My father is Jiajing

Emperor Jiajing's words last night about summoning all officials were just lip service, judging from the actual situation the next day. He did not really summon anyone to his Wanshou Palace the next day to answer questions.

And according to his current biological clock, he might not be able to have the energy to summon anyone during the day.

Therefore, apart from Zhu Zaigui's meeting with Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji, and other members of the cabinet in the Wenhua Hall, there was no other important matter that day.

So, the time that followed passed like flowing water, and before people noticed, it was the eve of the winter solstice that Zhu Zaigui had agreed with the cabinet.

During this period of time, if we insist on saying that nothing happened in the court, there was actually one thing that was not too big or too small.

That means Yuan Wei resigned due to illness.

After winter, Yuan Wei's health became worse and worse. No matter whether it was the famous doctors he invited, the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital, or the academicians from the Academy of Medical Sciences, they were all helpless in dealing with his condition.

So in this situation, Yuan Wei seemed to have sensed something and felt that the time had really come for him to return to his roots.

Therefore, a few days ago, Yuan Wei submitted his resignation again.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Yuan Wei's resignation letter and did not keep it. He was not surprised and handed it to Emperor Jiajing intactly.

Emperor Jiajing also looked at Yuan Wei's resignation letter, and he also learned about Yuan Wei's physical condition from Chen Hong.

I also know that this may really be the end of Yuan Wei.

So at this time, Emperor Jiajing did not say anything to retain him, but instead gave Yuan Wei another honor, appointing him as Junior Tutor and Prince Taifu, allowing him to enjoy great honor and return to his hometown in Zhejiang in glory, which fulfilled the friendship between the monarch and his subject for so many years.

After all, Emperor Jiajing still liked the Qingci written by Yuan Wei very much.

One of the poems in particular went like this: "The black turtle on the Luo River first presented auspiciousness. Nine is a yin number, nine is a yang number, and together they make eighty-one. Numbers are in line with the Tao, and the Tao is in harmony with Yuanshi Tianzun. One sincerity will inspire, and the red phoenix on Mount Qishan will present auspiciousness." It touched the heart of Emperor Jiajing.

There was also a time when Emperor Jiajing's beloved cat died. The emperor was very sad and ordered his ministers to compose poems to commemorate it. Yuan Wei wrote a line in his poem, "transforming a lion into a dragon", which made Emperor Jiajing very happy and no longer sad.

Now, looking at this Qingci master who had written poems for him and chatted with God on his behalf, whose days were numbered, Emperor Jiajing felt not only sighing but also a faint sadness.

Therefore, on the first day that Yuan Wei was allowed to retire and return home, Emperor Jiajing sent an envoy to bestow upon him sheep, wine, and precious silver, and appointed him as a pillar of the state, and conferred titles upon three generations.

Yuan Wei was so grateful for this honor that he immediately went to Xiyuan to meet the emperor to express his gratitude.

Unfortunately, my physical condition did not allow it and I had to give up in the end.

When Emperor Jiajing heard the eunuch who came to bestow the title reported how grateful he was, but he was unable to get up from his bed due to poor health.

Emperor Jiajing was also full of regret and sigh about this.

Finally, after expressing regret and sighing, Emperor Jiajing suddenly thought of the elixir he had made some time ago. Because of Li Shizhen, he still had a lot of it left to eat.

So, I thought that since Yuan Wei was already like this, and he had written so many Qing Ci poems for me over the years with profound artistic conception and gorgeous language.

Although these elixirs are precious, they cannot be wasted.

Therefore, Emperor Jiajing ordered the eunuch who had been there to bestow the title to Yuan Wei to catch up with him, who had already left the capital and was heading south for home, and gave Yuan Wei the elixir he had prepared some time ago.

He also told Yuan Wei to take good care of himself on the way home, and use the spiritual power of these elixirs to recover his body.

Yuan Wei was so moved that he cried while holding these elixirs.

He struggled to get up and get off the car, and bowed deeply in the direction of the capital.

This scene also touched countless people.

After hearing the news, Zhu Zaigui was also slightly stunned at first, and then he also sighed, "Yuan Wei is worth it to meet such a wise leader as Your Majesty in this life!"

