Fengtian Hall is the so-called Jinluan Hall. It is the place where the emperor held major ceremonies, discussed government affairs with civil and military officials, and went to court.
The morning of the Ming Dynasty was extremely early. At Yinshi, which was three or four o'clock in the morning, the ministers would wait outside the Meridian Gate. The drums on the Meridian Gate tower beat, and the ministers lined up. The bell rang at around five o'clock in the morning, the palace gate opened, and all the officials entered one after another, crossed the Jinshui Bridge, and formed a queue in the square.
You read that right, yes, we are waiting outside. It's okay in the summer, but in autumn and winter it's still dark, and I'm still standing outside the dark Meridian Gate. Moreover, the censor responsible for supervision is very responsible. Coughing, spitting, and even unsteady steps will be recorded; although they will not be punished immediately, they will be in a pending state... While fighting the cold, they also have to compete with fellow officials: You can't stand in the wrong line, you can't have the wrong expression, you can't miss what you should nod, you can't smile when you should, and you can't look at what you should ignore. So, was it easy to be an official in the Ming Dynasty? It brings tears to my eyes!
Especially in the era of model worker Zhu Yuanzhang, great efforts were made at the beginning of the establishment of the business. In addition to the morning dynasty, there were also the afternoon dynasty and the late dynasty, which stipulated that each ministry had 185 things that must be reported to the emperor himself. However, according to research, the most diligent emperor in the Ming Dynasty was not Zhu Yuanzhang, a model worker, but Chongzhen, the subjugated emperor of the Ming Dynasty three hundred years later. It is said that this emperor was on time to wait for ministers in the Jinluan Palace every morning. So working hours really do not equal working ability... And everyone who works from 9 to 5 today, do you think you are happy
In late October in the south of the Yangtze River, the morning was quite cold, and the ground was covered with white frost. The northwest wind blew, and all the officials, especially the civil servants, could not help but shrink.
"Announce all officials to enter the palace!" Following the loud announcement of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, everyone entered the Fengtian Palace one by one.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon chair and looked down at everyone. This model worker emperor who had never been absent from work, arrived late or left early for thirty years, finally felt a little tired at the age of seventy.
As soon as everyone stood up, Qi Tai was the first to step out of the crowd and said loudly: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Last night, the Ministry of War received a report of a six hundred mile increase. General Zhengxi had a great success in Mianyang, Shu Land, in early October, and captured Shu. Gao Fuxing captured three thousand enemy soldiers."
"Okay!" Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed when he heard Long Yan, and said with a smile: "As expected of the Marquis of Changxing! The Shu bandits are indeed easily captured!"
The Marquis of Changxing mentioned here is named Geng Bingwen, and he is the only remaining founding general of the Ming Dynasty at this time. His father, Geng Junyong, was originally the military commander in charge of Zhu Yuanzhang when he raised troops in Haozhou, that is, Zhongdu. Together, father and son followed Zhu Yuanzhang in his campaigns east and west, and made great achievements in battle. After Geng Junyong died in the battle of Yixing, Geng Bingwen inherited his father's duties and led his father's army to continue fighting. Zeng and Xu Da Chang Yuchun captured Bianliang and Datong all the towns in the Central Plains. But the most famous thing is that he defeated Zhang Shicheng many times, stood firm in Changxing, and resisted the Wu army for ten years. With an outnumbered enemy, he was invincible in dozens of battles, large and small, and was famous for his good defense. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, those who were granted the title for their military exploits were called Changxinghou.
Geng Bingwen is sixty-four years old this year. A few months ago, there was a rebellion by bandits in Shu. The old general took the initiative to ask for a fight. Zhu Yuanzhang immediately appointed him as the general to lead the troops to conquer the west. As expected, he won the battle in one battle.
Qitai and all the officials congratulated together: "Holy sage!"
After a while, Qitai played again: "Your Majesty, the Japanese pirates in Lu are rampant and arrogant. Yesterday, the commander of the Shandong capital sent a report again to ask for help, saying that the Japanese pirates were gathering along the coast of Qingdao and doing all kinds of evil. Recently, they even attacked business travelers along the road. Only this There have been twelve incidents in the month." All the officials were shocked and whispered among themselves for a while.
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said nothing, then sighed for a long time: "What do you think?"
Huang Zicheng stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the Japanese pirates are arrogant and arrogant, and the imperial court should attack them head-on. Nowadays, the people in many places cannot bear their disturbance. Although many people have moved to the mainland, there are also many who stay behind. How can we give up the territory of the Ming Dynasty to the Japanese pirates?" "
All the officials agreed and felt that Japanese pirates should be severely punished.
