In summer in Kyoto, smoke can almost be emitted from the bluestone roads. People in Kyoto wear thin clothes. The scorching heat makes them drink cold water non-stop, and the shouts of shops are much quieter.
It's just that inside the palace, there is no need to endure such suffering. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has prepared ice bricks and put them in every corner of the palace, so no matter how hot the weather is, the palace is still comfortable as usual.
Xue Poye's General Guard's Mansion is also extremely comfortable. As the emperor's master, Xiao Shitou ordered the House of Internal Affairs to send a large amount of ice, enough for the General Guard's mansion to live a comfortable summer.
Lying in the gazebo in the garden with his clothes open, enjoying Xiao Suzhen's gentle massage, Xue Poye felt comfortable to the bone.
It has been more than three months since the new emperor ascended the throne. Under the auspices of Lan Wuqing and Xue Poye, the Da Chu government is not as difficult as imagined, and the officials left behind by Emperor Deqing are like the various parts of a machine , so that the huge empire of Dachu is running in an orderly manner.
Xue Poye brought his two wives to the capital half a month ago, enjoying the happiness of husband and wife. Although there are a large number of officials waiting in front of the General Guard's Mansion every day, Xue Poye knows that power The heavier you are, the more you have to pay attention to your words and deeds. If you get too close to officials, it will lead to the suspicion of "forming a party for personal gain". impeach yourself.
Yuezhu's ability to manage accounts has not been in vain. The general ledger of Jingdu Ziyanfang and its branches is now managed by Yuezhu.
Seeing Xiao Suzhen's thin silk, white and tender flesh looming, Xue Poye only felt emotional, looked left and right, but there was no one, stretched out his hand and gently kneaded Xiao Suzhen's beautiful buttocks, it felt very good, elastic full.
Although Xiao Suzhen was used to Xue Poye's frivolity, she was still a little uncomfortable, blushing, and said softly: "Xue... Xue Lang... Don't be seen...!"
Xue Poye chuckled, pulled Xiao Suzhen into his arms, felt her amazingly elastic plump body, stuffed his hands from her chest, grabbed the plump breasts, and gently kneaded the buds, Leaning close to Xiao Suzhen's crystal white ears, she said softly: "You are my wife, and I am not afraid of anyone who sees me."
Xiao Suzhen let out a "wow", and pressed her pretty face into Xue Poye's arms, she was indescribably shy, and the garden suddenly felt like spring.
Just when Xue Poye was about to show off his majesty in the garden and imitate Ximen Qing with a grape trellis, Zhang Hu said loudly: "My lord, He Shangshu is here to worship."
After Tan Ziqing passed away, Zhang Hu followed Xue Poye. Xue Poye originally wanted him to take an official position in Yulinying, but Zhang Hu resolutely refused, and only wanted to be by Xue Poye's side as a personal guard. Well, Xue Poye had no choice but to agree.
When Xiao Suzhen came to the capital, she also brought Hanxiang here, Zhang Hu was very happy, and Xue Poye and his wife matched, Zhang Hu and Hanxiang's marriage was settled, and they planned to choose a date to get married, Zhang Hu We are deeply grateful for this.
Xiao Suzhen hurriedly got up from Xue Poye, adjusted her clothes in a panic, spit on Xue Poye, and hurriedly avoided.
If other people disturbed his beautiful affairs, Xue Poye would naturally reprimand him a few words, but Zhang Hu is different, in the General Guard Mansion, Zhang Hu has absolute freedom, so he didn't expect that such a beautiful scene was happening inside. The matter, just come to report.
Xue Poye got up and straightened his clothes, frowned and said, "What are you doing here again, old boy?"
I saw Zhang Hu leading an official in. The official was very humble, even to Zhang Hu, he was very respectful, bent over, followed Zhang Hu, and came quickly.
This person is actually wishing to meet He Ruhui, governor of Hangzhou.
When Xiao Shitou first came to the throne, facing the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, there was no one close to him except Xue Poye. Xue Poye also saw this. Many people are dissatisfied in their hearts, but they dare not express it.
Therefore, after discussing with the new emperor, Xue Poye deeply realized that he must develop his confidant ministers in the court.
So in the past few months, apart from assisting Lan Wuqing to occasionally handle some court affairs, Xue Poye's biggest task is to find obedient and capable people in the court and give them some important official positions.
