"I congratulate Master Xiao Zhu. There are not many people in this dynasty who can receive the imperial robes. There are even fewer fifth-rank officials who can receive the imperial Qilin robes. Master Xiao Zhu may be far away from the capital, but he is in the emperor's heart."
The leading eunuch looked at Zhu Ping'an placing the imperially bestowed Qilin robe on the incense table, then smiled and congratulated Zhu Ping'an.
Zhu Ping'an also knew that the fact was indeed as the young eunuch said, that Emperor Jiajing was very cautious and stingy about bestowing clothes.
Zhu Ping'an knew that this was due to Emperor Jiajing's control over power.
The first-rank robe is a python robe, the second-rank robe is a flying fish robe, the third-rank robe is a bullfighting robe, the fourth- and fifth-rank robes are a unicorn robe, and the sixth- and seventh-rank robes are a tiger robe and a leopard robe. The python robe is in the shape of a dragon, but it has four claws, one less than a real dragon; the flying fish robe is also in the shape of a dragon, but it has two more wings than a dragon; the bullfighting robe is also in the shape of a dragon, but its horns are ox horns. The bullfighting, flying fish, python and dragon are very similar. The patterns of the python robe, flying fish robe and bullfighting robe are all in the shape of a dragon, which not only makes the three robes look very similar and easy to confuse, but also they have a lot of similarities with the emperor's dragon robe. The Jiajing Emperor, who was used to holding all the power, was very sensitive and unhappy with these three robes.
More than ten years ago, when Emperor Jiajing was offering sacrifices to the mountain mausoleum in spring, Zhang Zan, then the Minister of War, came to see Emperor Jiajing wearing a flying fish suit. Emperor Jiajing mistook the flying fish suit on Zhang Zan for a python suit, and was immediately displeased. He angrily scolded Xia Yan, a university student standing beside him, "Zhang Zan, a mere second-rank minister, why do you wear a python suit without permission?!" Xia Yan hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, Zhang Zan is wearing a flying fish suit granted by the emperor, not a python suit, but it is similar in appearance." Emperor Jiajing was still very dissatisfied after listening to Xia Yan's explanation, and said with an unhappy face, "Ridiculous! How can a flying fish have two horns?! I strictly forbid it." Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel, according to Emperor Jiajing's wishes, reported to the emperor that civil and military officials were not allowed to use python suits, flying fish, and fighting bulls without permission. Emperor Jiajing approved the report and ordered the officials of the Ministry of Works, "Anyone who weaves and embroiders prohibited patterns such as pythons, dragons, flying fish, and fighting bulls will be executed, and their families will be sent to the border guards as exiles." From then on, civil and military officials were not allowed to wear dragon robes, flying fish, fighting bulls, or other exotic clothing. Only the Jinyiwei, which was the emperor's guard of honor, was given special grace, and it was stipulated that the Jinyiwei commander and the guards could wear unicorn clothing.
Therefore, Qilin clothing was also very rare during the Jiajing period.
Zhu Ping'an was awarded the Qilin robe by Emperor Jiajing, which was indeed a great honor and grace for an official.
But Zhu Ping'an was not interested in it, and even felt a little disgusted with Qilin's big pig's trotters.
"Your Highness, I, Zhu Ping'an, thank you for your grace. Long live the emperor."
Of course, thanks must be given. Zhu Ping'an kowtowed to Emperor Jiajing with tears of gratitude, and after the ceremony, he smiled and said, "Thank you for your good words, eunuch. I hope you will say more good things to His Majesty in the future."
"How dare I? I will have to ask Master Zhu to speak well of me in the future." The leading eunuch smiled meaningfully, "After all, Master Zhu now has a voice in front of the emperor, which is extraordinary."
Zhu Pingan could hear the music and understood the meaning, and couldn't help but curl up his lips. Xu Hai and the others really didn't let him down!
Sure enough, the next second the leading eunuch read out the second reward from Emperor Jiajing, "Imperial gift of a secret memorial box, specially granting Zhu Ping'an, assistant to the Zhejiang Provincial Criminal Investigation Department and acting magistrate of Jingnan County, the right to submit secret memorials to the emperor."
Although he had already guessed it in his heart, Zhu Ping'an still couldn't help but get excited when he heard the little eunuch's words.
