Chapter 3 The second review of the illness

Dongnuange, which is next to Qianqing Palace, is the place where the emperor reviews memorials and handles government affairs.Although there are many volumes on the shelf, it seems that they are rarely turned.On the front wall after the huge cases, there is a large blackboard lacquered plaque with the four characters of "Xiao Yi Ji Shi" written in handwriting, but it is the handwriting of the current emperor's father, Emperor Sejong.According to the rules, foreign ministers of Dongnuan Pavilion were not allowed to enter without permission, but Emperor Longqing was sometimes too lazy to move, and occasionally summoned ministers here to inquire about important military and political affairs.Therefore, a value room was also set up for the ministers in the East Nuan Pavilion, in case of emergency.Right now this value room just came in handy.Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, who left Emperor Longqing's palace, were arranged to wait here.They were not allowed to leave without the emperor's will.

The Heavenly Purity Palace originally burned earth dragons to keep warm, and the eunuch on duty temporarily added a copper pot of charcoal fire, and the duty room was warm and peaceful.As soon as the two ministers sat down, the little fireman in the imperial dining room set up a table of refreshments, and there were always dozens of them.Gao Gong, who has been tossing all morning, is already hungry.For the small fire, add a bowl of two-rice porridge with candied dates and wolfberries.He took it and was about to drink it, but he caught a glimpse of an erotic picture painted on the small porcelain bowl of porridge: a young man and a woman were completely naked, the girl bent down and supported a chair with both hands, and turned her head to face the woman standing behind her. The young man smiled and gave him a big look. The young man held a penis against the girl's white and plump buttocks... Gao Gong suddenly lost his appetite, put down the bowl, and said to the little fireman standing beside him: "Give me another bowl."

The little fireman thought that Gao Gong thought the two-rice porridge was too hot, so he bowed and replied, "Mr. Gao, the two-rice porridge is so hot right after it comes out of the pot. Otherwise, you should drink a bowl of milk first." According to the rules in the palace, the eunuchs collectively refer to the cabinet ministers as old gentlemen.Gao Gong knew that Xiaohuo had misunderstood it, so he simply made a mistake, as long as he could change the bowl, he replied: "Medium, let's drink a bowl of milk first." The little fireman added a bowl of milk and held it up.Gao Gong took the bowl and was dumbfounded again.There is still a erotic painting painted on the bowl. A naked man and woman are rolling together on the bed, kissing each other. The man holds the woman's breast with one hand and the woman's lower body with the other, in an extremely lewd manner.Gao Gong put down the bowl again.He looked at Zhang Juzheng who was sitting across from him, who was concentrating on drinking Ermi porridge.He suddenly became angry, and made a face towards Xiao Huo Zhe: "Give me another bowl."

Xiaohuo felt that the chief assistant was harder to serve than the emperor, but he could only ask cautiously: "Why don't I give you a bowl of lotus seed snowflake soup?" Gao Gong replied: "It's still two rice porridge, give me another bowl." "Change the bowl?" Little Fireman stretched his neck to look at the two bowls in front of Gao Gong, and asked in bewilderment, "May I ask what kind of bowl Mr. Gao wants?" Gao Gong pointed to the erotic paintings on the bowl, spat and scolded: "Look at what is painted on this bowl, how can it make people eat. Huh?"

Only then did Xiaohuo understand why Gao Gong was picky, and he wanted to smile with a grin, but seeing Gao Gong's black head and black face was scary, he quickly put away his smile and replied: "Today's breakfast is specially taken care of by Mr. Meng, It was prepared for the two old gentlemen according to the emperor's earlier specifications, and the emperor usually uses these dishes for meals." After Xiaohuo explained it like this, Gao Gong couldn't say anything more, so he could only calm down and say, "Find me an unpainted bowl." The little fireman was not surprised, shook his head and replied: "It's not a servant who refuted your old face. In this Qianqing Palace, there is really no bowl without a painting. You keep looking at these bowls and dishes on the table, why don't you look at them?" One without a painting on it?"

Gao Gong leaned over to take a look, and sure enough, all the cups, plates, and dishes, from pots to spoons, were painted with erotic paintings.At this moment, Zhang Juzheng was eating the second bowl of two-rice porridge with relish, and Gao Gong asked him suspiciously, "You also have it in your bowl?" Zhang Juzheng smiled, held out the bowl to Gao Gong to see, and said: "Not only is my bowl painted with the ecstasy of men and women in Wushan Yunyu, but there is also a poem written next to it: A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold." "Can you eat it?" Gao Gong asked.