In fact, the court also knows that Xue Poye has a deep relationship with the new emperor, and is the teacher of the new emperor. In other words, from a certain point of view, he is an "emperor's teacher". He is a real powerful figure in Dachu.
Let’s talk about the household department. Although Wang Dezhao is the secretary of the household department, Wang Dezhao consciously asked Xue Poye for instructions if he really wanted to do something.
To promote his cronies, Xue Poye naturally thought of Hangzhou Governor He Ruhui, so under Xue Poye's instruction, the new emperor issued a decree to order Hangzhou Governor He Ruhui to enter Beijing.
Although the courtiers objected in their hearts, as the two principals, Xue Poye was the planner, and Lan Wuqing also knew that the new emperor needed to cultivate some of his own power in order to be able to control the court more firmly, so they also agreed. Once the two agreed, Even if the other courtiers have opinions, they are unwilling to come out to object. After all, raising objections at this time will definitely give the new emperor a bad impression. If this is the case, life will be difficult in the future.
He Ruhui knows better than anyone else that Xue Poye gave him this official book. Although he is wretched, he is grateful to Xue Poye from the bottom of his heart. Naturally, he became Xue Poye. The disciple of the broken night.
Xue Poye told him sideways that what the emperor needs is a group of trustworthy officials, so the selection of officials by the Ministry of Officials is nominally through the hands of He Ruhui, but the actual control is completely controlled by Xue Poye and the new emperor. Taking advantage of this opportunity, many officials from the Hangzhou Department were appointed, and many talented officials who were excluded but quite talented were promoted. These officials all knew that they were able to rise to the top because of Xue Poye and the new emperor, so they were loyal to The new emperor even took refuge in Xue Poye's sect, and the power of the new emperor was greatly strengthened through this management appointment and dismissal, and Xue Poye's power was also increasing day by day.
…
…
He Ruhui squinted his eyes, came over with a smile on his face, prostrated himself on the ground, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have seen you!"
Xue Poye laughed and said, "Get up, Mr. He, don't be so polite." "
In fact, the rank of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials is by no means lower than that of Xue Poye, but He Ruhui is deeply aware of the current situation of the court, so he is very obedient to see him as a courtier.
Sitting down immediately, He Ruhui said: "My lord, those people you mentioned have been arranged by the lower officials." Handing over a booklet: "My lord, take a look, these have all been signed and issued."
Xue Poye frowned, and said calmly: "Master He, I didn't say it, it was ordered by the Holy One."
He Ruhui hastily said: "The lower officials have made mistakes, the lower officials have made mistakes."
Xue Poye took the booklet, opened it, and saw that all the names and positions were written on it. These people were all inspected by himself, officials who had been excluded by other princes, and some were even deposed. They are all talented people who can help Xiao Shitou govern the country, so Xue Poye discussed with the new emperor early on, drew up a roster, and ordered He Ruhui to handle it.
He Ruhui naturally did his best and did not dare to neglect.
"Well... now that Mr. He has made the arrangement, I will praise your contribution to the sage." Xue Poye smiled lightly, glanced at He Ruhui, and said leisurely: "Mr. He, I heard that there are many Someone brought money to your house, hehe, you have gained a lot, right?"
He Ruhui hurriedly said: "The lower officials don't dare to hide, they have to be supported by adults, and they are in charge of the official department. There are indeed many more people walking around...but...!"
"But take it easy for me." Xue Poye's voice turned cold: "If you go too far when you are a new official, you will be caught by others, don't blame the Holy Majesty for being merciless."
"Your official understands." He Ruhui wiped off his cold sweat, and said respectfully: "However, a few people who were sent to the official post saw it, and they still have some skills, so they were released on errands in other states. The lower official dare not hide it, so this gift is also accepted. Some... Uh, the servants have already brought them over and handed them over to Mr. Hu, honoring your lord."
Xue Poye sighed: "Officials are never clean, and this is something that everyone knows. For those officials who are released, let them do it first and investigate it. If it doesn't work, it's better to remove it earlier. You and I Now everything is on business for the Holy One, and you must always think about the country and the country of the Holy One, this money... It is naturally not lenient to accept it, but it should not be accepted, once you accept it, there will be endless troubles."
He Ruhui even claimed it was.
"My lord, I still have something to report."
"Oh!" Xue Poye rubbed his nose and said, "What's the matter?"
