The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 74

[74.Chapter 74 The merit lies in Sheji]

Zai She Ji Zhu Houzhao was frightened when he saw Emperor Hongzhi’s face downcast. He stammered: “No, it’s not… I went to the Xishan Coal Mine and witnessed those ragged miners with my own eyes. , and then I realized that the people were actually so poor. For them, it turned out that all they wanted was a full meal. Then I thought, the book said that water can carry a boat and also capsize it. It turns out that this is not the case. It’s not just a simple sentence, but if the people can’t survive, they can capsize the boat, but if they don’t have to starve or freeze, they can survive. , is already a gift from God. If this small desire can satisfy them, it will make them grateful to the court and their father. The sons and ministers have been thinking about this matter for the past few days. It turns out that the little people. What they wanted was so simple, but even for such a simple thing, the emperors of all dynasties were unwilling to do it. As a result, refugees were everywhere, wars continued, and eventually the country was lost, and the hearts of the ministers… their hearts… …”

Emperor Hongzhi was completely shocked.

Liu Jian’s face was even more congested, and his face was red to the base of his ears.

Xie Qian’s eyes widened and he looked at Zhu Houzhao like a monster.

And even Li Dongyang, who was hiding his secrets, suddenly changed his expression.

Fang Jifan was speechless. He felt that he had been tricked. He had sneaked out about going to Xishan Coal Mine. Now, it all came out.

However…His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was able to understand this truth. I think it was because when he was in the Xishan Coal Mine, those grateful miners planted a seed in the heart of His Highness the Crown Prince. Zhu Houzhao, who had always been raised in a deep palace with no worries about food and clothing, experienced this. The suffering of the people has finally been touched.

Zhu Houzhao cautiously raised his head and glanced at Emperor Hongzhi. He felt a little guilty and didn’t know if what he said was right or whether he would be beaten.

But during this meal, Emperor Hongzhi’s chest rose and fell, and he urged: “Keep talking.”

Zhu Houzhao was so frightened that his legs became weak, and he stammered in a hurry and continued: “In my heart, I really feel sorry for you .

Those who have subjugated their country are disdainful. They close their doors and have wine ponds and meat forests, but there is no way to see how many frozen bones are on the roadside and how miserable the people are. I used to listen to the masters giving lessons, and they always said , how tyrannical the tyrants of the past dynasties were, and it is only now that I understand that they brought their own fault for the destruction of the world…”

Emperor Hongzhi only had his chest heaving up and down, but he didn’t even breathe. He stared at Zhu Houzhao in disbelief, I felt my head was buzzing.

Zhu Houzhao did not dare to raise his head to look at his father. In fact, these were all things he had come up with since he went to the Xishan Coal Mine. Of course, although Zhu Houzhao’s past cramming education had gone in and out of his left ear, there were always some words and phrases. , remained in his heart, these boring things began to corroborate each other because of what he saw and heard.

Zhu Houzhao said sternly: “So I assert that as long as the imperial court wholeheartedly follows Fang Jifan’s method to reform the native people, so that the native people can believe that without the chieftain, their lives can be better. As long as they can believe this, And if the imperial court can do the same, then the reform will be successful, I dare to guarantee it.”

Emperor Hongzhi subconsciously took a step back, and unexpectedly, there was a palace lantern stand behind him.

The carved and hollow lamp stand fell to the ground with a bang, shattering the hood above it.

When the young eunuch on the side saw it, he bent over and went to clean it up.

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly said: “Don’t move!”

His expression was indescribably weird.

But there was a sense of unrestrainedness in his mood. He couldn’t help but want to laugh loudly, but he had to try his best to endure it. As for Qian Yue’s murder, as for Miru’s rebellion, what does this trivial matter matter? Woolen cloth? The Ming Dynasty will not destroy the country because of a chieftain’s rebellion. All the hopes of the Ming Dynasty lie in the emperor and the future emperor.

The authority of the world is concentrated in one body, and the life, death, honor and disgrace of thousands of subjects are only maintained by one person.

The thing that worries him the most is the prince.