"The emperor can eat it. As ministers, there is no reason why we can't eat it." Zhang Juzheng said, and stretched out his chopsticks to pick up a piece of jujube cake on the table and put it in his mouth. Gao Gong had no choice but to give up the milk and two-rice porridge, and ate various snacks on the table with his chopsticks.While eating, he asked the little fireman: "You mentioned Eunuch Meng just now, what about others?" The little fireman replied: "Mr. Meng is in the office of the company's ceremonial supervisor." "Why didn't he come here?"

"Mr. Gao, Eunuch Meng cannot come without the emperor's order." While eating, Gao Gong felt angry again.When Emperor Sejong was in power, the current emperor was named King Yu.Gao Gong is Yu Wang's teacher, and he has been a lecturer for more than ten years, and the relationship between the two is extraordinary.King Yu ascended the throne and became Emperor Longqing, Gao Gong's political career took a turn for the better and he entered the cabinet smoothly.But because of his irritable temperament and aggressiveness, he was soon rejected by several senior officials and sadly left the cabinet. It was not until the fourth year of Longqing that he was promoted to the position of chief assistant.Emperor Longqing relied heavily on this teacher, and he rarely hindered him from handling various government affairs.Gao Gong was overwhelmed with gratitude for the kindness of knowledge and encounter, and as time passed, he relied on his kindness and favor, leaving him alone to decide on important matters in the court.He knew very well in his heart that if he wanted to keep his status as the No. 1 minister in Tianzi, he had to ensure the emperor's age and health, and his country would last forever.But, perseveringly, the emperor is a hungry ghost.Just now outside the Huangji Gate, I asked him for that Tatar beauty Nuer Huahua, and now in this Qianqing Palace, I saw so many erotic paintings on tableware and utensils.Exposure to this kind of obscene environment for a long time, even if it is a god, it is difficult to guarantee the indestructible body of the vajra.Thinking of this, Gao Gong slammed the chopsticks on the table and said angrily: "These tableware should be replaced."

The little fire fighters all backed away in fright, silent like cicadas, Zhang Juzheng took a sip of Biluochun to rinse his mouth.Ten years ago, he and Gao Gong worked together in the Imperial College, and then they both served as lecturers in Yuwang's Mansion, and now they are both ministers in the cabinet, so he is very familiar with Gao Gong's temper. "Yuanfu," Zhang Juzheng said slowly, "The 200,000 taels of silver used to make this batch of tableware and porcelain was allocated from Taicang silver by you instructing the household department." With Zhang Juzheng's reminder, Gao Gong remembered it backwards.At the beginning of his tenure as chief assistant, the emperor ordered to open a kiln in Jingdezhen to burn a batch of porcelain for the palace. The internal affairs treasury made a budget report, which required a total of two hundred thousand taels of silver.Although Gao Gong felt that this move was too wasteful, since the emperor had already spoken, he had to obey the decree, so he ordered the household department to allocate the full amount.As a rule, all kinds of objects used in the palace are supervised by eunuchs directly sent by the emperor, and the government is not allowed to intervene.So although Gao Gong paid for it, he didn't know what kind of crafts he was firing.

