Chapter 487 The Emperor’s Dignity
Inside the Jingshe of Yuxi Palace.
Emperor Jiajing sat cross-legged on the futon. Xu Jie, Zhao Wenhua, Cao Dewen and other three people lowered their hands slightly, lowered their heads slightly, and bowed their backs slightly, looking extremely respectful. .
"Tell me, who of you will speak first?"
Emperor Jiajing also gave a few people any hints, and just said it.
After Xu Jie heard this, his heart trembled disobediently, and Zhao Wenhua and Cao Dewen next to him were not much better.
Although Zhao Wenhua was panicked, he was more hesitant, wondering whether he should speak in front of Xu Jie.
After all, in today's Jingshe, Xu Jie is the one with the highest official position. He didn't even reply. How could the others have the nerve to answer the emperor's words?
What should I do if I really get into trouble?
So in panic and hesitation, Zhao Wenhua glanced at Xu Jie slightly from the corner of his eye.
Cao Dewen on the other side was even more at a loss. This was the first time he was summoned to the monastery by Emperor Jiajing. You must know that in normal times, he didn't even have a chance to see Tianyan.
After all, Emperor Jiajing was an emperor who cultivated immortality but did not go to court. To see such an emperor was simply harder than reaching heaven.
But now that he finally had the chance to see Tianyan, Cao Dewen was really panicked. He really didn't know how to act in front of the emperor.
So Cao Dewen couldn't help but turn his head and look at Xu Jie. After Xu Jie looked at him like this, he wanted to die. How could he whisper to each other so openly in front of the emperor? Isn't this a clear intention to tell the emperor that there is something going on between them?
Emperor Jiajing looked at the small movements of the three of them. Only Xu Jie was as steady as an old dog, showing no unnecessary movements or emotions. At the same time, Emperor Jiajing also glanced at Zhao Wenhua. He also thought this person was interesting.
Everyone knows that Zhao Wenhua is Yan Song's adopted son, but this matter leaked out from the Ministry of Industry, which shows that Zhao Wenhua must also be one of the insiders.
But as to when he learned about it, and when he leaked it to the General Affairs Department, this was the focus of Emperor Jiajing's attention.
As for Cao Dewen's performance, there was no surprise in the eyes of Emperor Jiajing, but he was still very angry with Cao Dewen's attitude of following others, as if he was not an official of the imperial court, but an official of Xu Jie Officer, how can Emperor Jiajing tolerate this?
But this was also the time when Emperor Jiajing was having an attack. He waited quietly for these three people to see how they were going to answer his questions.
Xu Jie waited for a while but did not hear Zhao Wenhua speak, nor did he hear Cao Dewen speak, and was even looked at by Cao Dewen so blindly. If it were not for the teachings of sages and sages over the years, he would probably not be able to speak at this moment. I couldn't help but curse my mother in my heart.
But at this moment, Emperor Jiajing's words cannot go unanswered, otherwise when Emperor Jiajing starts to roll call in anger, it may not be so simple to pass the test.
But Xu Jie didn't know what to say if he asked him to open his mouth.
You can’t say that you instructed Cao Dewen to suppress the memorial for a few days before submitting it. If this was said, it would be a huge crime. If Emperor Jiajing seized on this and asked him about his crime, then Even if he was covered in mouth, he wouldn't be able to explain clearly.
So Xu Jie felt really miserable at this time.
And just when Xu Jie was so sad and angry that he didn't know what to say, Cao Dewen couldn't bear it any longer. He knelt down on the gold bricks in the monastery and said, "Return to your majesty, I have something to say."
Emperor Jiajing looked at Cao Dewen who suddenly knelt on the ground, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, are there really heroes?
"Tell me, what do you want to say?"
Emperor Jiajing said a word without any emotion with an indifferent expression. This sentence is simply better than what he said in the twelfth lunar month outside. The cold wind is even colder and biting.
Xu Jie and Zhao Wenhua had different thoughts when they saw Cao Dewen leading the charge so recklessly.
Xu Jie couldn't help but cursed in his heart, but Zhao Wenhua breathed a sigh of relief, because in his vision and plan, he was suitable to speak second, as long as there were others Lay the groundwork and the rest will be much easier.
Cao Dewen didn't know Xu Jie's thoughts, let alone Zhao Wenhua's calculations. He knew that the pressure from Emperor Jiajing was too great at this moment. If he didn't express his position, the consequences might be very serious, so he suddenly stepped forward.
Cao Dewen said: "I recently received a memorandum from the Ministry of Industry, which mentioned a major event. After several days of deliberation, I forwarded this memorandum to the Supervisor of Rites today and returned it. I hope that your majesty will forgive me for the sin of death."
Emperor Jiajing chuckled: "Then you do. What kind of big thing is this? Let’s see if I can forgive you.”
No matter how stupid Cao Dewen is at this time, he still hears the yin and yang of Emperor Jiajing. He couldn't help but his heart trembled, and at the same time he glanced at Xu Jie unconsciously.
