Chapter 456 To borrow or not to borrow, that is the question

Chapter 456 To borrow or not to borrow, that is the question

In the vast, ownerless and chaotic ocean, pirates born for plunder have their own stage.

Because of the rampant piracy, almost all ships now carry a large number of weapons, including long and short soldiers, bows and arrows, muskets, and artillery. These are collectively called armed merchant ships, but even so, merchant ships and even the navies of various countries are all There is nothing we can do against the elusive pirates. The pirates rob money, goods, ships, and people. After one hit, they disappear into the vast sea, making it very difficult for all countries.

But until England issued a privateering license, pirates had a problem that had to be solved, and that was the sale of stolen goods.

Pirates' maritime plundering behavior is obviously against the laws of various countries. So how to sell these stolen goods has become a big problem, so there are stories of pirates hiding their wealth on the island. , seen frequently.

Even the extremely liberal Free City is not very welcoming to pirates.

Now, in order to support the independence of the Netherlands and to cope with maritime competition with Spain, England issued a privateering license.

Plunder free!

This gives the pirates a channel to sell their stolen goods. The pirates no longer have to worry about the goods they have robbed. They have nowhere to sell them. They only need to go to England and the stolen goods will become serious goods. .

In fact, the privateering license and the robbery of the pirates were the real first pot of gold in England and the earliest primitive accumulation.

Similarly, because of the privateering license, all legal merchant ships will completely turn into pirate ships after leaving the port. This license forces all merchant ships to rob each other. This is meaningless internal friction, but Everyone has to do this.

And this also has a terrible impact, that is, when England issues a privateering license, the entire West must follow suit, otherwise it will fall behind others, and others can legally rob you. Merchant ships, and your merchant ships cannot legally rob other people's merchant ships, which puts you at a high moral disadvantage.

Of course Felipe wanted to scold him. Just like in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, when the Japanese invasion was at its worst, the governor of Fujian suddenly had a twitch in his head and admitted that the Japanese invasion was legal, and he directly surrendered to the Jiangnan forces. Compromise, Master Dao is afraid he will go crazy.

“Your great and wise Majesty, your wisdom is as bright as the stars. I think your Majesty has seen through England’s tricks. It seems that the privateering license has many restrictions. For example, first of all, it must be valid during the war. , Secondly, its effect must be reciprocal, that is, you are robbed of a merchant ship, and then you can snatch another back."

"Your wise Majesty, you must understand. "This is nothing more than a fig leaf." Marcus still knows his majesty. This hard-working emperor is proficient in Latin and can understand the contents of the credential. His majesty is also well aware of the terrible impact of the privateering license. detailed.

The privateering license seems to have many restrictions, but these restrictions are like taking off your pants and farting, and they are unnecessary.

Zhu Yijun nodded and said: "You are right. If the Virgin Queen of England really hated pirates, how could she give them a legal status?"

"There is indeed no order in the current ocean. , but there are still some basic rules. The privateering license undoubtedly completely breaks these rules, which is extremely detrimental to the prosperity of maritime trade."

"In fact, I know that in Three Hundred. Years ago, King Henry III of England first issued a letter of appointment, allowing some pirates to hand over part of their loot in exchange for protection. The privateering license was a further step forward. "

" Handing over part of the profits from the pirates. To encourage pirates to plunder, this is fundamentally different.”

Zhu Yijun has been on the throne for ten years, and Yumen has been in charge of politics for nine years. Three hundred years ago, Henry III's commission was to obtain part of the proceeds from pirates, and then the court at sea would judge whether the attack was legal and valid. If it was valid, , then these trophies will be auctioned, at least there will be some rules.

The current Virgin Queen of England directly issues privateering licenses to merchant ships, encouraging everyone to become pirates, and then go out to plunder.

It is a complete transformation from low order to disorder.

The British troublemaker is to completely disrupt the entire ocean situation, take advantage of the opportunity to profit, and even rise.

"Uncle Zong, should we also divide an area, such as the west of the Strait of Malacca, the east of Mindanao, the south of the Yuanxu Islands, and the north of the Nagasaki Governor's Palace, where privateering is legal?" Zhu Yijun looked at it Wan Shihe asked.