"I'd like to find out who's idea was to burn the erotic paintings on the porcelain." Gao Gong said bitterly. "Yuanfu doesn't need to check." Zhang Juzheng called the eunuch on duty from Dongnuan Pavilion and asked him, "I heard that there is a wall in Dongnuan Pavilion that displays porcelain made in the fourth year of Longqing, but Is there a matter?" The eunuch on duty replied: "Return to Mr. Zhang, it is true." Zhang Juzheng said: "Can you take Yuanfu in and take a look?" The eunuch on duty nodded.There was a door between Dongnuange and the value house, the eunuch on duty pushed open the door and let the two assistant ministers in.The emperor summoned his cabinet ministers to discuss matters, and most of them were in the Wenhua Hall or on the platform.Although Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng have been in the cabinet for many years, it is the first time they have entered Dongnuan Pavilion.Gao Gong first saw the plaque that read "Xiao Yi Shi Shi".After glancing at the neatly arranged volumes of books, he walked to a row of antique mahogany antique shelves on the north wall. On the shelf next to the emperor’s reading memorials, there were twenty-four foot August pigment plates displayed in three layers. The plate is glossy and elegant, as thin as an egg membrane, and each plate is painted with a picture of male and female copulation.Looking carefully, it is compiled and drawn based on the "Su Nu Jing" that has been circulated among the people for a long time.The twenty-four erotic pictures depict twenty-four methods of intercourse between men and women. "Is the emperor looking at these plates every day to deal with national affairs?" Gao Gong couldn't help asking in his heart, and suddenly felt that the sacred artifacts of the country's society and temples were being desecrated.Zhang Juzheng watched more carefully than Gao Gong. He stretched out his hand and flicked a plate, which made a crisp sound. The whole plate seemed to be shaking. He picked up the plate and held it up in front of his eyes. The plate seemed to be transparent. The plate was turned over, and the erotic picture drawn on the plate could still be seen clearly from the bottom of the plate—red men and dolls, all with hair. "This is the best of Jingdezhen porcelain!" Zhang Juzheng exclaimed.

The eunuch on duty stepped forward and replied: "Long live Lord said, just these twenty-four plates cost 60,000 taels of silver to burn." "Ah?" Zhang Juzheng turned his gaze, looked at Gao Gong and said, "Ningxia's annual tax revenue is only more than 20,000 taels of silver, and Guizhou's province is only more than 30,000 taels of silver. This set of dishes will consume a lot of money." Taxes for one year in two provinces." Gao Gong wanted to overturn these plates and smash them to pieces, but he heard that Zhang Juzheng's words were meant to be ridiculed, so he couldn't help but his face sank, and he retorted: "You and I just ate this breakfast. It is enough for a small family in the countryside to spend for a year, and they are making small calculations everywhere, where is the emperor's power!" While talking, the two returned to the duty room.The little fireman has already removed the breakfast table and made tea for the two of them again.Before eating breakfast, Gao Gong had ordered that the imperial physician come to report to the emperor once he finished his diagnosis.At this moment, the imperial physician left the bedroom and came to the duty room.After performing the official ceremony, Gao Gong asked, "What's wrong with the emperor?" The imperial physician replied: "According to my humble diagnosis, the emperor suffered a stroke." "Stroke?" Gao Gong was a little suspicious, "Everyone who has had a stroke is either paralyzed on the bed or slurred in speech. How can the emperor still run around and tell lies?" The imperial physician replied: "What Yuanfu said is very true. Generally, people who suffer from stroke have this symptom, but the emperor's situation is different. The emperor usually takes too many tonics, and people are always in extreme excitement. Just now Take the emperor's pulse, the Cun pulse is rapid, the Guan pulse is floating and the Chi pulse is erratic, this is the phenomenon of the middle burner blocking the inner fire and attacking the heart. The disease starts from C, according to the five elements, C is fire, the first month is Yin, and wood helps the fire , the emperor's internal fire is a sore on the outside, which shows the severity of the fire poison. Now it is Maoyue, the evil fire is more prosperous, the surface is a sore, and the heart is poison. The emperor's fire poison has penetrated from the surface to the inside, from the skin to the heart. On the surface Those who have sores are rampant, those who enter the heart, the fire will burn the spirit, and many delusions will arise. The so-called wind is fire poison. That's why I dare to say that the emperor's illness this time is actually a sign of apoplexy." This imperial doctor is almost seventy years old, and has been in the imperial hospital for forty years. He is the chief of