Cyber Daming

"Your Majesty, this is the blessing shrine for this new year drafted by the cabinet. Please take a look at it."

Gao Sheng, the cabinet scholar, knelt at the foot of the steps, respectfully holding a memorial in his hands.

"Is this really necessary? I write it every year and speak it every year, but in my opinion, there are not many people in the world who are willing to listen to what I say."

A neither salty nor bland voice floated down from the high platform.

"Your Majesty, festive greetings are a rule that has been left since the late emperor ascended the throne. Now it has become an important ritual for people all over the world to celebrate the festival. It must not be abolished easily."

Gao Sheng, a cabinet scholar, looks to be in his forties or fifties, with dark beard and hair, and is in his prime.

"In addition to the people of the world, officials of all sizes in the imperial court have also been waiting in the yellow beams early. Everyone is eagerly waiting to hear His Majesty's holy words."

"Really? In fact, your cabinet can handle these matters on its own. You have done a good job over the years. I am very relieved."

Gao Sheng lowered his eyes and remained silent, still holding the booklet high in his hands.

A vague sigh lingered in the empty hall.

Emperor Jiaqi put down the brush in his hand, stepped down the steps, and stood in front of Gao Sheng.

"Since it is a rule set by the late emperor, I should abide by it. When I record it, I will send it to your cabinet."

"Your Majesty is holy."

Feeling that the fold in his hand was taken away, Gao Sheng, who was kneeling on the ground, finally raised his head, but what caught his eyes was a slightly unfamiliar face.

The Emperor Jiaqi in front of him unexpectedly started to grow a beard at some point. Although it was only a light layer for the time being, his eyebrows were already a little less immature and a little more calm and restrained.

"Your Majesty, according to the arrangements of the Chief Assistant, during the period when he leaves the capital, I will be responsible for your Majesty's studies."

Emperor Jiaqi smiled half-heartedly and said, "You? Gao Sheng? Are you here to teach me?"

"Of course I know that I don't have the qualifications. That's why I made a special trip to express my resignation to Your Majesty and beg Your Majesty to exempt me from this errand."

"No need. Since the chief assistant asked you to come, it means that in his eyes, you are qualified to answer my questions."

Emperor Jiaqi waved his sleeves, and the Yanren attendant who was waiting at the side immediately brought a chair.

"You are the master today, so there is no point in teaching while kneeling. Just sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the seat."

Gao Shengcheng stood up in fear, his buttocks pressed tightly against the edge of the chair.

"Master Gao, I don't know where to start today's lesson?"

"Your Majesty studied under Mr. Zhang and is already familiar with the works of the Holy Spirit and the classics of various scholars. Naturally, I am incapable of giving guidance."

Gao Sheng paused for a moment and said cautiously and tentatively: "Why don't we learn what your Majesty is interested in today?"

"That's good."

Emperor Jiaqi paced with his hands behind his back. After walking back and forth in front of Gao Sheng for two times, he stood still and asked: "Master Gao, my student, please tell me, where is the power of my Ming Empire?"

"The country and the country are naturally in the hearts of the people."

Without thinking, Gao Sheng gave what he thought was an impeccable answer.

"No. Master Gao misunderstood me. What I asked was..."

Emperor Jiaqi said one word at a time: "Who is the mountain of the empire, and who is the river of the empire?"

There was faint sweat on Gao Sheng's forehead, and the thoughts in his mind were racing. After pondering for a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, you are the mountain, and the chief assistant is the river."

"What's the explanation?"

"Mountains are the topography of the land, and they carry virtues. Everything depends on His Majesty's kindness to survive. The best is like water, flowing through thousands of miles of fertile soil, nurturing hundreds of millions of people for the empire. The two complement each other, but they have clear priorities. The mountain is the master. , Jiang Weichenfu."

Emperor Jiaqi did not comment on Gao Sheng's lame excuse and slowly walked behind him.

"Master Gao, I remember your ancestral home is in the capital, right?"

Gao Sheng pursed his lips: "Yes."

"In which year did you join the cabinet?"

"Three years of Jiaqi."

"So now, is it your tenth year in the cabinet?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for not giving up. It's been almost ten years."

Emperor Jiaqi nodded: "You have worked really hard these years. Do you still have any descendants at home in the capital?"

Gao Sheng's heart trembled inexplicably, and he said urgently: "They are all mediocre people, so they did not enter the official career, and they were all left in the capital by the old ministers."