Wan Shihe hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. Privately plundering armed merchant ships is equivalent to piracy. How can there be any reason to condone piracy? Only when there is morality in the world can there be virtue; only when there is virtue in the world can there be virtue. Only when there is benevolence in the world can there be justice; only when there is justice in the world can there be etiquette."

The environments of the Ming Dynasty and Taixi are completely different. The aforementioned disadvantage of high morality is indeed a disadvantage in the short-term conflict, but in the long term, it is an advantage of high morality.

“However, once private plundering in the West is widely allowed, the maritime trade competition between the Ming Dynasty and the West will be at a disadvantage.” Zhu Yijun said with a solemn face: “As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, I should think about the Ming Dynasty first. In terms of vital interests, the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty can plunder the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty, but the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty cannot plunder the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty. "

"Should we treat the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty with morality and courtesy when they plunder them?

Wan Shihe, the imperial party, showed his stubbornness at this time. His Majesty's tone was already very stern, but Wan Shihe still did not compromise. He bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, The ocean, like the grassland, speaks with its fists. How they behave in their own territory is beyond the reach of the Ming Dynasty, but when they reach the territory of the Ming Dynasty, they must follow the rules of the Ming Dynasty. "

"Your Majesty, the twenty years of Japanese invasion are a lesson."

Wan Shihe's words were a reminder that if the Ming Dynasty issued a privateering license, the five major ocean-going trading houses of the Ming Dynasty would have to start a war. Then there is no need to talk about the great cause of opening up the sea. The Ming Dynasty sea area is full of pirates. The long coastline is not a wealth, but a disaster. When the time comes, there will be another Japanese invasion affecting the southeast coast.

It has been established for a long time that the Ming law does not protect the merchant ships of the West and the West. After all, within the framework of the distinction between Hua and Yi, Fan and Yi are not even human beings.

Zhu Yijun thought for a moment, and said in a gentler tone: "What Uncle Zong said is reasonable, so we will not issue a privateering license."

For the Ming Dynasty, privateering licenses are indeed This is a policy that does far more harm than good, because the Ming Dynasty is a unified country. Although there is competition at the local level, it is not at the point of life and death. During the two hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, at least everyone recognized themselves as Ming people.

Private raiding permission will increase internal friction and is completely unnecessary.

Private plundering permission will eventually lead to the generalization of piracy, threatening the security of the Ming Dynasty's waters.

In the middle and late Jiajing period, there was a war in the southeast, and the Japanese invasion had been raging for more than 20 years. It was really enough, and it was also scary. The court was afraid, the local famous families were afraid, and the common people were even more afraid, wherever the war was affected. , the most seriously injured are always the people who do not have the ability to migrate or withstand stress.

Zhu Yijun asked curiously: "Isn't Felipe II going to do something? These people are blatantly breaking the rules. As the overlord of the West, if he doesn't do something, who will recognize him as the overlord? Status? Even the relatives of the Habsburg family would laugh at him. "

There are many relatives of Felipe II in the Holy Roman Empire, and they will probably laugh at Felipe for being a small country. It was so embarrassing.

"He wants to do something, but it depends on whether it can be done." Marcus bowed his head and said without too much evaluation. This is also the disadvantage of opening up territories through marriage. When he wants to do something, it is even more difficult.

After Zhu Yijun finished meeting the envoys, he said: "That's it for today. I will go to Peking Camp to parade the military horses."

"I will send you off to your Majesty." Zhang Juzheng led the ministers. Farewell to the Emperor.

Today is strange. Normally, the courtiers would leave the Wenhua Hall after farewell, but today the courtiers chose to stay. They sat down as usual, mainly because there were some matters that were not convenient to discuss in private, and It was inconvenient to discuss it in front of His Majesty, and a public occasion was needed, so they all stayed after the emperor left.

In broad daylight, in full view of everyone.

"Your Majesty has decreed that all of Anda Khan's subordinates above the centurion level will be executed, including the sons of the third lady." Wang Chonggu spoke first, and this was actually done very violently.

After the Battle of Yuerhai, more than 50 Dibaonu, the second son of Emperor Tianyuan, and his concubines and princesses were captured by Lan Yu. Zhu Yuanzhang, the great emperor of Taizu, ordered Yousi to give Dibaonu and the princess a place to live. need.