the imperial hospital in terms of medical skills.Listening to his eloquence, the analysis revealed that the reasoning was sufficient, Gao Gong had no choice but to believe it, and his heart suddenly became heavy. He subconsciously twirled his beard, looked at the imperial physician and asked: "In your opinion, the emperor's illness is still not serious. Heavy?" "Heavy!" The imperial doctor replied affirmatively. "How heavy is it?" Facing Shoufu's pressing questioning, the imperial physician felt embarrassed.Because according to his pulse, the emperor is terminally ill, and his death is only within a hundred days.However, according to the truthful report, the first assistant was furious, and convicted him of "confusing the crowd and cursing the emperor". In the lightest cases, he was distributed to the frontiers, and in severe cases, he was beheaded and abandoned in the market.If the concealment is not reported, and the emperor really dies at that time, he can also be convicted of "ineffective diagnosis and treatment, delaying the condition", and he can still be severely punished.After pondering in his heart for a while, the imperial physician replied: "Apoplexy has been a serious illness since ancient times. What's more, the emperor's apoplexy is more complicated than ordinary symptoms. If you want to stabilize the disease and prevent it from developing, the most important thing is to take care of it." "How to recuperate?" "Just now I have said that illness comes from fire, and people carry fire poison from their mother's womb. As long as a person pays attention to reducing the fire, he can guarantee that he will not be seriously ill and live forever. Since ancient times, miracle doctors such as Bian Que, Hua Tuo, and others Sun Simiao's "Thousand Gold Prescriptions" and Zhang Zhongjing's "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" both talk about the principle of eliminating fire and evil. The first principle of eliminating fire and evil is to be pure-hearted and have few desires. As long as the emperor can do this, If supplemented with decoction, the condition will definitely improve." After hearing what the imperial physician said, everyone present fell silent.The imperial physician then submitted the medicine list prescribed for the emperor to Gao Gong for review.Gao Gong glanced at it randomly, but the erotic pictures on the porcelain plate came to his mind.He knew that the first thing the emperor could not do was to be pure-hearted and ascetic.As a minister, he can solve the emperor's worries and problems, and handle major military and political affairs well, but he dare not speak casually about the emperor's private life.In the second year of Longqing, Hu Dakui, a member of the Rites Department, advised the emperor not to indulge in female sex, but to be virtuous to the world, to focus on state affairs, to be virtuous and to be in charge of the government, and to set an example for the world.As a result, Longyan was furious, and the decree came down to demote Hu Dakui to the people, and he would never use it again.From then on, no one dared to speak out to persuade the emperor.Gao Gong has read the books of sages and sages, and he can talk about the truth of confidante misleading the country one by one.However, he has been in charge of the country for two years, but he blindly adopts a conniving and protective attitude towards the emperor's lust for women.Only in this way can he, the chief assistant of the cabinet, be able to practice the monarchy, coerce the emperor to order the princes, and control all the officials in the palm of his hand... Now the situation is changing, even though the imperial physician is evasive.But from his tone, it can still be heard that the emperor is terminally ill.Gao Gong looked at Zhang Juzheng, who was thirteen years younger than him, sitting across from him, and suddenly felt a huge threat.He waved his hand to let the imperial physician back down, and called the eunuch on duty in Dongnuan Pavilion, and said to him, "Go to the cabinet now, pass on my instructions, and ask the secretary of the cabinet to quickly draft an emergency message to be sent to the yamen in Beijing. First, the emperor suffers from illness." During the sickness period, from today onwards, all yamen hall officials will stay overnight in the yamen on duty and are not allowed to go home; secondly, from tomorrow onwards, all yamen officials will be brought into the office in Tsing Yi corners to pray for the emperor for three days; thirdly, All officials are not allowed to talk about the emperor's illness, and those who violate the order will be severely punished; fourth, the yamen are not allowed to dereliction of duty with excuses, and the office is as diligent as before, and all major issues that want to be discussed must be reported to the cabinet, and no decisions can be made without authorization..." Gao Gong resolutely , finished his instructions in one breath.The eunuch on duty led the order to leave Dongnuan Pavilion and go to the cabinet.Looking at his running back, Gao Gong remembered that Zhang Juzheng was sitting