But this action fell into Xu Jie's eyes. Xu Jie really stabbed him to death. Is it so deceptive? At this moment, Xu Jie now suspected that Cao Dewen was the undercover agent Yan Song and Yan Shifan deliberately placed beside him.
After Emperor Jiajing saw Cao Dewen's little action, he was unhappy and said: "What are you looking for? Is there still dirty things in my monastery?"
Emperor Jiajing's dirty words even meant that Xu Jie's heart was filled with despair.
He was already disgraced by being the "Following Elder" some time ago, and now he is called a "dirty thing" by Emperor Jiajing. How can this be dealt with?
When Zhao Wenhua on the side saw this situation, he was like a normal person eating melons. He felt that it was an accident.
You must know that as the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, although the number of times he can see the driver is limited, at least he can see it a few times throughout the year. Therefore, Zhao Wenhua can still bear to see such a unique scene at this time. I can't help but want to eat melon.
After all, this kind of good show is not common.
Cao Dewen was frightened by Emperor Jiajing's words and trembled violently. He also knew that he had lost his composure and should not have looked back at Xu Jie at this time.
But now the done thing is done, it’s too late to regret.
He could only bite the bullet and continue: "The big thing I want to talk about is the memorial sent by the Ministry of Works, saying that the beams used in the main hall of your majesty's new palace, Wanshou Palace, should be made of golden nanmu. , but ended up being beaten"
"What happened to him? Is it your fault that he hesitated in speaking?"
Emperor Jiajing asked again unhappily.
Cao Dewen said quickly: "No, no, no, it was not done by me, but by Yan Shifan. It was Yan Shifan who secretly replaced the main beams of the main hall of His Majesty's new palace with ordinary wood."
Cao Dewen was no longer stuck now, and finished the rest of his words in one go.
But after Emperor Jiajing heard about this, he did not show any unnecessary emotions. He just raised his eyes and glanced at Xu Jie, "Do you know about this?"
He was still eating aside. Zhao Wenhua, a melon, couldn't help but be a little surprised when he saw that Emperor Jiajing did not follow the routine and directly named Xu Jie. This was different from the script he had imagined. Why is His Majesty so bland? There is a ghost here!
Zhao Wenhua also lost his bearings for a moment, and his mind began to have random thoughts. At this moment, Xu Jie finally couldn't hold it anymore and knelt down.
Xu Jie's first voice was: "I am guilty, and I know this."
Emperor Jiajing said, "When did you know about it?"
Xu Jie gritted his teeth and said, "I found out a few days ago. It was the envoy Cao Tong who informed me. However, I had no evidence to verify the matter and felt that it was a serious matter, so I did not report it to His Majesty in time. .”
Emperor Jiajing said oh again, "So you still have good intentions?"
But then Emperor Jiajing set his sights on Zhao Wenhua again, "You put this memorial in, right?"
When Zhao Wenhua heard Emperor Jiajing’s question, he knelt down quickly and said, “I put it in the memorandum sent by the Ministry of Industry to the General Affairs Department. At that time, I also felt that this matter was of great importance. There was no way to stop him, so he put it in the memorial sent to the General Affairs Department."
Emperor Jiajing snorted and said, "Does Yan Shifan know? He is the minister of your Ministry of Industry."
Zhao Wenhua said: "Shilang Yan doesn't know that he is a person involved in this matter and should be avoided according to the rules, so I did not inform him."
When Emperor Jiajing heard this, he couldn't help being surprised. He took a deep look at Zhao Wenhua and asked again, why have you become so righteous?
After being looked at by Emperor Jiajing, Zhao Wenhua seemed enlightened and quickly replied: "I am an official of the Ming Dynasty and your Majesty's minister. My wholeheartedness is only for your Majesty and your Majesty." The imperial court. The Ministry of Industry has made such a big mistake, and I can’t escape the blame. Please punish me for not paying attention!”
Emperor Jiajing said. : "You are loyal, what do you think about this matter?"
Emperor Jiajing asked the question to Zhao Wenhua again, Zhao Wenhua said: "I think that for the current plan, Wanshouxin should be fully inspected. Palace, check whether the project is qualified."
Emperor Jiajing said, "Then who should check it?"
Zhao Wenhua took a deep breath and said: "I think that if the Ministry of Industry conducts a self-inspection, it will be suspected of being shielded by its authority, so I think it should be inspected by a third party."
Emperor Jiajing added: "This so-called third party Who are the three parties? "
Zhao Wenhua said: "I recommend the Construction Department of the Capital Special Administrative Region. Although this department has a low rank, its professional level is no less than that of the Ministry of Industry. Even among these special administrative districts in the capital, In the district construction work, their performance was far better than that of the Ministry of Industry. The old minister recommended the Department of Construction to inspect the Wanshou New Palace project, which would not only be fair and impartial, but also quell any bad rumors caused by this matter. "
Emperor Jiajing said: "Where did the rumor come from?"
