Mu Ying led the Eastern Army back victoriously, and the northeastern border of the Ming Dynasty was temporarily peaceful. Emperor Hongwu immediately issued an edict, ordering the fourth prince, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, to go to Beiping to establish a fiefdom and guard the northeastern border of the Ming Dynasty.
After some preparation, Prince Yan's family set out for the north in September. Prince Yan's wife, Xu, was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei. Now the Marquis of Xiping's Mansion and the Duke of Wei's Mansion were related. When Prince Yan's family left Beijing, Mu Chun, as the representative of the Marquis of Xiping's Mansion, had to complete the family's social tasks and go to Taoye Ferry to see Prince Yan off.
Xu Zengshou, the younger brother-in-law, cried so hard that Mu Chun, the older brother-in-law, secretly rolled his eyes. Mu Chun was a stranger to any of his brothers and sisters and had no feelings for them. It was hard for him to understand why Princess Yan often used a whip to punish Xu Zengshou and almost cut off his fingers, but Xu Zengshou was still reluctant to leave his elder sister.
If it were me, I would be so happy that I would burn incense to express my gratitude if no one supervised me anymore.
Later, Xu Zengshou simply jumped on board and said, since he was already here, he might as well give him a ride.
Emperor Hongwu ordered Ji Gang to take 2,000 Jinyiwei to escort the Prince of Yan to his fiefdom.
Hu Shanwei also came, bringing gifts from Empress Ma. The farewell ceremony was very lively. All the royal family members came to see him off, except for Princess Huaiqing, who was pregnant and could not travel. When the husband Wang Ning arrived, Mu Chun whispered to Hu Shanwei, "Let's go back to the palace."
Hu Shanwei returned to the palace to report and briefly described the grand farewell ceremony at Prince Yan's Mansion. Empress Ma was reading a book and when she heard that Princess Huaiqing did not go, she ordered Ru Siyao to visit the princess.
Empress Ma put down the book in her hand and asked Hu Shanwei: "I want to find a reliable foster mother for the little princess. In your opinion, who among the six palaces in the east and west is the most suitable?"
Here it comes. Hu Shanwei took out a booklet and said, "This is the list of names and gifts given to me these days. There are many concubines in the palace, and I don't know who to choose. However, my list can tell your majesty who not to choose."
"Show it to me." Empress Ma smiled and flipped through the booklet. "Everyone is very generous. They usually complain behind my back that weaving is too tiring. During the Northern Expedition, they sewed military uniforms and shoes until the lights went out at three o'clock in the morning. But they don't know that women in the countryside work until three o'clock in the morning. They only work hard for a while, but women in the countryside work hard for their whole lives. After the victory of the Northern Expedition, I and the Emperor gave generous gifts to the six palaces in the east and west, but they still think it is not enough and always want to make trouble. Seeing that Concubine Sun is seriously ill and the little princess has no one to take care of her, they have all kinds of crooked ideas."
Queen Ma's eyes showed fatigue as she flipped through the list. "We've only had a year of peace, is it going to end?"
Hu Shanwei didn't dare to answer. As a minister, silence is golden. Saying one more word would mean another chance to lose your head. She didn't want this chance.
After Concubine Sun became seriously ill, Empress Ma was lonely and insisted on speaking to her, asking, "What do you think?"
Hu Shanwei could only answer: "When the morning cocks crow and the evening crows cackle, who wouldn't go out to make a living? It would be really strange if the six palaces in the east and west didn't fight or rob. But even thieves have their own code of conduct, and there should be a bottom line for robbing. If someone is short-sighted and uses dirty tricks, he is not suitable to raise a little princess."
"The mountains and rivers are far away, and fame and fortune are all on the Chang'an Road." Empress Ma continued the second half of the sentence and sighed, "You are right, this palace is the Chang'an Road, a place where fame and fortune are sought, and no one can be content."
Then he asked, "You accept their things but don't do anything for them. Aren't you afraid of offending them?"
"The six bureaus and one department were established to assist the Queen in managing the affairs of the harem, and have nothing to do with the concubines." Hu Shanwei said, "Besides, the people who gave me gifts and those who looked down on me behind my back and made fun of me for being short-sighted and daring to accept any gifts are almost all the same group of people."
This is what Fan Gongzheng told her secretly. This former boss was very concerned about her future.
Hu Shanwei did not say a single derogatory word but instead complained to Empress Ma.
Empress Ma liked to use young people, and even promoted people like Cao Shang Gong who had a bad reputation in the palace, because young people still had edges and spoke directly, so she didn't need to waste energy guessing what her subordinates were thinking, and they could get things done smoothly and give her a result directly.