in the room, so he asked perfunctorily: "Taiyue, do you think there is anything else that needs to be added?" The practice of ignoring the existence of the second assistant is very slanderous, but on the surface there is no trace of resentment, he said with a smile: "Yuanfu's arrangements are appropriate and thoughtful, and all the officials agree." While talking, another eunuch came rushing in, knelt in front of Gao Gong, and said loudly: "The Secretary of General Administration sent a letter to Mr. Gao." The sealed envelope was handed over with both hands, Gao Gong took it and saw that it was another report from the front line of Qingyuan Mansion in Guangxi. The residence report was sent by Li Yan, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi.Since the rebels were rampant last winter, Li Yan has been supervising the encirclement and suppression on the front line.The content of this residence report is that after Wei Yinbao broke through the Qingyuan Mansion last time, he looted Yishan and Tianhe counties several days ago, causing countless casualties among soldiers and civilians, and Tianhe County was almost burned to the ground.After Gao Gong read it, he handed the mansion newspaper to Zhang Juzheng, and said angrily: "The Mongolian Tartars have not violated the frontier, and the north is fine. I didn't expect that the thieves in Guangxi would become more and more noisy!" After Zhang Juzheng read the mansion newspaper Said: "Li Yan does not play tricks and conceals, and reports the military situation truthfully. He is still a mature person. He explained the loss of the county in the residence newspaper, saying that it was a malaria in the south of the Ling River. The soldiers were stationed there, and they were often infected with diseases. Vomiting and diarrhea, feeling sore and weak, it is still difficult to stand up, let alone killing the enemy with spears. This is not an excuse." Gao Gong laughed dumbfounded, and said teasingly: "An hour ago, you were just and stern. He said that the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi must be replaced, so why did he change his tone and say good things for Li Yan?" Zhang Juzheng shook the Babaili Mansion newspaper in his hand, and replied: "What I said, Yuanfu may not be fully I understand. Li Yan has the government in his heart, and when he meets the facts, this is an advantage. But this man is not a military talent. It's beyond his ability. Li Yan is worthy of a heavy responsibility to be a government official, to hold the throne, but to be the governor of the three armed forces is really difficult for him." During the conversation between the two, the eunuch on duty in Dongnuange came in to reply, saying that the secretary of the cabinet had prepared a message according to the instructions of the first assistant, and it could be sent to the various yamen in the capital before the class ended in the afternoon.At the same time, Meng Chong, the eunuch who was in charge of the seal, also sent people to send more than a dozen memorials that were urgently awaiting "ticket drafting", and asked the first assistant to read them.Gao Gong flipped through the pages, picked out Li Yanqian's memorial report on the fall of Qingyuan Mansion and Guangxi General Soldier Yu Dayou's manuscript for self-impeachment and application for dereliction of duty, and handed it to Zhang Juzheng, saying: "The emperor asked us to draw up these two documents. See how to deal with it?" Zhang Juzheng thought to himself: "Didn't you express your attitude clearly a long time ago? Why bother to hypocritically ask for my opinion at this time?" Dissatisfaction was dissatisfied, but the answer was very measured: "In order to wipe out the rebels led by Wei Yinbao and Huang Chaomeng , the emperor has already issued two edicts. Not only did the Ministry of War and the Cabinet of Ministers repeatedly mention the matter of extermination within a time limit, but it was also solemnly stated in the imperial decree. How can the bandits be suppressed more and more? According to my servant, since the commander-in-chief will not make any changes, but Whether it's Li Yan or Yu Dayou, they should all be punished and severely punished." "How to punish, whether to degrade or fine." "Whether it is a little punishment or a fine, it is better." "What's the point of punishing salary?" Gao Gong said with a sneer and grimace, "It's a waste of money to fight a war. Even if the governor has no salary, he can get a rich man by taking deductions." Zhang Juzheng was heartbroken, he heard Gao Gong's words and changed his usual attitude, so he asked: "According to Yuanfu's opinion, is the fine too light?" "yes." "Yuanfu wants to downgrade them?" "Still too light!" "Then, in Yuansuke's opinion?" "Li Yan was dismissed on the spot and ordered to return to his hometown to live idle. Yu Dayou, there is no need for a fine and salary, and a few words of strict responsibility have been issued, so that he can take the blame and make meritorious service." Gao Gong's face was full of anger, almost blowing out his beard and staring at his eyes, which