Chapter 18 Chapter Seventeen

After work, Gao Gong returned home, but unexpectedly, another incident happened that disturbed him. After entering the house, Gao Gong took off his official robe and changed into casual clothes. As soon as he sat down in the study, Gao Fu happily took a letter, handed it to Gao Gong with both hands, and said in a low voice: "Master, this is sent by Shao Daxia. letter." "Oh!" Gao Gong agreed, and immediately took the sealed secret letter, opened it, and took out a piece of letter paper to read. There were only two simple lines on it: Li Hua Nanyue thank you wanderer back home

Gao Gong had roughly guessed the "mystery" in these two lines, but he was still not sure, so he asked Gao Fu, "Where is Shao Daxia?" Gao Fu replied: "I heard that he has returned to Nanjing, but he just sent someone to deliver this letter." "Where's the messenger?" "Leaving too." Gao Fu saw that Gao Gong was anxious, and quickly added: "The messenger said that Li Yan committed suicide on the Gaoming Terrace behind Fuyan Temple in Hengshan." "What? What did you say?" Gao Gong asked again and again, as if he didn't hear clearly, or he couldn't believe it.

Gao Fu repeated it again.Gao Gong was so startled that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear for a moment, he was stunned for a while, then picked up the letter paper on the desk, looked at it, and said: "Thank you, Li Hua Nanyue, probably referring to this matter, the sender said, Li How did Nobu commit suicide?" Gao Fu hesitated for a while, and replied: "The sender didn't describe it in detail, he only said that he was hanged on an old pine tree." "What hanged? I think it was probably killed by Shao Daxia. This Shao Daxia is really vicious in his actions."

When he said this, Gao Gong looked frustrated.He couldn't help but recall the scene when he secretly met Shao Daxia in the death cell that night.When he explained that he asked Shao Daxia for help, Shao Daxia clearly showed the intention of killing people to silence them.Although he expressed his objection, he didn't expect Shao Daxia's behavior style, which led to today's consequences.Thinking that he might be the indirect murderer who killed Li Yan, Gao Gong's heart tightened up and down.Many of these mysteries can only be solved by meeting Shao Daxia, so Gao Gong asked: "This Shao Daxia, why doesn't he come to Beijing to see me?"

Gao Fu replied: "I asked the messenger, and he said that his master had been away from home for too long and was worried about the business in Nanjing, so after going down from Mount Heng to Yueyang, he hired a boat from there and went back to Nanjing directly." "Oh, that's right. No wonder there's another sentence in the letter, the wanderer is coming back." After Gao Gong finished speaking, he crumpled the letter and burned it.Since the person is dead, it is useless to blame anyone.What's more, Gao Gong also knew from the bottom of his heart that Shao Daxia did this for his complete safety.After a painful torment in his heart, Gao Gong regained his composure, and returned to reality with all his attention: since Emperor Longqing Bintian, the situation inside and outside the palace has undergone considerable changes.When Emperor Longqing was in power, he relied on Gao Gong for everything.The situation is different now, the newly enthroned little emperor can't ask politics alone, everything has to be ruled by his mother, Li Guifei.Concubine Li Gui is very dependent on Feng Bao, and Feng Bao is Gao Gong's deadly enemy.Now that Feng Bao has given the seal of being the chief inspector of rites, this undoubtedly puts Gao Gong at a disadvantage for the time being.What he was most worried about was that Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng joined forces, which would put him, the "No.Thinking of this, Gao Gong remembered a conversation he had with Gao Yi in the cabinet duty room three days after Emperor Longqing passed away.

That afternoon, at about the time when the card was closed, Gao Gong was reading the "Persuasion Form" sent by the Ministry of Rites to respectfully invite the prince to ascend the throne, that is, the emperor's throne. Dali Temple Qing Gu Zhengyu came to ask for an audience and reported to Gao Gong. He was secretly captured by Feng Bao's men, and is now imprisoned in Dongchang Prison.Upon hearing the news, Gao Gong felt sour in his heart, so he went into Gao Yi's office and told him the news.Gao Yi listened and remained silent for a long time.After a long time, he asked softly: "What is Shoufu going to do? Let the Ministry of Justice and Dali Temple go to Dongchang to ask for someone?"

Gao Gong sighed, and replied: "The matter of arresting and arresting belongs to the Ministry of Punishment, and the responsibility of asking Qiao to judge the case is in Dali Temple. An imperial criminal like Wang Jiusi who caused a sensation in the court and the public should be handed over to the San Judicial Division for handling, but Feng Bao snatched it. This trick will definitely not let people go." "What the chief assistant said is very true," Gao Yi said with a worried look, frowning, "I think this Feng Bao has already sent someone to stare Wang Jiusi to death. He did this mainly for Meng Chong. Yes, everyone inside and outside the court knows that it was Meng Chong who introduced Wang Jiusi, a monster, to the emperor."

"But Zhang Juzheng..." Gao Gong hesitated to speak, Gao Yi glanced at him, smiled and said, "I know what the chief minister is going to say, but Zhang Juzheng arrested Wang Jiusi in the street, and it was your chief minister who ordered him to release him." "This is the emperor's will." "Now that the emperor is in heaven, who else can prove it?" Gao Yi and Gao Gong have been colleagues and friends for many years, so there is no disagreement when they speak.Gao Gong also realized that he was a bit useless in handling this matter.Now being poked into a sore spot by Gao Yi, I couldn't help feeling embarrassed, and couldn't help muttering: "Brother Yunan, you know that I never like people like demons and gods, who hover around the emperor like blowflies." Spin away."

Gao Yi nodded, and replied: "I know the character of the first assistant, but this kind of excuse is meaningless. From what I can see, your top priority is how to deal with the relationship with Feng Bao." "Feng Bao?" Gao Gong said disgustedly after being stung by a scorpion, "Why should I deal with him?" Gao Yi smiled wryly, and said, "Could it be that Chief Assistant, you really haven't noticed that Feng Bao is the great companion of the young master for many years, and it will happen sooner or later that he replaces Meng Chong as the head of the ceremonial supervisor."