Later, the landowner said that Lan Yu had an affair with the concubine of the Yuan Dynasty Emperor Tianyuan, which caused the concubine to commit suicide. The landowner complained that the Ming Dynasty did not show mercy to the previous dynasty. After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and also Instead of killing Dibonu, he was exiled to Ryukyu.

The imperial court that Dibaonu complained about was not merciful to the deceased nobles of the previous dynasty. He was talking about the guest ceremony in etiquette, the two kings and the three Kes.

After successive dynasties changed dynasties, they all granted titles to the descendants of the previous royal family, that is, the descendants of the first two generations were granted the title of Second Queen, and the descendants of the first three generations were granted the title of San Ke.

Zhu Yuanzhang's enthronement edict recognized the status of Zhengshuo in the Yuan Dynasty, but he did not follow the convention and showed kindness to the legacy of the previous dynasty. This made the local slaves very dissatisfied. Zhu Yuanzhang had a violent personality, but he did not kill anyone and instead exiled him.

The Dibao slaves offended Emperor Taizu without being beheaded. Anda Khan, the king of Shunyi conferred by the Ming Dynasty, wanted all centurions and above to be beheaded. This was indeed very cruel.

If the division between north and south in the early Ming Dynasty had not been too serious, Zhu Yuanzhang would not have recognized the Yuan Dynasty as Zhengshuo. After all, the Han Dynasty had been dead for 100 years, and the north of the Huaihe River in the Qinling Mountains had been lost for more than 280 years. The sixteen states of Yanyun were more After losing more than 450 years, Zhu Yuanzhang could only hold his nose and recognize Zhengshuo of the Yuan Dynasty.

As for Zhu Yijun's handling, there is another problem, that is, the Ming Dynasty inherited the Tang system. The Tang Dynasty captured the Turkic Jieli Khan, but did not behead Jieli Khan.

Wang Chonggu mentioned this matter not to unite the courtiers to refute the holy will and ask His Majesty to withdraw the order. He just informed everyone that His Majesty has made this decision.

"The Ming Dynasty is not without Huairou. The Rouyuan people are of no use, so they have to do it as a last resort." Wan Shihe made amends for His Majesty. He neither said that the ancestors established the law, nor did he propose any reform or innovation. Times are different, and problems cannot be properly handled by blindly following the old routine.

In the 29th year of Jiajing, the barbarians invaded. At that time, the people affected by the war were still alive. Since they had been captured, how could we calm down the people's anger without killing them, and how could we achieve complete reconciliation? People in the grassland need to take care of their emotions, but don’t people in the Ming Dynasty need to take care of their emotions?

His Majesty obviously made a choice.

"Blood revenge is nothing more than blood revenge." Zhang Juzheng looked at Wang Chonggu and said calmly: "After beheading the public, please trouble the three princes to go to the outskirts of the Shimiao Temple to worship Emperor Shijong."

"Be kind. ." Wan Shihe nodded in agreement.

Last time it was the Xindu Yang family, and this time it was Ada Khan. These were all enemies who disgraced the Taoist master.

Li Youzi, the censor of Youdu, said with a stern face: "Is your Majesty a little too violent? This privateering license was made by the Fanyi in Western Taipei. How did our Ming Dynasty do it? Your Majesty seriously considered it. "..."

Everyone looked at Zhang Juzheng. His Majesty's temperament today, in the eyes of the courtiers, was all caused by Zhang Juzheng!

Zhang Juzheng rubbed his thumb on his index finger. He had too many scapegoats. It was the emperor’s idea to unseat the Guiyuan, but Zhang Juzheng still bears the infamy. In traditional Confucian culture, the relationship between people Mencius strongly agrees with this idea of ​​good nature.

Xunzi was expelled from Confucianism because Xunzi believed that human nature is evil, and the good ones are fake, that is, human nature is evil, and those kind behaviors are all artificial corrections, which are the result of long-term education, public order and good customs. Only under the strict constraints of the law can we no longer do evil.

Human nature is good. This is the basis of all Confucian theories. Human nature is good. You only need to learn to discover the goodness of human nature. After cultivating virtue, the world will be unified. As a master of Confucianism, Xunzi fundamentally denied Confucianism, so he was expelled from Confucianism.

Human nature is inherently evil, so how can we discover the goodness in spirituality? How to cultivate virtue?