made Zhang Juzheng hesitate.Yu Dayou was wronged in the first place, so it is reasonable to deal with it like this, but for some reason, his attitude towards Li Yan took a 180-degree turn in such a short period of time. "Yuanfu..." Zhang Juzheng yelled, but there was no more text.He thought that Gao Gong was speaking in a fit of anger, and wanted to persuade him, but just when he was about to speak, another thought occurred to him: Gao Gong was impatient and in a hurry, but the city is actually very deep, so there must be another reason for his acting like this.So I swallowed all the words I wanted to persuade. "Taiyue," Gao Gong pointed to the cases at the first end of the value room, and said still angrily, "You sit there now and proceed with the drafting according to what I just said." "Yuanfu, please think twice." Zhang Juzheng was sitting on a mahogany chair, tasting Biluochun, without moving his body. "Li Yan is my protégé, I know you have concerns, so let me draft the tickets myself." As Gao Gong said, he had already sat down on several desks, stretched out his pen and paper, and a ticket was ready to be issued in an instant: Li Yanquan had no heart to be cautious, repeatedly missed the military plane, and was arrogantly defeated. As a result, Wei Yinbao, the leader of the rebellion, and the bandits of the Huang Dynasty became rampant, and fell into several counties in a row for a month.The minister who lost his land cannot escape the guilt.Gu Nian has no bad deeds on weekdays, but now she is ordered to serve in the same place and return to her hometown after being vacant, so she does not have to come to Beijing to thank you, I respect you. After drafting the ticket, Gao Gong read it twice and thought that the words were correct before handing it to Zhang Juzheng and asking, "Where is Yin Zhengmao now?" Zhang Juzheng knew that Gao Gong was asking the question knowingly, so he still replied: "I am serving as Governor of Jiangxi." Gao Gong nodded, with an imperceptible cunning in his eyes, he said to Zhang Juzheng: "Taiyue, today's second draft is up to you to write. Yin Zhengmao couldn't stay for a moment after receiving the order, and rushed to Guangxi to celebrate Far to the front, to take over the post of governor of Guangdong and Guangxi." Zhang Juzheng was shocked again.He and Yin Zhengmao were Jinshi of the same discipline in the 26th year of Jiajing. He knew that Yin Zhengmao was ruthless and had great strategies.That's why he held the attitude of "do not avoid enmity when exercising externally, and do not avoid relatives when exercising internally", and repeatedly recommended him as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to put down the Qingyuan rebellion in Guangxi.Unexpectedly, Gao Gong knew that Yin Zhengmao was the same age as him, so he repeatedly found some excuses to prevaricate.Zhang Juzheng should be happy now that he suddenly proposed to use it, but he felt that the change in Gao Gong's attitude was too abrupt and inexplicable, so he didn't dare to take it lightly, and asked after some consideration: "Didn't Shoufu say that Yin Zhengmao is a greedy and despicable person?" Sex, can't bear this heavy responsibility?" "I've said it before," Gao Gong didn't feel guilty because of his inconsistent attitude, but cast his hot eyes over and said, "In terms of character, Yin Zhengmao is indeed inferior to Li Yan. But a good person may not A good man is not necessarily a good official when he accomplishes great things. Li Yan is an example. He served as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and supervised the battle on the front line for half a year without catching a single mouse. You recommended Yin Zhengmao many times, and I also asked someone to investigate , Yin Zhengmao has some talents, but he loves money too much, so he has a bad reputation of being greedy and contemptible. Therefore, although Yin Zhengmao is not a good person, he is a capable person. Using him this time is a last resort. " Zhang Juzheng quite agrees with Gao Gong's remarks.But at the same time, he also felt that this was Shoufu's superficial words, and it was still a mystery why he suddenly changed his mind.So he asked: "When Yuanfu said this, the lower officials naturally understood. But isn't Yuanfu afraid that Yin Zhengmao will use the power of the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to embezzle the military salary?" "As long as we can wipe out the gangsters, what is there to be afraid of corruption?" Gao Gong stretched out his fingers and praised, "Since Wei Yinbao's rebellion, Li Yan has spent millions of taels of silver from the court. There are more and more bandits. Not only wasting money, but also wasting time. Looking at this issue now, in all fairness, this kind of waste is more terrible than corruption. After you ask Yin Zhengmao to take office, immediately submit a booklet, stating that Wei Yinbao will be wiped out How long will it take, how much taels of silver, add 200,000 taels of silver to the total military expenses he needs. The old man can tell you clearly that the 200,000 taels of silver