How could Gao Gong fail to see this trend, he just didn't want to accept it.When Gao Yi said this, his mood became more and more heavy. After a moment of stunned, he couldn't help but sigh: "The emperor died young, and left the wind and rain of the country to you and me, two ministers who care about life." Gao Yi was silent for a long time, then sighed and said: "The way of heaven is reincarnated every sixty years, this statement is true." "Brother Yunan, why are you expressing this emotion?" Gao Gong asked. Gao Yi said slowly: "Sixty years ago, in the early years of Zhengde, Liu Jin, the supervisor of ceremonies at that time, won the trust of Emperor Wuzong. At that time, there were also three ministers in the cabinet, one was Liu Hui'an from Henan, and the other was Liu Jin. It is Xie Muqi from Zhejiang, and the other is Li Xiya from Chu. The birthplaces of the three cabinet ministers are exactly the same as those of the three of us. It’s a coincidence. What’s more, that Li Xiya from Chu is very vicious. They colluded and acted in collusion, and within a year, the first assistant Liu Hui'an and the second assistant Xie Muquan were all expelled from the cabinet."

Gao Gong, who advertises "taking history as a mirror", is also quite familiar with this period of history.As soon as Gao Yi's voice fell, he added: "The reincarnation of heaven is also different. At that time, Emperor Wuzong was fifteen years old when he succeeded to the throne, but the current prince is only ten years old. That Li Xiya colluded with Liu Jin, but he still knows how to deceive others , this person," Gao Gong pointed to Zhang Juzheng's valet, "is blatantly in collusion with Feng Bao. If I say a word in the cabinet, Feng Bao will know it immediately. You can't hate it if you say it." "The mountain is about to rain and the wind is all over the building!" Gao Yi exclaimed. "In my brother's opinion, what should I do now?" Gao Gong asked tentatively, and then sighed, "I really want to go to the bank and beg for divorce." Gao Yi pondered for a while, and said: "The former emperor dragon controlled the honored guests, and the young master has not yet ascended the throne. If you go to the original request to be an official, you will have failed the former emperor's trust. With internal and external constraints, it is inevitable that the power will fall to the side, and it is difficult for you to help the country. It is meaningless to be an official of this kind, and you are unwilling to do it. This is called being unable to advance, unable to retreat, a dilemma!" Seeing Gao Yi's look of helplessness, Gao Gong suddenly became stubborn again, and said, "I will probably not forget the old man's generous statement when he was in charge of his life. When I say 'life and death are irrelevant', I mean seeing that the situation is overwhelming. For, prepare to serve the late emperor with death." "Yuanfu has such determination, which is really a blessing to the emperor and a blessing to the country. However, Yuanfu should also remember the precepts of the ancients to protect oneself." "The collusion between Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao has already been established. If I want to follow the truth, preserve the law, and protect the government, how can I protect myself wisely?" Gao Yi admired Gao Gong's courage to do things, but he also felt that Gao Gong was narrow-minded, and he would definitely suffer a big loss if he acted like this, so he said euphemistically: "Yuanfu, you and Zhang Juzheng were also like-minded. Close friend!" Gao Gong sighed and said, "What's the point of bringing up the past?" "It's very difficult for you to block two fists with one palm now. If you can reconcile with Taiyue and only have the middle palace as a hindrance, things will be much easier to handle." Gao Gong didn't say anything at the time, but after thinking about it, he felt that Gao Yi's words made sense.In any case, after all, Zhang Juzheng and himself were once allies who stood together through thick and thin.Now, it seems that it is not easy for the two to abandon their past and restore their friendship.But it is still possible to treat Zhang Juzheng with reason and emotion, so that he has scruples and dare not form an alliance with Feng Bao.So in the past few days, he changed his stiff attitude and started to win over Zhang Juzheng again.Regardless of the effect, at least the image of reconciliation has been restored.Having settled Zhang Juzheng's side, he was thinking about how to get rid of Feng Bao's thorn in his side as soon as possible, but he was a step too late, and the central decree to appoint Feng Bao as the supervisor of ceremonies and eunuch in charge of printing was issued to the cabinet. In the Ming Dynasty, the cabinet and the supervisor of ceremonies were originally a mutual restrictive relationship.If the cabinet ministers are the emperor's private secretaries, then the official secretary's palm seal and the pen eunuch are the emperor's confidential secretaries.After the memorials submitted to the emperor by the various government ministries and yamen arrive at the Silijian, they will be transferred to the cabinet as usual, and the cabinet ministers will come up with opinions on how to deal with them.The other paper is copied and then submitted to the imperial court. This is called "piaobi", also known as "ge ticket".If the emperor agrees with the proposal of the cabinet, and then copies it with a Zhu pen, it will become an imperial decree, commonly known as "Zhu Zhu".The nominal authority of the Lijian Supervisor is to take charge of internal and