After reflecting on these things, Zhu Zaigui put Yuan Wei behind him.

Because he has more important things to deal with now. Otherwise, if he really waits until the winter solstice as planned with the cabinet to announce the establishment of a cabinet minister and governor-general of Southern Zhili in Nanjing, he will definitely be passive if some things are not arranged in advance.

So, at this time, Zhu Zaigui could only clean up the mess for Li Chunfang's good suggestion.

Otherwise, if the decree of Emperor Jiajing really came down on that day, Gao Gong, who was now full of joy and had no mental preparation, thinking that he was going to join the cabinet, would go to Nanjing, and there would definitely be some problems at that time.

Therefore, Zhu Zaigui had to give Gao Gong a shot of prevention in advance so that Gao Gong would be mentally prepared.

Although Zhu Zaigui did not want to arrange Gao Gong to go to Nanjing at this time, it seemed that he had very few capable people at hand who could control the situation in Nanjing.

After all, Zhang Juzheng was Xu Jie's disciple. Although he was suitable, once the issue of Xu Jie's family was involved, he would definitely hesitate to conceal it.

If his hesitation and concealment ruined Zhu Zaigui's strategic intentions in Nanjing, he would suffer a huge loss.

So after thinking it over again and again over the past few days, Zhu Zaigui still felt that Li Chunfang was right and Gao Gong was indeed very suitable to go to Nanjing to implement the new policies he was going to formulate in Nanjing.

"Go find Gao Xian. There's no need to be too anxious. I still have some things to deal with."

Zhu Zaigui put down the red brush in his hand, placed aside a document he had just processed, and gave an instruction to Meng Chong who was serving in the hall.

"The slaves obey."

Meng Chong bowed lightly to Zhu Zaigui, then walked out of the Wenhua Hall and went straight to the Ministry of Rites.

The Ministry of Rites was also in high spirits at this time. Ever since Yuan Wei retired, the officials of the Ministry of Rites knew that Gao Gong could be promoted to the cabinet at any time.

So during these few days, Gao Gong always had a smile as warm as the spring breeze in the Ministry of Rites, which made the working atmosphere in the Ministry of Rites seem particularly relaxed and pleasant, and everyone couldn't help but have a proud smile on their face.

After Meng Chong arrived at the Ministry of Rites, the guards and the gatekeepers in front of the Ministry of Rites greeted him with a smile and said, "Hello, Eunuch Meng."

As Zhu Zaigui's status rose over the years, Meng Chong naturally enjoyed the benefits of being sought after and flattered in advance.

He looked at the friendly attitude of the doorman of the Ministry of Rites towards him and a happy smile appeared on his face.

Meng Chong said: "Hello everyone, is Mr. Gao in the hall?"

When the doorman heard Meng Chong mention "Mr. Gao", he was not surprised at all. He also knew that the "Mr. Gao" Meng Chong was talking about was Gao Suqing, the head of their Ministry of Rites.

The doorman immediately replied, "The minister is inside. I will take you there right away."

Meng Chong smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

After saying that, Meng Chong followed the gatekeeper who was in charge of leading the way all the way to the office where Gao Gong was.

Gao Gong, who was also handling official business at the Ministry of Rites, saw Meng Chong coming and stood up with a bright smile, "No wonder I kept hearing the magpie's call this morning. It turns out that the eunuch is coming."

Meng Chong was very pleased with Gao Gong's words, but he did not dare to be arrogant. He quickly bowed to Gao Gong and said, "Mr. Gao, please forgive me. The magpie is not calling because of me, but because I brought the letter from the prince." Gao Gong laughed and said, "Please sit down, eunuch."

Then Gao Gong called on the people outside to serve tea.

After the tea was served, Gao Gong asked, "What is the prince's order?"

Meng Chong smiled slightly, "The prince asked us to invite Mr. Gao to Wenhua Palace. I guess it's a good thing for you."

When Gao Gong heard this, he was overjoyed. This was what he had been looking forward to for a while.