Secret memorial! It finally came! With the power to submit secret memorials, it was like having a beggar's version of the Imperial Sword.
The Beggar's Version of the Imperial Sword is still the Imperial Sword, which is enough to deter those who have evil intentions towards you.
In addition, this is a good way to curry favor with Emperor Jiajing, which is equivalent to a delayed version of private WeChat.
This is the biggest gain I have made since I started my flood relief work.
After the leading eunuch finished reading, he took the secret letter box from another eunuch and handed it to Zhu Ping'an with both hands.
"Your servant Zhu Ping'an bows his head to thank the Emperor for His Majesty's grace. Long live the Emperor." This time, Zhu Ping'an's excitement was much more genuine.
After Zhu Ping'an finished thanking the emperor, he took the secret box with both hands and looked at it carefully. This is a box about eight inches long, four inches wide, and two inches high, made of nanmu wood, painted with yellow lacquer on the outside, and engraved with the three words "Zhu Ping'an". The box has an exquisite small lock and a key. Each secret box has two keys, one is given to the ministers, and the other is kept in the hands of Emperor Jiajing.
"I have read out the emperor's decree. Lord Zhu, please stand up." After the leading eunuch finished speaking, he stepped forward and helped Zhu Ping'an to stand up.
"Thank you, eunuch." Zhu Ping'an thanked him.
"Master Xiao Zhu, you are too polite. I haven't told you yet. This time, the emperor has granted the right to submit secret memorials to a total of eighty people. All of them are officials of the third rank or above or provincial governors, with Master Xiao Zhu as the only exception. I wonder how many people in the capital are jealous of Master Xiao Zhu." The leading eunuch added softly.
"I am honored to be here, and I will repay His Majesty's trust with my life."
Zhu Ping'an faced the direction of the capital, bowed 90 degrees, and expressed his loyalty and determination to Emperor Jiajing who was thousands of miles away.
These face-saving tasks must be done well. Who knows if Emperor Jiajing will be too bored to ask about them.
"Master Xiao Zhu, before I came here, the Ministry of Personnel had already sent a message that they would soon select a successor to the magistrate of Jingnan and order him to take office as soon as possible, so that Master Xiao Zhu could serve as the assistant magistrate of the Zhejiang Provincial Criminal Investigation Department to show his abilities."
The leading eunuch approached Zhu Ping'an and spoke in a low voice.
"Thank you for the reminder, eunuch." Zhu Ping'an bowed to the leading eunuch and thanked him for tipping him off.
In fact, this was also within Zhu Ping'an's expectations. At the beginning, he had made contributions in resisting the Japanese pirates, and the court rewarded him for his merits and promoted him to the position of assistant magistrate of Zhejiang Province. The Ministry of Personnel suppressed him on the grounds that the magistrate of Jingnan County had not yet selected a successor, and ordered him to temporarily serve as the magistrate of Jingnan County as the assistant magistrate of the Zhejiang Province. He could only take office after the magistrate of Jingnan County was selected and the new magistrate took office. Now he has made contributions in flood control and disaster relief, and the emperor has granted him the right to submit secret memorials. How can the Ministry of Personnel suppress it? ! Therefore, in at least a month, at most two months, the new magistrate of Jingnan will definitely be in place.
"Master Xiao Zhu, I have already received the emperor's oral instructions and rewards. I will return to the capital to report."
The leading eunuch said goodbye to Zhu Ping'an.
"Sir, why are you in such a hurry? You have come a long way and it must be very tiring. Please have some simple food and rest for a day before you set off to report." Zhu Ping'an warmly persuaded him to stay.
Zhu Ping'an felt really bad for the people who came all the way from the capital and didn't even have a meal.
"I appreciate Master Zhu's kindness. But before I came, Huang Dugong had already warned me that flood relief in Jiangnan was at a critical juncture, and he strictly ordered me not to delay or disturb Master Zhu. I'll put this banquet aside for now, and I'll invite Master Zhu back when he returns to the capital."
The leading eunuch smiled and declined politely, very firmly.
Zhu Ping'an tried to persuade him to stay again but failed, so he had to take the clerks and runners of the county government to see him off outside the gate.