Beijing, October 28, early morning.
He went up to the Emperor's Gate and issued the Datong Calendar for the first year of Wanli.
When they had already visited the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Emperor Zhuang and the Divine Master were still having a few feasts, and they offered sacrifices in regular robes, asking only the Holy Spirit to come to the temple to enjoy the sacrifices.
…
After Zhu Yijun finished offering sacrifices to the Ancestral Temple, he did not return to the palace immediately.
Instead, he came to the Zhenwu Temple next to the Taimiao Temple.
Zhu Yijun, accompanied by Taichang Temple, performed sacrifices to Emperor Zhenwu.
Then he cordially received the three Taoist temple masters.
Not all of the three temple masters are from Zhenwu Temple.
They are Taoist leaders selected from Taoist temples such as Dongyue Emperor Temple, Capital City God Temple, and Sanqing Temple to accompany the emperor.
Although they all have extraordinary practices, they all have sad faces at the moment.
When Zhu Yijun saw that the three of them were not very cooperative, he couldn't help but frown: "Three masters, please don't try to trick me. I've been through it all before."
"You are more than just that little incense money."
"You all make a living by borrowing money from the eight prefectures and two prefectures of Beizhili. You even borrowed some Taoist temples to Hebei!"
"Why can't I borrow some money but refuse? I can't do my business?"
Seeing the emperor's downcast expression, the three Taoist leaders were a little embarrassed.
One of the Yuanshen Taoists smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, although the three of us were promoted to be leaders, we are not as obedient as your Majesty."
"We are not the ones who can decide all the hundreds of buildings in the capital, large and small."
"Your Majesty...it's not a small amount after all."
It's so evasive, but everyone knows the reason.
People borrowed money at usurious rates and were not afraid of paying it back. No matter how bad it was, they could still take it in and become tenants.
What if your emperor comes to borrow money and doesn't pay it back? You can't have the White Lotus Sect or the Five Pecks of Rice Sect to violently collect debts, right?
It’s okay to ask for a small amount. Once it comes, the lion will open its mouth. Who can agree?
Zhu Yijun is not an ignorant person.
He said with affection: "That's not what you said. For these three outstanding meritorious officials, the royal family will give you fertile land free of tax, but you are in contact with the three of them."
"How come you can speak up when it's beneficial, but can't be the master when it comes to solving your father's problems?"
Daomen has always been an extension of imperial power.
It can be said that the most obedient among these religions is Taoism.
The share of money that should be paid is usually in full.
Even when lending to foreign countries, they are much more restrained than the bald ones.
But there will naturally be no shortage of people who put it into their own pockets.
Now that Zhu Yijun was short of money, he was counting on Feng Bao to raid his house and get some goods.
In my previous life, I could exceed one million taels, but in this life I will die early. With a discount, two hundred thousand taels is not too much, right?
As a result, Shuntian Mansion was so embarrassed that they only offered 20,000 taels to deal with the problem.
It was because he got angry and prepared to dispatch the Jin Yiwei that he forced the cabinet to suppress Shuntian Mansion again and vomited forty thousand taels.
Of course only cash.
As for the antiques, calligraphy and paintings? They look like those from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, but they are actually from the last week.
There is nothing we can do about this.
Historically, Qianlong asked Chen Huizu to ransack his home. As a result, Chen Huizu took three million for himself and only gave one million to the court.
Even more outrageous is Wei Zhongxian. With his status and position, thousands of taels were confiscated from his home, and people who didn't know it thought he was an upright official.
Everyone knows what's going on, but it's difficult to put it into practice.
As a result, His Majesty the Emperor can only keep it in mind and prepare to settle accounts in the future.
If you don’t have enough money, you will naturally have no choice but to play in the autumn wind.
No, today is the time to offer sacrifices to the Ancestral Temple, so I plan to grab some from the hands of the Taoist priests.
After hearing the emperor's words, Taoist Yuan Shen looked even more embarrassed: "Your Majesty, I and others can add up the sum, but your Majesty's number is really too difficult."