are intended to be embezzled by Yin Zhengmao. If Yin Zhengmao can meet the deadline Even if you let him embezzle 200,000 taels of silver, it will still be worthwhile to wipe out the banditry." "What if Yin Zhengmao can't put an end to the banditry?" "Then it is impossible for him to escape like Li Yan. I will ask the emperor to punish him with a felony!" The two ministers battled their minds with each other, and then discussed the details of this issue.At this time, footsteps sounded in the hall outside the guard's door, and Zhang Gui pushed open the half-hidden door and walked into the guard's room. "Eunuch Zhang, how is the emperor?" Gao Gong asked. Zhang Gui's face was pale, obviously he hadn't recovered from the shock in the morning. "The emperor is with the queen and concubine right now," Zhang Gui said with a sad face, "the emperor is holding the crown prince's hand, crying and talking." Hearing this, Gao Gong stomped his feet anxiously, and said: "People who have had a stroke are the most taboo to toss and toss. Your Majesty can't see anyone right now. You need to cultivate yourself quietly." "That's not what you said," Zhang Gui became more and more panicked when he saw Gao Gong was so anxious, "The empress also said that she wanted to leave, but the emperor just refused." "Who else is in front?" Gao Gong asked. "Eunuch Feng." "Feng Bao?" Gao Gong said bitterly after being stung by a bumblebee, "Why is he also there?" Zhang Gui said: "Eunuch Feng is here with the crown prince." "Accompany the prince, hmph, I think he's a dog taking a mouse--just mind your own business." Gao Gong was angry at Feng Bao, but Zhang Gui dared not answer.Although he is also a big brother, his status is much lower than that of Feng Baolai, the eunuch who is the supervisor of rites and the eunuch of Bingbi and the admiral of the East Factory.And the tall bearded man in front of him is the chief assistant of the current cabinet, and he is also someone who cannot be offended.Both of them could not be offended, so Zhang Gui bowed to the two cabinet ministers and said, "I'm here to tell the two cabinet elders that the emperor hasn't issued a decree for a while, so I'm afraid the two cabinet elders will have to sit down for a while." As soon as Zhang Gui said he was going to leave, he turned around, and another person came in from outside the door. He was about fifty years old, of medium height, with a slightly fat body, wearing a yuan cyan silk tunic with a small python turned upside down, and a bean green inner sleeve. She wears a cashmere jacket, and wears a bamboo silk embroidered hat with a blue face. Her whole body exudes an air of arrogance and wealth.This person is Feng Bao who just made Gao Gong angry. Feng Bao was from Qinghe County, Hebei Province. He entered the palace at the age of twelve and had been in the Forbidden City for nearly forty years.Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, forbade eunuchs to intervene in politics, and offenders were punished with the death penalty of skinning, and eunuchs were not allowed to read or write.As time went by, the imperial government relaxed.Many decrees made by Ming Taizu have been abolished.Eunuchs intervening in politics also happened frequently.After Wuzong and Sejong, the chief minister of ceremonies and the cabinet became two major power organizations that competed with each other. It was not uncommon for the chief assistant of the cabinet to be dismissed or even killed for offending the chief minister of ceremonies.Feng Bao had a talent for reading since he was a child, and after entering the palace, he studied for several years. He knew all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and he was especially proficient in piano and calligraphy. Both of them were well-known inside and outside the palace.When he was still Emperor Jiajing, he was the eunuch Bingbi, the supervisor of ceremonies, and the admiral of Dongchang.When Emperor Longqing ascended the throne, there happened to be a vacancy in the palm seal eunuch. According to seniority, Feng Bao should take over.But somehow, Gao Gong didn't like him, so he recommended Chen Hong, who was much less senior than Feng Bao, to take over as eunuch.When Chen Hong resigned, Gao Gong recommended Meng Chong to take over, so Feng Bao would not be allowed to sit on the throne of eunuch.Therefore, Feng Bao hated Gao Gong deeply.As for Gao Gong, he considers himself the emperor's teacher, has the emperor's backing in everything, and is in the position of the chief assistant who is unambiguous, so he doesn't pay attention to Feng Bao at all.When encountering official business, he can't avoid it, but he is also bossy, without the slightest courtesy. "Ah, Eunuch Feng is here." Zhang Gui quickly moved aside and let Feng Bao in. The two met face to face, and Zhang Gui took advantage of the situation and left.Feng Bao went straight into the value room.He nodded to the two cabinet ministers, then walked to the empty chair beside Zhang Juzheng, and sat down carelessly. "You two elders, have you had breakfast?" Feng Bao asked.As soon as he entered the