external chapters and imperial reconnaissance, and to approve Zhu according to the cabinet's proposal.In fact, their authority can be expanded infinitely.It is the emperor's own business to make the final judgment on the decree drafted by the cabinet, but if he encounters an irresponsible emperor, the power to "approve Zhu" will fall into the hands of the eunuch Bingbi, the supervisor of ceremonies .In this way, whether the cabinet's bill can become the emperor's decree depends entirely on the seal of the supervisor of ceremonies.During Gao Gong's tenure as Chief Assistant, the Supervisor of Rituals successively had the handprints of Chen Hong and Meng Chong. Since they were all recommended by Gao Gong, and Emperor Longqing relied heavily on him, an old minister who had served as a minister in Prince Yu's mansion for nine years, so The proposals of the cabinet can be "approved" normally.It's different now, Feng Bao was originally Gao Gong's deadly enemy, and the newly enthroned emperor was a child, so Feng Bao could do whatever he wanted.Therefore, Gao Gong thought of Liu Jin, the eunuch who was in charge of rites and seals during Emperor Wuzong's time. Because he was trusted by Wuzong, he was good at "criticizing Zhu" alone, and even brought Zhang Zuo back to his private house to criticize Zhu with his sister-in-law Sun Cong and diner Zhang Wenmian. answer.For a while, the cabinet became the ears of the deaf-a decoration.And Liu Jin became the de facto emperor.The relationship between the world's officials and him is that those who obey will prosper, those who rebel will perish, and those who sell themselves will prosper; whoever dares to say "no" to him will be demoted to a place of miasma and epidemics, or severely punished and abandoned the market.learn from past experience.Gao Gong realized that Feng Bao might become the second Liu Jin.Instead of letting him develop and sit and wait for death, it is better to take advantage of his unstable foothold and fight back vigorously.This may remove a major hidden danger for the people of the country. After much deliberation, Gao Gong decided to write a memorial to the newly enthroned little emperor.He ordered the book boy to grind the ink and stretch the paper, while he paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, thinking about the sentences.After a while, the smell of ink filled the study room, and Gao Gong roughly finished his manuscript. When he returned to the desk, he picked up the exquisite small script and wrote a sentence on the special cabinet paper: Gao Gong, a scholar of the university, etc., asked me to make a special statement on urgent matters, so as to benefit the new political affairs.I respectfully meet the emperor for the first time on the throne, and have an overview of all the urgent matters at the beginning of the tens of thousands. I would like to open a letter to make progress, and make a wish for the sacred reading, and I will implement it specially.The ministers and others are looking forward to it, and I would like to write a question to hear: After writing this, Gao Gong put down his pen, and a childish face of the new emperor appeared in his mind.When I accepted the persuasion from the officials in Wenhua Palace yesterday, I didn't know how to answer it correctly.Whenever he had to answer a question, he took out a stack of papers from his sleeve, rummaged through them one by one, found a suitable one, and read it out like a memorization. The sentences on these papers sounded like Feng Bao tone.Gao Gong felt that this was the first problem to be solved, so he wrote: According to the old rules of the ancestors, the imperial gates listen to the government, and all the affairs of the yamen are answered by Yuyin personally, so that the government orders come from the Lord.The ministers dare not predict.At the beginning of Longqing, the cabinet ministers planned to order them to answer on their behalf, so that it was not a matter for the owner to play.Yesterday when the emperor was persuading him to enter, Hemeng gave an answer, the language of heaven was solemn, and the jade voice was clear and clear, all the ministers admired him.On that day, it spread throughout the capital, and everyone was delighted.Its relationship can be known.If there is no personal answer for a while, the ministers will think that the superiors are not rational, and the government orders are all from the mouth of others, so why don't they understand the truth?From now on, the Commander-in-Chief and Supervisor of Rites will open a small post about the yamen's response every day, stating that certain things should not be answered, certain things should be answered, and certain yamen knows about certain things, and so on.When the emperor came to the gate, he packed up his sleeves, waited for the officials to play, took out the list, and answered them personally.As for the interim ruling, if the number of court officials is small, please investigate, and the answer will be: "Check with the yamen, and if the rectification is inappropriate, the Jin Yiwei will take it, and the judiciary will ask questions, and at least let him go. "If you have to answer this in person, then the decree is naturally wonderful and can be tied to the hearts of the people.V begging for the holy judge. After writing this paragraph, Gao Gong's thoughts became clear.He decided to listen to the government in the yamen, set up cases to read the chapters, and everything must be done face-to-face, and things must be done according to the rules.Because he thought that the new emperor was a ten-year-old child, he turned