Zhu Yuanzhang listened to everyone's discussion and looked at the row of generals. He was really troubled and couldn't express his sorrow. Japanese pirates have been harassing him for a long time. With Zhu Yuanzhang's temper, how could he be willing to let this small country invade his home and bully him? There were repeated memorials in Shandong and Fujian. In the summer, there were actually a few Japanese pirates who made trouble in Daningwei! Zhu Yuanzhang endured it again and again, and did not say a word to King Ning. It was really because there was no general available in the court at this time. All the generals at the founding of the country were killed, and the rising star Lan Yu was also killed. This time the Shu bandits said that Geng Bingwen asked for the battle himself, but in fact Zhu Yuanzhang was just following the trend, otherwise why would he send a 64-year-old veteran? You know, in ancient times, people's lifespan was short. As the saying goes, "seventy is rare in ancient times." Sixty-four years old is already far beyond the average life span.
The Japanese pirates are making a lot of noise and they should be beaten long ago. Who will go
These noisy and ferocious people are all civil servants and they only know how to quarrel. What’s the use? Leading an army in battle is no small matter.
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little troubled.
At this time, two people stood up and said in unison: "I am willing to go to fight against the Japanese pirates!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked carefully and pondered in his heart. The civil servants also stopped talking and looked at these two people.
Li Jinglong, the son of Li Wenzhong, King of Qiyang, the founding hero of the country, succeeded Cao Guogong in the 25th year of Hongwu. He is thirty-four years old this year. He has a majestic appearance, extraordinary conversation, and high spirits. He once served as a counselor in the Governor's Mansion of the Chinese Army and often led his troops to drill south of Yingtian Mansion. I am familiar with military books, but I have never actually fought a war.
Xu Huizu, the son of the founding hero Zhongshan King Xu Da, succeeded Wei Guogong in the 18th year of Hongwu. He is 30 years old this year. He is also tall, has a face like a crown jade, has extraordinary heroic appearance, and is quite like his father. He once worked in the Zuo Army Governor's Mansion of the Xunwei Department and trained troops in Peiping, Shandong and Henan several times. He has never been on the battlefield.
The two people are like two ends of a balanced and immovable scale, with the same weight. It is also like being carved from a mold, symmetrical from left to right. If it were you, how to choose
Huang Zicheng took a step forward: "Your Majesty! I agree with Duke Cao to go. Duke Cao is well versed in military affairs and has a rich family background. He will definitely succeed in one fell swoop."
Qi Tai disapproved: "Your Majesty! I recommend the Duke of Wei to go. The Duke of Wei is skilled in bow and horse, and is familiar with the art of war. He will definitely flee when the enemy and Japanese pirates hear the news."
The officials in the court immediately divided into two groups, supporting Li Jinglong and Xu Huizu respectively. Each had its own theoretical basis and argued endlessly.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at it for a long time, unable to make a decision. He turned his head and asked Zhu Yunwen, who was standing beside him, "What do you think of Yunwen?"
Zhu Yunwen wanted to speak since Qitai started to play, but everyone was talking about it. He hesitated several times and failed to speak. When he saw the emperor asking him, he quickly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, my grandson feels that although Shandong is Lu Now that Uncle Wang is gone, Uncle Wang of Qi can command the troops garrisoned in various states in Shandong to fight; Uncle Wang of Qi has experience in the Northern Expedition and has made great military achievements, so he will definitely be able to repel the Japanese pirates."
The King of Qi that Zhu Yunwen mentioned was Zhu Yuanzhang's seventh son, Zhu Shu, who was born to Concubine Da Ding and was thirty-four years old this year. In the fifteenth year of Hongwu's reign, he took control of Qingzhou Prefecture. He once led the Xu and Pi armies of Shandong to accompany King Yan in several northern expeditions to Mongolia. King Zhu Tan of Lu was the tenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang and was assigned to Yanzhou Prefecture. He died of illness in the 22nd year of Hongwu.
"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised and said nothing.
Zhu Yunwen continued: "The Japanese pirates are mainly scattered bandits, maybe a dozen, or dozens, and sometimes no more than a hundred. They harass and attack common people's merchants. Our court will advance like a large army, and the bandits will retreat to the sea; when our army retreats a little, then He went ashore again and continued to do evil. A large army cannot attack at once, so it is better for a small army to encircle and suppress it for a long time. Uncle Qi Wang is familiar with the terrain and geography of Shandong, so he is the most suitable candidate."
Zhu Yuanzhang appreciated: "Yes, what he said makes sense, let's just let Lao Qi go. When did Yunwen study Japanese pirates?"
Zhu Yunwen was a little embarrassed, with two dots of red on his jade-like face: "In the summer, I saw the memorial about the Ningwei Japanese pirates attacking Uncle Ning, so my grandson investigated it."
Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "Oh? Then why do you think the Japanese pirates made trouble in Daningwei?"