"It's good to be in the capital. Nowadays, there are constant troubles everywhere in the empire, but the capital is relatively peaceful."

In a few words, the two of them seemed to have changed their identities.

Gao Sheng is no longer the teacher teaching, but the prisoner being questioned, and the leadership is completely in the hands of Emperor Jiaqi, who is supposed to be a student.

"I heard that you were his student when the Chief Assistant was still serving as the headmaster of Xindonglin Academy? Who were your classmates?"

"Yes, in addition to veterans, those who have held official positions include Pei Xingjian, the current governor of Chengdu Prefecture, and Li Bufeng, the former Xuanwei envoy to the Japanese area. As for the others, most of them stayed in the academy to teach."

"All of them are ministers of our Ming Empire."

Emperor Jiaqi chuckled and said: "But their achievements are far behind you. It seems that you should be the chief disciple's favorite disciple?"

Gao Shengqian said with a smile: "I don't dare to take it. The old minister happens to be the weakest one among this group of classmates. He is not capable of being on his own, so he can only stay with the chief assistant to run errands."

"If even the dullest one can become a cabinet minister, then aren't the others just pearls covered in dust, unworthy of their positions?"

Emperor Jiaqi sighed suddenly: "It is my fault that so many talents have not been put to good use."

"It is my fault, Your Majesty, that this old minister made a mistake. Please punish me."

Gao Sheng's hair stood up suddenly, his waist straightened, and his body against the edge of the chair was about to fall down.

"Since it is a lecture, there is no monarch and minister, only master and student. What crime has Master Gao committed?"

Emperor Jiaqi held Gao Sheng's body, pressed his shoulders, and pushed him back into the chair.

"Okay, we were just chatting just now, let's get back to the topic."

Emperor Jiaqi said: "Master Gao, you just mentioned that I am the mountain and the prime minister is the river. I think this statement is not appropriate."

"Please speak."

Gao Sheng tried his best to keep his voice calm.

"Emperor Shizong once said that the emperor is not the 'mountain' and the subjects are not the 'river'. Without us, the mountains and rivers will still exist. But if there is no emperor and subjects, there will be no one to govern the chaos in the mountains and rivers."

Emperor Jiaqi said loudly: "So in my opinion, the way to hold on to the throne is very simple, that is, to kill all the bandits who are making trouble and put an end to all natural and man-made disasters!"

"Who are the bandits?" Gao Sheng asked in a trembling voice.

"Of course, it is Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain who proclaimed himself as the protector of the country, the nine kings of Donghuang Palace who usurped the throne, and the Honghu kings who incited the people. Of course, there are also our own people among them."

Gao Sheng didn't know if it was his illusion, he felt that Emperor Jiaqi pronounced the three words "our own people" with special solemnity.

"But since I am the ruler, I should naturally stand at the highest point of the mountain and watch the wind and clouds roll. So Master Gao, there is nothing wrong with you saying 'the king is the mountain'. But if one day the river bursts and floods, what should I do?"

A pair of not-so-broad hands pressed on his shoulders, and Gao Sheng, who was sitting upright, trembled violently.

"I think that no matter how big the waves are, they can never submerge the top of the mountain. They will always surrender to the foot of the mountain."

"I just said it's possible. If you really encounter turbid waves, what will you do?"

The hot breath hit his ears, but Gao Sheng felt a piercing coldness rushing from his tailbone to the top of his head.

"Gao Sheng, I ask you, what will you do then?"

Emperor Jiaqi repeated this sentence again, and every word was like a sword, piercing Gao Sheng's body.

Gao Sheng fell down and knelt down: "I will follow Li Bing's example and make it my life's ambition to pacify the flood. I will serve your majesty until my death."

"Okay, Master Gao's teachings, I will remember them."

Emperor Jiaqi bowed respectfully to Gao Sheng, who was kneeling on the ground, but when he stood up, his tone suddenly became very indifferent.

"I am tired. Today's class ends here. Master Gao, please leave."

"Yes, yes, I will take my leave."

Such mood swings made Gao Sheng sweat all over his face.

But he did not dare to raise his sleeves to wipe it off. He quickly stood up and walked backwards out of the hall.

In the empty hall, Emperor Jiaqi picked up the memorial with gorgeous words, shook his wrist lightly, and the memorial instantly broke into pieces of paper and scattered all over the floor.

