Seiwa

Chapter 109: Have a Bad Year

Entering December, there are snowflakes in the city of Nanjing.

The snow was mixed with rain, and the occasional hail the size of a fingernail.

The weather was unpredictable and the ground became muddy. Officials had to ride in sedan chairs and horses when they came in and out, and rain hats and rain boots became a standing item.

Since Xing Ningbo's astounding ginseng, all the officials in Beijing reflect on themselves three times a day.

The key point is whether there is any problem with the official uniform on the body, whether the color of the collar violates the taboo, and whether the height of the boots violates the regulations.

All officials below the fourth grade have to toss about the beams and gates of their own houses.All the wrong door knockers were replaced, and the extra corner doors and side doors had to be sealed.Be sure to carefully measure the height of the threshold, and cut it off immediately if it exceeds half an inch.The paintings on the roof beams are strictly inspected. If there is anything wrong, family members will immediately climb up with paint buckets to work.

At this time in previous years, many craftsmen had nothing to do and stayed at home.As the New Year approaches, whose house will break ground and knock on it?

This year is different. Craftsmen in the capital, especially carpenters and stonemasons, are so busy that they hit the back of their heads.

The decoration on the beams of Youqian Capital Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate violated the regulations and was repainted;

The gate of Yingtianfu Zhizhong was opened incorrectly, so it was rebuilt;

The eaves of the Yousicheng of Dali Temple are super-grade, knocked down;

The Prime Minister of Zhan Shi's Mansion found a gazebo in his yard, it's too bad, it must be demolished!

Without exception, the Secretary of the Six Departments and Yuanwailang found problems at home more or less, and lined up to wait for the craftsmen to come to the door.

Taichang Temple and Honglu Temple were not idle, and even the Pedestrian Department and Tai Hospital were busy.

The craftsmen carried their tools in and out of the official's house all day long, and had to work night shifts at every turn. If there was no money to be made every time, they might have to strike collectively.

If this is the case, the artisans can't help but complain when they get together, the officials and masters in the court can really make a fuss, and they don't stop when the New Year is approaching.

The officials were also complaining, if it wasn't for Uncle Xingning who had participated in more than a single digit of officials in the court, would everyone need to do this?

The many speech officials who fell in front of Uncle Xingning were either guarding the border in the north or supporting education in the southwest. The best end was to be relegated to the county government as a canon historian, basically never to see their future.Zhao Wei was the most unlucky among the things that happened to the former Ministry of Rites. He was murdered as soon as he left Beijing, and he died within two days. The murderer has not been found yet.

Whenever thinking of Zhao Wei's fate, the former colleagues shuddered and couldn't sleep well.

Since then, after clocking in and leaving get off work, even the most self-proclaimed wits have no intention of lingering around the place. They all go home and hold the "Yuzhi Dabao" and the Taizu Chengfa to study hard. Students from all over the world squeeze the single-plank bridge together.

If you fail the scientific examination, you can do it again.Uncle Xingning took a copy and picked out the faults, but his official career would end here.

After so many years of hard work, I was laid off because the size of the official uniform was wrong. Is it wrong?

While studying hard, many officials could not help but start to reflect on themselves.

Why study?

Why do you want to be an official?

Money and power, like a flower and a beautiful family?

Cultivate literary and martial arts, sell to the emperor's family?

Of course, everyone is not exempt.

But at the beginning, sitting in Confucianism, listening to Confucian masters explain the Analects of Confucius, human relations and principles, what do you think, what do you want to do most?

The memory is long gone, as if buried in dust.

Someone pushed away the dust and found his original heart.Some people are still confused and still can't figure it out.

It also means that they will make different choices.

From then on, the two will take different paths, and go further and further apart.

However, no matter it was the former or the latter, they were busy introspecting themselves at this time, and had no time to trouble Meng Qinghe.Even Xie Jin, who had formed a relationship with Meng Twelve Lang, temporarily silenced under the persuasion of Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi.

The situation is not good for one's own side, and the emperor is obviously biased towards the generals.

Neng Hanchuang studied hard and ranked in the imperial court, and none of them had cotton stuffed in their heads.Hibernating temporarily and waiting for the right time is the best choice at present.

Xie Jin and the others fell silent suddenly, which made Meng Twelve Lang very depressed.Obviously preparing to fight a fierce battle, he swung his fist, but hit the cotton, and all the strength in his body was useless.