Just like in a temple, there is a kind-looking Bodhisattva sitting in the middle, with angry-looking Vajra next to him. If they all act as Bodhisattvas, the play will not be able to be performed.
Finding a reliable adoptive mother for the little princess was a top priority. Hu Shanwei used the method of elimination and also helped Empress Ma to get a rough idea of the details of the harem. The list included talented women and beauties of low rank, as well as the main concubines of a palace.
Empress Ma's eyes lingered on the name of a concubine of high rank, and she murmured, "Even she can't sit still anymore. It seems she is waiting for Concubine Sun to vacate her position..."
After a long while, Empress Ma closed the list and said, "Call Consort Li Shufei."
Concubine Li Shu, whose father Li Jie was once the commander of Guangwu Guard, one of the imperial guards, died in the second Northern Expedition. Because of the tragic death of her father, Emperor Hongwu was deeply saddened and treated his daughter well. Therefore, although Li had no children, she was granted the title of concubine before she was 20 years old, making her the youngest among all the concubines.
Concubine Li Shufei has a calm personality - at least that's the case for now. She never competes for favor, and her name is naturally not on Hu Shanwei's list. Emperor Hongwu has a good impression of her, so Empress Ma plans to give her a hand and train her well. Maybe she will become a figure like "Concubine Sun" in the future.
There were so many concubines in the palace who gave birth to sons, but Empress Ma never dared to use any of them, because she had a son, so she became more confident. After all, the crown prince was also a concubine's son...
A pie fell from the sky and hit Concubine Li Shu on the head. Concubine Li Shu was stunned and flattered. "Your Majesty, I am terrified. I have never given birth to a child and I don't know how to raise a little princess. I am afraid that I can't take on this responsibility."
Concubine Li Shu had no great ambitions. Most of the harem was comfortable and at ease. She was fine with just eating and waiting for death. She only did some needlework occasionally. When the emperor asked her to weave, she would weave cloth. When the queen asked to support the army, she would make military uniforms. She memorized the book "Instructions/Admonitions of Concubines of the Zhao and Song Dynasties" by heart.
She did not try to curry favor with the emperor because she was average looking, and her talents in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing and playing the pipa were average. She could not compete with the beauties in the harem.
He didn't even go to show his loyalty to the Queen - no matter how loyal he was, could he be more loyal than Concubine Sun
Concubine Li Shufei is a person who always thinks about how to give up when encountering something, and the same is true when facing the big pie of the little princess.
Alas, why are obedient people always not useful, and useful people always not obedient
Empress Ma was a bit disappointed and said, "No, you can learn. No one is born to be a mother. You are the only concubine in the harem who does not have a child. You can devote all your energy to raising the little princess. Besides, the little princess is already over one year old and is easier to raise than before. If you raise her, the emperor will miss her and visit her often... You understand what I mean, right?"
Compared to those ambitious concubines, Empress Ma chose the lesser of two evils and still hoped that Concubine Li Shu could gain the upper hand.
If you still don't understand, you're really stupid. Isn't this how Concubine Li Xian's little prince, who just turned one month old, came into being
Concubine Li Shu's cheeks flushed, "Yes, sister will do her best."
Concubine Li Shu carried the little princess back to Yonghe Palace. Yonghe Palace was located in the East Six Palaces. There were six bureaus and one department across two high walls and a street. It was very convenient for Jiang Quan to visit the little princess.
The little princess accidentally "fell into" the Yonghe Palace, causing a sensation in the palace. Hu Shanwei asked Haitang to quietly return all the gifts she had received and return them to their original owners.
Cao Shang Gong taught Hu Shanwei a lesson, "You took things and gave them back, and you took things but didn't do anything. You offended all these people."
Hu Shanwei didn't take it seriously, "Don't be afraid of offending people when doing things - haven't you offended many people, Shang Gong Cao? You are still a Shang Gong."
Lady Cao choked, looking neither amused nor angry, "Now that you have grown strong enough, you dare to confront me."
Hu Shanwei shook his head. "No, I am learning how to do things from you, Lady Cao."
Lady Cao raised her eyebrows, "Are you complimenting me?"
Hu Shanwei: "Just seek truth from facts."
"Don't think I'll soften my heart just because you said a few nice words." Lady Cao patted her shoulder, "I won't forget your promise."
North Nanjing, Yinglingfang, Chengxian Street, Hu Family Bookstore.
Hu Rong opened a cupboard in the accounting office and took out a small locked box.