Although there is no fixed number of members in the cabinet, now that Yuan Wei is gone, everyone has tacitly agreed that a position has been vacated in the cabinet.

Therefore, during this period of time, Gao Gong was also looking forward to the fact that he, the Minister of Rites, could be promoted to the cabinet and become a cabinet minister.

Now Meng Chong came, and he still came with a smile.

For Gao Gong, this was a happy moment of hope.

Gao Gong couldn't hide the smile on his face and said to Meng Chong: "Thank you for your hard work, father-in-law. Come and have some tea!"

Gao Gong happily toasted Meng Chong with a cup of tea. Meng Chong quickly picked up the teacup and toasted back at Gao Gong. He didn't dare to accept Gao Gong's toast so frankly.

Even if he was a trusted eunuch of Zhu Zaigui, it would not work.

You know, Gao Gong was the person that Zhu Zaigui always referred to as his teacher, and Meng Chong had also seen Zhu Zaigui's trust in Gao Gong over the years.

He was well aware that Gao Gong's actual importance in Zhu Zaigui's heart might be a little higher than what the outside world speculated.

Therefore, when he faced Gao Gong, he tried his best to maintain a respectful attitude.

After all, he is not like Chen Hong, who has an almost twisted obsession with power. He just wants to learn from Huang Jin, who has been sent to the imperial mausoleum to supervise the construction of Jirang, and be a law-abiding person.

Moreover, Zhu Zaigui once said to him that Huang Jin was exiled to Jilan to supervise the construction of the imperial mausoleum not because Huang Jin had committed any crime, but because it was the last protection of Huang Jin by Emperor Jiajing.

Therefore, when others thought that Huang Jin had lost power, Meng Chong clearly understood that Huang Jin had won the hearts of two generations of emperors.

When one day in the future his master, Prince Yu, becomes the supreme ruler of the Ming Dynasty, the old ancestor Huang Jin will most likely come back.

Therefore, even when Huang Jin was not in the Western Garden or by the side of Emperor Jiajing, Meng Chong always maintained a sense of awe for Huang Jin and a desire to emulate and learn from him.

Meng Chong took a sip of Gao Gong's tea and praised, "Mr. Gao's tea is still very fragrant. Only at Mr. Gao's place can we drink such delicious tea."

Gao Gong laughed and said, "Since you like it, I'll pack some for you to take back and savor."

Meng Chong never refused any favors from Gao Gong. He put down his teacup and said with a smile, "It would be disrespectful for us to refuse it."

Then the two chatted for a while. Meng Chong and Gao Gong also felt that the time was almost up and they couldn't let Zhu Zaigui wait for them in Wenhua Hall.

So the two of them went to the Cultural Hall together.

At this moment, Zhu Zaigui had just finished thinking about how to mention the Nanjing incident to Gao Gong.

Therefore, when he saw Meng Chong and Gao Gong coming together, he looked up and said with a smile: "Mr. Gao, you have worked hard in the Ministry of Rites during this period."

Gao Gong, who had just finished performing the ceremony, could not help but feel even more joyful when he heard Zhu Zaigui say that he had worked hard. He felt that such an opening remark must be a sign of good things to come.

Gao Gong bowed again and said, "It is my duty to work for the court and share the worries of the prince."

Zhu Zaigui laughed and said, "Mr. Gao is still as upright and noble as ever. If all officials in the world could be as impartial and loyal as Mr. Gao, there would be no worries about what the world can accomplish."

After saying this, before Gao Gong could respond, Zhu Zaigui changed the subject and asked, "Mr. Gao, what do you think of Nanjing's situation over the past century?"

When Gao Gong heard Zhu Zaigui asking about Nanjing's situation over the past century, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned. Could this be a question for entering the cabinet?

Gao Gong's thoughts were spinning rapidly. He replied to Zhu Zaigui, "Nanjing is one of the two capitals of the Ming Dynasty. It seems to be as important as the capital. But in fact, in the past hundred years, Nanjing has not played any role. It is just a place where the court arranges and handles some idle officials."

“So, I think Nanjing’s situation over the past century seems to be nothing special.”