The military officers were always laughing all day long, and there was no sour ding that spit at themselves at every turn. It really is a sunny day in the liberated area, and the people in the liberated area like it very much!

Without the piles of impeachment memorials by the officials, the work efficiency of the general affairs commissioner has gradually increased, and his steps are obviously much lighter.For even a little trivial matter, I have to read a book, and the General Political Councilor who is in charge of surveying, collating and sealing memorials is also troublesome.It would be dereliction of duty not to check carefully, but if you check carefully, you will find that most of the melodies handed over by the officials are purely looking for trouble, which is really a waste of energy and time.

In this way, Zhu Di's daily work is much easier.Even if he loves work as much as his father, he has no interest in exhausting himself.He would rather mount his horse, lift his long knife, and fight the Tartars in the north than facing the memorial full of Zhe Ye.

Being an emperor is not an easy job, but it is a good thing to reduce the workload as much as possible.

For Meng Qinghe, who suppressed the arrogance of civil servants and indirectly lightened his workload, Emperor Yongle became more and more pleasing to his eyes.

Being pleasing to the emperor's eyes mostly means two things, either getting promoted or getting rich.

Zhu Di has always been generous to those he likes.

With a swipe of a pen, a reward of one hundred taels was awarded, and Meng Qinghe was appointed as the governor of the military governor's office in Beiping, and he took office a year later.

After receiving the order, Meng Qinghe pinched himself hard, it really hurt, it was definitely not a dream.

The second-rank Dudu Qianshi is one level higher than the conductor.This is someone sitting at home and the pie smashes through the roof and falls on his head?

Zheng He handed over the edict to Meng Qinghe, with a more joyful smile on his face.

"Our family congratulates Uncle Xingning on his promotion."

"Eunuch Zheng is polite." Meng Qinghe and Zheng He are old acquaintances, and there are many scruples in speaking, "I also want to congratulate Eunuch Zheng on his promotion."

Half a month ago, Zheng He was promoted to the eunuch of the internal servant, ranking above Wang Jinghong.Before the Supervisor of Ceremony and the Supervisor of the Horse were shaken up, the Internal Attendant Supervisor was the authoritative department in the 24 yamen of Da Nei. As the head of the department that managed all the eunuchs, Zheng He could be called No.1 among the eunuchs.

The eunuchs and palace people in the palace would respectfully address Zheng He as "Eunuch Zheng" when they saw Zheng He.Apart from Zheng He, Hou Xian and Wang Jinghong were the only ones who received this treatment.

Dare to be called father-in-law if you are not at the same level?Absolutely sharpened his head looking for death.

After accepting the order, Meng Qinghe smiled and gave away two ingots of gold. They are acquaintances, and the necessary procedures cannot be avoided.

Zheng He was not polite either, he rolled up his sleeves and was very proficient in his business.After that, he bid farewell to Meng Qinghe, and turned to Dingyuanhoufu.

"Looking for Marquis Shen?"

"Yes, there is another edict in our family that is given to Marquis Dingyuan."

Meng Qinghe grinned, and asked Zheng He to wait a moment, then turned and went to the back hall. Within a moment, Shen Xuan, dressed in blue regular clothes and with hair tied in a hosta, came out.

No matter how strong Zheng He's psychological quality is, he was stunned for a moment.

Seeing Marquis Dingyuan like this, maybe he got used to it in the Bo residence?

Seeing that Zheng He was in a daze and Shen Xuan didn't speak, Meng Qinghe had no choice but to say, "Master Hou is here to receive the order, or to return home?"

"Go home."

Shen Xuan stood up, dressed in ordinary clothes to receive the order is disrespectful to the emperor, even if he is the adopted son, he should not be sloppy in these aspects.

"Eunuch Zheng, please."

"Master Hou please first."

Shen Xuan was more polite than Zheng He.

As the eunuch that Emperor Yongle used heavily, there were not many people who could make him so polite.It's not that Zheng He ascended to the sky in one step and is domineering by nature, but his position determines that he must do so.

No matter to the eldest son, the king of Gaoyang County or the officials of the outer court, they can't have close friendship.

An eunuch in the inner court, making friends with ministers and currying favor with the prince, thinks his life is too long?

If the emperor sees it, even if he doesn't lose his head, the position of the servant, supervisor and eunuch will have to be replaced.

Walking out of the uncle's mansion, Zheng He was still thinking about the deep relationship between Marquis Dingyuan and Uncle Xingning.

