.

Only then did he have time to ask Jiang Keqian: "Hai Rui has arrived in the capital? Why is it faster than expected?"

Jiang Keqian hurriedly said: "It was originally said to be the day after tomorrow, but after Hai, the Assistant Hai Yushi-in-Chief, arrived in Tianjin Guard, he happened to meet Vice Minister Wen who was entering the capital."

"Then he entrusted his mother to Vice Minister Wen, and he himself rode fast into the capital."

Zhu Yijun sighed secretly, really a heart of patriotism.

In the eyes of outsiders, Hai Rui is a very complex person.

But in fact, he is a simpler person than Gao Yi.

He believes in the Three Bonds and Five Constants from the bottom of his heart, including loving the people, and naturally including loyalty to the monarch.

It can be said that Hai Rui is one of the few people in the world who really treats the Emperor as a monarch and father.

At the beginning, the late Emperor put him in prison and once claimed to kill Hai Rui.

Even so, after the late Emperor died, Hai Rui heard the news in prison and cried bitterly, vomiting until he fainted on the ground.

Such a pure person is a sharp sword of imperial power.

Of course, it depends on how it is used.

Zhu Yijun pondered for a while and said to Zhang Hong beside him: "Big companion, go and welcome Hai Rui for me."

Zhang Hong responded and was about to go.

Zhu Yijun suddenly called him again: "Wait."

He turned back to the Zhenwu Hall.

Asked the Daoist for a pen and ink, and wrote in the hall.

Several big characters were written in one go.

After the pen and ink dried, he took it out and handed it to Zhang Hong: "Just say that I am looking forward to it, and invite him to enter the palace to eat and share a meal with me."

Zhang Hong took it carefully.

He didn't dare to look closely, bowed, and retreated.

Zhu Yijun watched Zhang Hong leave, seemingly remembering something.

And ordered Li Jin beside him: "Let the Imperial Kitchen check what the late Emperor's lunch was on the last day, and do it today according to that."

Li Jin immediately guessed the Emperor's intention, and a trace of admiration and submission flashed in his eyes.

Carefully retreated.

I don't know who released the news.

At this time, the streets on both sides inside the city gate were already full of people.

Shoulders rubbing, standing on tiptoe, looking out of the city gate.

If there is a second floor in the civilian residence, several heads are poked out to look out.

The restaurants with better views around were almost booked out.

Just at this time, on the city tower, I don't know who shouted: "Coming! Coming!"

The crowd suddenly shouted in threes and fives.

"Sea Sea Qingtian is coming!"

"Saw it, saw it!"

Suddenly, the noise was loud and the noise filled the sky.

A tall horse slowly crossed the moat and appeared in everyone's field of vision.

Hai Rui is now 58 years old.

The journey was exhausting, and his expression couldn't stop being tired.

The gray temples and the crisscrossing face all revealed endless wind and frost.

He arrived outside the city gate, dismounted and led the horse, looking at the capital city in front of him with a complex expression.

All kinds of things from that time reappeared in front of his eyes.

From the time he dismissed his wife, children, and mother, and remonstrated with the late Emperor to death, hoping that the late Emperor would rejuvenate and sweep away the accumulated evils.

From the time he entered prison without fear of death, generously went to death, but heard the late Emperor treat him as Bi Gan, saying to himself that he did not want to be King Zhou.

Then later heard that the late Emperor died, he was like losing his father, heartbroken.

Later, it was Muzong who raised him again.

Every piece, like a horse watching flowers, reappeared one by one.

After being abandoned by Muzong and retiring to Hainan, he never thought that he would have the opportunity to be raised again.

The capital, even more, only appeared in dreams.

But I didn't expect that I would come to this place again today.

The towering city wall, the center of the Great Ming!

Thinking of the new Emperor's handwriting sent with the decree of rise in early August, he was agitated again.

Pulling the reins, he strode into the capital!

Following Hai Rui into the city.

The onlookers soon became noisy.

"Sea Sea Qingtian!"

"Finally saw you old man again!"

"Sea Sea Qingtian has entered the capital!"

The crowd squeezed forward one after another.

If it weren't for the Five Cities Military and Horse Division arranging people to watch early, it would probably be impassable.

Hai Rui looked up at the people around him, his expression complex.

In order not to cause trouble, he never said his identity along the way.

But once he reached the scope of Beizhili, he was welcomed by people wherever he went.

It's false to say it's not troublesome, but this sense of satisfaction is enough to make him tear up.

He had no choice but to respond with an arch.

Just at this time, a sound of horse hooves came from far to near.

Zhang Hong led people to ride over.

Seeing that there were too many people blocking the surroundings, he had no choice but to dismount and squeeze through the crowd.

Shouting: "Hai, Assistant Hai Yushi-in-Chief! Zhang Hong, Chief of the Ceremonial Staff, welcomes you on behalf of the Emperor!"

With shouts, he finally pushed through the crowd and came to Hai Rui.

Hai Rui was about to salute.

Zhang Hong helped him: "Hai, Assistant Hai Yushi-in-Chief, it's not an oral decree, it's the Emperor's concern for you."

