eldest son of Ming dynasty

Li Dongyang dragged his sick body and insisted on accompanying the emperor through all the sacrificial procedures. After coming down, he still couldn't calm down for two days.

The situation of Emperor Zhengde was beyond his imagination.

Since ancient times, which generation of emperors would say that princes, generals, and ministers should rather have the right kind?
The doctor who treated him went out and told people: Li Zhongcheng's illness has subsided a little, his pulse has recovered, and he may be cured.

The family rejoices.

Li Dongyang's stepson Li Zhaofan was quite happy.

Because Li Dongyang did not have a son, he treated his stepson well. The relationship between father and son has always been very good. Sometimes Li Zhaofan personally took care of the medicine.

He was originally a little afraid that following the emperor to Xiaoling would aggravate his condition, but unexpectedly he got better.

"What did the doctor say?" Li Dongyang asked when he entered.

"The doctor said it's possible for my father to recover!"

Li Dongyang whispered softly, then stretched out his hand, "Help my father sit up."

Li Zhaofan hurriedly stepped forward and helped him lie down, "Does father feel better too?"

"My head is a little lighter. Does your Majesty have any instructions?"

"There is no decree coming, so don't worry, father." Li Zhaofan guessed, "Father, it must be because the Holy One is here. This is the real prescription."

"Ahem." Li Dongyang clenched his fists and coughed lightly, looking straight ahead at the palm of his hand with slightly hollow eyes, "I'm getting old. But... I don't want to grow old. Today... I met His Majesty. He is in the prime of his youth and has endless energy, which is enviable."

"Father will definitely be able to see it and see His Majesty's martial arts in all directions."

While the father and son were chatting, someone outside sent a message and Shengjia arrived at the door.

Li Dongyang suddenly became excited, and he quickly took his son's hand to get out of bed, but his movement was too slow, and Zhu Houzhao had already crossed the threshold and walked in.

"Just lie down, lie still and don't move!"

"Ah, Your Majesty! Old minister, I give this to Your Majesty..."

Zhu Houzhao took two steps quickly and held his shoulders directly, "I know what you are thinking. Your health is important, so lie down."

Li Zhaofan on the side could see the emperor's profile at close range.

She is indeed very young, her skin is smooth and tender, without a trace of wrinkles... As I was admiring it, I suddenly felt that this was an extremely disrespectful behavior, so I immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, Li Zhaofan, is here to see you!"

This was the first time Zhu Houzhao saw this person, "If I guess correctly, this is your son, right?"

Li Dongyang lay down slowly, his voice a little hoarse, "As your Majesty said, the dog's name is Zhaofan, with the courtesy name Dongbo. He is the adopted brother of the clan, and he has been considered filial in these years. Moreover, by your Majesty's grace, in Taichang Temple Thank you for your kindness, Dong Bo."

"Yes. I, Li Zhaofan, the young minister of Taichang Temple in Nanjing, would like to thank the emperor for your grace!"

"Ping Sheng. Have you finished taking the medicine?"

Li Zhaofan didn't even dare to raise his head, "Go back to the emperor and finish feeding."

"Then please step aside first. Although your father and I are monarchs and ministers, we are also friends who have known each other for many years. Please allow me to talk to him. Once you get outside, don't let anyone in unless I call you."

"Yes!"

Li Zhaofan lowered his head and backed away, finally closing the door.Because he is a stepson, and Li Dongyang's discipline is relatively strict, it is another matter to say that he has become a talent, but he is indeed an adult.

Li Dongyang had a high status, so it was a good thing for him to be summoned by the emperor alone.

inside the house.

Zhu Houzhao said: "I think your son has a peaceful face and should have a kind heart."

"It's a pity that my talents are limited and not enough to serve His Majesty."

"Don't say that. Your stepson is also a son. In front of me, you should say something nice to others."

Li Dongyang felt warm in his heart when he listened to the emperor's friendly joke, "Your Majesty is already very hard working on government affairs, working hard and sleeping late at night, so why waste your time for the sake of a humble body, which makes me so scared."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "I heard that you were sick, so I pushed everyone in Huai'an Mansion so hard that I just wanted to meet you and have a few words. You have been my chief minister, haven't you? Just a small official. And I have been familiar with you since I was the prince. Although we have had quarrels and quarrels with each other for more than ten years, I have always believed in you. You are the assistant minister left to me by the late emperor. I sincerely I hope you get better."

