Chapter 612 The country trusts you!

At that time, all the civil and military officials of the court were still under the Meridian Gate, and they were thrown into chaos because of a sudden oral order from the emperor.

There were countless guesses at once.

Yan Shaoting, who set off from Changping immediately after inquiring, stood in front of the gate of Wanshou Palace again after many years.

Originally, it took half a day to travel between Changping and the capital, but this time he completed the entire journey in only about an hour.

As a result, a horse was lost on the way.

Fortunately, he met someone who came out of the palace to deliver the imperial edict. He asked for the other person's horse and then continued to rush to the West Garden with Lu Yi.

As for the people in the palace, they had to continue to go to Changping to convey the emperor's oral instructions to Yan Song.

Yan Shaoting also understood this.

After all, my old man was the only one in the current dynasty who was granted the title of Grand Tutor while he was still a civil servant.

Now that such a big thing has happened in the palace and the emperor's condition is still unclear, someone must be in charge of the court.

Even if the old man doesn't say anything.

But as long as he puts on the official robe that belongs only to the prime minister of the current dynasty and sits at the center of the cabinet, he can intimidate most people.

I raised my eyes and looked towards the Wanshou Palace which I hadn’t seen for many years.

At this moment, Yan Shaoting couldn't help feeling a little strange.

The memories of working under the old Taoist priest in the past gradually emerged before my eyes.

At that time, the imperial court still had many accumulated problems, and there were endless struggles within the court, and countless cases of officials oppressing each other.

Almost every day, officials under the control of the old Taoist priest fall from power due to mutual attacks.

But for Yan Shaoting, his most exciting life was when the old Taoist priest was in power.

Nothing in Wanshou Palace has changed.

The red walls and glazed tiles continue to tell the story of this imperial power center.

The person guarding the palace gate has changed.

Yan Shaoting glared at Yan Hu, who was leading his troops guarding the palace gate.

Yan Hu was originally preparing to grin at his brother, but seeing his attitude, he immediately curled his lips and turned his head to look away.

At this moment.

The people who entered earlier had already passed on the news that Yan Shaoting had come in response to orders.

Then a rare acquaintance appeared in front of Yan Shaoting.

Chen Ju, who has now become the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, walked out of the Wanshou Palace with a smile on his face and came in front of Yan Shaoting.

The eunuch, with whom he had become friends because of a handkerchief, stared at Yan Shaoting for a while.

Chen Ju then spoke up, "The young guard has finally arrived. The news has been delivered to His Majesty. His Majesty has just taken some medicine and now looks much better. The young guard should quickly follow me into the palace to see His Majesty."

Yan Shaoting nodded, without saying much, and followed Chen Ju through the palace gate and into the Wanshou Palace.

Chen Ju, who was walking in front, did not move, but lowered his head. His voice reached Yan Shaoting's ears: "The old ancestor and Eunuch Huang sent a letter a few days ago, saying that because of the care of the young protector, the two of them are guarding the imperial mausoleum for the late emperor in Changping, which is considered a good thing. Now that there is nothing to do, the old ancestor has grown flesh."

Yan Shaoting smiled.

At the beginning, because Longqing was addicted to women, Tengxiang was promoted step by step in the palace by offering women as tributes. Lu Fang, Huang Jin and others also saw this and made suggestions, so they resigned from their jobs in the palace and went to Changping to guard the imperial tomb for the previous emperor.

Although he was in charge of guarding the tomb of the previous emperor, he lived in a villa on Shuyuan Mountain most of the time.

Just as Chen Ju said.

With nothing to do, he naturally felt relaxed and his complexion was naturally better than when he was in the palace before.

Chen Ju then said, "The Grand Protector has always been a kind person. For those of us in the palace who are of low status to be taken care of by the Grand Protector must be a blessing from our past lives."

Yan Shaoting responded softly at this time: "Eunuch Chen, I have something to say..."

Chen Ju continued to walk without stopping, and did not even turn his head. He just whispered, "Yes, Shao Bao is right."