It's only one million taels. Do you think there is a silver mine growing under the Taoist temple?
Zhu Yijun understood very well and followed the good advice: "How about the high skills?"
It's all about borrowing money in name, so it doesn't hurt to be a bit thick-skinned.
Taoist Yuan Shen apologized, led the other two Taoist leaders, and hid aside to discuss.
Zhu Yijun waited patiently.
It didn't take long for the three Taoist leaders to finish their discussion.
Taoist Yuan Shen said: "Your Majesty, after we calculated it, we should be able to raise ninety-seven thousand, two hundred taels for the internal funds. Although it is a bit less, to show our sincerity, the interest will be halved."
"Your Majesty, although my sect..."
Zhu Yijun interrupted him directly.
Taking advantage of the victory, he pursued the attack and said, "High-gong, this is bullying me..."
Before he finished speaking, Jiang Keqian came in from outside and whispered something beside the emperor.
Zhu Yijun immediately changed his words: "Okay, that's it! I will definitely bear in mind the three loyal monarchs' desire to serve the country!"
Let’s start with how much we can afford. I have something to do now, so I’ll discuss it in detail next time.
Anyway, domestic debt is not a debt, and interest rates are nothing to discuss.
After saying this, he hurriedly left several Taoist leaders behind and left the Zhenwu Hall directly.
Only then did he have time to ask Jiang Keqian: "Hai Rui came to Beijing? Why did it happen faster than expected?"
Jiang Keqian said quickly: "Originally, it was said to be the day after tomorrow, but when the censor of Haiqiandu arrived at Tianjin Weihou, he happened to meet Shilang Wen who had entered the capital."
"Then I entrusted my mother to Minister Wen, and I quickly went to Beijing."
Zhu Yijun secretly sighed that he was really determined to serve the country with all his strength.
In the eyes of outsiders, Hai Rui is a very complicated person.
But in fact, he is a simpler person than Grohe.
He believed from the bottom of his heart in the Three Cardinal Principles and Five Constant Principles, including loving the people and, of course, being loyal to the emperor.
It can be said that Hai Rui is one of the few people in the world who truly regards the emperor as his father.
When Sejong had him imprisoned, he once claimed that he wanted to kill Hai Rui.
Even so, after Sejong died, Hai Rui burst into tears when he heard the news in prison. He cried until he vomited and even fainted on the ground.
This kind of pure person is a sharp sword of imperial power.
Of course, it depends on how you use it.
Zhu Yijun pondered for a while, and then said to Zhang Hong beside him: "My dear, go and welcome Hai Rui personally for me."
Zhang Hong responded and was about to go.
Zhu Yijun suddenly stopped him again: "Wait."
He turned around and returned to Zhenwu Hall.
The monk asked for a piece of pen and ink and started writing in the palace.
Several big characters in one go.
When the pen and ink were dry, he took it out and handed it to Zhang Hong: "Just tell him that I am eagerly waiting for him to come into the palace and share a meal with me."
Zhang Hong took it carefully.
He didn't dare to take a closer look and bowed away.
Zhu Yijun watched Zhang Hong leave, seeming to think of something.
Then he ordered Li Jin beside him: "Let Superintendent Shang Shan look over what kind of lunch Emperor Shizong had on his last day. Let's make a meal like that today."
Li Jin immediately guessed the emperor's intention, and a trace of surprise and awe flashed in his eyes.
He backed out carefully.
…
I don’t know who released the news.
At this time, the streets inside the city gate were already lined with people.
People were rubbing shoulders and looking out of the city gate.
If the residence has a second floor, several heads will be sticking out to look out.
The surrounding restaurants with better views were almost fully booked.
At this moment, someone on the tower shouted: "Coming! Coming!"
The crowd suddenly started shouting.
"Hai Qingtian is here!"
"I saw it, I saw it!"
Suddenly, there was an uproar of people, and the sky was filled with noise.
A tall horse slowly crossed the moat and appeared in everyone's sight.
Hai Rui is now fifty-eight years old.