to the plain spoken language instead of the written style of the memorial.When he wrote the section on doing things according to the rules, he thought of the "central decree" that bypassed the cabinet this afternoon, and he couldn't help being angry again, so he wrote vigorously: The three things must be discussed and dealt with properly, so that it can be helpful and serve the hearts of the world.If it is not discussed, there will be mistakes.The officials of the cabinet set up by the state government read the detailed chapters and draft the purpose, so they can discuss it.From now on, the Emperor Fuqi will send the cabinet to review all the chapters and drafts, and if it is not suitable, it will be sent to the cabinet for further drafting.If there are those who have not issued the plan and approved it directly, Rong Chen and others can only implement it after performing it clearly.Common things can be stopped and the disadvantages of false pretense can also be avoided.In recent years, the promotion of common officials and various beggars and miscellaneous editions have been approved by the Rites and Supervisors directly, because they can be done without penalty.However, I don't know that it is improper to push up, so I should refute it.Or those who are deceitful in matters, violate the law, or make mistakes in words, they should be punished.Moreover, there are those who do not go to the cabinet in Zhang Zuo. If the ministry is destroyed, the cabinet will not know it at all. Wouldn't it be a dereliction of duty?From then on, Emperor Fuwang ordered the Supervisor of Rites, except for the Minben, to send all the rest to the cabinet for review.The common affairs are unified, and there is nothing wrong with treachery.V begging for the holy judge. The content of this section, anyone with a discerning eye can see at a glance, is to deprive the power of the supervisor of ceremonies and leave no room for Feng Bao's political affairs. Unknowingly, after more than an hour, Gao Gong finally wrote a memorial with thousands of words, read it twice, and felt that what he wanted to express was in the words. On the silk cover, the words "Chen Wu Shi Shu" were respectfully inscribed. After finishing all this, Gao Gong felt that his arms were a little sore and tired, so he stood up and shook his hands, only to realize that Gao Fu had been standing by his side. "Why are you still here?" Gao Gong asked. "Master is too tired for a long time. When I come back today, I don't even have time to eat dinner. I have been writing on the table for a couple of hours. The old lady is worried and asked me to take a look." As Gao Fu said, he handed over a cup of ginseng tea that he had been holding in his hand, Gao Gong took a sip, and felt hungry.Putting down the teacup, he stretched his waist and said, "Go and greet the chef, cook two dishes, get a pot of wine, and bring them to the study." "yes." Gao Fu bowed and retreated, not wanting to be stumbled by the school boy who ran in from outside. "Why are you so flustered?" Gao Gong asked. The book boy was also embarrassed by his recklessness, so he walked aside and apologized to Gao Fu.Gao Fu grabbed the book boy and pulled him out the door.The book boy couldn't resist, so he had to turn his head to look at Gao Gong. "Wait!" Gao Gong shouted, and Gao Fu, who had already walked out of the study door, had no choice but to stop. Gao Gong walked to the door and asked the book boy: "You seem to be in trouble?" "Master," the book boy gave Gao Fu a terrified look, and murmured, "Master Zhang from the Household Department, you have been sitting in the living room outside for more than an hour." "Oh, why didn't you say it earlier?" Gao Gong was a little annoyed. "This..." Shu Tong was speechless. Gao Fu quickly took the lead and replied: "I don't blame him for this, I didn't let him report it, the master is too tired." He turned around and scolded the book boy, "Didn't you tell Mr. Zhang to leave? Why haven't you left yet?" The book boy replied aggrievedly: "He refused to leave, saying that he must see the master tonight." The two were still arguing, but Gao Gong had already stepped over the threshold, pushed the two away, and walked through the inner courtyard to the living room. "Brother Yangzheng, I'm sorry for making you wait so long." Before Gao Gong could enter the door, the voice had already come in.Zhang Shouzhi, who was sitting bored on the red sandalwood chair, stood up and cupped his hands and said angrily, "Yuanfu, there is a reason for my sudden visit. Your housekeeper said you were tired and didn't want to convey it. I Tell him, even if I wait here until dawn, I still want to see Yuansuke." Gao Gong smiled dryly, and said apologetically, "The subordinates are ignorant, and they are so negligent. I hope brother Yangzheng will forgive me." Zhang Shouzhi saw Gao Gong's tired face, bloodshot eyes in the dark circles of his eyes, and a long white beard that had lost its former luster. The anger in his heart disappeared immediately, and was replaced by admiration and pity. "Yuansuke, I know you are really tired these days..." "Brother Yangzheng," Gao Gong interrupted Zhang Shouzhi with a wave of his hand, "you must see me tonight, is it because of the two hundred thousand taels of silver?" "Exactly," Zhang Shouzhi nodded, and said in confusion, "after work was over, Luo Zun came to our house and said that Yuan Fu asked him to tell Concubine Li Gui that tomorrow he would allocate 200,000 taicang silver to make concubines in the harem." head jewelry, is this serious?" "It's true, I told Luo Zun to rush to your house to tell