"When will the festival be held when the mountains and rivers are sinking? Who is still qualified to celebrate the festival?"

Emperor Jiaqi turned around and looked at the palace door where Gao Sheng left, and smiled coldly.

"An old fox pretending to be stupid."

"Your Majesty, do you want me to deal with Gao Sheng?"

Emperor Jiaqi's vision suddenly rippled, and he was already in a dream.

The scene in the dream was exactly the same as the palace in the world. A young Confucian scholar stood here respectfully, and the voice just now came from his mouth.

"Although Gao Sheng is not capable and has been stuck at the threshold of the third rank for his entire life, he has a wide range of friends in the Confucian order and is very popular. If we move him rashly, it will inevitably cause others to feel grief. Now is the time to win people's hearts, and doing so will not be worth the loss."

Emperor Jiaqi shook his head gently: "And Zhang Fengyue left him here as my teacher, which may not be without the intention of testing. It is not the time to completely tear our faces apart yet, so we cannot move him."

"Yes. But Your Majesty, did Zhang Fengyue really give up Northern Zhili on his own initiative? Why?"

"He is giving me a practical lesson."

Emperor Jiaqi sighed and said: "He deliberately left me a stage to display my abilities, just to see if I have the ability to be an emperor who can stabilize the country and quell the turmoil. Zhang Shiyong If he hadn't been determined to cut off the foundation of my Zhu Dynasty, I would have really wanted to be his student for a few more years and fulfill my filial duty as a teacher and student."

"Your Majesty, don't be deceived by him!"

The young Confucian scholar cursed: "Zhang Fengyue is hypocritical and cunning, and his behavior is despicable. For his own selfish desires, he even tried to destroy the thousand-year plan set by Emperor Yizong himself. Even if he is cut into pieces, it is not a pity!"

"Shut up!"

Emperor Jiaqi suddenly shouted: "Yan Dongqing, you are so bold, who gave you the qualifications to evaluate the current Prime Minister, my master, so well?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me."

The Confucian scholar turned over and knelt on the ground, "But I really can't stand his arrogant and domineering style. A person who is a minister and a slave, it's fine if he doesn't think about your majesty's kindness, but he dares to do such a rebellious act. He deserves to die, he deserves to be killed!"

"I know you are loyal, but it is not yet time to decide whether Zhang Fengyue has merit or demerits in his life. If he can turn back from his lost ways and rein in his horses, then in my eyes, he will still be the unparalleled name of our Ming Empire. My Lord, you should leave your name in history and make it known through the ages!”

"Your Majesty is so benevolent. If he dares to act without knowing what is right or wrong, he will act his own way."

Yan Dongqing said coldly: "Even if it offends His Majesty, I will definitely chop off this old man's head."

"Don't you understand what I'm saying? How dare you speak nonsense here!"

"When it comes to your father, I really can't hold back my anger!"

"You oh you"

Emperor Jiaqi's eyes suddenly changed from harsh to soft. He looked at the indignant Yan Dongqing and said with a helpless smile: "When can I change this fiery temper? I act so impulsively. If I can rest assured, I can entrust the Spring and Autumn Society to you." ?”

"I know I made a mistake, please punish me."

"Okay, get up and talk."

Emperor Jiaqi helped Yan Dongqing up with his own hands: "I have told you a long time ago that we are not only monarchs and ministers, but also like-minded people. When the Ming Dynasty is elevated to the Kingdom of God, you will still be the new chief minister appointed by me. . I understand your intentions, and you should also understand my current difficulties."

"I was reckless and ignored His Majesty's hard work. I deserve to die."

A flash of excitement flashed across Yan Dongqing's eyes, and he quickly took two steps back and bowed to the end.

"You're here again, why are you so indifferent?"

Emperor Jiaqi looked at his empty hands with a helpless expression.

"The etiquette between the king and his ministers cannot be broken."

Yan Dongqing changed the subject and said, "Your Majesty, I actually have something that I don't understand."

"Is it about the family relationship?"

Emperor Jiaqi asked with a smile.

"yes!"

Yan Dongqing spoke bluntly: "Are we really going to hand over the Songjiang Xu family? I have received news that Yang Baize has collected enough charges and may take action against the Xu family at any time."

"The speed is quite fast. Pei Xingjian's student is not easy either."

