eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 720 Silence
After December, the temperature dropped suddenly.

Today, for some reason, there was snow in the sky. The red Forbidden City was dyed white at this moment, and the cornices everywhere gave the snow a special shape.

The palace city after snow is quiet and solemn.

Several old men in red robes came out of the thermal pavilion in the emperor's palace and left long, crooked footprints.

In the wind and snow, most of them felt heavy-hearted.

"...At that time, I remember it was also snowing. Mao Weizhi was appointed as the imperial envoy to supervise the salt affairs of Lianghuai and Changlu. After returning to Beijing with good news, the emperor was overjoyed. It has only been a few years, and I really can't figure out why the emperor wanted to do this this time. Such a serious matter?"

The feet stepped on the snow, making a "creak, creak" sound, and the three figures walked farther and farther between the two walls.

Facing Liang Chu's lament, He Jian, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, said: "The Holy Will cannot be guessed. The emperor's power is getting stronger day by day, and whether it is Yang Yingning or Mao Weizhi, the methods of disposal are increasingly thunderous. Under such changes, there will always be Such a day."

Everyone thought in advance that Yang Yiqing might not end well, and Mao Weizhi should be fine.

Under such expectations, when Yang Yiqing ended up pretty well, everyone thought that it would be fine after the rain.Who would have thought that the emperor not only would not let Mao Ji go, but would also punish him even more severely.

The so-called holy will cannot be guessed, isn't it? There is a powerful master in the Forbidden City, and no one can figure out his temper.

From now on, all you have to do is proceed with caution.

Everything is related. When Zhu Houzhao wants to do this, the official group will definitely have such a reaction.

The officialdom will definitely become a little more quiet after this incident.

At first, memorials pleading for Mao Ji were piled up in the emperor's imperial court, but when he was finally released from prison and returned to his home in Beijing, he was deserted and only a few people came to visit him.

Mao Ji was now dressed in coarse linen clothes, and he was no longer qualified to wear silk.

Even because of his past integrity, his life will soon become difficult.

When people like Gu Renyi and Gu Zuo went to see him, they would certainly do something to help him.

The emperor did not explicitly put an end to it.

But how could Mao Ji accept it?

He entertained his former colleagues with a pot of light tea at home. The weather was so cold that the water vapor turned into a wisp of green smoke and surrounded him.

In fact, it is relatively silent.

Say what?

Court affairs?Mao Ji will not ask for trouble.

In the future?

Wherever there is anything else, from now on it will be done at sunrise and rest at sunset.

"A gentleman is not immune to criticism. I understand the kindness of both of you, but if you still think highly of me, please take it back."

Gu Renyi said: "I expected you to be like this, but I brought the things anyway. Wei Zhi and we know each other well, so we should know that we don't mean that."

"Of course I know, but I still can't bear it." Mao Ji pushed the things on the table and said, "Take it back. I didn't intend on yellow and white things. Since the emperor gave me farming to be self-sufficient, this is the imperial decree. Taking it is also resistance. Purpose."

"This..." Gu Renyi didn't know how to refute this, so she turned to Gu Zuo, "Li Qing, please say a few words."

"I'm afraid Wei Zhi won't accept it if he says it to Po Tian. The two of us also understand our intentions. Since we don't want to accept it at this time, let's talk about it in the future. If Wei Zhi encounters any difficulties after returning home, we can Write to us and we will do our best to help you."

"Thank you both very much." Mao Ji bowed sincerely, "A friend in need is a friend indeed. Your Majesty is merciful. Although I won't blame you two for this, you still condescended to come to me at this time. I, Mao Ji, will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life. But in the future... I'm afraid it will be difficult to repay."

While they were chatting, there was a sound from the inner courtyard. It turned out that the servants in Mao Ji's mansion were packing up their belongings and preparing to leave.His wife and children, who were rarely seen, also wore yellow and gray linen.

The family cannot stay in this place for more than a few days.

"Alas." Gu Zuo sighed, and then tried his best to comfort him, "Although His Majesty's treatment is a bit harsh, the purpose seems to be to protect him and feel the suffering of the people. One day in the future, he may not be able to do it again. Recall him back to the capital. After Wei Zhi returns to his hometown, he can just study and cultivate his spirit, and there will always be opportunities for him to make a difference."

Mao Ji didn't dare to think about it.

He thought about being beheaded and demoted, but he never thought that his fame would be wiped out.

He doesn't show anything in front of others,
But when he left in the wind and snow with his luggage, his sadness and grief could no longer be concealed on his face.

Did he really offend the emperor and break his heart?
And the thought of returning to his hometown to face his relatives made him even more painful.

Especially his first wife and his ignorant son.

"What are your plans after your husband returns?" the wife asked.

Mao Ji shook his head, "I don't know, my husband is in a mess right now."

"They... they all said there is still a chance." The wife pursed her lips, her eyes full of hope.

Mao Ji passed the imperial examination at a young age and was from a scholarly family, so she was not a bad wife. However, this time her family suffered a disaster and all their fame and property were taken away. When the decree came, she directly Passed out.

When the emperor can change his mind, that is what she is most concerned about.

So she really hoped to hear such news from Mao Ji, even if it was just possible, even if it was a lie to her.

But Mao Ji did not dare to say: "The emperor is angry this time. As a husband... as a husband, I'm sorry for you, but after we return home, we can only kowtow and admit our mistakes, but we must not make promises lightly. I have no confidence in my heart."

"Woo... Wu..." Mrs. Mao couldn't help crying immediately. She was also panicked and didn't know what to do. "...What about the child? The child is only more than ten years old. The imperial court has taken away his fame. In the future, Will even the children not be able to read?”

Mao Ji clenched his fists and held back his tears, but still said stubbornly: "A gentleman has something to do and something not to do. At that time, that's all a husband can do."

……

……

Gu Zuo and Gu Renyi quietly looked at the leaving carriage from a distance.

Gu Renyi said: "Li Qing, do you really think Mao Weizhi will recover?"

Gu Zuo said with certainty: "Weizhi is not only knowledgeable, but also an honest official with considerable political achievements. Even if the emperor is angry with such a person, there will always be times when his anger subsides, so how can he not even have a chance to recover?"

Gu Renyi didn't have much confidence, "Your Majesty wants to warn everyone, so how can you easily bypass him?"

"Not so!"

"Your Majesty's wishes are always good. To nourish the spirit... Sigh." Gu Renyi sighed deeply and said: "Before I was promoted by Your Majesty, I served as a county magistrate in Sichuan. I have seen with my own eyes the life of the common people. Even if you work hard all year round and have a full stomach, how can you study? How can you nourish your spirit?"

Officials in the DPRK and those who grew up in a relatively well-off family may think that the emperor is just punishing, but anyone who can think a little more knows that if Mao Weizhi returns to his hometown in this capacity, he will have to shed his skin even if he is not dead.

Even if they can eat well, even if the country gentry can abide by the court laws, what will happen to them, but the relatives will bypass him?
Even Minister Mao Ji of the Ministry of Industry suffered this fate, and others need not think too highly of themselves.

Soon, it was reported in the palace that the emperor was about to issue an order to clear the land. This time, the noise was much quieter.

The loose political atmosphere of the Zhengde Dynasty seemed to have completely disappeared at the end of the Zhengde decade, and both the government and the public were groveling under the authority of the monarch and keeping silent.

(End of this chapter)