Zhu Yunwen hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't know, grandson." Later, he saw Princess Yining in Daning Guard, and guessed that she might have gone there for the North Korean princess, but it was just a guess, and Zhu Yunwen hesitated to say anything.
What kind of person is Zhu Yuanzhang? How could Zhu Yunwen's hesitation be concealed? After a moment of concentration, he understood, and he said calmly: "Then we will draw up a decree and let Lao Qi serve as the general to conquer the Japanese. The Shandong army and horses will be restrained and the Japanese pirates will be exterminated on the spot."
Qitai and Huang Zicheng shouted in unison: "Your Majesty!" They wanted to fight again.
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "I appreciate this! No need to discuss it further. The two ministers, Cao Guogong and Wei Guogong, are commendable for their loyalty. They will continue to work hard to prepare their troops for great use."
"Your Majesty!" Li Jinglong and Xu Huizu agreed in unison and couldn't help but look at each other.
Zhu Yunwen continued: "Your Majesty! The Japanese pirates came from the island country of Japan. Japan had friendly exchanges with our Central Plains during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Why doesn't your Majesty send an envoy to Japan and order the Japanese king to take care of the Japanese pirates?"
This question touched Zhu Yuanzhang's pain point, and he said after a long while: "You are still young and don't know this. In the third year, ninth year, and eleventh year of Hongwu, I sent envoys to Japan three times. One was for the Japanese pirates, and the other was Japan was asked to pay tribute. But three times there was no news, and once even the envoy failed to come back."
Zhu Yuanzhang was an emperor who wanted to save face. This was actually half of what he said. The envoy either didn't come back or was beheaded by the Japanese. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious about this and threatened to send troops to Japan to crush the small country of Guer. Later, he was busy with the northern expedition to Mongolia, but he didn't really do it. To send troops, Japan is not far away, but across the ocean, sending troops requires the use of naval forces, which is not a simple matter. Even Kublai Khan did not conquer it back then.
At this time, Qitai said: "Your Majesty! According to my understanding, when I went to envoys for the first three times, Japan happened to be in civil strife, and there was probably no one to deal with it. I heard that General Ashikaga Yoshimitsu of the Muromachi Shogunate in the 25th year of Hongwu Having forced Emperor Kameyama to surrender to the Southern Dynasties and unified Japan, perhaps now he can send envoys to show Ashikaga Yoshimitsu that he can proclaim the transformation of the barbarian kingdoms."
However, Huang Zicheng said: "Your Majesty has been embargoing the sea for more than 20 years. Japan is short of the goods of our dynasty. The Northern and Southern dynasties will sooner or later compromise and come to pay tribute. It is better to wait until Japan comes to the dynasty."
The officials were divided into two groups with the two men, and all looked at the emperor.
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "After three envoys failed to return, I have designated Japan as a 'country without conquest'. Crossing the sea the next day will not have much impact on our Ming Dynasty. Let the King of Qi drive out these Japanese pirates from Shandong first. Come to court and let him go."
Zhu Yunwen felt a little disapproval, but after hearing that his grandfather had already decided, he stopped talking and stepped aside.
At this time, Zheng Jin, the Minister of Rites, came forward and said: "The fast horse of the Korean Kingdom is here to express my gratitude to the Holy One for protecting Princess Yining of North Korea. This time I specially sent thirty good horses. The princess's dowry was robbed and separated in Tieling last time, and it was repurchased. On September 30th, he was escorted from Seoul by Zhao Pang, the official of Zhimi Zhizhi, and planned to send him directly to the capital to pay homage to the Holy One. Please ask for His permission."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly. After experiencing the Japanese pirate incident, he increasingly felt that North Korea's courtesy was rare. He said warmly: "It's accurate. When Fatty Zhao comes, Zheng Qing will bring him up." After a pause, he added: "The same goes for Princess Yining when she arrives. Directly. Bring it up."
The Minister of Rites Zheng Zheng agreed, and all the officials couldn't help but look at Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but blush slightly. He tried his best to be calm and nonchalant on his face, but he had mixed feelings in his heart.
When Zhu Yuanzhang first conferred the title of Yining, Zhu Yunwen did it for the sake of establishing diplomatic relations with North Korea. His East Palace was dispensable, and he was completely indifferent. Later, I heard that she had been kidnapped in Tieling, and I couldn't help but feel a little worried. Maybe not only worried about the relationship with North Korea, but also a little bit worried about herself, right? That's why I personally asked all uncles to look for it together. Later, when I heard that Daning Guard was imprisoning her, I felt a little sympathetic. Unknowingly, this "Princess Yining" has been hidden in my mind, with curiosity, expectation, care, and worry all mixed together.
After all, she is his fiancée, his second woman besides his grandson, and the partner he will spend the rest of his life with. Is she okay at this time