the story." Gao Gong replied resolutely, Zhang Shouzhi looked at him in surprise, thought for a moment, and then plucked up the courage to ask, "Does Yuanfu still remember Ma Sen's resignation the year before last?" "Mason?" Gao Gong was taken aback for a moment, then immediately lowered his eyelids and remained silent. However, on the Lantern Festival the year before last, Emperor Longqing took all the concubines in the harem to watch the Aoshan lantern in front of the Qianqing Palace.Looking at Emperor Longqing looking at the lamp, Concubine Li Gui who was sitting next to him took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty, look at the heads worn by all the concubines, are they all too old?" Emperor Longqing turned his head to the concubines The concubine glanced at it, and found that none of them were new, and felt very sorry.Only then did he remember that he had been on the throne for four years, and he hadn't made any head jewelry to reward the harem.The next day, he ordered the household department to allocate 400,000 taels of taicang silver to buy gold jewelry and make a batch of jewelry for the family members of the harem.But this matter was resisted by Ma Sen, the Minister of the Ministry of household affairs at that time.Ma Sen talked about the country's financial difficulties. The country's annual financial revenue is only more than two million taels of silver, but its expenditure is more than four million taels. The two expenditures for military and river management and water conservation alone cost more than three million taels. Ten thousand taels.It was not enough to make ends meet, and there were frequent mutinies among soldiers due to arrears of payment to the army.Ma Sen listed various difficulties in the memorial, hoping that the emperor would be sympathetic to the country's financial difficulties and take it back.Although Emperor Longqing didn't like managing the court very much, he was still aware of the accumulated fiscal deficit over the years.He usually also pays attention to saving, for example, the monthly silver of the concubines is much less than that of the previous dynasty.He presided over an archery competition among servants in Nanyuan, and those who hit one arrow were only rewarded with two small sesame cakes.Emperor Wuzong also held the same competition, and the minimum winner was fifty taels of silver.Comparing the two, Emperor Longqing's stinginess also created the most among the emperors of the Ming Dynasty.But this time is different. Emperor Longqing has made a promise to his concubines at the Aoshan Lantern Festival. If he does not keep it, he will lose the dignity of the emperor.Emperor Longqing rejected Ma Sen's memorial.Ma Sen had no choice but to apply for a rest, and Emperor Longqing approved the decree.In the same year when Gao Gong recommended him, Zhang Shouzhi, who was then Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Industry, came to Beijing to take over Ma Sen's post.As soon as Zhang Shouzhi took office, he also felt that it was really difficult to follow his orders after checking his family background.So with Gao Gong's consent, he went to the Shu again, tactfully stating the difficulties of the Ministry of Accounting.This time, Emperor Longqing made a concession and took the initiative to subtract 300,000 taels, and only asked the household department to take out 100,000 taels of silver.Zhang Shouzhi still wanted to go to Shuzhi to resist the decree, but Gao Gong persuaded him, saying that since the emperor has compromised, he must give the emperor some face.Zhang Shouzhi complied with the order.The day the money was withdrawn from Taicang was also the day when Ma Sen left Beijing to return home.At that time, more than 200 officials from various yamen in Beijing went out of the city to see Ma Sen off, which shows that the hearts of the people are against each other. Now Zhang Shouzhi brought up this old incident again, which made Gao Gong very uncomfortable.He took a sip of the tea served by the waiter, gave Zhang Shouzhi a slight look, and asked slowly: "Brother Yangzheng, do you want to be the second Mason? To win the applause of those Qing schools?" Zhang Shouzhi seemed to have been kicked by someone, his face turned red, and he hurriedly argued: "Yuanfu, don't misunderstand what I mean, we have been friends for more than twenty years, don't you see clearly what I mean?" Am I the kind of person who is greedy for fame? If I want to be the second Mason, I will not come to your house tonight, I will only go to the gate of the meeting tomorrow morning to submit my resignation Fold." "Then what are you doing with Mason?" Gao Gong asked urgently. "Never forget the past, the teacher of the future." Zhang Shouzhi sighed, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and then said: "Allow two hundred thousand taels of silver to Concubine Li Gui, if you can't name a proper name, call the scholars of the world." What do you think of this matter?" "Luo Zun also asked about the name in the afternoon, and now you still ask this. Didn't Luo Zun tell you?" Seeing Zhang Shouzhi bowed his head in silence, Gao Gong continued, "The new emperor always has a certain amount of expenses when he ascends the throne. It is the court's great law to customize head and face jewelry for concubines in the harem, and who is an official who does not understand this rule?" "It is precisely because scholars understand this rule that I am worried. Don't let people see something strange." Zhang Shouzhi has always been a well-known peacemaker, and he rarely argues with others, but tonight it seemed