"The Xu family themselves are too dirty. They can collect a bunch of evidence without digging deeply. And these things are not important at all. What Yang Baize wants is just a legitimate excuse."

Yan Dongqing said solemnly: "Your Majesty, although the Xu family is not important, Xu Haichao can die. But now is the critical moment for the Spring and Autumn Society to step from behind the scenes to the stage. If you choose to give in at this time, I am worried that other people will be frustrated. , and it will even make some wavering grassroots turn to the side of the New Donglin Party, which is not a good thing for the Spring and Autumn Conference! "

"Where is Zhang Fengyue now?"

Emperor Jiaqi did not answer Yan Dongqing directly, but suddenly moved the topic aside.

Yan Dongqing frowned slightly, and for a moment he didn't understand what the emperor meant, but he still answered honestly: "Zhang Fengyue is in Fandi now, and he also ordered Zhang Siyuan to use Huangliang authority to blow up a Daoxu sky orbit star. It should be Send someone to project the Chengdu Prefecture’s behavior before warning Longhu Mountain.”

"Huangliang authority, this is an important weapon of the empire, but it cannot be in my hands. It is really sad."

Emperor Jiaqi muttered to himself, and then said to Yan Dongqing: "I know that you are optimistic about Xu Haichao and have always regarded him as an effective subordinate. But there is one thing you have to understand. Since Yang Baize was transferred from Wa District to Songjiang as Huating From the time he became the county magistrate, Zhang Fengyue had already set the Xu family as the first target for surgery. "

"Now the New Donglin Party is still powerful. Although many of the older generation of feudal lords are also dissatisfied with Zhang Fengyue's actions, they have long been frightened out of their courage and do not dare to make any resistance. They only hope that Zhang Fengyue will kill enough others. , you can let them go.”

"This is not entirely a bad thing for the Spring and Autumn Society. The harder he presses, the more people will naturally turn to the Spring and Autumn Society."

Emperor Jiaqi said patiently: "So now is not the time to worry about the gains and losses of one branch or another, do you understand?"

Although Yan Dongqing was still unwilling, he did not dare to say anything. He could only grit his teeth and said, "I understand."

"Okay, let's seize this opportunity and win over a few more sects. After the Spring and Autumn Society has fully established its foothold, there will naturally be no need to give in like today."

"I obey the order."

Yan Dongqing bowed his hands and his figure disappeared into the dreamland.

"His Majesty."

This dreamland of yellow beams has the feeling of you singing and then me taking the stage. Yan Dongqing just left with his front foot, and another figure came in behind his back foot.

"Yan Dongqing is just an ignorant white-eyed wolf. His purpose of keeping the Xu family is not for the Spring and Autumn Festival, but for..."

"Okay, Third Uncle, I understand what you said."

Emperor Jiaqi chuckled and interrupted: "Yan Dongqing is indeed very ambitious, but if you want to achieve something great, how can you do it without ambition?"

"Ambition and treachery cannot be lumped together."

The visitor said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, you must be careful and watch out for him."

"I have clearly seen what he is thinking. It is just a tool that I reluctantly took advantage of, and there is no need to be careful. On the contrary, I will give him the opportunity to pursue this delusional idea of ​​'establishing a Confucian country on his own and reviving the Spring and Autumn Period' ”

Emperor Jiaqi said calmly: "Only in this way, this leader of the younger generation of Ruxu will focus all his energy on the Spring and Autumn Conference. With those arrogant Ruxu who don't know the heights of the world, they will fight to the death with Zhang Fengyue. "

"Your Majesty, aren't you worried about raising tigers?"

"What are you afraid of? The chaotic situation is a good opportunity for us to break the lock and advance to the rank of rank. Isn't it the situation we have been working so hard to create?"

Emperor Jiaqi turned to look at the other party and said earnestly: "Uncle San, there is actually something I have always wanted to ask you in person. You changed from Zongheng to Bingxian, hiding your name, practicing Liutao and doing menial business, and managing Honghu to slaughter the people. Have you ever resented me in your heart?"

"Your Majesty, haven't you also put on a layer of Confucianism and compromised with Zhang Fengyue? It's all for Zhu Ming, so there is no resentment."

"Yes, it's all for the Zhu Ming royal family and the ancestral country."

Emperor Jiaqi took a deep breath and smiled: "But it won't be long before our uncle and nephew don't have to wear this smelly outer skin anymore."

"Yes. We have been waiting for this day for a long time!"