What Shen Xuan thought was, the next time he went to the mansion, he would bring the official uniform along with him.Otherwise, if something happens, it will always be troublesome to make a trip.

Meng Qinghe was currently touching the gold ingots one by one, his eyes shining brightly.

A promotion, a fortune, and another beauty will make life perfect.

That night, Shen Xuan climbed over the wall and crossed the house as usual, while Meng Qinghe was studying the Book of Changes.

Looking at the court and government uniforms that Shen Xuan casually brought, Meng Qinghe blinked, is this going to be a permanent residence?

"kindness."

Shen Xuan walked to the table and poured himself a cup of tea. Meng Qinghe picked up the gold medal that was placed with the official uniform, saw the engraving clearly, and instantly lost his composure.

"The left commander of the rear army?"

"kindness."

"A genuine product?"

"kindness."

"..."

"how?"

"It's nothing."

Meng Qinghe propped his head on one hand, full of sadness. He thought that the speed of his promotion was already against the sky, but compared to someone else, he was just a scumbag.

There is really no comparison between people, and every comparison is full of tears.

Shen Xuan put down the teacup, supported Meng Qinghe's chin with one hand, and pecked his lips.

Sadness flew away immediately.

"Ziyu?"

"It's time to rest."

He leaned over, picked him up, turned off the lights, and talked on the bed if he had something to say.

As the commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty, he should act like a general, straightforward and neat.

The next day, Shen Hou put on his court clothes refreshed, Meng Qinghe yawned, pinched his forehead, and looked contemplative.

He began to seriously consider whether he would be at a disadvantage or at an advantage if he lived with this beauty.In essence, the possibility of losing money is significantly higher.

He raised his head and sighed, even if he liked it, what else could he do?

Just as he was thinking, Shen Xuan turned around and pulled him up from the bed, covering his cheeks with a warm towel.

Meng Qing and Chang breathed a sigh of relief, and looked at the man in front of him, wearing court clothes with a jade belt, wearing a seven-beam crown, with sculpted eyebrows and black eyes, he was unparalleled in elegance.

He pinched his forehead again, well, seriously, he didn't suffer that much.

Before dawn, the gates of all the mansions have been opened.

Civil officials in sedan chairs and military officials on horseback lined up in a long line from the southeast of the city to Fengtian Gate.

There were guards carrying lanterns in front of the sedan chair, and when the two horses passed by, there was a short bustle in the queue.The military officers clasped their fists and greeted immediately, all the civil servants put down the sedan chair curtains, turned their heads when they were interested, and put on a gesture of disdain to be with them.

"Marquis Dingyuan, Uncle Xingning, please be polite."

Shen Xuan and Meng Qinghe clasped their fists in return, and exchanged greetings without further words.

The sky was bright and the Fengtian Gate was wide open.

Civil servants and military generals lined up, boarded the left and right stones and entered the hall.

As the grade was promoted, Meng Qinghe's position also changed. Standing in front of him was no longer Shen Xuan, but Marquis Wuyang, and Xin Anbo and Zhang Fu were standing side by side.

Wei Guogong Xu Huizu still did not appear in the court.

Emperor Yong Le was obviously still angry, he let his brother-in-law out of prison, but dismissed his official position and Lumi, only kept the title of Wei Guogong, and thought about his mistakes behind closed doors at home.

This situation is very similar to Geng Bingwen, Marquis of Changxing.But both civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty knew that there was an essential difference between the two.

Xu Huizu was backed by Duke Wei's mansion, and he was also the emperor's eldest brother-in-law and the uncle of the three princes. Zhu Di would never take him seriously no matter what.Maybe one day I think about it and I will re-enable it.

So what if you lose Lumi?There is a younger sister of the queen, younger brother of Lord Hou, plus the accumulation of two generations, no one can starve to death Xu Huizu.

Geng Bingwen is different, if one day the emperor thinks of this person, it is unlikely to activate it, and it is more likely to send him to see the first emperor.

Therefore, since the new emperor ascended the throne, Geng Bingwen has lived more reclusively, trying to reduce his sense of existence, for fear that he will be remembered by the emperor one day.

Sheng Yong and Ping An are also acting similarly to him.

After Sheng Yong was captured, he turned to the Yan army. After the king of Yan ascended the throne, he was ordered to guard Huai'an.He handed over half of the military power to the commander and lieutenants dispatched by Zhu Di, and he would never open his mouth easily if nothing happened.