Then he changed the subject.

She continued, "At midnight, the palace caught fire. The emperor had not been in good health for the past few days, and that was why he was frightened. He was so angry that he vomited blood. He was unconscious for more than an hour before waking up. When he woke up, he asked Eunuch Teng to seal all the palace gates, General Yan and the Dragon and Tiger Army to guard the West Garden, General Guo's 3,000 close troops to guard the Meridian Gate and other places, and Eunuch Feng's Imperial Horse Supervisor to control the inside and outside of the Forbidden City. Then he asked Eunuch Teng to send someone to tell the Shao Bao to come to the palace to meet the emperor."

As Chen Ju explained, Yan Shaoting gradually grasped more details about the current situation in the palace.

Longqing ordered Xiao Que'er, Guo Yuchuang and Feng Bao to completely control the people under their command inside and outside the Forbidden City. He must have known that the fire in the Qianqing Palace might involve other things, so he gave the order because he was worried.

However, doing so might prevent the civil and military officials outside from entering the palace to meet the emperor and understand his situation in the first place.

But for the emperor, this was the most correct approach.

As for summoning myself into the palace.

Although he knew how long Longqing had been on the throne and was also aware of what he had done in the Western Garden in recent years, when he thought of the time when the emperor was still a prince in the imperial palace, he held his hand and called him "younger brother" in public, no matter what his original intention was.

Yan Shaoting couldn't bear it after all.

He couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Your Majesty now?"

Chen Ju finally slowed down his pace, and the two of them stood in the middle of the steps in front of the Wanshou Palace.

Chen Ju glanced around and whispered, "Your Majesty didn't look very good when he woke up. He got better after taking some medicine and had more energy and blood. But... I think Your Majesty's condition might be..."

Yan Shaoting frowned: "Final ecstasy?"

Chen Ju's shoulders trembled, and then he hurriedly whispered, "When His Majesty woke up, he asked General Yan, General Guo, and Eunuch Feng to send people to Ciqing Palace to guard the prince. I think... maybe it's really as the young guard said."

After he finished speaking, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, who had always been fair in the palace, couldn't help but look a little worried.

Although there are many bad things happening now.

But in the final analysis, compared with the previous emperor, he was a very merciful person.

Yan Shaoting also felt heavy-hearted: "Then His Majesty summoned me this time..."

Chen Ju immediately said, "I think His Majesty might want to make arrangements."

What have you arranged?
Of course, it’s a matter for after death.

And from the fact that Longqing summoned me immediately after waking up from vomiting blood and fainting, it can be seen that he wanted to entrust the orphan to me and let me, the Prince's Guardian who had been idle for four years, serve as the regent.

Yan Shaoting raised his head and looked towards the Wanshou Palace Hall which was already right in front of him.

He finally whispered, "Be careful and keep an eye on the eunuch who holds the seal for the next few days."

He didn't say specifically.

But Chen Ju already understood.

This meant that he was to secretly keep an eye on Teng Xiang, the current eunuch who held the seal of the Imperial Household Department, in the palace.

After responding, Chen Ju sent Yan Shaoting to the door of the inner hall and stopped.

Not long after the report was made, the sound of an announcement came from the inner hall.

Yan Shaoting stepped into the inner hall of Wanshou Palace, which he had not been to for six or seven years, and sniffed subconsciously.

The scent of incense that the old Taoist priest used to practice in the past has long since vanished.

And now, the inner hall was filled with the faint smell of medicine, mixed with a hint of the fragrance of rouge and powder.

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but be silent for a moment. He lowered his head and walked inside for a while, and then stopped relying on his memory.

He bowed and raised his arms to salute: "Your Highness, I am the Crown Prince's Guardian, Yan Shaoting, and I have been ordered to come to the palace to see the Emperor, to ask for His Majesty's well-being and His Majesty's advice."

His voice echoed in the empty inner hall.

Yan Shaoting lowered his head and saw a corner of clothes passing by in front of him, and then a muffled sound and a human voice came from behind him.