Li Dongyang was in a complicated mood. He never thought that one day the emperor would come to his bedside.

"Old minister, I have 1 wishes in my heart to obey your majesty's will. However, birth, old age, illness and death are the laws of heaven. Please forgive me for my inability to do so."

Probably because he felt that his end was approaching, there was a kind of sadness in Li Dongyang's words.

Hearing Zhu Houzhao sigh, "Anyway, I just want to come and see you today. The door is closed and we are not in Beijing. Let's talk about what's on our minds. It's been almost ten years since I sent the three of you out of the capital." The reason is not that I feel that you are not worthy of your position as minister, but that I want to implement many new policies, and sometimes I have no choice but to do so. You should understand me, right?"

Li Dongyang is such a person, I can understand it at once. In the end, it is just one sentence: once the emperor, one courtier.

These old people must be knocked down and their positions cleared so that the newcomers can have a head start and at the same time work firmly for the emperor.

Because he understood, he understood. Li Dongyang had no complaints. He said sincerely: "Your Majesty does not need to explain, the old ministers understand. Moreover, His Majesty can treat the three of us like this. He is already the most generous monarch in all dynasties. Rule the country with Tao." Ci, the emperor did what he said."

"It's rare that you can understand me. In the past few years, I have seen that Shandong, Nanzhili, Huguang and other places have good governance and people, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. It can be said that the three of you have not only lived up to my expectations, but also lived up to the expectations of the late emperor."

Li Dongyang said humbly: "All of this is your Majesty's fault. Your achievements in the past ten years have already convinced me. However, I am already old and often feel worried that I will not be able to see the prosperous times your Majesty will create in the future. Your Majesty, I have a few heartfelt words. , I don’t know whether to talk about it or not.”

"Just say it."

"Last month, your Majesty sent troops to the northwest. The old minister thought that with the strength of the Ming Dynasty and the bravery of Jinglubo, the northwest frontier country could be invaded at any time, and even the northern captives would not be afraid. There is no shortage of good generals in Jinglubo's camp. Your Majesty If you can pick one or two people, and support them with several strong guards, then the northern captives will definitely escape far away. But the Ming Dynasty's troubles today are not on land, but on the sea.

First, in the ten years since the opening of the sea, commerce in the south of the Yangtze River has flourished, and there have been frequent exchanges with overseas countries. The money and food for the court and local areas depended on sea trade, which must not be lost.Secondly, I have lived in Yingtian for ten years. From my observation, I found that the country of sea trade and commerce is more expansionist than the nomadic tribes in the north, and its heart is darker. "

"Why?" Zhu Houzhao asked with interest.

Li Dongyang said: "The grassland people do not live in the Central Plains and are poor in materials, so they often loot, but it does not last long, and the harm is mostly limited to the borders. But business is different. First, it is continuous. If it stops for a year, it may be completely lost. Secondly, Greed is never-ending. Not only will I not be grateful for your kindness this time, but I will feel that you are weak and can be bullied. I will take advantage of you for a hundred taels next time! Thirdly, all countries are pursuing profit with all their strength and are never satisfied. Even though they have already made a profit, they always want to annex the profits of other countries!”

Zhu Houzhao felt deeply, "Listening to your words, I know that you also put your heart and soul into Yingtian. So you should understand why I said the difference between Han and Yi, right?"

Li Dongyang exclaimed, "It turns out that His Majesty has been prepared for this."

"My preparation is one thing, but your ability to speak out is another. I am always relieved after hearing this. In this era of great strife, all ethnic groups focus on uniting their compatriots and resisting foreigners. One day, Future generations may think that this visit to the mausoleum in the [-]th year of Masanori's reign is my greatest achievement."

Li Dongyang didn't know how to imagine the 'kind of future generations' mentioned by the emperor, but looking at it from a longer-term perspective, it did seem to have a special meaning.

"Your Majesty, I really feel that having your Majesty in the Ming Dynasty is a gift from God, and it is a blessing for all the people of the Central Plains."

Indeed, without the forward-looking vision of later generations, these ancestors would have been unable to find the way in the dark.