After a long journey, I couldn't help but look tired.
The gray hair on the temples and the ravine-lined face all reveal countless weathered weather.
When he arrived outside the city gate, he dismounted his horse and led the way, looking at the capital in front of him with a complicated expression.
At that time, all kinds of things appeared before my eyes again.
He dismissed his wife, children, and mother, and remonstrated with Shizong, hoping that Shizong would regain his strength and eliminate the long-standing shortcomings.
He regarded death as if he were in prison and went to die generously. However, he heard that Shizong regarded him as Bigan and said to himself that he did not want to be King Zhou.
Later, when he heard that Emperor Shizong had passed away, he was as grief-stricken as if he had lost his father.
Later, Mu Zong revived him.
One by one, they appear one after another, just like watching flowers on a horse.
After being abandoned by Mu Zong and serving as an official and returning to Hainan, he never thought that he would have a chance to be revived.
The capital city only appears in dreams.
But I didn't expect that I would come here again now.
Towering city wall, the center of the Ming Dynasty!
Thinking of the new emperor's handwritten letter sent along with the imperial edict in early August, he became agitated again.
He pulled the reins, walked into the capital with his head held high!
As Hai Rui entered the city.
The onlookers soon became noisy.
"Haiqingtian!"
"Finally seeing you old again!"
"Hai Qingtian has entered Beijing!"
The crowd pushed forward one after another.
If the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Department had not arranged for people to watch early, I am afraid it would have been blocked.
Hai Rui raised his head and looked at the people around him with a complicated expression.
In order not to cause trouble, he never revealed his identity along the way.
But once we arrived in Beizhili, we were greeted by people everywhere we went.
He would be lying if he said it was no trouble, but this sense of satisfaction was enough to make him cry.
He had no choice but to respond.
Just at this moment, the sound of horse hooves came from far away.
Zhang Hong led his men on horseback.
Seeing that there were too many people crowded around, I had no choice but to dismount and squeeze through the crowd.
Shouting: "The censor of Haiqiandu! Zhang Hong, the chief seal of the Superintendent of Ceremonies, welcomes you personally on behalf of your majesty!"
With loud shouts, he finally pushed through the crowd and came to Hai Rui.
Hai Rui was about to salute.
Zhang Hong helped him: "Haiqiandu Censor, this is not an oral instruction, but His Majesty's concern for you."
Hai Rui pursed his lips but insisted on saluting.
He bowed in the direction of the imperial city.
Then he stood up and said, "I respectfully listen to His Majesty's edict."
Zhang Hong looked at the stubborn Hai Rui and couldn't help but admire him for a moment.
He slowly said: "Your Majesty said that you are tired from the journey, so there is no need to rush to the official office. You can rest for a few days and settle down before talking."
The Ministry of Personnel has a date limit for officials to take office.
For a person like Hai Rui who has extremely high demands on himself, the first thing he does when arriving at a place is to take up a post in a government office.
The emperor specifically gave this instruction.
Hai Rui suddenly felt uncomfortable with this kind of meticulous concern.
I was at a loss for a moment and thanked him in a panic.
"His Majesty also said that since you have no place to stay after entering Beijing, you can first go to Uncle Wu Qing's house and stay for a few days. Your Majesty has already informed Uncle Wu Qing."
Hai Rui repeatedly declined: "I have my own place to go, so I won't bother the father-in-law."
Zhang Hong didn't insist either.
He only motioned to the little eunuch behind him and held up a piece of Yuan Shu paper.
"Censor of Haiqiandu, this is a handwritten letter from His Majesty, personally given to you, inviting you to share the meal."
Hai Rui was startled.
Immediately I took it with some anticipation and some nervousness.
Unfold gently.
I only saw a few large characters in the letter. The writing style was immature, but it had some aura.
This is: Wherever the Tao is, even if tens of thousands of people go there.
Hai Rui suddenly stopped moving and stood silently on the spot.
A long time passed.
Then he pursed his lips and took a deep breath.