Hai Rui pursed his lips, but still insisted on saluting.

Bowed down in the direction of the Imperial City.

And then stood up: "Respectfully listen to the Emperor's holy decree."

Zhang Hong looked at the stubborn Hai Rui, and couldn't help but admire him.

Said slowly: "The Emperor said, you are tired from the journey, don't rush to the office, you can rest for a few days, settle down and then talk."

The Ministry of Personnel has a time limit for officials to arrive.

Like Hai Rui, who has extremely high requirements for himself, the first thing he does when he arrives at a place is to go to the office to take office.

The Emperor specifically instructed this.

Hai Rui was suddenly made uncomfortable by this meticulous concern.

At a loss for a moment, he thanked the grace in a panic.

"The Emperor also said, you have no place to stay after entering the capital, you can go to the Wuqing Earl's mansion to linger for a few days, the Emperor has already notified the Wuqing Earl."

Hai Rui declined repeatedly: "I have my own place to go, so I won't bother the Imperial Father-in-law."

Zhang Hong didn't insist.

Only signaled the little eunuch behind him to hold up a piece of imperial decree paper.

"Hai, Assistant Hai Yushi-in-Chief, this is the Emperor's handwriting, personally given to you, inviting you to eat and share a meal."

Hai Rui was stunned.

Then he took it with some expectation and some nervousness.

Gently unfolded.

Only to see a few big characters written on it, the brushwork was immature, but quite spiritual.

It was: Where the Dao is, even if there are thousands of people, I will go.

Hai Rui suddenly stopped moving and stood still on the spot.

After a long while.

Only then did he purse his lips and take a deep breath.

Nodded expressionlessly: "Big Eunuch Zhang, lead the way."

After Hai Rui said this, he didn't say a word.

Only arched his hands to return the salute to the people on the left and right.

Silently followed behind Zhang Hong.

Why did he rush to the capital so urgently?

Naturally, it is not to linger on the mere official position.

He is already 58, his wife and children are dead, he has no surplus wealth, how can he covet the official position?

Rushing so urgently is because the Son of Heaven actually wrote to him and invited him sincerely!

Only saying "Sweeping away accumulated evils, every step is difficult, looking forward to Hai's help".

A few short words almost made him tear up.

Not only because he, Hai Rui, is valued by the Emperor, but because the current Emperor actually intends to sweep away the accumulated evils!

He has gone through three dynasties.

Watching with his own eyes how the late Emperor changed from an Emperor who worked hard to govern to a Flying Yuan True Monarch who sought immortals and asked about the Dao, ignoring the world.

At that time, there were rumors.

Saying that he worked hard to govern, but every step was difficult, so much so that a palace maid strangled his neck and burned the palace.

Although Hai Rui didn't believe it all, he was very sorry that a wise monarch died, leaving only a Daoist shell.

Now the new Emperor personally told him to sweep away the accumulated evils, every step is difficult, how can he sit idly by?

If it weren't for his mother, who had to walk slowly, he would have inserted wings and flown to Beizhili!

Now that he has just entered the capital, the Emperor is just a sentence of where the Dao is.

This is clearly thinking of him, how can it not make him heart-broken?

He has been tossing and turning almost every night these days.

Thinking, what kind of difficulty did the Emperor encounter that he looked forward to so much.

If he is blocked again and again, will he be like the late Emperor and give up on himself?

The more he thought, the more urgent he became, the more he thought, the more afraid he became.

This wise monarch must never be isolated again and repeat the late Emperor's affair!

Thinking about it, Hai Rui entered the Imperial City.

Along the way, he was led by Zhang Hong to the Wenhua Hall.

Zhang Hong whispered: "The Emperor is in the inner room, I will send you here."

Hai Rui looked up at the Wenhua Hall, feeling a lot of emotion in his heart.

Took a deep breath, calmed his mood, and walked in slowly.

Just after entering the door, he heard a childish voice.

"Hai! You made me wait!"

Only to see a figure wearing a dark deep-clothing and a swallow-cap walking quickly.

Grabbed Hai Rui's hand and pulled it straight inside.

Regardless of Hai Rui's stunned expression.

Said to himself: "Hai, I have kept you in my heart since I read your *Zhi'an Shu* when I was young. Today, I finally have the fate to see you."

Hai Rui finally reacted and was about to break free and salute.

Zhu Yijun pulled him and didn't let go, comforting: "Today is a private meeting, you don't need to salute, so as not to waste the time for you and me to communicate."

Hai Rui was pulled and couldn't bow down, but he didn't really follow the trend.

Instead, he bowed and saluted to show the distinction between monarch and subject.

He remonstrated: "Your Majesty is the honor of ten thousand chariots, don't lose your status for the subject."

Although he was very happy with this kind of courtesy.

But the subject's mood is a small matter, and the Emperor's status is a big matter.

Zhu Yijun suddenly turned to look at Hai Rui.

Fixed.

His expression was complex, and he said: "Hai, this courtesy is not only given to you by me, but also by my imperial grandfather and imperial father."