"The young guard is finally here. Your Majesty, please give me a seat. Can you please sit down and play?"

Yan Shaoting then raised his head slightly and looked sideways to his side.

Then he saw Teng Xiang, the eunuch who was now holding the seal of the Imperial Household Department, looking at him with a complicated expression on his face. Yan Shaoting nodded, turned sideways and bowed: "Thank you for holding the seal."

After he finished speaking, he slowly sat down.

Just like when the old man served as the Prime Minister of the Cabinet under the late emperor, only half of his body was lying on the soft stool.

At this time, he finally saw Emperor Longqing, whom he had last seen on New Year's Day more than half a year ago.

At this moment, Emperor Longqing was completely sunk in the dragon bed, supported by bedding and soft pillows.

There didn't seem to be much blood on his face, and his eyes seemed weak and uncertain. But perhaps because he saw himself, he forced a smile on his face, but it seemed very difficult.

"Moisturizing... is coming..."

Yan Shaoting immediately nodded and clasped his fists: "Your Majesty, I am here."

Zhu Zaigui, lying on the dragon bed with his upper body supported by layers of pillows, moved his head as if nodding.

He said weakly, "I... please come closer. I may not be able to see clearly."

While speaking, Zhu Zaigui coughed several times.

Yan Shaoting felt a gloom in his heart for no reason, and he stood up silently. However, Teng Xiang picked up the stool before him and brought it to the dragon bed.

Sit down again.

Yan Shaoting could clearly see the pale skin on Zhu Zaigui's face.

I felt reluctant again.

He spoke in a low voice: "Your Majesty, please ask the imperial physician in the front hall to come in and serve. Now that the new policies are in full swing and the people are enjoying the emperor's grace, it is time for Your Majesty to take charge of the world and implement benevolent policies."

Zhu Zaigui forced an ugly smile and shook his head, his breath still weak and drifting away: "The cabinet has done a very good job over the years, without any fault. I... relied on the grace of the late emperor and the support of the wise men, so that I could enjoy a few years of pleasure. As far as the prosperity of the country is concerned, I have no credit at all."

He was very clear about what he had done in the past few years.

Or maybe it's because he knows his fate, so he has nothing to hide when he speaks out now.

Yan Shaoting remained silent.

Zhu Zaigui smiled and looked at him: "Although I have been a bit absurd in the past few years, the education in Ciqing Palace is good. When I was ill a few days ago, I took advantage of my free time to recall the prince from the academy and tested his knowledge."

Having said this, Zhu Zaigui paused and looked at Teng Xiang standing beside him.

After Teng Xiang understood, he immediately picked up the tea and brought it to the emperor's mouth.

After taking a few sips of water.

Zhu Zaigui then looked at Yan Shaoting with a determined gaze: "Jun'er has a stubborn temper. You have worked hard to educate him in the past few years and have not let him neglect his studies. He has learned both classics and new studies well, and knows a thing or two about various industries. In this way, he can be said to understand people's livelihood. This contribution is all beneficial to others."

Yan Shaoting bowed again, clasped his fists, nodded and said, "When I was appointed by Your Majesty to be the lecturer in the Eastern Palace, it was my duty to teach the Crown Prince. I dare not take credit for it."

Zhu Zaigui shook his head again, and after a burst of coughing, his face became even redder.

He frowned and said, "I probably won't get better, so don't panic. Perhaps this is my fate. I can't live past sixty and reign for forty-five years like my father did. Heaven has never allowed such a blessing."

Yan Shaoting looked up and observed Zhu Zaigui.

Just as Emperor Longqing said, although his complexion looks okay now, it is only superficial and rootless.

Zhu Zaigui laughed, and then forced a smile, and said in a relaxed and casual manner: "You can see that I am in this state now, and I won't have much time left."

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but choke up for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty..."

On the dragon bed, the bedding moved.

It was Zhu Zaigui who stretched his hand out from under the quilt and waved it a few times, shakily.

"Don't say nice things."