that he wanted to make things difficult for Gao Gong, so Gao Gong felt awkward.Putting it on someone else, his temper of firecrackers had already flared up, but because Zhang Shouzhi was a friend for many years, and he was also over 60 years old, so he blindly forbeared. Following Zhang Shouzhi's words, Gao Gong asked coldly: "Brother Yangzheng, what do you mean by that?" Zhang Shouzhi was fat and afraid of the heat. It happened that the temperature had risen sharply in the past few days. Although the carved windows in the living room were all open, there was no wind blowing in. As a result, he kept shaking the fan, and his forehead was still hot and sweaty.Now, wiping his sweat, he answered melancholy: "Yuanfu, don't forget, the emperor who enthroned today is still a ten-year-old child, how can there be a concubine in the harem?" Gao Gong was worried about Gordon, and thought: This is an oversight.Emperor Wuzong was fifteen years old when he came to the throne, and he was not yet married, so he was exempted from the expense of head jewelry.The current emperor is younger than him, if he doesn't find a suitable reason, he will leave people with something to talk about.He raised his right hand and slowly rubbed his forehead, lost in thought... "Yuanfu." Zhang Shouzhi called again softly. "Huh?" Gao Gong raised his eyelids. Zhang Shouzhi lowered his voice and said, "Although Bucai is dull, he still understands your difficulties. You want to win the support of Concubine Li Gui with this 200,000 taels of cash." "Oh?" Gao Gong forced a smile, "Is this how you see it?" "As long as this matter becomes a reality, all the yamen in the capital will think so. Now the emperor is only ten years old, and he will only give lectures this spring. How can he know the strategy of governing the country? The real head of the family is the emperor's biological mother Li Guifei. I have heard a long time ago that this Concubine Li Gui is a very assertive person." "She is very assertive. Luo Zun must have told you about the emperor's decree today." "Let's talk about it. Feng Bao was in charge of the Rites and the East Factory. His power is so powerful. His backer is Li Guifei. Yuan Fu wanted to win over her for the sake of the common people and the court's discipline." "Brother Yangzheng can see this, so he is not in vain my close friend." Gao Gong frowned and said with a sigh, "You have seen it clearly, and I am asking you for two hundred thousand yuan." Giving two pieces of silver to Concubine Li is not selfish! As for what you said just now, the new emperor is still a baby and has no harem dependents. This is true. But it ignores one point. Today, customizing head and face jewelry for them is the unfulfilled wish of the late emperor. Today's emperor makes custom head and face jewelry to reward the harem, which is also the meaning of the title of the enthronement ceremony." Zhang Shouzhi put away his fan and tapped his palms, and said, "Emperor Hongwu established the foundation of the Ming Dynasty with the aim of ruling the world with filial piety. Today, the emperor custom-made head and face jewelry and rewarded the harem out of filial piety. Well, this makes sense. It's just... " Gao Gong expected Zhang Shouzhi to continue talking, but Zhang Shouzhi stopped talking and did not say another word.Gao Gong could only ask, "Just what?" Zhang Shouzhi spread his hands, and said with a mournful face, "Yuanfu, you know the family background of the Ministry of Household Affairs, it's hard for a clever daughter-in-law to cook without rice!" "Crying poor again," Gao Gong said with a straightened face, "Your foster brother is in control of all the country's finances, even if you sweep the corner of the box, it's a mere two hundred thousand taels of silver. You can still sweep it out. " "Since Yuan Fu said so, I have nothing to do. To tell you the truth, there were more than 1.8 million taels of silver in Taicang last month. Guangxi Qingyuan's military expenses were paid more than 60 taels." Ten thousand taels, originally only more than 400,000 taels, but you, Yuan Fu, gave Yin Zhengmao an extra 200,000 taels. This month, the former emperor Bintian and the new emperor ascended the throne, and the expenses of the two grand ceremonies cost another 600,000 taels. More than 10,000 taels, and there is also a water transport project to connect the Chaohe River and the Baihe River. This is a major event to transport the grain from the Tongzhou warehouse to the capital. It was settled at the beginning of the year. The first phase of the project cost 400,000 taels of silver. Officially appointed. Because of financial constraints, only 200,000 taels was paid in advance, and Zhu Heng, the governor of the River Channel, urged him many times, and it is scheduled to pay another 200,000 taels this month. This decree was also drafted by the cabinet. I What I’m talking about here is just a few major items, and some small items of expenditure, tens of thousands here, tens of thousands there, I don’t need to go into details. In short, the household department has about 300,000 taels of silver. If another 200,000 taels are taken away, not to mention the project funds for dredging the Chaobai River, there will be nowhere to go, even the monthly salaries of tens of thousands of officials in the capital will not find a place to spend." When it came to finances, Zhang Shouzhi frowned, and he had nothing to say except to complain.Gao Gong is also aware of these situations, and he usually pays close attention to the financial revenue and expenditure.Save what can be saved. For example, this year's