Zhao Wenhua said quickly: "I made a mistake, please punish me!"
Emperor Jiajing also glanced at Zhao Wenhua unhappily. He was originally an emperor who valued face very much, and he valued etiquette and etiquette very seriously. In addition, he had changed a lot during his many years of troubles. Palace names and etiquette regulations.
So from these things, we can know what kind of person Emperor Jiajing is. If the world knows that the new palace he spent millions of taels of silver to build is a low-end palace, Defective products, isn't this a slap in the face?
Therefore, this matter cannot be mentioned. Even if there are problems with this new palace, it must be changed on the grounds that it is renovated and that the construction of a certain area is not in compliance with etiquette. However, this palace must not be used as an excuse in a big way. Go investigate people and fight corruption.
Because in this way, no matter whether there is a problem in this palace or not, it will become the focus of public opinion. When the time comes, it will spread throughout the world. No matter how the people in the world view this matter, as long as they discuss it, then this is an attack on the imperial power. A "contempt".
Which emperor is willing to discuss his own affairs as a piece of gossip in the whole world?
Moreover, Emperor Jiajing also hated the fact that disputes between his ministers ended up involving him, and he was used as a spearman. This not only makes him appear helpless, but also makes the ministers below him cling to him without any sense of awe.
So, the affairs of the New Wanshou Palace can only be dealt with slowly and quietly.
What Emperor Jiajing has to do now is to silence these people from the beginning to the end, and stop talking about whether the main beam of the palace is fake.
As a master who has been trying to figure out the emperor's heart for a long time, Xu Jie immediately became keenly aware of Emperor Jiajing's thoughts after hearing what Emperor Jiajing said and seeing Emperor Jiajing's attitude.
So at this time, Xu Jie hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I believe that since the New Wanshou Palace still has flaws, it means that it does not meet the completion standards. Someone should be sent to supervise the construction until it meets the completion standards. , can it be formally submitted to the third party for inspection and acceptance as mentioned by Zhao Shangshu.”
"And I also remember that when the palace was rebuilt, the construction specifications in some places were too simple to enhance the emperor's power. Therefore, I suggest that the Wanshou Palace should be made with new plans to build a main palace that is more in line with the emperor's temperament!"
After Emperor Jiajing heard what Xu Jie said, he couldn't help but hum. This is the attitude to solve the problem.
If this matter makes a big fuss, let alone the question of truth or falsehood, it will make people think that living in this palace will make people miserable.
But if the specifications of this palace do not meet the standards of the emperor's weather, and new expansion and reconstruction are carried out, it will be different.
In this way, Emperor Jiajing's face and dignity will be protected invisibly, but the only grievance is that he will continue to live in Yuxi Palace for two more years.
However, Emperor Jiajing could accept it as long as he could save face and prevent the world from talking about the rights and wrongs of the new palace.
Emperor Jiajing looked at Xu Jie and said, "You are right. The construction regulations of Wanshou Palace cannot meet the needs of my main palace. It should be expanded and renovated to make it fit the emperor's image. I am concerned about this matter. I'll leave it to you Later, I will send an order to appoint Xu Fan as the minister of the Ministry of Industry, responsible for the expansion and renovation of Wanshou Palace. I hope that Xu Qing will not betray my trust."
After hearing this, Xu Jie felt in his heart. He breathed a sigh of relief, he had passed the test.
Xu Jie hurriedly kowtowed: "I kowtow to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Emperor Jiajing looked at Zhao Wenhua and Cao Dewen again, and said in a faint voice: "In the future, such nonsense will happen. Talk about it, you must verify it before reporting it, so as not to make the whole city think that there are worms and scum working in my palace.”
Zhao Wenhua and Cao Dewen hurriedly kowtowed: "If I know my guilt, I will die!"
Emperor Jiajing waved his hand and said: "Okay, everyone, please step back."
Take everyone away After sending him away, Emperor Jiajing called Huang Jin over again, "Keep an eye on Yan Shifan and Xu Fan, and find another reason for Cao Dewen to retire and return to his hometown. I'm not at ease with him in this position. "
Huang Jin replied softly: "Yes, I have remembered it."
Emperor Jiajing thought for a while and continued: "Go and tell the cabinet, you don't have to wait until next year, it will happen tomorrow. A court meeting was held to begin the process of recommending the new Minister of Civil Affairs, and Yan Shifan asked him to take good care of Yan Song at home and stop working as an official in the Ministry of Industry. "
When Huang Jin heard this, he also understood that Emperor Jiajing wanted to speed up the action and did not want to waste any more time. This shows that the sacred hearts of Yan Song and Yan Shifan have reached the end of their rope. As for whether they can be dignified in the end, it all depends on Yan Song and Yan Song. Yan Shifan's choice.
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(End of this chapter)