As the source of the theory of contradiction, Zhang Juzheng combined his Majesty's example to see the question of whether human nature is inherently good or inherently evil. He was surprised to find that human nature has good and evil, which are opposites and unified. exist.

Zhang Juzheng then immediately thought that the reason why people are human is that they have reason, use reason to suppress the evil in nature, and rationally use the good in nature. Only when people have reason can they have freedom.

"I don't think it's a bad thing." Zhang Juzheng stopped thinking and answered the question seriously: "The Ming Dynasty is undergoing great changes, and the world is also undergoing great changes. If necessary, private plundering is not impossible, and the Japanese pirates can Robbery our Ming Dynasty, our Ming Dynasty cannot rob the Japanese country, what kind of reason is this?"

Wang Daokun immediately said: "The fire in the stove will go out without firewood, and the horses will be exhausted when they pull the cart. Will stop! The New Deal is in full swing, and when firewood and fodder are needed, private plundering is not a bad idea!"

"At present, the Ming army is conquering Hetao and sweeping away the Hulu, but the court has no money to build roads! , It’s just a matter of building official roads and post roads, and Chidao still needs to be opened. If so, why not privately plunder it? If Womagang can mine, will the Ming Dynasty still be short of copper? "

Wang Daokun is a radical, He is more radical than His Majesty, so he thinks there is no harm in privateering? In a time of great strife, one must resort to any means. The imperial court now wants to do too many things, and is extremely short of money. Even if the peasants are recruited, they must be given two liters of rice every day. Recruiting the peasants does not mean asking the peasants to bring their own dry food.

Golden mountains, silver mountains, copper mountains, and coal mountains have no value at all unless they are mined.

Zhu Yijun told Zhu Yili that radicals will always destroy themselves. Obviously, Wang Daokun's rhetoric put him in a desperate situation.

“When Tan Sima was here, everyone said that the Loop could not be defended even if it was taken down, so it would be better to put it under direct military control. Now it is better, everyone is talking about themselves, seeing coal, copper and gold "Yin, I can't move the road. It's so weird that everyone is shouting and shouting to build the road." Wang Chonggu looked at Wang Guangguang and asked, "Da Situ, we need money to build the road, but the court has no money." , His Majesty said that he wants to borrow money from the private sector, should he borrow this money or not? "

"To borrow or not to borrow, that is a question." Wang Guangguang is playing tricks, but he still does not want to let the country's money be used. Borrowing money from the private sector really undermines the dignity of the court.

The most important thing is that interest must be paid.

The second instigator of the Ming Dynasty was none other than Great Situ Wang Guoguang himself.

"How about this? Let Qi Shuai use the prisoners to build bridges and roads?" Zeng Shengwu, the Minister of War, made a suggestion.

Wang Guoguang breathed a sigh of relief and coughed several times before waving his hands and saying, "Then let's borrow money."

When someone said to lift the roof, Wang Guangguang He immediately agreed to open the window. The Minister of the Ministry of Industry wanted to privately plunder, and the Minister of the Ministry of War wanted to capture strong men. It was better to compromise and borrow money with some interest than causing civil unrest.

Wang Guoguang looked a little melancholy. It stands to reason that he, the Great Situ, deserves his name. The Ming Dynasty’s border troops all received full pay. Although they paid in kind, they still received their military pay and military pay in real terms. Next to the word "food" is "pay". From the beginning, military pay was not money, but food;

The emperor of the Ming Dynasty was able to receive 1.2 million gold flowers and silver a year, and all the officials of the Ming Dynasty also had it. Sufficient salary can be collected, at least those honest officials do not have to join in the current of corruption;

The Ming Dynasty has a surplus of national funds year after year, and the Ming Dynasty even has the energy to invest heavily in Kaihai.

It is no exaggeration to say that the financial minister is well-managed. The Ming Dynasty in the ninth year of Wanli was richer than most of the Ming Dynasty.

That's it, but when it comes to this matter, there is still a lack of money, and there is simply not enough money to spend. Wang Guoguang was a little confused for a while, how much money is enough to spend?

"Then let the Ministry of Household Affairs draw up a charter." Zhang Juzheng looked at Wang Guoguang and said with a frown: "It is a waste of silver and asset enhancement. This matter is not easy to handle. It is better to prick it with the green seedling method. The silver weir is simple, but it has to be solved even if it is difficult. I think it can be linked to the uniform field service."