He nodded expressionlessly: "Zhang Dajue leads the way."
After Hai Rui said this, he remained silent.
He just bowed his hands and returned the greetings to the people on the left and right.
Followed behind Zhang Hong silently.
Why was he in such a hurry to come to the capital?
Naturally, it is not a mere official position in Panhuan.
He is already fifty-eight, his wife and children are dead, and he has no money left. How can he covet official position?
The reason why he came so eagerly was because the emperor actually wrote to him in handwriting, sincerely inviting him!
He only said, "It is difficult to move forward in eradicating the accumulated shortcomings. I hope Haiqing will help."
These few words almost brought tears to his eyes.
Not only because Hai Rui is valued by the emperor, but because the current emperor actually intends to eliminate the long-standing abuses!
He went through three dynasties.
I saw with my own eyes how Emperor Sejong changed from an emperor who worked hard to govern to a Miao Yifei Yuan Zhenjun who was seeking immortality and regardless of the world.
There were rumors at that time.
It is said that he worked hard to cure him, but he could not move even an inch, so that some palace maids strangled him and set the palace on fire.
Although Hai Rui didn't fully believe it, he was extremely sorry that a wise king died, leaving only the body of a Taoist king.
Now that the new emperor has personally told him that it is difficult to eliminate the accumulated abuses, how can he just sit back and watch?
If he hadn't taken his mother with him and had to walk slowly, he would have spread his wings and flown to Beizhili!
Now that he has just entered the capital, the emperor is a man of truth.
This is obviously a tribute to him, how could it not make him heartbroken?
He has been tossing and turning almost every night these days.
I thought to myself, what difficulties did the emperor encounter with such eager expectations?
If he is repeatedly blocked, will he give up on himself like King Sejong?
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, and the more he thought about it, the more afraid he became.
This holy king must never be alone again and repeat what happened to Sejong!
While thinking about it, Hai Rui entered the imperial city.
Zhang Hong led him all the way to Wenhua Hall.
Zhang Hong said softly: "Your Majesty is in the inner room, and our family will send it here."
Hai Rui raised his head and glanced at the Wenhua Palace, feeling filled with emotion.
He took a deep breath, calmed down, and walked in slowly.
As soon as he entered the door, he heard a childish voice.
"Haiqing! Please let me wait!"
I saw a figure wearing Xuanduan dark clothes and Yan Bian clothes approaching quickly.
He grabbed Hai Rui's hand and pulled it straight inside.
Ignore Hai Rui's stunned look.
Zi Guzi said: "Hai Qing, I have read your public security notes since I was a child, and I have kept you in my heart. Today, I finally have the chance to meet you."
Hai Rui finally came to his senses and broke away to salute.
Zhu Yijun held him tight and did not let go, and said comfortingly: "Today we meet in private, you don't need to salute, so as not to waste the time you and I have to talk to each other."
Hai Rui was dragged and couldn't bow down, and he didn't really follow the rules.
Instead, he bowed and saluted to show the distinction between monarch and minister.
He advised: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, you must not lose your status as a minister."
Although he was extremely happy to receive such courtesy.
But the mood of the ministers is of minor importance, while the status of the Holy Master is of greater concern.
Zhu Yijun suddenly turned to look at Hai Rui.
It’s decided.
With a complicated look on his face, he said: "Haiqing, this courtesy is not only given to you by me, but also by my imperial grandfather, Emperor Kao."
Hai Rui was startled.
Given by Shizong and Mu Zong?
What does this mean?
He was about to ask a question.
Zhu Yijun interrupted him, brought Hai Rui to the banquet, and stretched out his hand to motion for Hai Rui to sit down.
He pointed to the dishes at the banquet and said with some nostalgia: "This is what my emperor's grandfather served on the day he passed away."
He raised his hand to hold down Hai Rui, who was about to get up again, and continued: "I heard that when you heard that Shizong passed away, you were so heartbroken that you vomited all your food."
"This meal is not only shared by me and you, but also shared by my imperial grandfather."