Ping An handed over his commander-in-chief seal, and wanted to resign from the military post of governor, but after being rejected by Zhu Di, he simply reported illness and stayed behind closed doors in the mansion.

Zhu Di suffered a great loss in Jingnan, and the two of them who have done in-depth research on Zhu Di are very clear that they don't want to hang on to the southeast branch, and they must live in a low-key and low-key life in the future.

However, such a low-key may not really save their lives.

Zhu Di is a kind-hearted person, and the biggest characteristic of a soft-tempered person is that he will not hide from favors and will repay any grudges.

If no miracle happened, after Zhu Di pressed down the civil servants in the court and freed his hands, it would only be a matter of seconds to take care of Sheng Yongping, Pingan and others who were stabbed in his heart.

Amidst the sound of rites and music, Zhu Di walked the imperial way into Fengtian Hall, and ascended to his majesty.

The two classes of civil and military worship together.

Zheng He was wearing a newly made sunflower shirt with a regimental collar, standing on the imperial steps, the music stopped, and the announcement began.

Today is not a big court, and the end of the year is approaching, and there are not many official duties to be requested by the courtiers.

The one-year taxation work is over, and the banknotes, food and silk are put into the warehouse, and the collection is clear, and the officials of the household department record and file, and it is considered a success.

The Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple have also gradually become vacant. Although there are still security cases in various places, murder, theft, and beheading sentences will not be delivered at this time, and they will have to wait until after the first month.Even the most heinous death row prisoners will not be executed in the first month.

The assessment officials of the Ministry of Officials will be placed next year, and they will not rush to make trouble at this time.

The Ministry of War is undergoing a big change of blood, and the ministers of the Jianwen Dynasty have taken the initiative to beg for bones, regardless of whether they are in their thirties or over fifty, just give up their positions.I didn't wink, waiting for the emperor's order?That is not to give way, but to pick off the head.

The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Rites are the only two government departments that are busy. Huang Fu, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Li Zhigang, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, are a little thin and obviously very tired.

In the early court, officials from the six ministries came out to report their work one by one, and the Minister of Dali Temple and Du Yushi of the Metropolitan Procuratorate made supplements.

Everyone said together that since the new emperor came to the throne, production has resumed, the people live and work in peace and contentment, the court has wiped out treacherous officials, He Qinghaiyan.

As for the bloodstains left on the execution ground, the colleagues who were relegated to the army not long ago were completely ignored.

After the civil officials played, the military officials didn't have much to report.

The only thing worth worrying about is that the internal war in the Northern Yuan Dynasty seems to be easing up, and there are Mongolian rangers haunting the northern border again, so they should be guarded against.

However, His Majesty has ordered the King of Gaoyang County to guard Kaiping, and has deployed heavy defenses in the northern border, so of course these rangers can't get any cheap.

Listening to the courtiers' reports, Zhu Di occasionally nodded or asked a question, but remained silent most of the time.

The courtiers had gradually gotten used to the emperor's silence, and they no longer easily figured out Zhu Di's thoughts.It is really impossible to guess the emperor's mind. If the guess is wrong, the consequences will be quite serious.It's better to do things honestly and let this year pass first.

However, Emperor Yong Le obviously did not intend to let the courtiers fulfill their wishes, and when the early court was about to end, he suddenly issued several decrees one after another.

"Order Beiping Prefecture and County, a total of 210 and nine people who abandoned their officials to avoid Jing and soldiers entered the millet to avoid death, and garrisoned Xingzhou."

That is to say, when Zhu Di raised his troops, he didn't want to follow, but he didn't vote for Emperor Jianwen, and the Beiping officials who ran away with their official seals could pay money to avoid death and be sent to the army.

"Decree that meritorious officials should be sentenced to death and pay less."

As soon as this order came out, the eyes of Jing Nan's heroes brightened, but Zuo Ban's civil servants looked ashen.

Listening to Zheng He pronouncing the imperial edict on the imperial steps, Meng Qinghe clicked his tongue secretly. Is this clearly supporting the military general's domineering?Speaking of which, how much does Emperor Yong Le dislike civil servants?The issuance of iron coupons does not count, and an extra layer of protective cover is added.From now on, if any speech officer dares to spit out righteously and awe-inspiringly, and the military generals hold up the iron coupons and rush up to beat the head, it can only be regarded as bad luck for the other party.

"Ling Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Cheng town Guizhou, Dingyuan Marquis Shen Xuan town Beiping, Xingning Bo Meng Qinghe town Daning."