"Specifically, it is a measure of asset growth, in addition to workshops converting silver. In addition, there is the human population. The number of craftsmen to be trained must also be included in the examination. Promotions and transfers must be announced on a draft list. , the same assessment of the number of craftsmen can be integrated into the work of equalizing land, and it is appropriate to use the word "worker and peasant".

The meaning of Zhang Juzheng's words is very clear. Workers and peasants are one, and they are all producers in essence. In the class, they are all poor coolies who support meat eaters. Silver, these two standards are the actual standards for passing the law.

This is the difference between Zhang Juzheng and Wang Daokun. Zhang Juzheng was not brave enough in his life. He always compromised. Wang Daokun wanted to convert all the silver flowing into Ming Dynasty into fixed assets, but in reality, Being able to achieve a conversion rate of 70% in his lifetime, Zhang Juzheng felt that he could explain it to his ancestors.

Zhang Juzheng felt that by that time, he would be worthy of the Taoist Master's favor, the Emperor Longqing's trust, and His Majesty's trust.

"Yuan Fu is still awesome." Wang Daokun thought for a moment and found that Zhang Ju was the chief assistant of this family.

Long-term practice has made Wang Daokun very clear about the talents of Ming officials. They can flexibly switch between false and true. In order to be promoted, it is easy to make some false accounts. It is impossible for the court to directly send Tiqi to inspect everywhere. Among officials, They will also cooperate closely with each other. Under a cluster of flowers, they are all false.

It is a false proposition that the intention is good but the execution is bad, because it is not true that the intention is good. Many problems can be avoided from the beginning. If the execution is bad, most of the time the intention is just like that.

This is the beauty of including the number of craftsmen in the exam.

The number of workers and peasants will be directly related to the quantity of goods. The quantity of goods and the number of imports and exports of several shipping companies in the Ming Dynasty are very clear. This limits the scale of false accounting. On your end The amount of silver converted from asset growth has gone straight up to the sky, and the number of craftsmen on the other side has increased to almost zero. This number is not credible. Both ledgers are fake, but the export numbers and import numbers do not match up, so the court has an entry point for tracing.

The bullshit goes to the sky, and three accounts expose the truth.

What if all three accounts are false? What the Ming court needs to prepare is not to fight corruption and eliminate corruption, but to counter rebellion.

Wang Chonggu glanced at Zhang Juzheng and knew for sure that Zhang Juzheng was not to be an enemy. It would be better to just hang yourself than to engage in petty tricks under the eyes of Zhang Juzheng, who is fully supported by His Majesty.

Mainly because His Majesty supported Zhang Juzheng when he was a child for the sake of his throne. When he grew up, His Majesty still supported Zhang Juzheng. Wang Chonggu’s current loyalty to the emperor and the country was completely out of fear for the lives of his whole family. , afraid of Zhang Juzheng, afraid of the emperor, of course there is a little bit of it, and just a little bit of the idea of ​​​​making the Ming Dynasty great again.

Zhu Yijun, who was hiding behind the screen to listen to the whole scene, called Mr. Yuan Fu directly. Sure enough, he was still so invincible!

He can rest assured that he is not doing his job properly.

As for eavesdropping, can the eavesdropping of the Ming Emperor be called eavesdropping?

Zhu Yijun is a man of great perseverance. As long as Zhang Juzheng is still working hard to make the Ming Dynasty great again, Zhu Yijun will always support him.

Has the Ming Dynasty now achieved its goal of becoming great again? Not at all. During the Yongle period, the Ming Dynasty granted the title of king of the captives in Walahelin, Mobei, and actually controlled Nuergandusi. In the southeast direction, it completed the suppression of the Luchuan Dynasty, established the Three Propaganda and Six Comforts, and Wanghua Jiaozhi. He went south to the West six times and established the Xuanwei Department in Jiugang. The king of Japan was canonized by the Ming Dynasty, and real people from all over the world came to congratulate him.

Zhu Di spent his life expanding the Ming Dynasty to the limit of national power.