If there is a rebellion, we can suppress it; if there is a disaster, we can provide relief; if there are any mistakes in government, we can correct them. If the prince is not worthy of being a king, then this is really worrying.

My son…has grown up.

Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes were actually a little moist.

At this moment, he is not like an emperor, but he is a living father, a father who is extremely happy.

He took a deep breath. Although he was extremely excited, he did not dare to show it at all. He was afraid that his ecstasy would make the prince get carried away.

A dutiful son emerges from under the stick.

Therefore, he had to try his best to appear stern.

“Did you say something wrong?” Zhu Houzhao noticed that his eyes were wrong, his eyes were rolling, and he felt guilty, and said hurriedly: “My son… my son…” He wanted to say that my son will die.

Emperor Hongzhi interrupted him with as calm a voice as possible, although the calm voice was a little trembling: “Have you gone to Xishan Coal Mine?”

Zhu Houzhao’s face suddenly changed, and he suddenly wanted to slap himself, I am a pig, he Shutting his head: “Yes… yes…”

Emperor Hongzhi said calmly: “Who went with you?” While speaking, Emperor Hongzhi looked at Fang Jifan with a profound meaning in his eyes.

Zhu Houzhao immediately said: “Erchen went by himself, there was no one else… Well…actually there were some… Erchen brought his companion Liu Jin, and… Zhang Yong, Gu Dayong, Ma Yongcheng, Qiu Ju, Luo Xiang, Wei Bin, Gao Fengren, etc…”

Fortunately, people like Liu Jin are not here, otherwise they would have fainted from fright. This can be regarded as catching up with everyone in Zhan Shifu.

However… Zhu Houzhao was still loyal and did not confess to Fang Jifan.

It can be seen that as far as the other successor is concerned, this friend… is not in vain.

Emperor Hongzhi squinted his eyes, but his deep gaze was even more meaningful. He looked at each other with Liu Jian and others, and then said slowly: “Only these people?”

Zhu Houzhao said without hesitation: “I am an honest person, how could I tell lies with my eyes open?”

“…” Fang Jifan couldn’t help but want to touch his forehead. His Highness the Crown Prince seemed quite loyal, but… …Hey…

Fang Jifan coughed: “Uh…actually there are still minor ministers.”

Admit it, the emperor is not a fool, not to mention Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang, these three great scholars, which one is not the best among human beings? Human beings, to be honest, Fang Jifan didn’t even dare to look at them, he was always afraid that his thoughts would be completely seen by their piercing eyes.

Zhu Houzhao was suddenly embarrassed and confused.

A smile flashed across Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes, and then he glanced at Zhu Houzhao: “There won’t be a next time.”

Huh?

The stick was raised high. Zhu Houzhao looked very surprised, but he only dropped it gently. He said, “There will be no next time.” For himself, he didn’t mean to say that he would sneak to Zhan Shifu next time. opportunity?

Emperor Hongzhi immediately looked at Fang Jifan again and said, “Fang Jifan.”

Emperor Hongzhi’s face was as pleasant as a spring breeze.

Fang Jifan said: “I am here.”

At this moment, no one could guess the heart of Emperor Hongzhi. He only pondered for a moment: “The Qing family warned you in advance. The credit lies in the country. Regarding Qian Yue, I regret not listening to the Qing family. You, please stay with the prince to study today.”

Liu Jian and the others looked stern, and they immediately understood what Emperor Hongzhi was thinking.

Fang Jifan… is truly talented. This kind of talent is different from ordinary eight-legged articles, such as his analysis and suggestions on Qian Yue. Looking back now, Fang Jifan does have an extraordinary talent.

Of course, this is obviously not the most important thing.

Liu Jian stroked his beard, with a vague smile on his face, because he knew very well that the root of His Majesty’s decision was not only Qian Yue and the matter of returning to the land, but also the prince’s words today. After entering Zhan Shifu, the prince did have a completely new feeling compared to the past. The prince was the foundation of the country and was of vital importance.

His Majesty ordered Fang Jifan to accompany the prince to study. His thoughts are naturally self-evident.

(End of chapter)