"My lord." He Ruhui approached slightly, and said softly, "You asked the lower officials to arrange for two people to serve in Yongzhou. It seems...it won't work."
Xue Poye's expression turned cold, and he frowned and said, "No? The thirty-six prefectures of Great Chu must have people from the sage, why not Yongzhou?"
He Ruhui said with some embarrassment: "Your official, I really can't put officials in."
Xue Poye was a little angry: "With the support of the sage, you are afraid of local officials? I don't think you need to be a minister of officials."
He Ruhui hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, calm down, this... This is the court's rule, and it may be very difficult to break it."
"Court rules?" Xue Poye calmed down, and suddenly thought that this Yongzhou is the place where the great Chu royal family rose, and it belongs to the place where the great Chu royal family has its roots. Could it be that there are some rules in the middle
When He Ru met Xue Poye, his face showed doubts, and he hurriedly explained: "Your Excellency may not know, this Yongzhou is the foundation of the royal family. In the early days of the founding of the country, the appointment and removal of officials in that area was extremely strict, even if it is a small one. The county magistrate must personally issue an imperial decree, and the Ministry of Officials must not interfere."
"You mean, the officials have no right to interfere in Yongzhou?" Xue Poye frowned, pondered for a while, and said, "Then I'll go and ask the Holy One to issue an imperial edict?"
He Ruhui waved his hand and said, "My lord, listen to me. That was the rule at the beginning of the founding of the country. Now, the rule has changed."
"Oh!" Xue Poye became interested, sat upright, and asked, "What is the rule now? Could it be that even the Holy One can't control it?"
He Ruhui said: "Today's Yongzhou is nominally owned by the imperial court, but in fact, it is the territory of King Mingyue. The appointment and dismissal of officials in Yongzhou are all decided by King Mingyue. Although the imperial court... has the right to interfere, but I'm afraid it's still unknown whether the imperial decree will work there."
"Mingyue King?" Xue Poye had this figure in his memory, and hurriedly asked: "Yes, what is the origin of this Mingyue King?"
He Ruhui glanced at Xue Poye and was a little puzzled. Speaking of which, the Mingyue King is a well-known figure in the Great Chu Kingdom. Anyone with a little experience knows this person. As a powerful figure in the Great Chu Kingdom, Mr. Xue seems to be But I don't know much about it.
"My lord, King Mingyue is the cousin of the late Emperor Deqing."
"The first emperor's cousin?" Xue Poye became even more interested: "Then why did he go to Yongzhou? Well... it is because of him that the imperial court can't get involved in the affairs of Yongzhou. From this point of view, the Mingyue King is a powerful person." character."
He Ruhui was a little speechless. It seems that Lord Xue really doesn't know the background of King Mingyue. It seems that he needs to explain.
"Emperor Yangwu was a great talent and general plan. He was the sage monarch of our Great Chu Kingdom, but...died young and passed away before the age of forty. Before Emperor Yangwu died, because the prince was young and for the sake of the country, Emperor Yangwu passed on the throne to My younger brother, who will later become Emperor Guangyu. Emperor Guangyu once said that when he abdicates, he will be passed on to the prince of Emperor Yangwu... My lord, this prince of Emperor Yangwu is the current Mingyue King."
Xue Poye was startled, and vaguely understood something, and said in a low voice: "Then Emperor Guangyu is not said to be in the Mingyue King?"
He Ruhui shook his head and said: "Before Emperor Guangyu died, he didn't fulfill his original promise... Damn the next official, he insulted the previous emperor...!" At this point, He Ruhui suddenly thought that what he said was a taboo, and he dared not Go on.
Xue Poye looked around, Zhang Hu had already gone out, there was no one else in the garden, he patted He Ruhui on the shoulder, and said: "Just say it, it's just you and me here, out of your mouth, into my ear , unknown to outsiders."
He Ru would be a little nervous, but seeing Xue Poye eagerly wishing to continue, he dared not refuse, and said in a low voice: "Emperor Guangyu did not pass the throne to King Mingyue, but to his second prince, who is the first Emperor Deqing died. Because of this matter, Emperor Guangyu's eldest prince almost caused trouble, but was calmed down by the previous emperor. The eldest prince was imprisoned in a big prison, and died suddenly within two years... Until today, no one knows How did the First Prince die?"
Xue Poye knew in his heart that the eldest prince was executed secretly by Emperor Deqing in all likelihood.