"I have always regarded you as my younger brother, and I have been very open with you. I have entrusted all the education of the Eastern Palace to you. I have never given this trust and closeness to anyone else. Therefore, between you and me, we are the ruler and the subject, but now you may as well be more open and less restrained."

Yan Shaoting then nodded: "I obey your command."

Zhu Zaigui's face relaxed a little, and he put down his hand: "I think when you entered the palace, you also knew the situation inside and outside the palace. With your Xiao Que'er, Guo Yuchuang, and Feng Bao, there will be no chaos inside and outside the Forbidden City. Zhenyuan Hou has been trusted by the late emperor for many years. With him in charge of the Beijing camp, there will be no chaos here. In this way, even if I really die, I think nothing will happen to the capital."

After hearing this, Teng Xiang, who was standing by, immediately knelt on the ground, and faint crying sounds could be heard.

However, Zhu Zaigui didn't even look at it.

Instead, he continued to stare at Yan Shaoting.

"I asked you to come here. I think you understand what I mean."

After saying this, Zhu Zaigui sighed.

"Before his death, my father told me that in our court, people like Gao Gong could be prime ministers for a while. But you, Zhang Juzheng, and Hai Rui are the ones who can truly make our Ming Dynasty prosperous. I have no doubt about this, but because Master Gao worked hard in the palace, I have never thought of replacing him in the past few years."

"But now..."

suddenly.

Zhu Zaigui paused for a moment.

After a while, the hesitation on his face quietly disappeared.

"The order to send an edict to Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui to return to Beijing was issued before you entered the palace."

"I will hold on for a few more days. I have to wait until they are about to arrive in Beijing..."

Yan Shaoting frowned immediately: "Your Majesty!"

Zhu Zaigui laughed: "Forget it, forget it, I won't say those unlucky words in front of you. But the Crown Prince is young, and now he is only a ten-year-old child. Although you have taught him for many years, how can he be responsible for the politics of a country? The burden of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty cannot be carried on his shoulders now!"

This is his eyesight.

So what I said was very decisive.

Zhu Zaigui then said, "So you, Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui should help him for a few years. When he grows up and knows how to properly handle military and national affairs, you can slowly let him take over. As for Master Gao... after I come... there may be some chaos in the court, but I have asked the Grand Tutor to return to the capital to take charge, so I don't think there will be too much chaos. When the time comes, you should be more lenient to Master Gao and leave him a decent life. But I can't say these words to him alone, so I have to ask you to be the bad guy for once."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Zaigui finally kept his mouth shut for a long time, and just stared quietly at the young minister in front of him, who had just grown a little beard and was about to be entrusted with the affairs of state by him.

Yan Shaoting took a deep breath.

"Your Majesty, I will do my best to fulfill your responsibilities. I will never let the East Palace make any mistakes. I will definitely shoulder the responsibility of ruling the country!"

That's what has been said.

It was obvious that Longqing wanted to entrust his son to me, so I had nothing to hold back.

The promises that should be made were given immediately.

Yan Shaoting then said: "Yuan Fu has great virtue and talent, and has made great contributions to the country. I will also treat him well and will not let others say anything."

Seeing that everything he asked was done.

Zhu Zaigui's face became more relaxed. He finally had some strength to nod his head and said with a smile, "Come a little closer."

Yan Shaoting looked puzzled, but still stood up and walked forward to stand in front of Zhu Zaigui.

At this moment, Zhu Zaigui reached out and grabbed his hand.

Just when Yan Shaoting's expression was moved.

Zhu Zaigui's other hand had already taken out an imperial edict from under the quilt beside him and placed it in front of him, then he grabbed his hand and refused to let go.

"You worked hard for many years, and I know that you have been living in seclusion in Changping in recent years."

"I have nothing to give you..."

"I hope you will not forget our friendship as king and subject, and continue to work hard for me and... and the child in the East Palace."

"now……"

"I... can also trust the country to nourish all things."

"Only then can you feel at ease..."

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(End of this chapter)