Aoshan lanterns for the Lantern Festival in the Forbidden City, under his proposal and efforts, only cost 50,000 taels of silver. Ten thousand.But this time it was different, in order to win over Li Guifei, the two hundred thousand taels of silver had to be spent.Now that the matter has been laid out, it is inconvenient for Gao Gong to insist on it, so he can only confided his heart and said in a discussing tone: "Brother Yangzheng, I know your difficulties, but now is the time for everyone to work together to tide over the difficulties. The financial situation of the imperial court is getting worse every year. This is a fact that is obvious to all. But the current political situation is more serious than the financial situation. It's a mess. Feng Bao has already replaced Meng Chong, and there are still people who have coveted me as the chief assistant for a long time. If things really develop to that point, I will not be able to be the chief assistant, and the Minister of the Household Department may not be able to be the chief assistant. It will no longer be your foster brother." Gao Gong spoke so slowly, but Zhang Shouzhi heard the undertones in the words.He served as Minister of the Household Department for more than two years, and he was impeached three times, all because of Gao Gong's protection, so he was safe from danger.In particular, the most recent one was written by Guangxi Daoist Sun Xiaoxian, saying that Li Yan had paid huge bribes to Zhang Shouzhi in order to pay the military salary in time for the Ministry of Household Affairs.When the booklet was delivered, it was during the period when Emperor Longqing was seriously ill, and Gao Gong drafted a draft to settle the matter with the eight words "There is no factual evidence, and you can't play it indiscriminately".Zhang Shouzhi was grateful to Gao Gong for this.He didn't know that as soon as Gao Gong's backer fell, Zhang Shouzhi would immediately leave the throne of Minister of the Household Department and pack up his bags and go home. "I also know that the situation is serious," Zhang Shouzhi said dully, "I just said a lot of difficulties, not because I, Zhang Shouzhi, prevaricate Yuanfu and refuse to do this matter, but because I want Yuanfu to think about the matter more carefully. That's right, don't let the treacherous people look for the bones in the eggs and find out what's wrong. I will issue two hundred thousand taels of silver notes tomorrow, and the Chaobaihe project will be delayed for a while. On Zhu Heng's side, I still hope Yuanfu Know the benefits, don't let him add to the chaos." "Please don't worry about this." Gao Gong replied bluntly, "I will be the one to speak at Zhu Heng's place. In fact, it will not take more than a month. As long as Concubine Li Gui can be stabilized and Feng Bao can be driven away, the matter will come to a happy ending, and I can't find it anywhere. The 200,000 taels of silver? No matter how bad it is, send a message to the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to ask Yin Zhengmao to return the 200,000 taels of silver." "I'm afraid this is difficult!" "Where is the difficulty?" "Who doesn't know that Yin Zhengmao loves money like his life, and asking him to return the bank note is tantamount to picking jujube out of a monkey's mouth. It won't work." Gao Gong smiled disapprovingly, and said: "Brother Yangzheng, please don't worry about this, no matter how powerful Sun Wukong is, he can't escape the palm of the Tathagata Buddha." The two laughed, Zhang Shouzhi stood up and said goodbye. When Gao Gong and Zhang Shouzhi were talking, Gao Fu came to the living room twice. He intended to urge the master to eat, but seeing that the two were talking very seriously, he didn't dare to disturb it, and he was so anxious that he walked in and out like a monkey playing. Running around.It wasn't until Zhang Shouzhi left that Gao Fu rushed in again and said, "My lord, the food and drink are ready." Because he was too hungry, Gao Gong lost his appetite at this time. He stood up and stretched, and replied: "It's time, what else do you want to eat? Go and get me a basin of hot water. I'll soak it sleep on one foot." Gao Fu agreed "yes", but he didn't move his feet. Gao Gong glanced at him and said, "Why are you dawdling, go quickly?" Gao Fu muttered and replied, "Master, you are so hungry all the time, your body can't take it anymore." "Don't talk too much." Gao Fu didn't care whether the master was upset or not, he continued to babble: "Master, the meal tonight is made by Madam herself." "Oh, is the old lady cooking?" "That's right, Madam sees that you have worked so hard these days, and you are living a life full of hunger and food, and it hurts so much, so tonight I will cook myself and cook a few of your favorite side dishes on weekdays to warm you up for a while." The jug of wine is just waiting for you to taste it." "Where is the old lady?" "After finishing the dishes, Madam felt tired, so she went to sleep first." Gao Gong felt that Madam's affection was hard to shake, so he ordered: "In that case, bring the food and wine to the study, and I'll drink two glasses to relieve fatigue." Gao Fu went down happily.After Gao Gong returned to the study for a while, Gao Fu came in with a food box, followed by a curvaceous woman. "Who is this?" Gao Gong pointed at the woman and asked Gao Fu. Gao Fu avoided the side, pouted at the woman, the woman approached generously, bent down and squatted at Gao Gong with a blessing, and said in a flattering voice: "My lord, my family's name is Yuniang." "Yu Niang." Gao Gong felt that