When the box was opened, there was a pile of family letters, all of which were letters that Hu Shanwei had asked someone to bring to the family on holidays, his mother's birthday and death anniversaries, and Hu Rong's birthday.
Hu Rong opened the letter sent on the recent Double Ninth Festival on September 9th, "Everything is fine, don't worry, father, take care of yourself, your daughter is always by your side."
The content of this letter was exactly the same as that of the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th. It was as neat as an official document and revealed a routine attitude. Hu Rong sighed and took out each letter and read it over and over again.
Just as he was thinking about his worries, there was suddenly a commotion outside. Hu Rong quickly put the letter from home into the box, locked it, and then ran out to see what was going on.
The people from the North City Military Department posted notices on the streets and shouted: "The red lanterns in the corridors must be removed. Teahouses are not allowed to perform operas or play stringed instruments. People are not allowed to get married within half a month..."
Hu Rong squeezed into the crowd to read the notice that was still wet with paste. It turned out that Concubine Sun in the palace had passed away.
Ever since the little princess was taken care of by Concubine Li Shufei, the six bureaus and one department knew that Concubine Sun would not live long. Palace Lady Cao had long ago ordered all bureaus to prepare funeral items in advance, so when Concubine Sun passed away, except for the emperor and empress's bedrooms, all other palaces were painted white.
Originally, the funeral of the imperial concubine had been regulated and should have been conducted according to the rules, but Emperor Hongwu not only became furious in the court, he also wielded a stick and beat Crown Prince Zhu Biao.
Why
Because of the mourning system at that time, according to the system, when a concubine's mother died, all sons had to wear "缌痳" mourning clothes to show their condolences.
There are five levels of mourning, from heavy to light, including zhansui, qisui, dagong, xiaogong, and jiema. Jiema is the lightest, which means wearing fine linen clothes and only lasting for three months.
However, this system was only implemented in the class below the "scholar", and there was no such mourning system in the families of proper officials. "If it was a concubine mother, there was no need to mourn." As long as she was a concubine, regardless of whether she gave birth or not, her children did not have to mourn for her concubine mother.
The royal family was the most powerful family in the Ming Dynasty, so the princes and princesses certainly did not have to mourn for Concubine Sun.
Concubine Sun was different from other concubines who had passed away in the past. The emperor and empress had deep feelings for her. Now that Concubine Sun's funeral was so miserable, not to mention the grief-stricken Empress Ma, even Emperor Hongwu felt bad.
Especially when Princess Huaiqing was crying in front of the coffin with her slightly protruding belly, Emperor Hongwu felt that the funeral was too simple and damaging to the reputation of the royal family.
A funeral is a grand ceremony with huge implications, and even the emperor cannot change it easily.
So Emperor Hongwu asked the Minister of Rites Niu Liang to convene a meeting of Confucian officials to discuss how to make Concubine Sun's funeral more solemn.
Those who are in charge of etiquette are most afraid of such temporary changes. It is better to have less trouble than more. The Ministry of Rites pretended to discuss it, but the result was "there is no mourning for the concubine mother."
After reading the eloquent letter of thousands of words, Emperor Hongwu was furious and cursed the officials of the Ministry of Rites as a bunch of useless people, a bunch of "pedantic and vulgar scholars" who were stuck in the past and only knew "the past is right and the present is wrong" and could not adapt:
"The funeral system is meant to facilitate people to express their grief. If it is not in line with human nature, it must be changed. You always use the Han and Tang dynasties' taboo on discussing funerals as an excuse to keep the status quo. But don't forget that the ritual and music system came from the emperor, and it was the emperor who established the system. If the system that has existed for thousands of years is unreasonable and disregards human ethics, it must be changed! Otherwise, if everything is copied from the old system, what use is there for me to have your Ministry of Rites!"
After scolding the officials from the Ministry of Rites, Emperor Hongwu ordered Crown Prince Zhu Biao to preside over the funeral of Concubine Sun.
The prince refused, "Father, my concubine mother has no mourning clothes, so I cannot preside over the funeral."
The Emperor and Empress had a deep relationship with Concubine Sun, but the Crown Prince did not. Moreover, the Crown Prince did not even know who his biological mother was. How could he possibly mourn for an unrelated concubine mother
Emperor Hongwu hit the prince with a stick, "You unfilial son, do you listen to the Ministry of Rites or to me?"
The prince refused to do so, "Father, the funeral system is the basic etiquette of the country and cannot be changed without permission."
When the people from the Ministry of Rites saw the prince being beaten, they quickly stepped back and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Consort Li and Prince Consort Wang can both preside over the funeral, but the prince cannot!"