Having said this, he sighed quietly: "Hai Qing, before my emperor's grandfather passed away, he told my emperor Kao... Hai Rui was right to scold him, but he was wrong."
After saying this, there was no sound of Hai Rui prostrating as expected.
Zhu Yijun couldn't help it, so he quietly turned his head and glanced at Hai Rui.
At this moment, Hai Rui was choked and unable to speak.
His eyes were half open and half closed, looking like he was on the verge of collapse!
At this moment, Hai Rui's heart felt like it was overwhelming and he couldn't control himself.
Even though I knew that this was a disgrace to you, I still couldn't stop my emotions from boiling over.
Emperor Sejong...
The emperor whom he had placed high hopes in, hoping that he would wake up and eliminate his long-standing shortcomings.
He bluntly insulted Zhenjun Feiyuan, saying, "Your Majesty, the world has not been straight for a long time."
No wonder he regarded Hai Rui as Bigan and said to himself that he was not King Zhou.
Father Jun...it turns out that he really realized his mistake.
Thinking of this, his eyes almost went dark and he was about to fall down.
Zhu Yijun saw that he was shaking and quickly called for someone to help him.
The two young eunuchs quickly approached and were about to help the man.
Hai Rui pushed the young eunuch away, got up and avoided the table, and prostrated himself.
Kowtow and bow down.
Four times in a row.
He bowed three times and kowtowed four times.
"I have no father and no king. I abandon my country and my family. I am guilty!"
When I looked up again, tears were streaming down my face.
Zhu Yijun quickly supported him: "Hai Qing, please don't say this. My imperial ancestor said that you are an upright official and a good official."
"You are not guilty!"
Hai Ruijian couldn't afford to resign.
Choking with sobs, he said: "I ignored the holy body of the temple, submitted a public security report, did what I said, and insulted your father!"
"I was ordered by the late emperor to seize the land and rank, but it provoked a civil uprising, which is unworthy of the holy hope!"
"I am a sinner and I dare not accept the courtesy of the Holy One!"
Out of his sincerity, he gave advice to the emperor, and everyone in the world applauded him.
However, only Hai Rui felt pain in his heart - he was indeed insulting his father.
Not to mention, he originally wanted to die, but Sejong didn't kill him, and he always owed Sejong one time.
Then Mu Zong used him to let Xu Jie return to his fields, but it triggered a civil uprising and ended badly. This was a debt to Mu Zong.
At this time, he was treated with courtesy by the new emperor and heard Shizong's wishes.
All the pain and embarrassment surged up again.
Zhu Yijun helped Hai Rui up with all his strength.
He sighed: "You don't have to blame yourself. My imperial grandfather and Huang Kao have no grudges."
"Before the emperor's grandfather passed away, he told the emperor that he would neither pardon nor convict Hai Rui."
"It's just to keep you for the emperor's examination."
"As for Xu Jie's return to his fields, I agree that you will become an official..."
He faced Dayu Mountain and said softly: "I, Huang Kao, personally lamented that he was not talented enough to protect you."
"Allowing you to continue doing things will only harm loyal ministers."
When Hai Rui heard this, he burst into tears: "Chen...chen..."
Then he lost his bearings and burst into tears!
Zhu Yijun looked at Hai Rui quietly, waiting for him to calm down, and did not disturb him again.
Finally, after a while.
Hai Rui gradually calmed down and apologized for the misconduct.
Zhu Yijun quickly interrupted him and finally talked about today's key points without leaving any trace.
He asked sincerely: "Hai Qing, the two late emperors have failed you, are you still willing to help me?"
Hai Rui was like a drowning man, clinging to the river bank.
The determination on his face was unprecedented.
He said in a loud voice: "Now that I have received the emperor's salary, you are my father. I am willing to do my best for your majesty, even if I die!"
Zhu Yijun was moved and took Hai Rui's big hands.
With tears in his eyes he said: "If you are a loyal minister, I will never let you down again!"
"Then I can safely entrust you with clarifying the matter of salt administration in the Huaihe River."
Chapter completed!