Hai Rui was stunned.

Given by the late Emperor and Muzong?

What does this mean?

He was about to ask.

Zhu Yijun interrupted him, brought Hai Rui to the seat, and signaled Hai Rui to sit down.

He pointed to the dishes on the seat and said with some nostalgia: "This was used on the day my imperial grandfather passed away."

Raised his hand to press Hai Rui, who was about to get up, and continued: "I heard that when you heard the late Emperor died, you were heartbroken and vomited the food."

"This meal is not only shared by me and you, but also by my imperial grandfather and you."

Speaking of this, he sighed faintly: "Hai, before my imperial grandfather passed away, he said to my imperial father... Hai Rui was right, he was wrong."

After speaking, he didn't meet the movement of Hai Rui bowing down as expected.

Zhu Yijun couldn't hold it, turned his head quietly, and swept over Hai Rui.

Only to see that Hai Rui was speechless at this moment!

His eyes were half-open and half-closed, looking like he was about to fall!

Hai Rui's heart was like a stormy sea at this moment, unable to control himself.

Knowing that this would be disrespectful in front of the monarch, he still couldn't stop his emotions.

Late Emperor...

The Emperor he once had high hopes for, hoping that he would wake up and sweep away the accumulated evils.

The Flying Yuan True Monarch he insulted, "The world has not been straight for the Emperor for a long time".

No wonder he treated him as Bi Gan, saying to himself that he would not be King Zhou.

Monarch and father... it turns out he really knew he was wrong.

Thinking of this, his eyes went black and he was about to fall.

Zhu Yijun saw his body swaying and hurriedly greeted people to help him.

Two little eunuchs stepped forward and were about to help him.

Hai Rui pushed the little eunuch away, got up and avoided the seat, and bowed down.

Kowtow, bow down.

Four times in a row.

Performed a grand ceremony of three bows and four kowtows.

"The subject has no father and no monarch, abandoned the country and the family, the subject is guilty!"

When he looked up again, he was already in tears.

Zhu Yijun hurriedly helped him: "Hai, don't say this, my imperial grandfather personally said that you are a clean official, a good official."

"You are innocent!"

Hai Rui refused to get up.

Choked up: "The subject ignored the late Emperor's holy body, submitted the *Zhi'an Shu*, remonstrated, and insulted the monarch and father!"

"The subject received the late Emperor's decree to ask for fields from Xu Jie, but it stirred up a civil riot, which is ashamed of the holy hope!"

"The subject is a sinner, dare not accept the Emperor's courtesy!"

Out of a straight heart, he submitted a remonstrance, and everyone in the world cheered for him.

However, only Hai Rui himself was in pain—he was indeed insulting the monarch and father.

Not to mention, he was originally prepared to die, but the late Emperor did not kill him, always making him owe the late Emperor once.

Later, Muzong used him, let Xu Jie return to the fields, but stirred up a civil riot, ending in a sloppy way, which owed Muzong once.

At this time, he was treated with courtesy by the new Emperor and heard the late Emperor's heart.

All the pain and embarrassment surged up again.

Zhu Yijun helped Hai Rui up with force.

Sighed: "You don't have to blame yourself, my imperial grandfather and imperial father did not hold grudges."

"Before my imperial grandfather passed away, he said to my imperial father, saying that he would neither pardon Hai Rui nor convict Hai Rui."

"It was to leave you for my imperial father to use."

"As for Xu Jie returning to the fields, agreeing to your retirement..."

He faced Dayu Mountain and said softly: "My imperial father once sighed, saying that his virtue was insufficient to protect you."

"Letting you continue to do things will only harm a loyal minister."

Hai Rui heard this and was already crying: "Subject... subject..."

And then he was disrespectful in front of the monarch and cried bitterly!

Zhu Yijun watched Hai Rui quietly, waiting for him to calm down, without disturbing him again.

Finally, after a while.

Hai Rui gradually calmed down and was about to plead guilty for his disrespect.

Zhu Yijun hurriedly interrupted him and finally talked about the key point today without a trace.

Asked earnestly: "Hai, the two late Emperors failed you, are you still willing to help me?"

Hai Rui was like a drowning person, grabbing the river bank.

The firmness on his face was unprecedented.

Said loudly: "Since I eat the monarch's salary, the monarch is my father. The subject is willing to die for the Emperor!"

Zhu Yijun was moved and held Hai Rui's big hands.

Said with tears: "Really a loyal minister, I will never fail you again!"

"Then the matter of clarifying the salt administration in the two Huai regions, I will entrust it to you with peace of mind." ===== CHAPTER 55 =====

He said loudly: "Since I eat the ruler's salary, the ruler is my father. This subject is willing to give his life for Your Majesty, and would not refuse even ten thousand deaths!"

Zhu Yijun was moved and grasped Hai Rui's large hands.

With tears in his eyes, he said: "You are truly a loyal and upright official; I will certainly never fail you again!"

"Then I can safely entrust the matter of clarifying the salt administration of the two Huai regions to you."