"At that time, there were still a group of courtiers who supported Mingyue King, and moved out the promise of Emperor Guangyu, claiming that it was not the previous emperor, but Mingyue King who should succeed the Great Unification. For this reason, the court was divided into two factions, and those who supported Mingyue King occupied instead. Most of them... This has something to do with Emperor Yangwu's majesty and grandeur, which won the hearts of the people." He Ruhui lowered his voice as much as possible, as if he was afraid of being heard talking to the royal family: "Before Emperor Guangyu died, he felt ashamed of Mingyue. Therefore, the king issued a decree to designate Yongzhou as the fiefdom of King Mingyue, and the king of Mingyue can handle all affairs alone. Although the meaning is not clear, everyone knows that it is to make Yongzhou a country within a country. And King Mingyue is the little emperor of Great Chu."
Xue Poye was shocked when he heard this. This routine was very similar to the story of Zhao Kuangyin in the Song Dynasty who was located in Zhao Guangyi. Although the Song Dynasty did not appear in the history of this era, this story was staged in the Chu Dynasty.
"King Mingyue is a quiet person by nature, and he doesn't like disputes between courts... In the end, the two factions couldn't stand each other, and King Mingyue voluntarily withdrew from the emperor's dispute and went to Yongzhou. I respect King Mingyue very much, and you must know that as long as you stand up, King Mingyue may not be able to be the emperor...!"
Xue Poye frowned thoughtfully.
"It is said that after King Yue went to Yongzhou, the affairs of Yongzhou were handed over to the deputy generals under him. He only planted flowers and fish every day, and never participated in political affairs. And the group of people under him, because they were not angry with Emperor Guangyu, The failure of his promise is because he has never obeyed the orders sent by the court. As for the officials sent by the court, they either disappeared for no reason, or returned to the court in a shitty manner. King Mingyue has a quiet personality and never seeks rebellion, and according to his temperament, I am afraid he would not do such a thing, otherwise he would have a chance when he was in the capital." He Ruhui sighed: "King Mingyue's heart Wide, and came to Beijing several times to meet the late emperor, and each time he brought a large amount of Yongzhou specialties. It is said that the relationship between the two is very harmonious... Hehe, when the first queen comes, he will have less control over Yongzhou, and the Mingyue King is there , and it can also resist the Hu people's invasion from Yangguan, which is a lot of worry."
"In this way, it is really not easy for us to put officials in." Xue Poye murmured.
Although it shows that Yue Wang has no intention of rebellion, but there is still a country within a country inside the Great Chu Kingdom, Xue Poye always feels a little uncomfortable.
In the whole world, is it the king's land, and there is no king's minister on the shore of the land, but the existence of Yongzhou made this sentence change a little bit in the Great Chu Kingdom.
…
After He Ruhui left, Xue Poye dealt with a few matters in terms of tactics, so he wanted to go to Xiao Su's side to have a look.
Qiaoshou Zhang didn't want to come at first, but after hearing about the novelty of "gunpowder", he was quite curious, and when he came to Kyoto, after seeing it, he kept admiring it, so he stayed, and together with Xiao Su stick, another Several technicians from the Lu Gong camp sent by Xue Poye started to study together.
After the death of Emperor Deqing, Xue Poye quietly intervened in the Lu Gong camp under the Ministry of Industry, just to use his own ideas to manufacture some more advanced equipment and tools, and selected a few highly skilled workers from among them. The technicians participated in the further expansion of gunpowder research.
According to Xue Poye's thinking, there is no doubt that, like many traversers, he wants to build pistols, cannons and other things that can be called weapons of mass destruction in this era, but he deeply understands that the backwardness of the times, even if there are It is extremely difficult for a highly skilled person to research a cannon pistol. It is very difficult. He can only pay attention to this research with a heart of expectation.
Under Xiao Suzhen's service, she changed her clothes and was about to leave the palace, but the new emperor's order came from the palace, ordering Xue Po to enter the palace quickly at night.
"Damn it!" Xue Poye was a little depressed: "What is Xiaoshitou doing, he always yells two or three times a day."
But he knew that at this time, he was the only person Xiaoshi trusted, and the little emperor always had to discuss with him about anything. She had no choice but to take off the casual clothes she had just put on, and under Xiao Suzhen's service, she changed into court clothes again, took the opportunity to show her sexual desires to Xiao Suzhen, and then rushed to the palace in a sedan chair.