"Jian Beiping, Shandong, etc. will be taxed by Bing County next summer."

After the edict was announced, Zheng He stepped down and bowed.

The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty agreed in unison.

Meng Qinghe, who had just been appointed as the guard of Daning, stared almost out of the window.

Him, guarding Daning?

Looking at Zhang Fu who looked envious, and then at Marquis Wuyang who was winking at him, Meng Qinghe was very suspicious that Emperor Yong Le was hit on the head by a flying stone from the sky, otherwise, how could he be appointed as the guard of one side? territory?

Is Daning a good town?

Close to Liaodong, the neighbors are not very kind, except for the Tartars, the Jurchen.

During the Little Ice Age, half of the year was winter.

Let his small body and thin waist wrestle with these strong men?Couldn't last half a round.

Meng Qinghe really wanted to cry.

I endured it for a while, but in the end I couldn't hold it back, and Dangdian burst into tears.

Zhu Di had good eyesight, and asked, "Uncle Xingning, why is this?"

Meng Qinghe came out and cried: "Return to Your Majesty, I am grateful to Your Majesty for your kindness, and wept with joy. I am afraid that I will fail Your Majesty's entrustment, so my tears will not stop."

"Bozhen Xingning is a loyal minister of the country!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Meng Qinghe wiped away his tears and returned to the team.

Things are like this, there is really no other way but to bite the bullet.

Fortunately, Shen Xuan is in Beiping, and the king of Gaoyang County is in Kaiping, so they can take care of them no matter what.He is not familiar with Liu Zhen, the governor who guards Liaodong.It doesn't matter, feelings can be cultivated, walk around more, and you will get familiar with it soon.

If you think about it carefully, there is nothing wrong with going to Daning.

Temporarily avoiding the gossip and disputes in the court, I can still go home to visit relatives from time to time, and by the way, I can be neighbors with Lord Shen Hou. I can't say that I live more comfortably than in Nanjing.

As for whether someone will be black handed in the court, Meng Qinghe is not worried.

With Daoyan here, and the good relationship with Marquis Wuyang, there can always be a buffer when things happen.

What's more, Emperor Yong Le went out of the frontier every seven times, and ran to the north to fight with the Tatar Wala gangs at every turn. As the guard of Daning, there are definitely many opportunities to face the saint.

As long as you gain the emperor's trust, let him be exposed to wind and rain, and you will be able to stand still.

Meng Qinghe thought very well, and after returning home, he dragged Shen Xuan to discuss the future life of the neighbors.

Just after adjusting his mood, he had expectations for the future, but he didn't want to be realistic, so he picked up a brick and slapped him hard, just on the back of the head.

Meng Qinghe's head was buzzing as he looked at the Gaoyang County King who was sitting across from him.

"Jun Wang, please say it again, the officials didn't hear clearly." Meng Qinghe's expression was serious, but his voice was a little trembling, "What did you say about Duoyan Sanwei?"

"Ah," Zhu Gaoxu ate a piece of snacks, and poured down a cup of tea, "Duoyan Sanwei is arguing with the father to fulfill his promise, and wants the pasture in the north. The father is very headache."

After talking about it, Zhu Gaoxu was a little embarrassed, and seemed to feel that his father did not behave properly.

"..."

"Uncle Xingning?"

Meng Qinghe turned his head, covered his face, raised his hand, and signaled the King of Gaoyang County not to say any more.

He knows it!

Zhu Yuanzhang can calculate the officials' salaries to every copper coin, so where will Zhu Di be generous?

Promoted to a first-class uncle, issued an iron coupon to avoid death.

He was promoted to the governor's office and was given another hundred taels of gold.

Not only because of his performance in court, but also the matter of foreign aid asking for salary is waiting for him!

Meng Qing and teary eyes.

As expected, my heart is not dark enough, and I really can't relax my vigilance all the time when I work for the old Zhu's family!

In this world, why is it so difficult to live in peace for a few days!

"Uncle Xingning?"

"It's all right, sir."

Meng Qinghe gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, wasn't it just the matter of Caochang and Baitiao?

We are not afraid!

However, since it is to relieve the emperor's worries and problems, the benefits should be given more, right?

After wiping away his tears, Meng Twelve Lang turned his gaze to Zhu Gaoxu, and bared his white teeth.

Even the king of Gaoyang County, who considers himself a titan, felt his back go cold.

Rubbing your arms, should there be an extra brazier in the house?