Li Qi and Wang Ning are Concubine Sun's sons-in-law, and this is the biggest concession the Ministry of Rites can make.
"Bullshit!" Emperor Hongwu cursed in anger, "You are not allowed to leave. When we have reached a result that satisfies me, you will come out."
After that, Emperor Hongwu locked up the prince and all the people from the Ministry of Rites, and refused to allow anyone to send them food or water.
The Crown Prince and the Ministry of Rites were stubborn and refused to give in even after not eating or drinking for a whole day and night.
The situation was at a stalemate and no one's advice was effective. In the end, Empress Ma had to step forward to persuade Emperor Hongwu. As the mother of a country, she could not just watch the prince starve to death.
Queen Ma cried day and night and became thinner. Hu Shan surrounded her and supported her.
As soon as Emperor Hongwu saw Empress Ma, he knew her intention and said, "Zi Tong, please don't try to persuade me. I am the emperor. Can't I give Concubine Sun a decent funeral? Zi Tong looks very haggard. Go back to the palace and rest quickly."
Empress Ma was turned away before she even opened her mouth, feeling a little embarrassed. Hu Shanwei hurriedly helped Empress Ma sit down, "Your Majesty, please sit down for a moment. I will dissolve a pill right away."
Pills? Empress Ma was puzzled, and Hu Shanwei blinked his eyes, "Ru Siyao said that Your Majesty should take the Ginseng Yangrong Pills on time and take care of yourself."
Empress Ma was extremely smart and immediately understood what Hu Shanwei meant. In fact, he was just trying to give her a way out and let her stay with Emperor Hongwu and look for an opportunity to advise him.
As expected, Emperor Hongwu was very concerned about Empress Ma and said to Hu Shanwei, "Why don't you go quickly?"
Hu Shanwei stood outside and slowly melted the health-preserving meatballs with boiling water to buy time for Empress Ma.
But the scolding from Emperor Hongwu was getting louder and louder. "… Don't mention the crown prince to me. He has been surrounded by a group of scholars for many years, and he is becoming more and more pedantic and incompetent! As the crown prince, he should have his own opinions on everything! Scholars are ministers, and they are tools for governing the country. But he took the words of the ministers as the emperor's edict! He was led by a group of scholars, talking about saints and sages, and reciting the filial piety system. Where is his own opinion? He is 26 years old, but he can't think independently. I want to depose him!"
Hu Shanwei was shocked.
Empress Ma said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. The Crown Prince is the foundation of the country. If the foundation is shaken, the world will be in chaos. The Crown Prince made mistakes, but he can still be educated. Your Majesty, please teach him personally so that the Crown Prince will not be disturbed by those pedantic people. Please give the Crown Prince a chance."
"Zi Tong knelt down to plead for him, but he didn't think about how to solve the problem. He didn't think about how the queen and I were so sad and how he could comfort us. He just went on a hunger strike with that group of people! What use do I have for such an incompetent prince!" Emperor Hongwu was so angry that he threw a teacup.
With a snap, the broken pieces of the porcelain cup flew out. Queen Ma happened to be kneeling on the ground. Her cheek was scratched by the fragments and she let out a scream.
Hearing Empress Ma's screams, Hu Shanwei quickly put down the medicine cup and ran in to check the situation. Emperor Hongwu had already helped Empress Ma up, "Zi Tong! Are you okay?"
Hu Shanwei looked at the trace of blood on Empress Ma's pale cheek. Emperor Hongwu didn't want anyone to see that he had accidentally hurt Empress Ma, so he became angry and glared at her, "Come here, dig out her eyes! Get her out of the palace!"
A group of people swarmed over and dragged Hu Shanwei away. Queen Ma was about to speak to persuade them, but she heard Hu Shanwei's laughter and thought, is she scared to death
Hu Shanwei laughed loudly: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, but he can't see through the real drawbacks of the mourning system. The embarrassing funeral of the imperial concubine today is just a superficial phenomenon. In fact, the root problem is not that 'the concubine mother has no mourning clothes'."
When she heard that she would be punished by having her eyes gouged out, Hu Shanwei was completely disappointed. She was going to die anyway, so she decided to take a gamble. Emperor Hongwu was angry with the prince because he did not find a solution and joined a group of people in a futile act of hunger strike.
And she has a solution to this problem, which is a little difficult, but it may save her life.
The author has something to say: Just challenge the impossible~
100 red envelopes will be sent out tonight. Congratulations to reader "zz" for receiving a big red envelope of 100 points.
[1st floor] Netizen: zz Rating: 0 Posted time: 2019-01-07 20:25:50
It's Zhang Yimou who is wrong