door, he found that the atmosphere was a bit strange. "I've used it." Zhang Juzheng bowed his body and smiled politely. Gao Gong's face was tense, and he said nothing.Feng Bao looked at him, smiled coldly, suddenly he stood up abruptly, and said sharply in his sissy voice: "Old Gao Ge, the emperor has sent an order to me." "Ah!" Gao Gong was startled, looked up at Feng Bao, and saw that white and fat face and those two cold and hard eyes.He really wanted to yell "what are you!" and then walk away.But this is the Qianqing Palace, and the eunuch said that he came here with a decree, Gao Gong had no choice but to suppress his anger, raised the corner of his robe and knelt on the ground and replied coldly, "Minister Gao Gong asks for an decree." Feng Bao passed down the imperial decree and said: "Gao Gong, I asked you and Zhang Juzheng to make arrangements for the funeral in advance. I hope you and others can borrow money to learn from others, follow the body and keep the text, and take out the regulations as soon as possible and write them down." "The minister obeys the order." Gao Gong replied in a stiff voice. "Just follow the order." Seeing Gao Gong struggling to get up from the ground, Feng Bao felt a little joy in his heart, but he still said solemnly, "You two elders are the only ones in the cabinet, so it's convenient to discuss. The emperor confessed I hope you can think more carefully about the funeral." "Is this also the emperor's will?" Gao Gong pressed. "No, this is my humble suggestion." Gao Gong took a few cases and shouted sharply: "Eunuch Feng, there is no need for you to advise on the cabinet affairs." Feng Baozhong sat back on the chair next to Zhang Juzheng, stared at the fruit box on the coffee table, and asked coldly, "Mr. Gao Ge, where did you get so angry?" "The cabinet is an important center for the court to handle state affairs. You, a minister, dare to make any suggestions to the ministers. Can you bear the suspicion of meddling in politics?" High arched, aggressive and aggressive.Zhang Juzheng did not participate in the dispute between the two, but just kept drinking tea with his head down. "Old Gao Ge is right," Feng Bao said still calmly, "the cabinet is the head office. But don't forget, this office still works for the emperor. You work for the emperor outside, and I work for the emperor inside. , the difference is only this." "you!" Gao Gong was momentarily at a loss for words, stomped his feet, and sat back on the chair. Zhang Juzheng put down the teacup at this moment.He knew the characters of these two people, Gao Gong had a hot temper and could not hold any grudges in his chest; while Feng Baomian had a hidden needle and was sharp in speech, if the two were allowed to argue, any consequences might happen, so he said: "Eunuch Feng, You are an old man in the palace. You have been in the Supervisor of Rites for more than ten years, and you have dealt with Mr. Gao Ge for four or five years. Don’t you know what kind of man Gao Ge is? The emperor suddenly fell ill. It's good. At this time, when you tease him, Gao Ge's angry words just blurt out?" After Zhang Juzheng's persuasion, Feng Bao's face became a little more relaxed.It's just that the arch is high, and the beard is still raised with anger. Feng Bao shook his head, and suddenly said sadly, "I didn't expect to quarrel with Mr. Gao Ge. We are all old ministers in front of the emperor. If you guard me like this, I will stare at you. There is no kindness at all. What's the point?" Woolen cloth?" "This sounds like a human saying." Gao Gong said from the bottom of his heart, but the words that came out of his mouth were still hot and choking: "Doing things for the emperor, let alone public affairs, how dare you talk about private affairs. Not to mention the differences between inside and outside, let alone talking about harmony." .” Hearing these words, Feng Bao couldn't help shivering.He glanced at Zhang Juzheng subconsciously, and Zhang Juzheng's eyes just moved over Gao Gong.The two eyes met briefly, and then quickly separated.Feng Bao has always wanted to satirize this domineering chief assistant, now that he seized the opportunity, how can he let it go easily?At this time, I saw him sneering for a while at first, and then the laughter fell abruptly, and the words that came out were like frost swords: "What a man who is a man of the world, Gao Ge, who calls himself like a saint, but in fact he is just like me. Paul is the same, both are emperors just a dog.If the dog bites the dog's mouth hair, of course there will be no harmony. " "You, you, get out of here! Get out—" Gao Gong, who was so angry that his lips turned black and his whole body was trembling, roared like thunder. If Zhang Juzheng hadn't stopped him, he would have rushed over to fight Feng Bao desperately.Feng Bao hindered that Dongnuan Pavilion was too close to the emperor's bedroom, and if the emperor's misfortune and fortune were unpredictable, he took the opportunity to get up and leave. When he walked to the door, he still didn't forget to say a word: "It's you or I. It's time to go. Unpredictable!"