the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember where he heard it, so he said to Yuniang, "You go out for a while." Yu Niang backed out. Gao Gong asked Gao Fu, "Where did this jade lady come from?" Gao Fu replied: "My lord, this Yuniang was brought to you when Shao Daxia came to Beijing last time." "Oh!" Only then did Gao Gong remember that incident. After Shao Daxia left, Gao Fu placed Yuniang in a nunnery, where two little nuns took care of her every day.Gao Fu had mentioned several times to his master, asking him to take the opportunity to meet Yuniang.Gao Gong always declined. Firstly, the imperial court was too busy with major events happening one after another. Secondly, Gao Gong was also worried that the people in the capital would talk too much. In this extraordinary period, don't invite objections, and just put things on hold.But never expected, Yuniang appeared at home.Gao Gong immediately turned angry, and reprimanded: "Gao Fu, you are so brave, you dare to bring Yuniang home." Gao Fu hurriedly defended: "Master, don't blame the villain, this matter is Madam's idea!" "Madam?" Gao Gong was taken aback, "My old lady, how does she know?" "Yes, the villain told her." Gao Fu then told the story: Yesterday, after Gao Gong left home, his wife found Gao Fu and said: "I see that the master is not only busy these days, but also the two pimples on his eyebrows are always there. God knows how many troubles he has. You have been with him for many years, and the master does not treat you as a slave, but as a father and son. You can't see the master's life so difficult and not help him find some happiness " Gao Fu also felt the same when he heard it, he thought hard for a while, and finally mustered up the courage to tell his wife about Yuniang.夫人一听，不但不生醋意，反而要高福把玉娘领回家来让她看看，高福领命，今日把玉娘领进家门，夫人接见说了会子话儿，竟对这玉娘十分地喜欢，便吩咐留在家中侍候老爷。 听罢原委，高拱笑了起来，说道：“我家这个老婆子真是开通，居然给老公拉皮条，既是这样，就叫玉娘进来吧。” 高福转身出门把玉娘领了进来，又把食盒子里的酒菜拿出来摆好，这才退了出去，小心把门掩好。 高拱家中的书房同客厅一样大，平素夜里只点一盏宫灯，光线不甚明亮。今夜里书僮按高福的吩咐把书房里的四盏宫灯全都点燃，因此屋子里明亮得如同白昼。借着亮炽的灯光，高拱仔细端详坐在眼前的玉娘：只见她穿着一袭素白的八幅罗裙，腰间数十道细褶，每一褶一道颜色，搭配得既淡雅，又别致，裙边一二寸宽的地方，滚了大红的花边，看上去很醒目，让人产生愉悦。也许是独自面对高拱的缘故，玉娘有些紧张，微垂着白腻如玉的鸭蛋脸，只让高拱看到一个梳裹得整齐的用金银丝线挽成的插梳扁髻。 “玉娘。”高拱喊了一句。 “老爷。” 玉娘抬起头来，只见她一双美丽的大眼睛脉脉含情，抿着两片薄薄猩红的嘴唇，微微上翘的嘴角露出些许的调皮与天真。面对这么一位不胜娇羞的美人儿，高拱不免心旌摇荡，一双火辣辣的眼睛盯着玉娘的脸蛋不挪开。玉娘被看得不好意思，香腮上飞起两朵红云，她躲过高拱的目光，站起身来说：“老爷，奴家给你斟酒。” “好，你陪老夫喝一杯。” 高拱说着，趁玉娘挪步过来斟酒的当儿，伸手把她执壶的手摸了一把，他像摸到了滑腻的牛乳，周身顿时如同遭到电击。在官场同僚中，高拱以不近女色闻名，可是今夜里，他也忍不住失态了。 “老爷，奴才敬你这一杯酒。” 玉娘双手举着酒杯，半是羞涩半是娇嗔地送到高拱跟前，高拱有些情不自禁，说话声调有些异样：“不是说好，你陪老夫一起喝么？” “这是敬老爷的，您先喝下，下一杯奴家再陪你喝。” “好，那就一言为定。” 高拱接过酒杯一饮而尽，玉娘又斟酒两杯，两人碰杯对饮。一杯酒下肚，玉娘的脸庞更是艳若桃花，光泽照人。高拱也是神采奕奕，兴致大发，他吃了两筷子菜，问玉娘：“你和邵大侠是何关系？” 玉娘答道：“奴家原籍在淮北，十一岁因家境没个着落，被父亲卖给一个大户人家当上房的使唤丫头。没过半年，又被那家主人转卖到南京秦淮河边的玉箫楼，认了一个新的干妈。那干妈便教我弹琴唱曲，吟诗描花。五年下来，倒也学了一些糊弄人的本事。干妈本是把我当作摇钱树来栽培，指望日后靠我腾达养老。那一日，邵大侠逛到玉箫楼来，不知谈了什么条件，就把我赎出身来，并把我带来北京，讲清楚了让我服侍老爷。” 玉娘一口气说完自己的经历，这倒更引起高拱的怜爱，问道：“你那干妈可还疼你。” “疼是疼，可是管教也严。” “怎么个严法？” “我进玉箫楼，从没见过一个生人，也从不让我参加任何应酬。” “你那干妈是个精明的生意人，她是想留着你放长线钓大鱼。这不，邵大侠就上钩了。” 高拱说罢，先自大笑起来，又把玉娘斟上的酒饮了一杯。玉娘也赔着笑了。高拱接着问道：“邵大侠是怎么跟你说的。” 玉娘两颊飞红，抿着嘴唇不语。 “说呀！”高拱催他。 “邵大侠说，他给我寻了个除了皇帝之外的天底下最显赫的人家，让我来当偏房。邵大侠说的这个人，就是老爷您了。” 玉娘细声细气说完这段话，羞得无地自容，伸出两支玉手捂住发烫的脸。这副忸怩不安娇滴滴的样子，越发逗得高拱开心。这时他已春心荡漾，很想上前把玉娘搂进怀里亲她一亲，但他还是克制住了，又寻个话头问道： “你干妈教你唱了些什么曲子。” “好多啦，大凡堂会上流行的曲子，奴家都会唱。” “啊，那你就唱它几支，给老夫佐酒。” “奴家遵命。” 玉娘答应，出门去拿了一张琵琶进来，调了调弦，问道：“老爷要听哪一支？” 高拱平素极少参加堂会应酬，就是偶尔参加，也无心留意曲牌，让他点唱可真是难为了他，因此答道：“你就捡好听的给我唱来。” 玉娘点点头，敛眉略一沉思，便轻挥玉指拨动琵琶，随着柔曼如捻珠般的弦声，玉娘唱道： The mountains are covered with slight clouds, the sky is sticky with decaying grass, and the sound of drawing horns breaks Qiaomen.Suspend the levy, and talk about leading Lizun together.How many old things in Penglai, look back empty, smoke and mist.Outside the setting sun, the jackdaws are counting, and the flowing water surrounds the isolated village.消魂。当此际，香囊暗解，罗带轻分。谩赢得，青楼，薄名存。此去何时见也，襟袖上，空染啼痕。At the wounded place, the high city can be seen off, and the lights are already dusk. 如果单只说话聊天，高拱只把玉娘看成是一个万里挑一的美人胚子。及至玉娘开口一唱，高拱才领会到玉娘原来是一个色艺俱佳的豆蔻佳人。听她慢启朱唇刚一开腔，高拱便有三分陶醉。他索性闭了眼，静听玉娘的一曲妙唱。那声音媚甜处，让人可以感觉到怀春少女的似水柔情；娇嗔处，让人如置画楼绣阁，听红粉佳人的打情骂俏；紧凑处如百鸟投林，飞泉溅玉；悠扬处如春江花月夜的一支洞箫。字正腔圆，珠喉呖呖。高拱听得痴了，玉娘一曲终了，他尚沉浸其中。 “老爷，奴家献丑了。”玉娘说道。 高拱醒过神来，连声叫好。望着明眸皓齿的玉娘，不禁又蹙了蹙眉头，说道：“你方才这唱的是宋代秦少游的《满庭芳》，词是好词，只是过于伤感。看看，曲子唱完了，你的眼中犹自泪花闪闪。” 玉娘怀抱琵琶欠欠身子，歉意地说：“这是干妈教给奴家的第一支曲子，我顺嘴唱了出来，没想到惹得老爷不高兴，奴家赔罪了。” 高拱没想到随便说一句，竟引起玉娘如此紧张，便故作轻松地一笑说道：“我只不过随便说说，老夫极少听人唱曲子，你却是唱得真好，你再唱下去，唱下去。” “老爷，奴家唱点诙谐的如何？” "whatever." 玉娘又不经意地拨了一下琵琶，定定神，又唱了一首： 提起你的势，笑掉我的牙。 你就是刘瑾、江彬，也要柳叶儿刮， 柳叶儿刮。 你又不曾金子开花、银子发芽。 我的哥罗！你休当玩耍， 如今的时年，是个人也有三句话。 你便会行船，我便会走马， 就是孔夫子，也用不着你文章； 弥勒佛，也当下领袈裟。 唱这支曲子，玉娘好像换了一个人，脸上的忧戚一扫而空，换成逗人发笑的顽皮。二八佳人学街头耍把戏的那种油腔滑调，这悬殊的反差本身就很出彩。因此把高拱逗得胡子一翘一翘地大笑，笑声止了，又满饮了一杯酒，高拱问道：“这支曲子叫啥名字？” 玉娘答道：“回老爷，叫《锁南枝》，是一支专门讽刺宦官的曲子。” 高拱眼眶里闪过一丝不易捉摸的光芒，说道：“老夫听到了，你唱的曲词儿中提到了刘瑾、江彬这两个恶贯满盈的大太监，这曲子也是你干妈教的？” 玉娘摇摇头，答道：“这曲子是奴家来到京城后才学会的。” “啊，跟谁学的？” “也没跟谁学，那一日，在两个小尼姑的陪同下，到泡子河边看景儿，在一个小书肆里买回一个唱本儿，上面有这首词儿。” “既是唱本儿，里头肯定有许多的词，你为何单单选中这一首来唱？” “这……”玉娘欲言又止。 高拱追问：“这里头难道还有什么可隐瞒之事？” 这一问，倒把玉娘唬住了，她连忙答道：“老爷言重了，奴家自到京城，日日夜夜都想着老爷，哪有什么隐瞒的事。奴家拣了这首词儿来唱，原是想讨老爷的欢心。” "how do I say this?" 高拱说话直通通的，口气很硬。这是因为长期身居高位养成的习惯，叫一个女孩儿家听了很不受用，但玉娘隐忍了，依旧含笑答道： “奴家听说，老爷很不喜欢宦官。” “哦？”高拱端起一杯酒来正准备一饮而尽，一听这句话又把酒杯放下了，问道，“你一个女孩儿家，怎好打听老夫官场上事？” 玉娘说：“也不是特别打听，满京城的人都知道，老爷不喜欢紫禁城内的一个冯公公，奴家只不过拣耳朵听来。” “因此你就拣了那首词儿来唱，讨我的欢心，是么？” “正是，”玉娘黑如点漆的眸子忽闪了几下，不安地问，“老爷，这有什么不对的么？” “也没有什么，”高拱长吁一口气，说道，“玉娘啊，老夫看你是聪明过头了。” 高拱说着，脑子里便浮出两句古诗：“花能解语添烦恼，石不能言最可人。”玉娘一个小小的女孩儿家，干吗要打听大老爷们官场上的事情？既留心打听，谁又能保证她日后不掺乎进来播弄是非？虑着这一层，高拱又联想到把隆庆皇帝缠得神魂颠倒的那个奴儿花花，她不也是有着倾城倾国之貌么？看来，古人所言不虚，女人是祸水，越是漂亮毒害越大。这么想下去，本来已被撩拨得精神振奋欲火难熬的高拱，刹那间又变得眼含刻毒心如冰炭，他推开杯筷，起身走出书房。一直候在书房外头过厅里不敢离去的高福，见主人走了出来，赶忙满脸堆笑迎上去，喊道： “老爷。” “唔，”高拱停下脚步，盯了高福一眼，说道，“你把玉娘送回去。” 高福一愣，小声问道：“送到哪儿？” “你从哪儿接来的，就送回到哪儿！” 高拱说完，头也不回地走回了后堂。高福不知道发生了什么事情，望着主人渐渐走远的背影发了好一阵子呆。斯时月已三更，万籁俱寂，只书房里头，隐约传出玉娘微微的啜泣。