In the current Ming Dynasty, Liaodong is slowly developing. Wala Helin is not even willing to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty. Of course, it is impossible for the Ming Dynasty to allow him to pay tribute. The Seven Guards outside Jiayuguan Pass have completely broken away from the control of the Ming Dynasty. It became the independent kingdom of Hami. The Three Proclamations and Six Welfares existed in name only. The Toungoo Dynasty even dared to attack the Ming Dynasty. Jiaozhi was declared the chief minister. Now it is still the Annan Kingdom.

The resurgence of the Ming Dynasty has a long way to go. At this time, the population and productivity of the Ming Dynasty far exceeded those of the Yongle period, and it can do better.

Zhu Yijun hummed a little tune and went to Beida Camp. After the military parade, Zhu Yijun returned to Tonghe Palace and received the good news. Concubine Li and Concubine Liu finally found out that they were pregnant. In July of the ninth year of Wanli, they put aside their etiquette, justice and shame to serve the emperor together. The two transparent people finally got what they wanted.

Even if you are no longer favored in the future, it is still great to have a child under your knees.

Feng Bao, the Flower and Bird Messenger, bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites is urging the harem to accept concubines again. Your Majesty has not yet made up for the nine concubines. The Queen Mother is urging the Ministry of Rites. It is really difficult for the Ministry of Rites to do so."

"Concubine Zhou De and Concubine Ran Shu are waiting nearby, so I won't accept it for now." Zhu Yijun still had the same attitude. There was no need to mention it again before the army returned in triumph. Seeing that Feng Bao wanted to talk, he immediately said: "The queen is going to give birth in the next two days. It would be bad if you get sulky because of the concubine thing and have fetal gas."

Concubine Zhou De and Concubine Ran Shu have completed their postpartum recovery and are recovering very well.

The second child of Queen Wang Yaozhuo has reached the due date, and some of the fetal positions are not correct. Zhu Yijun is quite nervous. Although the second child is safer than the first, it is still dangerous.

Zhu Yijun meets with the senior medical officer of the hospital every day in the past few days. Firstly, he asks about Tan Lun’s condition, and secondly, he asks Wang Yaozhuo about the danger of abnormal fetal position. On the issue of protecting the child and the child, Zhu Yijun chose to maintain her pregnancy and, if necessary, consider a caesarean section.

Tan Lun's condition is relatively stable now, but the chief medical officer feels that Tan Lun may not survive the day of the army's triumphant return. Although Tan Lun is confused, he still has a feeling of strength in his heart. His subconscious mind Li also wanted to wait until the army returned in triumph.

"Queen Chitose's fetal movements have slowed down in the past few days, and she will give birth in a few days." Feng Bao reported the news of Kunning Pavilion.

Zhu Yijun waited for three days. On the seventh day of July, the news that Wang Yaozhuo was about to give birth immediately reached the imperial study room of Tonghe Palace. After Zhu Yijun reviewed the memorial in his hand, he immediately rushed to the backyard of Tonghe Palace. Kunning Pavilion.

"Medical officer, do you need an operation?" Zhu Yijun asked Chen Shigong's opinion. Improper fetal position may lead to dystocia. Once the situation worsens, surgical delivery is required.

"Yesterday's medical consultation should not be necessary." Chen Shigong bowed his head and said: "If necessary, I can ask a female doctor to do it." It has trained many female doctors. Among these female doctors, there is one who is particularly outstanding. She has performed seven caesarean sections. Technically and experience-wise, this is no obstacle.

As the delivery time extended, a layer of sweat broke out on Zhu Yijun's forehead. This was the second child. If there were no accidents, it should be faster than the first child. As time goes by, accidents may continue to happen. increase.

"Bao Da." Zhu Yijun said to Chen Shigong: "Get ready for the operation."

"Ouch! Ouch!" A loud cry suddenly came from the pavilion.

"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty. The queen has given birth to a princess at a thousand years old. She weighs seven pounds and four taels. Mother and daughter are safe." Po Wen hurriedly came out from inside to congratulate her.

"Okay, okay! There will be rewards for many rewards!" Zhu Yijun looked overjoyed when he heard this! Empress Dowager Li chose Wang Yaozhuo because she believed Wang Yaozhuo was good at giving birth. This was true. The pelvis was an innate advantage.

Concubine Zhou De and Concubine Ran Shu glanced at each other, both showing relaxed expressions. Wang Yaozhuo was a very special existence in the harem, and was the main force in the competition between the harem and state affairs in the Ming Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)