Zhu Zaigui hummed and said, "Mr. Gao is right, but Nanjing is located in the south of the Yangtze River after all. The south of the Yangtze River is not only prosperous, but also an important tax collection area for the Ming Dynasty. However, in the past hundred years, the tax collection in the south of the Yangtze River seems to have long been inferior to that in the Hongwu, Yongle and Xuande dynasties."

"Especially in the past few decades, I have read the information from the Ministry of Revenue, and I know that the taxes in Jiangnan have been decreasing year by year. But strangely, I have also learned from the investigation of the Jinyiwei in Jiangnan that the miscellaneous taxes and levies that ordinary people and ordinary people in Jiangnan have to bear are significantly higher than those during the Hongwu and Yongle dynasties."

"So, I am very puzzled. In this prosperous Jiangnan region, with so many taxes, why are the taxes collected getting less and less, while the people are paying more and more?"

When Gao Gong heard this, he couldn't help but have a bad feeling in his heart.

But this feeling made Gao Gong feel that the situation was not that serious.

Gao Gong bowed to Zhu Zaigui and said, "The issues in Jiangnan are very complicated. Since Emperor Taizu Gao founded the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing, the taxation issues in Jiangnan have changed several times."

"During the reign of Emperor Jianwen, taxes in Jiangnan were greatly reduced in order to win over the hearts of the scholars in Jiangnan. However, Jiangnan was a rich and important tax-collecting area of ​​the Ming Dynasty, so how could it be easily moved? Therefore, after Emperor Chengzu Wen's campaign against rebellion, he restored the taxation policy for Jiangnan during the reign of Emperor Taizu."

"Now, a hundred years have passed. The Ming court is in the north and Jiangnan is in the south. The government's orders are not implemented and the officials and gentry are not doing what they should do. The taxes in Jiangnan are not as high as those in the Hongwu, Yongle and Xuande dynasties, which is inevitable."

"So I think that in order to solve the taxation problem in Nanjing and even in Jiangnan, as well as the problems that have accumulated for a hundred years, we should take a long-term view and not act rashly. Otherwise, the people in Jiangnan will be unsettled, which will not only be detrimental to the court, but also to the prince."

Zhu Zaigui nodded slightly. He was very satisfied with Gao Gong's answer. Although Gao Gong was cautious in the end and asked him not to move Jiangnan rashly for the time being, Gao Gong's ability to analyze the problems in Jiangnan so thoroughly showed that he had a thorough understanding of Jiangnan.

Therefore, there would be no problem in arranging Gao Gong to go to Nanjing to take charge of the overall situation.

Zhu Zaigui was looking at Gao Gong's serious expression and was about to confront Gao Gong when a secretary from the cabinet hurried to the Wenhua Hall.

The secretary bowed nervously as soon as he entered the hall, "Your Majesty, Elder Yuan died on his way home."

Zhu Zaigui and Gao Gong were both stunned when they heard this. It seemed that Yuan Wei had only been away from the capital for a few days? Logically speaking, even if he was going to die, given his illness and his determination to return home, he should have been able to make it to his hometown. How could he die halfway?
But now is not the time to explore this issue. Zhu Zaigui and Gao Gong looked at each other, and naturally stopped the previous topic.

Zhu Zaigui asked, "Has this matter been reported to Xiyuan?"

The secretary said, "Lord Xu and his men have also sent someone to report this."

When Zhu Zaigui heard this, he also sighed, "Mr. Yuan has a miserable life!"

------

Asking for a monthly ticket~~
Wei was a man of quick wit. The emperor handed him a piece of paper at night and asked him to write a poem. He finished it in a flash. Whenever he saw auspicious things coming from China or abroad, he would write a poem to praise them. When a cat the emperor kept died, he ordered a scholar to write a poem to pray for it. Wei's poem contained the phrase "transformed a lion into a dragon", which delighted the emperor greatly. Many of his cunning poems to flatter the emperor were like this. Therefore, the emperor was eager to use him and bestowed many favors on him, which no one else dared to hope for.

——————"History of Ming Dynasty·Biography of Yuan Wei" (End of this chapter)